buh bye

I started to do a "good, bad, & ugly" post for 2015 but I found myself struggling to come up with much good (except for meeting Victoria and finding Charlie) and was overwhelmed with ugly so I decided to stop and just end the year with pictures. This is how I choose to remember 2015.

best 9 of 2015

Here are my 9 most liked posts on Instagram this year. I wish at least one Florida picture had made the cut, it's mostly Christmas stuff, but each one represents a good memory.

I'll be back later today to reflect on 2015 and let you in on my hopes and dreams for 2016.

tis the night before Christmas

and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

Ok, maybe a dog was stirring.

Happy Christmas Eve!

by charlie

Charlie here! I've taken over the computer while Mama is napping so that I can tell you all about my most recent adventure.

Yesterday was the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Carmel. Originally I don't think I was supposed to be going with Mama and Papa but Mama found this while she was grocery shopping yesterday

Of course she had to have it - it's beautiful and pink and perfect. And just like that she decided that I had to come along to the tree lighting. I couldn't have planned it better myself.

I'm totally adorable, right? We had a looooong walk from the car to Ocean Avenue (that's main street in normal towns) but I didn't mind. I love to walk no matter where we're going. I love adventure.

There were a lot of people there, I mean, like, a LOT, but I was a good girl and waited patiently for the Christmas tree to light up.

But seriously, is it ever going to light up?

Wowee! That was worth waiting for!

After enjoying the tree lights we headed off for the best part of the evening - dinner! Carmel is so pretty at night with all the decorations.

This is doggie heaven...ok, it's really Nielsen's Market and I didn't actually get to go inside (stupid rules) but I downloaded these pictures off Mama's phone to share with you. I would loooooove to get inside those cases!

Nielsen's has a beautiful patio outside that does allow dogs (finally, something for me!) and the weather was perfect for us to sit outside and enjoy burgers.

Mama and Papa say this is the best value in Carmel. I don't know what that means. I do know that it's pretty delicious...and they don't share nearly enough with me.

Hello, starving dog down here!

I do love adventure but it poops me out. Good night everybody!

return to the tor

Today I returned to Tor House.

No (sigh) I haven't gotten my job back but I do have a monthly volunteer commitment to restock the bookstore for the weekly tours and today was my day.

I love being there by myself...just me and the ghosts. There is something about that place that speaks to my soul.

I took a few pictures today to show you my new domain - the bookstore.

 the parlor

the library - the last time I was in this room was at my going away party

patio outside of the library

Isn't it a lovely place? I just love being there and am so grateful that I still get to spend time as a volunteer. The annual volunteer Christmas party is coming up soon and I look forward to seeing all my friends again.

In other news - November is coming to a close and so I've come to the end of National Blog Posting Month! I'm happy that I was able to post just about every day except for birthday weekend. I've enjoyed coming up with subjects to write about but I'll admit that I'm looking forward to taking a break for a couple of days before I start writing again.

Thanks for reading! Until next time...