While having to work on Christmas morning, I decked myself out in Jingle Wear as the Elves are always around! One never knows who might be watching to put you on the naughty or nice list, too.
Yes, I am at work in some of the photos, and because I work with the public, wishing the customers a Merry Christmas is essential to me. I always find it interesting who comes through, especailly during the holiday seasons as travelers and locals alike mix together and create quite a fun variety. In truth, too, I don’t mind if someone wishes me a Happy Hannukah in exchange, to each may celebrate as they enjoy while me and my loved ones celebrate Christmas.
Later on today, I am super stoked and excited the birth of our Saviour with my sister, brother-in-law, my Sweetness, my Papa, and my Godson, always exciting and, of course, all the pets will be included in the festivities as well, playing their reindeer games!
Creating the family’s recipe of homemade, chunky cranberry sauce is a favorite activity of mine; my mother was also willing to offer up her kitchen while I was on vacation in Colorado to make it happen. Of course, we had to add a healthy dose of orange Triple Sec to each jar we made, otherwise, it wouldn’t have that extra zing we all love! While I think the recipe is pretty common, it’s the special one we use at home becuase it turns out the best.
Naturally, Mom took the lead and I assisted, being the elf to Mrs. Claus, of course.
The homemade cranberry sauce is great on any poultry, with prime rib, and of, course, with leg of lamb.
Meeting new people can be tricky, especially in this technology based world but when a neighbor introduces themselves and ask where they can easily get internet service, a connection is made! My new neighbor is from Alexandria, Egypt and she invited me over for a wonderful, homemade Egyptian meal, which was a new, spiced delight for me!
While I can’t even begin to spell the names of the dishes, they were fabulous!
Our road trip back to Colorado included going through the beautiful, quiet state of Nebraska.
The rolling praries and grasslands, scattered amongst the grain fields and ranches, was quite stunning and we stumbled upon Chimney Rock, quite a stunning view as it just “pops” out of seemingling no where!
We stopped in Scottsbluff for a meal, Subway, and enjoyed the scenery of the quaint town (and found more postcards, which was a pleasant surprise in the small town).
In full truth, Chimney Rock is very pretty but the praries are something unique to behold, a hidden treasure of America’s bread basket country (which I have heard many people call a “fly over” area, which I believe is a true mistake, as it’s breath taking). If given the chance, drive and stay in Nebraska, it has lots of charm and the people are very warm and welcoming.
A new friend showed me a walking trail along the lake in Clemson, South Carolina, tucked away and out of sight unless you know where it is! The friends, being local, showed me the way and the easy access entry point, tucked away on a side street, one wouldn’t know it was there unless shown!
Johnothon and SheridanSwimming in the lakeEverybody goes swimming!Hanging out with Friends at Lake Hartwell on the walking trail, Clemson, South Carolina
There it is, I am an admitted Jurassic Park Franchise Junkie, and it adds happy to my heart. As an early birthday gift, my Sweetness treated us out on a date night to see the newest addition the series, Jurassic World Dominion.
Yes, I am even wearing a dinosaur dress with velicoraptor earrings on our date night. I just can’t help myself!!!
Living near a watershed and Lake Hartwell and Seneca River provides ample opprotunity for critters and the like to wonder into my neighborhood, which is an absolute delight. The flora and fauna is also quite stunning!
Some of these items were seen as I enjoyed a walk around the neighborhood and some things ended up on my porch, willingly to hang out with me! Life is always interesting.
My youngest brother came for a 2 week visit and, of course, a walk with coffee breaks had to be included! It’s always a joyous time to spend with loved ones with a bean buzz and fresh air. The sites and venues are always an added perk as well.
While here in the Upstate, I wanted to share some of the local awesome adventures with him…and he smiled the whole time. His smile lightens up the whole world and he is a fun, handsome guy (but I might be just a bit biased, being his sister and all!)
The photos are captioned of the places we attended. The conversations were endless!
Jitters Brewing and Bean, Central, S.C. Jonathon enjoyed a Cortado and pastry. I drank a lavender latte, delicious!Mexican Dominoes game with Papa, Belton, S.C. I lost horribly. Papa won big time. Downtown Anderson, S.C. The famous statue in front of the courthouseJonathon is being funny with Mr. WhitnerMy brother and I enjoyed a walk to Issaqueena FallsThe Infamous Falls My brother is being silly My brother is taking in the fresh air and singing to the falls The back end of StumpHouse TunnelA horse sculpture made out of old bicycles, The light at the end of Stumphouse TunnelThe entrance to Stumphouse tunnel
Who knew that going to the beach in January could be so much fun!
As per their annual tradition, my parents made their winter road-trip across the country, stopping in South Carolina after the New Year to visit their daughters (my sister and I live relatively close together, within an easy commute of each other), Papa (my mother’s father) and of course, my brother-in-law and to meet my Sweetness (he lives close, too!)
So what do we do? We spontaneously decide to hit the coast while playing games over a family dinner Thursday night and we left promptly Saturday Morning!
Along the drive to Beaufort, the place we decided to stay for the night, the Spanish Moss indicated how close we were approaching the ocean, with every mile, it became thicker, creating a mystical “fog”, draping from the trees, power lines, and every place it could position itself, with all of its silver-miller and mossy green and grey hues.
We easily checked into our hotel and enjoyed the recommendation of the hotel concierge by dining at a local restaurant called “Dockside”–and it was lovely atmosphere and good food, especially the raw oysters! Nothing like a good local meal to finish off the drive there.
Sunday Morning, after we had breakfast at the hotel and checked out, we drove over the bridges, across Lady’s Island, through Port Royal and headed to Hunting Beach, on the Atlantic Coast, and enjoyed a heavy day of finding seashells and enjoying the surf and feeding the birds, generally enjoying each other’s company, with laughter as I donned my swimming suit and my mother wrapped up as she felt chilled…but all laughter and fun as we fed the birds and just enjoyed the day.
A late lunch at Port Royal, much later in the day, at the Fish Camp was a great way to wrap things up. While waiting outside for a brief moment, enjoying looking at the ships with all their riggings, I spotted a dolphin breach and play in the firth. What a lucky and fortunate spotting!!! Alas, I wasn’t fast enough with my camera to capture the beautiful dolphin, but it did smile at me when it came up!
My parents, Papa, and Sweetness enjoying the sand and surf
