Happy New Year 2011

Another year has come and gone.  I can't hardly believe it!  The days, weeks and months seem to fly by faster and faster.

2010 was a year full of ups and downs.  We said final goodbyes to some friends, which was terribly sad.  But I reconnected with my Uncle, from whom I had been estranged for many years.  We made new friends in the last part of the year, and relationships with existing friends and family were strengthened.  There were some health scares for some family members, but thankfully - and with God's good grace - everything turned out well.

As the year came to a close, we celebrated with a small group of friends - and we had an amazing time.  I don't think I've laughed that hard in a very long time... and the laughter and love was quite welcome.  Here are few photos from a very fun evening.  Happy New Year everyone.  May 2011 bring love, happiness, health, joy and prosperity to us all.

My tablescape to bring in the New Year

Alyssa & Dodi

 Scott, Alyssa & Dodi

 Rob - who kept us in stitches most of the night

 Richard and Me 

 Rob and Me

 Scott and Me 

 Dodi, Kerry & Alyssa

 Robin & Me

Christmas 2010

Christmas was a bit low-key this year.  We didn't even really take many photos.  It was a quiet day - filled with love and family... but the camera didn't make much of an appearance this year.  Here are a couple of photos... just to prove we actually did celebrate... especially "Skittles" as you can see by the photo below!

 John in his new robe and jammies... with Miss Coco

Went with colored lights on the tree this year.  It was nice for a change.

We hope your Christmas was Merry & Bright!

A Very Ya Ya Christmas

This year it was my turn to host the Ya Ya Christmas Party.  I had a great time planning the evening, decorating the table, and preparing for Miss Brenda's birthday!  There is never a dull moment when my girls and I get together - and there is always a ton of laughter and fun too.  This evening was NO exception!

Happy Holiday's to Everyone!

My tablescape for the evening

A little mood lighting

My girl Adrienne & Me

 Adrienne, Laura & Kathy

 Jamie & Adrienne

 Miss Brenda preparing the soup

 Adrienne, Jamie & Laura during present opening

 Miss Brenda with the birthday present I gave her

Laura made the cake and INSISTED on putting ALL the candles on to account for Brenda's years.  It was hilarious! 

A little photo editing fun with Piknik in Picasa

And The Winner Is...

This is the photo we chose for our 2010 Christmas Card.  I love it when Laura takes our photographs.  She ALWAYS makes us look GREAT!  Thanks my friend... you're the best - and I love you!

Family Photo Shoot

Last weekend we took family photo's for our Christmas Card this year.  Our friend, Laura Peterson, is an amazing photographer.  She always makes us look SO GOOD!

Here is a "sneak peek" of some of our favorites - but none of these "made the cut" for the actual card. 

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a lovely Thanksgiving and hope you did too!  Here are a couple of photos from our day with family.  It was a small gathering this year, and fairly quiet... but that was nice for a change.  Just relaxing, and eating and visiting and eating...

 Our niece and nephew - Erin and Joe

Richard's sister Kelly - her husband Jay - and Richard

The men standing guard by the turkey!

My New Front Door

Our home was built in 1946.  It was the first home in the neighborhood.  We replaced our front door when we first moved it.  To that point it was a double door.  Cute - but not my style.  We replaced it with a mahogany door with fan light on the top... but that didn't help the glass block that were in the wall on either side of the door.  I've never liked the glass blocks installed in this way, as they looked "just stuck" there.

So, I asked our friend Robin Wengert - owner of Green Rising Construction - to take a look and see if he could come up with a design that would transform my entry hall.  We discussed framing the glass blocks, but then Robin came up with an idea... here he used painters tape to show me what he had in mind.  I was sold!

Green Rising Construction believes in recycling, re-use, and sustainable building.  Robin carefully removed the trim from around my front door so that we could re-use it in the house if ever needed. 

I could have never imagined the amazing transformation awaiting my return home from work one evening!  Using mahogany trim he created a frame for the door and glass blocks.

It's like a completely different door... and definitely a spectacular entry way! 

In the space above and below the glass blocks, a blank space was created.  We discussed different options for the space.  Together we decided that glass tile would complete the look - and he helped me choose a color combination that would compliment the color of my door, and the entry hall. 

The glass tile is partially made from recycled glass - which I thought fit in perfectly with Green Rising Constructions belief in sustainability. 

I couldn't be more thrilled.  I keep walking into my entry hall and staring at my gorgeous front door.  What a work of  art!  Thank you Robin for adding beauty to my home!  (Check out Green Rising Construction on the web - www.greenrisingconstruction.com)

Genealogy - Sentimental Sunday - No. 59

This is my Dad and his Mom, my Grandma Julia.  Based on when my Dad was born, I would say this photo was taken in late 1920 or early 1921.   

Been thinking about both of them a lot lately.  My Grandma Julia's birthday would have been last Friday - so she's been on my mind. It would have been her 108th birthday.

So, Happy Birthday Grandma... and I love and miss you Dad!

Image found here

I'm not quite sure where the last two weeks have gone.  We've been crazy busy - and I feel a little like the Tasmanian Devil above.  Life is good - we're still alive - but all of sudden we're almost halfway through November and I haven't updated the blog since Halloween.

Can't believe that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away - and Christmas will be fast on her heels.  I am so NOT ready for the holidays this year.  Haven't even started to think about our Christmas cards, and by now I usually have about half of our Christmas presents purchased.  Oh My!

Well, I best get off the computer and get my rear-end in gear.  Happy weekend everyone!

Happy Halloween - Sentimental Sunday No. 58

Halloween 2007

We've always enjoyed Halloween. John really loved it, and enjoyed going trick or treating when he was younger. Now, he still likes to decorate for the holiday - and we usually make a pretty cool display in our front yard. But, this year we're not quite sure where October went... so there's not much going on out there.

Anyway, here are some photo's from Halloween's past. Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Halloween!