Tuesday, December 27, 2011

2011 Favorites


As I was packing up Christmas decorations,
I was thinking back over the year.
(yes, I am one of those who take down before New Years)


Where did the time go?
It seems as though the year melted away
like an ice cream cone....
gone before I really had time to enjoy it.


Here are a few of my favorite things
shared with you in 2011.



This gorgeous day in January when
the sky was so blue reflected in the lake.



A spring walk in the park with another
blue sky framed with the fresh green leaves
of spring.


Dogwoods of Easter.

Do we detect a nature theme here...............



Surprise wildflower "secret garden"




Sunflower Trail


Fall trip to the Ozarks


Beautiful Lake Greeson, Arkansas


Melrose Plantation tour with my
lovely daughter.



Home for Thanksgiving and Mama's
Rio Somba rose.


Beautiful Christmas gift of Pelicans
on the lake.

Not all was lovely....the drought, the unexpected
surgery, the relentless, record high heat of our summer..
but, for some reason,
 my heart chooses to remember the beauty.


I pray your 2011 was beautiful........
looking forward to the blessings of 2012. 

Till next time.....
                   Carolyn


Saturday, December 24, 2011



Merry Christmas
 From Our House To Yours!



Friday, December 23, 2011



A Pelican Brief




As you know, we live in the Pelican State
with the Brown Pelican as our state bird.

We rarely see Pelicans this far north, but
once in a while, we get this awesome experience
and usually it is only for a brief time.


I passed by what is locally known as the
"twin bridges" and as I looked into the lake
cove, this is what I saw. Hundreds of
pelicans, white egrets and "poodle doos"
or "coots"  as some folks call them.


The day is overcast and grey so the
pictures are a little on the grey side as well.


The beauty of our state just speaks to my heart and
I know you all have places of beauty where
 you live as well.



Lots of folks fish from the bank on this
part of the lake. This pickup truck caught my eye.
I know my son-in-law would like it....
pretty cool ride to go fishin' in, I'm thinking.


I know this isn't exactly Christmasy to
most folks, but for us, this is what we
see this time of year.


This brought such joy to my day
and I hope it brightened yours a little also!


Til next time,
               Carolyn

Tuesday, December 20, 2011



Autumn............again

Not pictures you would expect in December.



As I drive down the street to my house,
this is what I see................


Beautiful fall color...


Isn't it almost Christmas??


I took this one this morning while a misty
 fog was hovering, but this color would
not be quiet!


Even trees that normally just drop
their leaves without turning color
are favoring us with beauty.


I was going to post some Christmas
pictures but just couldn't resist nature.

We had some fall color back in October and
early November. Below freezing
temps the first of December could be
what brought the color out.

I, on the other hand, prefer to think God
just decided to bless us with an extra dose
of beauty right now as we celebrate
the birth of His Son.



"Oh come, let us adore Him!!"



Thursday, December 15, 2011


Office Christmas Elves




We're getting into the Christmas spirit
around here, going to great lengths
to bring a smile to the faces of
folks who drop by the church :))

Meet Mrs. Rudolph, Mrs. Santa and Mrs. Christmas Cheer...
(I'm the Frosty Hat lady)

Don't you wish you had a little
Christmas elf to help you get
all your work done?



How about a cute little reindeer like Megan,
who makes sure things run smoothly
for Bro. Randy?


Or a Mrs. Santa like Ilona, who
publishes our bulletins and calendars
and keeps Bro. Kris at the right place
at the right time.......


Or maybe, Mrs. Christmas Cheer, Sharla,
who makes sure our bills are paid and
our paychecks are delivered.....
a favorite of everyone on payday!

As well as decorating ourselves, we like to decorate
 our office area for the holidays.


Keeping the reason we celebrate Christmas
evident to all who enter.


With a little winter whimsy added for fun.
These ladies are the sweetest!
They make going to work fun.


Now, if I could just get Mrs. Santa to finish
my shopping and Mrs. Rudolph to wrap my
gifts and Mrs. Christmas Cheer to do my
 holiday baking, ..........

Hoping your day is merry and bright!










Wednesday, December 07, 2011

PRACTICING


While visiting family in Mississippi recently, my niece
 and I took the opportunity to shoot a few photos of this
wonderful old barn near my mother's house.



The patina of the wood is just beautiful and the
barn has been lovingly and carefully preserved. 




I have a little confession to make, I
still haven't learned to use my new camera!
I am so familiar with my old Canon,
I just grab it an go.



I know my niece has the same camera
and she takes great pictures. So I imposed
upon her to give me a few lessons.




This old barn was the perfect place to practice.


But, there is still much to learn........:)



~ Remembering Pearl Harbor ~