December was a month spent close to home.
As the days grew shorter, the urge to "nest" in place intensified.
As the days grew shorter, the urge to "nest" in place intensified.
We ventured no further than the immediate tri-state area;
in fact, the longest drive we took was to pick up our college student
and bring him home for winter break.
and bring him home for winter break.
Our "empty nest" was now filled with piles of laundry,
but we're overjoyed to have our boy home for five weeks.
There were Hanukkah candles.......
a few light dustings of snow.......
good times with friends.......
and a great deal of action at the bird feeder.
And finally, we said goodbye to 2017 --
a year that will not go down as one of my favorites,
although certainly, there was a lot to be thankful for, too.
Here's hoping that 2018 will be everything we all want and need it to be.
Happy New Year!
Starting the month in a fog, literally, and possibly, figuratively.
Morning light in the living room.
Outdoor plants spending the winter indoors.
Bare branches against a winter sky.
Weekly dustings throughout December.
Feeling blue on the first night of Hanukkah --
our first without Junior GS in the house.
Picking up our boy at college for winter break.
Junior GS lighting the menorah........All is right again!
A spontaneous Hanukkah bush made with gift tags found at TJ Maxx.
Enjoying the glow on the last night of Hanukkah.
Sadie having a lazy day in bed.
New napkins prompt a dinner party with friends.
A bustling bird feeder.
Robins pay a surprise winter visit.
A squirrel on the fence about which way to turn.
Caught in the act.......about to bush-nibble.
An oldie but goodie for Christmas.
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| Source Unknown |
Food shopping for college boys coming to spend the weekend.
Prepping for New Year's Eve.
Welcoming 2018!
Lovely photos as always. Nesting is always a good thing in winter. I really should take advantage and DEEP CLEAN but it usually doesn't happen :-) Love the Chinese Restaurant sign....my sister was just telling me about that because she spent Christmas with a Jewish family. It is the first I heard of it! Enjoy the time until school starts again.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all your photos. Especially the birds enjoying your feeder. It is a shame that College breaks revolve around the Christmas holiday and not for Hanukkah. Glad you son was able to come home and enjoy time with all of you. Now onto a new year. I think we all agree it was nice to close out 2017 and look forward to 2018 and new adventures and blessings.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Ah, I laughed so hard at the Chinese Food post...lol. Lovely photos, so thoughtful and edited so lovely. And your birds....ah, our feeders are too far away to get good photos, but I'm going to put the gingerbread house out on the porch and see who visits! Happy New Year....grins, Sandi
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteMay this New Year be special in every way ... bringing you the gift of love and excitement.
I will introduce Japanese New Year's customs.
In Japan, there is a New Year holiday where family and relatives get together.
On New Year, Japanese children receive gifts of money known as "Otoshidama".
Otoshidama is given to children by adult relatives such as uncles, aunts and grandparents.
The amount of Otoshidama grows as the child older, for example, 1000 yen for children under 10, and 3000 yen for children over 10.
Otoshidama is one of the exciting traditions of New Year, which children look forward to very much.
ps;For me the festival of Hanukkah has big meaning.
Because it will be long to explain, there is Mr. Sergeant Matsumura and Sorry Ganol.
Ryoma.
Great shots Amy! Your Hanukkah decorations look so lovely. Happy New Year to you and hoping 2018 holds many blessings for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteAll your photos are beautiful...love the Chinese food poster...I'm from NYC...all my friends would have Chinese food and go to a movie on Christmas...fun! Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete(Looks like a spammer got in Amy. )
ReplyDeleteYou know I adore your month in review photos, especially the birds! You manage to get such awesome shots!!
I see junior lit the menorah, and that Japanese sign is a riot ;).
xxx
What a lovely December and you told it so beautifully with your photos. I guess we nested as well, I have nearly gone stir crazy being indoors but the days are getting longer and there is a promise of spring, so I really can't complain at all!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are just beautiful, Amy...the perfect stories with a minimum of words--but I have to say, you are always entertaining with words!
ReplyDeleteI feel your love for your son come through, and happiness in having him home. His lighting the menorah is priceless.
Happy New Year to you and yours...belated, of course. Can't wait to see more of your posts this year!
Jane x
So many lovely photos and memories! I love all the nature shots.... they remind me that I really must get a replacement for our bird feeder.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Amy! Love all of your photos. Wish mine were as good. A picture tells a story better than words sometimes. Hope you have a wonderful 2018!!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely seeing your selection of photographs.
ReplyDeleteI especially liked seeing the birds enjoying your feeder.
My good wishes for 2018.
All the best Jan
Perhaps one of the nicest posts I've ever seen in all the various blogs I follow. Simple and heartfelt. Thank you,
ReplyDeleteLinda
Love your photos. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI love these! I hope you have had a wonderful time with Jr. Thanks for linking up to Keep In Touch. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI love your photo diary of December! I understand the quietness of the house as we have two college students as well, and it takes some getting used to! So thankful for sweet holiday traditions and family times that make the holidays so special. I enjoyed all of your pictures, the birds at your feeders are gorgeous! Such pretty color! We have a cousin of the blue jays that comes to our feeders, and he is more black and blue, than blue and white, they are stellar jays. So pretty too. No robins here yet! I hope this year is a better one for you, blessings and hugs :)
ReplyDeleteHello Amy and Happy New Year. I loved looking at your photos for the month of December. Doesn't seem like last month just flew by so fast? It sure went fast for me and I'm already looking forward for the winter to be over and spring. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Alpha Testo Maxxx Bend your upper body slightly forward with arms extended on the sides but keep arms slightly bent. Bring your arms and hands together toward the center of shape as when you are hugging an expert. Make sure your arms crossed each further. http://t-rexmuscleadvice.com/alpha-testo-maxxx/
ReplyDelete