Cigars All Around

Here is the newest addition to my extended family. Don't you think he's handsome? My daughter and her husband adopted him from Golden Retriever Rescue where he lived in a foster home, was fully vetted, and evaluated for the best match they could find in a home. He was picked up by animal control as a stray, if you can believe that; and no one ever came looking for him. Tyler, my grandson, named him Charlie. He is the sweetest, most patient dog I think I've ever met. He LOVES the boys and lives to fetch and carry woobies around and more importantly, (one of the most important things to me anyway) he likes to sleep on the bed with you. All in all, I think we're all very lucky to have him in our lives. There's nothing like a dog to find the soft, mushy spot in your heart no matter how old you are.

Thanksgiving in the Mountains

Although I fussed a bit about tagging along with my daughter for Thanksgiving (I didn't want to be a buttinski), she and her husband were really gracious about putting up with me both when I whined about going and then when I couldn't be quiet because the scenery was so beautiful. I bowed out of Joe's brother's mountain house (it's by no means a cabin, with granite countertops, three master suites, just to name a few things) early to spend some quiet time at the house we rented for the weekend. I came home and took a peek outside and gasped at how gorgeous the night sky looked. I wish I had a picture to post here so you could all see how absolutely breathtaking it was. I swear I'd never seen so many stars. I made myself some coffee, wrapped up in a blanket, and sat on the deck mezmerized by the brilliant stars cloaked in midnight blue. This was the view from the back deck of Jamie's "cabin."




And here is a front view of the "cabin."


On a lighter note, driving up the mountain roads to reach our weekend house was a real "white knuckler" at times when the narrow winding road was bordered by a mountain wall on one side and a sheer drop on the other. I only have one word for this: GUARDRAILS!! GUARDRAILS, people!! What is up with that? I'm amazed that we didn't hear reports of anyone having driven off the side of the mountain while maneuvering back to their house in the dark.

Wine Weekend 2006

These pictures were taken by Kathryne when we went to Charlottesville, VA, for Wine Weekend 2006. Kathryne is a great host and took us on a hike to a reservoir where the two top photos were taken. The air was crisp and cool and perfect for a fall hike. I also got to try some yummy wine and bring some home with me to enjoy later. The leaves were just after the peak, but they looked perfect to me.


I drank in every view along with the fruit of the vine. The last photo was taken at the King Family Winery, where I bought some bottles of lucious dessert wine. It couldn't have been a more perfect weekend.