Quote #1 - Cold

Digital Photograph - Before the Storm

Before the Storm

Four Letter Words...Cold

Digital Photograph - The Blue Truck

The Blue Truck

I sort of feel like this blue truck looks. It has been an exciting holiday time and New Year. Lots of company and travel. Unfortunately, I brought home some kind of cough and sore throat in my travels. My brother had pneumonia 

so I have been sort of hoping I did not bring that with me. After a few days of feeling really bad. Then a few more days in bed I am on the upswing. Things are feeling much better.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and New Year! That you have been making resolutions and figuring out how to stick to them. I am a firm believer in setting goals for yourself.

Did everyone get through the Polar Vortex? I thought it was actually pretty fun. It has been a long time since I experienced that much cold. It got pretty cold here in the mountains. I think our lowest was -8 with a windchill of -21. The doors to my car froze along with the windows. I got the door open but the windows never thawed enough to roll down. Other than that things here were fine. My 

sister had a different experience. Two days with no water. Then the pipes burst. All is well now. But still an inconvenience.

It is warm now here in the mountains. In the 50's. We have had a lot of rain the past couple of days with more to 

come tonight. It is either beautiful out or gray. [Depending on what side of a mountain you are on.] I have been working on a few new ventures. I hope to be able to share them with you in the next week or two. Now it 

is time to eat, drink and rest some more! 

Digital Photograph - The Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains

Thought you might enjoy a picture of the mountains with a light dusting of snow. It was very cold and windy. So much so that the Blue Ridge Parkway was closed down in our area for high winds and ice. Yikes! 

It is always fun to park and walk along the

Parkway when this happens. You can get some really nice pictures.

The First day of Winter...

The first day of winter was really something. Here in the mountains we got several inches of rain. It poured cats and dogs yesterday. Thank goodness it was not snow. I love snow, but I still have lots of things to do and snow tends to slow things down a bit. For those who got snow and ice - be safe. Ice can be very dangerous!!! Hope everyone has fun doing those last minute holiday things.

Family Freebies for You,,,

Mommy and Daddy with children All of the children have Daddy's eyes.

Looks like they had a little boy later in their marriage. Surprise! The joys of life.

Older man and a younger woman? Cute kids. Love the checkered dresses.

Daddy raising the kids.

One of each!

Dad with the girls, the books, the parasol,
the hats,the dog...

Mother left to bring up the children...

Sisters helping each other.

With all the kids...

Grandparents left to raise the child.

This is the season we spend a lot of time thinking about and being with our families. I thought these photographs of different families might strike a chord with you. 

Families come in different sizes with different types of people. They say you can not pick your family. Well, after many years I have decided that it is about taking care and loving your family. Accepting who they are and loving them because of or in spite of. Building on that.

I hope you all have a wonderful time with your families. Build incredible, lasting memories. Stop and savor the moment. Enjoy it all.

Digital Photograph - The Old Farmhouse

The Old Farmhouse

As we run around shopping, visiting family, and going to those Christmas parties and open houses let us stop for a minute and remember all of those who have served so that we might have the freedom to do all of this.

Please, remember that so many of our men and women are still overseas fighting for our freedom. Their families are here waiting for them to come home. Many have lost family members. Please, remember them, their sacrifice, their courage. Thank them for our freedom!

Four Letter Words - Noel

Digital Photograph - The Ridge - Two Perspectives

The Ridge

Quote Book #15 - Christmas

Vintage Christmas Tree Cards...

Love the tradition behind this card.

My next door neighbors always had a white glittery tree.

Love this one.

So Pink!

This reminds me of the trees of my childhood.

Mid Century Modern.

So happy. Clever.

This is fun.

This looks hand printed. I like this one a lot.

Very contemporary. Love this one.

The past couple of years I have been picking up old Christmas cards. As I unpacked them this year I realized that I had quite a collection of just Christmas trees. I started looking everywhere and found all sorts of vintage images of trees.

They are such a symbol of Christmas. Where do you put all the presents if you do not have a tree? I love a Christmas tree. I do not think I have ever seen an ugly one, ever. They all are beautiful, no matter how humbly they are decorated.

I hope you are all done with shopping and are sitting around with some eggnog admiring your tree. I still have much to do, but am enjoying doing it. Merry Christmas to all.

Digital Photograph - Master Lock

Master Lock

Sorry to have been gone for so long. I have really been having a thoughtful time. The fall was beautiful, lot's of visitors and traveling. Thanksgiving was spent with my 
boys and their "others". We are expecting a new addition 
to the family in March. A boy. So exciting. A broken toe that hurt like mad. Lots of reading and journaling. I have been out taking pictures, adjusting to winter in the mountains. Short days. Cold nights. Cooking chili, stew, and soups. I have missed you all, but needed this time to nourish myself. Lots of new ideas for the new year...

Little Fairy Freebies...

Beautiful!

Sweet!

A bumble bee fairy!

A god mother fairy!

Butterfly fairies!

A magical fairy!

A star fairy!

A cute little fairy!

Happy Halloween! Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe evening. Thought I would share a few fairies with you. I love all of these costumes. They are so clever. What are you dressing up as tonight?

The Blue Ridge Mountains in Fall - Digital Photograph

Blue Ridge Mountains in Fall

Isn't this beautiful? My world has been full of Orange, Red, and Brown. It has been a glorious month. My sister 

was here for a bit, we packed in a lot of wonderful things, then my cousin was here. I have been busy. Apple picking, boiling peanuts, many trips to the farmer's market. More trips to the cider mill for cider and donuts. Apples everywhere. Lots of photograph's to share in the next few days. Now to celebrate Halloween. 

A Merry Halloween!

Digitally Altered Photograph - A Walk in the Woods

I am trying to get up early before the mist has burned off every morning. A walk in the woods or by the lake have been inspiring my day. My sister is here for a long weekend. We are exploring. Hope you all have a great weekend. Do something new!

Freebies - Boys

A boy and his dog.

This is one serious kid.

Adorable! He looks like a dreamer.

Love the curls. 

He is a looker. The trike is all wood!

All dressed up in his sailor suit!

Love his outfit and his little dog toy.

I am missing my boys today. I thought I would share some of these old cabinet cards of little boys. These boys are obviously loved. Their clothes are fantastic. Their hair is a bit over the top. The long curls and the waves. I can not imagine any of my guys sitting still for that. It is fun though to see them though. So much personality already.

Nothing is more fun than watching them discover the world. Hug your little ones today! They grow up way too fast!