Jan Williams Florals

Every time I visit Fredericksburg, Virginia a stop at Jan Williams Florals is a must. She once decorated the White House. Her shop is on the bottom floor of an old historical home and her gift shop is filled with pretties. This weekend I attended a demonstration that she gives annually at Mary Washington college to raise money for their museum.
Greens are gathered at the college and behind her were ten black garbage bags filled with fresh greenery. She used that plus all the accents and ribbons that she brought from her shop. She made seven different arrangements in three hours and told the most wonderful stories.
The pictures do not do justice to this stunning arrangement with white lights.

I was lucky enough to win this fresh green wreath.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Hello again. I’m back from my wonderful visit with my sister in Fredericksburg, Virginia. In the next few posts I’ll tell you all about the fun we had.
   On Friday we went to Richmond. In the evening we went to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to see the lights.
It was so beautiful all lit up. The theme was East meets West and in the conservatory there was a 30 feet tall tree with oriental ornaments as well as displays.


 
 
 
 

In the library there was a display of doll houses. Not only were there doll houses but also greenhouses, flower shops, old general stores all with miniature furniture in darling displays.





We had our dinner in the Japanese Tea Room. We only had soup and zucchini cakes so had room for the peppermint brownie ice cream sundae.

Linda had read about the Bizarre Bazaar for a few years and we decided to take the trip to Richmond to go to this large craft show. (450 vendors). It was fantastic with home made food items, clothing, jewelry as well as craft items. I found a tee pee for the little ones in Tennessee. And I bought a mercury glass garland for my French tree. We had a wonderful day!

Sadie’s Rules

 

Everyone knows that Sadie rules the house. Jack Russells tend to do that (so I’ve heard). She knows that she is the boss. In her mind here are her rules:
1. Don’t come home smelling of other dogs.
2. You must feed me every goodie you eat.
3. Let me outside even though I just came in. There was an area that I forgot to sniff.
4. I can sleep anywhere I wish even if it means you’ll trip over me.
5. Don’t shhhh me from barking when you are on the phone. I heard a squirrel.
6. Don’t move me when I’m sleeping on your bed. There’s enough room for you on the edge.
7. Don’t think you can leave the room without me.
8. If it lands on the floor it’s mine.
9. I will use sad puppy dog eyes to get what I want.
10. If you don’t take me for a walk right away I will whine and pester you until you do.
11. I you go into the bathroom I will get up and follow you right in to see what you are doing. I want to know where you are and what you are doing every moment.
12. If you don’t want dog hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.
13. My parents like me a lot better than most people.
12. To you I’m just a dog. To my parents I’m an adopted child.
13. I’m treated like a grandchild..I whine and I get my way.
14. You are obliged to hold and pet me the entire time during your visit.
15. It’s even better if you bring doggie treats. 

orlando 2012 hot, hot,hot.2 from Peg Karrasch on Vimeo.

Trophy buck

Here is a buck right outside Jack’s kitchen window. Don will be looking for him tomorrow. I still don’t know how he can put a bullet in such a magnificent creature. It’s a man thing, just instinct from the days when you had to be a hunter to survive. But I still don’t condone it.

Jack Geiring

Don will be going hunting tomorrow down by Clarion with his good friend Jack Geiring. Jack lived next to me growing up and his mother was like a second mother to me. Don went down several years ago and built a hunting camp for Jack who has suffered ten heart attacks. Jack is a modern day Jeremiah Johnson living off the land. He is also a great musician. When he was younger he traveled all around the country playing piano with various bands and opening for Huey Lewis. In this video he is guest starring with his good friend and multi music awarded Phil Keaggy.

Some thoughts

FOR TODAY

 

Outside my window….the snow has stopped falling and all is tucked under a white blanket while the wind softly blows through the trees.

I am thinking….how quiet it is. Even the animals are sleeping.

I am thankful…. that I don’t have to go anywhere in the snow and can just stay in and read and play on the computer.

In the kitchen….the leftovers from Thanksgiving are in the refrigerator but after two days I think I want something other than turkey for dinner.

I am wearing…blue jeans, a thermal yellow flowered shirt, a fleece zip up and cozy moccasin slippers.

I am creating…a new video to put up on my blog today.

I am wondering…how to make a video for my class on 12-12-12.

I am hoping….that the roads will be clear on Thursday when I leave for Fredericksburg, VA to see my sister Linda.

I am looking forward to….shopping and seeing pretty things and going to a great demonstration of Christmas floral arranging using all natural greenery.

I am learning….that I can be content just staying home by myself.

Around the house…the christmas decorations are almost done.

I am pondering…how I’m going to like Direct Tv when it gets installed tomorrow.

A favorite quote for today:

November comes and November goes”With the last red berries and the first white snow.

With night coming early, and dawn coming late,
and ice in the bucket and frost by the gate.

The fires burn and the kettles sing,
and earth sinks to rest until next spring.

Clyde Watson

One of my favorite things…listening to Christmas carols as I decorate.

A few plans for the rest of the day…finish reading my book and watch a good movie.

One of my favorite pictures:

The first snow of the season

first snow..November 2012 from Peg Karrasch on Vimeo.

FIVE ON FRIDAY

It’s Friday again and time for Five on Friday. So here are five things that I want to get accomplished in December.
1. I want to continue my course from a few weeks ago and join Xanthe’s group in showing another time capsule.
2. I want to take the time to not hurry through Christmas preparations. I’d like evaluate how many Christmas decorations I really need and pare down.
3. When doing my Christmas baking I want to remember that I don’t need so many cookies this year that don’t get eaten.
4. Taking time to do the traditions at this time of year is important. Every year I get out the movie “The Holiday” and watch it. Along with White Christmas.
5. I will not stress out about picking out the “right” gift. And I will not overdo it this year.

Thanksgiving dinner 2012

Are you stuffed? What a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner we had but the best thing about it was sharing it with my husband’s step mom and my friends.
After dinner we played a few games of Five Crowns.

 
Don and Rose

Charlie and Don telling fishing stories.


Linda, Yrsa and I and of course Sadie.

Happy Thanksgiving

I love this poem by Susan Branch. It really expresses how I feel about my home.


Thanksgiving isn’t just a day to eat turkey. It’s a holiday to share. I am so lucky to have good friends and family to be with on this special day. I hope that you are with your loved ones on this holiday. As I sit around the table I will be remembering all the holiday tables I have sat around with my parents, in-laws, and those who have passed away. What wonderful times they were. Say an extra “I love you” to those around you tomorrow and be so grateful for what you have.






The table is set and ready.

 

how do you like the music?

How are you liking the mixpod playlist that I put on my blog? I used to always have music on my blog until I read that some readers thought it was just a nuisance. But I came across this eclectic playlist and decided to post it. The only problem is that it starts at the beginning every time someone visits. So if that bothers you just scroll down and choose a different song. There are a lot to choose from.
   My car is tucked in the garage after a trip back to the dealership to fix a slight problem. The back seat on the driver’s side did not fold down as it should. So I combined a shopping trip to Erie and then went to the garage. My appointment was scheduled for one. I asked for a loaner car to go into WAterford while it was being fixed. He wanted the car back in an hour. When I got back I was happy to see the car out front. WRONG. They hadn’t even started fixing it. Two and a half hours later the seat was fixed. We also had them put on some really snazzy mud flaps. There is nothing more boring that waiting. I did have a good book, but still..  I had to drive home in the dark and with my funky eye that isn’t always fun. I’m safe and sound now and glad to be back.
  Tomorrow the Thanksgiving preparations begin.

Have you put out your decorations yet?

Just a few more days till Thanksgiving and I’m already seeing Christmas decorations as I drive down the street. Bradford’s Christmas parade was last Friday night and the big display of holiday scenes was lit. Our downtown is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen at Christmas. Quite a few years ago Bradford pear trees were planted all along the main street. With their white lights and the wreaths on the poles our downtown is very festive.

   With the temperatures in the fifties Don and I put out a few decorations outside. Down by the light pole we added two spiral trees and a big red ball with some greenery. Hemlock branches fill the window boxes and a wreath is on the front door. Now we have to add the lights.

Inside it is still fall for a few more days. On Friday begins the trips to the attic to bring down all the pretties.

FIVE ON FRIDAY

Here are five of my favorite pictures with my sisters.

 

 

Just some thoughts

I really like “Free as the wind”. wouldn’t it be nice to just take off like that. Drive south during this cold winter and stop wherever you like and enjoy the warmth?