Sunday, December 31, 2006

Snow in December 2006

It's long after Christmas.... but it is finally snowing.... These next 3 photos are of the field just off our back yard.... I stepped out the back door by a couple of steps to get these shots.... I was afraid if I got too far out, I'd get the lense of the camera wet....


This is at the entrance to the park where we live.... So pretty how the snow is sticking to the branches of the pine trees....
This barn sets way back in the field, just across the road....
Every time I see these 4 trees, I promise myself that one of these days I'm going to take the time to get a good picture of them.... They just seem so majestic to me..... And today was the day..... I'd like to come back again another day and get a picture when the branches are fully laden with snow... It's really a beautiful sight to see......
If you stand in just the right place at the entrance of the park, you can get some good pictures of the pine trees without also getting shots of the close by trailers..... Tricky but can be done as you can see here...
Getting caught up in the mood, I decided to venture further out and jumped in the car and took the short jaunt down the road to Talcott Falls..... As always, a great photo opportunity awaited me.... The falls were gushing into the waiting river, offering up the chance to get several good photos... Here are just a couple I got....



Just across the road, you can see the river continuing to flow off into the distant trees ahead.......
Couldn't resist catching a shot of this bluff just off to the side of the falls.... It seems to make a statement all it's own ........

Hope you enjoyed the pictures..... If we can get some more snow fall, and it sticks for any length of time, I hope to venture out even further to see what photo opportunities I can find.... Might be a fun day for Bruce and I.... Just jump in the car and see where the day leads us.....

Winter Sun

I thought the sun shining through the darken clouds like this was very pretty as well as interesting, so couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of it... You can see the whole shape of the sun as the clouds prevent the rays from fully shining through....


Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Christmas visit from Jay & Amy

On December 23rd, mid afternoon, we got a visit from Bruce's son, Jay and his fiancee, Amy.... They would stay with us until the following morning so would also be going to our Christmas Concert with us that same evening.... And knowing that they would also be heading out early the next morning to visit with other family memebers, we decided to exchange gifts that evening before we left for the concert.... Here's Jay & Amy reading the Christmas card from us.... Opening their gifts.....
Bruce and I reading our card from Jay & Amy before opening our presents from them.....

They gave me this beautiful cobalt blue vase, which I just love.... They weren't sure what to give me, but Jay told Amy if they got me something blue, it would work for me.... You did great guys!! Perfect gift!!!
And of course golf balls for Dad....
But not just any golf balls..... These were Army golf balls.... Note the Army emblem!! Jay said he looked for some with the Air Force emblem but couldn't find them....
Trying to catch a good father son photo here, but this was the best they could give me....
We had a very enjoyable visit ..... Thanks for fitting us into your busy schedule ....
We look forward to your next visit as always!!! By the way for those of you who don't know, Jay and Amy plan to marry sometime in early September 07.... Looking forward to that day as well...

Christmas Concert 12/23/06

On December 23rd, after several weeks of rehearsal.... Our concert night finally arrived.... Our Director, (and good friend) Connie S., did a fantastic job putting our whole concert together.... I'm sure she had moments of despair, (dealing with a bunch of non-professionals) wondering if it would all come together... but always trusting in the Holy Spirit to smooth over all the rough edges.... Before the concert began, we presented Connie with a bouquet of beautiful red carnations... Doesn't she look just lovely!!! Here's Sally helping set up the coffe and cookies table..... Lots of GREAT cookies, fudges, cheese & crackers and other fine goodies to serve our guest at the end of the performance....
Somebody worked very hard putting together this batch of cookies.... No... it wasn't me... I did bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies to add though....
Bruce wasn't too sure if he could sing, as he's been fighting a cough that just didn't want to go away.... but he finally decided to give it a try and did a GREAT JOB too, I might add!!

Memory and Debbie posing together before the concert.... Memory will be singing a solo and Debbie will be giving her personal testimony.....

(Mom) Becky and baby son, Wesley ..... Becky also had a solo to sing and Wesley played the role of my baby "Jesus" in my photostory that was also presented at the concert.....

Love this picture of Becky helping her Dad (Joe) put on his flower.... Connie provided a corsage for each one of us.... Very thoughtful of her!!!

Nicole and Kathy getting things set up for my photo story (Kathy is little Wesley's Grammother, Becky's Mom)..... I'm sure glad someone knows something about the technical end of things, because I didn't have a clue how to set it up.... I put together the photo story.... it ends there as far as my talents go.....

Our Concert started right at 7 p.m..... We entered the room, singing "Little Drummer Boy", and in spite of our concerns.... Everything went beautifully.... I had my step son, Jay and his fiancee, Amy help me out taking pictures once the show started... They did a very good job, as you can see in the following pictures....

Memory singing her solo.... She did a beautiful job singing "Night Devine"... What a fantastic voice she has....

And Cheryle is one amazing woman.... She memorizes bible verses and recited some of them for the concert between songs.....

Hanna K., givng her personal testimony....

Here's Bruce and I doing our thing ....... We actually look like we might know what we're doing don't we....lol

This was a fun number, with Pastor Mike, Jason, and Joe singing "Go Tell It On The Mountain"... They did a splendid job bringing the song to life as well as adding a little humour to the concert.... The choir sang back up....
Debbie, me, and Sally humming along to one of the tunes.......
Debbie giving her testimony.....

Uncle Paul giving his testimony......

Becky singing her solo.... As always.... beautifully done..... What a voice!!!

No... I'm not singing a solo.... unless singing so - low no one can hear me counts.... lol

Nancy singing her solo.... She has one incredible voice on her and she's so humble in her singing and her performance.... what a joy listening to her sing..... After she finished her song, we did my photo story "Heaven's Child".... (it went very well too)

My turn to give my personal testimony..... Not being one to feel comfortable with public speaking, I was grateful my testimony was written down and I could read it rather then try to remember what I wanted to say.... Thankfully I got through it without any problems and I could finally relax..... Photo story and testimony finally behind me....
And then there's Erin.... always such a pleasant experience listening to her sing... Bruce told her that if she made a cd, he'd be sure to buy one....

Here's Don F. giving his testimony......
After Don finished, we sang another song and Connie asked the audience to join in with us.... Then Pastor Mike came forward and invited everyone to join us afterwards for dessert and coffee at the back of the room.....

Absolutely splendidl job Connie.... as always!!!

Here I am with a couple of my friends from work.... Brenda & Sue.... Thanks for coming girls!!!

Another one of my friends, Bonnie S, also came. And Jim & Pam (security guards from work) came as well.... Thanks to all of you for coming and showing your support.... I really appreciate that you came!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!