New Years Eve Celebration in Raleigh NC

New York may have the "Ball" drop, Los Angeles may have the party at Les Deux, and South Miami Beach has the Skybar at the Shore Club.......in Raleigh we have First Night!

First Night Raleigh has grown immensely over the last few years and this year is sure to be the best yet! This year there will be live performances by Tiff Merritt, Jason The Juggler, and Killer Filler! just to name a few! In addition to the grown-up entertainment there is a ton of activities for the kids as well!

In addition to the "Acorn Drop" at midnight there will be an earlier celebration with the Acorn dropping at 7:00pm for the younger ones in the crowd that may not make it to the magical hour. The schedule of events is a comprehensive list of all of the activities for First Night 2008.....

If you purchase your tickets early you can get a $3 discount.....pleasse be sure to visit the site for participating ticket outlets......

Have fun, be sfae and DON'T drink and drive!!!! Designate a driver....

Resolution making shucking....

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 8

Durant Trails - It was awesome! It had to be one of the most decorated areas that we have seen yet! There was one picture that I wanted really bad for on here and it just didn't turn out - Santa on a Harley! Pretty awesome!

Enjoy the pictures and be sure to catch the new ones tomorrow - Only 4 more days left!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 7

Well, Santa didn't visit me with a new memory card but I NEEDED it.......Maybe Santa can hook me up with the new camera I want???

It was great last night - the closer Christmas is the more displays that go up.......These are from Tarlton and Prestwicke in Wake Forest.

I hope you enjoy what I got last night and on the way home I spied some more places to go tonight!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Come Explore my Wake Forest! An example of exemplary planning...

I remember when my husband and I were originally considering a move to Wake Forest......I said, "Huh? No way I am living that far out!!!" I could only envision long trips into Raleigh for groceries, a Lowe's or a Target.....

My, oh my, how things have changed in 6 short years. Wake Forest is growing leaps and bounds! We have the Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Super Wal-Mart, large chain restaurants such as Chili's, Applebee's, Red Robin, etc, and some smaller private restaurants (outstanding food by the way!)....

One of the things I loved most about was Wake Forest was the quaint, historic downtown area. There are some great shops such as Old Magnolia Trading Company, Olde English Tea Room and N.C. Specialty Shops. Then there are the notable restaurants such as La Foresta, Shorty's and Over The Falls Deli. Great antique shops, hair salon, The Cotton Company and so much more!

With all of the new businesses, expanded roads (98 bypass), and new homes many Wake Forest residents have been (and are) concerned about the impact on the Historic Downtown area. I have to say that I am so impressed with the DRC (Downtown Revitalization Corporation) and their vision for the downtown Wake Forest area. The DRC has a major influence and advocates the Renaissance Plan that has already begun. With this roadmap Wake Forest will survive the pitfalls that have befallen so many other small towns. While revamping our current infrastructure, focusing on infill projects, and realigning specific districts (entertainment, government and business) Wake Forest will maintain its charm and remain a vibrant and popular destination! As with most projects of this magnitude and the length of time required to achieve the goal there will be bumps along the way. Roads may close while they are rerouted, construction signs will pop up and there may be a tendency to become frustrated.......stop, take a breath and think long term! The outcome will far surpass the minor inconvenience we all experience along the way.....

Come explore my Wake Forest....
Leesa

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 5

WOW - last night was a great night for seeing the lights all around town. I hit the "motherload" in this montage....trust me, you'll see it in here. Absolutely gorgeous home!

There were also quite a few other spectactors out there last night - IT WAS COLD! Great Peppermint Mocha and Hot Chocolate from Starbuck's and we were good to go....

On the way home we found a few other places that we might snap some shots of tonight........it was LATE!

As always, enjoy the lights......

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 4

Wow - we received some MUCH NEEDED rain last night! Hopefully it will continue through today. While it won't make my Open House easier (later this afternoon) we desparately need the rain!

Here are some pics from last night. I am surprised that they turned out at all given the rain, darkness (lot's of subdivision without street lights) and general operator shakiness trying to take pics, keep my assistant (8 yr old) involved, shift gears and avoid accidents because I am sitting awkwardly in the middle of an intersection! HAHA

Enjoy the pictures and I will try and get to Brier Creek Country Club area tonight. If not, it will be another area along the I-540 corridor as I make my way back from the airport to Wake Forest!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 3

Wow - it was very hard deciding which pictures to use today! All of the homes were stunning! Tonight I will TRY to get some commercials displays that are around.....TRY! If not, you will definately get more homes tomorrow!

ENJOY!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 2

Well, folks......here are the pictures from last night! Absolutely gorgeous homes!

Santa's helper? Well, I lay claim to him - the best assistant I ever had!

Enjoy.....

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Twelve Days of Christmas - Carolina Style! Day 1

While riding around last night and walking downtown I was snapping some pictures. So, one of my brilliant ideas popped into my head (they are SO random!)......I will post picture each night (hence, the 12 days) of different area Holiday light displays around Wake Forest and Raleigh.....

I hope you enjoy!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Holiday shucking....

So many events, so little time!!!!!

Happy Holidays, everyone!!!

The season is definately upon us - that is blatantly clear as I see the shoppers in the stores (ya'll need to be a little nicer to your fellow shopper!), the jammed parking lots (ya'll need to have a little more patience!), the houses trimmed with lights (yes, there is a Griswald in my neighborhood!) and the reindeer antlers on the cars (okay - that one is kinda cute!).

There are so many events happening in Wake Forest and Raleigh that I thought I would be sure to list a few for you in case you don't have the time to research them yourself! Yes, I know that baking cookies, stringing lights, buying presents and singing Carols (yes, the city is rampant with "Carols" singing....watch for them!) takes time!!

• The Nutcracker - A stunning performance by The Carolina Ballet.
• Wake Forest Farmers' Holiday Market - downtown Wake Forest
• Tinsel Town - Koka Booth Amphitheatre
• North Pole Party - Marbles Kids Museum
• An Evening With Elves - Marbles Kids Museum
• The Raleigh Ringers Holiday Show - Meymandi Concert Hall

Well, those are just a few! Please be sure to click on the links above for more information and ticket information. I hope that you take the time to explore a little more of what Raleigh and the surrounding area has to offer - we are so lucky!!!

Back to baking cookies....

Flour covered shucking......

Wake Forest Christmas Parade, Dec. 8th!

Don't forget - The Wake Forest Christmas Parade is this Saturday (Dec 8th) starting at 1:00pm!!! Get there early and scope out your prime seat for what I am sure will be the best Christmas Parade yet! My family never misses this. Load up the thermos' with hot chocolate and enjoy the festivites.

While downtown don't forget to explore all the shops in the downtown area. Great gift shops and delicious restaurants abound - have fun!

I hope to see you there this year - just remember, bundle up and take blankets or chairs to sit on.

Festive shucking....