The Last Ramblings of the old year.  I have picked random images from each month for this week.  I am taking a little time over the next few days to reflect on 2014-good and bad, think about what I have accomplished and what I can improve.  

 I have always enjoyed New Year’s Eve and Day.  There is something about the thought of a fresh start, and of course a delicious pork roast with sauerkraut.  Being a true food junkie, all the traditional foods and little appetizers are a delight.

I love to think of the possibilities of hopes and dreams.  I also love to think of all the wonderful memories of the prior year.  In times of reflection, I try to focus on the good memories, memories of family and friends – those that are here and those that have moved on from their earthly state.  So here’s to –the past, the future and everything in between.

Around the holidays we have some favorite traditions that have been carried on to a new generation.  One of these traditions is going to see Santa at Rohr’s Nursery in Ohio.  I vaguely remember going to see the mall Santa when I was little.  I think visiting Santa for a picture is a tradition for many families.   Well when my girls were little I started taking them to the Rohr’s Santa.  When we would go it was usually at the end of a long work week and I was tired.  This particular Santa always amazed me at just how much he would know about the girls.  In my sleepy frazzled state I would actually think for just a second that maybe Santa was real, maybe there were elves peaking around bushes and in windows observing all the activities in our household-not so much in a creepy way but in the way that makes a person feel like a kid again.  As with everything my girls grew up – all too quickly, but this special Santa made them believe a little longer in the magic that is Christmas.  So we have started this tradition with my grandson.  The word has gotten out about this special Santa and the lines are long to have those few cherished moments with the man in red.  We wait and my Grandson hops, spins, wiggles and dances to the Christmas Carols.  We finally get to the front of the line and I –of course-am snapping pictures.  I finally got time to look at the images and the last one was quite the treat.  As I zoomed in on the faces -to look at the details of the expressions- Santa was winking at me.  It added just a little bit of magic back into the holidays for me.

Once upon a time in November of 2013 Steve and I headed up for a little show up in Port Huron with his friend Jeff.  We actually left early enough on this trip to gallivant a bit, which meant a jam packed day of sightseeing.

After heading down some back roads and past some Michigan corn fields, we stopped in the beautiful little town of Chelsea.  In Chelsea I was delighted to get to tour the Jiffy Company.  Now I imagine that a lot of you are familiar with the blue and white boxes that house the delicious mixes that help homemakers of all kinds create cakes and corn muffins.  The tour is a must do if you are anywhere near the area.  There is quite a bit of history discussed, and it took me back to days of baking with my Mom.  This was one of those trips I know she would have loved to hear about and see the pictures of.  She would have also enjoyed the tour.  We left Chelsea and headed toward Port Huron we drove through the little town of Hell, Michigan.

After arriving in Hell we both decided we were pretty hungry.   We enjoyed the local attractions and sat down in this delightful little pizza shop which also served as a gift shop, and the Hell, Michigan post office.  After lunch we moved on to the Port Huron area and Fort Gratiot Lighthouse.

I love lighthouses and this was a beautiful area and a beautiful museum.  Everything was decorated for the holidays with fresh greens hung and lights strung.

This brought us to the end of the day and into the night.  Now I wasn’t feeling the greatest so I stayed in the RV for most of the show, needless to say I ended up chasing a drunken gentleman down the road- mic stand in my hand -his pants around his ankles-after I caught him relieving his bladder on our little house with wheels.  It actually amazed me that he could run under those circumstances.  Well it is always an adventure.