Porch Pictures 2013 and Happy New Year 2014

Every Christmas, we attempt The Porch Picture.  The first thought I had when the buyer's loan fell through on our home was that there would be at least one more Christmas Porch Picture. 

There are always escapees and you can tell by the faces that not everyone enjoys this endeavor...

I am happy for "one more", though we let Kathy get away before our session and we missed those not with us this year...

Our last visitors left yesterday and all are safely home.  It is so. very. quiet. around here.  My heart breaks every time the house empties... 

Even though there is heartbreak,  I am so very, very, very thankful for the times we shared.

From our home to yours, I hope each of you run headlong into 2014 embracing life, love, laughter and the Lord... that you may live joy and contentment and passion... All the best to each of you and yours...

Happy New Year!

blessings ~ tanna

A Holly Jolly Christmas...

It was a busy, jam-packed, fun-filled Christmas once we got past the stomach bug!  Our traditional Porch Picture was changed up a bit due to cold raindrops which turned to giant, gorgeous snowflakes on Christmas Day!  Oh, what fun we had!

Candy Making was fast and furious so we could all pile in the bed of Pop Pop's pickup for a ride through Santa Land...

But, here's how candy making is best enjoyed!!  Our official Tasters.  ;)

This crew has probably crossed two state lines by now on their journey home... I send them God's speed and safety... My best gift was time with all my loves.  I deeply appreciate the time carved into all our family's schedules for us.  There is truly nothing like spending time with those you love.

Hoping each of you enjoyed the Holy sweetness of this special time of year...

Blessings ~ tanna

Christmas 2011 - the Porch Pictures

We are hoping each of you had a very merry CHRISTmas today!!  One of our "traditions" is the Porch Picture.  Have you ever tried to get a small herd photographed?  Ha!  We had a few new peeps and we were missing Troy from this year's capture; as always, we were happy to have our regulars. 

2010 here. 

2009 here.

All in all, it was a grand day around here!!  And, I wouldn't trade a moment of it.

There was a little silliness... and lots of love.

I hope to have time to catch up on my blog reading tomorrow!!  Blessings to all and to all a good night ~  Merry Christmas!

Officially Over

Christmas 2010 Porch Picture

Front L to R:  Audra, Brian, Maverick, Amanda, Baby Correa (under the Sweater), Jerry

Back L to R: me, Little Man, Evan and Zack (the hunter)

Missing from photo: Kathy and Troy

Gracie was not with us this Christmas

Just got home from delivering Little Man and his Momma and Daddy to DFW.  The holiday is officially over around here.  We had lots of fun; ate lots of food; and enjoyed lots of love.  Life is good.

 Audra, did the beautiful topper for the chocolate torte.  Dana, the bacon wrapped asparagus couldn't be easier.  Snap the tough ends off the asparagus.  Wash and blot dry.  Drizzle with olive oil; sprinkle with garlic salt; wrap bundles with bacon.  Roast at 425 degrees until done (you can roast at whatever temp you are cooking other items at the same time).

Most of the time, I just do asparagus drizzled with the olive oil, no bacon.  I sometimes like it roasted for about 10 minutes so it is tender-crisp; sometimes, I like it roasted until it is crispy on the tips, almost like an asparagus chip.  With the bacon, I roast until the bacon looks done.

Oh, how we enjoyed breakfast-sharing with the Little Man.  He shared clementines and blueberries, his favorites, with Pop Pop while Pop Pop fed him pancakes with syrup.  A good exchange and so sweet to watch.  I couldn't have asked for more this Christmas.   Life was very, very good.

Heading back to Virginia...

Santa came to see Little Man at Noni and Pop-Pop's this year!! He didn't really get what all the big deal was about this time. Still, Christmas was so special with him around.



Our annual porch steps shot...




Little Man, with Mom and Dad, modeling his Penguin Pal.



Sweet little angel about to take a nap...

And, so very sad for Noni... loading up for his trip home... It is empty here without my Little Man and his folks. They accidentally left a burp cloth behind... I keep breathing in his little scent and crying... and breathing in his little scent and crying... but, I am only going to give myself one day to mope. One day to whine and feel sorry for myself. Then I'm starting to work on the thriving plan... I have so very much to be grateful for. I am so blessed to have my family. Even if some of them are far away, we have a deep love for each other and a great joy in spending time together... that is so very much to be grateful for. So very much. And, that is what I am going to focus on!! (After I have whined today... ) ;)