December 31, 2019

We had a few friends from our new church over this evening to eat and play games and toast the new year.  

I didn't think to get the camera out till after midnight, 

when just a couple of fellows were left.  

It was a nice way to welcome in the new year.

December 29, 2019

We went to lunch with some folks from our church almost every Sunday while living in Colorado.

Jed was famous for his love of monster burgers,

and one of the couples we went out with mentioned in their Christmas card how much they miss that now.

We took Mom and Dad back to Virginia today and stopped for dinner at Cracker Barrel.

Jed got a monster burger and I texted a picture of it to our friends.

Pretty sure it made their day.  :)

December 28, 2019

We had Round Two of Christmas today....

somehow we overlooked a couple of gifts for Jed hidden behind the Christmas tree.

Was he ever excited!  :)

December 27, 2019

As far back as I can remember, 

my family went to a Bible conference every summer in Grove City, PA at Grove City Bible College.

Some of my favorite childhood memories are from that conference.

This couple, Dave and Phyllis, used to go to the same conference and my parents knew them back then,

fifty-plus years ago.

I found out they live in this part of North Carolina in a very accidental way - 

in fact, when I first talked to Dave I had no idea...

we just kind of stumbled upon that fact.

It was so much fun to have them over for dinner while my parents were here 

and listen to them all catch up on the doings of the past 45 years.

This was one of the nicest parts of Christmas this year.

December 26, 2019

Since Christmas dinner is my favorite part of Christmas, 

I was more than happy to serve it all over again the day after, 

when Brad and Jenn and the kids joined us.

Dune was so proud she cleaned her plate!  

(with quite a bit of help from my mom, which totally made her day) :)

Dad and Dilly.

Dilly after she escaped.  :)

Trying to get these four to
sit still
and
smile
and
look at the camera
all at the same time
for a group picture
is
hopeless.
:)

Brad and Jenn are building a house 

and we went in together with Mom and Dad to buy a zip line for their new yard,

which has a natural descent to a creek at the back of the property.

Jed made a toy zip line for the kids, 

each with their own action figure, 

so they would have something to play with today.  

He did a great job of making it and of rigging it up and showing the kids how to use it.

 He's such a good uncle and the kids adore him.

The big kids headed outside to play while we picked up, 

and the littles somehow got stuck inside with us.

Jed took this picture of them looking out the window beside the door...so pitiful.  :D

We decided to take them all for a walk and let Mom and Dad, Brad and Jenn 

have some peace and quiet for a bit.

North Carolina doesn't have the snow and cold weather Jed and I would prefer,

but being near this precious family more than makes up for that.

December 25, 2019

It's a bit disappointing to be the only person who likes to get up early in a houseful of people who don't,

especially on Christmas morning.

However, this year I actually enjoyed some time alone before the busyness of the day started.

My favorite part is Jed handing out the gifts he bought, paid for, and wrapped.

My second favorite part is the Maine calendar we always get Dad...

I think he might have loved Maine as much as I did.

This was a neat surprise this year....

remember that errand I ran in Asheville last month with my neighbor?

It was to buy honey at a local store called Bee Charmer.

They have tupelo honey, made from tupelo trees, which grow 

"in swamps of the southeastern and Gulf of Mexico coasts and in the Mississippi River valley." 

(Wikipedia)

Tracy's favorite singer is Van Morrison, and one of his favorite songs is Tupelo Honey,

so I thought it would be fun to try some.

But what I'm really looking forward to is the cocoa honey!

Tracy had wanted to dress up as Gru this Halloween at work but couldn't find a Gru scarf in time, 

so I ordered one for him and now he'll be ready for it next year.  :)

I think this was his favorite gift.  :)

This little scene was on the table across from me late this morning when we were opening gifts,

and the sunshine was hitting it just right.

On second thought, Christmas dinner is actually my favorite part of Christmas.  :)

December 24, 2019

I have loved the tradition of having Jed open a gift on Christmas Eve, which is always a new pair of pajamas. 

This year's pajamas, though, really took the cake.  

  The shirt was pretty tame...

...but look at that reaction to the pants!  

Now, granted, Jed is a teenage boy and his ilk are prone to drama and histrionics, 

but in this case, it was totally justified.  :)

I have never seen anything as awesome as these pajama pants!
Those are the names of Marvel Universe characters in gold on a pair of MC Hammer pants.

He was a good sport about it, 

but really, 

what choice did he have, 

after I had spent the better part of the spring watching all 21 (or is it 22?) Marvel movies with him?

:)

We picked up Grandma and Grandpa yesterday and brought them back home to spend Christmas with us!

November 29, 2019

Brad, Jenn and their precious kids came over for Thanksgiving lunch today 

and it was absolutely lovely.

November 21, 2019

My next-door neighbor accompanied me on an errand to Asheville today

and we stopped for lunch at a downtown restaurant.

The food was beautiful, starting with the bruschetta appetizer.

My neighbor's entree...halibut (I think) (or salmon?) and a mushroom tart - 

be sure to click on the picture to enlarge it - so beautiful!

 My entree...shrimp scampi.

Our shared dessert...creme brulee. 

November 20, 2019

The leaves have mostly fallen from the beautiful red tree in the backyard.

The yellow leaves are still brilliant though.

It won't be long before all the leaves are gone.