Do You Have a White Board??

Hmm, do you suppose Santa drinks coffee??  I think he probably drinks coffee in the morning to get started and then stops his toy making and has a cup of tea with Mrs. Claus in the afternoon.  He probably has his own special Santa brew don't ya think.  Continuing my "cup a day" for the holidays.  Join me??

 Speaking of getting started...this morning when I walked out to get the newspaper there was a helicopter buzzing overhead.  He kept circling our neighborhood and continues as I write this.  My neighbor walked out and proceeded to tell me his wife heard "shots" this morning about 6:00 AM and then police sirens followed thereafter.  It must be quite serious because they have closed the elementary school in our neighborhood and closed off an entrance into the neighborhood.  I have the TV and radio on right now, but apparently a review of  "The Nutcracker" is more important.  Oh that was cynical!!  But when you want to know what is happening in your neighborhood with police cars and helicopters that takes precedence over "The Nutcracker".  Here it is almost 3 hours later, helicopter still circling and still don't know exactly what's going on.  Guess I will have to report in tomorrow, hopefully we will hear the story by then.  I fear it must be really, really serious and my only prayer is that there were no injuries.   My doors are locked today, something I have never had to consider before.

I finally cleared the pumpkins and pansies off the front porch yesterday...and set up a more festive, seasonal look.  The red pot has live (for awhile anyway) greens, a tree tip and  pine boughs.  I added the lighted branches (bought those 2 years ago and never used them, knew they would come in handy sooner or later) and hung a few small Christmas ornaments, I'm happy.  Turned on the spotlight and now all we need is a little snow.  And speaking of snow...Chicago just broke another weather record...the longest stretch without measurable snow 200+ days.  These are the kind of records I'm not crazy about.  If I didn't know any better I would think I was back in Dallas...where the snow is rare and the summers are crazy hot, just like Chicago's last summer.

Do you have a white board in your stash of photography stuff?  It is amazing how much I use this magical $5.98 piece of foam core all the time...especially during this season of bright colors.

And then when you add a little digital magic it becomes a colorful Christmas Card.

Sharing with Sweet Shot Tuesday...

Hope your days continue to be merry & bright!!

"Remember if Christmas isn't found in your heart, then you won't find it under the tree."  ~  Charlotte Carpenter

Until next time....