The Best seat in the house . . .

This old school desk sits in front of the Wood cook stove. It is the coveted spot every morning and after school, it is the warmest spot in the house. When someone is not sitting in the seat someone is sitting at the desk part doing homework. Again- not as close to the wood stove but about as close as you can get and still do homework. I don't know what school it came form but the wood is smooth and lovely. There are 2 old schools near us- both about a miles walk. I don't know which one the kids in our house would have gone to. One is now a residence that a local teacher lives in. I imagine for many of the early years in this house children were home-schooled as I do not think there were enough houses nearby to create a local school. 2010 is ending on a warm note- 50 degrees and mud. Feels like March out there but I am sure it will not last. Thanks for everyone that has visited in 2010 and to those that have left comments. Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year. Looking forward to 2011.

Merry Christmas 2010 One and all

Scenes from Christmas present . . . . . .
The Christmas lights are at a private residence, we know the daughter of the owner. We try to drive by each year. She has the resources to do this and built special storage to keep them in off season. Edna received a Pink Octopus for Christmas . . ..She is very proud of her new toy family member. Some new reads and viewing for mom. We entertained Christmas eve afternoon . . . before church such a perfect time . Love so many things about Christmas, love the quiet of Christmas day . . . so little traffic on the road etc..
Memories of Christmas past and thoughts of Christmas future. . . . enjoy your days.

Christmas is Love

Glimpses

All around are glimpses of the season, from the advent candles that this year are 4 square votives to my new Cupcake ornament form a Secret Santa at work to the smell of baking anise Cookies and Gingerbread. We have Newly made Gingerbread houses . . . Gifts to be wrapped, gifts wrapped. Special decorations that come out just once a year. Christmas Quilts , pillowcases . . . Crafting happening here and there. so many little things that truly make the season special and memorable. Take time to sit and watch the lights. All to soon they will be packed away.

GIngerBread Houses 2010

We go back about 23 years in making Gingerbread houses.
First we make the dough, then we bake the houses, then we make Royal frosting and assemble the houses, finally we decorate the houses. This all can happen over time. The kids are usually pretty creative in what they do with their house. Notice in the last photo how the nativity managed to make it to the Gingerbread session,

wishing . . .

Well we went to the Mall on Tuesday to see Santa. All went well. The mall was quiet as it was snowing like wild outside and most people stayed home. North of the mall was worse weather than south and we live south. So we ewre in good shape. Santa was next to these trees. Later we went to Target to check out the Nerf guns that are high on the list. So many choices. . . . . so many darts everywhere!!

Western NY Winter Garden

Well after ogling Daisy Yellows Garden in Texas that she obliged me with more pictures of now after lovely ones at Halloween time. I then went in search of the best/ brightest things left in my garden. Scroll down to Glorious too from Monday to see the garden photos. This is what I found after new fallen snow.

Barberry bush above

Purple Cone Flower seed head above

Horehound Herb above

Grass Head/s above

Butterfly bush
Guess it was a late bloomer this season.

What is in your garden?
Take a look maybe more than you think .

The Everyday

What are your everyday sights that you would miss if they were not there?

Annual Fire Truck Parade

You just have to love small towns. Small Town Parades are among the best. Ours is no exception. The Mid December Firetruck Parade brings out the whole town, both the Villagers and those of us "out of town" more rural. This year we stood right next to this very well behaved Alpaca named "Carhartt". He was so quiet but very observant. The local dogs were in a bit of a tizzy though and he just looked so darn like a Reindeer, he had a lot of Photos taken of him. The Firetrucks were awesome as always. The school has started putting a bus in and the bus drivers march. ( they throw candy too!) One fire company threw Oranges and that was a big hit. Tossed I should say. Yes, that is a John Deer Reindeer pulling Santas sleigh. The Rotary was also a John Deer Pulling a lighted Hay wagon- the tall kind that wobble when not fully loaded. Speaking of farming - we are still harvesting Corn out here. Corn Pickers were busy most of last week. Enjoy!!

More snow

After the snow comes the ice and icicle's . . . . . If all of the icicles were creamsicles and Popsicle's Oh what a world this would be . . . . . we 'd stand out side with our mouths open wide . . . . .

Christmas Cards . . . .

This is the beginning of what is to come. I do not have an absolute end in mind, I just have vague idea. I often like to start with making a "master board" then I will cut it up, add more to it and in the end it will become something that I love. Hopefully those that receive them will love as well.

I have already added to this since I shot the photo. More to follow as I progress.

Snow

This is hard to see but when the snow fell it completely covered the flag then as it got a little warmer and melted the snow came off the flag in a blanket and actually curled it self up. I had a hard time getting an angle that really showed what it looked like with all the snow. It was fun to see it though as not to soon it was gone.

Red

Red is such a dominant color this season but it can be found in the everyday as well. How much red do you have in your life? I think I like Red because it is such a symbol of love and the world needs more love that is for sure.
"When in Doubt, wear Red!" Bill Blass

The Sweet Spot

Every year the cat finds this sweet spot to sleep after we put the tree up. I am not sure what he really likes about it? Quiet, Peace, less traffic, twinkling lights?

December

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.
Larry Wilde

First Snow

The first snow this year was Sat. Nov. 27th well shall we say enough snow to actually make a snowball as we have had snow on /off for 6 weeks. This was lake effect from Lake Erie mostly. Later in the day there was a little off Lake Ontario. The great Lakes are Great Snow machines.

Holiday Starters

Well we got a little started on the Holidays. We visited a Tree Farm that had this lovely reindeer. Sorry Isobelle- no goaties here, 2 lambs, a llama, and small pony/donkey animal.
I stitched up this new Flag for the mailbox. I need to make a new one per month this year to "refresh" what we have- some are ancient by now. We are slowly getting a few other things out. The door with the stocking is original with the house. This means it is close to 200 years old. What a lot of weather it has seen! Enjoy the journey to the Stable, it will go by quickly, make sure to stop and see the lights.

Thanksgiving . . . .

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It is now over but we have good memories. making these cute pilgrim hats for place favors as we watched the dog show. Making Pies- Pumpkin made by Yoda and Toll house pie made by Slugger, Mashed potatoes were a team effort, Flower girl peeled and cut them all while Slugger mashed them into heavenly moist buttery delight. Cranberry/orange Relish by Dad and Yoda. We all piled in teh car with a scramble over who ends up in the way back of the van these days. then Over the river and through the Woods to grandmothers House we go, the van knows the way down the wide and winding roads in rain and snow and ice. Varied weather we had that day. We met up with more family there and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon/ evening of food and fellowship. Hoping you and yours had a terrific day as well.

Gratitude . . . .

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Full Moon Books

Over the years i have collected quite a few books about the moon, Full Moons. My children have always enjoyed both books and moons, even though they are growing they still love both. Nothing like a good walk out on a Full moon night. I watched it rise last evening while working outside - Beautiful!!. November is:
• Full Beaver Moon – November This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.

This month is the Blue Moon for 2010 although not for the second Full Moon in a month but for the third in a season.
Either definition for Blue Moon, the third moon of a season with four full moons, or the second full moon in single month, denotes the quality of odd man out. The Moon however, knows no difference since it was shining long before our concept of time began.

Frosty Moon certainly applies in this area of the country. It has been frosty all day and yesterday!

Fall Finale

Fall is slowly coming to an end. We have put the last of the pumpkins on the mulch pile I believe. We have had Jack Frost visit nearly every day now. A few days of snow already. The wood stove is running continually but the furnace has not been turned on yet. Wool hats and socks in the house are a must. It is comfortable. Stocking the old copper wash bin that serves as a wood bin is a daily task. I like to not have the fire go out. It is just easier that way. I am slowly getting used to the new setting and rising of the sun. I actually get to see them more fully as teh days change and the location changes. We are ready. Soon it will be the Solstice and a Full Moon falls on the Solstice this year!