Saturday, December 27, 2014

Christmas Holidays 2014

The first of many Christmases at our new home.


Christmas Eve Lunch.





Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Matthews United Methodist Church.






The start of our Christmas village...



...where it didn't snow this year.



Lot's of English and German goodies.



Oscar and Sophie got some toys for Christmas they were really happy. Our cats Buster, Boo & Milly got some turkey cat food.


 

 
Then off we went to the Blue Ridge Mountains for Christmas lunch at The Deerpark.


We wore purple for Grandee, her favorite color.



We had a beautiful Carolina blue day as we went on an Architects tour of The Biltmore.


On the tour we ventured up to the roof where there were uninterrupted views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.


Once copper, the roof has oxidized with a green patina. Apparently when it rains, the copper patina protects the roof and prevents moss from growing upon it. Who knew?!






Gargoyles to ward off evil spirits.



He said "I think we'll take it"...



...with 43 bathrooms I chuckled that one off!



We stopped for awhile and watched the most beautiful sunset before heading to The Omni Grove where we stayed awhile and sampled their delicious buffet.







Tuesday, December 23, 2014

I'd Rather See A Sermon

By Edgar A. Guest
✻════════════════════════✻
I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me...
than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example's always clear;
And the best of all preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it
if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons
by observing what you do;
For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Christmas Card 2014

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is making our Christmas card and sending it to family and friends.
 
Without further adieu here's our 2014 Christmas Card.
 
 
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2015.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Christmas at the Billy Graham Library

We had a lovely evening on Saturday night at the Billy Graham Library. We arrived before the sun set. We walked around the bookstore and had a light dinner at the dairy barn before touring his childhood home and watching a live nativity. Afterwards, we did a little Christmas shopping and gift wrapping with Cory's famous hot chocolate and cheesy Hallmark movies.

Autumnal Oranges by Susan Branch (http://www.susanbranch.com/2012/11/blessings-be-an-elf-on-thanksgiving-christmas-decorating-and-small-business-saturday/oranges/)










Billy Graham's childhood home.
Autumnal Oranges by Susan Branch (http://www.susanbranch.com/2012/11/blessings-be-an-elf-on-thanksgiving-christmas-decorating-and-small-business-saturday/oranges/)
 



For a sneak peek inside Billy Graham's childhood home, here's a compilation I made.

 
Hope your getting into the Christmas spirit, only 10 days to go.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Nana and Grandad's Wedding Day


While I was in England earlier this year, I went through all my Nana's albums. Both she and my Granddad passed away in 2009. I scanned in all her pictures, and handwritten notes, including this one of her wedding day sixty years ago 'today' on December 12th, 1954. After their wedding my Granddad took my Nana honeymooning around Europe on a motorcycle and sidecar. We always laughed about that.

Monday, December 1, 2014

This Darn Fence!

At Graylands, our house in Richland, WA there was another wild wind storm. Luckily the tenants made a brace with a 4x4 and propped the garden bench on the other side. We had a similar thing happen in '11 or '12 and my dad's car was parked off to the side, luckily the panel flew under his car, not even one scratch, by less than an inch. Phew! But the pure mention of this fence, and it's collective stories over the years, there's nothing left to do but laugh.
 
 

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Thanksgiving Break

We had such a lovely Thanksgiving break. We had homecooked ham dinners at home during the week, then headed to the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains.
 
 
Our Thanksgiving tablescape. Roast ham with broccoli salad and cranberries, wild rice with sweet potatoes, turkey salad and edamame salad.

 
Roast ham with homemade cranberry sauce, homemade apple sauce (was on the table), garlic roasted potatoes, roasted vegetables and cornbread stuffing.
 
We were in awe of 125,000 acres of uninterrupted mountain views, changed now all the deciduous leaves have shed.
 
We had a turkey luncheon at The Deerpark.
 
 


 
 
then toured America's largest home; The Biltmore Estate trimmed with Christmas tree's as it would have been in the Vanderbilt family's day. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lastly, we wandered into the Bohemian Hotel, for dinner at the trendy Red Stag Steakhouse restaurant.
 
 
 
 
We're so grateful for a multitude of blessings.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever - Psalm 107.
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