Christmas is over.....

Hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas time together with family and friends.  We certainly did.  It seemed to pass so quickly.  My two main trips were to NY and to Virginia.  Here are a few Christmas memories for 2011!

Sweet memories to last until next year......Speaking of next year, I would like to wish you a wonderful, and blessed New Year for 2012. 

Christmas in NY

This was taken in Bryant Park where a temporary ice skating rink is open.


Back from a great trip to NY.  It was Christmas everywhere.  I so enjoyed my visit with our daughter Holly.  This may have to become a yearly tradition.  We went to see the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Show.  It was great.  I am beginning to get a feel for the subways and where different things are.  My good friend Jane went with me and we had a fun time.  It is a wonderful city to visit!  Enjoy some of my pictures.

Post Thanksgiving Greetings

 You think that when the leaves of fall are all gone and winter is here, that it can be a dreary time, but if you get out and look around you will find much to see.  These are some pictures of some of my sasanquas that are blooming.  I also have camelias blooming now.  They bloom at different times of the season to give you that enjoyment.  The berries are Chokeberry and some rose hips.  Don't forget about those great winter pansies.  Consider planting some things in your garden to lift your spirits!  It works!

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.  We went to our mountain house in Saluda, NC.  It was nice to get away and rest up.  We got all the gas heater pilot lights on so that when we go back we can pop on the heat.  I have not started decorating for Christmas.  Just not in the mood yet and still busy with life. 
We are heading out again to Durham, NC to see Robert's aunt.  She has moved into her new apartment.  Now we just need to get some legal matters settled. 
The drama,"This Man Called Jesus" starts tomorrow night and will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Christmas.  It is a wonderful drama and will make your Christmas season even more special.  Robert is one of the wise men and also a disciple.  He is very committed and enjoys the fellowship.
Baby Parker is growing and looking so beautiful.  He went for his month check up and can you believe that he has an ear infection.  He has had fluid on the eardrum since birth.  He is also having some problems finding the right formula. He is on the last of many trial milks....can only get the formula at the pharmacy.  He is a good baby and should be even better once these problems are straightened out.
Ashley and Anna are good.  Anna is such a good cook.  I just polished off some of her pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips.  They were wonderful with my cup of coffee.  She actually baked the pumpkins left from fall and used them in her recipe.  Levi and Mason are recovering from some yucky colds and stomach bugs.  They enjoyed a visit over the holidays with Anna's brother Josh and his wife, from Colorado, and her parents, plus a couple of good friends.  I know that was a great time of being together.
I am leaving for New York Sunday to see Holly.  My friend Jane and I are flying out Sunday and will return on Thursday.  We have already booked a tour of the Christmas lights at night and will try to see a play while we are there.  Will try to get some pictures!
Everyone stay warm and God Bless!

Thanksgiving Blessings

It has been a while since I have posted.  Have not had a lot of time to stop and smell the coffee.  We have a new baby added to our family.  Parker is being such a good baby.  For this we are thankful.  Holly was here for two weeks and helped her sister, getting up at night to take a turn with Parker, cooking some good meals and helping in so many ways.  For this we are thankful.  Holly went with Robert and I to help move an elderly aunt in Durham, NC.  It was quite an intense time of sorting, packing and setting up her new apartment.  We were exhausted, but are glad that Aunt Florence will move into a new situation and everything is ready.  For this we are thankful.  We go around the table at this time of year and each person tells something that they are thankful for.  Some times it is hard to pick one thing.  God blesses us in so many ways and we give him all of the glory and thanks this Thanksgiving.  For this we are thankful.  We would like to say Happy Thanksgiving to all and may God bless you and your family.

During this holiday week.....I will take time to reflect, rest and stop and smell the coffee!!

Correction.........

I made a mistake in Parker's middle name.  It is spelled Brice.  I just wanted to make that official!!  Family is doing well.  It is quite an adjustment for everyone.  Mom, who comes home to three other children, children, who are excited and wanting to bond with the new baby, and baby who is getting acclimated to being in this world of noises, bright lights, eating, etc.  Parker will be one tough little boy and very much loved by all!

Welcome to the world Parker Bryce Harman!

Parker Bryce Harman was born November 3rd at 4:40 pm and weighed 11 lbs. 7 oz. What a big boy....they will come home today! Everyone has been so excited.

Enjoying Fall

I wanted to try my hand at my second blog to make sure that I am getting the hang of it!  I wanted to share a trip to the mountains in South Carolina.  I am originally from the beautiful state of Virginia and have roots in North Carolina.  The mountains are near and dear to my heart.  Fall is one of my very favorite seasons.  It makes some people sad, but I always say it is just Mother Nature's way of putting nature to sleep under that blanket of leaves, only to awaken all rested and new in the spring.....
I wrote a little something a few years ago while at our mountain cove cabin in NC.  I would like to share it with you.

Here She Comes

She comes without an invitation....
Here she comes, waving her arms stretched out far and her skirts billowing out all around her.  When she speaks, her breath causes the trees to sway as if they are only the grasses along her footpath.  She causes the leaves to fall and chase after her.  Her sweet kiss upon your cheek will cause you to long for more.  She is always one step ahead, moving through the mountain coves.  She has many miles to go spreading her cooling touch.  Yes, here she comes and her name is Fall.  Welcome!

Psalm 36: 5-7
Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
Your justice like the great deep.
O Lord, you preserve both man and beast.
How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find refuge in the shadow of you wings.

Remember to stop and smell the coffee and take time to enjoy fall.

Here I go....

I have been wanting to try blogging for quite some time now.  My daughter and my daughter-in-law have blog sites and I have enjoyed reading them. I love my children, their spouses and my grandchildren!  Some of my hobbies are painting, card making, sewing and crafting!  I just recently joined Pinterest and got so excited looking at all of the ideas for everything from recipes to crafting, etc.  So...here I go.  Let's stop and smell the coffee together and have some fun!!

                        Halloween fun at Grandma's house......

The last few years I have been having a Spooky Supper night with the family.  It is a holiday that usually does not conflict with other things.  We have it during the week.  Thursday night seems to work for our family.  I decorate the house with fun things.

It has been fun thinking of special dishes to cook to make the meal spooktacular....

Now for those participants who arrive all excited and dressed for the occasion.....

What fun we had...hope you all have a great Halloween and maybe got some good ideas to use yourself!