I'm so missing those palm trees, sunshine, and 70-80 degree temps. The photograph is of the Indian River, located near Ft. Pierce/Jenson Beach area of Florida. It is a salt-water river and contains all the same types of fish and crab that the ocean does. Yep, even Man-O-Wars and Jellyfish. It was wonderful seeing the area that my dd, Amber had previously moved to before returning to Ohio after Hurricane Frances, but sad to see some to the destruction and devastion left behind, like some of the beautiful beach homes that are no longer structurally sound. It certainly makes you appreciative of what you have!

And I loved our lunch at Mulligan's, where Alexxis played in the sand with her sand bucket; drinking rum runners while watching the sunset on the jetty! Good times! Good memories!

Remind me again, why I traded in that all that sun, sand, and surf for all this

snow, sniffles, and sneezes???? And just as we beginning bailing out from one winter storm, another 4-6" is predicted in the next two days!

Off to the stock-up at the grocery store, and Yes! I buying chocolate!

The Perfect Cure for the Winter blues...

Beautiful blue skies and sunshine...

January 2010....

Man, Time flies!

I cannot believe we've already celebrated New Year's eve,

rung in the New Year with well-wishes,

and we're off and running in 2010 already.

{Well, some of us are...} we or, I rather, haven't taken down the tree,

packed away the minimal Christmas decorations,

nor cleaned the house recently.

But I did get crafty with it and create some things for for my grand-daughter, Alexxis's bedroom/playroom!

The toile boxes we've had here @ gma's, we're just passing them on as this kid needs storage!

The tussie mussies and fabric tags are for a pink/black/white w/ black polka dots

bullentin board I'm in the process of creating.

Enjoy!

Highlights from the Christmas Season 2009

Every Christmas season has them... special little, magical moments in time, when you realize things are exactly the way they were meant to be. Decorating the tree with Alexxis this year was like that for me.

I don't believe I've ever heard so much "oohing" and "ahhing" in all my life as I heard the sounds of pure delight on this night. Alexxxis loved helping me decorate our tree and I enjoyed it so much I want to make it "our" special little yearly tradition! I was so totally amazed at how gently she unwrapped the glittered ornaments from their tissue paper storage and so lovingly hung them on the tree. I apologize for the poor photo quality of the photo but at least I got one before the camera batteries died!

Our Christmas tree decorated... Thank you, Alexxis! :)
And Thank You! to Aunt Mary and family for sending us a few special gifts,
like those shown below. {We miss you, esp. @ the holidays!}

{Mary's gift to me! :)}

Alexxis opening a few of her presents!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

Our December home...

After months of remodeling, it was finally time to begin bringing things back into the room. Although, to be completely honest, I was loving the simplicity of the room and hesitated to learn to let go of that for awhile. The first thing, I to be added should be a reflection of you... so here's my first contribution to the room, a small nook for drawing and journaling --- just for me!

Of course, furniture was added, then removed or rearranged...



a variety of arrangements were tried and then, once again rearranged...

then, I began realizing it's Christmas, so I started all over again.

But awhhhh, this is so much better!

and in the process of all the re-arranging, sometimes something will get broken...

like my rooster measuring cup holder... but never fear...

there's always a decorating answer just waiting near.