Christmas Decorations, Parties and Sam's Birthday

It's only December 4th, and already the month is moving along with activities.

  Got the house decorated over the weekend.
 Jim got the lights up just before the big snow hit,
 which spread the holiday spirit..inside and out.

Got the trees decorated.  Love getting out all the old decorations. 

They remind me of Christmas's past. 

 Love our Golf Club, my crystals I purchased from Harrods when I visited with Nick in London. 

 The old sleds mom had painted for each of the kids,

 ornaments purchased from places we have visited

and my very special Bonnie Blue Butler, given to me and signed by the real Bonnie Blue!

  What treasures!

Put my beautiful Nativity on the Mantle.

  I love the simplicity of this nativity and love that my family gave it to me. 

All ready had a party. 

We had Jim's family over for dinner last night.  It was fun to get together with Tam, Kevin, Kathy and Lanny.  We visited and enjoyed great food.

  Love seeing family over the holidays.

But the most important day so far was yesterday!

  My little Sam turned four years old! 

 He couldn't wait until it was his birthday. 

He is the most fun child.  So expressive.  So determine, so ACTIVE!!! 

 I love his smile, the way he talks, his hugs. 

Today he asked me if I would stay even when his mom got home. 

 He put his little arms around my neck and had tears in his eyes and said please stay grama, please. 

 I almost did..almost. 

 I love you Sam.  Have a happy year. 

You are my sunshine!

love, grama

So goes the first week of December.

An Evening with James Taylor

I've been looking forward to this concert all summer.

  I've seen my friend, James sing every time he's made his way to SLC. 

 I listen to him in my car, when I'm cleaning or relaxing. 

You could say, I'm a fan since way back. 

 As crazy as it sounds,

I'm even a member of his Fan Club!!! 

 

I'm a groupie!

 

Being a member paid off last night.  

 When Jim and I got to the door our tickets showed at the conference center,

 the host exclaimed, "who do you know.. you have great seats!" 

We were kind of stunned wondering what she was talking about,

 but just kept following along as we were guided closer and closer to our

reserved seats..right down in front and in the center! 

We were shocked! 

We were told it was because we got our tickets through the James Taylor Fan Club which I had gone through!   

 The evening only got better as the Utah Symphony and the Tabernacle Choir opened the evening with several fabulous musical selections.

 

I always love hearing the choir sing "When the Saints go Marchin In." 

 I love John Rutter's arrangement. 

 It could only be made better if Dad was sitting next to me to enjoy it as well. 

(Maybe he was). 

 

James Taylor's selections were perfect. 

Loved every song he sang, but when he sang "Shed a Little Light"  with the choir as his back up,

 I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

  Of course his last song with the choir and symphony "Shower the People" was  unreal, 

 but then, as he sang "Sweet Baby James" for his encore, the evening was made perfect.

 

The sound in the Concert Center is so beautiful.

  Everything about the evening was just what I'd hoped for. 

 A lovely way to end the summer. 

 Thanks James!

Won't you join me in my Garden?

I love August in my garden.  Everything is growing. 

The colors are beautiful. 

This year I mixed perennials in my vegetable garden. 

I love the mixture. 

 I have tomatoes, a lot of mint, and some pumpkins,

 which I am excited about growing along with some lovely flowers for color.

We've all ready had  a bacon and tomato sandwich this year. 

 And our tomatoes have made our salads extra tasty. 

There is nothing better than eating a fresh tomato,

 just picked with a little salt and pepper. 

We've got a lot more on the vine!

I'm really excited about our pumpkin patch. 

Jim took out a huge pine tree this year which gave me a big space to plant pumpkins. 

 It looks like we'll have quite a crop! 

 Can't wait to see the grandkids pick out their own pumpkin to carve when Halloween comes.

These four o'clocks were transplanted from my friend, Pat's garden. 

 I love these flowers which are suppose to pop out at 4:00! 

 But for some reason, whenever I go and check them, whatever the time of day,

 they greet me with their lovely blossoms. 

The steps to my upper garden look lovely,

 although upper garden itself didn't do too well this year. 

 That's the joy of gardening.  It's ongoing. 

 If something doesn't work well one year, you plan for the next. 

 I'm all ready planning on what will take place next year to revamp my little hide away.

I plant morning glory vines here and there in my garden. 

 I love the little purple flower that shows up in the morning and evening hours. 

This is an annual black eyed susan vine. 

 It is the first time I've tried this particular plant, and I love them.

  I only have two, but I am a fan and will definitely have more in my garden next year.

I have also loved the flowering kale and ornamental cabbage I planted. 

 They have done really well.  I was told they wouldn't do well in the heat, but they've made it through this hot summer.

  I'm told their colors will come out even more as it cools down, so I am looking forward to that as we go into September and October.

Now that I've given you a tour,

won't you join me in my garden?

Kerry's Baby Shower

Today we had a baby shower for my niece Kerry. 

What a beautiful day for a party! 

 It is always fun to get together with my sisters and their girls. 

Kerry, Austin and their baby boy were being honored.

  Can't believe the little girl that I used to take to kindergarten, read to and play with

is going to be a mother. 

As the family started to filter in I soon realized that there were probably more babies in attendance than adults. 

How much fun is it to see all these girls with their kids.

There were a few grown ups! 

What a great bunch!

I cleaned my house and they arrived with all the delicious food. 

 Whitney and Marta did a fabulous job with invites and clever theme ideas to make this day special for Kerry. 

Can't wait to see this new little addition to the clan!

Downtown Abbey

In less than an hour I get to nestle down in my couch and watch the third season of Downtown.

Will the long awaited marriage really take place?

Will Cora's mother be able to hold her own...

When up against Violet?

I'm sure she will. 
Those two will be worth watching even if the rest of the show falls apart!

Although I'm sure nothing about this series will disappoint. 
Can't wait to see them do battle.
Can't wait to see what happens with the long suffering Bates.
And what about poor Edith?
Will Cora ever be allowed to see her grandchild?
What kind of scheme's will come up below stairs this year?
What a lovely way to spend a Sunday evening..