Tropical Flowers

Cool weather seems to bring on thoughts of balmy warm places.  For most of us in the U.S., Christmas is always on the cool side. But that doesn't mean we can't dream of a nice tropical climate where we could be wearing shorts and sandals.  These Plumeria have a great home, Bermuda, with a mild tropical climate most of the year.

"Tropical Flowers"      © Kathy Dunham 2010

Christmas in Gibraltar

I think this was the scraggliest Santa I've ever seen.  Yes, the hair and beard are real but I think a wig would have looked better.  Being a melting pot of cultures, we saw a little of everything in this tiny British commonwealth.

"Christmas in Gibraltar"     © Kathy Dunham 2010

A Wet Christmas

We get very little rain in the desert so having several days of  liquid sunshine actually feels good.  It certainly puts me in the mood for Christmas.  And I have a legitimate reason to light a fire in the fireplace.  Ho, ho, ho.

"A Wet Christmas"       Kathy Dunham 2010

Christmas - New Orleans Style

They have a way of decorating for the holidays in the French Quarter.  Bright, bold and with spirit.

"Christmas - New Orleans Style"       © Kathy Dunham 2010

Red Poppies

Tis the season for red and green.  Although these aren't Christmas flowers the certainly convey the colors of the holiday.

"Red Poppies"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

The Pieta

If you've been to the Vatican you've probably seen Michelangelo's sculpture "The Pieta".  Beautifully executed in white Carrera marble, it depicts the Virgin Mary holding Christ after he was taken down from the cross.  This is a mosiac replica of her face.  Mosaic "paintings" are  big ticket items in the stores around the Vatican.  Small pieces of colored Italian glass in a myriad of colors take the place of paint. And they're all meticulously done.

"The Pieta"    © Kathy Dunham 2010

Christmas in Aruba

Christmas feels different in the tropics.  No snow, it's not cold and there's lots of sunshine, humidity and warm weather.  But it's still the holidays and gets celebrated like it does in the colder climates.

"Christmas in Aruba"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Rainy Night in Indian Wells

It's been raining all day, a slow steady drizzle.  We need the rain and it feels great to have some cold wet weather.  I was returning from a reception tonight when I spotted these decorated trees in front of City Hall in Indian Wells.  I was surprised they were all blue, a first for this small city, but they looked great.

"Rainy Night in Indian Wells"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Christmas in Malaga

This is the main shopping district in Malaga, Spain.  It's a pedestrian mall and decorated in all it's finery for the holiday season.  The Spanish really know how to decorate.  The town was covered with live poinsettias. Everywhere we looked there were fresh plants of vibrant red welcoming the season.


"Christmas in Malaga"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Peace Y 'All

This is Christmas New Orleans style, accent and all.  It's a great place to visit at holiday time.  The decorations will knock your socks off. 

"Peace Y 'All"    © Kathy Dunham 2009

Christmas in New Orleans

Even the dogs get special treatment in New Orleans.  This cocker spaniel was all decked out and walking it's master when I came upon them at the corner waiting to cross.  Don't you just love the holiday neckpiece?  Bright and festive.

"Christmas in New Orleans"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

'Tis the Season

Ooops....  I had such a great time at my friends for Thanksgiving that I forgot to post my nightly image.  But since this is the start of the push, grab and buy season I thought a peaceful photo of  beautiful poinsettia, taken in Malaga, Spain would be fitting.  Christmas in Spain is a sight to behold.  It felt like they had captured the market on poinsettias.  The towns were covered with huge masses of the flowers and presented a spectacular display.

"'Tis the Season"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Christmas in Barcelona

It'll be holiday season before we know it so I thought I'd get an early start with this shot from the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona, Spain.  The city comes alive at night and they have lights hung everywhere in the narrow streets of the old part of town.


"Christmas in Barcelona"   © Kathy Dunham 2009

Christmas Morning

I awoke this morning and was treated to this beautiful sunrise. A perfect greeting to Christmas.

"Christmas Morning" © Kathy Dunham 2008

Sign of Christmas

I bought a poinsettia today and it reminded me of the wonderful ones we saw last year while in Spain at the holiday time. They were absolutely magnificent. I have never seen such fantastic public displays of gorgeous poinsettias. So naturally, I spent lots of time taking pictures of this holiday favorite.

"Sign of Christmas" © Kathy Dunham 2008