Not for Old Ladies....

Yes, I do the kind of crafts that are equally enjoyed by the elderly. Yes, I also have trouble with mean people. A good friend (who clearly knows me too well) suggested this for my next project. A combination of the two attributes I mentioned above:

(found at: http://www.chacha.com/topic/home-everything/gallery/1854/offensive-needlepoint)

Though this one made me think of something my sister and I might say to each other (in jest, of course):

(found at http://www.chacha.com/topic/home-everything/gallery/1854/offensive-needlepoint/13742)

Inns and Jam

If you're looking for a nice, secluded inn in New Hampshire, may I recommend:

I stayed here with family after a wedding, and it was a lovely old farmhouse. The attached barn has been converted into another wing of the inn, and the contrast between the thick wood paneling in the television room (no, there are no televisions in the guest rooms...this was surprisingly nice) and the light, floral wallpaper in the guests' hallway gives one a strange sense of calm.

Old-fashioned latches are also a lovely touch. But they don't carry an affected air; instead, you get the sense that they are there to do only what they were made to do- latch!

Many of the items have been re-used in interesting ways. This schoolhouse desk/chair was in the bathroom. My sister used it as a place to put her makeup, but the picture of a desk in the loo was quaint and more than a little funny. 

And let's not forget the rooms that remind me of my grandparents (if my grandparents had owned a little farmhouse)- and also a little of Anne of Green Gables:

(probably my favourite kind of wall paper)

(Tavern named after one of the innkeeper's dogs)

(in the television room)

In addition to being friendly and cooking insanely good food for all meals, the Innkeeper and his wife make their own jam! I bought some strawberry rhubarb (which is delicious), and my mom got raspberry and green tomato. The jam is also low on sugar in case that is a concern (it always is for us).

Few Words

On a recent roadtrip, we had to stop for the loo. There was nothing decent around, so we had to go to a sketchy gas station. But it seems as though, dodgy as it was, this gas station has seen its share of weary travelers. 


They even made up a fancy sign to direct one to the loo: 

Congratulations!

Best wishes to my dear twin on her wedding!!! It was a lovely day; thank you for letting me share it with you both.

Christmas is Still in Town

We're still hanging onto the Christmas spirit here in PA.

Ginger Babies

Christmas Eve afternoon was spent with my goddaughter and her brothers. They were visiting from St. Louis for a few days, and we all met up for some cheesesteaks.

(myself and Adrienne)

(books for Ethan)

The newest baby, Lucah, was fascinated with my brothers and their facial hair. Just when you thought he had enough of one, he was distracted by another.

(One of these days, Alice! Bang! Zoom!)

And of course it would not be a proper visit without my sister:

Fresh Pots

Thanks to my brothers, this video has taken over my life. Even my father has been walking around yelling, "Fresh Pots!!"

He doesn't know what he's talking about. My cousin heard him and asked me why my dad was talking about pot.

This video is not about pot.