Best of 2009 - November and December

The last of the recaps - to bid a fond farewell to this year 2009. First the posts, then the photos, in no particular order. Of course, I loved ALL of the "In Your Kitchen" posts but I'm not posting them here because they are all posted just right over there to my left. OK, here we go:

Recap of that October Holiday

The Chase

Mutton Bustin'

Post One and Two of the Thankfulness Project

I Met the Pioneer Woman

Sophie and Sadie


Changing leaves near White Rock Lake.


Those sweet girls.


Alexandra smiling.


Me and PW.
(taken by S)


Baby Andrew.

OK. Done. Whole year reviewed. Entire year about to expire. New Year, new start, new surprises and adventures about to begin. Hope your Thursday - this last day of 2009 - is a good one for you. And I wish you only the very best of everything for 2010.

See you tomorrow.

Best of 2009 - September and October

I might get my review in under the wire...just maybe. We'll see. Here are the months of September and October, posts then photos, in no particular order:

Squirrel Haven Envy

Rest in Peace, Dear Friend

Gabbing with Grandpa

State Fair Marines

Perfectly Woven Web

Ducky Visitors



Water Lily.


Green Leaf.


Orchid.


Pumpkins.


Marines.


Dragonfly.


Orange butterfly, pink zinnia.


Sun through the flowers.


Moth on purple pincushion.


Mums.


Dragonfly camouflage.


Orange on orange.


Autumn mist.


Monarch in purple.
Maybe my favorite photo taken all year.

That's a wrap. Best wishes for your Wednesday. We're going to celebrate Christmas with S's family tonight since we were in Indy for the big day. And then we'll get ready to bring this year to a close, won't we? See you then.

Best of 2009 - July and August

I'm running out of days in 2009 to finish my yearly review! So, up today - July and August!


Here we go - in no particular order, my favorite posts:

A Day Off

And all the Colorado posts, actually.

Ten Years and Counting

The post where I celebrated ten years with my S.

East Texas Weekend

And all the Greer Farm posts, too. Including of course...

A Bovine Baptism

Need I say more!

S-Man, Unplugged

Because how could you not love that face?

Pattison State Park and Big Manitou Falls

Such a pretty place.

Lighthouses

Who doesn't like lighthouses?

Half-Baked Texan

Where I chronicled my move to and half-life in Texas.

This is Unbelievable!!!

And who could forget my big State Fair win? I can't!

And some photos, in no particular order:

A beautiful allium.

Colorado Columbines.

Sunflower and a bee.

Dragonfly.

The cow.

Gas tank wall, Harley-Davidson Museum.

Mossy wall, Pattison State Park.

Water feature near Milwaukee Art Museum

Butterfly on a Wisconsin beach.

Bouys repurposed at a Door County restaurant.

OK, there you have it! Two more months revisited. Best wishes for your Tuesday.

See you tomorrow.

Monday after Christmas

We missed the first White Christmas in 86 years in Dallas!

It's the Monday after Christmas and all through our home, the creatures are stirring to greet the caregivers while I write this poem.


We've had a great time in Indy with my fam, but today we'll head back to Dallas with little glitz and glam.


While here, we played with the kids, fed the less fortunate and watched it snow, opened presents and visited with the grown ups so we're more in the know.

My mother-in-law sent these photos to us, though.

The snow didn't slow down the dogs!

We caught up on the gossip and some much needed rest as well. It's nice everyone had some time off before they again have to hear that school or work bell.


My dad's off to Florida and Torchy too, with visions of warm nights and shuffleboard. Woo-hoo!


We had a nice Christmas and S's birthday, with the best gift of time with loved ones - what more can I say?

The backyard was covered too, of course.

I have lots to share as this year comes to an end. I wish you a wonderful Monday and will see you here tomorrow, my friend!

And that ends the misery - the end of bad poetry. Amen.

Merry Christmas

And Happy Birthday to my S, too.
Happy Birthday, my love!

Best of 2009 - May and June

It's Christmas Eve, people, and if I don't hightail it through some more of 2009, it's gonna be history without me finishing my recap. So, today - May and June.

First up - the favorite posts:

Made from a Box Goodness
Oh my. One of my first recipe posts!

The Post about the Triathlon Relay Finale
It was an accomplishment for me.
And the start of my thoughts about the extreme need to DIET!

If Steve had a Blog He Would Post This
It was so much fun chronicling this project from afar.

Pretty Pictures of the Park
One in a long line of nature obsession posts.

A Friday Recipe
Because it's good and it reminds me of summer.

Two Fat Cyclists Take Mesquite
Because we had a lot of fun and we need to get back on those bikes, cold weather be damned!

And now the photos, in no particular order:

Watermelon at Memorial Day.


Sunset at the Arboretum.


Arboretum water walls.


I know I didn't take it, but it's a great memory!


Bikes ready to roll for a bike race.


The moon over the Texas Motor Speedway. Love it.


Along the way during the Collin Classic bike race.


A finalist for the State Fair competition.
Outside Greenville, TX.

Well, alrighty then. I guess I've made it halfway through the year. It really makes me realize what a great year it's been. This blog sort of acts as a life's diary for me in many ways. It's nice to remember.

Best wishes for your Thursday. For your Christmas Eve. I hope it's all you want it to be and more. See you tomorrow.

The Holidays are Upon Us

Between naps the last couple of days, I have ventured out of the house with S on a couple of occasions. First, we met some good friends from LA for lunch. They have a new baby that we met for the first time. She was very sweet. It was nice to catch up - I'm not sure what kind of lunch company I was given the state of affairs and not feeling 100% but it was nice to see them nonetheless. And, we'll see them once more after Christmas before they head back to the west coast. Hopefully I'll be more chipper by then!

But I caught this nice family photo after we ate.
Not bad on the fly, eh?

Yesterday we ventured out early in the morning to the mall to pick up a few last minute items. It was a good choice, as we were leaving around noon and it was starting to get really busy. And it allowed for me to come home and nap all afternoon, which was also nice.

But while we were at the mall, I snapped a few photos.



This is supposedly the largest mall Christmas tree in America.


It is pretty, with all the lights and the skaters below.


And has a nice topper.

And, before any more time passes, we recently had the opportunity to babysit S's nephew Andrew for the evening. I know, it's not quite a holiday event, but he's just so darn cute I know you won't mind a couple of photos.

S worked to entertain Andrew...and me...and now YOU!
Heh heh.


Andrew did eventually notice that activity - not that he was amused.
I mean, what IS that face anyway? I do love that face, however. I do, I do!


Whoa. Does he look like his dad in that photo, or WHAT?


This was shortly before the vomit.

That's right - the child has a propensity to vomit. Silently. You look down and it's there. And he got S not once but TWICE when we were there. S had to take off his shirt because the amount of vomit was so great it could not just be wiped away. Good job, little man. Good job. I told S - wait for it - I told him SPIT HAPPENS. Amen.

Today we head to Indiana for a few days. Tonight, really. We get there very late and will start the real visiting tomorrow. I can't wait to catch up with all of my Indiana family! We have wonderful caregivers taking watch over the house, the animals, the plants, etc. We are so thankful to them for watching over things while we are away!

I hope your holidays are off to a good start as well. Best wishes for your Wednesday! See you tomorrow!