Outside My Window ~ 12.06.09

Outside My Window…the sun is coming up to a clear sky and temps at 35F ~ wind chill is 28F.  The lack of clouds and rain has made me smile this morning.  Yesterday was miserable and wet…..todays forecast is 45F with sunshine and blue skies.  These sunshine days are welcome…..we really could do without the rain for a few days.  I believe we already have over an inch of rain for the month of December……add that to the nearly 12 we received in November, well let’s just say the ground feels like a very soggy sponge.  There were some very large puddles on roadways yesterday….there is no where for this water to go, the ground is thoroughly saturated.  I can’t recall when I have seen the water in the wetlands on the way to my mother’s house at such high level ~ except during tropical storms or hurricanes.  Yesterday when I crossed the bridge during what I presumed was high tide, you could barely see the top of the marsh grass……that is not normal, usually you can see a lot more than that. 

I am thinking…about the nice time I had at this year’s HollyDazzle with my sister.  HollyDazzle is an event put on by Newport News each year in the City Center area.  I think they estimated roughly 20,000 people were in attendance…..although I don’t know how they could have counted them!  They were everywhere!!  🙂  This annual event celebrates the season with fireworks and the lighting of the Christmas tree.  I wanted to give a try at photographing some  fireworks.  I live so very close to City Center, close enough to walk so we were able to avoid the traffic nightmare that many people experienced when it was time to leave.  I have watched the fireworks from my house in years past, but I have been only able to experience a very small viewing of them.,,,,so I decided to go see them this year.  The firework show is located in a relatively small area so the smoke was unbelievable in my opinion……but we still able to enjoy the show.   If we attend next year, we will bring snacks though…….they had vendors but we thought their goods were a bit on the pricey side.

I am thankful for…clear skies and sunshine today.  You just don’t know how much rain we have experienced lately.  I hope this isn’t a glimpse of how this fall and winter season is going to be.

From the kitchen…waiting for the French Vanilla coffee to finish dripping through the coffee maker.  Later this morning, probably an omelet with some fresh mushrooms and asparagus, topped with chopped tomato.  I’m still debating on what dinner will bring this evening. 

I am creating…not so much at the moment.  Too many other activities going on for me to sit and create lately.  Hopefully I will get back into the swing very soon.

I am going…to take my oldest daughter to work today.  I also need to figure out why the drain pipe on my front gutters is not working…..I’m hoping it is only a small ball or something stuck i it and not some other unpleasant surprise for me when I take it apart. 

I am reading…not so much at the moment..mood is still not there.  It will come back, I go in phases when it comes to reading.  Sometimes I read all the time, other times….not so interested.

I am hoping…we are able to enjoy the sunshine for several more days. 

I am hearing…the coffee maker gurgling as it finishes up…….the ticking of my many clocks……a silent world outside.

Around the house…dishes to do…….clutter in the living room…..laundry to finish….beautiful Christmas decorations.  🙂

Plans for the week include…to perhaps pick up a few gifts for my daughters…..work on my Christmas cards……relax and enjoy my evenings. 

One of my favorite things…is that first cup of coffee on a cold morning.  It warms me from the inside out.

A picture I’d like to share with you…several photos actually from my evening at HollyDazzle.  It was cloudy that evening, but high clouds rather than low so the fireworks were still visable.  And while it was chilly, it wasn’t unbearably cold.  The firework show was great……it has been awhile since I attended one and I forgot how much smoke they produce…not to mention the heavy smell of sulphur.  So much smoke in fact that after they lit the tree is was difficult to get a clear photo.  I decided since I live so close I can come back another time and get a photo of the tree if I wanted.  You will notice some of the photos “something” with antlers on…..it is a little boy sitting on his father’s shoulders.  🙂