Weekly iPhone Roundup - Holiday Edition {11.19 - 11.25}

 It's that time of the week again. This week is a smidge different, it's still photos from my phone, but it's mainly holiday related. I mean, I don't guess that makes things too different, but I guess some of this would get a dedicated post. Maybe... I don't know where I'm going with this.

We went to the tree farm earlier today and normally when we go to a tree farm I take my camera, but there was something SO off with today that I didn't even bother. I'm glad I didn't, because there were like 4-5 people there and they all worked there. It was a kind of smaller place to begin with, so bringing my camera would've made things hell awkward. They were very, very nice, don't get me wrong, but it felt like they were watching our every move. Not thinking we were going to steal, but wanting us to buy something. 

My aunt and uncle also went, but they rode in a separate vehicle this time. Well there were some very beautiful water lanterns for sale for the staggering price of $53! Probably 90% of their stuff was grossly overpriced, so I wasn't jumping at the opportunity to buy anything. Well my uncle locked onto the lanterns and was asking my aunt if she liked them and, of course, she did. We he ended up asking the lady how much they were and if they had more in the back, which they did. Then out of nowhere he shouts, "We'll take it!" Um...  excuse me? He didn't even ask my aunt if she wanted to get it, he just went for it.

Well my aunt was very obviously irritated at his $60 purchase. LaVaughn and I were equally shocked and surprised at the audacity. A little back story on my uncle real quick: he's been off work for like 8 weeks with his knee. He's gonna end up having a knee replacement, but his insurance isn't paying him as much as he would normally be making, so things are tight for them. I know this, LaVaughn knows this and my aunt damn sure knows it. So you can see where her anger comes from. 

This was kind of the mindset of the whole day, just a lot of irritation and uncomfortable situations.

And to top the tree farm experience off, their trees were like so ridiculously tiny and carried a price tag that weighed more than the tree. We headed to Lowes after, which was a total bust. Thankfully Menards saved the day and we were able to find a 7 1/2ft tree for the same price as the micro trees from the tree farm.

Black Friday shopping was also a bust. I wanted to get this stupid little vacuum for like $20, but Farmington Walmart was out, as was Desoto's. I also wanted to get the $10 J-Lab ear buds, but they were sold out as well. We did, however, make out with 6 of the $1 wax melts and an awesome Blackstone set for my aunt and uncle. I take that back, we also got the 4 pack of mini cookers that Walmart had. Still... total suckfest. I also missed out on the 65in TV that Walmart had that I wanted to get my aunt and uncle for Christmas. Now I'm gonna have to swallow my pride and try to find a decently priced one that doesn't make me want to puke.

I guess I'll stop there. I hope your holiday week was less eventful, unless it was the good kind of eventful, of course. 

This is my moms youngest dog, Hyde. He came on a drive with my and my step dad, Jeff, to pick up some Chinese food.

He was very anxious after his papa left.

But he still wanted to cuddle me.

A pretty little golden tree from Dollar Tree.

I think this was from Tuesday, this is when we got the inflatable ornaments hung up. 

Messy Thanksgiving prep.

The coconut cream pie I made.

First time making these pumpkin bars. It's from a very old recipe... I also hate that it's sideways.

This is the iced pumpkin bars. They were So delicious!

Here are some of the Christmas trees from Bollinger Farms.

They were pretty, but they're like yard decor, not really big or full enough for Christmas Trees.

They had some very pretty wreaths.

They were crazy priced though, like $30-$50.

This is the only picture I took inside because it was kinda awkward and very quiet.

Here's the Bollinger Farms sign.

And here's the $60 church water lantern. It's beautiful, but not worth the price.

Happy Thanksgiving {2022}

 I want to apologize for my very winey and depressing post a couple days ago. I was just really down and getting into my feels, but I shouldn't have ranted like I did or complained about stupid stuff that has no relevance. I tend to overlook how blessed I am and really take some things for granted. Thank God I have what I have and am able to do what I do. 

I'm an anxious person and have a lot of issues with things like that. Unfortunately I'm predisposed to anxiety and depression - it runs deep in my family - plus I experienced a lot of psychological abuse when I was a child, so yay. I really didn't want to use my blog for complaining or wining, but I guess I just needed to vent. 

Anyways, Thanksgiving dinner prep was in full swing all day yesterday. I'm not going to go into great detail, but we were cooking from like 3pm until 9pm. Somewhere around in there, anyways. Today when I got up I made the dressing, cranberry sauce and green bean casserole. Then, of course, engorged way too much, but I'm thankful that I was able to. 

Earlier today I went out and took some pics around the yard. It was super hot in the house and the temperature was pretty mild outside. It was cloudy, so I didn't have to worry about harsh, early afternoon lighting. I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of this camera, because I really like a few of the pictures that I got today. 

Tomorrow we're headed to a new Tree Farm to hopefully get our Christmas Tree from. It's a place in Bonne Terre called Bollinger Farms. They're new this year, so I'm sure their prices are ridiculous. Hopefully not, but it would be nice. I really miss Beck's Tree Farm, but they've been closed down since like 2018 or something.

Anyways, I guess that all for now... Happy Thanksgiving!

Hung the Dollar Tree inflatable ornaments today... they're not even and it kills me.

I know it's probably hard to tell, but there is so much detail in this picture. I was amazed with how it looked once I saw it on the computer. There's no posting editing either, this is straight from the camera.

I'm still trying to work out my shutter and ISO on this camera, it's basically the same, but since this is an FX camera, it's a smidge different.

There's great detain in this photo of tree bark too.

The lighting on the bathroom wall.

Out Christmas Village at night.

The little Christmas Village always looks so nice all lit up.

I took these Christmas Village pics with my Tokina lens.

A nice macro shot of the bread cubes I made last night for homemade stuffing today.

I took a couple more, but they were super dark.

Dried and decayed basil leaves.

There's something so beautiful about fall leaves.

Some dried and dead flowers.

There's a lot of awesome detail in this picture too.

Raindrops on some parsley.

I love this waterdrop on the end of a tree branch. It turned out really good I think.

I'm clearly obsessed with raindrops, but check out the awesome bokeh of the 105mm lens.

This is a raindrop in one of the little pom pom weeds.

Beautiful pine branches.

Moss and a leaf on the roof of an old dog house.

The focal point is off a bit here, but I still like it. Mainly because I love leaves.

One more picture of the dead mammoth basil leaf for good measure.

Beck's Tree Farm - 2016 Edition

We made it to our favorite tree farm on opening day this year. Surprisingly, the farm wasn't as busy as one would imagine it to be. Much busier than last year, but it was like 30 degrees last year and we were the only other people there aside from one couple that was leaving. It could be that they didn't have as many trees to choose from this year. But like I said, it's opening day and Black Friday, so I'm sure a lot of people were out shopping.

we browsed through a couple trees before LaVaughn and I my uncle found a really nice looking "fluffy" tree. My uncle kept commenting on how different it looked and how soft it was. He even picked it up to see how it looked. It really was pretty and tall, man that tree was tall. And full! It was so full that you couldn't see just how crooked the base of it was.

One of the employees finally made his was over to another couple next to us and my uncle was finally able to ask him what kind of tree it was. "A white pine!" he shouted. My uncle then began to ask him all about it. My aunt and I were reluctant to jump on the first nice looking tree, especially one that had such flimsy branches.

Since both my uncle and LaVaughn loved it so, we decided on it without further hesitation.

The inside of the small building where you paid for the tree had been completely gutted. This was one of the highlights last year as they had dozens of decorations and ornaments inside to choose from. They also had free coffee and hot cocoa, along with popcorn and a wood stove. They had none of that this year, which was a big disappointment.

We made it to Walmart shortly after to brave the Black Friday crowds, or what was left of them. LaVaughn and I went last night when Black "Friday" was in full swing. Aside from being more crowded than usual, it wasn't too bad. We left there with a gift for Shawna, the girl I work with, and something that my uncle wanted me to pick up for my aunt.

I made the mistake of riding in the backseat of my aunt and uncle's truck today. I paid for it too, I'm actually still paying for it. I get so, so sick when I'm in the backseat of vehicles. It's only gotten worse since I got older. Oh well, it's over and done now, no need to complain.

We were all too tired to decorate the tree tonight, so that will come tomorrow... AFTER I get home from work. Fun, fun.

Here are a fraction (24) of the nearly 70 pictures that I took today. Hope you enjoy!

The drive there:

The welcome sign:

(kinda crappy, but I was in the backseat)

They had this last year as well, I believe.

Pretty nice selection.

Others, not so much.

Have to have a portrait, of course.

I made him laugh right before this. :)

These are the White Pine trees.

See that tall one? That's the one they were after.

Personally, I like these.

Also a fair bit of people there today.

The employee -- slightly odd man.

Look how wide this thing it!

And tall! My uncle stands at 6'!

This guy could not get a good grip.

And he wouldn't even let my uncle help.

So off he went.

Surprisingly enough, they had pumpkins! They even had their own pumpkin field.

Packaging our tree:

This is one of my favorite things.

Love pictures like this.

I think I got one like this last year too.

That's all, folks! Hope you enjoyed our tree farm adventures this year. :)