Run, Bella, Run!

There are many jaunts to report from this past week's excursions across the South, however, I am only going to report from one tonight.

Late this afternoon the family and I went down to the beach to have some photos taken for the possible use in our Christmas cards. Since we had Bella with us, we decided to take her down with us for inclusion in the photograph. Afterward, we let her run on the beach for a short while, as it is posted "no pets" on the beach. However, we wanted to see her reaction to the sand and water, so I took some video of her enjoyment!

It was a treat, and I only wish she could have had more fun!

Making progress

While I'm bragging on my sweet, precious nephew, let me share vidoes of him crawling. Within a week he went from this...

...to this...

Now it's time for the breakables to be removed from the tables!

B&B Memories

I recently went back to "Sweet Home Alabama" to visit a friend and celebrate another friend's milestone of a birthday. The road to Decatur has been less-traveled for me lately, so I was quite excited and eager for this "jaunt." Not only would I have the pleasure of pulling off a surprise birthday party, but for the first time, I would be the first guest in Lucinda's first-time guest bedroom! This was an honor for me and an exciting time for her, as inconsequential as it may seem to others. (She has recently moved into a new home and has space for a guest bed!)

The room was exactly as I imagined it to be - vintage Lucinda! Antiquities, silk pillows - monogrammed and not, magazines, sleeping mask, towels, toiletries, blanket, bedside table with alarm clock, lava rock-like potpourri and lamp, soft bedding and a comfortable mattress! And I must also mention that this room also serves as her art room, so it was filled with finished and unfinished strokes on canvases. At times I would find myself flipping through her work, most often amazed at her talent. During the twenty years of our friendship (WOW!), she has never impressed me more than she does now with her creativity on canvas! Her most recent (to my knowledge) focus is implementing tissue paper on the canvas and creating a flowing dress on a mannequin. Gorgeous! (I'll have to get her to send a photo of this so I can share it's beauty with you.) I digress from the room, but I want to also add that I am fortunate to have two original pieces of her artwork hanging in my home!

So, back to my B&B stay... I slept very comfortably and enjoyed my breakfasts of yogurt and Uncle Sam cereal and fruit. I'll leave out the cooking and plumbing issues we incurred while I was there, as some things are just better left in secret. Lu and I decided we were just creating memories, and that we did, indeed! For what in life is sweeter than to spend time with a dear friend sharing fun times and laughter, including a few air biscuits from male figures in the car. Again, some things are better left in secret!

No spooks here!

While I am at it, here's another peek at my favorite little trick or treater! Jay is sporting (Roll Tide!) Caroline's and Reid's first Halloween costume. Isn't he precious?! (And before you ask, he's being supported in the back by his mother's hand. No, he's not standing at 8 months.)

It was my honor!

A few weeks back, Jay, my nephew was Christened. It was a very special day, not only because of the dedication of this precious soul to the Lord, but also because Johanna and Jeff honored me by asking if I would be his godmother. This recognition is a precious testament to my love for this child and for my extended family! Indeed, I was honored by this request, and I graciously accepted!

And of course, I snapped a few photographs in the process, though I had to ask Reid to do the honors while I participated in the actual baptism . Since I have included his sweet face before, you must expect that I will continue the tradition. Without too many words, I would like to share some of the event with you.