Christmas Eve - Wednesday Walk

A wee post to wish all a very happy Christmas and New Year holiday time - may we all find time for relaxation, giving, receiving, joy and peace. May we have time with and for family, friends and community. May 2015 bring a little more light and peace to the world.

It is light very early these days so the boring Wednesday morning walk is bathed in light. And again today nature did not disappoint with its colours and attention to detail.

I look forward to many more morning walks to bring peace to the soul and joy to the eyes.

Community Christmas

The local Uniting Church (UC) has committed itself to a Christmas Tree Festival. This has several purposes including: contributing to the joy of Christmas through a creative event; the UC playing a role in community outside normal church boundaries; and raising funds for our local Neighbourhood Centre.

In all there will be about 35-40 artistic and meaningfilled Christmas trees created by: schools; church groups; service clubs; community organisations such as the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre; and individuals.

Because Fiona's mum and dad are playing various roles in this venture and because proceeds will go to the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre Association of which I am president, Fiona and I have contributed to a couple of the trees; made our own tree; and Fiona has made peace pebbles for sale.

Trees were erected today - some snapped photos of tress erected while we were at the UC follow.

As you can see from the photo below the event is over 4 days.

It is so good that the Christmas period can bring out such generosity in folk; and also a willingness to contribute to the creative community joy of Christmas.

Early Christmas celebration

Fiona and I have just returned from 'the city' (Brisbane) where we went to celebrate (yesterday) her mum and dad's 50th wedding anniversary; and celebrate Christmas (today) with her family since every one was in Brisbane.

Of course too much rich food was eaten; but both events were great celebrations - a peaceful sense of gathering and sharing at both events.

As part of the Christmas get together there was a sharing of gifts. I received books and vouchers that I expressed an interest in including a voucher from Fiona for guitar lessons. To supplement Fiona's gift voucher I made the simple earrings below - I was aiming to create layers, classic lines and keep them light.  Polishing the tiny plates of thin metal and hammering rivets close together was a challenge for my not so delicate fingers.

I think they have worked; they look good on Fiona; they were a surprise; she did say she liked them; and she lent them to me so I could photograph them for this post.

Barry Smith @ Earrings for Fiona - former life backpack sprayer and jardiniere

Barry Smith @ Earrings for Fiona - former life backpack sprayer and jardiniere

Fiona has posted on our Christmas tree; but I wanted to share a few photo of the shadow of one of the paper hearts that I have given the app treatment resulting in some Christmassy colours

Barry Smith © Shadow of a paper heart

Barry Smith © Altering Shadow of a paper heart 1.

Barry Smith © Altering Shadow of a paper heart 2.

Barry Smith © Altering Shadow of a paper heart 3.

Barry Smith © Altering Shadow of a paper heart 4.

I was interested to find that as I did progressive treatments of each emerging altered photo - it resulted in a movement of the heart from shadow to light, to dark and then back to white again. Hopefully we can aspire to white and peaceful hearts for Christmas.

And if you haven't had the opportunity to check out my 400th post giveaway there is still time.