Four Days and Counting

It's crunch time around my house and with Christmas just a few days away, I'm still  planning Christmas dinner. The decorations are up, the tree is trimmed, but there are still packages waiting to be wrapped, and last minute details on my list.


This will be my first Christmas in the new house, so I'm enjoying pulling out the old decorations and seeing them in their new home. Most of all I am reminded of "the reason for the season", and just how blessed I am to be sharing the holidays with family and friends. 

From my house to yours- Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Lowcountry Christmas

December is a great time to visit Charleston, S.C. This beautiful lowcountry city is never lovelier than when decked out for the holidays. I wanted to share some of the photos I took while on an early morning walk through the historical district.


In keeping with their tradition, Christmas garlands and wreaths are all natural and no outdoor decorative lighting is allowed. For me it was a welcome change from the glitzy, over-the-top decorations that somehow seem at odds with the idea of "Silent Night, holy night."

Sometimes less really is more

Good Find in Wimberley

If you're craving a getaway weekend but don't exactly relish the thought of airports and the hassles of flying, consider the small artist village of Wimberley. Less than an hour from Austin in the limestone-studded Hill Country, is a little-known bed and breakfast that is the perfect restorative retreat. The Blair House Inn has guest rooms and cottages filled with all the charm and amenities that you would expect from one of the top five B&B's in Texas.

You can relax by the pool, pamper yourself with the spa services, or enjoy the nature trail that is home to twenty seven different species of birds. If you are feeling less sedentary, the nearby Blanco River offers fly-fishing and kayaking.

The Blair House Inn is much more than just a bed and breakfast-it is also a cooking school. Every month the cooking school holds a hands-on class designed to help you master the techniques and preparation of classic sauces, Country French and Nuevo Texas Cuisine, among others. Classes run either two or three days. In June there is the popular "Barbecue Camp" for lovers of all things grilled.

 If you feel like brushing up on your culinary skills, the cooking school has a full schedule of classes taught by Chef Sebastian, an eighth generation Texan who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.

Not only is the inn known for legendary breakfasts, but picnic baskets and gourmet dinners are an option. 

Catching the sunset seems a perfect way to end the day.