Joan's Christmas Tree 2019

Joan's Christmas Tree.

I traveled up to Maryland to spend a few days with my cousin Joan during the past Christmas holidays. It was great fun. Of all the many Christmas trees that I enjoyed this past year, Joan's was the prettiest.  It was decorated with handmade ornaments that made it very special, and the vintage snowflake white lights added to its uniqueness. 

Star-shaped white lights. 

Joan had crocheted many of the ornaments, making different shapes of snowflakes. 

Crocheted bell.

She even crocheted the angel for the top of the tree. 

Crocheted Christmas angel tree topper. 

Two of the ornaments I recognized as ones that my Mom had crocheted some years ago.

Mama's crocheted Santa.

Mama's crocheted stocking. 

The pretty framed cross-stitched ornaments were gifts from Joan's daughter Robin.

Two of the ornaments were ones from Westmoore Pottery made by Mary Farrell.

Westmoore pottery snowman.

Westmoore Pottery Christmas tree. 

Yes, in my book Joan's tree wins first prize among the Christmas trees I saw this past Christmas.

2016 in Review

As I begin 2017 today, I look back on 2016.  It was a sad year in many ways because I lost several people that I love very much.  Our jack-of-all trades Steve passed in February and in March I lost my sweet Dan.  In the fall Joe who had been with Dan during the crocodile attack passed away.  Here are some photos to show some of the events of 2016.

January:  two of my grandsons on the UNC JV basketball team  Zach (14) and Brooks (15)

February: Grandson Tyler and his date at the Queen of Hearts Dance.

May:  Brooks and Missy traveled with me to Cape Breton.

May: Beautiful flower arrangement at Memorial Service for Dan.

September:  Becky and Paula traveled with me to Cape Breton.

September:  We scattered Dan's ashes in the meadow overlooking the lake in Cape Breton.

October:  My little great grand niece as Raggedy Ann on Halloween.

November:  Granddaughter Grace a cheerleader at Broughton where she is a freshman.

November:  Zach visits Claire in Copenhagen. 

December:  Snow at Marble Mountain as viewed on our webcam at the house there. 

December:  Christmas Eve dinner at the house. 

And now I am looking forward to the New Year.  Wishing peace and good health to all!

Gadding About at IKEA During the Holidays

Whenever I make a trip to Shelby, I pass by the Swedish store, IKEA.  Although IKEA is known mainly for its modern and reasonably priced home furnishings it has a cafeteria with an interesting assortment of Swedish dishes.  Recently I was there near lunchtime, and I stopped to have a bite to eat. I had a smoked salmon burger, my favorite drink, lingonberry juice, and a chocolate pastry or candy.  All were quite good.

After lunch I thought I would have a quick trip around the store, but I had forgotten that there's nothing quick about getting through the store even at a fast pace.  I wasn't looking for anything, just looking which I rarely do. If I go shopping it is to look for something in particular.  I'm actually not fond of shopping for the sake of shopping.

There were lots of decorations for the Christmas season.  Pretty red and white tins, Christmas balls in silver and gold, and wrapping paper.

I did find a pretty pillow with cats in black on white.  I bought two---one for the Chatfield house and the other as a gift for a friend who really loves anything feline and who has two black and white cats.  They had quite an assortment of stuffed animals, and I've always wanted a Husky so I put one in the cart and brought it home.  It can be a buddy for Maggie.

One of the drawbacks of shopping at IKEA is the long line at checkout, and this was especially true for the holiday shopping.

The Twelve Days of Christmas at the Carolina Inn

My friend Marcia and I made a quick trip over to Chapel Hill to see the Twelve Days of Christmas Designs at the Carolina Inn.  We had gone several years ago and enjoyed it so thought we would try it again this year.  The artists who design the vignettes are diverse and creative.

My bff Marcia.  

The Christmas tree in the center of the lobby is always a work of art, and this year was no exception. I especially like the lime green ornaments and lime touches in the ribbons.

I photographed just a few of the displays for your enjoyment.  If you are in the area, you really just not miss a visit to the Carolina Inn for this annual display.

Two turtle doves had real doves.

Seven swans swimming was one of my favorite. 

Nine ladies dancing. Created by Lance McRorie, a professional glass artist.

Ten drummers drumming.  

It would have been fun to stay for the afternoon tea, but there is a waiting list for reservations.  And we resisted the temptation to have dessert before we left.  (We did stop for ice cream on the way home though.)

Gadding About at the Symphony of Lights

Over the weekend I visited cousins and friends in Columbia Maryland.  On the way back from dinner Rick, Joan and I drove through the Symphony of Lights Display in downtown Columbia.  This really put me in the Christmas spirit.  We tuned the radio to the designated station and there was Christmas music playing as we drove through.

I had a great time visiting everyone and this spectacular display was just the icing on the cake for me.