Vasilow's!

Had a great time going to Hudson to Vasilow's today--more photos tomorrow!

Here's the original

Sue asked if the original was pink flowers so I thought I'd post the picture.  Should have done it in the post.--will do that in the future.

Macro Monday--Picnik gone wild!

Decided to enhance this photo in Picnik & tried out a few new settings--this is using  HSL filter under sandbox effects--the colors are a little different, but I like it!

A Day Late....

But I just found this while I was looking for a few other old photos--me and my sister Judie at Plymouth Rock, Plymouth, MA in 1954!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful that my family is all safe & sound and for all the great friends I have made as I travel through life.  Enjoy  the holiday with your family & friends!

Thanksgiving in the early 1950's

Strange Sight!

It is late November here in New England, isn't it?  Very odd to go outside & see roses blooming at this time of year...but nice!  I guess this is a very hardy rose bush!

Typical New England Scene

A church steeple with a colorful tree--as seen in most every New England town!  taken on my trip to Cape Cod ( in Harwich)

Macro Monday

Going to try something new & post a macro photo every Monday for awhile

This is a balck eyed susan in my yard.

Rafe

Just a quick note to say that our dog, Rafe is doing much better.  He is on insulin twice a day & deramaxx for his arthritis and he is improving every day.  I was so pleased at the progress he had made when I came back from Cape Cod.

Walker Brigade

My Aunt decided she wanted to go out for a drive & to the beach.  Took her & Mom to Seagull beach--a favorite of mine ( & hers, too)

Both of them use a walker or cane so going out on the sand was impossible, but at one end of the beach there is a boardwalk, so that's where we headed

 My Aunt above & Mom below.  My Aunt went out without a hat so she has on a Goshen fair hat of mine.

 Once they got out to a bench, they both decided it was too cold, so back to the car we went!  believe me I'm happy they are both still around, but they tire me out!

The boardwalk out on the beach.  Hopefully before we leave I can get back ther for shells & maybe sea glass ( I've never found a piece on this beach)

On Cape Cod

This is an inlet Harwich , MA--took my Mom & Aunt out for a ride this afternoon--started out sunny--hate that it's starting to get dark at 3:30 in the afternoon!

Early-morning fire damages home

Got a phone call yesterday from my brother--the kind noone likes to get--they had had a bad fire overnight & the 2nd floor of their house was gone!  Thankfully everyone & all the animals got out OK.  Living in a hotel right now & their insurance is getting them a trailer to put in their front yard--a 50' double wide--to live in for awhile.  It probably will take 6 months or so to get back in the house.  I'm headed up there tomorrow  Here's a link to the newspaper acrticle.


Early-morning fire damages home

Trip to Vasilow's

My friend Deb & I decided to take a drive   to Vasilow's Confectionery.  It's a little over an hour from where I live in CT--over in Hudson, NY.  I don't think I've driven around in the area at all.  I have a few photos of a farm for another day.  I had posted on Facebook that I was heading that way & Kate was nice enough to let me know that they were temporarily out of pepitas! 

 We decided to go anyway & had a great time meeting & talking to Kate--Jim wasn't in ---now we have planned another trip back in early December.

 Lots of luscious choices.  We both bought a variety of things--Wayne, I bought a box of assorted truffles--yum!

 Here's the display for the pepitas-

 And the empty basket!

 Chocolate covered pieces of ginger--delicious!  This was one of the first things I tried once I got home; other delights you can see in the photo.

 Chocolate dipped apricots.......

 Love this sign!  Look closely & you'll see me reflected in the mirror on the wall ....

We've already planned a trip in a few weeks & I really want to go back to the area in the spring--lots of things to do & places to see!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Found a treasure trove of old photos....I have most of my parents old photo albums--don't think I had ever looked through all of them!  This is one of my Mom & her life- long friend, Dorothy.  They were from the same town & were roommates while they lived in Washington, DC during WWII.  After they both married & had families ( lived on opposite coasts from each other), but still managed to stay in touch to this day--60 + years later!

 Found a whole album of dad's phots I hadn't ever looked through--he's the one on the right --the other guy's name is Moe--I think these were taken in TX.

 My Dad was stationed in TX & Vallejo, CA before going over to Europe.  When he came back he was in NC for awhile--was stationed there when he & my Mom were married in 1944.

 He's on the left in this one. 

And I say "Thank you" to all who have or are now serving in the Armed Forces!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my Mom's ( Frances "Betsey" Copeland) 89th birthday.  I talked to her about 8 am & she was going out for lunch with friends today and again tomorrow.  I'm going to see her on Sunday & take her to see her sister for a few days.

Isn't this a lovely photo?  Taken in 1966 ( me in maroon suit, Mom is in the middle & my sister Judie in blue)

First Snow of the Season!

Woke up to this today  & it was blowing sideways!  It should be over soon & hopefully it will all melt quickly.  I have to take the dog to the Vet today to get his blood checked & I don't want it to be slippery because he's just getting his feet back under him.  Wish me luck getting him in & out of the car!

A Remembrance

Playing with seaweed!

Today is the 14th anniversary of my sisters passing.  I find it hard to believe that it's been so long & on the other hand it seems like yesterday.  But I have lots of great memories ( like this one ) !

Moongates Near & Far

A Moongate is an ancient Chinese design and came to Bermuda and the States as a result of the tea trade.  According to legend, if you make a wish as you pass through it you will be blessed with good fortune.  First one I saw was in Bermuda....

Then a few years later I went to Naumkeag  mansion ( they called it a "cottage") in Stockbridge, MA. 

 There was a Chinese temple along with a moongate there also. Anyone know of any near where you live? 

More Flowers from Bermuda

There were many different flowers on Bermuda, but the predominant ones were hibiscus and morning glories--they were everywhere!

 Lots of different varieties and colors

 These are 2 of my favorite flowers--love the ones on Isla, too!

 These blooms were like saucers!

Flowers of Bermuda

Nine years ago I went on a cruise to Bermuda with my Mom &my friend Jenny.  It was to celebrate their 80th & 50th birthdays.  We found a cruise that went out of Boston since my Mom has trouble flying ( inner ear problems).  We splurged and got a suite--it was great!  One of the places we went was to the Bermuda Perfumery.  I couldn't stay inside too long because of the scents, that meant more time to walk around in the gardens

Just a little sampling of what there was......more to come

Turkeys in the Trees

Happened to look out the window the other day & saw our flock of turkeys right outside the house.  I've never seen them so close to the house & out in the open!

 Several decided to perch in the trees over the driveway.

T he back end of a turkey--just showing one on a tree branch.

 Starting to take off.....

Flying away!  I know the turkeys roost in our pine trees, but you don't usually see them flying around.