christmas picture

I saw this very pretty gift bag in a store recently and thought it would make a nice christmas picture for the foyer.   I framed it in a poster frame

I like the old fashioned snowy scene

tree next to bed downstairs

Sharing with  a very thrifty christmas

night time

Getting ready for bed and having to turn off all of the Christmas lights.  I may sleep down  here in the den tonight near the fireplace.  Going to sleep by the glow of candle light with angels feels peaceful by the fire.

I cut out snowflakes today and glued on snow for Santa's

some Christmas pics at home

A few snaps of the mantle in the den and outside our home.

The snowflake color changing orbs, I purchased at a local Hallmark store here about 10 years ago

I picked some dried sticks , sprayed them with glue and sprinkled on snow.
The pinecones , I did the same

Snowman made it on the carport roof this yea

side fence decorated

rainy afternoon

Yuletide - Agecroft Hall

Sunday Steve and I visited Agecroft hall for Yuletides, a 15th century English manor house that sits on 23 acres and overlooking the James River.

Live wreath to greet as we walked to the home.

Dismantled and brought to Richmond Virginia in 1926 from where it was built in Lancashire England near the Irwell river.

Home of Englands Dauntesey and Langley families.
 Surrounded by pits and undermined coal shafts by the late 19th century,  Agecroft had fallen in disrepair.   Sold by auction in 1926 to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Williams.   Dismantled,  crated and shipped some 3,500 miles across the Atlantic ocean to America.  It was reassembled in it's present day location in the neighborhood of Windsor Farms.    Standing on the banks of the James River, it resembles it's original site in England near the Irwell River.

Charles Dickens living history enterpreters

I had to get a good look at the espelier on the brick fence

Williamsburg Waites - Christmas carols

No pictures were allowed inside, bummer.  We exited here, down steps leaving the library after learning about how the residents prepared for a  1940's era cocktail party in honour of service men and women

steps decorated with boxwood clippings hung with red ribbon

Out on the back lawn we watched Signora Bella, the daring acrobat!

We watched from the back patio

and enjoyed a huge piece of most delicious gingerbread

and warm apple cider.

the cider was steaming in this large kettle over open fire.

I wouldn't mind trying this outside on Christmas day

A good view of the James River from the patio

World War two era soldiers 

A happy Father Christmas - rear courtyard

I had to make a pomander ball

lots of cloves yet to go at this point

A leisurely walk to the garden beyond the boxwoods , while walking back I took this picture

this signpost is at the entrance - you can see London is only 3,755 miles away

Gazing back as we were leaving.

We had a great afternoon and was free to the public, very nice indeed.
So glad that the owners were able to save this wonderful piece of history and bring it to our city in America.

james center - richmond virginia

Steve and I with Miranda and Adalyn took in the light displays at the James center in Richmond, Va.
It's been a tradition with us and to have late meal at the 3rd Street diner.   Great food with generous helpings.

Found Rudolph

Inside the Omni Hotel - large gingerbread house,  strong sugar scent and someone took a bite of 

one of the cookies that tiled the roof.

Mezzanine with large wreath

Mom and Addy