Christmas Tree Thoughts . . . .

Do you prefer live or artificial trees? Cut-your-own or pre-cut?

we always get a Cut your own.  We started this when the property that we border on 

One of my favorites

"My grandma made this many years ago"  " I love all the handwork and therefore love that went into it"

"a new ornament for 2015" 

What is your favorite ornament?

Are there any special tree-trimming traditions your family follows each year?
  We try to get it up just after Thanksgiving, each child puts on their own ornaments, my husband does the lights. 

When do you put it up and when do you take it down?

Colored lights or white lights?

 We put it  up the weekend after Thanksgiving, we take it down in January as we can. 

This year we have white lights but sometimes it is multi colored. 

- See more at: http://dawnathome.typepad.com/by_sun_and_candlelight/#sthash.oTzvYevq.dpuf

26 years ago . . . .

September 3, 1988
We said "I do"  In a morning wedding with afternoon reception.  It was a lovely late summer / early fall day like today is in Western NY.  We had so many good friends and family present.  All our college friends from New England, some we have not seen possibly since then, but still in touch. Our Best Man, met our Maid of Honor at our wedding and then 3 years later . . . they were married!  Life could not be better.
               I made my wedding gown and would make it completely different if I had it to do all over again.   I also think about - Who do I know now that I did not know then but that I would invite to a wedding today.  That is kind of an interesting concept to think about.   So, no big plans for today- a nice dinner at home is all besides all the regular house chores and work etc..

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday's look at 12 years ago. .  .some things have changed a lot and some have not changed at all.  We are still carving Pumpkins at Halloween, but Blonde hair is darker and we are much taller! Grew 6 inches this past year alone. This little one is now taller than mom.  Wow time sure does fly.  These were good times they were.

Memorial Day 2014

Before the Parade!

View from the Hammock -dappled sunshine, gentle breeze, summer's coming!

Sweet Scones and Doughnut Muffins on the deck with Tea of course

The current Read . . .

After breakfast with Korean War Veteran Grandpa Bob

Every year the boys march with Scouts from in Town to the cemetery, where a short ceremony will take place, the Middle school band will play a few numbers, the Legion will lay a wreath and fire some shots. We give thanks for the Veterans of today and of yesteryear for those that remain with us and for those that have passed on.  We can have this public ceremony to thank them today because of their service to protect our freedoms- you only need to watch World News this week to see how precious those freedoms are.
                   We went out for Breakfast afterwards and got my Dad to tell a few stories.   He served in the Korean Conflict in Sapporo, Japan on the Island of Hokkaido in the National Signal Core as an Interceptor. He listened to Morse Code during all of his shifts and translated it.  He told us on the boat ride over- he did not have a job.  He was in the middle of about 5 berths deep for sleeping and his head was by a water fountain and frequently he would get sprayed while sleeping.  On the return trip he worked in the on-board bakery. " oh we made jello and pie bars for the men in big sheets"  " we used some steam to cook the jello until we found out it was not safe"  "The officers and their wives got real round pies. We had a little cooking area and we cooked eggs or things if we got hungry, it was a good job"  He served there for 3 years.  I would love to interview him and record it on video- these times and stories are fading fast.   Happy Memorial Day to one and all.  We are blessed.

Easter 2014

the bunny came!

Asparagus Cheese Tart

Doughnut Bread Pudding

After dinner walk in nearby park- on a ridge Trail

Eggs 2014

Love all the bright colors!!

  A few of the things that made Easter special.  We stayed home and caught up on some much needed yard work, some had not had attention for well over a year. We searched for Easter baskets, dyed eggs, went to church and Maundy Thursday  service, had a brunch and went for a nice walk afterward, it was close to 80 that day and as i write this- we are expecting snow overnight . . . .will it ever end???  Hoping that everyone enjoyed Easter  and all the joy that it brings with it.

Maple Weekend Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast

ScouterDan

Well it has been busy times here at Chestnut Hill.  Last weekend was Pancake Breakfast fundraiser Sat. / Sunday I worked 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM both days.  This is one of our major Fundraisers for the Troop and a lot of work.  We had good success despite the snowstorm on Sunday that dropped 10 inches and made roads very difficult to travel.  I work in the kitchen keeping the pancake batter mixed, sausages to be ready to bake and general clean up  . . .  My husband flips the flapjacks and boys usually work the serving line or are runners with food from kitchen to line.  Many Hands make light work and that is what makes this work.

Canada Trip 2014

Winding lane to Lake House

Sunset on Sand Lake

A view to behold every day!

Island

Boat Load of Snow and Good Bye it has been fun!

We have had the pleasure for 5 years to retreat to this lovely Lake House in late March. Usually 5-6 of us, to sew, watch movies, hike, cook, enjoy immensely the pleasure of each others company and relax from the everyday mundane and at times burdens.  This was our last year at this location and we will need to find another. Several of our group are also at crossroads in life that means we may not gather in this way for a long while. Lots of good food and fun, we shall miss this time but hold our memories close.

Comfort Foods . . .

            Back in January we had a discussion at the table about what our comfort foods were. . . . . Those foods that wrap you in a hug and tell you that everything is going to be ok.  Those foods that you make after a long day, long week or bad news. Here is what we came up with here at Chestnut Hill . . .  What are your comfort foods?


Toasted Cheese and Tomato Soup
French Toast
Pizza
Homemade Oatmeal with Milk
Pasta with Parmesan Cheese
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Scrambled Eggs and Toast
Roasted Corn ( on the campfire)
Cheese and crackers - any kind of either will do
Crusty Bread with butter
Grilled Hamburger
Crisp Apples
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and Milk

Oatmeal with Maple Syrup

Edna's Christmas

Edna our 8 year old Yellow Lab knows exactly what Christmas morning means.  Ever since she was a puppy she has seemed to know that under the tree would be something for her.  This year she stole the show over the 3 teens in the house.  She got in the living room and right away she started looking, nosing and smelling everything, definitely wanting the first gift for her before anyone else.  She loves to poke her nose in the wrapping in order to get it off.  Her reward with this one was a stuffed Moose. Edna is very good to her toys, she does not rip them apart but plays nicely with them and they seem to last forever.  She stayed right in by us and the tree all morning. Merry Christmas Edna, Merry Christmas everyone!

December Daily- GingerBread Houses 2013

We Baked 7 small houses and 6 Large houses

These are the foil covered cardboard to serve as bases for the homes.

Partial assortment of candy for houses.

Snipped red twizzlers for bricks and small triscuits for roof- Dorr and entry are on another side.

designing with the Royal Icing

Lots of pattern and Symmetry

Bright colors!

All reds and greens very storybook like - love it!

Gingerbread house in the Tropics with a Yellow Licorice Snowman

Creative cutting of candies