Lea Nolan

"Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.' -J.R.R. Tolkien The Hobbit, pub. 1937

The end of the tour. I loved drinking in the history and beauty, but felt a little bittersweet. What will become of this house and what it symbolizes in the coming years? Will any future occupants live up to our national ideals? I have to find hope because I love this country and its potential.

The seal of the President of the United States above the main entrance in the foyer.

A small band of uniformed musicians plays Christmas carols. A guitarist, drummer, keyboard, saxophonist, and 3 clarinetists.

A large Christmas tree in the Grand Foyer decorated with gold doves, white lights, and green and red ornaments.

My husband and I standing in front of the Grand Foyer Christmas tree.

The Grand Foyer. More beautiful music, and lovely decorations.

A marble bust of the Marquee de Lafayette is ensconced in a niche above a door in the Cross Hall.

A close-up of the bust of Lafayette from a downward angle which emphasizes his prominent nose.

Lafayette, to whom our nation owes so much, has a place of honor in the Cross Hall.

Abraham Lincoln’s portrait hangs above the fireplace mantle. The fireplace is flanked by two large Christmas trees that are decorated with self portraits by students from across the country.

The gingerbread house is decorated as if it was a snow scene. There are wreaths hanging across the south side of the White House. The American flag sits on the top the White House and the POW flag sits beneath the American flag. Snow covers the landscape outside the White House including many little green trees that are artfully placed around the scene. In front of the White House is an ice-skating scene with miniature ice skaters that move on the ice.

The State Dining Room and the Gingerbread House.

A squat green tree in a bright red room, covered with white dove ornaments clutching red messages with the word peace scrawled across them, red and gold balls, and gold lights. Presents wrapped in shiny gold paper are placed under the Christmas tree.

A white marble fireplace surround and mantle are decorated with a green garland ornamented with white doves, clutching red messages, scrolled with the word peace across them, gold, and red balls, and gold lights.

The Red Room. This tree is covered with images of white doves and messages of peace. The mantel is trimmed with letters from children from around the country to the president and First Lady.

The Blue Room Fireplace. This was so pretty I had to take a picture.

A brightly lit, 18.5 ft floor-to-ceiling tree Stands in the center of the oval room. It is surrounded by a carousel with stuffed animals, like reindeer and sheep on brass poles. The tree is festooned with multicolored ribbons and multicolored lights.

The Blue Room. Wow, this was a show stopper! This is the White House’s official Christmas tree. The names of every state, territory and DC are showcased throughout its decor.

A boldly decorated Christmas tree with large geometric shaped, and glass beaded ornaments.

The Green Room. Colored glass ornaments and prisms. Many extraordinary pieces of art here. A Singer-Sergeant, Lawrence, Tanner, and Marin just to name a few.

An image of Joe Biden from a video message that plays on a loop in the East Room. On the screen is the closed captioned text: “I hope you believe you can do anything, even become president one day.”

My guy. Gonna miss him.

Gold drapes behind the dais in the East Room. White poinsettias line the edge of the dais. Gold chairs are lined up in anticipation of an event in the East Room. Shiny reflective material hangs from strings from the ceiling to symbolize snowfall.

More East Room. The ceiling’s glittery canopy is meant to suggest a peaceful snowfall.

The fireplace in the East Room and mirror above it lined with a garland of silver balls and ornaments.

The East Room. So much history in this room, it overwhelms this former Hoya history major.

A portrait of George Washington above a fireplace mantel, flanked by two large Christmas trees decorated with dried fruit (orange slices and pomegranates).

The Diplomat Reception Room. A small group of musicians were also playing in here. I could have lingered for an hour listening to them, but there was so much more to see.

Several narrow Christmas trees are clustered to the left of the image and a large Welcoming Table is at the center covered with a bounty of baked goods.

The China Room. 99% sure that food is fake.

The Vermeil Room (which houses silver dipped in gold which is toxic to eat off of). The displays in this room feature floral displays and portraits of First Ladies: Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, Jackie Kennedy, Pat Nixon, Lou Hoover, and my personal favorite, Eleanor Roosevelt (on the left).

Vintage ceramic Christmas trees at the table in front of eight fireplace. The fireplace is surrounded by a garland that is lit with multicolored Christmas lights. A Georgia O’Keefe painting above the mantle. It is a landscape with a magenta sky and black foreground. It depicts the southwest.

Another view of the Library, this one includes the fireplace. The painting above the mantle is by the great Georgia O’keeffe.

A room lined with shelves filled with books and tables around the covered with ceramic Christmas trees.

The Library. Filled with so many ceramic Christmas trees, some lighted, some not.

Lea is wearing black pants and a black and white jacket, Patrick is wearing a navy jacket and navy pants. They are standing on a festive red and green runner beneath an arch constructed of green garland decorated with gold and red ribbon and a shiny brass bell. Red ribbons hang from the ceiling adding to the Christmas theme.

With my husband, Patrick in The East Colonnade under one of the archways and bells that line the entire hall. The bells are meant to symbolize the peaceful sounds of the holiday season.

The East Wing entrance hall bedecked with garland covered with golden lights. The reception desk is to the right. The Gold Star tree dedicated to Gold Star families is in the center background.

The entrance to the East Wing. Lavish golden lights and garland everywhere. At the center rear you am see the Gold Star Tree, dedicated to Gold Star Families. It is constructed of six oversized and stacked gold stars, and topped with a golden star.

Eight uniformed musicians playing brass instruments on the portico outside the entrance of the East Wing.

Welcomed by Christmas carols played by members of the President’s band. They were wonderful.

Enormous gold wreath hanging on a wrought iron fence outside the East Wing.

Enormous gold wreath outside the East Wing.

Myself, husband, and two of our children on the steps of the entrance to the White House’s East Wing. In the background decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, and a large gold star can be seen.

Spent the afternoon in Washington DC to visit the White House and view its beautiful Christmas Decorations. Here I am with my husband and two of our three kids on the steps outside the East Wing. 🧵

I am so tired of waiting, aren’t you, For the world to become good and beautiful and kind? Let’s take a knife and cut the world in two- And see what worms are eating At the rind. Langston Hughes

Beach off the South River, sandy bank, bay inlet with tiny ripples, marina in the background to the far left, marshland in the distance.

Good chilly Maryland morning!

Good morning.

If you don't hear from me for a few months it's because I accidentally subscribed to the romancelandia feed and now can't stop reading about tropes and character arcs.

Oh wow! Yes, I’m less than 10 miles south of Annapolis. I’m there just about every day. Sailboat show is a lot of fun. ⛵️

It was! Husband and I enjoyed a nice afternoon. Thanks for the follow back. 😁

a cartoon character with a plant growing out of it 's head says hello . Alt: a cartoon character with a plant growing out of it 's head says hello .

Thank you for the welcome!

Image of a restaurant porch in fall and just beyond, many sail boats docked in a marina. In the background the red bricked steeple from Annapolis’s St Mary’s Church can be seen to the left, the white brick Marriott Inn is center right, the Annapolis State house dome is to the far right. The US Naval Academy is located just beyond the far right of this image.

Lovely lunch in Eastport today overlooking Spa Creek, Downtown Annapolis, and the Naval Academy.

I’m truly going to miss Thelma Johnson. What a wit. Godspeed, Mrs. Thelma, send us some magic from the other side of you can. 💗