Marveling at some of my Holiday Photos from Christmas 2025.
Monday Moaning or Monday Marveling? 12/29/25
Tag: Happiness
Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/26/25
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. This little golden tree I saw on a walk the other day.
2. Robert’s Christmas Morning Breakfast …
Apple and Bacon Sundae Cups
Okay, maybe now it seems more like Christmas Breakfast/Dessert.
3. Holiday Joy.
4. Benny’s favorite gift …
Kitty Stocking Scratcher.
5. Granddaughter Madison … a beautiful gift.
Maybe a few more than Five Happy Bringers this Holiday Friday.
May you show up in Holiday Joy this weekend.
Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/19/25
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. Very neat seasonal looks everywhere you turn.
2. Holidays and Seasonal Changes.
3. Robert’s Recent Rescue.
So the other afternoon HR and I drove over to Jesup GA to one of our very favorite Christmas Tree farms, Days of Creation.
We bought a pretty fresh wreath.
When we got home, Robert put the wreath, along with some branches of spruce, in our shower (!) to freshen them up with some cold water. (Some things in a marriage you simply put up with.)
In another room, I heard him yell/squeal, “Neal, look!”
It took me a minute to see the little fellow.
“What are you doing?!” I asked.
“I’m rescuing him, of course.”
His new home outside our door.
4. These amazing little slider hotdogs we had yesterday for lunch at local Sly’s Sliders and Fries.
5. Nearby church spires at dusk here in Savannah.
May you look around and see some Peaceful Beauty this last weekend before Christmas.
Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/12/25
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
Robert and I have been up in Philadelphia this week for an anniversary getaway, so most of my Happy Bringers are found within our travel.
1. First, a few photographic mistakes I made during the week. Which are actually sort of cool.
2. Delicious and messy Philly Cheesesteak at Pat’s King of Steaks (who supposedly created the iconic sandwich).
3. The Joy of being able to travel a bit. Everybody certainly doesn’t have the luxury.
4. Well, …
5. Unbeknown to HR and me while planning our Philadelphia trek … landing smack dab in the center of Philly’s Gayborhood.
Iconic gay bookstore, Giovanni’s Room, a short walk away.
May you have a Grand and Gay Weekend ahead!
P.S. As I write this post, Robert and I are on the Midnight Train to Georgia. (We arrive in Atlanta early morn.)
“[We’re] leaving (leaving)
On that midnight train to Georgia (leaving on a midnight train)
Hmm, yeah
Said [we’re] going back (going back to find)
To a simpler place and time (and when [we take] that ride)
Oh yes, [we are]”
We’re Happy-ing Our Anniversary!
Today, December 9, marks the 9th Anniversary of … Us.
Nine years ago today …
*********************
We’re now on a week Anniversary Getaway that started with a busy weekend in Atlanta and continued on to the neatest little boutique hotel in downtown Philadelphia.
Today, HR and I are taking the Amtrak …
… an hour away to a cold New York City for an Anniversary Day Trip.
First stop …
Then the subway to a NYC museum we have never visited …
Fascinating!
On to our Anniversary Meal at Del Frisco’s Grille, Rockerfeller Plaza.
Indeed, a Happy Anniversary.
Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/5/25
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. This photo I snapped yesterday of an elderly couple, holding hands and walking into Walmart. For some reason, it sort of melted my heart for a moment.
2. Robert and I attending last night‘s annual Christmas tree lighting at the Jepsen Center for the Arts here in downtown Savannah.
The event featured a Fabulous Harpist (who we have seen at another downtown event or two).
And here’s Robert bothering her while she’s trying to perform.
Look, The Clauses! (Is that how you spell their plural last name?)
3. The good-feeling ability to be excited about seasonal changes and holidays. I know that it’s a blessing because many people are not happy at this time of year.
4. Beautiful Camelias, the “Winter Rose,” blooming all over downtown Savannah.
5. Beautifully delicious coffee (peppermint mocha) at Origin Coffee Bar.
**********************
And here I am trying to be all bohemian coffee shop-artsy …
May your happiness this weekend be better than a melted cookie.
My Saturday Evening Post: 11/29/25 “An Evening Late/A Perfect Evening”
So after a wonderful holiday celebration on Thanksgiving Day itself over at my daughter Amy’s on Skidaway Island, Robert and I had our own little family Thanksgiving celebration here at home last night.
It was really Robert’s night as culinary chef. I just helped with prep and cleanup mainly.
Here he is tying up the Cornish hens …
Toasting the cornbread for the sage sausage dressing …
Pan frying the bacon and brussels sprouts …
HR set it all up on this neat little high rise table …
Oh wait, I did do something! I set up the festive holiday dining table.
I probably should not have done this, but as Robert started to say a beautiful Thanksgiving Blessing, I opened my eyes real quick and photographed him. (Who does such a thing?!)
The prayer went on quite a while. I had ample opportunity for a cute close-up.
He caught me after he muttered a too-quick “Amen,” not allowing me time to hide my iPhone.
Then on to the food!
Scrumptiously delicious.
Oh, and don’t forget his pumpkin pie!
What a Delicious Feast with Just the Two of Us.
And that’s my Saturday Evening Post.
Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/28/25
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. Pulling out my parents’ colorful and old metal Thanksgiving Platter. Still beautiful, even with its chips and dents from decades of use.
2. Time once again for Neal’s Citrus Cranberry Sauce!
3. The hope that tomorrow might be better.
4. After Thanksgiving lunch …
… Robert taking photos of Daughter Amy and her fam for their 2025 Christmas card.
5. HR and a spot of wine.
May you drink heavily from the spring of joy this weekend.
Five Friday Happy Bringers 11/20/25
My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.
1. Robert’s little red hat under Burger King’s new lights … which look like a gargantuan burger. See the top bun on the right?
2. Remembering last Sunday and Savannah Photo Club’s Third Sunday Photo Walk. (Whew. That’s a mouthful.)
We met at the newly opened and very cool Laundry Diner …
… and walked about a mile around the Thomas Square neighborhood.
Most folks had these fancy cameras (including Robert), some with lens as long as my forearm, but I tagged along, head held high, with my trusty iPhone.
Perhaps the thing I love most about the monthly walk, other than the photo snapping and the socializing, is the opportunity to really SEE your city, up close and personal, which can only be done on foot.
Oh, we finished up the walk back at the diner, sharing a … little BLT.
3. The ability to walk. Oh my goodness, what an “I usually take it for granted” blessing!
4. Simple beauty.
5. Attending an absolutely fascinating interview at our local Jepson Center for the Arts, featuring New York-based costume designer for stage and film Tracy Christensen.
After talking about the behind-the-scenes work involved in dressing characters, Tracy specifically delved into her collaborative role with Glenn Close and the Broadway reprisal of Sunset Boulevard in 2017.
Miraculously, Robert and I were in NYC and able to see the brilliant actress as Norma Desmond on the very final day of the production.
A few samples of Close’s archive of outfits she wore in various projects over the years on display at The Jepson.
Look! There’s HR, walking down his own pretend runway.
May Happiness and Good Health be your Costume this Weekend.
NealEnJoy 