The old year is coming to an end and I am beginning to wish more all the time that winter was as well. Today was the sort of day where the wind chill made me shiver all the way to the insides of my bones! Brr! My husband was off so we took a drive up to West Baden here in southern Indiana. It is a huge hotel with an impressive atrium with elegant furniture and an awesome view. Visitors are welcomed . You do not have to spend the night to enjoy the view and there are tours offered. in the Spring and summer the flower gardens are beautiful as well. There are little shops , a Star Bucks, places to eat and more especially if you do spend the night. My husband and I were talking about doing that sometime. It's pricy but there is a lot of upkeep involved I am sure ad salaries to pay. The thing is with the money we save on gas taking a long trip it would help pay since we only live a half hour away.

Aw good old winter, what a way to begin a New Year!. The picture above is Patoka Lake which looks do much different any other season of the year. Today was gray and with the trees bare of leafs it looked desolate. The weather is a big part of why we chose to spend some time at the Hotel in West Baden. There's this huge room and everything is so beautiful. It is climate controlled !

Today was really nice. Things have been so busy with the Holidays.

December had it's joys and it's sorrows. I lost 2 of my Aunts within the same week before Christmas. It seemed ironic December 6 the year before it was my grandma now her daughter (my Mom's younger sister who was 67 and also aunt Carol on my Dad's side. There's just no way of knowing in life what a day holds. Best thing is to embrace those we love with love and kindness and not to fret over the stupid things that sometimes tear people apart which have no eternal value. Only love remains and the greatest treasures are the simplest things.

In December my daughter Michelle got formally engaged to her boyfriend Jason who she met at college and started dating in her senior year 4 years ago already! We welcome him into the family after getting to know him well and his faith in God and love and gentleness with Michelle . We are all so excited! Her ring is beautiful. It's been a long time coming but he did it well taking time to save and pay for it!

There are some photos from Christmas time and also my recent birthday with all 4 of my grown children.

I know I have so very much catching up to do here. I took the longest time to remember my password to Google Blogger! Maybe this next year!

We saw this on our way home tonight. Here's to hoping you all have a Happy New Year 2014