Brrr...

We took a walk down to the Puddle Pond this morning and Mr. P snapped a few photos.  There is ice on the surface of the pond but it is certainly not completely frozen over and it is thin.


The dock hasn't been cleaned off and shows the amount of snow we have had since Wedneday of this week.  The wind is howling and as we walked down the path, six or seven deer ran across the corn field behind our property.  

Here are some pictures taken prior to Christmas and the snowfall that came down afterward.  There were a number of deer in the back yard moving through to the spot where they like to bed down.

These two deer were in the front yard on their way to the back and their resting place for the day.

This is just one of the many paths they make in the woods on our property.  There are tracks on the path we walk on which veer off onto different arteries into the woods.  

See Mr P, they didn't get them all in hunting season again this year.  Just wait until they start in on the garden again in the summer!
Stay warm today and remember only one more day (after today) until we are in the new year!

It's snowing, again.

We have returned from a visit to OnlyDaughter, OnlySon-in-Law and grandsons #1 and 2 over the Christmas holiday.  Our trip began in the morning of Christmas Eve day when we headed to western PA.  The tree was decorated by the grandsons and was grand.  There were lots of packages for everyone tucked beneath the tree.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care! Even the dogs and cat have a stocking to be filled.

Grandson #2 was up at 6AM ready to begin tearing into the packages.  Grandson #1 was somewhat sleepier but no less eager once he came downstairs.  Grandson #2 got the gift he "really, really" wanted which was Da-do Bricks.  Grandson #1 got a few Lego sets which he loves making into finished products.
Mr. P and I got lots of gifts.  One from the boys is very special.  The boys have been learning blacksmithing with their Dad.  They presented us with two hand forged copper bowls.  They often make us a gift and we use the Christmas plate they both had a hand in decorating for us one year.  Grandson #1 did artwork on a plain white mug when he was not quite three years old and presented it to me for Mother's Day in 2003.  I still use the mug daily at work for my hot tea.  The artwork is a little faded but no less special to me.
A very special gift from Only Daughter was presented prior to Christmas when she called to let us know that a book she has been writing will be published.  She also has a short story that will be published as part of an anthology of short stories.  Congratulations OnlyDaughter!  You've always been a writer but now everyone else can read your words.

As mentioned in an earlier post, OnlyDaughter and OnlySon-in-Law got their motorcycle licenses this summer and became the proud owners of two Harley Davidson motorcycles.  Preparations were underway to store them for the winter and we thought our best view would be from pictures taken by them.  Not so....they took us to the garage to show us the bikes and before we headed back for home, I got a ride with OnlySon-in-Law on the back of his Sportster 1200 Custom while OnlyDaughter followed on her Iron 883 who was followed by Mr P.  The bikes were put in storage and we all got a lift back in the car with Mr P.

This flag was purchased way back when Mr P worked plowing snow in the winter for a living.  We no longer hang the flag to scare off snow but just because we like it.  I don't mind driving to and from work in snow (I don't like ice though).  I haven't had to drive in any of the snow that has fallen this week since I took the entire week off work which has been nice. I love being in the house with a cup of hot tea and either a book to read or some knitting.

Happy Holidays to all!  The New Year is right around the corner.
Have a good weekend and enjoy the snow this weekend if you are getting what we are getting.

Gosh...

when did December arrive?  The 1st of the month picture of The Puddle Pond was missed.  Since then it's been most busy.

The annual Volunteer's Appreciation dinner at the library where Mr P and I volunteer has come and gone.  The theme this year was an Irish Christmas.  The librarian provides a meal and entertainment for the evening.  Our menu consisted of Irish stew (really beef stew), salad, Irish soda bread and mint chocolate chip ice cream with cookies for dessert.  Entertainment was provided by The Irish Blessing, http://www.irishblessingband.com/ a family band playing traditional Irish music and dancing traditional Irish dance.
As always, it was a fun evening and good to see those folks who volunteer on various days of the weeks that we sometimes only see a few times a year.

Yesterday was the last day for antlered deer and doe season with a rifle this year.  There will be a period of bow hunting around Christmas time but there don't seem to be many bow hunters here in our immediate area.  Possibly the deer pictured below were spared this year and we will see them over the winter.
As I walked up the driveway this morning to meet my walking buddy, R, several deer crossed over in front of me.


The next two pictures are for Grandson #1.  Check out what Pappy got for the golf cart!  Now the seats will stay dry when it rains - an all-weather cart.

My coworkers and I celebrated the holiday a little early with lunch at The Hotel Hershey in the Circular Dining room http://www.thehotelhershey.com/photo_gallery/index.php.  The Hotel will be closing down on January 2, 2013 for renovations.  The decor and ambience at the Circular Dining room is such a treat and we are hoping the changes are not too drastic.
Two more luncheons with coworkers are scheduled before Christmas gets here.  One in the upcoming week and one the week after.  I don't know if it's better to have them spaced out over three weeks or get the gluttony over in a shorter time span and then get back on track watching what I eat and walking more.

Our home sits a good distance back from the road so any decorations for the holidays are not always able to be seen by passerbyers.  There is a grapevine wreath with lights on the side of our garage which can be seen from the road.  One of our neighbors, who has since moved, always commented on much he enjoyed seeing the lit wreath on our "barn" (his term for our garage) each year.  

 The next few days and weeks at the Puddle Pond will be spent finishing preparations and shopping for Christmas.
Hoping you are staying warm and dry wherever you are and having a good weekend.