Ending if 2015

Decided to squeeze in a couple of things before they left town. Enjoyed the Marie Hull exhibit at the Museum of Art. It was interesting to see how her art progressed throughout her long, prolific career. She started out very detail oriented early in her art to these abstracts that were the last in the exhibit. 

Ryan had been wanting to see our friend Scott's exhibit, Lego Jackson. It was amazing. 

That is Scott in the center back in the wheelchair. He has MS but overcomes that obstacle to increase this project every year. How appropriate that Fondren Corner where Sophie and Paul first lived is right here! I hear that next year there will be a Lego figure of Paul wearing his Find it in Fondren shirt!

Next we enjoyed the bottle tree garden. 

I especially liked the glass insulator ones. 

Can you guess where we had lunch? Karen or Kathy? The elite of course. We sent the boys (Ryan and Paul) back to work and headed to check out the new paint at Mary Grace and Ryan's house. It looked great. We got so inspired that we came back the next morning and painted the fireplace. 

The old dark mantel will be replaced by an as yet undetermined chunk of wood. Wish we had that old one out of the Riverwood house. 

Got so carried away that we forgot to take befores!! Here it is at Thanksgiving. 

Dark brick and goldish walls. I'll take some better pics when all is back in place. 

Christmas

Before we get to Christmas (and that is sketchy with pics), here is a little something from thanksgiving. I spotted this on a shelf in the garage. 

It is a part of a s'more that I guess a grandkid left behind. The really disturbing thing is that it did not deteriorate in any way!!! 

In the past when kids were small, there were always Christmas sugar cookies around. This year I made my own, just how I wanted them decorated. 

I took very few pictures. We enjoyed Christmas Eve at cousin Kathy's. Christmas morning found the McNeils opening gifts at our house. The dogs loved their presents. Christmas Day at Jan and Tommy's. 

Used the new Jadeite. 

Dining room set. 

Drama ensued over the Christmas toys. They kept stealing and hiding the chew bones. Toby has the prized clear one. The second choice blue one is at 2:00

 

Here Truffles retaliated by chewing Toby's  toy. 

Ed insisted on a fire with AC running. Toby panting. 

Christmas down on the mantel. Decided to use my old bobbin / spool collection. 

Winter Solstice party

The table was fun. Gift wrap paper as a runner! Brilliant. The little snowflake lights were perfect for this annual party that our two families have enjoyed since the days of Little Bear. 

Lucy and Sophie prepare the wedges. 

Bacon went on next

The perfect red for prime rib. 

Lil potatoes, mushrooms, green bean bundles. 

Sister Schubert must be a gazillionaire. 

Aaaahhhh

Mary Grace laid claim to the rarest piece...apparently afraid someone would nab it during the blessing while our eyes were closed. 

After dinner poppers. 

Crowns all around. 

I think Paul enjoyed his a bit much. 

Next, gift opening. The Patrick's gave us all meat!!

The boys

The girls.  Perfect night. 

Christmas festivities

Book club Christmas at Seafood Revolution. Great friends, food and gifts. 

My redfish

Loved this oyster shell tree

Went to a friend from circle's house to pick up a nativity set to use at church. Saw this little guy in her yard. I told her I loved it. She said "do you want it?". She is leaving her long time home to be near her children. I loaded him up. When I got him home I realized why I liked him so much. 

He looks just like Toby!  Here they are together. My friend Marianne is quite the collector. She had many fine collections. She asked me if I collected anything and I answered ... Jadeite, which I did not expect her to have. She said "wait one moment", and returned with this. 

Jadeite mixing bowl!!! The next week she surprised me at our Christmas party with this. 

And this.

 

I was so pleased. 

Here is what I did with them. 

Took a walk with Brody  and Jan. 

Check out his cute jacket. 

What college students do on their break. 

End of Thanksgiving

We got together for lunch at Jan an Tommy's before everyone hit the road. 

Andrew was first to cross the new swing set. 

All the cousins. Brody was fascinated. 

WLB 

Ready for Punkin Chunkin

Only got a pic of Sophie. Those squash were hard to break!

One more breakfast

Ok... This is getting a little embarrassing. 

Pepper enjoys running and sliding on my tree skirt. Lovely b

This time it was a litter box skirt.