2010 Images: December 2010

December 31, 2010

happy new year!

pour champagne...shoot the bubbles...drink...pour champagne...shoot the bubbles.. drink....

the things a photographer does to get a shot!

As the year ends, I look back at the photographic journey of shooting an image a day. From Cincinnati to New Orleans to Santa Fe, I found scenic images to shoot. However, the every day challenge was to find photographic images in Lubbock, Texas. I shot the unusual, the unique, and the ubiquitous windmills and sunsets. The experience led to a greater appreciation of my hometown, a sharper vision and enhanced photoshop skills. But the journey is not over -- join me as I look for new images, post old favorites and even resurrect vintage photos in 2011. Find me at www.sjfimages2011.blogspot.com. Thanks for the encouragement and support as I traveled 2010 day by day, image by image.

December 30, 2010

new year wishes

New Deal, like many other small West Texas towns, needs a prosperous new year. Seen alone, without the accompanying North Pole window, this elf more resembles a leprechaun with a bag of gold than Santa's helper. Maybe the muralist mixed his myths.

December 29, 2010

bicycles

Racks of bikes wait for Texas Tech students to return from Christmas break.

Stangel Hall
Texas Tech Campus
Lubbock, Texas

December 28, 2010

call to prayer

Crescent moon symbol atop minaret
Islamic Center
3419 LaSalle
Lubbock, Texas

December 27, 2010

paperwhites

Blooming paperwhite narcissus is one of my Christmas traditions. Around Thanksgiving I purchase bulbs and plant in glass containers. This year I found a fishbowl at the Salvation Army thrift store and it holds eight bulbs. The bulbs grow visibly, inching up daily, and finally produce aromatic blossoms at Christmas. Bulbs are gifts to friends and one returns the glass container so I can "regift" her each year.

December 26, 2010

whoo?

Barn Owl - South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Christmas Open House - December 18

3308 95th Street
Lubbock, Texas

December 25, 2010

merry christmas

Santa Land at Mackenzie Park
Lubbock, Texas

December 24, 2010

christmas eve shopper

This man in a red suit was spotted in the shopping center picking up last-minute gifts. He was also handing out candy to little girls (and big girls too).

December 23, 2010

one horse open sleigh

This horse doesn't dash through the snow but rather makes rounds in the Kingsgate parking lot, but the occupants in the vis-a-vis sleigh still laugh all the way as the bells on the bob-tail ring.

Whitehead Carriage Rides
Kingsgate Shopping Center
82nd and Slide
Lubbock, Texas

December 22, 2010

bulb and barbed wire

December 21, 2010

shiner bock reindeer

Don't you think the Shiner bock on the beer tap resembles a Christmas reindeer? We visited the bar at the Overton Hotel before attending "A Christmas Carol" production at the Civic Center Theater. Don't see the resemblance? Squint your eyes or drink more Shiner.

December 20, 2010

red raider christmas

guns up!

4900 20th Street
Lubbock, Texas

December 19, 2010

pancho claus

Pancho Claus, possibly an indirect descendant of Pancho Villa, made his 37th annual visit to Lubbock today. Hundreds of children lined up to whisper Christmas wishes in his beard.

Maggie Trejo Supercenter
Lubbock, Texas

December 18, 2010

tech's christmas spirit

Texas Tech University

Chemistry Building with Administration Building Tower

Lubbock, Texas

December 17, 2010

christmas glamour

December 16, 2010

lubbock's north pole

This is the 54th annual SantaLand hosted by the City of Lubbock's parks department. As I told each new employee orientation class, Mr. and Mrs. Claus are part-time City employees. SantaLand has expanded in its home in Mackenzie Park. Do you remember the original location on 23rd and Avenue Q?

December 15, 2010

mrs. claus

A youthful Mrs. Santa Claus
Part-time City employee
Lubbock's Santa Land
Mackenzie Park

December 14, 2010

better be good!

"He sees you when you're sleeping..." What kid could sleep with this Santa lamp lit on the night stand? There would be nightmares of short, stumpy red-suited gremlins with gleaming eyes in pursuit rather then visions of sugarplums.

Vintage Santa Lamp found at Tornado Gallery

December 13, 2010

christmas cactus

December 12, 2010

cedar christmas

Ranching Heritage Center

Lubbock, Texas

December 11, 2010

petsmart santa

Even cats and dogs have Christmas wishes, but there were a few who were hesitant to sit on Santa's lap at Petsmart. Like all the leashed and caged animals in the store, even Santa was restrained behind glass.

December 10, 2010

806-68-style

Chrome, a shopping boutique located in the old St. Mary's hospital at 2601 19th Street, advertises itself as the coolest store in Lubbock. Their Christmas decor was cool but I'm probably not hip nor young enough to shop there.

December 9, 2010

gift suggestion

Need a gift suggestion for your ritzy friend? How about a dainty wreath and ribbon for the hood ornament of the Mercedes Benz? No Mercedes? Then Alderson will be glad to sell you the model of your choice-- complete with Christmas decoration.

Alderson European Motors
1702 Texas Avenue
Lubbock, Texas

December 8, 2010

4 drummers drumming

The Christmas display in front of College Avenue Flowers lacks a complete dozen drummers but then again there are only four stanchions on the portico.

College Avenue Flowers

2002 Broadway

Lubbock Texas

December 7, 2010

texas christmas wreath

Spotted on a Ford pickup in Sutherland Lumberyard parking lot

crafted from one length of rope

December 6, 2010

my christmas stocking

About 1957 my grandmother (Burma Mae known as "Mom") made all the grandkids stockings. They hung every Christmas on her mantle until her death at age 91 in 1995. My least favorite decoration was my school picture. The jingle bells are lost but every sequin and pearl, stitched on with love, are still intact.

2010 Images

sjf photography