Sasanqua Camellia

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We've had a few frosts even as recent as this past week, but the sasanqua camellia over my neighbor Judy's pond still looks gorgeous in the midday sun.

More Christmas Light Painting

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Several variations on a shot of a spiral Christmas tree.  Whimsical and colorfully pleasing I think.

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Christmas Light Painting

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On the way home from Joey's basketball practice tonight, I asked Donnie to drive us into one of the neighborhoods along the way.  Lots of decorated houses in this location.  I took quite a few pics here last year and was glad to take more this year.  Yep, me doing light painting again.  The little spiral tree is beside the angel below.  Love the multiple colors in the angel! The card is inverted of course:-)

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A Choir of Christmas Music

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Each year we drive by Happyland Christmas Lights near Cary, NC on Penny Road.  Each year he adds a bit more.  What an interesting mix of secular and religious and of new and antique.  Something for everyone!

I'll try to get more info on these older musical figures.  I know they are covered when it rains to protect their restoration.

The ferris wheel and the merry-go-round are my favorite.  Johnny was delighted to see a train inflatable this year.  We love watching for Santa in the upstairs window of the house too.

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Mickey Mouse has a sparkling spot in the display too.

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Hopefully we'll get back by the display a few more times before Christmas is over and it comes down.

All Decked Out!

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Every year when we go to Lights on the Neuse, we pass through the town of Clayton, NC.  And, each year Main Street is all decked out for Christmas with beautiful storefronts and older historic homes all aglow.  I just love this big white mansion of a house.  Looks like they use it for catering parties and such.  I almost caught this gorgeous white horse in front of the house.  Just now was to through a point and shoot flash far enough in traffic no less to capture the scene.  I had asked the horse owner a few blocks over if it was OK to use flash with the horse, and she said yes.

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Here is the horse up the road a bit from the prior shot.  Finished taking one couple for a horse drawn buggy ride, the owner was trying to line up some more business and talking with friends.

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Back to the house, this was the scene through the front door.  I like the sneak peek effect.  She never knew I was there.

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Here's a close-up of one of the bows in the front yard.  So pretty!

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Thanks to Leslie Perry the owner of Fantasy Fun Carriage for letting me take the pics of her horse.

Lights in the Quonset Hut

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I know this image is really out of focus, but I really like it anyway.  At Lights on the Neuse Saturday night, the tractors pulling the trailers of people pass through a Quonset Hut (I had to have Donnie tell me that name).  This is a picture inside the hut.  The tractor and trailer span the entire length...about 40'.  We were sitting right behind the tractor, and you're looking at the tractor cab and driver as we're driving through the hut.  The tractor stops and you get to enjoy the elves and  Santa and various light displayed before moving on.  This is near the beginning of the 20+ minute drive through the farm land.

Angel - Lights on the Neuse

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We went to Lights on the Neuse last night near Clayton, NC.  This is our 3rd year going but was Donnie's first time.  I'll probably share pics from there for 2 or 3 days.  Today I'll share the images from the 3D barn.  They have both religious and secular images in there all beautiful.  This angel is my favorite.  I've created a collage of the religious and secular images as well.

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It was 20 degrees warmer this year.  No gloves necessary.  No stinging feet on the way home in the van.  I even got Donnie to sit with us and Santa.  It was a great night!

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