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It's a New Year

Well, I guess today is the day to get a little caught up on uploading photos from my camera to my computer.  These few photos were taken on New Year's morning. On New Year's Eve, we spent the day at a good friend's house. There was tea and cake and a fire and celtic music on Pandora and just a good ole heartwarming time. I feel so lucky to have one good friend here. Someone who knows a good piece of my story and enjoys me for just  as I am.  We left my friend's house early in the afternoon only to run into an unexpected ice storm. The usual 50 minute drive home took two hours.  Soon after we arrived home safe and sound, our sweet neighbors called to invite us over for sushi. Once again, with full hearts, we bundled up and started our walk to there home. Down the hill, up the hill, and across the creek...On our walk to their cabin, the snow started to fall.  It felt sort of magical. The frigid air. The snow. The scent of woodsmoke wafting around us. The little house in the woods. The cozy, kind folks across the road who call us over for an impromptu meal. The ease of it all.  

We visited with them for a few hours then made our way back home. Down the hill and up the hill and across the creak. On the way home, we made snow angels in the road and I wished and hoped that this memory of quiet, of cold, of starry skies, of holiday warmth, of happiness and health would stick with Bea forever.  And with Byron and I as well.

So, back to these photos.  I woke up early on New Year's Day feeling every bit excited and grateful. While my two people continued to sleep, I took in the cold, white world all alone (except for my ever loyal Molly dog).  Here we are. 2018. I am looking forward to all this year has to offer.   

Winter Trip to Colonial Williamsburg

These are photos from one of two recent trips our family took this winter season.  In the first half of December, we visited Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.  It was really fun! The entire town was so elegantly decorated for the holiday season.  Think lots of understated colonial homes with quiet candles in the windows and stately trees shining with white lights glowing through living room windows or front doors.  I just love that look. It's so Little Women-esque, you know.  The living history section of town is a collection of streets, homes, and other buildings that have been preserved or rebuilt as they were thought to have been in the 18th century. These streets allow foot traffic only and it really fires my heart up so - my sort of Disney World, I suppose. It feels almost as if one is stepping back in time.  I imagine this version is a little more sanitary. The streets are paved and there are far fewer horses clip clopping along the streets. And surely a bit more comfortable.  Though nearly all of the buildings had fires going in the fireplaces or wood stoves, I noticed a constant low hum of the sound of central heat.   Also, and more sadly,  in colonial times, over half of the population of Williamsburg was enslaved.  Still the entire experience is pretty darn fun and interesting.  Many of the buildings maintain the same function as they did in colonial times. For example, the stories of inns and prominent homes come to life as the "owners and employees" welcome you inside and presume the normal day to day functions in your company.  

Wondering up and down the streets is also really neat.  Sometimes one will meet up with famous characters such as Patrick Henry, James Madison, George Washington, or Thomas Jefferson.  We got to listen to Thomas Jefferson speak at a public gathering about the importance of universal education, liberty, and civil duties.  Pretty cool! 

Some of the craftspeople that have businesses in Colonial Williamsburg are cabinet builders, wigmakers, coopers (barrel makers), book binders, millineries, black smiths, cobblers, silversmiths, and such. 

We bought a season pass (homeschoolers get a 50% discount) with hopes of returning again at another part of the year. I'd love to experience the town again in the warm months when everything is abloom and green!