It’s amazing what a good camera can do. Let me stop and say that my other camera is very good indeed and has served me well. I plan to keep it around here because I’m rather fond of it. However, this new camera is…well, it is several steps up and, goodness, I am in love.
Oh, that bokeh. I’m sure glad it’s Christmas time, if only for the Christmas tree lights! It’s a perfect time to experiment.
And here comes Scout, wondering why the heck I’m taking her picture yet again.
If looks could kill.
Scout is always highly photogenic, but I’m loving the detail in these photos. And the bokeh. And the light shining through her pink ears.
Pretty dried hydrangeas. Ah, camera, you make me very happy.
In other news, my squirrel flannel pajamas are showing signs of wear and tear. A tear in the back, worn fabric near the pockets and, ahem, a rip in the crotch…so I had to buy a new pair.
I got these at Target. Nick and Nora – my favorite brand of PJs. I love the color and the little birds on wintry branches. After I came home with them and wore them a few days, Don said he missed my squirrel pajamas (probably because he gave them to me.) He sounded so forlorn that I wore them every night until he left for San Diego. Sort of sweet, don’t you think?
Fellow flannel pajamas lovers, I plan on having some sort of bloggie get together in January or February. On a date I will set later, each of us will link up with a photo of ourselves wearing our flannel pajamas or with a photo of the pajamas themselves. They can be simple or funny or anything you like. We’ll call it Flannel Pajamas Day. What do you think of that idea? Hey, don’t worry. I’ll have a big old picture of me in my pajamas. I promise.
I’ll be back tonight at 8:00 est for A Favorite Thing – Holiday Edition.
A reminder about the great holiday deal going on at the Frédéric Fekkai Website – valid on all items. With a minimum $50 purchase, you will receive 10% off your order and a complimentary exclusive holiday headband. You can read more about the products in my post here. And be sure to visit the website to explore.
Happy Friday.
Claudia! Love the new pajamas but hang on to the squirrel pajamas. I’ve got to see those! I think a cyber pajama party sounds like fun. God knows we need some fun and whimsy injected into this season. Love the bokeh! When I got my new lens earlier in the year I took some fantastic portraits of some of my friends and we raved about the bokeh. This is what creates such interesting dreamy photographs with the beautifully blurred background.
You can see part of the squirrel pjs in the flannel pajamas club logo.
How cute. Love that you created an official PJ Flannel club logo :). Looking forward to the party.
Claudia–seriously, it’s going to take all my courage to post a picture of me in my blue flannel pajamas, but just for you I will! I think. We’ll see. Maybe. I love love love your camera! Now I’ve put one on my wish list…it’s all your fault! Have a lovely day…I am home for the second straight day in an epic Wisconsin blizzard–wishing I had your camera to capture all the amazing snow scenes! xxoo, Martha
You guys really got walloped! We have had rain and wind, and will maybe have a few show showers, but I don’t see a White Christmas on the horizon. Sigh.
Morning, Claudia!
What cute pajamas! Love them and their little birds. And that is so sweet about Don and the squirrels. :-)
I am still having a bit of trouble with things crossing over themselves on your blog. Not sure why. But I perservered and found the comment button.
That’s exciting about the new camera. Why kind is it? I would love to know. Mine is very old, and I am in desperate need of a new one. I love the way yours made the photos look. Very dreamy.
I have been rushing to get things ready for Christmas, and yesterday came down with a serious migraine. I think it was food related as I ate somewhere unfamiliar. I think there might have been MSG in the food. At any rate, I have been laid low. I’m just debilitated after a headache that bad. So my trip today is cancelled. Can’t be helped. We’ve also got some very weird weather going on right now. A storm blew in, rained, and then left some cold air in its place.
Hope you are staying warm and toasty in your new pajamas. I’m getting some plaid flannels for Christmas, and I might have to open them early to combat the chill!!!
Love to you and Scout and to Don in CA!
XO,
Sheila
So sorry to hear about your migraine, Sheila! They are so hard to bear. The camera is a Canon Rebel t3i. I love it.
Why kind is it? Oh, heaven forbid! I have got to get something on which I can see to type. I would have caught that error as soon as I typed it! Excuse, please.
Now, what will I have to blame it on when this IPAD is gone??? ;-)
Bokeh? Bokeh? Oooh, she means bouquet! Haha!
I get it now though. Very nice indeed!
Bokeh – comes from a Japanese word. Means the way a lens renders out-of-focus points of light.
I had never heard of it. As I didn’t know the word I read it out loud so then for a good 20 seconds or so I really did think you were speaking of the flowers. Then I decided to google it. It does give a wonderful effect.
Claudia, I like the new pj’s. Your camera is taking good photos. I hope it wasn’t too hard to understand…cause if I get one, I sure want to be able to use it and download my photos to my files. Well you know without having to take a whole camera course. Smiles to you and yours. xoxo,Susie
I have to figure out a lot more yet but since I’m used to working manually on my other camera, I was able to jump right in.
That first photo is killer!
Thank you, Steve!
Make a pillow case out of a scrap of the flannel jammies and then Don can take it with him when he’s out of town and place it over the hotel pillow. :-)
I like the sound of your cyber pajama party – I don’t have flannel pajamas but I do have a cute cotton nightgown I’d wear! I’ll bring the hot chocolate, chocolate chips and schnapps….
I offered to let him take the top so he could use it as a pillowcase, but I think he felt it wasn’t ‘manly.’ Ha.
Oh, Schnapps, yes!
Claudia, Have a question for you. Hubby and I are going to Delaware on December 27th to see our grandkids! We are over the moon geeked with excitement! Normally, I always use daylight because I don’t like the flash that is built in to the camera. Hubby just called and asked me to look into getting an external flash drive for my camera so I can take portraits of everyone! Now I am completely geeked but bewildered. Do you have any suggestions for a good external speedlight for the Canon camera? I’ll start googling and see what I can find. I’m going to need a flash with all these gray skies. Now I won’t have any money for new pj’s for the party, but I have some pretty cool old ones I can wear :)
Sandy, I’m sorry to say I have no idea about speedlights – nor any knowledge! Best of luck!
Did some quick research and found great reviews on the Canon 430EX II. Got it on sale at Best Buy and saved $50.00. There are lots of great tutorials online for using the flash. Wow! Took a few shots. What a difference from the built-in flash on my camera (which is lousy) This gives me a lot more options. Hope to get some great portraits of the grandkids when we go to Delaware in a few days! Have fun with your camera! I already see and love the difference in your photos.
Love the new PJs! I might have to stop at Target at lunch to see if they have any here in Texas!
They’re on sale right now, too, Renee.
There is something about well worn pj’s that feel so good! Holes and all! Apparently, they are comforting to Don when he sees you in them. Very sweet you wore them for him before he left. Snow here today…..exuding a real “Christmas” feel!~Hugs, Patti
I’m jealous, Patti. I don’t think we are going to see any snow here. It will not be a White Christmas for us.
Maybe you could make a stuffed animal (squirrel) comes to mind, out of your old PJ’s? Again I know nothing about Photography, but I know a clear /clean picture when I see it! nice job!
Well, it looks like I’ll have to wear them when D gets home in February. So I’ll just put them aside until then.
I look forward to the pajama party! I have my Hot Pink Crazy Cat pajamas that I got prior to my shoulder surgery. I’ll plan on wearing those!
Yay!
Today’s a great day for flannel pjs. We are snowed in for second day…would you believe 18 inches? Like your new pjs, what do the squirrel ones look like? Nice camera shots too, especially bokeh…what exactly is that…spell check tried to correct it to …broken…! Enjoy your day! ;)
Just search for flannel pajamas on the blog and you’ll find some photos of them. They are also in the Flannel Pajamas Club logo. You guys really got SNOW! Jealous.
Wow! These are some great pictures! Good for you! This camera will be a gift that keeps on giving. Scout looks precious!
I have one pair of flannels that my daughter gave me for Christmas years ago…funny how they last so long! I save them for nights it goes below zero. Hubby has been keeping the heat set a 75 and I am going crazy! The party does sound like a lot of fun though!
XO,
Jane
It will be, Jane!
The camera is awesome!..I love Scout :)… And the PJ’s are adorable but I too would hold onto the squirrel ones just for sentimental reasons.. Pics in our flannel PJ’s huh? I only have ones with Teddy bears on them but I LOVE them because they are so warm.. Im game if everyone else is :)
Robyn
Teddy Bears will be perfect, Robyn!
I am so excited about your photos, Claudia. They look so wonderful. I am thinking I will get another new pair of flannel jammies after Christmas so I will have a new pair for after my surgery in January. Maybe I can get a photo of my new knee in my new flannels. I am going to try and join up tonight if I can get any decent photos. snowy and gray here today :)
Hugs,
Laura
Yes, get a new pair and you and your new knee can join in the fun!
I am so excited about your photos, Claudia. They look so wonderful. I am thinking I will get another new pair of flannel jammies after Christmas so I will have a new pair for after my surgery in January. Maybe I can get a photo of my new knee in my new flannels. I am going to try and join up tonight if I can get any decent photo. snowy and gray here today :)
Hugs,
Laura
Your new pajamas are so cute and look so cozy! I love flannel pajama pants, but not a fan of the tops, so I wear a t-shirt and hoodie with the pants. I wear that “outfit” around the house when I’m home and then just wear the t-shirt and pants to bed. I’ll join your pajama party! Glad you’re enjoying your new toy. :-)
So glad you will join us, Melanie. I’ll give plenty of warning.
I love this idea. I can hardly wait to be a member of the flannel pajama club!!! See you later tonight.
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Yay!
I have on my Nick and Noras right now and they are just right for a nippy morning. I’m wondering what camera you chose.
A Canon Rebel t3i – it’s super wonderful.
These photographs are amazing! And you pajama is just beautiful. I love the idea of a get-together. Regula
It will be fun, Regula! And I know you have flannel pajamas now!
Your pictures are just gorgeous. But your old ones were also!! Love the photos of Scout.
Hope you are keeping busy and time is going by fast for you while Don is gone.
Judy
Keeping sort of busy, but I really miss him.
Wonderful photos Claudia! Scout is a beauty. And I love the background effect. I’m a complete and utter doofus with cameras, can’t seem to crack the code. I need a class.
Those are super cute jammies! I don’t have any flannel pajammies – well I do have one pair of bottoms that I wear a T-shirt with but they are not worthy of note or excitement. A shopping we will go ;)
Happy Friday to you!
Happy Friday to you, too, Sally!
Love your new p.j.s … might have to get myself a pair and then I can stay in them all day long! Woo hoo!
Nothing better, Reena.
That picture of Scout w/the light shining on her ears and her cheeks is wonderful. All your pics are terrific. PJ party sounds fun!
Thank you, Annette! I hope you join in!
I LOVE your new pj’s!! Target is coming to Canada this spring… guess I’ll have to wait till next Christmas to find my N&N’s! So happy you have your new camera to keep you company these days without Don. Please give Scout a scratch near her pink ears for me! xo
You can order them online, Tracy – do they ship to Canada?
Hi Claudia! My name is Meghan and I am a new subscriber. I found you through Brenda’s blog. I just wanted to say that I think that you are wonderful to be there for your friend and stick up for her. I’ve known Brenda for a few years now through her blog and I too cannot believe how ugly the comments had turned.
I am excited for you and your new camera and am really looking forward to looking around your blog! Hugs, Meghan
Thank you so much for your kind, supportive words, Meghan. And I’m so happy to meet you!
Love the PJ’s..Glad you are enjoying your camera..
I am, Missy! And the pj’s, too!
Love all the photos taken with your fancy new camera, especially those of Scout. The little white Christmas lights in the background give such an angelic effect. Just beautiful! I love your new flannels, so pretty! I need a new pair, as mine are pretty close to being like your old pair. I love Nick and Nora pjs too!
Yeah! The PJ club! I think it’s going to be a big hit!
Merry Christmas, my flannel wearing friend…..I am smiling after reading your cute post. Oh, boy…Do I love my flannel pjs! Up until a few years ago I was a nightgown girl. But after moving to 3600 ft above sea level I have converted to good old flannel pjs. The older I get the colder my buns get! Yep…I am even sporting bedsocks these days.
Thanks for your cheery post, my friend!
Blessings,
Carolynn xxx
It’s me again, Margret! I can’t believe I almost forgot to mention how spectacular your camera shots are and how darling your pal Scout looks with the lights glistening in the background!
Have a Merry one, Claudia!
Carolynn
Such lovely photos. I know how much in love you are with that camera. I’m so glad you got it. I need some warmer pajamas.
Brenda
What a hoot! I have a photo of my PJ’s my mother gave me. Do I want the whole world to see me? Yes why not!. I will get the post ready. What kind of new camera do you have?
See you soon: Betty @ My Cozy Corner
Hey Claudia – your photographs are gorgeous. I’m sure the new camera is a big help but you have real SKILLS as a photographer! Love the jammies idea. I will have to get a new pair to model. Mine are getting pretty disreputable but I do have about a dozen pairs. Might have to play with a collage. Merry Christmas J
Claudia, you finally broke me down! I went and got my Bird watching flannel pajamas, normally I would have gone for cheaper ones but I remembered you and decided I deserved this ones. Washed them in gentle cycle with baby detergent and wore them last night…what can I say? It’s past midday here and I’m still in my pajamas! They are soo soft and comfortable!!! Love them!..Thanks again for your suggestion, I’m glad I listened.
Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year!
What lovely new ‘jammies’, Claudia. Someone gave me some adorable “Lucy and Ethel” pajamas recently. I only wear nightgowns to bed, but I wear pajama tops as a jacket over my nightgowns or dresses when it’s cold in the house, and the bottoms I wear with a henley when I putter around the house.