Maria, a friend and neighbor of daughter Shannon, does an amazing job every year decorating her yard for Christmas. I photographed it last year because my youngest grandson, Connor, was one of her featured “angels.” You see, the central theme of Maria’s decorating, and the thing that makes it unlike any Christmas decorating you’ve ever seen, is angels and other holiday figures she’s constructed and to which she’s affixed photographic faces of neighborhood children . It’s amazing, beautiful and quite unique!

Shannon and I contacted KOVR’s Dave Bender last year to get Maria’s yard featured on his annual “Twelve days of Christmas” feature where he broadcasts the weather from beautifully decorated houses and neighborhoods over a twelve night period leading up to Christmas. Dave’s schedule last year was full, but he promised to include her this year and Wednesday was the night. I wasn’t able to be there, but I hope to photograph the display sometime during the next week and will post new photos then.

Meanwhile, to get an idea of what Maria does, flip through the 2006 album. She’s truly an amazing artist!