Brrrrr! Picnic anyone?

My heart is full and thankful for a wonderful wonderful time with my precious son and his wonderful family.  I arrived safely in Iowa from Georgia on December 20th to bitter cold weather but beautiful scenery.  Everything was covered with a blanket of white crystals even his patio and lawn chairs.  It was truly awesome to behold.  A white Christmas just for me! 

(In Georgia we don't "normally" get much snow)

First thing I did was go to see my sister in Ames, IA and we had a wonderful reunion of hugs and gift exchanges.  The next day we went to a lovely gift and tea store (sorry I did not take a single pic) We had a wonderful lunch there of quiche and chicken salads and talked and talked. 

It is awesome to have my sister as my friend too.

Next I headed south to DesMoines to my son's sweet home.  I was welcomed with open arms and a loaded schedule.  We went to all of my favorite resturants, shopped at my favorite places, beaded with my sweet Tammy and snuggled into their warm/loving home.  Christmas eve was just like a story book Christmas.  It snowed another six inches over night so we woke to a blanket of beautiful

white covering over everything. 

(I parked my car all of the time I was there because I did not have snow tires so you see what my car looked like on Christmas morn.)

Here is my son out shoveling the drive on Christmas day! 

I was then thrilled to have lunch with my cousin LaRae and her daughter Debra after tooooo many years apart.  It was just like we had never been separated by miles.  We picked up right where we left off some 17 years ago. 

On Saturday Shawn, Tammy, Ethyn and I were privledged to celebrate Christmas at Tammy's Mom's house.  We entered a table heavy ladened with every wonderful candy and deserts one could imagine.  Then she had another table around ten feet long with turkey and all the fixins'.  They even had a stocking for me filled with chocolate covered cherries and Andies mints.  They gave me two wonderful beading books and lots of other goodies.  I felt so warm and so honored to be in their home to celebrate with them. 

I said all of this to say that I am so very content to be safely home but my visit was absolutely wonderful.  Tammy and I talked beading, shopped beads and even had time to bead a few things together.  Tammy started another blog and I am hoping she will post the items she made while I was there.  Please check to see her creations at GetBusyWithCrafts.blogspot.com

(I will show you what I got finished in my next post.)

Thank you, sweet Tammy for welcoming me into your precious family and for making me feel so special while I was there with you.  I love you, dear girl, and treasure our friendship, your son, and your hubby.  I am truly truly blessed to have you in my family!

On January 2nd I decided it was way toooo cold  to stay any longer so I headed south. (it got down to -9 degrees below 0)  Guess what!  The cold weather followed me all the way to Georgia and we are to get 3 inches of SNOW on Thursday!!!  So I have to apologize to each one in Georgia.  I didn't mean to do it, it just happened....lol

I have been away for so long but my thoughts were never far away from all of my blogging buddies!  I have missed you all so much and I am anxious to get around to catching up with each one of you.

Drop me a note if you have the time and be sure to have a wonderful year!

Sharon
P.S. Lynn dropped me off a warm hat and lovely long scarf she made for me that kept me nice and warm while I was freezing up North!  Thank you, sweet girl, for thinking of me and for all of the warm thoughts that came along with your love gift. 
You are such a blessing to me!