Spring Luncheon

                                      

So, to celebrate the event and to also get some of my girlfriends together, my daughter hosted a Spring Luncheon

I moved away five years ago and don't see them very often.

We laughed and ate and laughed some more.

The table was beautifully set

The food scrumptious

What a way to welcome Spring!

         
                                                                                               

A Ride Through The Wintry Woods

                                                I continue with my birthday surprise!
                               (be sure to check out the two previous posts for more on my birthday)

On Sunday afternoon, after a very delightful breakfast buffet and a donut with a candle in it and the staff singing happy birthday,
                                                  We took a carriage ride. 

It's January, for goodness sakes, sunny, cold and we are going for a ride through the Virginia woods.

                                                    Sounds like fun to me!

                                                    Our shuttle takes us to the stables....

Mike, our jovial driver, is busy getting the horses and carriage ready for our ride.

We go by the falconry. No falcons there today.

There are clubs that bring their falcons there for special events.

The ride through the wintry woods is delightful.

The journey over, we head back to the stables.

Duke (the one nearest the camera) and Duchess pulled our carriage. Mike kept snapping the reins over Dukes back. He says Duke is lazy and let's Duchess do all the work. Isn't that just like a male? Okay. that's a joke. Sort of. he he

Linking with Our World Tuesday, Nature Notes

November is Here!

Linking with Little Things and Thankful Thursday

Fallish Five

The air is definately cooler. I got up this morning... and I crawled right back into bed. Haven't turned my heat on and that bed was soooooo warm. I did me some snuggling with my covers. 

It's time for Tom's Willy Nilly Friday Five

1. A pizza party. Sure, sounds like fun. But, we residents did not know that it was birthday girl, Susan G., who was hosting herself a party. We got treated to pizza and cake. We played games and won prizes. That's my friend, Susan in the blue pants below. Our friend, Nina, is helping her hold her cake. 

2. On a trip to Alabama the 11th of Sept, we passed this huge field of tobacco. You just don't see as much tobacco growing these days so this was a thrill. 

3. And, as I returned a month later I took this picture of the tobacco after it was harvested and out drying in the field. 

4. I posted a pinterest photo of a fall decorated lantern and wondered if maybe I shouldn't fix up my lantern similar. Here is my rendition. 

5. and this little collection of fall leaves and such is in vase that once belonged to my Aunt Lena. It sits on a fern stand in my living room now. 

Signs Of Fall

I love the signs of Fall...

                                   Acorns I gather to lay on the picnic table

Cotton bolls ready to be picked

Colorful leaves lying on the ground.

Linking with Macro Monday and Nature Notes

Fall and Family

Good Morning, everyone. It certainly feels like Fall this morning, chilly, sun slow to warm, steam lifting off the pond. 

I just love this decoration I found on Pinterest. I have the lantern. I wonder why I have never fixed it up this way for my Fall decor.

I am used to appetizers like cheese sticks, crab bites, nachos, etc. This one was a new one for me. It's three kinds of picked beets served with Granny Smith apple spears. Yummy.

My granddaughter showing her new home and yard to her uncle who was visiting from Alabama. 

When I was in New York visiting back in the summer, I got this cute shot of my grandson headed out to play tennis.

I began with Fall, so I will end with Fall....

Linking with Willy Nilly Friday Five and Friday Photo Journal

Thankful Five

I am so thankful for so much. I've lived a long, happy life although it has been filled at times with loss and pain. I am no different than most people, you see. I wanted to share some of my thankfulness with you today. 

                              I am thankful that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. 

I am thankful for cellphones so that I may keep in touch with family and friends.

I am thankful for fall after a long, hot summer. For the color it brings, the apples, pumpkins, smoke rising from piles of leaves being burned. 

I am thankful for quiet peace. 

I am thankful for beautiful sunsets. 

Be sure to check out Thankful Thursday, Little Things and Willy Nilly Friday Five

This and That

What a busy week!! But, here I am ready to post on Willy Nilly Friday Five. Hope you all will check it out.

1. I have eaten out three days this week. Only had to pay for one lunch. Love it when people pick up the tab! 

2. I thought the apartment building was being power-washed this morning. The noise was awful. It was the wind. They say gusts could be up to 70 miles per hour today. I guess I will stay inside.

3. Be sure to go over to Palette and Paint and take a look at the two new paintings Marie and I posted for this week. We are enjoying our new art blog. Hope you will visit it often.

4.  It's been sad to see Rev. Billy Graham pass to his eternal home. But, I bet he's happy to be there. He was such a wonderful inspiration and spiritual leader to millions. 

5. I couldn't be happier to see it get a little warmer, temp-wise. I don't like the cold. While out and about the other day I noticed that there are flowering trees everywhere. Whoops, here comes the pollen! But, I just want you to take a look at this gorgeous Tulip Magnolia. Beautiful.