Shadow Shot Sunday 133: Shadowy Skull

Cow skull with beads.
Lago Vista, TX
November 2010
(Click on photo to enlarge.)

Shadow Shot Sunday is a weekly photo meme hosted by Hey Harriet.
To see many, many more shadow shots or to contribute some yourself, head on over to her blog.

Christmas Shopping in the Bizzaro World

Today was a lovely day here in Northern Virginia – cold, but nice and sunny and not too windy. A little cooler than I like it but, hey – it's winter time (well, almost). I should just get over it. M and I drove into Old Town Alexandria this morning, hoping to get a look at the Christmas decorations and take a few snaps. But they were having the annual Scottish Walk (the local Christmas parade), and the place was so packed with locals and tourists that parking spaces were almost nonexistent. Glad to see there was a crowd, though – hopefully, that meant a good day for all the shops and businesses. Unfortunately, it also meant no Old Town photos for us. Maybe next week.

We did get in a little Christmas shopping, although not in Old Town. And I think I may have discovered the perfect shopping routine to keep both myself and the hubby happy. First I hit Tuesday Morning. Spent half an hour or so, browsing and picking out all the stuff I just couldn't resist. Found some great Christmas cards and gift tags and beverage napkins at half price, as well as a really cute little faux suede-covered bucket that would be perfect for corralling all those current magazines and catalogs that I can't seem to throw out right away. Then headed over to pay for all my good stuff and just couldn't face standing in that long, long line to hand over my cash. So I put everything back! Strangely, I didn't feel too bad about it. And M was, of course, delighted.

Then stopped in at the local Borders. Spent another half hour or so looking around. Found some more great Christmas cards (at 30% off this time), plus the couple of magazines I'd been looking for, and a book that would have made a perfect gift for one of the kids on my Christmas list. Headed for the check out line, and once again couldn't face the wait. Put everything back again! Left empty-handed and still didn't feel too bad. I was amazed. And M was, once again, delighted.

As I said, it might be the perfect shopping strategy. I get to pick out everything I want. M saves money. We don't have to stand in line. And I don't come home with stuff I really don't need anyway. How perfect is that?

Not too perfect for all the retailers, of course.

And since we didn't get any photos of holiday decorations in Old Town today, here's a couple from years gone by.

Friday Fill-Ins #202

OK, I know it's almost not Friday anymore. Whoops! There it goes. We put up our Christmas tree today, and I'm just now getting a few minutes for blogging. So here are my Friday Fill-Ins on Saturday:

1. The best thing about a birthday celebration is the chocolate cake.

This was the cake at a friend's recent birthday party. Yum!

2. I'm trying to ignore the passage of time. (My brain is doing OK with that, but my body is having a much harder time.)

3. I went shopping recently and the most interesting thing I bought was a little miniature electric guitar that plays Chuck Berry singing "Run, Run Reindeer." It's a Hallmark ornament, and I bought it for M who collects full-size guitars and loves Chuck Berry.

4. I still enjoy playing a child's game now and then.

5. The reason is because I want to.

6. I really, really, REALLY don't like snow and cold.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to just doing a little reading and then getting to bed a bit earlier than last night, tomorrow my plans include a trip to the library, lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, and maybe a little Christmas shopping, and Sunday, I want to get the Christmas cards ready to mail, and also get some more reading done!

Outdoor Wednesday: Playing Tourist in My Hometown

I've already posted a few photos from our visit to Texas last month. And I'll probably be posting more - I took LOTS of shots! Especially in San Antonio. I never really realized, growing up there, how darn picturesque the place is. These are a few photos of the Spanish Governor's Palace in downtown S.A. It was constructed in the early 18th century (and restored in the 1930s) as the original Commandancia (residence and working office) for the Captain of the Presidio San Antonio de Bejar. The building is now designated as a National Historic Landmark, and just recently reopened to visitors after an extensive rehab.


It's an interesting place to tour, but the courtyard is what really caught my attention - such a lovely, peaceful place to spend some time. And so green, even in the middle of November!

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Outdoor Wednesday is hosted by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.
To see many, many more outdoor photos or to post some of your own, please visit her blog.