The smell of gingerbread and gumdrops and the excitement of knowing two special kids are on their way to my front door. Oh that I can always lure them to me.

The Devon Tower all decked out for the holidays. Talk about sparkle and shine!

My first efforts at meringue cookies, peppermint in honer of the season. And my first efforts with my new macro lens for iPhone 7. Yes, an add on lens for a cell phone. Cookies that are as light as a cloud and phones with lens. It's a brave new world!

I think one reason I love Christmas is it's fantasy for our everyday lives. Trees decked with shimmer and glimmer that make me feel like a kid again. Candy canes and pretty packages, pots of poinsettias and secret plans to surprise loved ones. Yes, it's the stuff of fantasy and memories. ....sigh....

There is something about a gift from someone special, the gift becomes the symbol of your affection and love for each other. Madison and Evan gave me this snow globe several years ago and every time I see it gives me a warm glow of love for these two little people, and especially this time of the year.

I'm always amazed by photography. Oh not how a camera works even though that is some kind of hocus-pocus magic. I amazed by me arriving at a particular place at a particular time to snap this shot. A minute later would have been too late, the sun would have been at a different angle. A week later and those brilliant red leaves would be on the ground. But all these things came together at this moment and forever it is captured, by me!

Most days I go go go, what needs to be done next, deadlines and chores always nipping at my heels. But every once in a while I can drift, just be. Spend time watching the birds and clouds and this meandering river. I love those days best.