Getting Ready for the Holidays

Brian is getting ready to "unveil" the Christmas Tree at his Dad's place. Brian, Katie and his Dad went to Sipple Farms in Bainbridge NY ...which is also a Maple Syrup Farm too. They go every year at this time to hunt for their perfect Christmas Tree and then chop it down. They look for 2 trees...one for Dad and one for themselves.

Brian getting much closer to unveiling it. Clip Clip he goes with the scissors. They bind it up for them because it is easier to travel with.

Voila....there is the tree prior to the lights and decorations. His dad always finds the perfect tree each year. This year it is short and full. Plus easier to decorate.

Now the fun begins...and looks like they have some lights and decorations on. I wonder what he is laughing about.

Still busy with the decorations...boxes full of pretty ornaments. Maybe I should get them to come up to my place and help me with my tiny "fake" tree. (But actually mine is already decorated, it just needs to be brought up from downstairs) Well it looks like they had alot of fun.

Now it's time for them to go home and put their tree up to decorate! :o)

Look What Is To Be Expected Soon....if not already

Well we know winter will be upon us soon. Probably sooner for others. But this is a pic of my mom hiding behind some bushes with snow all over the place. This is not this seasons snow yet, this was from a past season. They get pretty good snow down there.

And this is what happens when people don't drive properly in winter conditions. This is my dad standing by this car that came around the bend and slid off the bank toward my parents house. Their house is just a few feet to the right of this car.

This is some winter scenes from my parents house. The top photo is looking north of their property (toward the main farm) and the bottom photo is looking toward the south of the house.

It is very beautiful down where my parents live in the winter. But it also can get very nasty during storms they get..especially those nor'easters!

Today is Veteran's and Remembrance Day

Today in the United States they are celebrating Veteran's Day. They honor those who have fallen by lying wreaths at the monuments for different wars and then they do salute and fire their rifles. So today let us remember those who have served and fallen for our country.

In Canada, they also observe this day for theirs that have served and fallen too. And since I live in Canada now, I wanted to observe both holidays of remembering. Also I want to include this that was written by a Canadian, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army.

He wrote this poem: "In Flanders Fields"

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That Mark our place; and in the sky
The Larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead, short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
in Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

Photos Taken by my son, Brian

Who is this person in the shadows? I know who it is, but do you??

I love these 2 photos captured in a different light...they are from my folks house....actually the back of the house. They have this shed for storage attached to the back of the house and they hung some barbed wire to the backside of it and this last photo is of the door that leads into their cellar. I just like how my son captured it.

Having Fun this Summer at Bond Head, Ontario

This is a photo of the Newcastle Marina at Bond Head. Bond Head is located a couple miles south of Newcastle on the shores of Lake Ontario. It's a very small beach but nice to visit.

A place to sit and relax while watching the boats and sailboats out on the lake.

Wendy and Donna enjoying the nice day at the beach. We had a picnic lunch and it was so much fun.

A boat heading out to the waters of Lake Ontario.

Looking out at the Lake. It was a really nice day with clear blue skies.

Wendy is looking for some aliens in the sky.

The 3 of us girls with our "serious" looks!

Checkin out the fellas!! LOL! - Seagulls and Ducks!

The Big Apple in Ontario

Well the picture isn't as clear as I want it to be, but this is an Apple...The Big Apple located around Colborne, Ontario. It is located just off the #401 and easy to get to. This place makes pies right before your eyes ...the process and all. They have a display sign outside and I believe they have made over 2 million apple pies. They have a restaurant and also a souvenir shop as well. But you can't help not seeing this Big Red Apple from the road. I've had their pies and they are pretty good. If you are ever travelling between Kingston, Ontario and Toronto...make sure you look for the The Big Apple.

Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad!!

Today on November 1st, it was "57" years ago that my parents were married. They were married in the Mt. Upton Methodist church in Mt. Upton, New York. The day they were married, it had snowed. They went to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. Then they lived a simple farm life and had 4 daughters. Since then, the family grew and they now have 10 grandchilden. (5 grandsons and 5 granddaughters) So I want to wish my parents a "Happy 57th Anniversary!" They were married in 1951. :o)