Easter Family Fun

                               It was a wonderful Easter. I hope yours was, too. 

A beautiful table, lots of food to eat and family around the table.

Then came the adult egg hunt. The children hid one egg for each adult and we had to find them.

Then it was time to hide the children's eggs... and for them to find all 100 eggs 

They sat on the grass and counted to make sure all 100 were discovered. 

Whoops, one blue egg missing.

The Dads got the little ones started going round and round on the inner tube swing. 

They got quite a workout.

There was tree climbing and lots of fun on the regular swing/slide set.

So, it was a fun-filled day.

Happy New Year

                                                      Today is the last day of 2018!

                                             How did that happen and where did it go?

          This year has been filled with many ups and downs as I am sure it was for many of you.

But, I am happy to say that it is ending on a very positive note and I have so many ideas in my head

                                                                            for

                                                         THE BEST YEAR EVER

                                      How about you? What are your plans for the New Year?

I always intend to make resolutions. I do make a few.............

                                                        And, then I forget what they are!!

                                                  So, no resolutions this New Years Day.

                                            Then, I won't have to admit that I am forgetful!

    Wishing each of you a very Happy New Year and the best 2019                                      you can possibly have.

                                                                                                                       

Christmas Thanksgiving

This Christmas is different. Before (since I moved to Virginia) we'd all go to my daughters house since she still had single children. But, this year, with her daughter's wedding, it changed things.

On Saturday the newly-weds hosted our annual Christmas get-together... their first and it was beautifully done. Christmas isn't the same without children around and we had five lively ones enjoying themselves. It was nice enough for them to play outside so that gave us adults some quiet visiting time, as well.

There is nothing I am more thankful for than family. And, the good health to still be able to enjoy them.

Christmas morning we head to my grandson's house to continue the joy. Here are some pictures from the Saturday party.

A swing that the bride's father made using the lumber from their wedding arch. They couldn't wait until it was unloaded from the trailer before climbing aboard and swinging. 

One gift for C was a musical mat that you walk on to make songs. She loved it as a tumbling mat. 

Sweet L. with her colorful headband

And D. amid some of the Christmas clutter. 

My five Virginia great-grandchildren

The Reason For The Season

      Last night one of my daughters and I enjoyed a wonderful cantata at my church.

 As I grow older I find myself placing more importance on those things that really matter,
                                                        like faith and family.

                            The story of the birth of Christ, as told in song, was so touching
                                    and inspires me to live a more purposeful life.

And, a reception that was excellent. Beautiful setting, friends all around and tables of yummy food.

What will you do for Christmas? I am sure there will be a lighted tree, lots of gifts, song, food and merriment. Please during this time of gaiety and fun to take time to remember the reason for the season.       

Linking with Thankful Thursday        

It's Fall.

For Our World Tuesday

My world right now is in the harvesting season, getting ready for winter so we all will be fed, stay warm, live the good life. I have taken a few pictures of my world that I hope you will enjoy.

Nothing says Fall better than the ears of multicolored corn, all tied together, ready for decorating our houses with.

Harvest includes picking the best of the best for the county fair. I saw this gentleman heading out with a prize pumpkin. I wonder what it weighs? And, how did he load that thing?

Some cotton fields lie in wait for the picking, others are already being harvested. This field is bordered by beautiful morning glories. They grow wild and can take over an area quickly. I guess that is why we don't grow them in our flower gardens. 

This piece of machinery is huge! And, it does a fantastic job of picking the bolls of cotton off the plant. Sure beats hand-picking. When I was a child I helped my family pick cotton. I wasn't much help in their scheme of 'getting it done' but I thought I was doing a good deed. And, it was fun since I didn't pick long and I played as I picked. 

Goldenrod signals Fall. I have always loved goldenrod. It gets a bad rap. But, it's the ragweed which sends out pollen in the Fall, not the goldenrod. Least that's what I have been told.

What is happening in your neck of the woods this Fall? 

Easter Five

Today is Good Friday so I thought I'd feature my Easter decorations today on  Five On Friday - Thankful Thursday - Little Things 

1. We have an arts/craft day about every three months here at the apartment complex. This time we made net wreaths. I wanted mine to be Eastery looking. And, added the B so people would know that Barton lives here. 

2. I put this little bunny on my reading table along with my books, the grape bookends and the Himalayan salt lamp. 

3. I love my Mama bunny with her cute little baby bunny. It sits atop a fern stand along with a vase of spring flowers. 

4. My daughter Susan sent me this adorable Easter basket... The bunny is just TOO cute and the basket is filled with goodies, too. 

5. And, most of all, let us not forget the reason we have Easter. Christ's death on the cross so that we might live! 

Happy Easter to each of you and may it be filled with God's blessings, now and always.

                                                         Latane

Happy New Year

                                           

Boy did I have a wee pity party the other day. It's just one week til my birthday and it's not a pretty number, either. I held up one hand and saw 5 fingers and thought, "Oh my gosh, in five years I will be having my 89th birthday"

Time just seems to fly by now. It won't take 5 years to pass...it will be just in a flash.

I think of someone (I've been observing these older folks, you see) that someone that is 89 or 90 is pretty much nursing home material. Five years... oh durn.

And, then I pulled myself up by the bootstrap and said, "Well, what are you gonna do with the next five years, dummy. Sit there and moan about it".

No, I will not!!!! I will fill my days with as much fun and enjoyment as I can. 

       I am not old. My body may think so but my desires and wishes are as young as a twenty year old. Well, maybe make that 30  50 year old. Stick around and see what I am up to next. I dare you!! (hehe)

                         Thank you Robert Frost for that inspiration!

Christmas Past

Christmas has passed. 

Time for quiet, rest and reflection.

After all the buying, wrapping, secrets and surprises, Saturday came about filled with family and fun.

Five children from ages 4-7

and 8 adults to scurry about after them!!

Playtime in the yard.

And, in the house. 

Opening gifts.

and then everyone went home!!

Christmas comes... it's Monday morning and I drive back up to my daughter and son-in-laws for a very quiet time of breakfast and opening gifts, just us adults. 

Just the four of us. It was very pleasant and we enjoyed watching each other open gifts. 

Then I drove home, went to bed and napped and napped.

A wonderful Christmas!

The Christmas Wreath Laying

The tradition of placing Christmas wreaths on graves of our fallen military is a very moving event. I attended the placement the first year after my husband passed away in 2011. Since then I have waited until the crowds thin out and I can have my moments of peace to visit with my loved ones.

On the road to the cemetery I pass this beautiful, peaceful lake. It gives me such a sense of God's presence, of His being in control.

I am joining with Mersad's My Town Shootout.

Christmas Five

1. Yep, you bet, I reckon it is! Where did this week go?

Don't forget to hop over to Palette and Paint to see My and Marie's latest paintings. Thanks. 

2. I spotted the heron out taking an evening stroll at the pond's edge. I bet he was looking for his supper.

3. Shirley and I stopped by The Farmer's Daughter shop when we went to Farmville. This was one of the displays. A church in the snow, what Christmas is all about. Our faith.

4. This is what I bought while at The Farmer's Daughter. It is standing by my front door greeting any visitors who might drop by.

5. My Christmas china. I never get to use it anymore. I go to my daughters for Christmas lunch or brunch or whenever we decide we want to eat on Christmas! But, I think my dishes are so pretty and festive. 

You all have a great weekend and a wonderful Christmas, if I don't catch up with you before that happens. And, just make 2018 the best year ever!

Joining with Willy Nilly Friday Five

My Christmas World.

Being alone, it's difficult to get in the Christmas spirit but I do believe that it is creeping in regardless of the resistance.

I'm 99% finished with my shopping. Still have a couple of packages to mail and every year I say I will get it done quicker so I can sit back and just enjoy those days before the BiG day. 

Want to share a little of my world, my little apartment in Suffolk. 

                                                                       My front door.  

My dining table 

I have the table at the end of the couch all decorated. I wish I had kept the strand of gold beads to twine about but I didn't. 

My ceramic Christmas tree with packages beginning to pile up underneath.

While I sleep, this Kinkaid Christmas painting keeps watch

                              Several residents made decorated wine glasses. Here we are at work.

Here is my wineglass.

It is on the table where I stack the Christmas cards I get from my family and friends.

                                                                                     Merry Christmas, Everyone

Linking with Thankful Thursday