HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Will !!

Well, cousin, another year has come and gone.  I send wishes that 2017 will be a good year for you filled with blessings, love, adventure, and good health.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Tom !!

I hope the next year brings you much happiness and many blessings. 

Sweet Mail

Couldn't end the year without adding to my art collection!  I love this paper mache doll ornament by Mariette Hebert and her little teabag painting.  These lovelies came all the way from Vancouver, British Columbia.  I love your work, Mariette.  Thank you for the little surprises.

Mariette's son lives here in Roanoke.  After some planning, I had the pleasure of dinner and spending some time during the day with Mariette when she was visiting here in 2015.  Looking forward to her next visit.

Snow and strong wind this morning!

God's Sky

I stopped in church yesterday to make a visit.  This is the first thing I saw when I walked out. ♥

While out running errands on Thursday, I passed this great billboard.

Rest in Peace

 George Michael

1963 ~ 2016

 Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher

1932 ~ 2016                 1956 ~ 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lulu !!

Ah, my Canadian friend, it makes ME happy to wish YOU a Happy Birthday! I feel I've known you most of my life.  We have things in common and have deep feelings about some of the same things that are SO important to us like our sons, family, nature, religious items, art, and kindness to others.  It is reassuring to me knowing that someone understands my passions and understands the feelings that well up inside of me.  Thank you for that.

The facebook world would not be the same without you.  Many follow you to soak up your daily photographs, words of wisdom, art, and fantastic descriptions of ordinary things that most people don't even see.  I am still waiting for the book I firmly believe you should make.  One day, I hope.  You have brought magic into my life, Lulu.  

I send wishes for a magical, beautiful, colorful, joyful, love filled, happy, happy day!!!

♥  

Frida

My daughter-in-law knows me well.  These are just a few of my great Christmas gifts from her:

Frida candle, Frida ornament (by Samantha Stas), and Frida original painted art card (by Tammy Gulat).  ♥ to Amanda.

Goodbye For Now

 Jake looking sad this morning as he watches Casey and Amanda leave to go back to South Carolina.  There is a similar look on my face.    

We had a wonderful visit, but saying "goodbye" is always difficult.

Monday with Casey and Amanda

We started out the day at Zorba's Greek Restaurant for lunch, where I had a stuffed poblano pepper.  Excellent choice!

Back home for a bit and then off to a few shops.  After that, it was off to Blue 5 for drinks.  I am  not a beer drinker, so I chose THE GALLAGHER because it's my maiden name (and it sounded good).  It was another excellent choice.

Unique Tree at Blue 5 

   The plan was to have a burger at Jack Brown's, but there were no seats available, so off to Corned Beef & Co. we went.  After a short time there, we walked around downtown Roanoke for a while, and then we moved on to Burger in the Square where we got burgers to go.

,

The fog we had all day was quite heavy by evening and it made Christmas lights even more bright and beautiful. The street lights in downtown Roanoke were adorned with pretty wreaths.

It was a fun day spent with Casey and Amanda.  I would have gone anywhere they wanted ~ I was just happy to be with them.  They leave to go back to South Carolina in the morning.  The time goes by too quickly when they are here for a visit.  But, my heart is full and I will wait eagerly for our next visit.

The Day After

Christmas Day was full of activity and the fog/mist we woke to on Monday morning didn't stop Casey from the plans he had in mind for us.

Nativity Scene

 I've had this Nativity set for 35 - 40 years.  I love it just as much as the first time I set it up for Christmas.

Cookies

These cookies that Amanda made are amazing!!  Cranberry White Chocolate Chip

Christmas Eve

Casey and I before leaving for our Christmas Eve lunch at Montano's.

Beer delivery.

Casey and Amanda.

Christmas Deer

We went to the cemetery on Christmas Day to visit Mom and Patrick.  This Christmas Deer was there visiting, too.

Memories

Remembering childhood Christmases and how special Mom always made them.  We didn't have much, but Mom made our home look and feel like Christmas with decorations, great food, and gifts for her three children.  This is one of my favorite photos ~ December, 1951, with my sister Patty, brother Patrick, and me.  

Christmas Eve, 2016

On this Christmas Eve, I hope everyone is enjoying time with their loved ones while preparing to celebrate the Birthday of our King!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

This Christmas

SO Many Lights

 We drove past this tonight after dinner.  It was unbelievable!  The entire yard ~ front, back, and sides ~ totally covered with decor and lights.  There was movement, music, flashing lights, and a giant DOXIE right in front!! These photos only show a portion of it. I didn't get photos of the back or the sides.  Someone has a lot of Christmas spirit!

Tuco's Taqueria

Of course the first place we head off to ..... a Mexican eatery!!

This is a wall in the new place downtown Roanoke ~ Tuco's Taqueria. Casey, Amanda, and I went there to try their fare.  It was good.  Interesting taco selections.  Below is one of the tacos that Casey had: 

BREAKFAST TACO  (fried egg)

Arrival

Casey and Amanda arrived last night.  Now the festivities can begin!!  SO happy they're here! 
It puts the "Merry" in my Christmas.

HUGE Christmas tree on corner in our neighborhood.  Very pretty lit up at night.

Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice ~ The peak of the dark in the cycle of the year.

Lovely December Day

Neighbor's lovely deer decor.

Some photos of things I saw while out running errands on this beautiful 50*+ December day.  Have not been feeling great, but good enough to be out today to enjoy this weather that is supposed to stay through Christmas.  Very happy and excited for Casey and Amanda's arrival this week!

 Trees are beautiful even without their leaves.

 Mountains and Trees ~ things that make me HAPPY.

 Neighbor's Cute Snowman

"Frosty"

It's okay to change.
It's okay to retreat, then join back in.
It's okay to leave and never come back.
It's okay to leave and come back differently.
It's okay to close doors and open others.
Gracefully, for yourself and for others.

~Orly Avineri

Ornaments

 2016

 2015

2014

My FISH and BUTTERFLY ornaments painted by 

Mary Bullington. Love!