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Christmas in Texas

We're back in Austin after Christmas at Rob's parents in Kingwood. It was a good visit overall (if we ignore the continued offer of cheese to Rob, who hates cheese, and me, who doesn't eat a lot of it).

We got to Kingwood, about 30 miles north of downtown Houston (but still part of the City) late on Christmas Eve. We exchanged gifts Christmas morning and then starting preparing the evening meal -- turkey, potatoes, green beans, etc. Yummy.

On Saturday, Rob and I and Rob's brother Mike went into downtown Houston to visit the Menil Collection, including the main museum, the Rothko Chapel and the Byzantine Fresco Chapel. Beautiful! Mike then took us on a little tour of downtown and then over to the University of Houston where he does contract work for the Creative Writing program. Back to Kingwood for dinner and conversation and lazing about before finally going to bed.

We left for home pretty early on Sunday and stopped at Bastrop State Park for a short hike with the dog in the piney woods. On the ride home, we talked about Gramma and getting the phone call that she had died one year ago. I miss her but am so glad she's free.

Home to watch football, read, nap, and generally be lazy. More of that today since we're both still on vacation.

Remembering my mother

It's been a year today since Mom died - she went peacefully, at The Caring Place here in Franklin. The funeral was on New Year's Eve day - a cold blustery winter day. She lived a long life - 90 years and 7 months. I spent a quiet day today - I put up the poster of her life that we used at the funeral home and remembered many events that she enjoyed during her long life. My father died in March 1985 - Mom spent a lot of years without him, and during her last months mentioned wanting to be with him. I'm sure she got her wish.
Loving daughter, Sylvia

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you family members who are reading this and those who don't have the time!! Shame on you.
May blessings abound in your life today and always.
Julie and Todd

Christmas guests arriving

Jenn & Rob came last evening about 10:30 after a flight into Pittsburgh International Airport.
Today we were up early and Jenn dropped me off a mile down the road at West Park Rehab for another 8:00 therapy session. Darren usually provides transportation. At 10 Jenn, Rob and Julie came to pick me up and we went to downtown Franklin to French Creek Cafe for late breakfast. Delicious as always!
Julie came up from Harrisville to visit with these Texans...
They are off shopping and I started making a strawberry pretzel salad for tomorrow.
Still some snow on the ground, but not enough yet for skiing. Jan, Tom & kids should arrive tonight from Broadlands, Virginia. They plan on staying at a motel.

Taking to the air

One more day before we fly out. We've rented a car so we're all set. Well, aside from staring blindly at our clothes trying to determine which ones will keep us warm enough in the cold, cold Pennsylvania weather.

Luckily, we've had a slow introduction into cold weather in Austin. Lows in the 30s, highs in the 40s for the last couple of days. In fact, December weather has been decidedly below normal the entire month, with clouds. With clouds!

I'm looking forward to the visit and getting away from all the responsibilities in Austin, if only for a few days.

Any chance of some winter activities? Where would one rent cross-country skis? Where would one go cross-country skiing in Franklin?

Off to look for more coffee and warmer winter gloves.

Oh, so close....

I can't wait to have coffee with one of my sisters on Friday morning! I will see you then, dear Jenn!

Thursday night, I have been asked to photograph a dinner party at the Foxburg Allegheny Grille - they have invited many underprivledged families with children and will provide a grand meal and presents for the kids - Santa will be there!! They have received many donations for this wonderful event, I am glad I am not the shopper or the wrapper. It will be a fun night.

Pone Lane Posting - December 9th's Weather

Pone Lane Posting
Yesterday's weather here in Western Pennsylvania was weird and wacky! Rained overnight, windy, hail, cold, then sunny. About noon we had thunder and lightning, pea sized hail, high winds, trees and limbs down. Some areas had electric outages. Gusts up to 68 mph in some areas. The Weather Channel introduced a new word for me - Graupel - supercooled droplets of water condensed on snowflakes. Not quite the same as hail. Who knew?
This morning we have snow on the ground - enough to shovel on the front sidewalk.