Have a Little Heart

Happy Valentine's Day to You!! Thank you so much for taking a moment of your day to spent it with me.

photo by A Creative Mint

And Happy Valentine's Day to my Best Loves

  

Our Little Addition

We took a secret mission out of town yesterday to pick up our new little addition. 

Welcome to the family Mabel! 

Though Rosie is still not 100% sure about the new little sister we think they will love each other in a day or too.  

I've never had two dogs at once before.  Of course the two of them combined don't quite make the size of one real sized pup so I think we'll be okay.

Happy Tuesday everyone and Happy 70th Birthday to my Father-in-Law! 

Happy Three to the Husband and Me

Happy Anniversary to my Love!  Three Years ago today, on a BEAUTIFUL October day we said I do.  I'd say it again without one hesitation. 

While I Was Away

Last week I took a little trip home.  I got to spend some time with my family, I heard some great bluegrass and old time music and I got a hellacious sunburn from tubing on the river with my Sweet Husband.  I also took almost no pictures.  Here's a tiny taste of my week away.

Just before we left town my Sweet Husband had a birthday.  His Mama made him a cake and we sang the song and he blew out the candles.  

On Sunday I went to the Decoration with my family and ate entirely too much, but I did have an amazing view of the mountain.

Then we spent some time at the Galax Fiddler's Convention.  Monday night is the kids competition.  It's amazing to hear such talent out of someone so young.  Makes me wish I had practiced more when I was little! We had seats down front but the rain chased us into the grandstand.  Only the umbrella clad stayed in their seats.

Then we had to decide what to eat!

Also while I was home I got to see my former dog (now my parents dog) George.  He's such a sweet boy.  He was recently diagnosed with diabetes.  After a few days that were very touch and go they got him on an insulin regime and he looks AMAZING.  It's like he's a new dog all over again and we are so happy to have him back.  Doesn't he look happy too!

I don't have any pics of the tubing trip on the New River.  It was very beautiful.  The river was moving very slowly and I was in the sun with my lily-white skin for longer than expected.  I still have a softball sized spot on my left shin that you could fry an egg on.  Not pretty. 

Now back to playing catchup.

After Thanksgiving Walk with the Family....and goats

{This post is really for my Mama because she couldn't be there on Saturday and she's not on facebook to see these pics.}

On Saturday my Sister hosted a little family Thanksgiving get together with fantastic food (and fantastic leftovers, thanks!) Besides the light fixture that I mentioned last week she also refinished a new (old) mantle that I can't wait to share with you later.  But first I wanted to post some pics of our after dinner walk to the river with the whole family (kids, dog and goats included) 

Freddie and Allen are very well behaved goats!

the goats get a treat after the walk - I on the other hand was still stuffed!

{hey Mom, the kids loved their pine cones and they looked SUPERfabulous on the Sister's new mantle}

Special thanks to may fab Cousin for bringing her camera and for letting me steal these pics.  Love!

Tourist in My Own Town: Hollywood Cemetery

I don't always take advantage off all the interesting things to see and do here in the Richmond area, but when my folks come for a visit I get to play a tourist in my own town.  Last week while they were visiting we decided to check out Hollywood Cemetery.  It's also almost Halloween.  Why not take a walk among the dead!

Hollywood has been used as a burial place as well as a beautiful escape from the city since 1849.  Two US presidents (as well as the president of the confederacy) are buried there.  From this Oregon Hill site you have an incredible view of the James River below.  It was a beautiful day and we decided to walk through the park (you can opt to drive).  One of the first things we saw as we entered the cemetery was this view.

Notice the visitor in the center of the frame?  It's a juvenile bald eagle!  It was HUGE and chasing a squirrel. 

and then stalked a groundhog.  It was Wild Kingdom for a bit.

There are family plots as well as family mausoleums all over the park.  We saw these two almost next to each other.

These were great architectural homages to my own Richardson clan as well as my Cole cousins.  It was nice to see them as neighbors. 

There were all kinds of interesting monuments and headstones in the park.  It was interesting to see what was in vogue at different times.  One style in particular that caught my eye were the nature inspired ones.  They tended to look like tree trunks with other natural embellishments.  They seemed to be very popular in the 1910s-1920s.  This one below from 1912 says "in perfect peace".

It was very peaceful.  Well, except for the renovations in the presidental area.  We didn't get to see James Monroe or John Tyler.  Poor James Monroe...He was actually moved here after the cemetery opened to give the place some cache and spur tourists to visit.  He's been helping to draw a crowd for over 150 years now. 

It really was peaceful.

When You're Looking For A Home Away From Home

We've been away at the 75th annual Galax Fiddler's Convention for a few days of Bluegrass and Old Time music.  We had a great time with my family.  Sadly, this was the only picture of the convention that I took all week.   

Happy Birthday My Love!

My Sweet Husband turns 40 today.   He's very smart and funny (and a little punny) and has a really good heart.  I love him to pieces.  I hope he has a fantastic day. 

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How can you not love a face like that!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder?

We've been away with family having a great time.  I will be back in the swing of things on Monday.  Have a great Weekend!

Happy Birthday Mama!

I wish all good things for you in your new year!  We can't wait to see you next week! 

My New Favorite

Okay, so I know this has been around for awhile now but I JUST downloaded it over the weekend and I can't stop making pictures!  Poladroid you are my new favorite!  You make everything special.  It's all so warm and soft and makes everything look pretty. 

  the living room

the puppy

 the happy couple

If you're a late comer like me, you should really check it out.  It will make you happy and who doesn't want to be happy?

The Dad

Thanks for all of the support and love than you give to me.  I am honored to be your daughter. 

Happy Father's Day Daddy! 

Happy Friday

We had a great time in West Virginia.  There were lots of opportunity to hear rain pattering on the tin roof.  The house snake made an appearance and climbed high into a tree in the yard

And the Puppy got stung by a bee!  She looked like she was storing nuts in her cheek for winter.  Thankfully the swelling went down in a few hours.

She also went for a swim in the river.....though I'm not sure you could call it swimming.

It was such a quick trip this time.  We can't wait  to back in a few weeks!

Happy Birthday Rosalita!

Our Sweet Puppy is One Year Old today.  She's the best little dog in the whole wide world and we can't imagine our lives without her.

Come On Baby, Light My Fire

The Nephews were with us this weekend for what we like to call Sulsermania.  Of course there had to be big sticks and a raging fire in the fire pit.  I hope your weekend was just as lovely!