Merry Christmas!!!!

Up late wrapping presents for the little one and thought I'd take a quiet moment to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

Pictures from recent visit to GA

Bridge to Amelia Island, FL(the following pictures are a glimpse of where we used to live in FL)

Fort Clinch, the Civil War era fort for which the state park we lived in was named.


View from northern point on Amelia Island of Cumberland Island National Seashore in GA. The sea oats were heavy with seed and there is one little purple railroad vine flower in the foreground.

Caroline revisiting the site of her baby sea turtle release when she was 10 months old.

Having lunch with a good friend, Rhonda, my mom and Caroline.

A visit with the best living historian in the Florida Park Service. Such a wonderful man, I was so pleased to see him as he will be retired by the time I get a chance to visit again. He was a great help to me with my initiation into the park service and a fantastic mentor.

Jammie, jammie cart rides every night to relax the little one before bed at Gramma and Grampa's. She'll be driving everyone around soon enough; she's already asking.

We spent a few days on Jekyll Island, GA. It was pretty chilly the first day, but Caroline insisted upon swimming in the ocean. Brrrrrr!!!

Fall in New England

Our small area of New England had much to offer, especially this second weekend in October. It is peak foliage time, so just a drive can lead you to many different opportunities for entertainment. Today, we took a beautiful drive to Riverton for their annual fair; very small town, but much more exciting for a 4 year old than the overwhelmingness of the Big E. Our drive took us past 10 tag sales, a Civil War event/show at our local historical society, and posters advertising three local fairs.
We arrived in Riverton, parked without much effort, and purchased an item at a tag sale. Within the fair we perused the many exhibits of crafts, art, photo, and animals. There are some VERY talented needle workers in this area of the country. The photo contest wasn't anywhere near as impressive as Cheryl's blog, so I will need to push her to enter it next year. As for animals, bunnies, and chickens, and ducks, oh my!!! and guinea pigs and calves and horses galore!! and food and food and food!!!
The funny part of this is that we chose the smaller fair for Caroline, but ended up enjoying it more than the larger one ourselves.

Caroline Starts Dance

Caroline started dance today. She is taking a combo ballet/jazz class.

Here she is in the holding area, waiting for class.

Getting to know her classmates.

Getting instruction.

Dancing!!!

Queen of the 8 cords of wood we need to stack in the basement.

Brett and Caroline enjoying some smoked ribs.

Tater keeping a close watch on them.

This was an AMAZING bonfire we saw in Rockport, MA over July 4th. They stacked pallets about 6 stories high and topped it with a little shed (which in this photo is beginning to topple).

For Auntie Cheryl

There is nothing better than a cowboy hat, some feathers and a pair of shades!!!! Except maybe a JEEP with the top off and some tunes cranked.

OK, I have the feathers attached...

Do you think I can fly now?

Christmas in July

Well, after three years of living in our current home, we are finally to a point of unpacking boxes which have been closed for about 4-5 years. Let me tell ya, Saturday was like Christmas. With the kitchen and dining room almost done, the area above the kitchen cabinets was waiting for "stuff" and the corner cabinet is getting new glass and then will be ready for her adornment. Here is the end result for the kitchen cabinets. As usual, Brett and I get so excited about nearing the end that we "semi finish" a project to the point of being able to put our "stuff" on display. For example, notice the ceiling above the cabinets are only painted out to the edge of the cabinets. Oh well, the house is really starting to feel like it is our home.

The next couple of pictures are a part of our collection of various types of old pottery, wood, tin and glass kitchen things.


The corner cupboard from the old 1700s plantation in FL with the wainscoting done.

A look at the transition from the living room to the dining room. The colors are quite a bit brighter than they really are, but you get the idea.

A Day in My Life

Caroline and Tater getting along

Baby Chickadees the last day in the nest. There were three.

This is one of the robins that have been gathering worms and grubs for their babies.

Devil's Spire

Double bloom red bee balm.

Balloon Flower

Garden Bugs

Chickadee Momma with a caterpillar for the babies

Argh! Japanese Beetles

Yuck! Earwig in my foxglove

Yikes! A fly that looks like a bee in my English Daisy

Daylilies are starting to bloom !!!!