A change in seasons means spring is coming!
At the Dallas Arboretum the flowers are blooming but winter isn’t quite finished. The topiaries still need some time – and continued warm temperatures – to finish filling out.
But, when they do – oh the beauty abounds!
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/seasons/
The Thinker – a sculpture by French artist Auguste Rodin (1840 – 1917).
The original is in the Musee Rodin – Paris, France.
An imitation bookend is in my house in Texas.
Next……life imitates art.
Or maybe I just ‘think’ it does….
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/life-imitates-art/
One day in September of 2009 my first granddaughter was born.
Then, having blinked, I realized, once again, time stands still for no one. Six years had gone by. Just.Like.That.
The first weekend of December is typically a busy one for my family and this year was no exception. Hosting the first of two parties on Friday night I would have to say it was a success. Everyone seemed to have a good time and there may have even been one or two headaches the next morning when people woke up.
That’s what happens when your husband makes excellent homebrew AND your home has a full-size bar with a 4 tap kegging set-up.
The last seven years have seen us getting up early and driving a few miles south so one – or both – of our sons could participate in the Richardson Christmas Parade with their band.
This band is HUGE as it includes several private schools in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. It’s been a fun experience.
With this being the last year at the current school for our 8th grader it was a little bittersweet. But, new and bigger challenges are waiting for him as he prepares to go to high school next year. And, I have no doubt we will find something to fill up Saturday mornings of the first week of December. 🙂
Sunday, after Mass, we headed over to our place of business (retail appliances and flooring) to watch our hometown Christmas Parade. It is always a fun afternoon and this time was no exception.
Granddaughter, Claire, rode with the American Heritage Girls. She had the easy part.
Daughter, Krista, walked the whole route while carrying a sleeping Therese on her back.
Husband, Ronald, and son, Patrick helped with LifeTeen group from our church hand out candy and treats to the little ones.
After Grandpa and Uncle Patrick passed, granddaughter, Gianna, had had enough and decided to sit and enjoy one – or several – of those treats.
Post parade grandson, Kolbe, showed me his big bag of treats and candy. It’s almost better than Halloween!
And, finally, Santa and Mrs. Claus came down the road in style. Firetruck style that is. Stopping for a minute at the exact spot my family was standing the grandkids were able to have their own private conversation with him. Their day was made for sure.
Blue skies, brilliant colors of autumn, mild temperatures and Santa on a firetruck. What better way to end the weekend?
And, now, the weekend is behind us and the daily countdown has begun. My son, Joshua, and his wife, Emma will be home in less than 6 days. (read that post here ) The excitement continues to build. I can’t hardly stand it!
Merry Christmas!
This weeks photo challenge gives me an opportunity to showcase a game of hide and seek with my grandson, Kolbe.
“Nana, I’m hiding. Can you find me??”
“Well…..I spy one blue eye….”
“And, now I spy two blue eyes!”
“Found you, Kolbe!”
My second child, Joshua, has been living in Asia since early 2007. Between his two younger brothers keeping us super busy, the distance, time difference and travel expense we haven’t seen him quite as much as we would like.
Don’t get me wrong – we have seen him. Just not as often as my mama heart wants. He has been home to Texas a couple of times and we were fortunate enough to travel to Beijing in 2008 to see him.
We also had an amazing trip to Japan in October 2013 to witness his marriage to a beautiful young Japanese woman, Emma, and spend time with her family in their home.
But – it’s been a while. The last time he was stateside was 4.5 years ago and the last time I was able to hug him was during our trip to Japan.
Our family has grown and changed a lot since 2011
My kids have changed a lot too in the last several years
The time is coming though.
Having booked their tickets during the summer I have been waiting impatiently for their arrival day. Trying to be cool I’ve done my best to avoid a daily countdown.
But now it’s December 1.
It’s officially the Christmas season.
And they’ll be home in just a matter of days.
Soon, all my little birdies will be in the same town at the same time.
It’s been over 2 years since we saw him in person.
My heart is so excited.
My heart is soooooo excited.
My heart can hardly get through the days it’s so excited.
They are coming home. Let the official daily countdown begin.
We aren’t famous for our fall foliage like New England. People don’t plan trips to see the leaves change colors around here. And, yet, anywhere you drive right now in the Dallas Metroplex you will see an abundance of color.
Take a moment and look around – it’s beautiful!
Weekly Photo Challenge – Transitions.
Transitioning from ragamuffins to – phew that’s much better! – my son, Patrick and my dog, Lucy.
Going from shaggy headed to a buzz cut, my boy probably lost 5 pounds with that haircut.
My Westie is a pistol and she loves to do things her way. Rolling in the mud is a good day for her. Alas, in order to come back inside she had to have a big ole bath.
All cleaned up and looking good – both of them of such cuties!
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/transition/
On this warm and windy Thanksgiving Eve my house smelled of cinnamon and spice and everything nice as two loaves of pumpkin bread baked in the oven. It evoked a feeling of coziness and safety.
And yet another reminder of how much I have to be thankful for.
Inevitably – as it always is in nice weather – the back door was open and I wandered to the back yard so I could enjoy a few relaxing minutes. In addition to the delectable aromas wafting outside I noticed a red tinge to the sky.
Another one of God’s beautiful pieces of art was evident for all to see. The sun was setting and the sky was lit up with those brilliant colors that make you want to stand still in wonder at the majesty of it all.
The colors were changing by the second and within ten minutes the brilliance had dissipated.
Another reminder to savor the little moments when and while you can.
On this, the last night of the amazing hues of autumn, (before the Christmas colors take center stage) I couldn’t help but grab my camera so I could remember the moment.
Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!
A last minute trip to Ohio to visit my daughter, Krista, at college resulted in a Tennessee stopover to see my sister and her family.
There are so many places that are stunningly beautiful in this world, and Tennessee ranks right up there.
The Smoky Mountains are less than a hop and a skip from my sister’s house but even outside of the mountain ranges there are endless trails and wondrous hikes.
On a rainy Friday in late October we stumbled across these gems, and I couldn’t resist taking a picture.
My Crazy Graced Life 