Photo Blogging Challenge (December 2024): Holly Jolly

And just like that, it’s 2025!

I have probably said this before, but as I get older, the years sure do seem to go faster. So sometimes, you have to try and slow it down the best you can to appreciate what you have.

Christmas is always one of my favorite times of the year. Though as a kid it was about that day, in adulthood, I feel like it’s definitely the whole season.

It was also my father’s favorite holiday. I still have a hard time thinking that he’s been gone for 17+ years, but I still have vivid images of him on Christmas day. He sure did enjoy it.

I was really in the mood this year. Though, unfortunately, I didn’t get all the outside deco up as planned. Hopefully next year as I have some ideas and thoughts and we’ll see if I can pull it off.

Anyway, between the music and everything else, it’s been an enjoyable season. I took vacation time leading in and through this week, so it’s also been nice in that regard. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season, no matter which holidays you do or don’t celebrate!

Here’s to a wonderful 2025 ahead and we’ll keep going with this challenge. Maybe we can actually grow it again this year! Have a great January!

Anyway, onward. Here’s my five for December!

1. What it’s all about

Christmas has always been a big thing in my family and my mother has always been at the head of it. I hope we have many more with her and I love being able to spend holidays with her.

SIDE NOTE: This photo was taken with a new Hipstamatic app called Party. I don’t know if it’s on anything other than iPhone, but … if it is. The idea of it is you share a camera with others. You don’t see the photos until it expires and you then see everybody photos. It’s a really cool thing. I have a membership with Hipstamatic so I can do cameras with extra things etc., and would love to use this more. Is anybody interested in doing this every once in a while? (I just looked: The Hipstamatic Party! app is only available on iPhones running iOS 17.2 or later)

2. Santa

Each year, I make sure to get Harper to see Santa. My hope is, from this point on, to do it the same time each year. This was after the holiday parade in my town. Mr and Mrs Claus!

3. Everybody else is doing it …

I did the wrapping paper setup so many have been doing this season. It didn’t come out quite how I wanted, but it was a pretty good time to do it. I will try this again next year, but I have thoughts and ideas. I might even try and do it for her birthday this year and see if I can improve things!

4. Watching Santa Paws!

The local fire department brings out Santa to the village a few days before Christmas. I am glad I was home that night as Harper watched intently, being good, of course!

5. Presents!

I know she doesn’t really know what it’s all about. But she sure does have fun ripping wrapping paper off her presents. I don’t have kids and though I know it’s fun to watch kids open things, there’s something even more fun watching a dog do it.

BONUS PHOTO

We had a white Christmas, which was awesome. This one was taken on Christmas afternoon, soon after her friends had gone home. Yes, we had a play date on Christmas. And with all the snow… it was amazing!

There’s my five (plus bonus) and let’s see what you came up with! If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for June. Make sure you drop your link there.

OK, so it’s time to keep on moving! And just like that, it’s January 2025! And our theme for the month? New year, new me! Interpret as you see fit!! I’m actually really interested to see how people do with this one. I have some thoughts, but we’ll see! I hope you all have fun with this theme! Remember to come back on (hopefully) February 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month! I’ve set a calendar reminder for me, so let’s see if that works!

Photo Blogging Challenge: December 2024 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook!