Hiking at Limekiln

We hiked the "Old Damn" trail at Limekiln State Park.

 

I think the trail is a 1.5 mile loop. Yes, we remembered to sign out.

 

The creek was very dry. That's what happens when we have a summer with no rain.

 

The three Piel kids.

Can you spot the nest high in the tree?

Saw two fawns at the trail head.

I love hiking in the woods. 

Tenting at Limekiln State Park

This past weekend I went tenting with the Piel family.

We had site 117.  We were not on the water but very secluded from other sites.

Camping is a lot of work. Most of the work happens at home, packing and figuring out everything you need to bring and then all the clean-up and drying out after the trip is over.

We spent hours and hours sitting and staring at the fire pit.

Toast for breakfast along with my tea water on the boil.

No dishwasher while camping.

Our group as we set out for a hike.

Thankfully, no rain for me this weekend!!!

Today is Amie's Birthday !

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.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was spent just north a NYC. We spent just over two hours driving from Philadelphia. Thankfully it was a breeze crossing the George Washington bridge with the light holiday traffic.
Not on purpose, no really, Mick and I are shirt matching.  : )

Spent two days with Eric, Kristen and her family.

Hopefully Eric put his deer door bell on his apartment door. He could leave this up all year long considering he has two mounted deer heads hanging on his walls.

His gifts were all wrapped with a craft paper theme.

Christmas day dinner was turkey. Served on a beautiful decorated table.

Gone are all Christmas's with everyone at home. We are so blessed to be able to see both Amie and Eric even thou we couldn't all be together.

Christmas Eve

Prior to our Christmas Eve dinner of prime rib we walked the streets of Philadelphia. It was in the mid 50's, not my typical Christmas Eve weather.

The mosaic wall was really neat. It's actually an entrance to a pub.

Amie had the apartment looking so nice. She painted the canvases herself and the feather wreath is one of my thrift store finds, minus the bow. She made the garland by stringing pom poms from a craft store onto string.

A silver tree decorated with gold balls.

My favorite photo from Christmas Eve. I love the photo opportunites the streets of a ctiy have to offer.

Pennsylvania Ballet

My first ever ballet and it was The Nutcracker. This was Mick's second ballet. He saw a performance when he was at Columbia. The theatre, in Philadelphia, is beautiful. I wish I could have taken a photo of the ballet but it was not allowed.

Amie suggested we attend and made all the arrangements.

I didn't want to blink during the performance for fear I would miss something.

Amie is making plans for me to come back in the spring and attend another ballet. Leigh Anna, meet us there!!

Veterans Day

Thinking of Dad on Veterans Day.

 He served proudly and with honor in the Army of the United States.

God Bless you Dad and God bless all that are now serving.

Dog Bed

Just like me, Mick made something for Poppins, a dog bed. Amie sent him an email with a photograph of the style she wanted. He purchased the legs, cut out of plywood the base and head board. He  stained everything and preset the screw holes so Amie could easily put it together.

There are two metal braces that hold the head board.

The bed was custom made to fit the dog bed. As you can see Poppins loves the bed.

Have you figured out that Poppins is very spoiled? Poppins has come a long way from the streets of LA.

Birthday Hike

Mick got a surprise when he asked what I wanted for my birthday & I requested he take me on a hike. Mick doesn't like "roughing it" outdoors.

He went above & beyond and found a cabin to rent for Labor Day weekend and we spent two days hiking. We were in Northern Wisconsin & it was beautiful.

Another couple came by at the end of the trail & volunteered to take our photo. I was in the process of setting up the timer and finding a place to set the camera so I was thrilled to take them up on their offer.

Mick took the below photo along the waterfall at the top of the trail.

I was told by one of his co-workers that Mick said he enjoyed our hikes.  Maybe a tent is in our future.

Chittenango

I'm visiting Santa's Village for the weekend.

Golf

Our hospital held a benefit golf tournament last weekend. It was the 15 annual and I don't think Mick has missed a year.

Mick's partner was George. George via Scotland, Toronto, currently Boston and soon to be Calgary. I'm going to visit him once he gets settled in. I'm also taking a side trip to Vancouver. I've always wanted to visit that part of Canada.

The entire team.

I kind of liked the looks of the carts all lined up at the end of the tournament.

Bonnie, has organized all 15 years of the tournament. On the right is Renee, the daughter of one of my faithful blog readers. Good Morning Kay!! In the middle is one of the doctors from the hospital. He didn't golf but came to the course to show his support.

Nat and Mike spent some father & son bonding time on the course.

It was a beautiful blue sky, sunny and hot day. It was also the last day Mick will golf. He has decided to give up the sport. I told him just golf once a year at the hosptial tournament.