2015 in review

HI everyone!! My 2nd year of blogging is almost over and I almost hit the goal of posting every day. I posted 266 posts this year 🙂 My blog has never been about the numbers, but it is fun to see how numbers have grown from last year. Wanted to thank my faithful readers and my top readers who left the most comments throughout the year. Yup it lists that to, so if you want your name listed next year, you know what you have to do 😉 No matter if you read and comment or just read, I truly appreciate you following me and helping me to enjoy my hobby! Look forward to you continuing to follow me in the New Year and we will see if we can break the records from this year! HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE!!!! May you have fun and safe time tonight celebrating as we say goodbye to 2015 and welcome in 2016 and all the new opportunities it holds!!

Thought of some interesting tidbits to add. My day that had the most views was almost the exact day from last year! They both were in mid September. Apparently September is a month where people don’t have anything else to do, except to read blogs. LOL!

My most popular post was from my “Anything Goes” series. I need to get back to that, so this is where you all come in! I need suggestions! My “Anything Goes” posts were based on 3 words or a subject that readers would give me. My First Crush was the most popular post of that series! It is just so steamy! NOT 🙂 

This statistic made me laugh! A blog post that I did just for fun, made it to my list of the Top 5 most viewed posts! My Napoleon vs.Monty post. It was done as a joke, due to a debate that arose while playing cards with a AWESOME couple 🙂 So you all can be proud that you inspired one of my most popular posts, even tho Monty did win 🙂 To the readers that missed the post and are curious, feel free to go back and read it and put your comments in as to which movie rates the best!

Another statistic that I really like is how many other countries my blog reaches. That is the great thing about the internet! I have faithful readers from Africa, Malaysia, Greece,etc. Even from the desert of Sudan. There lives an awesome blogger and faithful reader that I am so glad I met! I am thankful for each and every one of you from whereever you call home! HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,900 times in 2015. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Tuesday’s Thoughts!

Good Morning! Started the day off with Chocolate Covered Cherries, the day is good 😉 Fruit for breakfast is good, right? 🙂  May you enjoy these quotes by Aristotle today.

1.”To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold.”

2. “Patience is bitter, but the fruit is sweet!” ( I have to remember this often!)

3. “You are confined by the walls that you build yourself.”

4. “Hope is a waking dream.”

5. “Love is composed of a single soul, inhabited by 2 bodies.”

6. “It is during your darkest times that you need to focus to see the light.”

7.”A day without sunshine is…well you know night!” Steve Martin ( I just had to throw that one in there 🙂 Now you can smile as you go through the rest of your day and maybe number 7 will be your favorite quote :))

Family Feud

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all have had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! That even amidst heart ache or chaos that may be in your life, that you were able to feel some inner joy!

I had a wonderful Christmas, no there was no family feud; just thought that may grab your attention! Unfortunately I know there are families who have family feuds at Christmas, or do not see each other at Christmas due to family feuds, and I feel sorry for them. I feel blessed that I can enjoy my wonderful family and that the only family feuding we had, was the GAME Family Feud 🙂 I got questions from the official website and we did our own Family Feud.There was one sister that totally pinned her brother to the ground to get the “buzzer”! A quarter replaced the buzzer actually. It was who ever could grab it off the chair first if they knew the answer to the question read. By the way my dear, did you ever get your quarter back?? 🙂

No, there was not money awarded as a grand prize to the winning team, but they got something sweet. Smarties 🙂 I thought that candy was appropriate for the winning team and I just had a thought of the candy I should have given to the losing team.  I will give you a hint , its a type of lollipop and starts with a D! HAHA! No, I was nice, I gave them Smarties too!

If any of you want to try guessing at some of the questions, feel free to answer below. One was ,”If you are afraid of water, name a sport you shouldn’t do?” It is funny how the obvious one wasn’t the one guessed first! “What is the strangest animal kept as a pet?” , “Name a instrument too big to carry on a plane,” “What is a sport for Senior Citizens?” We had my Mom and Dad compete for the quarter on this one and neither of them got it! Can any of you?

A day of laughter, chatting and of course eating will be happily remembered once more. Not to mention the fun day we had on Christmas day with me and my hubby and our  girls. With the girls being older now, we are no longer up at the crack of dawn to open presents. 8am is a nicer time. This year we added a twist to opening the gifts, we did a Trivia game where the person who answered the question right got to open a gift. It added laughter and extended the time, so that its not over so quickly! Then it was a relaxing day of watching new movies that was given as gifts, reading new books and coloring in new coloring books. Yes, I got one of those Adult Coloring books that are the new fad, they really are relaxing! Oh and yes definitely a day of eating all the good candy in the stockings and eating Million Dollar Spaghetti! Hey my family makes me feel like a million bucks, so I decided they deserved it! No, it is not your typical spaghetti and sorry but there is not a million dollars laying underneath it either!

But who needs a million dollars when you have family and friends that make you feel so rich! May the richness of friendship and love continue to fill your days!

Twas the Night before, the night before Christmas!

Yes, was going to do this the Night before Christmas, but figured a lot of people would be too busy to read then so will post it now 🙂 First the original and then how I tweaked it 🙂 ENJOY!

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring….well actually there was more than a mouse stirring this time. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care by the great blogger Nena at http://younfolded.com/2015/12/22/holiday-home-decor/ . In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, well at least Casey from .http://hypervigilant.org/ is hoping her 2 adorable children are sleeping while visions of sugarplums dance in their heads, and Mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap had just laid down…well stop, Mama Jody from http://lifeinbetween.me/ is probably not laying down. She is too busy making yummy treats for Santa, so that he can get a bit more plumper! But I am laying down for a long winter’s nap when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter! It was Ray the WonderDog from http://meandray.com/ he was barking loud wondering what he had heard! Ameena peeked out her head from the neighboring house, where not a mouse stirred; but Ameena was hard at work with her next heart touching poem for http://randomsbyarandom.wordpress.com/.

Everyone was awakened, and ran to look what was the matter. http://pondertheirrelevant.com/ was pondering the sound and looking as far as she could see.  When what to their wandering http://wallflowerwanderer.com/ eyes should appear but 8 tiny reindeer and a driver so lively and quick that it had to be St.Nick.

And you know how the rest of the poem goes, how with a swoosh down the chimney he came and filled all the stockings that were hung with care. And I watched him as I mused, http://txmyndrover.wordpress.com/  about what was going on. He was so jolly as he laughed with belly that shook like a bowlful of jelly! He must have been doing some reading from http://mirthandmotivation.com/  Then suddenly he put his finger by his nose and with a nod of his head up the chimney he rose. I wish I had my camera close by to take a http://asnappshot.wordpress.com/ for people weren’t going to believe this, they would think it was just a dream, http://breathsndreams.com/.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle and away they all flew like a down of a thistle. ( does anyone know what that means, the down of a thistle?) But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight , Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night! And with those words that have brought http://pricelessjoy.co/ to all, I wish you all priceless joy this Christmas and may you http://makemelodies.wordpress.com/ of your life in the New Year to come!

Tuesday’s Thoughts!

Good afternoon my friends! Finally got the TIME to post today. If you read my post from yesterday you will know what I mean by TIME 🙂  Since this is Christmas week I want to share a little story first that I heard on the radio, about the Christmas spirit.

A single Mom tearfully told her kids how this year there just was not enough money for presents. They went around telling the one thing they would like to have if they could. Her one little girl said she would love to have a long sleeved nightgown. The next day someone dropped off some hand me down clothes for the children. Her daughter was going through the bag and got all excited as she pulled out a long sleeved nightgown with snowmen and ruffles on it. She showed it to her Mom and said, “We are so blessed Mommy!”

That story touched my heart, to have the gratitude that little girl has! That is what I want for Christmas! And now onto the thoughts for the day 🙂 Enjoy!

1. “Count the snowflakes in a gentle snowfall…that’s how many days I want to love you!”
2. “It’s like the universe took every Christmas wish I ever made and turned it into you!” (So yes I was looking for a Christmas card for my hubby, that is where these first 2 quotes came from :))
3. “The future lies before you like a field of fallen snow, before how you tread in it, for every step will show.”
4. “If kisses were snowflakes, I would send you a blizzard!”
5. “We are like snowflakes, all different in our own way.”
6. “Happiness is catching snowflakes on your tongue!And the above quote is my favorite quote from one of my favorite Christmas movies. How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Just watched it again this Saturday. Will leave you with two more beautiful snow pictures…since as of now pictures are the only way I am going to see snow! We are having a very unusual mild winter here in Pa. it is supposed to be up to almost the 60’s for Christmas day!! I do like the warmth, but I also love the beauty of the snow, just don’t like driving in it! If it could only stay in the yards and on the trees it would be perfect 🙂

                                         

5 days til Christmas!

Can you believe its almost here?  Every year it seems to come faster! i remember being little and it seeming to take forever and couldn’t understand why my parents never seemed to complain about it being too slow! Now I know 🙂

Amidst the Christmas busyness I hope you can remember to keep the JOY of it in your heart. Remember how there is so much more to Christmas besides buying presents. I LOVE buying gifts for my family and friends and yes I still LOVE receiving them to. I still have the child like eagerness of wondering what is in that beautifully wrapped gift under the tree. I want to keep hold of that, but never want to lose the deeper meaning and the gifts that money can’t buy. The gift of TIME is one thing. I enjoy being with my family on Christmas, no one rushing off to work or school, no time frame to worry about, just the whole day to spend together doing things together. I enjoy taking the TIME to be with friends over Christmas, the TIME to send Christmas cards to those who are far away letting them know they are loved. I enjoy the TIME to sit and appreciate the lights in my living room when all is dark and quiet, to reflect on the past year and the blessings God has given me. The blessings that are so much bigger than what fits under the tree. I enjoy the TIME to think of creative gifts, ones that speak to my heart, not just buying gifts so that I can check them off my list. I enjoy the TIME to think of who I can be a Secret Santa to this year, who’s life can I add a little joy to.  I enjoy the TIME of listening to Christmas music either in my car, or at home, letting the words bring cheer to my heart. The TIME I take to read Christmas stories as I sit in my lighted living room and the TIME I had taken to read Christmas stories to my girls when they were little. We had and still have enough books to take us through 2 weeks prior to Christmas where at night I would read to them. We usually would end up repeating the books also, to stretch the whole month 🙂 They have such cool children’s Christmas books! Do we still get them out to read even tho they now are teens and do I still add to the collection, well what do you think?? 🙂

I LOVE Christmas songs, so many good ones, but wanted to share one for this post. I am sure many if not all of you have heard it before, but if you haven’t I am glad to introduce you to it. It is about the precious gift of love! The gift of taking the TIME to realize what is really important! I leave you with this song and may it help you use your TIME wisely in these 5 remaining days til Christmas but in the whole New Year also!

 

Friday’s 6 word story

True LOVE sees beyond the Clouds!

20 years ago!

         Where does time go?? 20 years ago I said ,”I DO” to a man that stole my heart and so happy to say that he still has it today!! Looking forward to the next 20 plus years to come! I know that as long as I we are together we will make it through anything! Dreaming of going back to Amelia Island in Jacksonville, Florida. That is where we went for our honeymoon and I thought I would share some pics with you all. Yes, took them from Pinterest again, you really can find anything on that website!

We had a room facing the ocean and I loved hearing the waves at night. Tho we did wonder why we got so COLD in the middle of the night, perhaps someone had left the windows open! Hey, the sound of the ocean puts me to sleep 🙂

I remember sitting in front of the fireplace pictured below, with my new husband. We were so young and happy, ready to embark on our new adventure of being married. We may not be quite as young anymore, but we still are blissfully happy, and my heart is smiling with love and thankfulness today.   Happy 20th Anniversary MY DEAR HUSBAND! LOVE YOU! Thank you for your love, for all the laughter and for drying my tears. Life is like the ocean waves, sometimes the waves  are small and you can easily jump  over them enjoying the spray. Other times they can be more challenging and you may need help to jump, and there are times where they are so big, that all you can do is hold on to each other as they crash over you. Holding onto each other, knowing that as long as you hang on tight you will make it, the small waves will come again and heart to heart and arm in arm you will still be standing. 

                                          

                     

Tuesday’s Thoughts!

Happy Tuesday everyone! So have you guessed the theme behind my quotes today? 🙂 Being that my dear husband and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage tomorrow, I had to center the quotes today around LOVE. I hope you enjoy, even if you don’t have a special someone to think about as you read these quotes. Plan in your mind how that special someone is going to be worthy of these quotes 🙂 Have a Beautiful day!!!

1. “You don’t love someone for their looks, their clothes or their fancy car; but because they can sing a song that only you can hear.” Oscar Wilde

2. “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…I love thee to the depth, breadth and height that my soul can reach.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning ( I had to include this, I  have loved this poem ever since I read it in Junior High!)

3. “Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of every day into a golden haze.” Ellen Glenn

4. “Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.” Peter Utinov

5. “He broke down her walls without her even noticing and when he rebuilt the walls he added windows to let the sunshine in.!”

6. “It’s been a ugly day,” she said, “Tell me something beautiful.” And he said her name. ( AWWW!!! Yes, my husband has cheered me on many ugly days!”

7. “The best kiss is the one that has been exchanged a thousand times between the eyes before it reaches the lips.”

8. “Forget the butterflies, I feel the whole zoo when I am with you!”

9. “The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead.” Marilyn Monroe

10. “Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty and often hot and fierce. As love grows older our hearts mature adn our love becomes as coals; deep burning and unquenchable!” Bruce Lee

Don’t  think I can pick a favorite today, but let me know if you can 🙂 And remember if you haven’t found a soulmate yet don’t let these quotes get you down, love is very good at catching you by surprise!! Or if you are in a troubled relationship let me be the one to tell you YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL and surround yourself with others who believe that truth!

A Day Away!

   Yesterday my hubby whisked me away to a place I been wanting to visit for awhile! We went to Harper’s Ferry in West Virginia. Record breaking warm temps helped to make it a wonderful day to be outdoors hiking with the love of my life. We celebrate our 20th anniversary on Wednesday, so this was a Pre-Anniversary getaway 🙂  We WALKED a lot and my legs feel it, BUT it was worth it Thought I would share some pics with you all, in time my pics will be ready to share, but for now I am borrowing from the great site of Pinterest 🙂  This church was built in 1830!

                     

                            We visited the Wax Museum, the detail of the 88 Wax figurines describing the history of John Brown, how he tried to free the slaves, but ended up being sentenced to death. Harpers Ferry is a Historical, quaint town with OLD buildings and unique shops. It is nestled in between the beauty of the river and mountains around it. You can start hiking the Appalachian trail from there. We turned in the direction of the sign that said Maine. We only had 1600 miles to go to reach Maine the sign said. We pondered it and decided we may wait for another day to attempt that 🙂  Was a lovely day of just being leisurely and enjoying our surroundings. If you ever happen to be close to the area, I encourage you to visit, you won’t be disappointed.

This is Jefferson’s Rock. He had made a comment when in Harpers Ferry that this was the place for the best view and so it became name

 

Hope you enjoyed this little photo trip!