1910 Farm Scene

This distinguished gentleman is my great-grandfather, Charles Lyman Whalen, taken on the Minich family farm in Carlisle, IN circa 1910.  I love the textures in this photo, especially the sheep's curly locks and the ruggedness of the barn boards.  "Pete" always dressed up, even when on the farm.

Kris Kringle

When I first saw this gentleman, I thought he looked familiar... then it occurred to me... he looks like Kris Kringle!  His rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes shine way beyond his attempt to be serious, but I can definitely see a hint of a smile!  This cabinet card had a lot of damage, but I left the damage to his jacket alone - because it looks a bit like snow!  So here you are, to inspire you for the upcoming holiday season... Kris Kringle in "disguise" as an ordinary patron, sitting to have his portrait taken.  Now you know what he wears the other 364 days of the year!

Babes of Spring

Look who we found in our garden this week!

Shortly thereafter, I spotted this little one in a hot air balloon overhead...

Dogwood Album Pages

I've had so much fun during the last day! My dear friend Lyneen gifted me with the most wonderful antique cabinet card album - really blew my socks off! I was speechless - which is a bit unusual for me. Lyneen loves these antique albums and cabinet cards more than anyone else I know (myself excepted), so to part with this was quite a sacrifice. Well, Lyneen... rest assured that as much as you loved this album - I cherish it even More!

The first image from the album features dogwood blossoms and a cabinet card photo of the most adorable little boy holding a hand-made bow and arrow. The lovely green tint is the original scan - that beautiful Victorian Green. For the subsequent variations, I removed the photo, did a bit of digital coloring and added two more of those cute bees. Need those bees to keep the dogwood happy!

Thanks for stopping by - Enjoy!

1918 Waterfront Pass

Grandmother Virginia's Uncle Joe, pictured on his 1918 Port of Buffalo waterfront pass. Has that Prohibition / "Untouchables" feel to it, doesn't it?

1920, "A Toothsome Catch"