Jake's favorite hiding place!

Jake's Christmas Gift

Jake had fun opening this gift yesterday, but his reaction was nothing like when I opened the purple blanket that he claimed.  I guess this one just isn't soft enough or big enough to get excited about.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jesus !!

Remembering my beautiful Mom.  

Christmas, 2007, Hotel Roanoke.

Warm Wishes for a Very Merry Christmas !!

♥

Chalk Fireplace

This lovely fireplace was created by Stephanie from S & W Market that is located in 16 West Marketplace in downtown Roanoke.  It is created with chalk on a giant blackboard.  What a festive touch to have right next to the Christmas tree.  I was in there the other day and couldn't help but stop and enjoy this scene for a while.  Great job, Stephanie!

Winter Solstice

WINTER, and the shortest day, begins today with the WINTER SOLSTICE.  

The sun is lowest, the night is longest, the Winter Solstice is here and so is winter!

Solstice is derived from the Latin words "sol" (sun) and "sisto" (stop).  With the approach of the Winter Solstice, the sun's highest point in the sky every day sinks lower and lower toward the southern horizon.  Today, the sun's retreat halts, after which it will appear to start moving northward.  The reverse will take place on June 21, when the day will be the longest.

The Winter Solstice is a major pagan festival, with rituals of rebirth having been celebrated for thousands of years.  Traditions that are thought of as part of Christmas ~ including Yule logs, mistletoe, and Christmas trees ~ have their roots in the pagan celebrations of Winter Solstice.

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~Credit for the above photo belongs to HD Wallpapers Arena~

Royal Blood

I bought this fluffy soft warm blanket for Terry and I to use on the couch.  Guess who claimed it immediately out of the package?  The only ROYAL blood in the house, I guess ~ Sir Jake, of course!  It now resides on Jake's chair and he doesn't mind a bit that WE shiver at night.

This VERY LARGE snowman waved at me as I exited the Interstate!

Christmas Cookie Delivery

A box filled with cookies show up on my doorstep every year right before Christmas!!  My dear friend, Susie, in Ohio, bakes them and always makes sure I have a nice supply.  The box arrived late yesterday and I couldn't wait to sample a few.  She makes the best Christmas cookies! Not only do they look nice, as you can see in the photo, but they are delicious. 

I've been feeling a little blue, missing Mom, and not really into the Christmas spirit.  Casey and Amanda will be spending Christmas with her parents this year, so it will be quiet around here.  I have always been very jovial around the Christmas Season ~  decorating, wrapping, and enjoying Christmas music. So, these cookies arrived and I suddenly felt the Christmas spirit arrive right along with them.  I visited a couple of shops today, met Mr. Magic for lunch, wrapped a couple of gifts, and I'm looking forward to putting up the Nativity tomorrow.

There must have been some magic dust in the box with the cookies!

Thank you, Susie.

♥ 

This little snowman flies to and fro in the flower bed in front of the house.  Perhaps he will bring a little snow for Christmas.  That would put the icing on the cake for me.  Being from Ohio, I am used to a White Christmas and always prayed for snowflakes to start falling right before.  There weren't too many years we had a Christmas without snow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Isabella !!

The yellow rose is a symbol of joy and friendship.  I hope this day finds some special moments of joy for you.  I hope your heart is full knowing you are loved.  I hope the kindness that you bestow on others, returns to you tenfold.  I hope that today is the beginning of a great year for you.

Happy Happy Birthday, Niece. ♥

Full Cold Moon

I took this photo of the moon about an hour ago.  It is December's full moon ~ FULL COLD MOON.  Some Native American Tribes call it the LONG NIGHTS MOON.  There is a lot of cloud cover and it is very dark out tonight.  The clouds are moving quickly and giving frequent peeks at the Full Cold Moon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Holly !!

My hopes to make a trip to Ohio before Christmas turned out to be just that ~ hopes.  Too much to do, too little time.  I know you understand that. We both have piles in the same places and little time to move them elsewhere. Just be sure to clean off my bed after the Holidays so I'll have somewhere to sleep once I do get there.

Gosh, Holly, I'm thinking it was 1986 when we met at RDW's ~ 27 years ago.  You have become a very good friend over the years.  We've shared some sorrows and some laughs.  Thank goodness, the laughter wins out ~ we seem to do a lot of that when we get together.  Laughter is good medicine.  So, that's what I wish for you today and in the coming year ~ a lot of laughter.  I hope to share some of it with you.

Sending love and hugs to you today, my friend.

Happy Happy Birthday, Holly!!

ANGEL Purchase

This painting, ANGEL, by Nancye Williams is now living in my home.  She is pensive and beautiful.

Virginia, December 1, 2013 * Photo by Audrey

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Be humble for you are made of Earth.  Be noble for you are made of Stars.

~Serbian Proverb

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Thank you for this proverb, Jane Spear.

Ice

 I took these photos Monday morning after our overnight freezing rain event.  Although it melted by noon, it sure made for some interesting photography.  Ice can be deadly, but it has beauty.

Deer Visit on this Beautiful December Morning

...and back to the woods they go.  The sun was shining into the camera so I couldn't get good shots of the deer under the willow or going back into the woods.  I always enjoy watching them.

Anne, you may be gone, but you are certainly not forgotten!!  You touched many lives here in Blogland and beyond.  I miss your posts, your humor, your gorgeous photographs, your art, your laugh, emails, our talks, YOU!!

Deb's beloved Gary joined you on Friday and we all figure you welcomed him and are showing him around.  You and I talked about my mom a lot, Anne.  She left us last month and is up there, too.  I'm sure you'll cross paths one of these days. There is some comfort knowing that friends and loved ones are together waiting for the rest of us to join you.

We can still celebrate the wonder that you were, Anne.  I am thankful to have known you and I will always remember our conversations.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear friend!!!!  I bet you are rockin' up there today!!

♥

Thanksgiving Day 2013

Let our hearts be filled with gratitude!

♥ ♥ ♥

Wishing you and your loved ones THANKSGIVING love and joy. 

South Carolina

Made it to South Carolina last night!  10 hours of solid constant rain, fog, accidents, and horrid traffic.  It took 10 hours for a normal 6-1/2 - 7 hour drive.  I resolve to be calm and enjoy this holiday with my son and daughter-in-law.  I am SO happy to be here.

Jake did well on his first long trip.  He's never been any further than Roanoke. He was very good but would NOT leave my lap.He snuggled deep into his blanket and seemed content to be there. We made a LOT of stops for his sake, just to be on the safe side. I had hoped he would curl up in the back of the SUV, but no way was he leaving my arms.  I know ~ we've spoiled him.  I really didn't mind holding his 5-1/2 pound little body, knowing he was happy.

After Casey finishes his morning run, we are taking off for downtown Charleston. There are 2 shops I go to when I visit, to reload on T-shirts ~ Fresh Produce and Life is Good.  They have the greatest colorful shirts.

It is unusually cool and wet here for this time of year.  I'm sure the storm that rolled across the country recently had something to do with it.  I don't care ~ just filled with joy to be here.

Signing off!  Much to do today.  Amanda and I have chatted away the morning and now it's time to get moving!  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Susie !!

I'm sure you know, and understand why, the mail from Virginia will arrive in your mailbox late.  ):

But, I can send you wishes right now that your day will be special in every way.  Know that I will keep you in my thoughts while you celebrate the day you were born ~ a lucky day for all of us who know you and your big beautiful heart.

Happy happy day, Susie! ENJOY!!