Year's End . . .

We celebrated our last meal of 2015 with friends and family in a Japanese farmhouse that was disassembled over there and brought here to New York ~ Central Valley, New York to be more specific.   The architecture is just beautiful with incredibly high ceilings and lots of bamboo and wood. 

There was a very steep staircase that led up to the area where we sat around huge hibachi grills and were entertained by the chef as he made our dinner. 

A view of the restaurant from the outside back gardens. 

After dinner we walked around the grounds a little bit.  They weren't lit very well but we were still able to see a few of the beautiful Japanese touches throughout. 

A beautiful light shade.

Above is a water wheel that helped feed the pond that held so many beautiful koi fish.  I don't know how they can survive in such cold water.  Brrr!!!

The bridge over the koi pond.

Some New Year's Eve party animals!!!  Woot woot!!!  : )

The tree is undecorated and gone now and the two youngest ones are back in school.  I love when they're out of school and we don't have to worry about bed times and wake up times but, in all honesty, by the end of vacation time, I need to have that sense of structure back in our house.  It really does make me a happier mama and, in turn, makes for happier kiddos.

I love my kids but I also love my space and my alone time and I'm not afraid to admit it.  : )


Happy almost Thursday to you ~ Wendy