Tuesday, December 7, 2010

black and white Wednesday - tradition

Snowy tree farm blw WEB 1-2

White.
Newly fallen snow.
Serene.
Gray sky.
Cold.
Snowy tree farm color WEB 1
Pine forest.
Green needles.
And many trees.
As far as you can see.

Tree bokeh color WEB_

Saturday morning we woke to 5 inches of new snow.
Our first official one of Winter.

Storyboard snowy tree farm

This is our 6th Christmas season in Wisconsin.
We have a tradition of cutting down a tree and every year it has snowed.
This year was no exception...
Besides finding a tree, there was angel making, snow ball throwing
 and of course playing.
And a little bit of candy cane eating before we went home...

Storyboard tree farm WEB


Dan and I were talking about traditions the other day.
We realized that both of us have had a real tree every Christmas.
That's every one since we've been born (and that's a long time!)
They came from a Wisconsin hill side,
the Santa Cruz mountains in California, the states of North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio,
fields in Illinois and Indiana,
 and tree lots in Chicago neighborhoods.
All places the 2 of us have lived over the years.


Tree vert color WEB WM


Home.


My family.
Warmth.
Lights.
An abundance of love.


And the beauty of the Season of Advent.

Tree vert blackwhite WEB WM-2




the long road

20 kind words:

Robin said...

L.O.V.E. these pictures Gail!! My favorite has to be the last picture of Will & Grace decorating the tree! Just beautiful!

Colleen said...

Oh Gail, I love them all but that last one is just breathtaking!

Jodee said...

Great pictures! What a fabulous tradition! I have never had a real tree ever so I can't even imagine how fun it is to go pick out the perfect tree every year!

the meaklims said...

Wow, incredible. That bokeh is making my heart sing!

Jill

j-chin said...

Ooooo, I can feel the winter cold by just looking at your pictures (and I'm in Asia). At the same time, I can feel the warmth of your beautiful home.

Christmas is approaching! Finally!

China Dreams said...

I heard the NW and MW were going to get snow this year. We've had a dusting and that's about all here in NH. Your pictures are beautiful, as always.

Everything Beautiful Shay said...

BEAUTIFUL images and children and tree!!!
Merry Christmas!!!

Kayce said...

Reading, "the Santa Cruz Mountains" just made my heart skip. :) This is the first year in my life that I have not cut down a tree or gone out to find one in a lot somewhere and it's a little sad to be honest. Poor Jake is not happy with the fake tree and of course thinks we're taking away a family right from lil Jen....now i"m thinking he's right. Your pics are amazing and reminded me of just how much that tradition has really meant to all of us and we have to do that for Jenny too...SO I'm gonna have to tell the hubby we're gonna have two trees this year! :)

Beautiful post and fabulous pictures!

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

wow, Gail, these are spectacular. I feel like I was on that outing with you all. What a great tradition you and Dan have. I hope you are still doing it when you are in your 80's!

Lea
xo

Love Letters To China said...

You just heard a "deep sigh" come out of my mouth from reading/looking at your post. I'm in love yet again this week with your photos. I don't know what in the world you're talking about in regards to your indoor photos being too grainy. They are simply magnificent! When you decide to host your first photography class, please put me on the top of the attendance list. I really have a lot to learn from you my sweet friend. I would even travel to the "frozen tundra" in the winter time for your knowledge. :-)

Happy Wednesday Gail!

Hugs....

Jboo said...

Oh my -- these images are so beautiful!! What a wonderful tradition of having a real tree! You know how to do the season right!

Janet

Mei Mei s and Mayhem said...

What family fun!!!

My hubby is in WI right now for business and he said he has never felt such damp cold!!! It looks pretty but I dont think I could do it, Im such a wimp when it comes to being cold. But I did enjoy many years in the NW finding our tree with the kids and warming up with hot chocolate after!!! Miss those times.

Beautiful photos!!!

Stefanie said...

GORGEOUS.
Truly.
Traditions are the best :)

Wanda said...

Beautiful!!!These images are timeless as is your wonderful tradition of cutting down your tree each year.

Ohh....that bokeh is purdy Gail. I love it!!

Love all your decor and Christmas (Advent) traditions.

xoxox

Tara said...

Wow, these are gorgeous. What a great tradition. Gorgeous blog!

Faith Hope Love Photography said...

What a great tradition...I love adding new traditions too as I am sure you guys do to. My favorite of them all is the gorgous decorating of the tree...That bokeh is absolutely gorgeous!

Freckles & Dimples Photography said...

i love the bokeh you captured in the christmas tree picture, and the lighting is just perfect!

Hannah said...

Every single post of yours blows me away with beauty. I love photography and yours is one of the ones I always call on for inspiration.

We too have always had a real tree. Every year I say maybe this year we should buy an artificial tree...but I never do.

Unknown said...

All I could think about during this post was - true love and beautiful memories being made! Gorgeous.

Blessings,
Jill
http://fnaphotography.blogspot.com

carolinagirl said...

BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!

 
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