New Year's Eve Sunrise, Superstition Mountains #melissaenderle, #madisonphotographymeetup, #superstitionmountain, #landscape, #arizona, #apachejunction #cactus, #desert, #sonorandesert, #arizonasunrise, #sunrise, #desertsunrise

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Cliff Chipmunk, Petroglyph Cliffs #melissaenderle, #madisonphotographymeetup, #superstitionmountain, #landscape, #arizona, #apachejunction #cactus, #desert, #sonorandesert, #cliffchipmunk, #chipmunk

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Superstition Mountain - view from Apache Junction Library #melissaenderle, #madisonphotographymeetup, #superstitionmountain, #landscape, #arizona, #apachejunction #cactus, #desert, #sonorandesert

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Selfie in the Ornament - AZ style

After taking a few sunset pictures on Christmas, I walked around to admire the Christmas decorations around the RV resort. Some had decorated their cactuses or wrapped palm trees in lights. With its flower blossoms and shiny ornaments, this decoration caught my eye. Although I was interested in capturing some details and bokeh effects, I realized that I inadvertently had taken a selfie. So here is my accidental selfie, Arizona style. Merry Christmas!

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Marley: "There's a little space here for me, so I'll squeeze here between the computer and you." #melissaenderle, #madisonphotographymeetup, #teddybeardog, #puppy, #lapdog #cutedog

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Joyfully Announcing Christ's Birth

All over the world, church musicians are polishing their songs in anticipation for upcoming Christmas services. Only the best will do for their Savior, whose birth we celebrate.

Others will join in the praise, whether in perfect pitch or not, rejoicing and singing some of the most beautiful songs ever written. 

No matter who we are, what status we might have or what we have done, Christ came for us, the perfect sacrifice so that we one day join all believers in heaven. Come, let us Adore Him! Christ, the Lord. 

These photos were taken at Old World Wisconsin Museum in Eagle, WI.

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Pit homes at the Pueblo Grande Museum

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Apache Junction Sunrise 12-23-17 #melissaenderle, #madisonphotographymeetup, #apachejunction, #sunrise, #arizonasunrise, #pinkclouds, #superstitionmountain

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Santa's taking it easy in his La-Z-Boy Sleigh

Here in the land of retiree Snowbirds, even Santa is taking it easy. In his modified La-Z-Boy sleigh, he can put up his feet in style. Illuminated deer light the way. Rudolph takes up the rear.

Santa has some extra help from a few golf carts, all decked out for their mission of spreading cheer.

A Merry Christmas to all!

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Sunrise Superstition Mountain with Saguaro 12-16-17 #melissaenderle, #arizona, #superstitionmountain, #arizonasunrise, #saguaro, #apachejunction

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Fuscia tinged Cirrocumulus clouds and Fiery Sky #melissaenderle, #Madison, #wisconsinsunset, #wintersunset, #madisonphotographymeetup, #sunset, #wisconsin, #Cirrocumulus

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Down the Path of Yesteryear #melissaenderle, #artwork, #colorpencil, #portrait, #landscape, #arizonaart, #supersitionmountain, #tetonken, #superstitionmountainmuseum

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#melissaenderle, #Madison, #wisconsinsunset, #wintersunset, #madisonphotographymeetup, #sunset

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Lake Monona December Twilight #melissaenderle, #Madison, #monona, #wisconsinsunset, #wintersunset, #madisonphotographymeetup, #sunset

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Lake Monona December Twilight #melissaenderle, #Madison, #monona, #wisconsinsunset, #wintersunset, #madisonphotographymeetup

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Lake Monona December Twilight #melissaenderle, #Madison, #monona, #wisconsinsunset, #wintersunset, #madisonphotographymeetup, #sunset

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Dancing Above Monona #melissaenderle, #Madison, #monona, #wisconsinsunset, #wintersunset, #madisonphotographymeetup

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With my Kampong lady in the Wisconsin Watercolor Show at the Wustum Art Museum #wustumartmuseum #watercolor #portrait #melissaenderle #racineartmuseum

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St. Martin Church with Julian Alps #melissaenderle #stmartin #slovenia #slovenija #lakebled #easterneurope #sloveniatravel #church

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Natural rainbow wave at Antelope Canyon #melissaenderle #antelopecanyon #arizonabeauty #madisonphotographymeetup

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Madison State Capitol, Christmas - as seen from above #wisconsinstatecapitol, #wistatecapitol, #melissaenderle, #wisconsin, #wisconsinchristmas, #wisconsinarchitecture, #wiarchitecture

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Down the Path of Yesteryear: Teton Ken and his Burro

My latest artwork, of Teton Ken and his belated Daisy, set against the magnificent Superstition Mountains. If you are in the Apache Junction area of Arizona, be sure to stop at this gem of a museum. Teton Ken will be lecturing about the Lost Dutchman and his mine on January 4, 2018.

Down the Path of Yesteryear: Teton Ken and his Burro. Color pencil ©2017 Melissa Enderle

Them there mountains have been such a big part of my life. How many times have I meandered up the narrow paths of the Superstitions, flanked by jumping cholas, saguaros, and the occasional Palo Verde tree. Daisy has done it so many times that she can navigate nearly by herself–great for feller’s eyes like mine that get cloudier all the time.

In my younger years, I used to do some prospecting up in them thar hills. Them’s years are over, both for me and these rocks. Not as quick as I used to be, I stick to the path. Less of a chance to encounter a rattler or bobcat, but they still are here as well. That’s why I carry this gun. Done for the day, I’m ready to head back into town. A cold beer sounds good right now. And some oats for ol’ Daisy. 

See more of my artworks at www.melissaenderle.com 

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Madison State Capitol, Christmas #wisconsinstatecapitol, #wistatecapitol, #melissaenderle, #wisconsin, #wisconsinchristmas, #wisconsinarchitecture, #wiarchitecture

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You Better Watch Out..for Krampus is Coming to Town.

While strolling through Old World Wisconsin, I stumbled across this fellow...er...creature. He was sitting on a bench and encouraged some kids to come sit by him. A few curious ones did, while others suspiciously eyed him from a distance. When I inquired about his furry appearance, this chap told me that he was Krampus. I had never heard of this Christmas creature who was part goat, part demon.
Of interest, Krampus and St. Nicholas are friends who play on opposite sides of the coin. Dating back to pre-Germanic pagan times,  the name Krampus means "claw." He is said to be the son of the Norse god of the underworld. He was particularly popular in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. A Krampus resurgence has occurred in these countries, and now the USA has gotten in on the act.

While St. Nick/Santa comes with presents if you were well-behaved, Krampus' presence is a direct indication that you weren't quite so good. He is said to carry a bundle of birch sticks on his back, and will pull these out and start beating the naughty child. Sometimes he leaves behind some sticks to remind kids of his presence. Parents in Austria might prominently display gold-painted bundles of sticks on the walls as a reminder to behave.

Note that our Krampus is carrying a sack. He might use this to put naughty children in it, taking them back to his lair to torture or be eaten.

According to tradition,  December 5th was known as Krampusnacht, meaning Krampus night. On this fateful night, Krampus and St. Nicholas would visit each house. If the children were good, St. Nick would put candy in their shoes;. iff bad, the goat-devil would put birch twigs in their shoes. Parents sometimes arranged for the appearance of Krampus. Even after December 5, kids couldn't necessarily breathe a sigh of relief and resume mischief, since Krampus threatened that he could return at any time.
It seems that a lump of coal in one's stocking is rather tame, when compared to the actions of Krampus.

So tonight, it's not just St. Nick who's coming to town, it's his horned, hairy, long-tongued buddy Krampus who is joining him. You better watch out....

More info - from Smithsonian and Weird History.  

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A Merry, Marley Christmas. #christmas #teddybeardog #melissaenderle #madisonphotographymeetup

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Churches of India

Inspired by an article in the current issue of  Culturama, I decided to post some my favorite photographs of churches. South India, particularly the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala,  has a large number of churches, as does Goa. (Northeastern states such as Mizoram have an even greater percentage of Christians - up to 90%, but I never traveled there). Christianity came to South India around 52 AD via the disciple Thomas. He was martyred in Chennai twenty years later. While the colorful Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu are spectacular, the regional churches are also majestic. A variety of architectural styles can be seen, influenced largely by origins of missionaries. 

Read the article in Culturama for information about these and other churches.

Which is your favorite? Do you have other noteworthy Indian churches to share?

Velankanni Basilica, Tamil Nadu

Church of the Immaculate Conception, Pondicherry

Church at Little Mount, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

Church of the Sacred Heart, Pondicherry

Sacred Heart exterior, Pondicherry

Idaikattur Church, Tamil Nadu

Church along the backwaters of Kerala

San Thome Basilica, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

Oriyur, Tamil Nadu

St. Philomena Church, Mysore (Karnataka)

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Catamarans at Sunrise #melissaenderle, #sunrise, #chennai, #india, #bayofbengal, #fishing #straydogs #madisonphotographymeetup

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Water Buffalo cart, Cambodia #cambodia #waterbuffalo #melissaenderle #ruralcambodia

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Beach Bovines-Ideal Beach, Tamil Nadu #indiatravel #cow #beach #tamilnadu #melissaenderle #idealbeach #southindia

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My kora, a beautiful West African instrument. One string is broken. No Djilimady Sissoko to fix it. #kora #koramusic #mali #malimusic #westafrica

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Rainbow Barrels #melissaenderle, #Madison, #Madisonphotographymeetup, #rainbowarchitecture, #rainbow, #colorfulbuilding, #wisconsin, #wernerpark

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Sea of Lotuses and Seed Ponds #lotuses, #madisonphotographymeetup, #madison #wisconsinnature #travelwisconsin

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Mallards on the Glowing Yahara #melissaenderle, #Yahara, #Madison, #autmn #wisconsin #mallards

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Tree Arching over Mendota #melissaenderle, #Mendota, #Madison, #sunset, #wisconsin

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Birds over the Mendota Horizon #melissaenderle, #Mendota, #Madison, #sunset, #autumn, #wisconsin #travelwisconsin

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Inlet Sunset, Mendota #melissaenderle, #Mendota, #Madison, #sunset, #autumn, #wisconsin #travelwisconsin, #lighthouse

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Not Quite Giverny

A few weeks back, a friend posted some photos of her tour of Giverny. I fondly remembered my trip to Monet's Japanese-inspired garden as well as his home. When I want to capture Madison bridges in my imagery, Tenney Park is one of my favorite places to visit. The park system is working on transitioning the landscape with native wildflowers.  Although many of the wildflowers had already begun petering out, there still was a fair amount of color near the red bridge. No, it's not quite Giverny, but its beauty hearkens me back. 

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Watercolor: Carding the Wool

My latest painting, a watercolor of a weaver from Teotitlan del Valle, Mexico, preparing wool by carding it.

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