Another day of Christmas

Our family gift exchange was great, thanks to Sara (who got me!) I got a new VB bag for my dpns, a Diana Krall CD, and a new Barefoot Contessa cookbook. I look forward to swapping cooking experiences with her, the recipes look yummy! We had some wonderful snacks (almost all new concoctions), and great wine, and of course a great time. Mary did a great job with her photos, so I'm glad to tag onto her posting, takes a bit of work out of the recap. I've done my first mosaic, thanks again Mary!

This gathering has become a highlight of the Christmas season, especially when we don't deviate from the list! I hope even as the grandkids grow up, we will be able to stick with this tradition, and who knows, maybe include their kids as well-but NO time soon.

Look forward to some musings and ponderings for the new year tomorrow, hope to make 2008 fun filled, thought provoking, and totally memorable. One thing I have learned from blogging is that not everything has to be elaborate and over the top to fuse into a memory. Some of the most simple things such as a photo of a favorite flower, or a bird in a tree can bring back very fond memories, and keeping only positive things in the posts (a bit of a challenge at times!) Especially if you can share the memories with family or friends (like with a blog!)

TTFN

Gratitudes:

Learning new skills this year (knitting & some computer software)

Seeing things through "new" eyes (blogging)

A Day at the High

Mom and I went to the High Museum http://www.high.org to see the Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise, 3 of the panels are at the museum, and they are fantastic. We also took in the deocrative arts at the Kings as Collectors exhibit, part of the items from the Louvre. It had been a while since Mom had been to the museum, so we took a look at the newly re-arranged permanent collection. Once you've studied the 18-19th century American painters you can appreciate the works in the permanent collect, such artists as Henri, William Merritt Chase and countless others. Investigate the early movements by the "Ashcan Group", and those that studied at the Hudson River Academy. We saw Renoir, Gilbert Stuart, Monet, and others.

Jean outside the High

My first try at the long- arm shot- not too bad