Yesterday we walked the loop about noon, and when we got down to the creek, this is what we saw in the holding pond.  ICE still.  

 

Interesting patterns, and cool picture.  It didn't feel that cold; (we both were wearing shorts) but there was still ice hanging around.  Looking forward to our next snow.  Maybe we'll get more.

 

HAPPY DECEMBER YA'LL!!!

 

Oh yeah.  I forgot to show you the finished gingerbread men.  We shared a bunch with our friends, and ended up with about 16 for us:  PLENTY!!!

 

Besides, it's fun to share.  And we can make some more!!!!  It is SO fun.

 

HAPPY BAKING!!!

 

 

This is what we do for fun on winter days:  make gingerbread men cookies.  Jon rolls out the dough and cuts it with a cookie cutter, and I get to decorate them with m&ms and Ghirardelli chocolate chips.  We have a glass of wine and make it a party.

 

Let me know what you do this time of year, and we can share it here.  There are so many stories out there.

 

HAPPY DECEMBER!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this is what I am most thankful for today.  

 

Our comfortable home, Jon, and Gizmo.  Our happy little family.  Even though we miss our peeps.

 

Gotta get the turkey started.  Even though it's just us this year, we will still enjoy cooking our Thanksgiving feast:  turkey and chestnut dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and broccoli casserole.  Not sure which part I like best:  the cooking or the feasting.  Or maybe the wine for lunch...  

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

 

 

This is what I've been most thankful for my whole life.  

 

Betsy, Julie, Momma, Me, and Linda.  

 

I know the photo is kinda old, December, 2003, and we've all changed since then, but it's still the best way I know to show you my beautiful mother and sisters.  We live too far apart these days, and don't get to see each other nearly enough, but I am so thankful that we will always be BEST FRIENDS.

 

I hope you ALL have a 

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

 

 

We were on our west facing deck a couple days ago, thinking how beautiful this fall has been.  It's well into November and the colors are still bright.  

 

As we were sitting there, the clouds parted just in time to light up the hills, and let us see the sunset.  Wish you were here.

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

 

Nancy and I went for a walk in the woods on Sunday.  What a beautiful sight.  Everywhere we looked, something caught our attention.  The Maple and Beech and Oak  trees are bursting with color, and the creek is running.  We stopped often with mouths agape, enjoying the sights and sounds.  It felt like therapy after a long stressful week.

 

It reminded me of a word I read in a magazine:  SHINRIN-YOKU.  It is a Japanese word that translates to 'forest bathing.'

 

Forest bathing is just one of many Nature Therapies, including garden therapy, and ocean therapy.  They are exercises and activities that improve our health by being  immersed in Nature.  These therapies can restore our mental and physical health, and extend our lives.  If you'd like to read more about Nature Therapy, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nature_therapy?wprov=sfti1   The article is very interesting.

 

We are so fortunate to live here in Five Forks.  All we have to do is step outside and we are in the forest.  We have safe roads on which to walk, and the Creekside Trail is beautiful in all four seasons.  

 

I hope you are getting out into nature every day, and breathing the fresh air.  Think of it as therapy.  It's free, and we don't even need to go anywhere to get it.

 

 

HAPPY NOVEMBER!!!

 

 

 

Photo of WWI veteran, Joseph Ambrose (1896-1988) here attending the dedication parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982, holding the flag that covered the casket of his son, Clement, who was killed in the Korean War.  I copied this picture from Wikipedia.  It is priceless.

 

 

Today is Veterans Day:  the eleventh day of the eleventh month, and has been recognized as a day of remembrance in the United States since the end of World War I in 1918.  On November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the armistice, Woodrow Wilson issued a message expressing what the day means to Americans.  Please go to    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day?wprov=sfti1    and read for yourself what he said.  

 

At first it was called 'Armistice Day,' commemorating the end of World War I at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month.  It is still is called 'Armistice Day' in other countries, but in 1954 it was renamed 'Veterans Day' in the United States.  It is a day to celebrate the service of all U.S. military veterans.  

 

 

To all our veterans:  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!  

 

Now I know who did it!!!  

 

Jo and Mike Cox transformed the Jack O'Lantern haybale into this great turkey.  Thanks Y'all.

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

 

This is what Mark and Karen saw on Thursday morning, the results of hurricane Zeta.  These trees were standing on Wednesday, and early on Thursday they just fell over.  There were about 6 or 7 trees in this small area on the corner of Five Forks and Beaconhill that came down.   Actually this is what it looked like after the road had been cleared.  Cars couldn't pass onto Beaconhill.  But still, what a mess!!!

 

Now, just one week later, this is how it looks.  Thanks to the prompt action of our HOA, and Fidel and his crew.  

 

 

When I rode by, after I had taken the picture, I noticed that those 5 logs are gone.  Good work everybody!!!

 

 

WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD!!!