We DID IT!!!

We made our 50th hike this week!!!

 

 Even in record breaking temps! (it was 85 degrees!)

We hiked the Florida Trails because we knew we would have more shade in the pine forest. We even had a nice breeze. (but it was still HOT)

Do you remember when we found the "Easter Egg tree" a few years ago? 

About a mile from the trail head, deep in the pine forest, there's a tree that is decorated every time we go by. Usually we go in the Spring just to see it, so what a nice surprise to see it decked out in Christmas ornaments.

 

 

This is 'me' looking up

 

taking this photo.

 

You just never know what you'll see!

 

 

 

I’m joining Tex for the

Good Fences party.

 

 

The entrance to this trail doesn't look very interesting but walk through and find out what's beyond.

 

 

 

Here's to another great year of hiking and 

spending time enjoying the beauty that surrounds us.

Winter Wednesday Wee Ones!

Try to say that 10 times real fast! haha!

 

I bought my Madame Alexander dolls last December and it's been a fun year sewing for them and posing them for every season. JoAnn was a real friend when she sent me a package filled with fabric and doll patterns. She knew I had taken a fall...literally...and needed something fun to do! So here was the challenge. She wrote, "I thought we could take turns picking a fabric and then making something from it for our dolls. Each would pick their own pattern/project/design and then when we were both done sewing them we could post them on the same day and see what the other had picked. I think it would be a lot of fun to see how differently or how similarly we would choose projects" 

 

We've made a lot of pretty doll clothes this year and formed a special friendship. Thanks JoAnn for everything!

 

I wanted to end the year with some of the cute winter fashions I've made.

 

Visit JoAnn HERE to see her dollie fashions.

 

Don't forget to take time to PLAY!!!

 

 

Happy Holidays

 

from Wednesday Wee Ones

 

Happy the Cat and Happy the Dog on the Hallmark Channel

We spent a quiet Christmas day at home and when I turned on the tv to 'flip through the channels' to see if anything good was on, I had a pleasant surprise.

Happy the Cat and Happy the Dog were entertaining us in front of a beautiful fireplace.

 

Beautiful Christmas music played in the background.

 

So I left it on to enjoy.

 

And then the next thing I knew, we were ALL playing. lol

 It doesn't take a lot to entertain us.

 

Well, some of us like dogs better than cats! 

(I won't name any names! haha)

 

Later we drove around to look at Christmas lights and saw some beautiful homes in our neighborhood.

 

This isn't the best photo but it shows how beautiful it was with the full moon shining down on us

I’m joining Beautiful Sunday and

Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday.

Did you watch Happy and Happy? 

Thank you Hallmark Channel for the FUN!

I hope your day was Merry!

"Merry Christmas"

We hope your day is filled with happiness and joy!

 

Ring the bells!

(direct link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxxnz3jRNZI)

Wishing you ALL the very best!

 Merry Christmas 

from Florida!

Christmas Memories

I know we all have memories of our childhood and the older you get, the more you look back with fondness.

I’ve enjoyed seeing old photos of my blog friends at Christmas time so I looked through my scanned photos and found this one.

 

So here I am on the left, blonde curls and all smiles, my shy sister, Delores in the center and my sweet cousin, Cindy on the other side of her. (they are only a few months apart in age…I’m older! lol)

 (I cropped it to see a little better)

 

Don't you love the old cedar Christmas tree?

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday week and take time to think of the good old days of Christmases past.

*Merry Christmas*

The Christmas Card Gallery

Holly is wearing a pretty Christmas dress with a contrasting vest to watch over the many Christmas cards we've been blessed with this year.

She has Donner, her dog and a furry bear to keep her company.
 

I used the table in our library for Christmas cards this year.

It's worked so well. We can walk by and look at them again and again.
 
A full view of some of the bookcases in the living room. 
Here's the vintage tablecloth I started with.
 

JoAnn and I have been busy making Christmas outfits for our 18 inch Madame Alexander dolls.

Visit her blog HERE to see her latest creations.
 And Kim has a new dollhouse that she's decorated for Christmas. It's adorable! Visit her HERE! 
 

 

Happy Holidays

 from Wednesday Wee Ones!

Bookcases to Decorate

Most of the time I try to keep my bookcases 'clutter free'.

 

But then when you have lots of pretty Christmas things to display,

bookcases make the perfect spot to show them off.

 

(we have 9 bookcases in our living room)

I’m joining Beautiful Sunday and

Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday.

 

Enjoy your holiday decorations this week!

Nature's Decorations

We are always looking for wildlife when we hike.

But it's nice to notice the birds and plants along the trails too.

 

And yes, I put this pinecone in the middle of the plant just to be pretty.

 

We were hiking Halpata Tastanaki Preserve again 

 

and saw so many bluebirds and warblers.

This one is a baby. You can see the little fluffy feathers on his sides.

Take time to notice the beauty in nature this week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

 Holiday Hugs!

Christmas Cards just for YOU!

I worked on some photos and came up with some pretty Christmas cards to share with all of you. You can pretend you got them in your mailbox today.

 

(this was taken at the entrance to a neighborhood near our home. I added the title and the snow! lol) 

Remember the fun we had making notecards every month for the party at A Haven for Vee?

 

 (I used the wrong setting but thought the photo came out interesting)

I hope you enjoy these and have a beautiful day!

(an old vintage Christmas card holder)

Happy Holidays!

Sandhill Cranes at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve

We were so surprised to see these beautiful Sandhill Cranes at HTP last week. What amazing details they have in their feathers! 

 

How many do YOU see? I think there is one hiding in the brush. (in the center of the photo)

Everyone come out for a photo shoot!

 

We have 48 hikes in for the year so far. 

(we did 50 last year so we need at least 2 more!)

 

I’m joining Tex for the

Good Fences party.

 

Happy Holidays from Florida!