Lampson Falls

This is the kind of January hike I'm used to. It was a 50 mile round trip drive but so worth it.

This hike was an "official" hike. We had to sign in, a first for Bonnie & I.

We followed the trail by markers on the trees.

I finally got the hang of the self-timer on my new camera. Notice the camera on Bonnie. She got a camera for Christmas. So nice to get her interested in taking pictures. I think she'll have a SLR before long.

This bridge looks much different than the bridge last Sunday in SC.

The photo with the sun shinning on the ice on the side of the falls does not do justice to how pretty it looked.

I hiked up a hill to this pine forest and the pine smell was wonderful.

We want to go back in the spring.

USC Arboretum

When Mick & I were in Columbia, SC attending a memorial service, for a co-worker of Mick's, we stayed with Jim & Debbie. On Sunday we went hiking at a University of South Carolina Arboretum. Don't confuse USC with the "real" USC.

The weather was like a spring day at home.

The trail was marked with rocks taken from the property.

The sky was a beautiful blue.

I thought this was a very interesting tree stump.

 

This is the bridge from the photo in last weeks Wordless Wednesday.

Was great to see flowers in the middle of winter. Pansies were also blooming.

A terrible self-portrait.

It was wonderful Sunday hike especially when it was January and didn't involve boots and snow pants.

Wordless Wednesday

So 21st Century

I went through security using my iPhone and license.

I then boarded the plane showing my iPhone.

It was so nice not having to keep track of the paper boarding pass.

Amie was so proud of me, actually more surprised!! Hey, I think I'm the first in my family to go high tech when flying. : )

Deicing

If you look really close you can barely see the wing of a plane and the pink deicing foam being sprayed.

This is a photo of my window being sprayed with deicing foam.

It took 50 minutes to deice the entire plane, the first time. Something I've never had to experience before. I always avoid flying in the winter, except the one time I flew out of JFK on Christmas Day. Figured I'd be safe from ice at JFK.

We headed to the runway and after an examination by the co-pilot we went back for a second deicing of green deicing foam on the wings. That took around 30 minutes.

We left two hours late & I could not believe the complaints by a lot of the passengers. They were mad since many were going to miss connections. I just sat there praying I would get there safe no matter how long it took and happy for once I had a direct flight.  

All photos taken with my cell phone.

Craft Project

The project started out what I thought to be quick and easy, was not. Well, it was easy but not quick. I bought the chalkboard paint a long time ago with no project in mind. I thought the price looked good. According to the paint directions, the surface had to be primed, borrowed that from Mick. One coat of chalkboard paint, let it dry eight hours, a second coat and let that dry for 24 hours. Finally, cover the entire surface with chalk and wipe off

I was only going to make one candle holder until I read the directions. I need to buy more candles now.

I never like burning candles unless they are in a container. Safety issue.

Tip Thursday

A tip I learned at the New Year's Eve party I was at. 

Leave a spoon in the neck of a bottle of Champagne, Spumante or spakling wine and the bubbles will last. 

According to my friends they've had bubbles last a week. I guess I'm bringing back "Tip Thursday."

Wordless Wednesday

Chesse Free

In support of our team, which has a very important game on Sunday, we have to be cheese free this week.

Anyone with me besides Mick and Little Uncle David?

Looking at the photo I'm actually a bit embarrassed with all the cheese I had in the refrigerator.

Bathroom Remodel

The bathroom remodel is winding down. ThANK GoOdNeSs.

All that is left is waiting for the call to say the vanity is in, in about two weeks, and the delivery of the counter top.

After quotes of $1,700 and $2,200, not including tax, for solid surface I decided to go with an African Mahogany wood counter top. Mick knows a cabinet maker and he will be custom making the counter top for $300 to $400. The counter top will be about the same color as the door which is original to the house. In an attempt to add more wood I moved to the bathroom a box I had in the kitchen. 

Wordless Wednesday

Brunch

The day after Christmas we were invited to a brunch at a beautiful home just north of NYC. The family are long time friends of Kristen's family, they were once neighbors in the same development.

The hostess explaining all the food choices and there were many delicious dishes. In fact, the best quiche I have ever had.

Usually no one wants to be first but Eric stepped up right away.

John, to Mick's left was our host. 

The women in attendance over 30 years of age.

Then the under 30.

John owns a horse and rides in shows. I loved his ribbons hanging on a lamp shade.

Thought of Mom and her Santa collection. She would have enjoyed seeing this display.

Door Wreaths of Philadelphia

Christmas Eve I spent about an hour walking the streets of the Rittenhouse area of Philadelphia taking photographs of doors decorated with wreaths.

    I used an app called Pic Collage to make the collages. It was so easy!

Happy New Year

Here's to a perfect 2012 for all. 
It's going to be a GREAT year!