Tis the Season

Chris and I delighted in going to hear Deleen Davidson and the Muses at their Christmas Concert in the Arlington Hotel. Hot Springs is so fortunate to have this quality of talent in our midst.

First stop in the Arlington Hotel is a visit to the annual gingerbread house. It is one of my favorites.

On another night Leon and I drove down to DeGray Lake to see the Christmas lights. We stopped at DeGray and enjoyed their warm fireplace and tree along the way. 

The Iron Mountain Marina decorates to the hilt on their property and along their boat docks.  Many of the boat owners decorate their boats also and some served cider, hot chocolate and cookies.

This western theme on one of the boats was cute.  Along the fence in front they had stick horses lined up and when you pushed the ear they neighed for us.

There was quite a crowd on this very chilly night. This little friend kept visiting with us along the way.

Poor Santa.

I had no clue there were so many large boats on DeGray. We have intended to do this for years and then forget until it is too late. It was so worth the trip!

Jiggety jog

So we got home from Texas to very chilly temperatures. There was actually snow forecast on our route which gladly failed to materialize. We spent our final Texas night in the Elks' parking lot in Tyler.

We have had fun shopping this year. All of a sudden there are kids to shop for!  Leon has a new great granddaughter, Amalie. He sent a package to Amailie and her big sister, Abbie, today.

I have two new grandsons! Or at least they are new to me. Flave and Reid will be here for Christmas Eve. How fun it will be to share Christmas with kids.

Between shopping trips I spend my time watching the birds dance on the ice in the bird bath looking for a drink while keeping warm in front of the fire. Periodically I go out and add warm water. Lucky ones could get a warm bath!

Gone to Texas

We have gone to Texas for Leon's grandson's graduation. Click here to travel with us.

Black Friday

After a big Thanksgiving dinner Jeff and Rose kept an eye on Best Buy. They were determined to be in line early to take advantage of the laptop offer available at 5 am.  At 4:30 they settled into line to be first!  With the temperatures dropping from 70 to 32 for the evening the van seemed the way to go.

Later they learned that vehicles were not an option so Hernando was replaced by a tent. I am not really sure what the difference is.

Rose was just pleased that I came with my down coat that I bought for Maine weather!

Jeff was happy that the second in line people had a propane heater.

And then of course there was the obnoxious family that came and crowded right into the middle of everything. We left Jeff with our list and settled for the warmth of the fire and a good football game.

Wedding time arrives

Friends and family gathered at the Methodist Church in Searcy for Kay and Flave's wedding on Thanksgiving Eve.

The Bowmans arrive as well as Flave's boss and his wife. Allie looked so cute in her red dress and Hayden was especially handsome.

Dee Harper performed the wedding.

Mary helped Reid with his boutonniere. It is a "right handed task."

Flave and Reid chose their tuxes and looked so handsome escorting Kay to the sanctuary.

All of a sudden we have two instant grandsons. What a nice family!

We had a "stand around" after the ceremony so that Kay and Flave could get on the road for their honeymoon and the church personnel could close up shop as well.

Kay' parties

I enjoyed a couple of really fun parties in November in preparation for Kay's Thanksgiving Eve wedding. Her work group gave her a bachelorette party at the Brickhouse that was loads of fun. After we toasted and ate we played some fun little games!  Most of the photos can't be shown! I guess I need a new phone with a flash for evening events.
My sister hosted a little shower for close friends at her house. The table was set and just waiting for folks to arrive. A simple but lovely arrangement of Bells of Ireland were in the center of the table surrounded by stuffed dates, smoked oysters, fruit kabobs, and more.

Chris, our awesome mixologist, used the ocean themed counter to mix her Southern Belles. Oh what a treat but a little strong perhaps. Mix 1 oz. Apricot brandy, 1 oz Amaretto, and fill the glass with champagne. Then add some fruit for fun and you too can feel like a southern belle!



Mary later served the group stuffed shells. Cissy, Kay, Mel, and Chris eagerly awaited the delightful meal.
We were sorry Patti had to leave early.

It seems that Mary's Italian creme cake was the hit of the evening.  Absolutely scrumptious.

Working on Woodlawn

We don't play all the time. November weather has been fantastic so we spent much of the month working on Woodlawn. This is a house that my aunt from Alabama once owned so she could come to Hot Springs and play. It seems the play continues. This was the tree trimming! We had five piles for the city to pick up.

I do have to remind Leon once in awhile that 70 is the new 50 and that this is play, not work. He does love to use a chainsaw!

While he cut trees I enjoyed painting. One day I painted the entire house with my sprayer so I would only have to clean it once. What fun it was. At the end of the day I was grey and matched the house.

Will to the rescue

My sister Mary has moved to a smaller house and has a lot of furniture that won't fit. Her son Will came back from Fayetteville with us to help her out with the problem.

You think this will fit where?

Will and Mary are wondering if he should have gotten a larger truck.

Jeff's help was invaluable but he did stop to facebook an old photo of his cousin Kelly.

The smile tells it all. Everything fit into the truck including the last load. No, it isn't a mummy - just the guns he has wanted most of his life.

Where's Leon?

While I was traipsing around in northwest Arkansas, Leon was in Oklahoma City teaching Melissa how to drive.

He got to spend a lot of quality time with his five month old great granddaughter Amalie also.

Amalie's big sister Abbie and their mom Melissa are real sweethearts and both appreciative and deserving of Leon's efforts.

Leon had flown to California to pick up a car that was being given to Melissa. He had a chance while there to visit with family and friends before driving to Oklahoma City.

After Melissa got her driver's license I drove over from Fayetteville and fetched Leon. Then we drove back to Fayetteville and spent the night in my nephew's front yard and fetched him.



Fall in Fayetteville

On a beautiful Sunday in November I took off for northwest Arkansas to check on the folks in Fayetteville. The first stop was the Confederate Cemetery to check on my favorite Maple trees.  They were still in their autumn glory.

I first discovered these trees in the early sixties while attending the university. At that time the main street in Fayetteville (Maple Street) was lined with beautiful maples.

Then if was off to visit with my friend Becky. Monday morning we went over to check on the boat.

This is where you will find me next summer!

Beaver Lake is just around the corner from Beckys and Ed's.

I like the way Ed provides water to the property.  They are awaiting city water.

But not to worry. I brought my own water and bed.

When we are not on the boat we will have morning coffee on this deck and the giant oak will provide shade for our evening glass of wine.

There are no better people than these two. I am so happy they have moved back to Arkansas. Well, back for Becky; Ed never knew what he was missing.

We went to Springdale to visit Becky's daughter Lisa. I insisted on a house tour first.

Paul stopped fertilizing the lawn for a quick visit in the garage.

We then caravanned to Fayetteville to meet my nephew for lunch. I rode with Lisa and had a great visit. I want this car!

Lisa, Will, Becky and I had a four hour lunch at Pesto in Fayetteville. What a joy to get to spend time with three of my favorite people. It won't be long before I go back to northwest AR.