Saturday, December 31, 2011

Homeland on Showtime



I just finished watching all 12 episodes of Homeland on Showtime. Recommended by sister Linda, I finally gave it a try and I love this show. We have Cox Cable, so I went to On Demand and found it, episode by episode.






So very good--try it. This season is now complete, and I don't know when it will return again, but I will be watching for it. Terrific!!

Monday, December 26, 2011

The Day after Christmas



So, another Christmas has been celebrated. We like to keep up our Christmas decorations til Jan. 6th. It's nice to enjoy the lights and Santas once the craziness of parties and gifts is gone.


The top photo is our guest room in the lower level--just happens to be done in red, so it feels like Christmas for our guests.


The second photo is my new office area in the lower level. Who wouldn't like to work in this happy place with fireplace, tv, and Christmas tree?

I need a movie today!


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas 2011

Our funky Christmas tree with brightly colored lights is placed in my new downstairs office area. Yes, that's a football game on the tv screen. Courtney & Chris were here yesterday and ended up snoozing/watching football downstairs. It's so cozy down here now that I have a fireplace.

It's been a whirlwind Christmas season. We had our annual Christmas party on Dec. 17th, so we had to be decorated by then. Bob was travelling quite a bit, and we were behind in the decorating festivities. For the first time, Bob didn't even set up his Christmas village--just too much to do.

We had a new caterer this year for our party. Bless Mary Moore--she has been our caterer for many years and she passed away last year. So very sad.

We used a new caterer who was very good - A Catered Affair. The food was great and the staff was even better. Two of the staff were TC Williams teachers--they reminded me of those days teaching in Random Lake and Woodbridge.

Verna came up from Rocky Mount--always so special when she comes to visit for this party--especially since her plate is pretty full with two kids currently engaged and weddings to be planned!

I always love seeing friends at Christmastime--seems I don't get enough time with long-time friends. I was just thinking about how lucky I am that I have had the best friends thoughout my life. Starting with Christy, my best friend in Harmony, Minnesota. I saw Christy & Steve last year in Richmond. It had been so many many years--so much fun. Then in college, there was Kris Krejci McGuire who just came out here to visit--the same as always, fun and funny. My everyday friends here are too numerous to mention, but I sure have fun with Willie, Cathy & Maureen, all my Realtor pals, my neighborhood pals, my book club friends.

I haven't sent out my Christmas cards yet, but we've received so many. I hope all of us card senders can help keep the Post Office in business. I love getting photo cards! I intend to send my cards out late--maybe tomorrow.

We had Christmas Eve at Linda's house--all the presents were opened and we had a wonderful evening! We all tried to have less gifts this year, but there was no evidence that was the case. Linda's grandchildren had lots of fun, and they made the evening special for all.

Today is Chritmas dinner at our house. Bob is making Mother's Norwegian meatballs, and I've started the bread.

I've been trying to weed out some of my Christmas decorations--just too many. I'll take photos today and post more photos later.

Merry Christmas to all!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Trip to Rocky Mount, NC











I travelled to Rocky Mount to Verna's house for Haley's wedding shower. Haley is marrying Verna's son Kurt in February. Linda and I left Alexandria and then stopped in Richmond to pick up Courtney and Verna's mother. We had such a good trip.






It was my first visit to Verna's house, and I just love it. It's mid-century modern and it has a fabulous floorplan for entertaining. I don't see this type of house around here, and I thought it was so well designed: main floor master bedroom, large entertaining spaces and a fabulous porch that ran across the back of the house.






We celebrated so much: Haley's wedding shower, Lea's engagement, and Linda's birthday.






I should really leave town more often--so much fun!






The theme for the shower was Christmas, so I crafted a bucket of gifts with Linda and Courtney. I ordered her a Santa from Herman Hollins, and he added the heart just for them. I think a little folk art is perfect in anybody's house! Herman Hollins e-mail: folkark@aol.com