Day Three Hundred Sixty One 2011

"All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I went for a walk
On a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin'
On such a winter's day."- Mammas and Pappas, California Dreamin

Day Three Hundred Sixty 2011

All good things must come to an end. I don't know who said that or why it "must" be, but it seems to be true. Our whirlwind Christmastime came to a close this evening with the departure of daughter Kelly, son in law Kerry and grandpeep Knox, as we shared some yummy drinks at Starbucks before they hit the road back home. Neil and I came home to a very quiet house. We miss the buzz but always feel blessed for the opportunity to spend the holidays with family. Thankfully, there is plenty to keep me busy this evening (laundry and the tree is coming down), so maybe I won't miss everybody so much. Yeah, right.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Nine 2011

My family enjoyed our annual Christmas get-together this evening at my sister Ann's and her husband Terry's house. There were 21 peeps in attendance. We enjoyed a fabulous feast of turkey and ham with all the delicious trimmings. After dinner, we played a mean game of Dirty Santa which is always fun. And of course it's always a treat to get to visit with nieces and nephews we don't get to see very often. The picture here is of my 90 year old mother surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren (with three missing in action this year). Ann and Terry are always gracious hosts. They know how to deck the halls. Christmas is everywhere in their home. Thanks, Ann and Terry for hosting again! What a blessing it is to be able to be together with loved ones on Christmas Day! Merry Christmas, everyone!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Eight 2011

We had ourselves a merry little Christmas. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, too! From the Ranft, Myers, and Kimbrough Families.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Seven 2011

"Christmas is a time of little time.
How we get there is a mystery.
Racing madly mall-to-mall, we climb
Into fields of sunlit harmony.
Shopping, cooking, clearing walks and yards,
Trimming house and tree while working, too;
Making phone calls, wrapping, writing cards,
As all worn out we do what we must do
So that this day of joy might joy renew."
- Nicholas Gordon
(Hubby Neil and I braved Wal-Mart today for some last-minute shopping, as did the rest of the free world--and this picture is the view from our parking space, seemingly in a galaxy far far away from the store. I think we finally got it together. My feet hurt.)