Bits and pieces of May

We are finally on our way to the construction of our new home.  We have closed on our property, have chosen a house plan and a builder, and, thus, have started the wheels in motion.  Our house plan is now in the hands of the Architectural Review Committee but the excavation should begin by the middle of this month. 

On our last visit we walked the whole 5 1/2 acres, back to the end where there is a ledge of rocks which will make a nice place to sit and relax with an adult beverage.  Most of the acreage will remain wooded although it would be nice to cut a few trails in to get to some berry patches.  Wouldn't it be great if we could celebrate Christmas in our house, tucked in the woods? But that might be a real push.

We had a wonderful visit with family and friends in Frostburg.  It is our youth that we have in common with all of you there and that makes every visit special, causing us to reflect on what what has shaped us as individuals and what is truly important in life.

Thanks to Lynn and Kenny for sharing three generations of your family with us.  We are glad we timed it to see all our your children together even though we did add confusion to what was already a hectic time.

Linda and Stan, the evenings at your cabin are always a treat for the soul.  Past, present, and future take on more meaning after one of our cabin/wine evenings.  It's too bad that we didn't think of taking a picture before the darkness set in, but everyone needs to know how fabulously beautiful (Linda,was that what you told me to write?) you looked..

Pat and Tom, thanks for allowing us to settle for a few days with you.  Macy and Max loved running through the grass and I'm sure they felt it was a great adventure to be able to see horses from their spot on the porch.  I loved going through the crate of pictures!  Julia certainly enjoyed her short visit with you on the way back from Washington.  Barb's slide was as big a hit as the plane ride for her.
This is the beautiful field of phlox and buttercups that we enjoyed from Pat and Tom's porch.

 It was great being able to reconnect with people we hadn't seen in awhile; the next time we are in town we will have to be sure to include more visits.

Here are my two favorite recent pictures of Julia.


Love to all of you who are reading this.  I think of you often.
Redwood, have a good end of the year!