Inspiration for my 2012 "Resolutions"

I'm motivated by lifelong learning and continuous improvement and not such a big fan of once-a-year New Year's Resolutions.   Hey, I still like a good party though :)

But I do like to reflect upon themes to guide me through the new year.  Below I'm sharing a few sayings that will be my touchstones in 2012 ... perhaps you'll see some inspiration in them as well.

I hope you have a wonderful New Year's celebration and wish you all the best for 2012. I hope we'll share many great blog visits and conversations between us and learn lots in 2012. I'll be back posting regularly next week and hope to see you then!

Be safe,

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----- Peace Out! -----

A Tale of Two Cities ... of Lights

Paris: c'est magnifique.
The City of Lights at Christmas.

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Richmond: looking good too!

Richmond - "the River City" and capital of Virginia, at Christmas becomes "The Capital of Tacky Lights"

The James Center, downtown Richmond, Va. pictured below.

{Downtown Richmond, Va., James Center, Grand Illumination:
 click Source below for photo credits}

Source: richmond.com via Robin on Pinterest

And many, many, local residents (this one in Glen Allen, a Richmond suburb) display their dedication to decorating with Christmas lights as well.

{A Glen Allen, Richmond suburb, residence: not far from our house:
click Source below for photo credit}

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The City Council / Office of the Mayor has proclaimed Richmond the "Capital of Tacky Christmas Lights"!

We've even become an international travel destination during the holidays for our many different "Tacky Light Tours".

In case you can't make it here this year, CBS News has photos on their website here as well as maps and other information about our homegrown tacky light industry!

A minimum of 40,000 bulbs in your light display is required to be included on the official tacky tours ... shoot!!! we're just one light strand short ;)


IF Santa brings me the new camera I've hinted about I'll post a photo of our lights later.

In the meantime, here's wishing you a joyous season of lights and a Merry Christmas.

A "Secret Santa" Gift For Me

That's my grandmother, my Nanny Goat.

I think this photo was taken in the roaring 20's, long before she was my Nanny Goat, and long before she was even married.

I assumed this photo was lost in our house fire.  The other items I had of hers met that fate.  This weekend I picked up a book and out fell this photo.

Why this photo was in that book - any book, I can't tell you.  And the fact that I had flipped through that book since being home makes this even more, curious.  Having the photo placed in my hands at this time is an early Christmas gift.

And just in case you were wondering ... Nanny Goat was born December 25, 1900.  Christmas Day.  1900.

Nanny Goat and I didn't have that much time together.  Doesn't matter, she filled me with enough love to last me my lifetime and she inspires me today.

Even though it's in the 50's in Richmond, there's Christmas magic in the air.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

Inspiration

Words I'm living by.

Deet's later.

Have a great weekend.

Gift Suggestions

The excitement of a present ... what could it be?

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We all have folks on our gift list that are hard to shop for; don't need anything, don't want anything, don't like anything.  Yes Harris, I'm talking about you!

Still, we're determined to prove how much we love those folks by finding just the right item.

Perhaps my three gift suggestions aren't THE "oooo, ahhh, special" gift of the year but they do say "love ya'" in a special way.

Click Continue Reading to see my gift suggestions.

One Thing Leads To Another

Hi there!  We haven't talked since Thanksgiving and I hope yours was great!

Our simple and nice, traditional-esque Thanksgiving celebration included turkey and stuffing and other goodies and our feast only took 75 minutes to prepare, even though it was cooked from scratch.  How?  I'll post those recipes before Christmas, as soon as I prepare the meal again and manage to take photos!  And why not have turkey and dressing again when it only took 75 minutes :)

I participated in the tradition of Black Friday shopping but did so from the comfort of my computer .... once again, traditional-esque.  That's me, tradition with a twist.

I shopped online here,

and on a whim purchased drapes for my Dining Room

Crate and Barrel, Zoey curtains