Stepping into 2011

On Friday,  I showed a sunset on my blog ---representing the ending of the year... SO--what better way to begin a new year than by sharing a SUNRISE for you today.  I told you that,  when we go to the beach in May,  we cannot see either the sunset nor the sunrise.  In December,  we saw them BOTH... How marvelous is that!!!!

SO--to honor the beginning of 2011,  I will share with you a beautiful SUNRISE which we saw on December 23, 2010 at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina (taken from our balcony).  Above is first glance of the sunrise.  The sky's color over the water was incredible...  I may have even liked it more than the sunset...  Awe Shucks--I love them both!!!!!

You can see a little evidence of the sun beginning to pop up in the distance.

See it??????   It was a very clear morning ---and there is one man walking on the beach.

Hello Sunshine!!!!!!  Welcome to a beautiful morning!

The man on the beach stopped and took pictures --just like we were doing from our balcony.  I love the reflection in the water in this picture.

Isn't this just awesome?   Doesn't a picture like this just make you glad to be alive???  LOVE it.

Here's one last picture of our sunrise.  I included this sun-burst picture for my good friend, RUTH.  Isn't this a great picture????  Makes me want to live at the beach year-round... NAH---I'd miss my mountains!!!!! ha

I wish all of you HAPPINESS,  HOPE and LOVE --and especially good HEALTH all during 2011.

Hugs,

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,