Happy Reading in the New Year!

I started 2013 in Idaho with three of my nieces and nephews, so it is fitting that the chapter book of this year end the same way.

Much could be said, and may, eventually about this year...

But for now,

from our reading pile to yours,

May your 2014 be filled snuggles, adventures, excitement, good books, library trips, arts and crafts, travels, and quality time with friends and family.

Happy New Year from Auntie Nettie's Attic and her trunks full of books, yarn, and beloved nieces and nephews.

-iTouch

Winter Wonderland

Cache Valley, Logan, Utah ~ Sunday, 12/29/13, 9:30 am ~ 0 degrees

Just a bit of Valley fog and Hoarfrost

I was wearing tights, a dress, slip-on shoes, and a light fleece with no gloves-not realizing how cold it was! Totally not dressed correctly and in a hurry to go and pick up a great aunt for Church. 

I haven't been in the Valley in winter since 1980. I forgot how cold it can be. It was also eerily beautiful, like a scene out of the new movie Frozen.

What I wished I had captured on "film" was the herd of horses in the next pasture. Out of the mists, I heard the thunder of hooves and turned to see first a black colt followed by pinto, bay, dun, and dappled mares and geldings slipping through the icy fog and twinkling trees in their meadowy enclosure. What a magical moment out of time.

-iTouch

Happy 46th Anniversary!

Some 46 odd years ago, two fresh faced kids took advantage of a short Christmas Navy leave, travelled West from the docks of Virginia to Utah, and got married in the land of the Utes snow. Then they travelled to sunny sands of southern Utah for their Dixie honeymoon. (We once asked why Dixie*... The "pause" for the answer was embarrassing to their teenaged kids--but we figured out ALL the whys ...later.)

Many many decades would pass and back to a Dixie-area they would fly again.

Somewhere along the way the crazy started.

They blame the kids and grandkids, but I have a feeling they were always crazy....

In love with each other, despite it all.

(But they wonder where we get it from?)

Happy Anniversary, you crazy kids!

-iTouch

Art by Ms. T-- for their 40th; US Navy "glamour" shot; Wedding dress by Grandma Ollie, studio shot and veil <I think and will probably be corrected as soon as Grandmary ever reads this.>

Grumpa and Drew c. Christmas 2013

Grandmary and some weirdo on the Cape in a rental c. October 2013

*not the name of the actual town, but the region

Christmas Eve: with commas

Eats,

Shoots,

And

Loaves

Fresh out the oven: 1 Molly Mormon card , half earned

-iTouch

Signs of vacation

These are the signs of vacation:

I need smore smores and smore zzzzzzzzz.

-iTouch

Photos: parents; target (2); michael's crafts

My Presence and My Presents

Traveling, stress, expense...,

How can you measure?

When the gifts are such as these?

Time passes in the blink of an eye

Or the swipe of the mouse.

Thanks to family for forwarding these to my in-box.

Their presence were my presents this week.

And soon I will reciprocate.

On the road again.

Car

Plane

Shuttle

Car

Miles to go before I sleep...

 For more than 4 hours at a time.

-iTouch

Mother Nature's Christmas Present

More snow...just what I need the day before I fly....

What is the return policy on this gift? 

Via cellphone camera (old school)

The Xmas tree lot outside the local Starbuck's on the Upper West Side this afternoon.

Editor's note: Look at that! 

Please note: This post was drafted on the iTouch on the train when I was not connected to wi-fi! I am running out of non-blogging excuses.