HIGHLIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS

By

Gypsy Rhapsody

(a 1977 Airstream that just became a mother)

I'm still have not gotten over the initial excitement 

of adopting my daughter, Minuet in G.

It's been a whirlwind of activity.

Vannie and Dave have been going here and there,

and Minnie G arrived,

and more activities.

I'm going to give you some of the highlights

of the past few weeks.
The first stop on this list was Cousin Janet Lovelady's.
Janet lives in Flower Mound, TX...just north of Dallas.
She had lots of ideas for us to explore while we spend about 3 days with her.

If you are ever in the Dallas area during the Christmas season,

the Dallas Arboretum is a much see...according to Vannie.

The 12 days of Christmas is an outstanding exhibit.

This is the "drummer's drumming". 

"The Lord's a Leaping"

"the Pipper's Piping" 

"The Ladies Dancing"

Dave said the costumes were magnificent.

"A Christmas Spirit" starter...for sure.

Dave said seeing the big house at the Arboretum was 

a huge bonus.  Not sure if it is open all year.

It was decorated top to bottom for the season.

Here's Dave standing in the library.

One of the beautiful trees...

...and Santa's...over 500...

Look who Vannie snuggled up to outside...

Shakespeare, himself.

It was very chilly the day they visited the Arboretum.

The waterfall shows it...check out that ice.

Janet also suggested that the Kimble "Monet" exhibit was not to be missed.

It was spectacular...according to Vannie...

and Dave mostly agreed.  lol

Just a little bit of Christmas on those suspenders. 

Vannie was so glad they got to visit with Cousin George Johnston

and his pretty wife Josie (who took the picture) and their oldest son,

George Jr.  

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was spend in Austin

with the Salvagio Family.

Vivacious Vincent

Marvelous Maddie

Spending time with the grandkids is always delightful.

Yes, this is Miss Minnie G.  She sent me these pictures back

from their spot behind the Clubhouse in Bernice.

I've been there many times, so we decided it was time for Minnie G

to get to experience Louisiana.

I'll be staying in Hillsboro for a couple of months

enjoying all my Airstream buddies.

Some of Minnie G's first visitors...

Niece Amy, Sister-in-law, Judy, Niece Lisa, and Great Niece Lacy

Lunch in Ruston with some of the Harris Bunch...

Great Niece Brook, Niece Stephanie, Sister-in-law, Judy

Love this picture of Vannie and Amy

 in front of the First Baptist Church in Bernice.

Vannie said she and Dave enjoyed the Bernice crowd so much....

especially Amy's chicken and dressing and chocolate pie...YUM.

First Baptist Church 

Bernice, LA

Great great Nephew, Ben...

He is so precious.

Last pic of Bernice before heading south..

Minnie G and V and D will be spending 2 months in Lafayette.

Vannie has a sub teaching job for about a month,

and Dave will be working on Minnie G.

And, of course, we will be visiting lots of friends...

Minnie G will be writing the blog while they are in Lafayette.

You will enjoy her style...pretty much the same as mine.  Hee Hee

HAPPY NEW YEAR...

JOYOUS ANNOUNCEMENT

Look who dropped in!!

Please share our joy at the arrival of

Gypsy Rhapsody's adoptive daughter

Minuet in G

"Minnie G"

Length 22 feet

Weight 2700 pounds

Adoption Completed:  December 16, 2016

Proud Godparents

Vannie and Dave 

Minnie G is a 1979 Argosy Minuet 6.7 trailer

made by Airstream.

We are proud to be a blended family!

Looking forward to many road trips in Gypsy and Minnie G.

CHRISTMAS AROUND HILLSBORO, TX

By

Gypsy Rhapsody

Christmas out and around Hillsboro, TX

has been delightful.

We are not usually in these parts 

during this time of the year, but 2016

has found us cozening  up to the Texans.

And remember...

 

...Home is where you Hookup...

We have been parked in our lot

at NTAC

(North Texas Airstream Community).

They have the cutest Airstreams

hanging around in everybodies 

driveways and garages.

As for me, Gypsy Rhapsody,

it just doesn't get much better than this.

Hillsboro has been filled with a plethora of

holiday activities for Vannie and Dave

to indulge.

...and indulge is the optimum word...

The old Hillsboro Courthouse is ablaze with

the Christmas glow during December.

It is such a pretty courthouse, and with the

"glow" this time of year, it is magnificent.

Vannie said you just can't beat a good old tour of homes.

Hillsboro Heritage League did a bang up good job organizing this event.

This was the first year V and D have gotten to do the tour...

and they loved it. 

One of their favorites was the home that is

above the old drugstore downtown.

Vannie was dying to take some pics,

but, alas, that wasn't permitted.  Shucks.

Dave looks like he is ready to enjoy this one.

The day was kind of overcast and dreary, but that

didn't dampen his Christmas spirit. I bet he was

hoping for just one Christmas cookie with lots of icing.

Speaking of cookies...

The Christmas Tea at NTAC 

was inundated with the sweet confectioneries.

Vannie said there were all kinds, colors, and shapes.

If you had a sweet tooth...this was the place to be.

Alas, it was just for ladies.

Dave was bummed.

He had to sit home with me while Vannie

got high as a kite on cookies.

Vannie had brought Cousin Janet's chocolate chip cookie brittle.

These are the best...flour, butter, sugar, chocolate chips, vanilla, nuts.

Even I could gain 20 pounds just smelling these delicacies. 

The rally room at NTAC was all prettied up 

for the festivities.  The tree was just gorgeous.

That's a big one, for sure.

...and this Christmas quilt made by Marjie Riggio

was admired by everyone...

Looks like these gals have had one too many cookies.

Vannie, Cecilia, Eglina

Another party...more food and fun

This one was the annual Christmas Dinner at NTAC.

Dave said the dinner was yummy and music was

provided by musicians from the local college.

Nice evening to get dressed up and celebrate the season.

The Christmas Cantata

First United Methodist Church of Hillsboro

Can you see Dave?

He is on the back row...first one on the right.

Can you tell he loved every minute of it?

Singing in the church choir (wherever we are) is one of his favorite activities.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night...

The angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around...

Luke 2:12

"This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby

wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Vannie said it was a great evening of worship and 

remembering the reason for the season.

Oh my gosh...

when V and D left the house like this...

I couldn't believe it.

...but it happened...

They were dressed like penguins

for the "Happy Feet" potluck supper.

OMG...it never stops...

Brrrr...it's going to be really cold this weekend...

so V and D have the home fires burning.

Don't you just love my own personal fire place...

The stockings are hung ...

...and hung...

...and hung...

...and hung..

WAIT...just how many stockings do we need, folks?

Santa is not up to filling all of these...I just know he isn't.

Vannie says there is always hope.!!!

This is my new little tree.

Cute as pie...It is flat and hangs on the lampshade.

Walmart...5 bucks.!!!

This is my very old manger scene.

It originally belonged to Dave's grandmother.

Sweet little Cooper

Adorable Vincent and Maddie

...and last but not least...

Vannie's breakfast at IHOP's yesterday.

The kid's meal breakfast...

Vannie said her friends made her do it.

That's what they all say.

Vannie is a "sprinkles" kind of gal.

A SURPRISE...

Yes, and it's going to be a BIG one.

You will all have to wait just a couple more days...

and I will reveal the surprise.

I'm VERY excited...

and you will be, too.

Keep posted.!!!