First Christmas Post

 November was a busy month with Moms 103 birthday then Thanksgiving and at the same time with Thanksgiving being so late this year, I started putting up the tree and some decorations earlier than normal.  I think I will even start earlier next year having everything ready to put up and have the trees where I want them to decorate.  I used to put this stuff up in no time, now I am much slower than ever.

 Mom 103.  We took her to a pizza restaurant.  She loves pizza but saw clam chowder on menu and wanted that.  She had some pizza too.

Mom said she can't believe she is 103

short clip of her blowing out three candles

my Christmas tree in living room

Few decorations in dining area.  The owl picture my daughter painted, not sure how many years back but I like him so here he stays. 

Close up of tree in dining area.  I put some dried flowers from my garden on  here along with roses I received from husband and children

Sunflowers I grew this past summer

My twenty dollar lamp I found at a thrift store.  I have in dining area also.  I have an elephant one that I am needing a lampshade for.

I gilded the large pear-shaped gourd from my garden years back. It sits with the pears I purchased from hobby lobby and gilded also.  Messy and sticky to do but I still like how pieces look afterward.

We had to purchase a truck this year.  Car, it's been a year.  They don't last forever.  We get quite a bit of mileage from our vehicles, thankfully.   We didn't buy them new, but new to us.

Hopefully another post in few days.

Some pictures of Lewis Ginter

Snapshots of Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens here in Va.  A visit with husband and Grand daughter Genevieve.   I see many changes here since we started visiting here years ago.  Not the same sparkle or spirit felt for me anyway.   

This year I want to visit Longwood Gardens Christmas and see some Christmas trees decorated for the season. 

Genevieve stopping at the bridge walk to see the reflections in water.

Inside the conservatory is a little thatched roof cottage that was decorated with wildlife, mostly owls which we love to see. 

You can see a gnome sitting in the chair having a meal it looks to be

short little clip of inside cottage

On our way into the library to see what is in there 

Very fragile villiage made of twigs, dried leaves and flowers

Tree adorned with dried flowers from the gardens.

There were daffodils and hydrangeas.

Beneath the tree were packages adorned with dried florals

two pictures made to look like a pair of windows to the outside.

I didn't get a great close up of the flowers on tree but this arrangement hanging on the wall were some that were on the tree.

This was our visit for this Christmas season decorations at Lewis Ginter.

Not as many as in the past but pretty still. 

Longwood Christmas: A Very Retro Christmas | 2023 Full Tour | Lights, Tr...

Longwood is a  must see for me this coming Christmas season. I have not been before.

 I am sorry I missed this one.

There are several videos of Longwood and have some displays that are different 

in each one.  Reminds me a little in some ways of Lewis Ginter in Va. as far as the tree house and lit tree trunks lining the property. 

More of the Christmas season felt in Longwood Gardens video.  

  

Last looks

A visit to see children and grandchildren Friday in Maryland.

Nice pretty drive over the water and few views of Chesapeake Bay taken from Potomac River bridge.  

On way to our destination to a  

lovely neighborhood with a couple beaches and lake.

We enjoyed our trip to Lusby Md. 

 One of the two beaches in their area neighborhood that we walked and found a few shells

Cannot travel any farther on this road because of the cliffs and erosion.  There are homes atop the cliffs. 

Back home and some pictures before I take all down.  

Childrens tree in grand childrens room

I took this picture on a foggy morning on a Thursday last week

Last look out to Santa and Snowman before coming down

Tomorrow black eyed peas for lunch

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!

Welcome 2024!

Pictures of Christmas Day

 My sister picked up our Mom on Christmas to have dinner with us.  Mom did enjoy herself.

We moved the food downstairs to our lounging area.   Made it easy for her and more comfortable.  Stairs would be a challenge for her.  Lots of room and comfy sofa for her to sit and eat on a tray as she wanted.

Great Grandma with Genevieve

frosty mantle in lounge area

Den tree

Some pics around the house

Elf doll my granddaughter gifted me last year

close up of my mantle

tonight I made soup with collards, white beans, broth, garlic, onion and sausage and carrots. It was very good. 

looking outside home office window

Til next time