Mr. And Mrs Fox

Aren't these the cutest salt and pepper shakers? And they look so good with Linda's new plaid dishes from Williams Sonoma and her plaid tablecloth from All That..the Christmas tree shoppe.

Our family has a special connection to foxes. My mother' side of the family are Todds who originated in Scotland. Todd was originally Todhunter or hunters of the fox. Our family crest has foxes on it. Recently I made a family history book for the members of my family. I think it is important to know where you came from. I was lucky to have some research done by a family member. I will share this with you later.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Steven Hawking

Before today I knew two things about Steven Hawking...he was a brilliant scientist and he was in a wheelchair and couldn't speak. But after seeing a biographical movie...The Theory of Everything...I have a deep respect for him.

 

1. In the 1960s, Cambridge University student and future physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) falls in love with fellow collegian Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones). At 21, Hawking learns that he has motor neuron disease. Despite this -- and with Jane at his side -- he begins an ambitious study of time, of which he has very little left, according to his doctor. He and Jane defy terrible odds and break new ground in the fields of medicine and science, achieving more than either could hope to imagine.

   This was an excellent movie. I highly recommend it.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Where is Aunt Dorothy when you need her?

How am I going to fit all this in the car???

I am used to having my big Town and Country van but this trip my friend Linda rented a car. I thought I didn't buy much but when it's all together it seems like a lot. Some of it was Goodwill shopping...a brown case for oil paints, some hats for the kids dress up box. Some shopping at All That...a plaid tablecloth. Nothing big. But don't forget I have some big black bags full of greenery that I have to manage to fit in the car too. Oh my!

I had an aunt who was an expert packer. She would finagle all the boxes and bags and could fill every space. Boy do I need her now!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Jan Williams

 

This is Jan Williams home/flora/gift shop in the summertime. I wish you could see it now all decked for the holidays with wreaths, garlands, and angels on the roof. It is a must stop for us every time I visit my sister.

Each year Jan donates her time and materials to raise money for the local James Monroe Museum by creating floral arrangements at Mary Washington college. The program is called. deck the Halls. After. Some sweets and tea we anxiously awaited Jan's creativity and she did not disappoint. She decorated some centerpieces, a huge boxwood wreath, some sparkling silver stockings and some small baskets. Afterwards they raffled off all the decorations. One year I won a boxwood wreath but this year we didn't have such luck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the fresh greenery was collected at the college and afterwards they put out large black garbage bags full of holly, magnolia, nandina, and pine for people to help themselves. This year not so many people took things home so we were rewarded with tons of fresh. Ate rials to make live arrangements with.

After a nice lunch at Ilene's Bakery we journeyed home to rest a spell before heading out to the museum. They had an open house with harp and piano music with hot cider and cookies.

Now we are in our Jammies and settled down for a quiet evening.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Ginter Gardens, Richmond Virginia

After hours at the craft show we drove to Ginter Gardens to see the lights. I only had my ipad so I apologize for the bad photos.

It was in the forties and not even very cold as we walked around the large grounds. In the children's sections there was a bonfire and marshmallows could be roasted there. And it was dog day and people brought their pets. There were so many breeds, many very stylish with their sweaters and coats.

It takes five months of preparation and the. For two months they string lights all throughout the gardens.

 

 

 

The theme this year was bicycles and all over the garden there were bicycles used in the decoration. There was a large Christmas tree made of just bicycles all painted gray. Inside the conservatory the orchids and ferns were beautiful. One whole section had tons of blooming paper whites and hydrangeas.

There was a large display of miniature famous buildings related to Lewis Ginter. In the education center there also was a large display of doll houses. The detail was amazing. Also there was a woodwind group playing Christmas music.

What fun I am having with my sisters.

 

Posted with Blogsy

It's Christmas time in Virginia

Linda loves to decorate. She has a moving Santa Claus cafe by her coffee bar.

Her new Williams Sonoma plaid plates look good with her scroll chargers, Walmart tree plate and plaid tablecloth.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Safe and sound

We arrived in Fredericksburgh, VA around four. After an icy mix last night I was afraid the roads would be bad but by morning the temperature was thirty eight and the roads were ok. Linda drove a Mercury rental car which rode like a dream. We ate lunch at a Cracker Barrel and Diane fixed a meatloaf dinner for is tonight. Now we are settled down for the night tomorrow we will go to Richmond to the Bizarre Bizzar craft show and to see the lights at Ginter Gardens.

 

Posted with Blogsy

MIA

 

Sean visited the fire station for Cib Scouts. Ryan is the den leader this year. He is an Eagle Scout and is so proud of his scout son

 

If I am missing in action here on the blog it's because I am on my way to Virginia to spend the weekend with my two sisters. We have a great weekend planned..a craft show, botanical gardens and a Christmas decorating demonstration. Oh, and of course we will squeeze in some shopping!

 

Posted with Blogsy

All the family

 

From the left....Ryan with dog Zoe,Ginger, Ryan's mother in law with Zoe's sister Maggie. (Yes, they were from the same litter. Zoe was a runt. ), Jenny, Scott (Chris' son) , Sean (Ryan's son), Gretchen (Dan's fiancee)peggy, Dan (Chris' son ), Chris and in front Sara (Ryan's daughter). Missing..Don...he's taking the picture.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Winter Funtime (enhanced pictures)

Oh, the weather outside is frightful

The little ones were so excited about the snow since in Tennessee they rarely see it. So we all got on our warm clothes and went out to the Marilla Reservior to take a family picture and to sled ride.
  It was a bitter cold day, only 24 degrees with a wind that went right through to the bone. No gloves would keep your hands warm.
  We quickly lined up by the covered bridge for a portrait.

There was a short sled riding session before we jumped back in the car and headed for home and hot cocoa.

Mom and Dad

At Christmas time it’s easy to think about your childhood and your parents.  My mom and dad were such wonderful parents. I miss them everyday. When people are acting mean or disrespectful my sister reminds me that not everybody grew up in our house.  We had such a gentle upbringing full of love.  After my parents retired to Georgia they would come up at Christmas every year.  They would open the trunk of the car and out would come boxes full of bounty.  They had a lovely plot of land and would grow their own peaches, plums, strawberries, and make al kinds of jellies.  They also brought boughs of holly and juniper for my decorating as well as pecans for baking.  Dad also made his homemade wine from grapes they grew right on their four acres.  At this time of year I remember the fun times we all had  laughing around the table.  We were blessed. .