New Year's Eve Celebrating

Well, it's nearly 2013 and let's face it, it's been one busy year for this gallivanting gal!  

Someone recently asked me if I'd have ever imagined in my teenage days, that I'd be traveling so much in my life. My response was that I would never have imagined this much excitement even two years ago!

My life has certainly been filled with many blessings and I am so very fortunate to have been able to share so many entertaining moments with my blogger followers, few as you may be. 

This last day of 2012 was yet again filled with lasting memories.

We started the morning with my parents

And we even managed to get Dad to smile for the photo!

Then, later in the day, we had fun with the grand-cuties!  They surely are growing up so quickly.

And it just wouldn't be New Year's Eve without the traditional milkshakes.  

Oh, and by the way....they were FABulous!

No matter what your New Year's Eve tradition may be, I hope that your evening was special.

So, let me finish off this year by wishing you all health and happiness in 2013.

Happy New Year!  

Holiday Travel, Day 2

As promised, here is the photo showing the view from our room in Bristol, VA.

Told you it was a gardener's delight.  In case you are wondering, you are looking at bags and bags of mulch.  How's that for excitement?

But, the fact of the matter is that we are here just to sleep, and tonight is actually rather quiet.  Perhaps a good night's sleep won't seem like an impossible dream.

In the meantime, we had a great day, celebrating the first birthday of our grandson.  We had a blast!

The little guy is just loads of fun and we're so glad that we made the effort to be part of the celebration.

Although Buster doesn't seem to be as enthusiastic.

One thing's for certain.  Buster seems to be quite happy with our hotel choice.

He seems to have made himself right at home!

Well, he may as well enjoy himself, because tomorrow will find us back on the road again, headed for more adventures!

Let's hope that they are all good ones!.

Holiday Visiting

You just never know what interesting sites you may encounter while attempting to avoid a traffic jam on I-81.  And the above photo is certainly proof of that!

We had exited the highway when it appeared that some sort of accident had occurred down the road.  Tom Tom (our GPS) was all confused, and Marty kept saying that he wanted to turn around.  I had the map opened in my lap, and it was perfectly obvious to me that we could reach our intended destination following my directions.  But, as is often the case, I found myself in competition with Tom Tom.

Tom Tom almost won the battle....until we rounded the corner and found ourselves right at the point where I had predicted.  (Imagine that!)

And, to highlight the adventure, two dinosaurs stood looming over the highway.  Now, what are the chances of that happening?

It didn't take long until we reached our destination, the Strasburg Hotel, which we have visited several times in the past on our long trek to southern Virginia.

As I've mentioned before, this place is a a quaint old hotel which brims with Southern Hospitality.  A bit eccentric, I'll admit.  In fact, I've decided that I should make up a lamp scrapbook from the place, just for kicks.   Here's the latest object d'art.

The hotel isn't for everyone, as Amy will tell you, but Marty and I can't help but be captured by the charm.

Plus, at this point, the limited staff recognizes our faces.  Buster loves the place, and you can't beat a dog fee of $10.00 for the night.

Here's a lovely view from our hotel room after check in.  

We had dodged the snow but could still enjoy the beauty and tranquility that it instilled upon the town of Strasburg.

We've arrived at our destination, and have decided to stay in a hotel this time, since there are three of us and the dog.  This place is also dog friendly, but for a much steeper price. Also, NO Smoking, which is hard to find in this area.  And even more difficult, apparently, is finding patrons who follow the rules as became quite apparent last night.

But the room is comfy and close to Becky's, although the view leaves much to be desired.

Just wait until I post that room view photo.  A Gardener's delight......maybe!

Happy Moments

It's that time of year when people are rushing here and there, all aflutter with worry, wondering if they will manage to get everything done in just a few short weeks as we head full force into the Holiday Season.

So, I'll keep this brief.  

While the world around me is rushing around in a tizzy, I am definitely not.

Because, this weekend is one of celebration.

Our "baby" is graduating from college, having completed a degree in Chemical Engineering.  And, where else would we be but with her, attending the festivities that she deserves, having worked so hard to achieve this goal?

Joined by her grandparents who are also so proud of her accomplishments:

But wait!  There's more fun to share:

Because Santa is one really entertaining guy.  And, you don't have to take my word for that, because, obviously, there is a cutie-pie little girl who finds him entertaining as well.

And let me remind you,  the weekend isn't over yet!