Winter Beauty

Winter is not my favorite season. As a matter of fact I would love to live in a climate where flowers bloom continuously and a light jacket would be comfortable at night in the "cool" season. That said, there is stark beauty during that cold, uncomfortable time of the year.

Here are some of my favorite winter photographs from the past.

Here is a scene from the front steps in our former neighborhood. We no longer live on this street.

(2006) The lane where my paternal grandparents lived. The house stood immediately to the right. My mother sold the property several years ago.

 

One of the barns that stood on my grandparents' farm. It has since been demolished by the current owner. This brings back sweet memories! I am thankful to have the photograph.

 

This stock pond was across the lane from my grandparents' house. My grandmother and I spent time fishing in this little pond. Many evenings we had fried bream for supper.

 

This wonderful tree stands on property that belonged to my great grandparents.

During the summer it is hardly noticeable but once all the leaves fall it really stands out in the landscape.

 

Another shot of the same magnificent tree.

 

 

Another stock pond in winter.

 

I took this photo from a train going from Denver to Salt Lake City.

 

From the train - Denver to Salt Lake City.

 

The Arch in St. Louis. It was sooooooo cold the day this picture was made!

 

 

 

♥andPeace,Myra

 

 



Christmas at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion

Last week I attended a holiday reception at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion.

Fun, fellowship and tasty nibbles!

 

My escorts for the evening - two of my favorite men.

 

 

Merry Christmas from the Lukers

 

 

The annual Governor's Mansion gingerbread house.

 

 

The Formal Dining Room

 

 

Entry and Staircase

 

 

Season's Greetings from the Great State of Arkansas!

 

♥andPeace,Myra

 

 

Christmas Past

Frankly I am suffering from a bit of Christmas blog overload. I know there are other things going on in the lives of my favorite bloggers besides Christmas decorating. That said I was prompted to peruse my computer albums for Christmas travel photographs. Here are a few I enjoyed seeing again and I hope you enjoy them too. They were taken while visiting Wilmington, DE in 2005.

The two photographs above were taken at Longwood Gardens Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

 Longwood was the private estate of Pierre S. Du Pont.
 

I visited the Brandywine River Museum.

 The museum is in Chadd's Ford, PA in an old gristmill building.
The museum houses a wonderful collection of art by the Wyeth family artists.
 

I took a day trip from Wilmington to a historic old town in Pennsylvania for the Christmas city tour. I cannot remember the name of the town but it was like stepping back in time. I loved this sweet little out-building adorned with simple natural decoration.
 

The homes were decked out in period style.

 

Another day I visited Winterthur.
Winterthur was the home of  the Henry Francis du Pont family.

 

 

A less formal table setting at Winterthur

I would love to be a guest at this fanciful table!

 

This tree was decorated entirely with flowers

There was a Christmas tree in nearly every room in the home.

 

Winterthur 2005

 

♥andPeace,Myra

 



Arkansas Ozarks

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday with family in the Arkansas Ozarks. The weather was nice so we made a few stops on the way to Eureka Springs.

We made a stop near Leslie to visit Canaan Cemetery.

My husband's paternal grandparents are buried there.

 

Canaan is a very old, picturesque cemetery.

I have photographed it several times in the past.

 

Canaan Cemetery is located on a high peak with scenic views of the surrounding countryside.

 

Our next stop was the Buffalo National River.

 

The Buffalo was the first National River. (1972)

 

The river is a popular fishing, canoeing and camping spot during the summer months.  There was a lone camper on this particular day.

 

We stopped for lunch at the Town House Cafe on the square in Harrison.

Plate lunches, soup, beans and cornbread - all homemade.

 

The view from my bedroom on Beaver Lake.

A little color hanging on.

 

Beaver Lake from the deck. Frequent white-tail deer sightings on this hillside.

 

The Friday after Thanksgiving most of the men went to the Arkansas/LSU football game in Fayetteville. The women headed to the Simply Scrumptious Tea Room and Emporium for lunch in Eureka Springs.

 

After a delicious lunch at the Tea Room it was time for shopping.

 

Eureka was all decked out for Christmas.

 

Fun afternoon of shopping with two of my favorite people.

It was cold and windy but I know we were warmer than the men in the football stadium.

 

Thanks for joining me on my latest adventure in the Ozarks.

 

♥andPeace,Myra