Positive New Year!

Welcome!

And, a happy and positive New Year!

Here are some positive quotes to help you start the new year right:

"Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day."
-Michael Josephson

"Everything is possible to the one who believes."
-Mark 9:23

"Look for the positive; magnetize the positive."
-Becky Arnott

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."
-Oprah Winfrey

Here are some of my favorite affirmations:

I enjoy being positive and having positive feelings.

I love and approve of myself exactly as I am.

I deserve to be happy.

I fill my mind with positive and loving thoughts.

My future looks great!

Positive tidbits:

For the most part, I try to be around people who are positive and respectful.

I enjoy reading positive and uplifting articles and books.  I especially love success stories.

Positive thought:  "Write it on your heart that evert day is the best day in the year."
                               -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

Deck the Halls with Decorations

Welcome winter, and welcome to this blog post!

It seems to me that the Christmas decorations have been especially nice this year.  I've taken pictures of the ones I liked best, and I'd like share those with you today.  Enjoy!

Dogs decked out in their Christmas finery-

                     Carl and Linda Honeycutt's Christmas Cuties-Valentine, Cujo, and Tia

Positive thought: Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season.
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

A Carolina Christmas

Welcome!

Last weekend, Greg and I went to North Carolina to Mike and Betty's for a Christmas open house. 

It's always delightful there, as it's such a lovely area with the majestic mountains as a backdrop for everything else.

We loved the Christmas open house-getting to meet new people, and getting to enjoy the array of luscious refreshments and beautiful decorations.

After the open house, Greg and I got to spend the night in Mike and Betty's guest house which they named "Carolina cottage."

It's simply delightful, comfy and cozy, a perfect place to get away from it all.

Mike and Betty are great hosts, in fact, they are masters of what is traditionally known as "Southern hospitality" (North Carolina style!).

Now, you can't beat that!

Positive thought: We all need to find or create a special retreat for ourselves, even if it's just the corner of a room-a place to dream, relax, and refresh.

Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

Apple Cake Tea Room

 Greg and I recently stopped by the Apple Cake Tea Room in Farragut, Tennessee (near Knoxville).

As it saya in the brochure, it's a "cozy and unique cabin filled with generations of family heirlooms, treasures, warmth and gratitude."

And, the food is delicious.  Greg had the chicken salad croissant, and I had the potato soup and chicken salad on whole wheat.

We were too full for dessert that includes (to mention only two) apple cake from which the tea room gets its name, and the cornucopia which is an elaborate French cookie.

Any way you express it, Apple Cake Tea Room is an elegant place which has tasty food served by a friendly staff.

Before we left, we got to chat with the owner Mary Henry.  She said the tea room had been in operation for 29 years.  (That alone is a great testimonial as to the quality of the place.)

She told us they were getting ready to decorate that very day for Christmas.  Everything looked beautiful the way it was, and I was trying to imagine what it would look like, decorated for Christmas.  Guess we'll just have to go back and find out, and get us some dessert, as well.

F.Y.I.
Apple Cake Tea Room
Appalachian Log Square
Campbell Station Road
Farragut, TN 37934
865-966-7848
Mon.-Sat. 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Upstairs rooms are available for special occasion parties.

Positive thought: Use your imagination to change your world for the better.
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

Silhouettes

Welcome!

(I'm happy!  I have been experiencing technical difficulties with my blog, but as you can see, I finally got them figured out.  I'm a few days late, but better late than not at all.  I'm proud of myself, for I am not technically inclined.  I'll, hopefully, be back with another blog post around Sunday, December 9.  Thanks, Becky)


According to Webster's New World Dictionary, a silhouette is "a solid, usually black, outline drawing, esp. a profile" or is "any dark shape seen against a light background."

                                                        Photo by Greg Arnott


Silhouettes have always fascinated me.  When I was younger, I used to admire the paintings of an artist in Southwest Virginia who painted black scenes against colored backgrounds.
                                             
Later, I learned to cut silhouettes of people's profiles out of black paper which I attached to lighter backgrounds.  These would look nice in black frames to display on the wall.

An easy way to have silhouettes is to take pictures of objects against the sky.  The best times to do this is usually either in the morning around sunrise or late in the day around sunset.

Here are a few silhouette photos that I took-

                                    Can you find the squirrel hidden in this photo?

To me, this robin silhouetted against the late autumn sky symbolises the promise spring returning every year at its appointed time.

Positive thought:  Set happiness as a top priority.  Focus on doing things that make you feel truly happy.
Thanks for visiting!  Until Sunday, December 9, Becky