Starry Sky Ranch

a look back - 2012

 

What a year it was.  We rang it in with fireworks in a tiny farming village on the highest peak in our part of the Rhineland Pfalz.  We closed it out watching magnificent fireworks explode over the London Eye.  (and can't wait to share!) 

In between there was dancing

in Stuttgart, Ramstein, Munich...

and in Ireland.  Beautiful Ireland. 

There were parades big and small. 

There was a lot of football.  From little boys playing alongside the flight line to American pro football in Wembley Stadium

to English football in Manchester. 

There were great celebrations. Holy Communion...

Confirmations.   

As well as solemn memorials to a good man gone too soon for us.  

We cheered at a high school graduation and a college graduation. 

And then there were the road trips.  Lots of them. 

 

Luxembourg

Köln

Trier - a couple times. 

Some of them hiked the French rock formations along the old Roman road.  

another put her toes in the sand on the Italian coast

 

Others splashed along the Suffolk coast. 

We watched another cross the finish line in Prague

Prague, the city which stole Abbie's heart.  

And we boarded ship for the white cliffs of Dover, not a road trip but to  make a home. 

Where we pal around in Cambridge and London

From flowering rapeseed in Germany to the bowing fen grasses of East Anglia. 

We have been blessed to share this year's adventures with over a half dozen American students as well.  The one face you don't see in these pictures is our son Asher. He spent 2012 in Korea.  Major goal of 2013 is a picture of him next to his mama. 


 It's been quite a ride y'all. I count it as a singular blessing to have been able to share it with the people I dearly love near and far, face to face and via this screen.  2012 saw a lot of boxes and suitcases and smiles - as well as tears.  Life is full.  

It is never easy. 

It is always good.  

Life is good. Hold on to that. 

zoom, zoom

At Rebecca's suggestion we have Old Car week at Snapshots Around the World this week.  Go have a look. : ) 

(Paris car show below)

While I was looking for my old cars in my files I found all those other car shots.  These would be the ones I take while my children shout, "Mom!!! Mom!!  Did you get it? Did you get it???? Oh my GOSH!  Did you SEE that??"

So yes, I saw it.  I got it.  Here ya go. <g>
(Strasbourg, France below)

Next to us in the garage in Luxembourg.  Seems wild they let our crazy gang park next to these lol.   There was a brief tutorial about how to exit the vehicle before the doors opened.  And about not drooling on other people's cars....

No rules about posing though <g>

Postcards from Luxembourg

For many centuries Luxembourg was one of the great walled cities of Europe. The massive fortification began in the 12th century although excavations show the area had been settled since the 4th century. The walls were enlarged yet more in the 15th through the 17th centuries, thus earning it the name The Gibraltar of the North. There are still a number of casemates remaining underground but sadly they were not open when we were there. We hope to return someday with more of the little ones. It truly was a fairy tale city. 

Eating Out(side)

Normally we travel cheap.  They way this shakes down typically is that we pick a destination within a few hours of home, surf online and print out the history of the sites we will see, and pack lunches.  We make a day of it and see all we can in that time.  The reward for long car rides and trekking up and down cobblestones and in and out of churches is a treat from an outdoor vendor or bakery late the day. 

Eating out lately....

Coffee

 

Some kind of deadly deep fried cake fries from the "sucre" stand in Luxembourg.

Grillwurst, also known as why they prefer to travel on any day besides Fridays. 

You would not believe all the things you can adhere to a pretzel - nuts, frosting, sprinkles, cheese, meat pieces.....

Ahhhh the beloved Berliner which our German teacher pronounces "Bay-LEEN-uh"  Brendan just calls it good. 

If you have a whole bunch of boys you may know why I have to snap these signs wherever we go.  I think I have mentioned before how easily amused this bunch is. <g>  

Pardon our potty talk. 

The Doors of St. Michel

(Luxembourg, in bits and pieces.)

Luxembourg Rowhouses

I love LOVE love Luxembourg. 

And have loved painting on pictures again. 

self portrait

So here I am.  In front of the Ministry of Something or Other building in Luxembourg last week.  (fantastic trip and I will share pics soon!)  

What?

You don't see me? 

Try this.....

Happy New Year to you! : )