The holly and the ...seashells

Found some holly on a walk yesterday morning with Laura, down the long drive and around the big old garden at the Morven Park estate. Some past Virginia governor lived there and now the place is mostly used for hiking, equestrian events and a Mid-Atlantic hound show. And an annual Arbor Day festival. One of the out-of-the-way parking lots was where I first taught Isabelle to drive. Yesterday it was a good source of greenery and cones for a wreath, which I'll try to put together tomorrow.

Neighborhood caroling tonight at the house of our friend K. up the hill. She's had a tough time fighting cancer, but it's going slowly better. It was really fun to gather out in the dark and fog. We tried to sing the Twelve Days of Christmas but couldn't remember all the verses and cracked up laughing. K's husband Paul brought out a big tray with glasses of port, and K smiled and smiled.