christmas decorations Dec 11th, 2010

a private home in Ambler, PA. 

one could say a bit over the top

Every Christmas symbol imaginable. we passed by on the first night the lights were on.

a much more tastefully decorated tree at Laurinda's

Had an overnight visit to Philly to visit with Laurinda and her husband, Gil. We had a quality 24 hours, with dinner, a Christmas concert featuring a soprano, mezzosoprano, baritone and bass with piano accompaniment. Very nice, 4 students from the philly voice academy.  This was followed by a tour of the Christmas lights and we hit it big when Gil remembered to drive by this house. There were lots of other very pretty houses with wreathes, white lights, stars and more. Many many houses decorated in their area. Fun and reminded me of when my parents would drive us around when we were kids.

Rhinebeck, N.Y Sinterklaas Day Celebration

Beekman Arms hotel and restaurant, established in 1766 as a tavern/inn and has been in action ever since.  It is said to be the country's oldest continuously running hotel.

band on stilts

amanda and emily with the sinterklaas flag, this year honoring the turtle, and with their decorated birch rods symbolizing royal scepters. kids become royalty for the day

crowns made by the girls since they become the kings and queens of the day

sinterklaas stars in the background - johanna and the girls

Route 9, running through the town, was all decked with lights

dutch reformed church, established in 1731, they say the oldest functioning church in U.S.

sinterklaas on his white stallion with bishop robes, hat and scepter

people lining the parade route with their sinterklaas stars

parade - cauldron and fire

parade dragon

colorful  parade figures


Dec 6th is St. Nicolas Day and is celebrated in Holland as the day when Sinterklaas comes. Rhinebeck being settled by Dutch settlers over 300 years ago takes pride in celebrating its Dutch heritage.  The very pretty and quaint town was decorated with lovely Christmas decorations and lights. There were activities for children where they could make their own crowns and symbolic scepters since children become honored royalty for the day. After dark, Sinterklaas rides into town on his white house followed by many colorful figures, real llamas, a pipe band and much more. Paradegoers wear their crowns, carry their decorated birch branches and all the  sinterklaas large white stars light up the parade route.  It was a very cold (32 degrees) night but we endured it and had a fun day.

pretty cortland site

cortland historic site, george washington was here! then turned into the nursing home for years till they built a new one just next to it.   Spending a lot of time here visiting Helen.

New York City Dec 3rd, 2010- a visit with barbara

Christmas ball decoration 6th ave

plaza - barbara and I

one of saks' window displays

Rockerfeller Center's timeless angels

Rockerfeller Center Tree


a fun lunch at the Thai restaurant Topaz followed by  lots of walking on a brisk Dec day to visit to some favorite nyc places: fao schwartz, st. patrick's, plaza,  a walk on 5th ave,  rockefeller center and more

Thanksgiving Nov 26, 2010

such a classy dining room

younger and older generations

Rick, Kev, Christopher, Kelly, Katie

Great fire to relax by post dinner

Daisy entertaining us all

Thanksgiving with Rick, Kelly, Katie, Kevin, Grandma, Helen, Daisy, Joe, Christopher and me. A great dinner - thanks Rick and Kelly. It was greatly enjoyed by all and just the way it should be.  

a walk along the long island sound at sunset, very calming

a great visit to donna's, wonderful walk, great shrimp and asparagus and a fabulous soak in the hot tub. what could be better?

Happy Thanksgiving!

sunrise from mom's balcony

the amtrak vermonter crossing the hudson in the early morning

Some early morning Thanksgiving scenes in the U.S