Relaxing Times

The few weeks before Christmas were so busy with finishing up the school year, writing finals, grading papers, getting the house "company ready", and preparing for Christmas.


My stepdaughter was here for a week before Christmas (she's 24, our daughter 22), and we had a great visit. We spent some time here at home relaxing and decorating the tree, had delicious and nourishing meals, went out for a few dinners, did some sightseeing, spent a day down at the beach (wading... not swimming!), spent an evening at the River Walk enjoying a Starbucks treat on their balcony, looking at the lights and people-watching, did some shopping, and exchanged our Christmas gifts and "opened" stockings after a traditional Christmas dinner before she left on the 23rd. As you can see, I've included several pictures from our day at the beach.


We've been relaxing ever since, including a quiet Christmas Day here at home. The day after Christmas I needed to buy a few birthday gifts for a friend, and we went to a favorite country shop in a nearby town. On our way to the coffee shop across from the courthouse, I took this picture of their gazebo in the center of the traffic circle in the heart of the town. It's really pretty at nights with all the lights!


My husband is on vacation until the 2nd, and our daughter and I don't have to go back to our teaching jobs until January 21st, so we have lots of time to relax. I plan on getting some cross stitching done, some projects finished (being made into pillows, banners or pinkeeps), and some quilting done, as well. And, of course, I'm already making lists for next Christmas :)