A Telepathic Connection: Little Santas Everywhere

A Christmas present arrived by mail today from Angela and Doug.  Just look at this wrapping paper.  It's got busy little Santas all over, reminding me of the wrapping paper I bought and blogged about on my last post! (Click here to read about it).

This is like cosmic confirmation that I'm on the right track with the Christmas theme this year!  Great minds do think alike, and maybe even transmit the same thought frequencies!

Mrs. K's Koffee Shop

Of all the things I imagined doing during our trip to Philadelphia, this one never occurred to me:  Breakfast in an old-fashioned diner - Mrs. K's Koffee Shop is located on Chestnut Street - some very decent scrambled eggs are served here with a side helping of nostalgia . . .

Here are Doug, Angela, Robert and Barb, siblings-by-marriage and fun traveling companions.  Calling them in-laws doesn't seem to do justice to these wonderful people who mean so much to me.

Scott and Elizabeth's Wedding - Part 2

My niece, Dianna, was one of the bridesmaids and also sang at the wedding with such a sweet voice that she had us all in tears . . .

So maybe I'm a teensy bit biased, but isn't she beautiful?

We couldn't have asked for better weather.  It was a gorgeous October day and the ceremony was lovely.  Best wishes to the happy couple!  Vive l'amour!

Wedding in Philadelphia

Our nephew, Scott, married his Elizabeth just over a week ago . . .

They are such a beautiful couple!  And such wonderful people, too!

We were so pleased to be able to witness their special day!  If there was a dry eye to be found, it wasn't mine . . .

Dianna's Graduation . . . continued . . .

The first three photos were taken at the Sunday brunch before graduation. Loved the dendrobium orchid centerpiece! This was one of three different arrangements displayed on the tables. Another one, with calla lilies, can be seen on the background. I still preferred the orchids . . .

We do love our pictures . . .

My husband says that in our family, nobody ever draws a gun - we just draw our cameras!

Sometimes, we break out in song . . .

The graduate with Aunt Barb and Uncle Bob . . . We have no idea where the trolls she's holding came from . . .

And here's one with Aunt Mary Ann, Uncle Bill, Andy and Joy . . .

And then, on our last night together . . .

I love Angela's new haircut!

Smile for the camera, Joy-Joy!

And here are her parents . . .

I'll end with this one of Lee and me . . .

That's all folks!

Dianna's Graduation

We drove to Minnesota on Memorial Day Weekend to attend the college graduation of our niece, Dianna. Dianna is as smart as she is beautiful. She graduated magna cum laude. I couldn't be more proud if she were my own daughter. Here she is with her dad, Doug.

I love her smile . . .

Doug and Angela are Dianna's parents. Angela is, technically, my husband Lee's sister, but she and Doug are also mine. I love these people very, very much, and, I also happen to like them very, very much. They are a kind, thoughtful and loving couple. When we get together, which is not frequently enough to suit me, it seems we can pick up the conversation where we left off, as though we have never spent time apart.

Angela is one of the most talented and energetic women I know. In the midst of preparing for a hectic graduation weekend, far from her own home, she managed to carve out time to bake cupcakes for my son David's birthday. And not just any ol' cupcakes, but incredibly delicious chocolate cupcakes that oozed a silky chocolate ganache from its center. She even brought a cupcake tree to display them. I shamelessly lifted the photo below straight from her blog . . .

Then! . . . She also made biscotti . . . THREE DIFFERENT KINDS!!! I was in heaven.

We also got to spend a little time with Brian, Dianna's brother. He's such a handsome guy!

And this crazy aunt really tested his patience, what, with her sticking her camera in his face every time he turned around . . .

This family is seriously into photography, so picture-taking was definitely part of the entertainment. In the days to come I'll be posting more photos from this wonderful family event.

Angela and Doug

Angela is a wonderful photographer and an incredibly talented writer. This picture was taken by her and I think it's one of the best pictures of me taken in a very long time. I've become addicted to her blog. I expect any day now she'll announce she has written a book and I'll be the first one in line to get a dozen autographed copies.

Standing next to me is Doug, Angela's husband. Doug is one of the sweetest guys I know. Kind, sweet, infallibly courteous, brilliant. I just love Doug.

Angela is super smart and super creative. Whether it's cooking or raising children; scuba diving or photography, she passionately immerses herself in her current interests until she masters them. When you are around her you get the feeling that nothing is impossible.


Together, this wonderful couple has managed to produce three beautiful, loving and amazing children. Angela and Doug, with their easy going personalities, and love of learning bring out the best in me. Thank God I still have Angela's blog. The withdrawal would be too painful if it weren't for the virtual contact.

Early travels

First trip to the beach in June . . .

And Thanksgiving in North Dakota . . .