Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, December 31, 2010

Sunset at the Beach

First of all,  HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE....  Can you believe that 2010 is almost OVER???? Where do the months and days go????  The older I get,  the faster time flies by!!!!!

As you know, if you are a regular follower of my blog,  we took a short trip to Ocean Isle Beach during Christmas week.   I published a blog post yesterday showing some pictures of the beach around Islander Inn where we stayed.

Today,  I'll post another set from our balcony at Ocean Isle Beach.   When we visit this area each May,  we cannot see either the sunrises or the sunsets from our room... SO--this was a JOY for us to see both while we were there...

The pictures today were taken late in the FIRST afternoon we were there... Seeing this sunset just took my breath away.  I knew at that moment exactly WHY we were there... It was awesome.   Here are some pictures of our beautiful sunset as taken from our balcony on December 20.



Not only were we enjoying the sunset over the ocean,  we also were enjoying the beautiful sky.



Can you believe seeing this beauty???? Made me chill all over---not because I was cold,  but because I was 'tingly' with excitement!!!



No words are needed to explain this picture!!!




WOW!!!!!




Going  ---  Going...




GONE!!!!!  BUT--look at that sky!!!!!   AWESOME!!!

Hope you enjoyed our gorgeous sunset....   NOW---have a Happy New Year and stay SAFE... What will you do tomorrow, and do you have a meal planned?   We'll watch football most of the day I'm sure (with some naps included)---and I'll make my 'famous' (??)   HOPPIN' JOHN for dinner.  Hoppin' John consists of black-eyed peas, rice, kielbasa and ham.  It's delicious --and will hopefully bring us GOOD LUCK for 2011.  See you on Monday!

Hugs,

72 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year's Eve Betsy! Thank you for sharing these stunning photos from the beach. They are just breathtaking! May God richly bless you and George in the new year.

Elen Susan said...

That is a wonderful set of photographs. The sunset looks more beautiful in your photographs rather than the real one I see everyday.The vibrant colours of the sunset is sure to please any eye.I think you must have taken quite sometime to capture those photos. They look spectacular.

Wishing you a very happy and blessed new year!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Wow..Excellent post to mark the end of the year 2010. Most beautiful sunset I have ever seen...!

Wish you and George a very happy new year 2011!

Catherine said...

Beautiful photos Betsy!

We never get too crazy at New Years. It's a lot of movie watching and snoozing. I am hoping hubby takes me on a country drive photo shoot this weekend. That will be as exciting as we get! :)

All the best to you in 2011 dear friend!
xo Catherine

Kathy W said...

What a wonderful post to end the year with. Those shots of the sunset a beautiful. As far as what I have planned is I gotta work. LOL not complaining though. Hope you and George have a wonderful New Year.

Big Dude said...

Great shots as always Betsy. It's pretty unusual to get these on the East coast. Hope you and George have a terrific New Year.

amelia said...

Beautiful pics again Betsy!! You are one lucky lady to see all these places!!

We will go to bad at our usual 8.00 o'clock, we haven't stayed up in years and I don't think we could if we wanted to!!

Happy New Year to you and George!

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I WISH ALL THE BESTS TO YOU AND GEORGE IN 2011!!!
BE HAPPY!!!

Dar said...

Happy New Year, Betsy and George!
What a gorgeous sunset. God sure paints a glorious sky. It must be like that every day in Heaven.
Have a most memorable New Year full of adventure, sunsets and waterfalls.
BlessYourHearts

Dorothy said...

Gorgeous sunset/beach pictures, Betsy! We will get up and spend our usual time with the computer and Jeep will talk on the HAM radio half of the morning. Then we will watch a little Rose Bowl Parade befor lunch. Lunch will be Black-eyed peas, hog jowl (baked in the oven like thick bacon), Cornbread, onion, fresh turnip greens, and maybe some fresh fruit salad. Then we will watch the football games till bedtime:)
Wishing you and George the blessings of Peace, Grace, Joy and Love in the New Year!

Arkansas Patti said...

Really wonderful shots, that first one is suitable for framing.
Don't plan to see the old year out but will welcome the new one in the morning.
Hooray for a solid day of football.
Happy New Year Betsy and George.

Anonymous said...

Your photos are just beautiful. I really enjoyed them all. Yes, I will make hoppin john, too, on New Years and cabbage. It is a tradition here as well. It is in the 50s here this morning after being in the teens. I can handle it. Love your header. Have a great, healthy and happy New Year.

Ruth Hiebert said...

How fitting to post sunset pictures on the eve of the year.These are stunning.I loved the star burst on the first shot.
Blessings,Ruth

Neal said...

Wonderful shots Betsy! I love taking sunsets and sunrises because the picture is constantly changing.

MadSnapper said...

wow is right! wow again for all of these, the first one the x marks the spot and i wish i had been there to see this. nothing is like sun rising or disapearing into the ocean. happy new year

Busy Bee Suz said...

That sunset is absolutely gorgeous; a gift from God himself.
I have never made a new years day meal, but my Mom does the beans for luck each year. (she says I don't need the good luck anyway!)
Wishing you and George a beautiful 2011!!! You both have been a blessing to my 2010!

Out on the prairie said...

My friends in Carolina Beach reported the dolphin are coming in.I have gone to Myrtle Beach over the holiday a lot, and enjoy the lack of people.It did get warm here yesterday, 58, and melted most of the snow. Your Hoppin John sounds good.We used to always eat snack stuff and fix ribs tomorrow.Think I will make Schnitzel tonight.Happy New Year!
Steve

Fred Alton said...

Wow! I'm amazed at your sun-set from the East Coast. It's really attractive. No, stunning! Glad you had the opportunity to get away for a few days and that you and George both enjoy it so much. Happy New Year!

Sunny said...

There is nothing like an ocean sunset, really breathtaking!
A very Happy New Year to you and George :)
☼ Sunny

Debbie Taillieu said...

Beautiful pictures!
Tonight we will have some Portugeuse Chicken Piri Piri and then watch the fireworks that are set from the bridge between Ferragudo and Portimao.
My best to you and George for a very Happy New Year!

Tracy said...

Betsy, there is no sunset like the ocean sunset; absolutely gorgeous! and isn't God's artwork amazing? He's so talented!
Have a beautiful evening...Happy New Year!
xoxoxo

Cicero Sings said...

Happy New Year to you Betsy and George!

A gorgeous sunset in deed - thatxwas worth the trip alone.

Peggy said...

Perfect sunset!!! Have a very blessed and happy new year Betsy. We will be staying in with the grandson and enjoying the Rose Bowl parade and a football game or two. I will be cooking collard greens, blackeye peas, and ham.

Sharon said...

Lovely sunset! I liked to watch the sunset, but on the other coast, LOL!

I have decided not to cook the "Good Luck" meal this year - it hasn't helped, so will try normal stuff and see what happens!

Happy New Year!

ratieh said...

Happy New Year Betsy!! the pictures are so AWESOME!!! =)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Gentle New Years hugs...

Lynda said...

STUNNING pics! I love all of them but like in the last one how the clouds are reflecting on the water.
Happy New Year to you, too. We will have blackeyes and cabbage (separately) but am trying a new recipe...... hope to post about it tomorrow.

Diane said...

Happy New Year to both of you. Diane

Kay said...

What a beautiful sunset. And a perfect way to end the year. Happy New Year to you and George. Hope you and I both get in some good hiking next year.

Kay

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wow! This is so beautiful!! You know how much I love sunsets, I snap them whenever I can! And this post is so befitting New Year's eve, because the sun is really setting on an old year! Even the water looks different in those pictures. They say there is nothing like watching the sun set on the ocean. We are getting together with our family this evening, going out for dinner, then will come back here and play games and such.

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos Betsy. And we call that recipe Hoppin Jack but then, we leave out the meat. Happy New Year.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Betsy, I can think of only one word, no...I take that back. I can think of several after viewing your photos...wow, stunning, beautiful, gorgeous, wonderful. These are a few that come to mind! Thanks for sharing.

Happy New Year to you and George!
Cheryl

KathyA said...

The colors in that sunset and beautiful beyond words! I always think it's so interesting that this group of islands (Brunswicks) is actually oriented south rather than east.

Jackie said...

I love a gorgeous sunset! So pretty reflecting in the water. It is obvious that you had a lovely view this trip!

Loran said...

So very beautiful! And I love your 2011 header, it's so BETSY! Happy new year to you too. And, really, wow. Where does all the time go?

Tabor said...

Happy New Year and thanks for the sunsets.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, We are watching college football on TV - Notre Dame versus Miami. My husband has one of his former high school math students playing on the Notre Dame squad in the Sun Bowl. Have a super fine evening and day tomorrow. Lots of ducks on the now-thawed lake today. I like your sunset pictures!

Elizabeth said...

A fabulous series of sunset photos!! It's the reason I love a camera, because after you've seen it happen in person, there it is again, right on the computer screen! Awesome. Look at the surf gently coming into the shore. And the way the sun color touches the cloud and follows it like a streamer across the sky. Altho they were taken a few weeks ago, I think they show a beautiful, fitting end to 2010!
Have a great weekend, and 'see you next year'...oh, gee, somebody had to say it~~HA!

Glenda said...

Glorious photos! Sunrises and sunsets remind me of God's faithfulness - new everyday and always right on time!

Happy New Year to you and George! We'll eat cabbage and black-eyed peas and wait for the rest of our family to get here to celebrate Christmas.

mamahasspoken said...

Happy New Year to you too!
No big plans for the day, hubby has to work, Scott leaves to go back to Alaska so maybe I'll get around to taking down Christmas...

SquirrelQueen said...

Aw Betsy, first my BIL called and said he was at one of our favorite southern Oregon beaches and now your gorgeous beach photos. I miss the ocean so much!! Those are gorgeous sunsets.

I love Hoppin' John and will probably make some for tomorrow but I've never added kielbasa before, just ham. That sounds good.

Wishing you and George the very best for the new year, see you in 2011!

Happy New Year!
Judy

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous sunset pictures! Are you watching Dick Clark's rockin Eve 11 on ABC? Bob and I are :-) Happy New Year to you and George!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

There is something so special about the sun setting into the water that you don't see when it sets over land. Gorgeous photos Betsy!

Happy 2011 to you and George!

Connie said...

That sunset was so lovely, Betsy! Thank you for sharing it. Happy New Year to you and George. :)

diane b said...

What a view from your balcony. Super sunset. Happy New Year

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year From Southern California.

Don't forget to watch the 122nd Rose Parade on New Year's Day coming from Pasadena, California...only 30 miles from The Old Geezer's home :-)

No matter what looms ahead, if you can eat today, enjoy today, mix good cheer with friends today enjoy it and bless God for it. ~Henry Ward Beecher

May God Bless and Protect You in the Year to Come. ~Ron

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Beautiful sunset!
Happy New Year!
We'll be watching football and parades--I love the Rose Bowl parade. I should fix some Hoppin' John and collard greens...but I didn't get any black-eyed peas! Shame on me!

penny said...

I enjoyed your gorgeous photo show of the sun setting over the sea. What a wonderful way to bring in the New Year.

I wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2011, Betsy.

Hugs,
Pam

Mary said...

Beautiful sunset! The ocean always makes a sunset extra special. Enjoy your Hoppin John and Happy New Year.

Unknown said...

Happy New Year Betsy! Here's to another beautiful year full of sunsets and sunrises to oogle over. lol

Unknown said...

Happy New Year, Betsy & George ... THANK YOU for all the beauty of this world that you share with us, through your eyes. You capture scenes so beautifully, making us feel as tho we are there with you ...

TTFN ~Hugs, Marydon

Small City Scenes said...

WOW!!! Is the word alright, Betsy.

Happy New Year to you and George--happiness always.

I am so frustrated by this blogger-picasa thing but I will be back on my smallcityscenes blog soon.
MB

Unknown said...

Wish I was there to see it with you! Looks heavenly!

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

I adore watching the sunsets! This one is spectacular.

I'm wishing you a year filled with bliss and fun trips!

Hugs,
Stephanie ♥

marmee said...

all breath~taking captures. i love beach sunsets...there is nothing else like them in the world.
merry new year dear betsy.

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Beautiful photos!

SouthernSass said...

Happy New Year! I hope you had a fabulous trip!!

pam said...

Happy New Year!

Velvet Over Steel said...

Wow, those pictures took my breath away too!! Amazing & Beautiful!!!

Thank you for more sweet comments and advice on my blog today. I appreciate you so very, very much!!! Happy New Year, Betsy!!!!!
Hugs & Lots of Love,
Coreen

Sandra said...

Those pictures really are beautiful. Make me kind of hate the view from my window: 4 feet of snow.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

You asked about boxing day.

There seems to be many theories and this is closest to what my Dad told me,.

I grew up first in British Sarawak, and we always had Boxing Day off. When my friends went to USA, they were surprised it was not observed there.

Boxing Day is a day when people present gifts, bonuses, donations or items to others, often those less fortunate.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Happy New Year to you and George! Your beach sunset was gorgeous -- worth the trip just to see that.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

The colors are awesome!
Happy New Year.

Small City Scenes said...

Hey I'm back!!!

Love the new header. Another WOW! MB

Bossy Betty said...

Love your header AND these pictures!

Happy New Year to you!

Tootie said...

Betsy I am so happy I found your blog last year. That is a beautiful sunset and you know how I love them! :)

Wishing the most wonderful year ever to you and George, with lots of special sunsets included.

Amy DeTrempe said...

Absolutely beautiful pictures.

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

I liked these photos very much...
I follow Your blog...

FaysaL said...

there are very cool sunset pixes, also very romantic... lovely.

Lagean Ellis said...

Love your pictures! My Bahamas trip was the first I'd ever been on a beach, seen the ocean, left the states or flown. Each was a fantastic adventure but I'll never forget the beautiful beach and color of the water.......So amazing! We hope to go back.

Happy New Year, Betsy and George.

I've missed you!

Pat Tillett said...

Thanks so much for sharing these!
Here's to a happy and healthy 2011 for us all!

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful sunset, Betsy! The beach looks like a great place to spend your Christmas week.