Good Bye to a Wonderful Angel!!

Megan on the left and Cindy on the right


Some of you know this and some of you don't-my oldest daughter, Megan's friend Cindy Ray was killed on Sunday, 12/11. She was run over by a drunken driver in Massachusetts and she died. Her Mom was in the car and didn't know Cindy had been hit. She ran in the police station and told them someone had jumped the curb and struck a car. When Cindy's Mom and the police came running out they found Cindy. This tragedy is one of the most awful things I have heard in a long time and it makes it worse because we knew the person. This happened on a Sunday afternoon around 3:00 p.m. Cindy was coming out of the police station after picking up a report and was headed back to her car. The man who hit her is 50 years old and a father and now he will have to live with this for the rest of his life. What are people thinking when they have too much to drink and get behind the wheel! Was it worth it! Cindy and her husband, Brian were suppose to be watching their nieces for the next year while Brian's brother and sister-in-law were deployed. Cindy had just gotten the little girls room ready for them, found a pediatrican and daycare facility for them while she was at work. Brian will now be doing this task alone. Cindy went to college with Megan and they were the best of friends. They called each other every Monday. Cindy was so loving and kind. She had lost her father very early in her life to a heart attack while he was shoveling snow. Even though she had gone through tragedy at a very young age, she was always smiling and joking with everyone and she had a very big heart. Today will be her viewing and tomorrow the funeral. The world has lost a true angel-God Bless you Cindy Ray!! We all love you and you will be missed!

And the winner is.....

I can't believe random.org picked #1, it hardly ever does!! The winner of my 750th Post Giveaway is Lori from Morning Glories and Moonflowers!! Congratulations Lori!! I will be e-mailing you right after I post this!

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway today before 5 p.m.!! The giveaway is on my December 11th post. Good Luck! I will be announcing the winner either tonight or tomorrow a.m.!

2011 Reading from my Shelves Project

If you would like to join this challenge, go here:

http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com/2010/12/2011-reading-from-my-shelves-project.html

Here are the details if you are interested:

Challenge runs from January 1 - December 31, 2011.

Read books from your own shelves, and then pass the books on to someone else: a friend, relative, the library, used book store, swap them, just as long as the book leaves your house once it has been read.

Decide on your goal (12 is the minimum - no maximum). Cross over books are allowed.
Grab the button and do a post about the challenge.

Keep a running list of the books you've read and passed on.

Leave a comment with a link to your post and you are entered (no Mr. Linky).
Have Fun and GOOD LUCK!

The Christmas Chronicles by Tim Slover

I am reviewing this book for Pump Up Your Books today. Here is a product description on Amazon.com about this book:

Tim Slover crafts a marvelous, magical novel about how Santa Claus became the man he is today. After reading The Christmas Chronicles, you’ll believe all over again in the magic of the season.

Snow is falling, and the clock ticks toward midnight on Christmas Eve while countless children, too excited to sleep, anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus. But in Tim Slover’s deeply charming and utterly thrilling novel, that’s the end rather than the beginning of the story. In this richly imagined tale of Santa’s origins, the man in full finally emerges. The Christmas Chronicles is at once an action-packed adventure, an inspiring story of commitment and faith, and a moving love story.

It all starts in 1343, when the child Klaus is orphaned and adopted by a craftsmen’s guild. The boy will grow to become a master woodworker with an infectious laugh and an unparalleled gift for making toys. His talent and generosity uniquely equip him to bestow hundreds of gifts on children at Christmas—and to court the delightful Anna, who enters his life on a sleigh driven by the reindeer Dasher and becomes his beloved wife.

Still, all is not snowfall and presents. Klaus will be shadowed by the envious Rolf Eckhof, who will stop at nothing to subvert him. But in the end, Santa’s magic is at last unleashed, flying reindeer come to his aid, and an epic battle between good and evil is waged in the frosty Christmas skies.

By turns enchanting, hair-raising, and inspirational, The Christmas Chronicles is a beguiling tale destined to become a holiday favorite for the ages.

My Review:

I have to say I really enjoyed this book! It definitely put me in the Christmas spirit! The author takes you on a wonderful, magical journey through the creation of Santa Claus. This story isn't too long (only 176 pages) and it is just perfect for a Christmas read that will definitely take you through the enchanted world of Santa! Merry Christmas everyone!!

The book is available for purchase from Amazon at
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Chronicles-Legend-Santa-Claus/dp/0553808109

Twinning Murders by Shelly Frome

I will be doing a review of this book sometime in January, but I wanted to let you know all about it now:

The Twinning Murders is a modern day classic mystery centering on the ventures of Emily Ryder, a thirty-something rambler and tour guide. The story opens just before she embarks on this year’s Twinning ritual exchange. It’s between her historic New England home and its sister village deep in Dartmoor, a wild upland area in the west of the county of Devon, England. Emily becomes personally involved in a suspicious death.. A few days later, at the Twinning itself, her main client meets the same fate. As Emily’s world continues to unravel, and though she has little help, she finds herself compelled to piece together the games being played on both sides of the Atlantic.

This book was sent to me from Pump Up Your Book. Watch for my review in January!

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden with Christmas Lights!

Saturday night our oldest daughter, Megan and her husband,Ken joined John and I at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to see the Christmas light displays. We also went to hear my friend, Robbin from knitting group play the bells with her Church. They did a great job! The lights were absolutely beautiful and it was like walking through an enchanted land! We had such a wonderful time walking through the orchid conservatory and then outside to the lovely gardens. They had carriage rides and train rides (the train was really a tram made to look like a train). We had some wonderful hot chocolate and spiced cider, which kept the chill in the air away. Here are some pictures of our lovely visit to DSBG and I can't wait to go again next year!

First off I have to apologize for my night time photography, it isn't the greatest but you will get the idea.


This is the entrance to DSBG-it was just beautiful walking up to this and then entering a holiday wonderland!!


This was one of the 4 angels that greeted us.


When you enter the main building there was this huge orchid Christmas tree! Just gorgeous-there was hundred of orchids on here!!


All throughout the building there were arrangements like this. Just so sparkly and beautiful!



All the arrangements had these beautiful jeweled butterflies in them.


Inside the room where alot of weddings are held was this gorgeous chandelier!


There are 2 arbor walkways and they had them lit up with these lovely purple flower lights and green leaves and vines!




Lovely snowflake/star lights in the tree


All throughout the ground they had red, white and blue Christmas balls hanging from the trees.

ORCHID CONSERVATORY

Walking to the entrance of the conservatory were these wonderful lit palm trees.


These red Christmas balls were hanging from the ceiling of the orchid conservatory-just beautiful!


There is a pool which has been dyed black and these 2 poinsettia arrangements were "floating" in the pool.


All throughout the conservatory were beautiful poinsettia arrangements like this. I love the color combination.


This is one of the pretty orchids they had growing at the beginning of the conservatory. Just absolutely gorgeous, this picture doesn't do it justice!


What holiday season wouldn't be complete without a "kissing" ball! This one is made from air ferns!


Here is something you don't see every day-a Christmas tree made out of Bromelaids!


There was a train set up and going around the track in the conservatory too. It was a really big hit with all the children visiting DSBG.

Here are the lights all throughout the grounds:


Hummingbird on a flower


This lovely dove flying past the trees and you can see the Orchid Conservatory in the background.


Christmas Bells outlined on a hedge.


These lovely blue arches through one section of the gardens.


Poinsettia outline.


A walkway was lined with these cute toy soldiers.


This is one of the small fountains.


There is a fountain that sprays over the path and it was lit up beautifully! Of course, they have a path that goes around each side too so you don't get wet!


This is the largest fountain at DSBG. It looked like it was on fire that night.


Another lovely fountain with doves flying.


There were groups of these lovely white "snowball" lights in the trees.


There is a white garden at DSBG, which is just gorgeous when all the flowers are blooming. This is what it looked like Saturday night!


This beautiful oversized silver ornament was hanging in the back arbor of the white garden.


This lovely group of oversized silver ornaments was hanging in the trellis you walked through to get into the white garden. I would love to have this in my yard!!


There was a gate with these beautiful wreaths hanging on them as you left the white garden. I would love to have this gate at my house!


As we were leaving just outside the door was this beautiful Christmas tree all deck out in gold!


This little angel sent us on our way!

I know there were alot of pictures, but I really could have taken so many more! If you are ever in North Carolina, please check out the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden no matter what time of year it is-it is well worth you time!

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

Don't forget to enter my 750th post giveaway on my December 11, 2010 post!!