On the 6th Day of Christmas…

*Woke to my usual routine of coffee, bible devotions, breakfast and Facebook.
*Headed down to the gym:
  30 min cardio on the bike and treadmill, then 30 min free weights and stretching.
*Relaxed at the Laguna Coffee Co with my latte and read the local paper

*Once back home did a few chores then headed downtown to run some errands…
  but I also took my camera. I wanted finish up the photo project I started in early December
  called “Signs of Christmas” ~ photographing the unique way Laguna Beach decorates for the holidays,
  but only managed to capture half the town!
  Here are my favorite images from yesterday along Forest and Ocean Ave:

   

       

        

     

   

        

  
  

   

      

And here is the Art Pallet that started my photo Xmas journey:
I discovered the pallet I painted for the city back in 1987,
though battered and worn, had and been re-hung this year.
Not only does it represent the true message of Christmas,
but it also reflects my stained glass background
and the joy I was feeling as we anticipated the birth of our first child.

*Woke to a bright, cold morning. Bri and I snuggled under blankets in the living room
  while drinking coffee and sharing stories.

*Attended our Church by the Sea for sweet worship, inspirational teaching
  and good fellowship afterwards. My life is so rich because of these blessings.

*Later while relaxing with Spence and about to get to work editing portraits,
  I noticed the light had changed outside…to the east dark clouds were building above the canyon.
  It felt and looked like rain.

 I went online to check the weather map.
It showed snow and ice falling on Saddleback Mtn
and a storm cell sweeping toward Laguna.
GRABBED THE CAMERA and I was out the door!

Arrived up at the Alta Laguna Lookout just as the rain started
and God threw a spotlight on the sea.

Dry under my umbrella, the wind buffeted my back
as the day went dark and grey.

Driving back down our hill I knew where to find a view of Laguna
and the curtain of rain on the ocean.

The clouds to the north

*I read this bible verse from cerwindoris:

 ”This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be happy today!”

Psalm 118:24 (Easy-to-Read Version)
Then the room turned a soft rose,
I looked over my shoulder and saw this!

*Drove down to San Clemente (little traffic and stormy skies made the drive enjoyable)
to create a family portrait for the Nordmans…an hour session became a sweet two hour visit.

*A gentle rain began as I headed home along the coast road, stopping at Staples for a new calendar
and then at good old Trader Joes for groceries. I arrived just as Bri and her 3 girlfriends drove up,
they helped carry in all the bags. How fun to hear them talking and laughing in her room.
I wanted to save the moment, and they graciously posed for me.

Bri, Breanna, Stacia, and Jessica

*Spent the rest of the afternoon under a blanket editing photos
and watching the DVD Bri gave me for Christmascalled “The Holiday”,
 a sweet, romantic comedy. Once the sun went down, we lit a fire, had diner
and finished the day watching the classic, Bette Davis movie “Now, Voyager”.

*I had a long, slow morning. Blogging, reading, drinking coffee and visiting with friends on Facebook.
  Finally made it down to my gym, the Art of Fitness, after 10 am. Had a good workout while chatting
  with new friends I’ve made there in the past two years. Walked next door to the Laguna Coffee Company
  for my favorite drink, a medium latte with extra foam. Yum

*Fun Fact ~ I shot all the images of the staff at Laguna Coffee Co. for their annual calendar this year!
 Here are a few of my favorite images from the shoot:

*That afternoon I finally tackled my desk area…organized, tossed and filed. Then paid our bills.
  Felt good to get that done.

*Spence and I then went to a 25th Wedding Anniversary Party for our dear friends Virgina and Loren
  at the Aliso Creek Inn. As we turned off Coast Hwy, the full moon had just risen above the canyon
  reflecting on the creek….wished I had the tripod with me… have to remember that next year.
  It was fun to get dressed up and party with friends, Spence even wore a jacket and tie,
  yet it wasn’t a true date night, because I was also working…yep, they hired me to photograph the event

*Got home before 10 pm to find Bri and Erin watching TV by the fire, drinking tea and eat Peppermint Joe cookies.

*The morning was bright and cold!
Bundled beneath blankets I savored my daily bible devotions and sipped hot coffee.
My heart was thankful for the sun streaming in the window,
highlighting the steam rising off my mug and the simple truth of these words:

“It is Christmas forever now —
because Christ is always with us.”

~ann voskamp

*The rest of the day was very full, starting with a portrait session down on Main Beach
with my nephew Nick, his wife Alicia and their two precious boys, Malachi and Brason.
I took over 400 images…too many good ones to share right now, but here’s one favorite:

*Then it was off to get the Bronco “smogged”
and gather up all the paper work because we had a buyer coming to picked it up!
Yes, after many good years driving “the beast” and so many wonderful memories,
it was time to sell it. I’m no longer “Broncomom”.
This is the last picture I took before they arrived…I stayed in the house, not wanting to watch it leave.

*Thankfully I had a good distraction arrive soon after:
Nick and his family came over, plus Bri and Jonathan, for dinner!
It was just getting dark, the Christmas Tree lights sparkled, a fire warmed up the living room,
we sat to play with the boys and talked and talked.
Spence barbecued some chicken, I added steamed rice and veggies,
then we finished with tangerines from our garden and a little dark chocolate.
It was a calm, easy evening…it felt…like Christmas.

ON ASSIGNMENT!
In early December I was contacted by our local newspaper
the Laguna Beach Independent and was asked to photograph
Laguna’s Annual Hospitality Night…and I was paid.

Here are the photos they published:

http://www.lagunabeachindy.com/2012/12/12/locals-greet-season/

Hospitality Night revelers surround the Wheeland Brothers performing on the Forest Avenue stage during last Friday’s city and Chamber of Commerce sponsored annual festivities.

The roaming Fireside Carolers, outfitted for a Dickensian Christmas, harmonized outside Areo on Ocean Avenue.

Scouts Zac, Elliot and Logan bear platters of treats for carolers at Laguna Presbyterian Church.

Crowds make way for Jolly old Santa Claus and the town’s historic fire engine.

Thurston Middle School students perform outside City Hall as Claus watchers await his arrival to switch on the light-festooned pepper tree.

Enterprising parents seize a ripe marketing opportunity.

Pipers signal Santa Claus eminent arrival.

The Tosti family of Laguna Beach exults over the night’s sights and sounds.

Photos by Mary Hurlbut