Yes, I am wearing them this very minute even though we aren’t going out for a little bit.  I wore them right after I got them, and yes – I even bought new pants for them so I could show off the stitching!  I can’t wait for warmer weather to go riding with them 🙂

P.S.  If you’re wondering, I got them at Bull Chute Western Wear

For any of you who are familiar with Raleigh, NC you know that snow is not a common thing, but we were happily surprised this morning!  We have had about 6.5 or so inches of snow, and a refrige and food pantry full of food from grocery shopping last  night.

The view from our front door taken this morning around 10am:

the view from our back door:

and a very excited Gus played in the snow.  The last time he saw snow, was a light dusting when he was a puppy.

If you don’t have access to a TV tomorrow, you can check out live streaming and coverage of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration Tomorrow:

Where to watch Obama’s Presidential Inauguration Online:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=812

This weekend was fabulous!  If you followed my twitter stream, you know that Gary and I went to our friends’ bonfire.  Complete with hot dogs on the fire, marshmallows, and all the other yummy bon-fire type food and drink.  Gus had fun playing with our friends’ great pyrenees, and we had fun helping build the fire.  It’s in a great location near their creek, and of course a hose (for safety!)  close at hand.  We stayed for the afternoon, and then headed home since we were meeting some other friends that evening.  We saw the carolina panthers lose and headed to a few other places to hang out, and got home and to bed around 2:30am.  Weekends are so fun with great friends!

Last year, when Gary and I went to Honduras (Roatan), I had the opportunity to photograph more than just one of these amazing little creatures.  Humming birds are the smallest bird in the world, beautiful and colourful.  You can read more about them on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hummingbird

Gary and I had about 5 or 6 invites to parties.  Some were people we knew through friends, some were close friends, and one was with my family 🙂  We had dinner at my parents, then went to our second party of the evening where we came out pretty good in “Yankee Swap” my favourite game of the New Year!  and then we swung by another set of friends’ party (new to Raleigh this new year).  Then today we went to our friends’ for a German new years lunch, and then I did a little shopping 🙂

I don’t make new years resolutions, because we all want to be happier, healthier, accomplish more, do more, travel more, and a year is a Long time!  I do think as we grow we should do things out of our comfort zone or push ourselves to do something good for ourselves and good for the world: for people, for animals, for the environment. I have a lot of thoughts, plans, and projects for 2009!  Do You?  Maybe we can do them together 🙂

Cheers to an even better 2009!

My friend Micah was in town from California to see family, and Gary and I got to see him today for lunch!  I love when we get to see him, even if it is once a year 🙂  Hopefully we’ll make it out to California for a vacation and get to see him and see him perform.  Check out his website if you are in CA, hes a great magician and has private lessons.  He also acts and does some theater work.  Also, if you know someone who is a member, go check out the Magic Castle where he performs occasionally.  It’s an exclusive, private club, black tie, and has amazing magicians from all around the world.

Where did the week go? wow!  The weekend went by quickly also, but in 3 days we will be toasting in the new year!

We had brunch at my parent’s this morning where I made apple cinnamon pancakes and scrambled eggs and cheese . . . and they were yummy!

Mid-afternoon, we headed to Atlantic beach to see Gary’s parents for Christmas.  After arriving, we visited for a bit and then opened presents before dinner.  Right now we’re all sitting on couches with our laptops and watching tv together after a unique experience at the only local open restaurant . . .

The weather is pleasant in the 60’s?  And we plan on relaxing for the rest of the week! . . . Christmas ’08’ has been so nice and we love spending time with our families 😀

One of our favourite things to do at Christmas (or Christmas Eve) . . . stay up late and play with the new toys or packages we just opened that day.  Gary is playing with one of his Christmas gifts from my parents this very minute . . . one of the games he got for the PS3, and I had fun unpacking all of the new things we opened and put them away.  I took a few snapshots of some of the things we got.  Yummy home made goodies, spicy and hot nummies for Gary, a few candy or decorative bowls and boxes, etc.

These are just a few of the things! 😀