Happy New Year

I hope you have a safe and happy new year.

Enjoy.

Be light.

There are some Christmas pics of the grands posted over at The Other Blog

Before Christmas ...

... might be a good time to share some photos from Thanksgiving. 

My brother held Athena very carefully

Hope and Aunt Lauren, my niece and Hope's GodMother.

Aunt Lauren will be marrying Dan next year. Hope said "he doesn't make believe he's listening to me, he really listens to me."

Cousin Gabriel follows Hope everywhere. He's just a year old so steps are still a challenge.

Now and then Hope feels the need to ignore Gabriel.

Athena and Hope with their Uncle Michael. Micheal is Gabriel's Dad.

Athena took to her swing when she'd had enough.

And On We Go ...

Some Seasonal Stuff and Santa

and last by not least - Santa!!! (said in Will Ferrell Elf like way)

Ruby Tuesday 2

Outdoor Wednesday

Designing Squirrels

I was taking photos of some holiday displays near the marina when I heard a scuffle going on.

In a corner of the main square I saw strands of lights moving and pieces of a nearby tree falling into a basement window well.

On a bed of Halloween and Thanksgiving scraps this holiday minded sweetie was decorating for the latest round of celebrations.

I'm going back right before New Years to see if he's got hats and noise makers.

I called the Garden Club who maintains the display and they told me the owner of the building knows the squirrels are there and has even made sure the heating vent is clear so they have warmth. Seems they do this every year and usually move back into the park once the foot traffic slows down and their food supply from messy kids dries up. Members of the club and people from the animal control center check up on them.

CAMERA CRITTERS

Santa Don't Play Like That

With all the nonsense about a 'war on Christmas' and how poor hardworking people in stores shouldn't say 'Happy Holidays' and on and on and yada yada yada ...

This is the kind of thing I find offensive.

Santa wants me to get a refi? 
Really?
I could have sworn he wanted me to get a pony and a Suzy Pee Pee in the Potty doll.

Just sayin'

Signs, Signs

Santa Puddle

Giant inflatable decorations are all the rage here in the burbs. I'm so glad my neighbors don't have one of them, they make an awful whirring/whooshing sound all night.

During the day there are puddles of them all over lawns throughout town.

My granddaughter Hope was appalled the first time she saw one. "Santa melted!" she cried out. Now, at the wise old age of 3, she plays a game of trying to figure out what they'll look like inflated.

Next week I'll share some fully formed Santas.

Ruby Tuesday 2

Halloween-ish

Last year there was snow
This year a hurricane

I took some shots around town last week. These decorations have all been taken in now due to the wind and flooding of Hurricane Sandy.

I have promised my granddaughter Hope that if her school is still closed on Wednesday we will dress up and scare each other.

And then have candy.

Stay Safe Everyone

Driving Miss Doggie

I took this shot while sitting in Memorial Day Weekend traffic.

This sweetie was looking forward to getting to the shore.

There is a great new TV show called Dogs in the City that deals with a dog trainer and his experiences with dogs in need and their people. I wrote up the show Here on my wordy-ish blog

Camera Critters

Potato and Eggs

Plastic eggs from last year's basket for my granddaughter Hope become a centerpiece this year.
Mr. Potato Head dons a bunny costume

MID WEEK BLUES

Bunnies!

Friends - and their paws - hanging out at our house this week

Mellow Yellow Monday

Macro Monday

New Year Window

This shop had a New Year display that included clusters of confetti.

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

Santa Is Busy

Keyport, NJ is a lovely little town near me. It has a great main street full of small shops and restaurants as well as a thriving marina and water front park.

I visit there often; there's always something going on.

SIGNS, SIGNS

Dapper Dude

One of my more fashionable neighbors. He only comes out this time of year.

MID WEEK BLUES

Hope's Horse

My granddaughter Hope got this horse for Valentine's Day from her Mom and Dad ...

And she loves it ...

RUBY TUESDAY

The Florist Shop

This shop is all ready for Valentine's Day ...

RUBY TUESDAY

MID WEEK BLUES

Santa

This is the Santa that my granddaughter Hope sees everyday. He lives right across the street. Hope waves to him and blows him kisses every single time she sees him. Sometimes she peeks through the front window blinds and just giggles while she looks at him.

We should all remember to have such a sense of wonder and joy. Reminding us of this is the gift children give us.

Merry Merry Everything To All

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

Wreath

MID WEEK BLUES

"Balls" said The Queen ...

... "if I had them I'd be King."

RUBY TUESDAY