Saint Patrick's Cathedral

St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City is incredibly beautiful and stands majestically amongst the tall skyscrapers.   It was hard to get a decent shot of the exterior due to renovations currently underway.

This one was taken at night.  The streets were packed with tourists and last minute shoppers, as well as those rushing in to attend mass. 

The ceilings are incredibly tall and have the same architectural style as St. Thomas church posted yesterday. 

We were only allowed to take photos from the side aisles as mass was about to begin.  These pictures do not do it justice - it is truly a beautiful sight!

The manger scene was incredible.  Baby Jesus was not in the manger.  I am assuming he would have been placed there on Christmas Eve.  

Candle stations were placed throughout the side halls and entrances.   We lit a candle in memory of several loved ones.  My husband's two older aunts were devout catholics and would have been thrilled to have been able to visit this cathedral.   We miss them very much. 

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve - what are your plans?  We will be sitting by the fire enjoying a glass of wine, good food and later shooting fireworks with our neighbors.   

Take care!

xoxo,
SouthernSass



St. Thomas Church and Midweek Blues

While visiting New York City last week, we toured St. Thomas Church.  I am a little bummed that the pics did not come out exactly as I wanted, but I am on a learning curve with the new camera (and photography).

The architecture is simply amazing.  The church was built in 1913. 

The interior is breathtaking and the stonework blew me away!  How did they do it back then? 

The blue stained glass windows were my favorite!  It was so peaceful inside this beautiful church - relatively empty compared to St. Patrick's cathedral, which I will share with you tomorrow. 

Be sure to visit the Dusty Cellar for more Midweek Blues.   I can't believe New Years Eve is only a couple of days away!

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,

SouthernSass

Same Barn - Different View

I shared this barn some time back, but wanted to show you how it looked in the snow and from the other side.  This barn is located adjacent to one of our local city parks.   I wanted to get some shots of the snow, but by that time it was mostly melted.   However, as I was leaving the snow started back up and we got another 1/4 inch.   By that time it was getting dark and windy - time to sit by the fire!

For more great barns be sure to visit Tricia.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Ice Crown

I am soooo happy that we got snow today!!   It was an inch or less that accumulated, but nonetheless very exciting for us Southern folks that do not get to see it very often.    My youngest is still outside playing with his buddy and does not want to give it up - even though he is probably close to becoming a popsicle right about now.

  
This dried flower looked like it was wearing an ice crown.   I hope to get out in the morning and find some more icy macro shots.  

For more great macros, but sure to visit Lisa.  Its a fun way to start the week! 

Have a happy Monday!!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Merry Christmas!

Can you guess where I have been this week?  New York City!! 

The sites were amazing and the city was very festive.

The Cartier store was especially beautifully decorated! 

And the Christmas Spectacular was really spectacular!

The tree at Rockefeller Center was breathtaking, but the crowds were a little overwhelming.

I have tons of catching up to do and the cookies for Santa have to be baked.   I wish you and your family a very BLESSED holiday! 

Merry Christmas!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Provision - Scripture and a Snapshot

The squirrels have been enjoying the acorns in the back yard. They love to sit along the ledge of the fence and eat their fill leaving behind their "scraps."

I am joining in with Katie Lloyd for Scripture and a Snapshot.  

It is going to be a busy week so I may not be posting as much.  However, I will be catching up with all of you soon!   

Have a blessed Sunday!!

xoxo,

SouthernSass

Waving Bee...

I have been so swamped this week that I have not been posting or visiting with my blogging buddies.  I'll be catching up with you here soon!

This picture was snapped back in the summer.  He seems to be waving at me!  I really do miss the bees, butterflies and other summer critters! 

The picture still seems a little dull to me.  Please feel free to shout out any suggestions for PS Elements. 

Have a great Friday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Virginia Barn

I happened across this photo when I was looking back over our summer vacation.   We were in Williamsburg, Virginia and I snapped this inside the car on our way to visit the Jamestown Settlement. 

I wish I had been more interested in photography then - I definitely would have made my hubby pull over to get better pics.

Be sure to visit Tricia to see more great barns!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Macro Monday - Reach...

This new flower seems to be reaching towards the camera.  The new petals look like long, slim fingers to me!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.   Mine was awesome since my hubby surprised me with my Christmas gift early!   I finally am the owner of a DSLR camera!   After much debate and talking with many different camera owners, I decided on the Canon EOS 60D.   I am very excited!!

And, to top off a great weekend we got snow flurries last night.  They were tiny in size and did not last long, but hey - snow is snow here in the South! 

Happy Monday everyone!  Be sure to visit Lisa for more great macros. 

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Scripture & A Snapshot

This is my first time participating in Katie Lloyd's Scripture & A Snapshot.  It truly is an inspirational way to share the beauty of this world as seen through our eyes, as well as share His word!

Have a blessed Sunday! 

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Macro Friday - Mustang

The song "Mustang Sally" is running through my head right about now.   It is a classic by  Wilson Pickett that many Southern folks like to shag (its a dance) to. 

I snapped this over Thanksgiving.  My brother-in-law is a Ford sports car collector and has a few classics.  When the weather warms a bit again we are going to do a shoot of his cars and I cannot wait to share them with you! 

Thank you so much for your kind comments - Thursday was a blah day for some reason. 

Happy Friday -  I am off to do some Christmas shopping with the best daughter in the world!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Lazy post....

Today I feel so overwhelmed!  I know its just this time of year and I will get through it and everything will be fine.  But gosh, some days I feel like crawling back into bed and just staying put all day long! 

I was too lazy to edit the photos that I wanted to post today - so you ended up with this textured rose. The texture is from Shadowhouse Creations.  He has some awesome free textures and you can visit his blog  by clicking here.   

Have a great day!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Midweek Blues - Blue Tarp

This house is owned by my brother-in-law and is near 100 years old.   It has electricity but no indoor plumbing.   It is rented to a gentleman who lives there by himself.  The main source of heat is the fireplace, but hopefully he has a second heat source as well.

The blue tarp on the porch caught my eye.  It looks like the wood is rotten in spots.  I also love the old bench car seat that serves as a place to sit and watch the world go by.  

Be sure to visit The Dusty Cellar for other midweek "blues."

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Back of the Barn

I posted the front of this barn a few weeks ago and wanted you to see the back of it as well.  It is a large horse barn but I have yet to actually see a horse in there yet.

And of course I added a texture!  :)  This one is by Kim Klassen and is called grunge.    Be sure to visit Tricia to see more great barns.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Tattered....

I snapped this guy back in September.  His wings look a little tattered to me.  

For more great macros - be sure to visit Lisa for a fun way to start your week!   I am hoping this week will be far less busy for me and that I can catch up with all of you!!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Fall Foliage

I took this photo a couple of weeks ago at a local park.   And yes, I am still playing with textures.    I am going to start noting which particular texture I use so that I can share it with you. 

I highly recommend the free download for applying textures at MCP Actions.  It has made a huge difference for me and it is compatible with PhotoShop Elements. 

This has turned into a crazy busy week for me and I hope to catch up with everyone this weekend!  I hope everyone has a great one!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Blue Ford Tractor..

This is one of several tractors that my brother-in-law has.   He is a farmer and works so hard.  I never really knew how hard these men and women worked and I am very appreciative of their efforts. 

I am still messing around with textures and this photo was a little over-exposed so I added a couple of textures to try and compensate for that.   Please be sure to visit here for more great mid-week blues! 

Have a lovely Wednesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass