Everyone has their own Christmas traditions. Some people go to mass, others gather to sing carols – we make fun of the table cloth.

With four boys present, my significant other’s family feast has always been a little rambunctious. Every year when we sit down to dinner on Christmas Day, our plates are sat upon the general topic of conversation. Several scenes are depicted on there with Santa carrying out various festive chores – things that, to a twisted mind, may appear lude and (in some places) even illegal.

Left: And you thought it was coal in your stocking!

Right: Mommy, what is Santa doing to Frosty?

Besides that, we of course eat more than we should. I especially like the the varied expressions on each persons face. Tony looks angelic as he awaits desert, Bev is still diving in. The minion is staring at his plate in complacency wondering if he can finish. And look, there sits my plate, piled high – I was already full at that point and am ashamed to say I couldn’t even finish all of my turkey.

Finally, the lady responsible for the feast, Hopie. There she sits getting the left overs ready for tomorrows meal. I was tempted to head back in this afternoon for seconds but stayed home and cooked instead. There’s still New Years day after all.

Here are some miscellaneous shots. More ornaments, and Ripley – who was quite bored with all the goings on. The other pup, Sandy was in the kitchen making a nuisance of herself. Apparently beagles love carrots… who knew?

Tags: Christmas dinner, family gathering, traditions

On the suggestion of Aimee Power, we took a run out to Port de Grave on Christmas Eve.

Tags: boats, Christmas decorations, Newfoundland outport

‘Tis the only time of year when it’s socially acceptable to paint your balls.

I saw this house on Canada Drive in Cowan Heights yesterday. Now this is more like it…

Tags: Christmas lights, global warming, night shots

So I’ve been wanting to photograph some Christmas lights. I’m looking for over-the-top stuff – something that, when you see it, you’re taken by surprise – surprised that someone would expend that much time, that much money, and frankly, that much electricity.

That’s easy we thought – we’ll just pop over to the Jiffy Cab stand on the corner of Pennywell Road and Cashin Avenue. Anyone who lives in the area knows that the cabbies go all out – they don’t just put up a few lights, they plaster the whole bloody building, including the roof.

Unfortunately, they’re not up and running yet. So we decided to needlessly burn up some resources of our own – we headed to Tim’s and went for a drive. The crazy string light people on Carrick Drive are not setup yet. The wildlife and helicopter house in Torbay has just started working on it. It looks like the Kinsington Drive mansion is not even gonna try for over the top this time – just a few lights in the windows. And Inside Lights – pfft – that’s not Christmas spirit. If you don’t deface your siding with staples and nails, it doesn’t qualify.

Are people getting wise to the need to conserve energy? Are they realizing that resources are precious and should be consumed with care?

I hope not – I need pictures damn it! These guys had better get their acts together and get the frigging lights up this weekend!

Anyway, that’s one from Monkstown Road. It’s a modest job, but a lot of lights for such a tiny house.

Tags: Christmas lights, global warming, night shots