A little amateur painting in water-color shows the innocent and quiet mind. 
                                     ― Robert Louis Stevenson





Christmas is..........& "Wind Beneath Their Wings"



"As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is."
~ Eric Sevareid (1912-1992), American newscaster.


Two days early...but...Merry Christmas Everybody!!



THREE YEARS AGO Christmas Day I POSTED MY VERY FIRST ISSUE ON THIS BLOG....
HERE IT IS ---12/25/06 Today, since I won't be posting again 'til after the holidays...I wanted to drop you a holiday wish----








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ALL IMAGE ENLARGEMENTS & TEXT LINKS OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW

Most always when I post photos of the beach areas around our coastline, I have the Gulf of Mexico in the lens' crosshairs...well, I thought I'd show you what is 'at our backs' when walking along the shore. These photos are the sand dunes. It was a beautiful day. The sky was a deep blue, the breeze was mild, but, as we walked a short distance, death loomed over the hilltops... and the road kill was somewhere closeby...several vultures were circling above. Plus, through our binoculars that we carry with us, I saw a couple of Crested Caracaras. They're gorgeous birds, tho they look quite callous and bad tempered because of their markings. And I wasn't prepared for any photography that day....armed only with the cellphone. So, the photos are at a LONG distance. I tried to zoom in on the Caracara, but it flew off just as I began to walk nearer....[you can enlarge these photos -the one on the bottom right is the closest I could get before it flew off]. By the way, on closer inspection beyond the dunes, Bud said he spotted a deer carcass on which they were feeding. Photo to top left is taken from the dunes looking toward the shore.







Online, this is one of my favorite photos taken by an expert...CLICK HERE...it's a hoot! The bird, the Crested Caracara, is typically called the "Mexican Eagle". In fact, when I see one soaring high above, my first glance makes me think it IS an eagle...a golden eagle. In all scientific instances tho, they are of the Falcon family. When finally I see the head and the under-markings, I know the difference; it's Caracara. As I said, they're very pretty. When I returned home, I was still enthralled seeing one as close as I did without a 'zoo' cage surrounding it... I did a pencil sketch ---





THE CRESTED CARACARA FACTS

PS...I found quite a few larger sea shells and brought them home. Will post photos of my 'finds' later; when I return to bloggin'...





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With all the work to be done in the next week or so, then, getting the house back to normal after the holidays, etc., and we are supposed to have Erik here next weekend thru to Monday, January 3rd, I'll be M I A from posting 'til then...


...in the meantime, have a wonderful love-filled holiday season! Wishes from my house to yours....
See you in 2010!!







Posted: Wednesday,December 23rd, 2009
12:05 A.M.
"Christmas Card" from Glitter Graphics








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69 comments:

  1. Happy Holidays and enjoy. I hope it's wonderful for you :)

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  2. Nice photos and an amazing sketch you did. Your talents and creativity never stop! I'm so impressed. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  3. Hi, Anni...have a blessed time with your family thru the holidays...
    See ya later, alligator!
    MERRY CHRISTMAS...

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  4. Hi Annie
    Happy Holidays to you and your family.
    Riet

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  5. merry christmas dearest anni. i consider myself very fortunate to have shared your world through your wonderful blog this year. enjoy the break and follow your heart through these (hopefully) lazy holiday days. lotsa love!

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  6. Great photos! Have a wonderful holiday season!

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  7. I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

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  8. MERRY CHRISTMAS........and happy Anniversary. I think I've been blogging 3 years too. Wishing you the very joyous of holidays. See you in the new year! THANK YOU for always playing along. I really do appreciate it!

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  9. Have a great break! Enjoy! Merry Christmas! Coralie

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  10. Happy blogging anniversary! Beautiful beach mosaic. Please have a relaxing blogging break and a Very Merry Christmas, Dear Anni! See you in the New Year!

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  11. Merry Christmas!!! Love the card and the photos on this post!!!

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  12. The merriest of Christmas to you as well. Enjoy this holiday season!

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  13. Have a blessed Christmas!

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  14. What a wonderful post. Have a beautiful Christmas. B : )

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  15. Oh Anni, your card is just beautiful! Looks like we were both thinkin' along the same lines…great minds and all that.

    The photo of that bird is hilarious, you're the first blog I visited today and what a great way to get started! Can't wait to see what shells you found, I love shells!

    Enjoy your break and your family, may you all have a very Merry Christmas. See you next year!

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  16. I hope your holidays are great with your family. Enjoy your break.

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  17. The beach is always beautiful, isn't it? Merry Christmas! I hope you enjoy your blogging break.

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  18. Have a wonderful time and Merry Christmas to you. Love your stopping by and comments. Wish you and your househols a wonderful NewYear.

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  19. Happy Anniversary and Merry Christmas!

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  20. Your pics are beautiful and that sketch is awesome!

    Merry Christmas! Enjoy your bloggy break!

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  21. Anni, you are a winner of the Ruby Tuesday Giveaway! Send me your snail mail to my e-mail (on my sidebar) and I'll send the bookmarks right out to you! I'll wait til Monday to here from you... Happy Holidays! :)

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  22. Anni,

    You photos are absolutely gorgeous and that sketch is stunning.

    Have a wonderful time with Erik and have a wonderful Christmas. I will talk to you again in early January.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  23. Have a great holiday season. See you in the new year.

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  24. I never cease to be amazed at your creativity and talent! Beautiful holiday post ... wonderful outdoor view ... such lovely sketches! Enjoy your break and I hope your Christmas is filled with joy ;-)
    Hugs and blessings,

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  25. Beautiful pictures! I want to be at the beach now!!

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  26. Great shots Anni, I love the christmas card. Have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year:)

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  27. I love the Christmas quote.

    And, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
    See ya next year!
    Rhonda

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  28. Whaaaa.....no Hootin' Anni this weekend ;(

    Have a wonderful Holiday Break!

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  29. May your holidays be blessed & beautiful ~

    Merry Christmas ~
    **NEW BLOG**
    follow/read me here ~
    blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com
    TTFN ~Marydon

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  30. Good Morning Sweet Anni...
    Oh I love this post. How beautiful the dunes are. I can feel the sand beneath my toes as I walk, I can smell the sea air, and I can hear the voices of the Caracara's telling you to move away they are busy today. How beautiful it is there. To look in the distance and see the blue waters, it looks just beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

    I loved looking at your beautiful little hand as you began to sketch the beauty that you had seen just hours before. I didn't know that you were an artist as well. You have so many talents Anni, it always amazes me to come and see what you are up to.

    You post of years gone by was precious with your beautiful white cat. Looks quite mischievious to me. So precious.

    I don't know if I will be able to stand it, you being gone for so long. I have gotten so used to having you here each day, and I really don't function well without my cup of Annie. If you get online you stop by and tell me hi, and let me know what Santa brought you. You've been good right? I love you sweetie. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Love, Sherry

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  32. What beautiful scenery! I love the Gulf. Enjoy your time with Erik and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

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  33. Merry Christmas, Happy 3rd Blogiversary, Happy New Year! ~ Calico Contemplations

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  34. I love the close up of the sand dunes. I miss the beach...but I am having fun with my children in the snow!

    I hope you have a joyous Christmas! Blessings, Alea

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  35. Anni,
    Thanks for coming by, and for this wonderful Christmas card and wish for us.

    I love your blog, how you have done it for Christmas! And love how narrow your border is so it all looks so spacious.

    I'm going to click on some of the things on your side bar and see if it gives instructions.

    Merry Christmas to you, and all your loved ones.

    barbara jean

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  36. I had never heard of that type of bird, it certainly does look like an eagle, doesn't it! I can well imagine how thrilled you were to be able to get some shots of them:-) I'm glad you at least had your cell phone camera with you! lol

    Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, dear Anni and may all your dreams come true during this magical season! xoxo

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  37. Love Caracaras! Really neat birds indeed! Your drawing is really well done, very nice! excellent post :)

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  38. Love...from steveroni (just copying your sweetness, Anni!)

    Thank you for being here daily whether I am or not. It has been a pleasure meeting you this year (on-line) and my hope for you and all of us is PEACE and LOVE...and good health!

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  39. Merry Christmas and Happy New year to you!

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  40. Best wishes to you and family. I appreciate you taking the time from your holiday activities to visit my place. May the New Year be kind to you and family.

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  41. Anni I enjoyed learning about the crested caracara! It does look a little like a hawk. You sketch is wonderful!

    I hope you and your family have a very wonderful Christmas and a happy healthy 2010! Enjoy the blog break!

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  42. Same to you, dear Anni! And thanks so much for the card. That's one thing that didn't make my to-do list this year - for some reason, the chorale took so much of my time and energy that I had to drop a few things. I think I'll do a Valentine's letter from the City of Love!

    Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas.

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  43. PS - Happy Blogaversary! I didn't realize I'd been at this longer than you - amazing!

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  44. Merry Christmas! I hope your holidays are wonderful and thank you for the lovely card. I enjoyed your Caracara even from a distnace. It would be a new bird for me. Some day I hope to get to Texas to do some birding and see one in person.

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  45. Have a wonderful Christmas.

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  46. HI Anni,
    Interesting pictures and facts about that birdy!!
    Thanks for the Christmas card, have a wonderful holiday. All the best to you and your family.
    XO
    Heidi - Heart and Home

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  47. Love your animated Christmas card at the top of this post. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas on this WW!
    Cindy

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  48. Your blog is wonderful.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Oh, I'm not going to tell anybody your daughter's age,haha.

    Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!

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  50. May you have a wonderful, joy-filled Christmas!!
    Love and hugs Grams

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  51. Happy Holidays Anni. Thanks for the greetings and thanks for stopping by my blog and for commenting on my outdoor wednesday post.

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  52. Hi Anni!

    Love all your photos. I haven't seen that kind of bird nor heard about it yet but they are pretty and interesting.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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  53. thank you for the lovely Christmas greeting, stopping by my blog, and sharing your own photos!

    I love your screen name of Hootin' Anni. It make me like you instantly. I love the musical Annie Get your gun!

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  54. What a beautiful view you enjoy! Very pretty dunes, as well. (the dunes in NJ are VERY PLAIN)

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  55. Congratulations to you on three years of posting! Gee three years ago I didn't even know that people blogged! You're an old pro! I wish you and your family all the very best for a Merry Christmas! See you when things calm down a bit after Christmas! Sherri : )

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  56. I love that you can sketch like that. I've always wished I could. You're very talented.
    You and I began blogging about the same time then. Congratulations on 3 years. Hasn't it been fun. I was just telling my Honey Bear about the people I visit in blogland. I just returned to the states from New Zealand. I love reading about life in other places. I'm still thinking about what you said about Christmas lights and decorations being stolen from yards. I am so happy that I live where that doesn't go on.
    Anni, I hope you have a wonderful week with your Honey and your Son, I'll be here when you return.
    Merry Christmas, with a loving heart!
    Mama Bear

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  57. Hi Anni! Wishing you a joyous Christmas. God bless.

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  58. Hi Anni

    A very Happy Christmas to you, too. Your Christmasses are like hours, sand, sea and sun.

    Enjoy your day and look forward to seeing your next post.

    Hugs.

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  59. I hope you had a wonderful holiday!

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  60. Hi Anni. I needed something to jumpstart my blog after the Holiday, so I did one on the recipe for toffee -- I credited you for the idea. I was going to tell you first, but I see that you're away from blogland for a while.
    Hope your Holiday is/was wonderful and I look forward to reading you again in the New Year.

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  61. Gorgeous photos! We lived in Tampa for a while and your photos bring back many memories.

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  62. Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

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  63. done following you anni...hope you can find time to visit mine and follow me in google friend connect...Enjoy the season...God Bless

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  64. Dear Anni ~~ Thanks for your Christmas wishes from your house to mine. I hope
    you are enjoying a break, although it is a busy time.
    I wish you and Bud a very Happy and
    Healthy New Year in 2010.
    Love, Merle.

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  65. Wishing you all the best in 2010

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  66. done following you. hope you can follow me too on google friend connect.

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  67. Happy New Year to you too ! I am ready for the big firework tonight and before we will gamble a little bit in the Casino in Brussels !
    Love your new Blog dress, looks so joyful !

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  68. Hi, just found you (somehow). Nice blog. I'll go check your photo blog, too

    Have a great new year!

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  69. My wishes for you,
    Great start for Jan,
    Love for Feb,
    Peace for March,
    No worries for April,
    Fun for May,
    Joy for June to Nov,
    Happiness for Dec,
    Have a lucky and wonderful 2010, Anni!

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