Search Results for: blog old photographs and holiday memories

Tasty Traditions – Holiday Baking

Since I love to bake, it is not surprising that I often find myself thinking about baked goods. At this time of year, I am sure that I am not the only one with cookies on my mind. There is no better time of year for a cookie lover. From office parties to family dinners and everywhere in between, it seems like there is a plate of cookies almost everywhere you go during the holidays. The variety of holiday cookie recipes out there seems to be endless. However, in many families, the same types of cookies are made year after … Continue reading →

Old Photographs and Holiday Memories

Each year during the holiday season, I learn a little bit more about my family. That is actually one of my favorite things about the holidays – seeing all of my family and getting to know them a little better each time I see them. While the information that I usually learn is not something that would appear on a pedigree chart, it is important information, nonetheless. I learn things about the relatives that I talk to, as well as those that are no longer alive. My aunts and uncles tell stories from their childhood, and they often take out … Continue reading →

Recording Christmas Decoration Memories

Many of your Christmas Decorations tell a story. They have a history or a reason that you chose them, or were given them. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to pass these memories on to future generations so they understand why you decorate the way you do? For Christmas, often we decorate the same way each year. A purchase might be made because there is the perfect spot waiting to hold it. Whether it is a bowl on the kitchen table filled with pine cones and berries or the Christmas garland you bought to go over the fireplace, they tell a story … Continue reading →

Giving the Gift of Photos this Holiday

What grandparent would not cherish a Christmas gift featuring a prize-winning shot of their grandchildren? It’s a question I stopped asking my parents shortly after my daughter was born. They know by now that every Christmas (or any special occasion for that matter) they will be unwrapping some type of gift that bears the photo of their one and only granddaughter. (What more could they ask for, right?) My daughter is now three years old, so the trick is finding new items each holiday. If you are tired of giving framed photos of your children to the grandparents and are … Continue reading →

Photography Potpourri: Photo Labels and Photo Gear

Do you drink bottled water? Have you ever considered giving bottled water as a gift? I hadn’t either until I attended a bridal shower and was given a party bag with a personalized bottle of water in it. The bride-to-be had created custom-made labels featuring a picture of her and her fiancé sitting near a stream. She simply wrapped the labels around ordinary bottles of water and gave them away as gifts. I thought it was a clever idea and later found out how easy the labels were to make. Here’s what to do: You don’t necessarily have to give … Continue reading →

Making Christmas Ornaments From Your Favorite Photographs

I know, I know, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet and I’m blogging about Christmas ornaments. Well, when you have family living 5,000 miles away and you need to ship holiday gifts–but can’t spend a ton of money sending them express or priority mail–you tend to get a jump start on Christmas projects. That’s my situation anyway. Take a look at one of the simple and affordable ornaments I’m working on to give as gifts this holiday season. The project gives you an additional way to show off your favorite photos and it’s a wonderful way to personalize a loved one’s … Continue reading →

Great Ideas to Get Organized and Enjoy Your Hobby

Scrapbooking is most definitely my passion. But, photography plays an even bigger roll in my hobby and passion. If it wasn’t for the great photographs that commemorate all the special family times, I wouldn’t be able to scrapbook. However, sometimes I get a cluttered feeling, which we often call “Scrappers Block”. This is when the creativity is less than flowing and you just seem stuck and unable to come up with ideas. When this strikes, I always recommend organizing your supplies. It’s two fold really. Sometimes looking at all those supplies can get your juices flowing again and result in … Continue reading →

Genealogy Fun With The Kids

Are your kids having trouble finding things to do during winter break? If all of the Christmas toys and freshly fallen snow are unable to provide enough entertainment, why not get them into a genealogy project or two. Even something as simple as sitting down with old photo albums and some refreshments can be a memorable experience, especially since kids tend to say what is on their minds. Get ready for some laughs as they ask you (in their own, uninhibited words) why Grandma is wearing “that hideous outfit”, why Great-Grandpa grew his beard so long, and who is that … Continue reading →

Tips For Great Family Photos

The holidays are a wonderful time for taking pictures of your family. Groups of relatives gather for dinners, parties, caroling, cookie baking, and many other fun activities. Photographs provide depth and feeling to any family history archive, whether they are simply placed in albums or elaborately scrapbooked. Here are some tips for capturing your family’s magical holiday moments without devoting your entire holiday to taking pictures. After all, there are so many fun things going on that you do not want to be on the sidelines with a camera the whole time. Unless, of course, you get an amazing new … Continue reading →

It’s Time To Have Some Fun With Family History Interviewing

Within the next few days, you are likely to be attending at least one family gathering, if not more. If you are genealogically inclined, this means that it is prime time to do a little family history interviewing. Whether you choose to do it informally, by just striking up conversations with people and sprinkling information-seeking questions in along the way or more formally, by preparing a list of questions and then interviewing family members is up to you. You may be seeking names and dates for your pedigree chart, and that is fine. Family gatherings are a great place to … Continue reading →