wrapping up 2010

2010 was a year of many blessings and some sadness. The biggest on my list of blessings are Aunt Sue's heart surgery being successful and my mama's recent surgery going well and my daddy not having any surgeries or ailments recently. We have been so blessed in many, many other ways, too. We've seen some sad losses this year with Jackson and Stevie and Belle passing away. They all had a good life and we were lucky to have them while we did. I'm so thankful to have my church family and glad to be able to go study God's word every weekend and during the week. Even though I grew up going to church, I have learned so much more now that I'm an old adult. I'm paying attention now...unlike I did when I was young. We are so blessed to have Alfred and Emma. We even thought about getting another pug that is blind that is the male version of Holly Dolly...but we have put it off for now. I worry so much about having the pool without a fence and a blind pug. I never let them out without watching them, but having a blind pug is a bit more challenging with a pool.

I sure to hate to make a resolution for the new year....but I really want to see if I can drink ONE soda a day instead of several. I'm talking diet sodas. I'll probably have a real Coke a few times during the year. So that will be what I'm focusing on now.

I'm also going to budget myself on my crafting items. My new budget will be $75.00 a month. I may put up my purchases and prices on the blog here to keep me aware of what I'm getting and spending. It would be wonderful if I'd sit down and actually use the craft items!

I want to make more list this year and mark things off.

I read 30 books this year.

Anyway, here is the last pictures I have to share from this year.

We went out to eat this evening at a Mexican restaurant in Navarre, Florida. That's about 15 miles down the road. Here is what it looked like as we were driving to dinner.

Back a month or so ago I bought an apron from Girlville. I love it. I did not get to wear it this year as I was at the hospital on Christmas Day and Aunt Sue actually cooked dinner this year. But it will be worn on future Christmas holidays and baking days. It's so festive.

Girlville also sent me this wonderful woodland ornament for the Christmas tree that I am going to have one day! I want to decorate it with lots of woodland ornaments and I'm starting to gather up some every year and friends also send them to me...Love it. And the other package is doggie cookies...the husband came home from work and saw them sitting there and thought they were human gingerbread cooks and was eating one when I caught him! I told him they were doggie treats...and he quickly put it down. I also had to take a little taste because they did smell so good.

Julie at Magnolia Sun and I exchanged gifts. We had a good day at her house visiting and seeing her Christmas decorations. She gave me a gift certificate to Amazon. I loved it. I used it to buy this book. It is a big coffee table type of book with beautiful pictures. It's titled Stealing Magnolias: Tales from a New Orleans Courtyard. I love looking at it.




Someone ran into a brick mailbox in the neighborhood. I'm glad I don't have one of those brick ones.

Christmastime at the hospital was pretty quiet. Christmas Day was the so quiet up there. I think they try to get everyone out of there before Christmas.

I wanted a good dessert for Christmas but knowing that we'd be tired from staying at the hospital, I decided not to bake a cake but order this Paula Deen Peppermint cake from QVC. I loved it. I don't know if anyone else like it as much as I did. There is a big chunk of it in the freezer at the parents' house that is MINE...ALL MINE...ALL MINE.

My mama still put up a couple of trees at her house. I really like this tree that has the miniature decorations.

Here are this year's Christmas cards I received. I got them all on one side of the double doors. I didn't get as many cards this year as in the past...but I sent out more than ever!

I love to collect Christmas china and this year Aunt Sue gave me a plate from the new collection by Lenox called Winter Song. It is so pretty.

My parents gave me this panini pan from Target. I've used it twice and love it. It's really heavy but I can heat it up on top of the stove or in the oven.

My sister in law gave me these beautiful towels that she embroidered.

Our nephew and his wife gave us this wonderful candle and someone I do work for gave me the soap and lotion. These all smell so good.

The husband gave me this bracelet. I really like this silver/gold jewelry. He did his shopping on Christmas Eve. Nothing like the last minute!


bye-bye 2010!

Christmas Greetings

We want to wish everyone a merry Christmas! My mama has been in the hospital this week after having surgery on Tuesday. Aunt Sue and I and our daddy have been taking turns staying with her. She's getting better and should be going home Christmas morning...just in time for Christmas lunch.

Bourbon Street Wedding Party March

We were out on the balcony of our room on Bourbon Street when this wedding party came by. Looks like fun. Can you imagine wearing your wedding dress dragging along nasty Bourbon Street? It's like Aunt Sue said, "I bet that girl has waited all her life to do this."

New Orleans Garden District Holiday Tour of Homes

On Sunday we toured some homes in the Garden District of New Orleans. This is an event that happens every December. Here is the organization that arranges this every year.

These pictures are just in random order. No pictures were allowed inside the homes, so I only took outside. This is the second time we've been on this tour. I think we'll go again in a couple of years.

























We passed by this old cemetery during the walk.

Day 2 of New Orleans

Day 2 of New Orleans started with us going on a walking tour of Holiday Homes in the Garden District. We toured eight homes. I'll post pictures another day of that. It was fun and took 3 and half hours! Lots of walking on this day.

These pictures are not in good order...I skipped around some while loading them in this post.

This is what we did the rest of the day. After the walking tour, we drove over to the St. James Cheese company again and had lunch. I had a grilled cheese that had onion that were cooked down...that sandwich tasted like onion soup! It was the best grilled cheese I've ever had. Aunt Sue had a brie and ham sandwich.

Then we drove back to the hotel and walked around the streets for a little bit. We took these pictures around the hotel.


This is one of the courtyards at the Royal Sonesta.



Aunt Sue in the lobby of the Royal Sonesta.

Here I am... It was not dark out yet but it sure looked like it in this picture.


We took a taxi and had dinner at Emeril's restaurant. We have never been disappointed here. This is the BBQ shrimp. It was good...but not as good as my next-door neighbor makes at his restaurant. I told him when I saw him this week outside that his were better, in my opinion. He said he learned to make them when he worked at Commander's Palace in New Orleans and has tweaked them to his liking now. I cannot remember what Aunt Sue ordered before she ordered her dinner. I didn't take a picture of it.


We wanted to order the ribeye but they had sold out! So Aunt Sue ordered the scallops. They looked good.

I ordered the Cast Iron Roasted Filet of Beef
with BBQ Shortrib Shepherds Pie, Skillet Greens, Valdeon and Apple Walnut Salad. It was pretty good.

We walked over to the Canal Place Shops. Just cruised through Saks (did not buy anything.)


After we left Emeril's, we had the taxi driver drop us off at the Roosevelt Hotel to see the Christmas lights and decorations inside. Then we walked back to the French Quarter .. just across Canal Street.


I know this is hard to see. It was getting dark. After we left Canal Place shops, we were walking on Canal Street and this is up on the walls of the Sheraton hotel. (I think)...my memory is not as good now. It was so cold and the wind about knocked us down is about all I can remember. Blue Dog Art.
Inside the Roosevelt Hotel's cafe, there was a gingerbread display. Lot's of scenes in this display that relate to New Orleans.


The Roman Candy wagon...we saw this while we were there.

In the distance you can see the shadow of Jesus. This happens from spotlights that shine on a statue.
I've never gone inside this place...but it's there.