IT'S CHRISTMAS! - É NATAL!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS DEAR FRIENDS!

FELIZ NATAL QUERIDOS AMIGOS!

Beautiful trees, flowers and fruits in my garden! These are my natural Christmas decoration!

These Thuia trees evokes "The Three Kings Magos"

Lychee, wonderful tree in my orchard!

These fruits are just delicious!

Flamboyant Tree

You can see this species here and here

Hibiscus (double)

Photos by Sonia Mascaro

Click on photos to enlarge

You can see others Christmas pictures on Glance-Olhar

SÃO JOSÉ DO RIO PARDO, SÃO PAULO STATE, BRAZIL

São José do Rio Pardo as viewed from the Statue of Christ the Redeemer, situated on top of the most highest hill of the city. The statue represents Jesus standing with outstretched, welcoming arms.

The statue stands 55,774 foot tall. Many cities in Brazil has their own Christ Redeemer seated on the top of the most highest hill of the city.

Matrix Church of São José do Rio Pardo, at the center of the November XV Square

The bandstand named "Coreto Elias Fecuri" at the November XV Square

On Sundays night there is music in the bandstand. It's a great atmosphere full of people who just came to listen music, to meet or watch people and have fun.

November XV Square

This is the social club headquarters of the Associação Atlética Riopardense

"Raddi" is the most famous bakery and confectionery of São José do Rio Pardo

Photos by Carlos A. Mascaro

Update: This Statue of Christ the Redeemer, situated on top of the most highest hill of the São José do Rio Pardo city, looks like another statue of Christ the Redeemer, located in Rio de Janeiro.

Christ the Redeemer (Portuguese: Cristo Redentor) is a large Art Deco-style statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue stands 38 m (125 feet) tall and is located at the peak of the 710-m (2330-foot) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park, overlooking the city.

You can see anothers photos of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro here , here and here.

Click on photos to enlarge

OLD HOUSES IN SÃO JOSÉ DO RIO PARDO

Click on photos to enlarge Clique nas fotos para aumentar

São José do Rio Pardo is a town located in the northeast of São Paulo's state. Those old houses are linked to the historical and cultural patrimony of the town.


Photos by Carlos Alckmin Mascaro

Update: You all are invited to see the beautiful post made by Jade, from Arboreality – Tree Blogging. She hostess the Festival of the Trees 6! And Leaves of Grass is also there!

LIFE AND DEATH OF A BEAUTIFUL TREE

I took this photo at my neighborhood, in July 2005. This beautiful tree was at this time vigorous and healthy. As a result of some root disease, the tree beginning to die.

Yesterday we had a day of violent gale and storm.

Unfortunately that tree was too weak and fell down after a day of very heavy winds and rains.

Photos by Sonia de Amorim Mascaro

Click on photos to enlarge

OLD CARS

This week's challenge for Photo Friday theme is Silver so here's some photos of the "Antique Car Exposition" at Luz Station in São Paulo, taken by my husband.

Luz Station, Estação da Luz, was the first railway station built in 1901 in São Paulo. The beautiful architectural structure of the Estação da Luz railway station is a picturesque example of São Paulo’s historical center. Designed by English architect Charles Henry Driver, the building pioneered the use of iron which provided a touch of glamour to the whole structure. The station and the railway between Santos and Jundiaí were an important milestone in the development of São Paulo. The railway was used to transport coffee to the city.

De Soto, 1948

Duesenberg, 30's (probably)

GM Coach, 60's

Harley Davidson, 50's

Photos by Carlos Alckmin Mascaro

Click on fotos to enlarger

Update: You can see beautiful photos of classic cars at Jan Bussey's "Cascade Exposure":

http://jlbussey.exposuremanager.com/g/show_n_shine_2006