Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Farewell to 2015

Wow....is it really the end of the year?  It's time for all of those New Years resolutions.....NOT!  I learned long ago to not do those.

The last few weeks have quickly slipped away, but not before leaving us with a lot of fabulous memories.  It was a great Christmas here.  Everyone was well and able to be here for Christmas eve.  There was lots of laughter, food and chaos with such a large crowd, but it was grand.

The days leading up to Christmas are always so busy, but we were able to take an evening and drive to San Simeon to visit the Hearst Castle all decorated for Christmas.  It was a great evening with period participants strolling about.  The photos are a wee bit dark due to the museum lighting, but I hope you can imagine some of the beauty.






This is the size of dining room table that I need!

Indoor pool

Gold tiles around the pool
With company and entertaining happening here I haven't had much time to slip away for sewing.  In between cleaning up this week I was able to work a bit on the Allietare Mystery quilt.  I really love the colors of this project so I am looking forward to seeing it come together.


While everyplace else seems to be having exceptionally warm winter weather, we have had some really chilly temperatures.  I would hate to count the number of times I have had to go out and cover my tropical plants this month.  Brr.  I'm just glad that I don't have to be marching in the Rose Parade Friday morning!!  ;-)

One last photo.....of the newest member to our daughter's family.....Lady.



As I sign off I want to wish everyone a beautiful 2016.  Thank you so much for following me throughout the year, leaving comments and keeping in touch.




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30 comments:

  1. KateDecember 30, 2015 at 4:33 PM

    All the best for 2016!

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  2. Exuberantcolor/Wanda S HansonDecember 30, 2015 at 5:09 PM

    Happy New year!! And I agree, no resolutions, just live each day to the fullest without guilt or regrets.

    I visited Biltmore House in NC when it was decorated for Christmas one year. The Hearst Castle is probably similar in the huge rooms and high ceilings. It is amazing that one family lived in those homes.

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  3. em's scrapbagDecember 30, 2015 at 5:40 PM

    We were out your way and although you think it was chilly we found it quite warm compared to our 30*. Everything is relative I guess.

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  4. sunnyDecember 30, 2015 at 6:23 PM

    It sounds like you had a perfect Christmas! I would love to see the castle sometime, especially at Christmastime. Thanks for sharing the photos. Happy New Year!

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  5. CreateologyDecember 30, 2015 at 7:32 PM

    How lovely to see Hearst Castle in holiday décor. I was just there in August and port-a-potties greeted everyone. Christmas has come and gone all too quickly and now we move into 2016. May you have Health and Happiness with All Good Blessings...

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  6. TheEclecticAbuelaDecember 30, 2015 at 7:43 PM

    Lady is adorable! Happy New Year.

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  7. MariaDecember 30, 2015 at 8:19 PM

    WOW ! the Castle looks amazing... Love the comment re the huge table....
    Pleased all were well and you had a fabulous christmas..
    Your new Mystery looks interesting. Our group is also working on a Mystery one while we are on break..
    Looks like Lady is going to be a much loved new member of your DDs family...
    Wishing your family and you a Happy Healthy and Fun Filled 2016...with no resolutions...lol..

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  8. KimDecember 30, 2015 at 9:06 PM

    I toured the Hearst Castle in 2013. It's a beautiful estate and quite pretty dressed up for Christmas. Happy New Year!

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  9. RaewynDecember 30, 2015 at 10:20 PM

    It's great to hear that you had a lovely busy Christmas, Mary. Wonderful memories for sure. The tour of the castle looks amazing. It's interesting - as always - to see Bonnie's mystery evolve, I agree, the colours are lovely. Lady looks so sweet, bet she will be loved to bits.

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  10. RamonaDecember 31, 2015 at 3:27 AM

    I'm glad you had a great Christmas with your family. May 2016 be filled with good health, good visits with family and lots of time quilting!

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  11. Abby and StephanieDecember 31, 2015 at 5:31 AM

    Happy New Year to you and your family! Lady is darling!!!

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  12. Wacky WomanDecember 31, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    Happy New Year Mary!

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  13. andsewonDecember 31, 2015 at 7:52 AM

    Happy New Year Mary! Wishing you and your lovely family all the best and happiness in 2016!
    Lola

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  14. QuiltShopGalDecember 31, 2015 at 8:15 AM

    I love Hearst Castle and always thought it would be a fun place to visit for Christmas. Your visit sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing pictures. I wish you and your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

    QuiltShopGal
    www.quiltshopgal.com

    PS - I'm finding it really easy to follow you via http://mycreativebloglist.blogspot.com/, although I still follow you via a variety of tools.

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  15. Denise :)December 31, 2015 at 8:40 AM

    Wow -- that table, though! Happy New Year to you, sweet Mary!! :)

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  16. RhondaDecember 31, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    I wish I had that dinning room table in my sewing room.....lol! Here's wishing you & yours a fantastic 2016!

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  17. HilachasDecember 31, 2015 at 6:36 PM

    Happy New Year! It sounds like you had a fabulous Christmas with family. Wishing you many more and a great new year!

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  18. LindsJanuary 1, 2016 at 6:13 AM

    Happy New Year, Mary!

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  19. SheilaJanuary 1, 2016 at 6:48 AM

    Happy New Year Mary !

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  20. CaroleJanuary 1, 2016 at 6:48 AM

    Happy New Year! Wishing you the best 2016 has to offer! Cheers!

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  21. Lara B.January 1, 2016 at 10:05 AM

    Your Christmas sounds just perfect Mary! Being surrounded by happiness and family - what could be better?
    Hearst Castle really looks like it got pulled up from Europe and planted in California.
    Lady and your grandson are adorable!
    Wishing you the happiest of new years!

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  22. OPQuiltJanuary 1, 2016 at 5:46 PM

    Happy New Year to one of my favorite bloggers. That visit to Hearst Castle looks amazing--I loved the snapshots showing the people dressed in period clothes (I didn't even know that they did this). I hope you have had a lovely New Year's Day with time to reflect, and time to get the vacuuming done, if you want to. I love the company, but it's also been nice to have the quiet!

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  23. CarlaJanuary 1, 2016 at 9:06 PM

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! It's going to be a very stitchy year for us ; ) that castle is just gorgeous

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  24. Carol SwiftJanuary 2, 2016 at 7:40 AM

    Looks like you had a great break from sewing to spend time with your family. Happy New Year to you and may 2016 have you sewing more amazing things!

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  25. Gosia @ Quilts My WayJanuary 2, 2016 at 5:12 PM

    Wow ! Is it a first post without new quilts? I can't believe :)
    It's just a joke of course. You deserve for a break from sewing, Mary.
    I wish you a Happy New Year, MY DEAR !!!!

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  26. StitchinByTheLakeJanuary 4, 2016 at 10:17 AM

    That's just what Christmas is all about! blessings, marlene

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  27. MicheleJanuary 4, 2016 at 6:14 PM

    Thank you for sharing your pictures of Hearst Castle! It looks beautiful! You've inspired me to google it to learn more about it. I can't wait to see the quilt you are working on come together. It's difficult to get much done during the holidays except to have fun ;-) The newest member of your daughter's family certainly looks like lots of fun!

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  28. Soma @ inkTorrents.comJanuary 5, 2016 at 8:35 PM

    The castle looks wonderful, I can easily imagine it looking magical! Looks like Lady has already found her best friend :)

    -Soma

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  29. ✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾January 6, 2016 at 6:44 AM

    I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Mary! I love seeing those photos of Hearst castle. Kevin and I went there when we were on our honeymoon. I've told my daughters (and shown them photos) of the amazing outdoor pool many many times. I can't wait to take them there when they are a little older. It must have been grand seeing it decorated for the holidays. Happy new year!!!!

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  30. BarbJanuary 6, 2016 at 2:55 PM

    I hope you have a fabulous New Year as well....

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