Underwater Wednesday: Staghorn Coral

Today’s Underwater Wednesday may resemble a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, but it’s actually a type of staghorn coral...

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Staghorn Coral photographed in Cozumel.

...And I think its perky symmetrical branches are just begging to be adorned with some festive Christmas tree ornaments!

 

This coral was about 2 feet tall and Michael took the photo at a depth of about 40 feet during a night dive.

Michael and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Underwater Wednesday: Christmas Tree Worm

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree…

Today’s Underwater Wednesday displays the holiday spirit all year long! The festive Christmas Tree Worm is named such because of its two spiral tree-shaped “crowns.”

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Christmas Tree Worm in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• Each spiral consists of radioles – which are feather-like tentacles that catch floating plankton.

• These radioles are also work as gills for respiration.

• Christmas Tree Worms are typically found on stony corals.

• Each spiral is about one inch in length.

• Michael took this photo at a depth of about 50 feet.

Hmmm...do you suppose Santa leaves any presents under these Christmas trees?

Mikey and the Manger

My favorite childhood Christmas decoration growing up was our nativity scene. Every year I would gaze into it with awe and excitement as the special holiday approached.

Awhile back my dad asked me if I would like the nativity scene for our home someday…I was thrilled and couldn't wait for that day to come. To my surprise, my dad recently shipped the antique-glazed porcelain figurines to me. I was ecstatic!

I had all the beautiful figurines, I just needed a new manger. What a perfect opportunity for Mikey to do some woodworking!

Mikey knew how special this nativity scene was to me, and he didn't take this job lightly. (After all, this project isn't just about my favorite Christmas decoration...it represents the birth of Jesus!) That being said, he was happy and honored to build it for me.

He spent hours researching mangers, measuring dimensions, and sketching plans. He went out into the single digit temperatures (brrr!) and gathered wood and “hay” from our land. He heated up his workshop in the garage, turned on some Christmas tunes, and got to work...



Let's take a peak at Mikey in his workshop...

 

Mikey "the architect" sketched the plans
down to the last detail.

 

Mikey hard at work with the power saw...

Now on to the hammer and chisel!

They fit together perfectly...just like Lincoln Logs!

Ta-da!! Almost an exact replica of the plans he sketched.

A side view. Mikey even weathered the wood to make it more rustic.

With the manger set up, Mikey is now figuring out how to hang the angel. (It was a little more challenging than you might think!)

The beautiful nativity scene...the manger is built, the figurines are in place, the angel is effortlessly "floating," and the hay is arranged.

 

 

A close-up of the manger...check out the detail!

 

A closer view from the right side...

 

 

A closer view from the left side...

I'm so happy with how it turned out! We already have an even better location picked out for next year's display...along with a few other ideas to add!

After the manger was all set up, Mikey asked if I thought my Mom in heaven likes it. I said "I bet she loves it!"

THANK YOU Dad and Mikey for blessing me with this most treasured gift!