For unto us a child is born....

Some photos of the Nativity on the Capitol grounds.  

I didn't get any shots of the Freethinkers display that is set up behind this.  It looks like an outhouse with posters all over it so it wasn't really worth photographing.

Merry Christmas Arkansas!

Our State Capitol has been high on my list of places to photograph for a while, so Brad and I decided that Christmas Eve would be a good day to go.  We were almost the only people there which meant that we didn't have to worry about a bunch of strangers getting in our shots!

The exterior of the Capitol is made of limestone that was quarried in Batesville!

The front doors are bronze and were purchased from Tiffany's in New York.

It has been years since Brad or I were on the inside of the Capitol.  I thought it was a little odd that we were able to just walk around like we owned the place (even though, I guess, we do.)  I loved the way it was decorated for Christmas.

Our soon-to-be REPUBLICAN House!!!  =)

Our Christmas portrait!!

The Christmas tree had a hand painted ornament for each county.  We found Sharp and Izard, but they were too high to get a good shot of.  We never found Pulaski, Independence, or Baxter. 

I liked these two...

I think this one was Randolph.

After Brad went to work, I went back to get a shot of the lights on the building for Christmas.  It was raining by then and, even though I had an umbrella over my camera, I couldn't keep my lens raindrop-free so I didn't have much luck.  

This isn't very good, but it was the best of the few I took.  After looking at these shots on my computer, I've decided that I don't even really like the lights on the capitol.  I'll go back and try to get a shot I like after the Christmas lights come off.

It's always something around here...

A couple of nights ago, Brad had given Tiger quite a bit of food in his bowl on the back patio.  In no time, the food and bowl were completely gone.  We found it up on top of the hill and it was obvious the wind wasn't responsible.

Well, I figured out tonight what it was......

A raccoon!!

He was on the patio right next to the back door eating Tiger's food when I found him!  I grabbed a golf club and my camera and scared him up a tree in the backyard.  

I guess we will just have to live with him because I don't know how to get rid of a raccoon!  We'll just be more careful about how much food we give Tiger.

This was the first time I used flash on my camera.  I used the automatic portrait setting for these because I didn't know any other way to get flash.

Christmas....Schulz style

I decided to start early on decorating for Christmas this year and I'm glad I did.  I had my tree up and most of the rest of the house decorated before Thanksgiving. 

It is hard for me to get a good picture of my tree because it sits right in front of the window.  But I love my little tree.  It is the perfect size for our small house!

I LOVE this Candy Cane sign.  I got it at Hobby Lobby years ago.

This little tree is in Brad's bathroom.  I got it on sale at Pottery Barn last year.

I have several of these snowflake ornaments and they are some of my favorites.

 

This pillow is new this year, from Pottery Barn and Instant Imprints did the monogram.  

Front door wreath.  It's really kind of pathetic.  The berry part is actually a wreath and I just wrapped a small part of a cheap garland around the edge.  The ice skates came from Coldwater Creek on super-after-Christmas sale several years ago.  I'm going to have to work on it now that I've seen a photo of it....it's kind of lopsided!

Even Spatz is getting the Christmas spirit!  Although the look on her face would lead you to believe otherwise.

Brad has to work on Christmas so we don't have any plans.  I won't have any excuses not to get the house back to normal if I have it all to myself!  

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!

(Especially the two of you who are reading this!!!)

Buffalo City

Brad and I went to Mountain Home on Saturday and as we started home, we took a little detour down to Buffalo City (this was the first I'd ever heard of it).  It's where the White and Buffalo Rivers meet! 

I bet the population of this place is pretty low, but hopefully those who do live there don't take their surroundings for granted.  

Yes, that's two humans!  Fly fishing!  In 40 degree whether!

The bluff behind the White River.

There is even a railroad track running next to the river.  

A guy who Brad works with is moving to Mountain Home and is building a house out toward this area.    We wanted to check it out but the house is not far enough along to really be able to tell anything.  We did get to see the view they will have EVERY day though. 

 What I wouldn't give (except enough money) to have this view from my living room!

This picture doesn't do it justice at all.  But I would love to have the White River in my back yard.  And the railroad track in the picture above runs between the river and their house!  I can't imagine anything more perfect. I believe there are some more lots around them for sale but I didn't see any other houses.  The only problem was it was about 20 minutes from Mountain Home.  So basically in the middle of nowhere.  I wouldn't be too interested in that.  And when it snows, they are going to be stuck.  But that view might be worth it!

Look what was on our doorstep when I got home....

This pretty poinsettia! 

It was from Mr. Peterson and Bobbi Brown at Baxter.  So I guess it was for Brad.  But it's always exciting to find such a nice surprise at the front door!  

I love the pot it came in.  

I wonder how long it will take for me to completely kill the poor thing.  I've never had much luck keeping a poinsettia alive.

Thanks BRMC!