My Runner-Biker-Hiker Husband

Bud in his all weather protective hat he got for Christmas. Searching back through my shots from last week, I chose this one because he just looks so funky and cute in it. Since you cannot see just from looking at the black and white, I will tell you he has big, beautiful blue eyes, and he is the kindest and most laid back guy in the world...never says an unkind word about anyone. He runs 8 miles a day, bikes another 10 or so, and on every free day he hikes. He has hiked both the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail through Vermont to Canada, and now he is readying himself for the International Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. Me, I teach school, sew-quilt-knit, and take copious number of pictures . I do love hiking with him, but that is as far as it goes. None of that long term endurance stuff for this gal! Happy Hew Year to all.

This post is linked with Show off Your Shot.

52 Photos Project ~ Week #37

No more do I think about what our old farmhouse looks like after living on the property for 33 years, but today I actually stopped at the head of the driveway to study my surroundings as if I was seeing then for the first time. When I looked at the picture on the screen tonight, I was really pleasantly surprised. For being 110 years old, it looks pretty good, and my "half evergreen" does not look so badly after all. The power company cut out all the branches on the side where the lines run to the house. So, welcome to our 

Home Sweet Home.

This post is linked with Bella Cirovic”s

“52 Photos Project.”

Taking’ a Hike by the Ice

Here are a couple more shots of our January 2, 2012, frigid hike up Wigwam Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was a “questionable" way to start the new year...hiking in 24 degree weather, way up high, and the wind blowing wildly. The water was flowing, but there was not nearly as much as there could of been if we had had more rain.

This post is linked with Watery Wednesday

and Black and White Wednesday.

First Hike of 2012 ~ Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia

   Every year, either on the first or the second day of the new year, we try to go for a hike and look for letterboxes. Yesterday we did not make it, but today we did. It was terribly cold...24 degrees but with a wind chill that made it feel lots colder. The good news is we did fine one new letterbox.

We were on the Blue Ridge Parkway (3,140 feet above sea level) at Wigwam Falls. There you will see a sign,“Yankee Horse,” marking the location where a hard-riding Union man’s horse fell and had to be shot. When you go there, you can see a reconstructed spur of an old logging railroad. I had on long johns, turtle neck wool sweater, wool jacket with hoodie, fleece vest, a down jacket, face mask, hat, gloves, and a woolen scarf, and I still thought I was on Mt. Everest waiting to die. 

I wasn’t fooling about all the layers. Buddy was kind enough to take this ridiculous picture of me as proof of the “inclement” weather. It snowed on us all the way home, and there have been wrecks up and down the interstates tonight. Maybe our first day back to school will be delayed in the morning...only in my dreams!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM VIRGINIA

This post is linked with Our World Tuesday.

The Shield’s Barn on Kerrs Creek

This is the Shield’s Barn which is located about 4 miles from our place. My 46 year old son was great friends with their son. All the guys out here on the creek hung out together through their teenage years and had a great, low key style of life together. It was a wonderful time. This is still a working family barn and in pretty good condition.

This post is linked with Barn Charm, The Creative Exchange,
 and Texture Tuesday.

Bridges of Baltimore

I was not driving...rather, my daughter-in-law was behind the wheel.

This post is linked with Sunday Bridges sponsored by Louis LaVache.

Grandchildren Being Grandchildren ~ Christmas 2011

For what more could a grandmother ask at Christmas than to be with four grandchildren? Well, the answer to that question would be all six of them. Unfortunately I had to settle for four this year, but every minute of it was Heaven on Earth. I wore one continuous smile. Here they are just being themselves ranging from 6 years of age 

all the way to 20. 

 The "Tickle Torture” ~ The Six Year Old Can Hold Her Own!

 Brothers Wrestling on the Sofa

Third Brother  Watching the Others Roughhousing

 Santa Requires Clean Teeth before Bed

 Gotta read “The Night Before Christmas” before turning out the lights.

Taking a Short Rest from all the Fun and Games

Finally, TIme for a Family Game of Apples to Apples

Yes, the simple things of life are 
by far the very best.

This post is linked with The Simple Things.

Friends Just Hangin’ out on New Year’s Day 2012

This post is linked with: 

Macro Monochrome, Macro Monday, I Heart Macro.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012