Happy New Year!

Winter Road Trip

Saturday was another pretty day here so we decided to take a road trip. We drove up into PA to a little town called Bedford. Here are a few things we saw along the way. Ann

A Winter Walk

Paul & I took a walk on Friday on the new section of the Allegheny Highland rails to trails. This section of the trail just opened up to bikers and walkers. We had a very nice walk. The sun was shining but it was cold. As you can see from the pictures the sky was a brillant blue. We walked about 2 1/2 miles. This part of the trail goes through the Narrows. This is part of what was called The National Road. One of the first roads west. In the early 1900's there were 6 different transportation arteries through this narrow passage. Three different rail lines, a trolley line, and the road for cars. I have traveled this road all my life and this was the first time I ever walked were the railroad ran or was on the bridge. We plan to ride our bikes on the trail in the summer. Our local scenic railroad, Western Maryland Scenic Railway, still uses the rails. They run a steam train excursion every month except for Jan., Feb., & March. The outcropping of rocks is called "Lover's Leap". Indian legend says that the Chief's daughter jumped to her death with her lover from these rocks. Ann

Christmas Fun!

Before and after the opening of presents. Poor Kitty Pepper is all wore out after supervising the opening of presents! Ann

My Stocking has arrived!

I took part this year in my first stocking exchange. The stocking arrived today! Thank you so much Mary for the nice stocking and the gifts. The box came wrapped in lovely snowmen paper. I should have taken a picture before I opened it but I was so excited I didn't think about getting the camera until it was too late. I love Santas and Snowmen. The stocking had a Santa mug with a an old fashioned Santa and a Snowman towel. Thanks so much! I also received a nice candle, chocolate covered cashiews (a for me), a penguin figure, a cardinal tree ornament, and a notepad with a pretty little fairy. Again thanks so much Mary. Visit Mary at her website, Fireflies & Frogs. The link is listed to the right. Merry Christmas! Ann

Christmas Around our House

I've got my decorating done. Here are a few pictures. Our tree this year is an old fashioned tree. We bought new garland with popcorn, cranberries, and pine cones. I love the look. The lights are candle lights. They are nice but they don't always want to stay straight up. Glad they're not real candles. I'd have burnt the house down days ago. Of course Pepper, Sara's kitty, has had to play with the ornaments and the garland. She's had a good time doing her own decorating. Ann

Christmas Crackers

Look what my boss, Graeme, sent me from Scotland! Christmas Crackers. When he was here in August we talked about these and he sent me some for our Christmas celebration! There are a dozen in all. I've given two to Reta and her friend, Fred for their Christmas day. We will share the rest with friends and other family over the holidays. Graeme has ordered me to take pictures! And of course I will!

Birthday Gifts!

Here is the CD Paul gave me for my birthday. Brad does a nice job on Winter Wonderland, Santa looked a lot like Daddy, Silent Night, Born on Christmas Day. There is a cute song Penguin, James Penguin. Very cute.



Here is the bookmark Reta gave to me. It reads as follows:

"One night there was a bright star which guided three men who were the three wise men to the birth of Jesus who later in life became a carpenter and a fisher of men and souls. He had twelve apostles who spread the Word of Christ. But on a black day of hatred, envy, & death He was crucified. He shed His blood for us to purify & save us. He rose and is now in Heaven seated with the Father and the Holy Spirit. And He did all this because of His great love for us."

There is a star, 3 beads for men, 3 beads for them being the wise men, a pearl for Jesus, a wood bead for a carpenter, a fish for the fisher of men, a link for each apostle, a bead for the Word of Christ, a black bead for Good Friday, a cross, a red bead for the blood, a clear bead for our purity, a blue bead for Heaven, a dove for the Holy Spirit, and a red heart for His love for us. Just beautiful.

Thank you Reta!



Ann

Birthdays Come and Go!

Well my birthday has come and gone for another year and as always I received some nice presents and many Happy Birthdays! My son and my brother both called me long distance to wish me a happy day! I also had many new birthday wishes from on line friends. Thanks to all! Paul gave me a copy of Brad Paisley's new Christmas CD. My sister gave me a very nice Christian book mark. My mother-in-law always gives a little money. I bought a new Bible with it this year. Pictures to follow soon. While I'm in the reminiscing mood here are a few pictures from my 1st birthday. A happy day is 1960 celebrated with my Mom and Dad, my sister Reta, and my brother Tom which I as a baby have no memory of.............

Christmas Time is Here......

We went and picked out our tree on Saturday. Here are a few pictures. We went to Pleasant Valley Tree Farm in PA. We had a great time. Our salesman was a little pup named Herbie. He liked Nina very much. I decorated the tree Saturday afternoon and evening while everyone else was at work. Paul and Sara came home and really liked what I had done. 5 minutes after Sara came home the tree FELL OVER! No harm done. We had a good laugh while we cleaned it all up. Nothing broken and the tree looks good as ever!

Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You!

Here is a You Tube video from MTV in 1981. Billy Squier with the MTV Chorus singing Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You. I loved it then and was excited to see it again after all these years. My family thinks I'm crazy! Ann

A Christmas movie just arrived from Netflex!

We joined Netflex in November and have really enjoyed getting our movies in the mail. Holiday Inn just arrived today! We will start it tonight. One of the reasons I like Netflex is all the OLD movies I can rent. They can't be found at our local store. I've got Scrooged, The Polar Express, and several other Christmas movies in my queue for December. Ann

My Favorite Christmas Dolls!

My favorite Christmas Dolls. From top to bottom: My first Barbie. She was the first one to twist at the waist. My Chrissy Doll. Her hair would grow. My Mama Doll. She said Mama Mama when moved. I was in the hospital after this picture was taken. Posie Pixie. She is made of foam and is bendable. I still have them all but the Chrissy Doll. I don't know why she is the one I got rid of. I always named my dolls Nancy & Susan. Oddly enough I didn't name my daugther's those names. Ann

Peace on Earth

Holiday Fun

My husband Paul and our cousin Zach at our city Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Zach had a much better view after Paul gave him a lift! We attend this event every year. It is held the day after Thanksgiving. I am so glad to live here. We sing Christmas carols and have prayer. One of our local talents sang Oh Holy Night. It was beautiful! Merry Christmas to all.

New Art Blog!

I've decided to make a new blog just for my art. You can find it at:

http://annsart.blogspot.com/

Ann

Another favorite Christmas movie!

Here is my current movie I'm watching. This is a great Christmas movie and on my list of favorites. We've been watching this at bedtime and takes us about 4 days to watch the entire thing. Ann

One of my favorite Christmas movies

Scrooge with Albert Finney is just about my favorite Christmas movie. I love the story of Scrooge and this is a very good version. I love all the songs such as December the 25th, I like Life, and Thank you very much. I just watched it on Friday. Great Fun!

Family Fun!

It was game time at our house last night. We played Apples to Apples which Sara won and Clue which I WON! Miss Scarlet in the Billard Room with the Candlestick. Great family fun!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Happy Thanksgiving to my family and to all my new internet friends. This picture is from the card my husband Paul gave me today. The verse inside reads "May you celebrate Thanksgiving with a smile in your heart." Thanks sweetie!

Blessings to all. Ann

Anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

On Sunday, November 19th Paul, Sara, and I attended the anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg address. These are just a few of the people we saw. James Getty portrays Lincoln each year and is very, very good. The other people in the differnt photos were very nice and pleasant when asked if they would mind having their picture taken. Santa was just about the nicest person I've ever met. Maybe he was the real one!!!!!

Way to go Jimmie! #48