Saturday, December 31, 2016

Giving a 'Mammoth' kiss to a prop for tomorrow's Mummers Parade in downtown Philly.

This little baaing lambikins in the middle caught my eye while I was shopping in Middleburg this afternoon. What a cute wreath!

Kota helping me fit a new stereo in the car. He wouldn't hold the tools or fix the wiring but his meows were obviously telling me what to do.

The way back down my hike in Sky Meadows Park today.

A fire chief who was an active community member for over 65 years was buried today in Marshall. I saw the flag and stopped as the procession of over 70 vehicles, including fire trucks from neighboring towns, passed by.

I love this lamp that Matt and Bheki gave me, featuring two of my favorite things about Meadow House, hummingbirds and dogwood flowers.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Steve cooked a delicious ham and kale stew for our Christmas dinner, and then we polished off his 12 year old malt, which was equally yummy.

I watched the totally awesome Rogue One, the new Star Wars movie, today at the Winchester Alamo which is known for its quirky adverts and short films before the main event. Today they were showing vintage and quirky Star Wars clips, including a short movie called Darth Vader Cat. In its entirety here.https://youtu.be/hOLA_Kg7zRw

The Christmas lights on 34th Street in Baltimore after following the Polish Carol Singers with Margie, Richard and Phillip.

There's quite a collection of birds on the wall of my mechanic's shop.

Santa Claus looked a little languorous at the Mosaic Center in Fairfax this evening where I went to see La La Land with MJ and Martin, which was also a little lacklustre.

Steve and I met to enjoy the best fried chicken and pork in Virginia, found at Nick's Deli, here in Marshall, and then we moved down the road to sup a couple of local craft beers at Gentle Harvest. What a delectable feast!

An amazing sky in Chantilly as I left work this afternoon.

Hanging out at Pavemint Tapbar and Grill after rummaging in antique stores in Front Royal.

Shot gun shells and crystals work wonderfully together at Christmas time.

 A stressful day at work, jerry rigging a new printer to print film with parts from my other broken printer, which will hopefully be repaired next week. I even had to hand draw a one color job on film to try and keep production on schedule. The jobs were completed but I'm glad it's the end of the week!

They're both waiting to hear the magic word, "Treats!!"

I finally found a place for my new print. I ripped away the old photo that was behind this frame and popped the canvas print in its place. Much more colorful!

Liver and bacon casserole with tomatoes, mushrooms, beans and potatoes in a rich stout gravy. Delicious. And of course, served with Coleman's English mustard.

Carl, my chiropractor, has the best Christmas tree in town. I howled when I saw this!

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Our 10th anniversary party with DCUE. Andrew posing with a delicious chocolate cake.

The old IGA has been transformed. It looks like it's going to be a classic car restoration shop.

Kevin striking a Miss World pose with the bill from our company Christmas lunch.

I love this Christmas ornament, a Christmas tree stand. The only one I've bought this year.

A goody bag arrived today for me, Kota Kat and Rosie Lee from Mum. Yay!

The Gentle Harvest store in town looking bright and festive. 

A snap that Emily took of Margie and I bopping to 70's disco music at Margie's awesome holiday party.

The Marshall Christmas Parade on Main Street.

The model railway at the Winchester Alamo Drafthouse where we watched Fantastic Beasts this evening.

I saw this while out shopping and loved it. But I don't need it, a photo will suffice. If I had a Beetle though it would be home with me right now.

I love Amazon Prime. It's huge and is a superb service, but I've never seen a truck before, a fact realized when this one thundered past on my way to work. Love the slogan!

This was outside work when I left, a leopard wearing a sombrero on a backhoe. Not sure what it means but it's obviously a joke between the maintenance crew.

Just got this canvas print and am really happy with the quality. Just need to find a space to hang it now.

3 breweries in Winchester and a pub visited with Steve. Here, at Alesation, I sampled 3 IPAs and we shared an amazing pizza.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

A heavily decorated Trump supporter's house down near Tom's Brook, VA.

Love is...sharing a turkey leg with Kota.

Thursday, November 23, 2016

About to start our Thanksgiving feast. A wonderful afternoon filled with food and friendship.

My place setting for tomorrow's dinner. 

Almost ready for Thanksgiving. These will be my placeholders.

Afternoon shadows on one of my horse brasses and fall decorations.

One of two quick bird paintingsI did this afternoon on bits of wood.

Finally found a dining room table that fits in my tiny home and expands to full size. I'm ready for Thanksgiving!

A busy day of printing film, more film, and more film. I barely left my office. Good to be busy!

Putting together another urbexing shadow box. It's nice to get all the pieces in one space.

Flames through the soot marked glass doors of the wood stove.

I love stacking wood. That's 2 cords wrapped around the chimney ready for winter. It should see me through.

What big ears you have, Kota! He's refusing to give up the rocking chair and won't look at me. 

After a whole weekend of house and yard cleaning, it's lovely to relax in front of a fire this evening.

Saturday, November12, 2016

A late night with Janice, watching Dr Strange and Arrival. This image is the first and last scene of Arrival with my favorite picture in the cinema's hallway of Napolean Dynamite.

An amazing sky on the way home. Kind of wished I had a Superman tab under my tongue to enjoy it even more!