My New Year

 It's been a 'winterless' winter here in the mountains of southwestern Virginia.

 I can't speak for other areas of our state, but WE have had only four inches of snow, if that, in the early part of the season, but you can hardly call that winter now can you?

 The daffodils began their blooming quite early, as did most of the flowering trees,

and it makes me wonder if summer too will come early with it's warm temperatures, high humidity and worst of all, bugs, snakes, and all that slithers about.

 The blossoms of springtime lift my heart and hopes.

This is my New Year rather than party hats and horns of the last night of December.

These buds are the promise of what a new year is all about.

You Cooked My Goose

 *my husband David and neighbor Juan slicing the goose*

I recall at Thanksgiving time this past year, that many bloggers as well as columnists posted write-ups about "how to get through Thanksgiving dinner without arguing politics", or "how to get through the Holidays without killing a relative".  There can be a lot of angst, even between family members, and for the most part it was suggested that politics or past disagreements simply be left at the door.  Good advice!!

 *neighbor's labradoodle, Coco supervising goose carving*

Families can get messy.  There is a lot of love, but for some families there can also be a lot of past hurts that one person just won't let go of and feelings are inevitably bubbling to the surface year after year causing more emotional damage.

 I suppose that is why I have always preferred the gathering of friends on New Year's rather than the messy emotional stuff that Christmas and Thanksgiving are made of.

 Christmas and Thanksgiving seem to be made out of the past but the New Year is NEW , SHINY and BRIGHT and dedicated to sloughing off the past and ringing in the new; looking to the future and the year ahead.  Better times. 

 On this fabulous New Year I am hoping for more green beans, acorn squash, browned rice and perhaps another goose, and a spicy pumpkin pie for dessert.

No politics, plastic babies in mangers, or being reminded of who did what to who 20 years ago.

Just healthy food and the light conversation of sweet friends.

*Izzy wearing her New Year look.  A Thunder Shirt to keep her feeling safe and assured that the fireworks would not get her.*

 I'll have some kibble and chicken broth please, without being reminded that I was a naughty puppy last year.  It makes me all angsty.

Happy New Year!

It's A New And Sweet Year

 Just sharing a few photos from our New Year's Eve gathering at friends' home from yesterday.  

It's always so sweet to see everyone.... even if a few were missing from the day, including my husband who stayed home with a stomach bug that had carried through from the previous night.

 I won't identify anyone since some prefer their anonymity....

Just know that there was much love flowing from our hearts for one another, and a bit of liquid love flowing from everyone's cups and flutes.

More love coming today as we share a cooked goose with more friends!

It's going to be a great 2017 where our group of friends are concerned.

We won't dwell on the negativity of 2016.

Onward and upward!!

Happy New Year!!