Evenshade I like that photo. When I was at the gateway to the Inca Trail I was practically on my knees taking pictures of the moss and tiny plants growing out of the cracks on the stone path. The same when I was walking on a Ozark Mountain behind my cousin's home, tiny plants everywhere.

We stayed in several hotels while in Egypt. In Cairo we stayed at the Barcelo. Luxor was the Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor. Four nights on the Amarco Nile river cruise and then three nights at the Pyramisa Isis Island Resort in Aswan which was gorgeous! We took the overnight train to Cairo and drove to Alexandria where we stayed three nights at the Plaza Hotel. All hotels were 4-5 star with fairly good service but the Pyramisa in Aswan was exceptional. We were well taken care and watched by our drivers and Egyptologists. So much so we needed to sneak away a couple times just to feel some freedom. We did this in Aswan when we hired a horse and carriage to take us to the Cataract Hotel where Agatha Christy wrote Death on the Nile and again in Alexandria after a day of having a security agent (black suit, machine gun toting secret service-type guy) chaperone us all day. The Egyptologist told us they never know when a security guy will simply meet them at a hotel one morning when they come to pick up their tourist charges for a day of sight seeing.

I just had to go for a bike ride yesterday... to down town, and pay my house taxes. No need to hunt for parking spaces... and after, I got a new shot of me and the BIG Christmas ornament. Love the timer function on my camera.

Didn't put up a tree this year,so gathered together some of the ornaments etc that i cross stitched ,put them in baskets and scattered them around the house.One of my favorites,reminds me of my youth.Made into a cube.My gift from my exchange partner this year on 123stitch.Except for the bells in the top left,all of these are from exchange partners over the years,i have more of these,but they are packed away in a different place.I've been in this exchange since 2001.This dome in the center is what is left of one of those 300 day clocks that dh sent me from overseas when he was in the Marine Corp and he's been retired for43 years.The clock part broke many years ago and i saved this dome and put it to a new use.The placemats are from big lots several years ago.This santa i fussy cut from a piece of fabric i had left over from a quilt many years ago.The crib sheet he's setting on is one of several i made for a new great gs last month.This is part of the gift i sent my partner this yearThis is a set of coasters i sent along with the ornament and some candy,chocolate of courseBetter view. Told you guys i'd be back!! LOL Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas,and a blessed new year. kathi