How beautifully leaves grow old.

How full of light and color are their last days.
~John Burroughs

Sleeping a little longer than usual, time with Pops without a "to-do" list, and a walk through the woods enjoying the beginning of Fall's splendor . . . so grateful for God's blessings of the day . . . a much needed day of rest and relaxation.

Message from Beluga Bill

colors of summer

i love the colors of summer! visiting our state farmers' market is always a treat. thank you, NC farmers!

we ventured out to the market early this morning. ymmm . . . lots of fresh fruit & veggies for us the next several days! tasted a new melon today ~ the canary melon ~ seemed liked a mix between honeydew and canteloupe. absolutely d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.!

Where are the pirates?

I'm almost sure I heard them whisper, "But . . . where are the pirates?"

A brief "Staycation"

I am taking a few days off from work; and as always, composed myself a little list of things that I needed to accomplish & things I'd like to enjoy during this small "staycation."

Yesterday's staycation made me think of you, Nana Jane and Sarah . . . take a look at these pictures and I think you'll know why.

Just a little glimpse of the sights around Durham & Chapel Hill~

Cheraw

Enjoyed a visit in Cheraw. Pretty yard, Granddaddy Bob. Delicious soup, Nana Jane! Love you.

Yellow is the color of Spring . . .

daffodils

forsythia

and our wheelbarrow . . .

Miss Isabella Kate

Happy birthday, happy - happy birthday to Miss Isabella Kate! Enjoy your first real day of being TWO!

Oodles of hugs & love to you~
Pops & Gammie

ACJB in Macon

Pops and I made a quick trip down to GA this past week . . . it was truly a blessing to see Adam, Connie, Josiah and Bella . . . as they live & love life and ministry in Macon. What did we do? Let me see . . . picnics, playing in the park, swimming, reading, sharing meals, naps, working a Thomas puzzle, visiting the church campus and Josiah's preschool, shopping "at home" and at the real mall, shooting skeet . . . and a few other things.

Once again, Pops and I are SO thankful for "the gift of time" with family.

Bella - So proud of her tights . . . "2 tights"

Mr. Run-at-Full-Speed around the park!

Celebrating Birthday #2 a wee-bit early

on the night of Christmas Day

. . . "no snow has accumulated in the Triangle
on Christmas Day since 1947."

it finally began . . . on the night of Christmas Day
you're right, Andrew. it does remind me of Alyeska!. . . I feel the need for another stroll in the park
. . . tomorrow morning

Christmas afternoon stroll

While waiting for "the snow" to arrive, Pops & I decided to get outside for some fresh air. Our Christmas afternoon stroll in the park was perfect!
We had never seen so many birds; bluejays, cardinals, finches, and field sparrows . . . so busy gathering seeds, apparently. They must know that their woods will be turned to a winter wonderland tonight.

Christmas Season

A little bit here and a little bit there . . .

. . . time with family throughout the Christmas season!
From the "first gift of Christmas" through Christmas Eve.

Our A2 family visited at Thanksgiving
Bells & her chickadee Christmas ornament (at Thanksgiving)


Enjoying the beauty of a mid-December snowfall

A spend-the-night- evening with our A3 family

Dinner at Las Mags, a game of Rummikub, and a late night movie (the Blind Side)

Appreciating Skype . . . Let the cooking begin!
Doing the unthinkable . . . opening presents a little bit early. . . it IS Christmas Eve!
. . . reading our Christmas letter from Charlotte RoseMerry Christmas Eve, Family . . . oodles of hugs to each of you~
Love, Pops & Gammie

Pound cake is my favorite. So when I gave Pops a list of possibilities for baking a dessert or two to enjoy over the next few days, pound cake was one of the options on my list. I was shocked (but pleased) when he chose pound cake over pecan chess pie!

Who would've thought baking a pound cake could bring back so many memories?

. . . first of all, I pulled out my favorite cookbook of all times. "Cheraw's Best!" The old paper cookbook that the Jamaican Mission youth group pulled together. Back in the high school freshman/sophomore days! Remember that one? Well (besides Miss Evelyn's pound cake of course), Miss Mondell's "Cold Oven Pound Cake" recipe has proven itself to be tried and true over these many years.

. . . then there was the time that Pops had been gone for a week or so (I can't remember if it was fishing or flying), but I was so excited for his return. I decided to make a "Cold Oven Pound Cake" to have on the kitchen counter to welcome him home. Ashley, a pretty spunky toddler, wanted to help and pulled on the dangling mixer cord as I was doing something else in the kitchen. All of the batter ended up on his head, body, and floor. What a mess!

. . . and the time when I accidentally used self-rising flour in the recipe. That was definitely an "I Love Lucy" moment . . . and another big mess!

Memories are SO special . . . I so appreciate how God brings them back to mind at just the perfect times to give us such amazing heart tickles! I know that you all are, or will be, busy in your kitchens during these next few days. Enjoy the time, and I hope that you'll be making memories that will tickle your hearts for years to come!

Merry Christmas eve, eve, eve~
Oodles of love,
Gammie

Adventuresome lady

Today Nana Jane was an adventuresome lady. An outing to the grocery store (the first time since August) . . . I SO wanted to hop on the other Walmart scooter and race her around aisles!

Just a little adjustment at the beginning
granddaddy bob called to see how many wheelies nj had popped