Old City Cemetery ~ December

It's become a running joke in our family.....when we're in Lynchburg, after breakfast, when we debate what to do that day, I'll say, "Who wants to come with me to the cemetery?", and noone ever says yes.  So you can imagine my delight earlier this week when Alain actually suggested we go for a visit.  He hadn't been before.  I was so pleased when he expressed what a cool place it is and how much he liked being there.  I was happy to get to visit during winter.  While Alain looked at all the cool old tombstones, I looked for bird's nests in the trees and photographed the wreath project (part of Wreaths Across America).  Here are some of my favorite photos....

I followed this woodpecker around for quite a while and this was the closest shot I could get.  You can't tell here but his/her head was really red.  So gorgeous!

  

I, of course, was so pleased when I found that Harry Winston had followed me to Lynchburg. Isn't he the BEST? 

As I was visiting the Old City Cemetery website, I came across this schedule of peak times for blooms and wildlife.  A lot to look forward to....even if I have to visit all by myself!  More than that, I look forward to taking the girls there when the weather is warmer.....

Seasons in the CemeteryPeak of Bloom for Antique Roses: Last two weeks of May Peak of Bloom for Lotus Pond: July and August Peak of Fall Foliage: Last two weeks of October

Birds & ButterfliesPeak of Bird Population: First week of June Peak of Butterfly Population: August

Happy Christmas!

 

To all of my friends and family who celebrate, I wish you a very 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

May it be filled with good tidings and cheer.

XOXO,

Audrey

Gingerbread Lane

Sophie and I have a wonderful tradition.  Each December we meet up with one of my friends and her daughter and we visit a local gingerbread house competition.  It's a small one but we love all the details on these houses. After browsing and taking some time to vote for our own favorite, we visit the resort's restaurant for some hot cocoa and treats.  Here are some of my favorite shots......

How adorable are these Wizard of Oz characters?  Adorable enough to win Sophie's vote!

Last year's visit here.

You Are What You Read!

So, basically, I'm a hodgepodge of deliciously good books!!!  

 

It took me a while but I finally got around to reading Unbroken.  I finished the book about three weeks ago and I find myself constantly thinking back to this story and the life of Louis Zamperini.  The real sign of a good book is wanting to learn more so I just checked out this book as a follow-up!  

On a recent trip to visit my parents, I realized I didn't bring anything to read with me.  In my world that constitutes an emergency.  Since I had to go to Target for a diaper run, I decided to browse their book aisle.  It's so unusual for me to actually buy books.  It's also pretty unusual for me to read fiction.  I took my time choosing and hit the jackpot.   This book was FABULOUS!  It's set in the late 80's/early 90's when AIDS was new and everyone was terrified.  We knew so little back then.  I've always been a little fascinated with that time period (and I lived through it!).  I passed this book on to a friend who is reading it now and I can't wait to hear someone else's review!  I think this would make a great Book Club choice.

On that same trip to Target, I also picked up this book.  I hadn't read Kate Morton before but the ending of this book blew me away.  I've since read The House at Riverton and I'm now making my way through The Forgotten Garden.  Guess I'm on a Fiction roll!

And I've saved the best for last....

Wow.  I can't say enough about this book.  I don't know about you but I grew up not learning much about The Dust Bowl.  I don't know who recommended this book to me (which is too bad) but it really opened my eyes.  The book was published in 2006 so maybe some of you have read it?  I had a newborn in 2006 so I can understand how I missed it back then. I found it fascinating what people went through, how we humans created such destruction (and so quickly!), that people chose to stay, how people survived such a horrible time.  You should see my Google Search History after reading this book.....my quest to know more is limitless.  I must live under a rock because I also didn't know that Ken Burns had a documentary out last year called The Dust Bowl (and it's available on Netflix!!!). I can't imagine a better way to follow up this book.  Ken even interviews some of the descendants of the "characters" from the book.  I was SO excited.  I'll be looking for more ways to learn about The Dust Bowl FOR SURE and I'll also be reading more Timothy Egan (my new crush!).  If you only choose to read one book this year, read this one.  Truly, truly fascinating!  

SO you can see why I haven't been blogging.  Too many good books, not enough time!

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Other than that, there's been a whole lot of this....

Clara is OBSESSED (!!!) with Play Doh but it's turned out to be a great thing because both girls play together for 20-30 minutes at a time!

Love, love, love how Sophie figured out that she could make sand dollars using a circle Play-Doh cutout and the indentation from their little play table! See green example above.

A fruit snack and busy hands!

And homework, lots of it, every single night!

Hope you're all well!!!  Tell me, what are you reading?

My Favorite Visitor

Look who's been popping round for a visit every day for the past week or two.

 

She is magnificent!  I'm pretty sure she's a red-tailed hawk.

Our yard has (black) snakes, mice, squirrels, rabbits, birds and who knows what else.  I can understand why she comes here.

Do you see her talons?  And her chest feathers?  So gorgeous!

Sometimes I wonder if she just enjoys posing for my pictures!

 

See what I mean!!!

She visits often but, on this occasion, I decided her plumage was too beautiful to keep to myself.  

I'll keep trying to get better pictures.  I'm a bird nerd and I can't get enough....

PS ~ In light of my recent post, I wanted to share this article. Interesting.  I was pleased to know that most people agree that cats shouldn't be left roaming freely about the neighborhood.  Thanks for your emails and comments!