A Special Chinese Visitor

This month we hosted another Chinese middles school student!

Gao, or Rebecca as she liked to be called, (All the students

choose what they think of as American names to use)

fit right into our family.

She loved all of our pets and they loved her in return.

She and Grace loved to cook and "Rebecca"

enjoyed cooking us Chinese specialties.

We took her to eat at various restaurants, to see movies, to tour

various college campuses, to the Science Center in Columbus, 

to see the Air Force Museum, to play Laser Tag and to try ice skating 

at Dayton's Riverscape Park.

She and Grace hit it off almost immediately and

has such a wonderful time together.

We all got a bit teary eyed when it was time for her to leave but

we will hold our sweet memories tightly and always consider this

special young lady a part of our family!

Warmly,

Susie Q

Winter's Glory

Yes, I am one of those odd folks who loves Winter.

Uh huh. go ahead and roll your eyes and sigh, believe

me I have heard it before. But I do. I absolutely love this season.

So, if you can, bear with me as I revel in it's beauty

 for just a moment or two.

Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed
slippers of snow, 
And we, we were children once again.

~Bill Morgan Jr.

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of

 the landscape—the loneliness of it—the dead feeling of winter. 

 Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show.

~Andrew Wyeth

Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments,
embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.

~John Boswell

I may be in the minority in my devotion to this snowy season

but love it I do. Crisp, cold air, candlelight at night.

A roaring fire at home. Baking with the family

on icy evenings. A comforting quilt and a good book. My favorite woolly

sweaters. Hot chocolate and ice skating. Yes, I love Winter.

Stay warm!

Warmly,

Susie Q

A Golden Lamb Christmas

Each year we visit The Golden Lamb in Lebanon, Ohio

the last Sunday before Christmas Day. It's always a treat and a

 delight for all our senses!

Spending some time with Santa here is always a joy!

I have been a neglectful blogger of late and one reason

in particular has been a sad one.

We lost my precious mother just before Thanksgiving this year.

It was sudden and so quick and we are just coming up for air.

Still, we have so many sweet memories to hold on to and cherish.

We know that she would never wish us to let sadness take away

all our holiday joy. She was adamant about that in her last days.

We will be honoring her in every way this Christmas season and know

 she is with my father and all our other relatives and friends who are watching 

over us.

This photo was from our visit in 2013. 

We love you Mom.

Merry Christmas to you all and may the season bring

you much joy.

Love,

Susie Q

Autumn's Arrival

Fall is here in all it's glory.

“Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year.

 The morning of the first September was crisp 

and golden as an apple.”

                                                               ~JK Rowling

“There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about 

the annual cascade of autumn leaves.” 

                                                                       ~Joe L. Wheeler

“Aprils have never meant much to me, autumns seem that season

 of beginning, spring.” 

                                               ~Truman Capote in 

                                                 Breakfast at Tiffany's

Enjoy this beautiful season and all the gifts it brings.

Stay safe, stay well. Be happy.

Warmly,

Susie Q