Photography & Pottery

There is an artistic aspect to almost everything in life and for some reason my creative side needs to be nurtured on a regular basis.  This winter I wanted to focus a bit on improving my photographic skills. ( do you like my play on words )  I have met a member of the photography club in Solivita and his classes have been very helpful. It has been fun to at the very least improve the composition of my pictures.  Here is a shot that I took at Bok Tower Gardens.

 And of course I have always enjoyed pottery.  I dabbled a bit in college and have recently found the opportunity to get back into it.  Classes are taught here and the students in the class are an abundant source of inspiration. 

New friends and long time friends

I have discovered that new friends just happen to be friends

 that you have met more recently

 and long time friends may be friends that you have known longer

 but neither are not necessarily OLD friends.

 We recently had the pleasure of hosting some newer friends from Cherokee Valley, our community in South Carolina, and some friends that I have known for more years than I can count.

Ginger and Buddy were returning home from a Caribbean cruise and stayed for a night on the way home, sharing details of their wonderful trip.  And Keith and Julie, came over for a weekend from Naples and shared their experiences, wit and love of plants with us.  We enjoyed a Motown concert together and traveled to Bok Tower gardens for a tour and Carillon concert. Friends, whether they be newer, older, younger or not are such a blessing!!

Hyde Park Presbyterian Church celebrates their 100th anniversary

John and I were invited to join the celebration as Hyde Park Presbyterian Church celebrated their 100th anniversary.  This church holds a special place in our hearts because I was Director of Christian Education here when we met and this is where we held our wedding. It was delightful to return and see friendly faces that I have not seen in 14 years. The choir was decked out in vintage clothes from that era and the order of worship also reflected days gone by. We stayed for a lunch following the service which added to the celebration of this ministry to God and community of this wonderful church.  I was so fortunate to have been a part of this staff and John and I reminisced a bit over the joy of celebrating our love and our wedding in this beautiful place.

Time with the kids!!

Children grow up so fast!! 

 John and I head to Florida in early December and I returned home last week, at the end of February to check in with the kids.  They have changed so much in just those three months.  Celia has a new edgy attitude, Lily is so outgoing with her friends at school, Jack is more responsible and self sufficient and Sam looks more like his Daddy.  How can that happen in such a brief time?  But one of the things that hadn't changed was that they were still ready to laugh and snuggle and play hide and seek, have a goodbye lunch at their school with me, read books before bedtime and go out for a special surprise at Chick Fil-A or boldly beat me at video games and enjoy ice cream at McDonald's in your pajamas with their Nana.  I am so incredibly blessed!!!

Congratulations Billy and Christina

 It is not every day that your brother gets married so this is a very significant event. On this New Years Eve John and I were very pleased to participate in their ceremony.Grateful for family, good health and good times together.  So very happy for Billy and Christina!!

Christmas in Florida

Our Christmas with the kids took place at Thanksgiving.  It was fun to surprise them with a little touch of early yule tide.  And them off to Florida.  Our tree got an update, new handmade ornaments that I created last winter.  It was fun to include some of my treasured ornaments with a new look for the tree.

On Christmas day we headed to the beach, as we have done before.  The weather was perfect, add a pecan pie to go with our turkey and cranberry sauce sandwiches and we had a lovely time.  Sand art was included to document the day.

Happy Birthday to me!

What an exciting time to be alive!!  And this year I celebrating my birthday while I was with Jenna, Jack and Sam.  Jonn was out of the country and I stayed behind as John headed to Florida to help Jenna with the boys.  Lunch with Jenna was simply wonderful.

Jack and Sam greeted me that morning with their rendition of a birthday song, "Happy holidays, happy birthday Nana, Happy holidays!"  Jenna prepared my favorite dinner and here is my cake.   Oh my goodness how scrumptious!  And time with my favorite grandsons.  I am one lucky Nana!!!