I do have so much to share about Christmas but, the one thing that is really capturing me is my newest addition to my camera bag.   Hubby, bless his heart, took my Amazon Wish List to the higher level this Christmas.

I have had this wish list going for a while, something I was working towards, aspiring to attain, new equipment and what not.  So, when Hubby asked me to write a Christmas list, this year instead of giving him a piece of paper with books and movies that I wanted (we call it our 20 things for $20 list) I added it to my Amazon Wish List so he could pull it up on his Blackberry whenever he wanted.   He usually loses the piece of paper as soon as it hits his pocket, so I figured this was an easier way for him.  Which it was.

What I wasn’t expecting was that when he went to the camera shop to buy a spare battery for me, he was going to pick up a lens instead.  He got talking to the guy at the shop about the 50mm Nikon Lens I had on my list and the guy basically told him to forget all my other gifts and just get me that.  I would be so happy with it and it would become my favorite lens.  So Hubby listened to the guy and bought it.

The guy was not wrong.  As much as I LOVE my zoom lenses, this is by far my favorite lens for taking photos of people. How could I have lived without it for so long?  How could I have not known how awesome it would be?

 It all started a while back when I was doing some research on how to take my photography to the next level.  I was looking at lenses, cameras and sites that talked about which ones to buy.  I was getting so confused.  Then I was introduced to Pioneer Woman through Bakerella and her cake pops.  And Pioneer Woman has this whole section on photography.  And my how I love some of her shots of her kids.  So I checked out her equipment page and she raved about this 50mm lens.  So I added to my wish list.

Having never used it before, I have been pleasantly suprised.  And considering it is a relatively inexpensive lens (around $100) I was shocked that I  hadn’t heard (or payed attention) of it before.  I have since looked it up more and realized how many photographers swear by it, including a few in one of my magazines that Santa left for me.

Now that I am in the know, I am definitely taking a lot more photos again, experimenting and playing around.  Will see what 2009 has in store for me, I am hoping it will be exciting in my world of Photography.

Here I sit.  Yes, sit.  The day after Christmas and I wonder what should I be doing.  I have been running non-stop for the last month that I don’t know exactly what I would like to do.

So first of all, I wanted to blog.  I have been writing posts in my head for weeks now, so I figured now would be a great time to sit and start writing them.  I have so much to share, photos, gifts, visits but that can all wait.  Yesterday I was hoping to post my favorite passage from the Bible and to wish you all a Merry Christmas, since I did not get a chance to yesterday, today will be the day.

I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday, spending time with Family and/or Friends.  We had a marvelous day, lots of good food, good conversation and fun with the kids. With that I share with you the reason for the season.

My Father reads this every Christmas Morning, and of course it is what Linus reads out on stage in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Luke 2:8-14

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.

BeachMama