Happy New Year!

Tonight is the last night of 2009 and I am glad.  I look forward to 2010 and what it may bring.   Next year, I am going to be a bit selfish and think more of myself.  If I'm happy those around me will also be happy.

I am not making any resolutions.  I never keep them anyway so why put pressure on myself.  What I am going to do is make promises to myself.  Here are some I thought of to start:

See movies in the theater  instead of waiting for the DVD to come out.

Take an afternoon nap when I'm tired.

Stop worrying about being a few pounds overweight, but know that I don't have to finish everything on my plate.

Finish reading a book even if the furniture needs dusting.

That's all I can think of right now but I will be adding more to that list and enjoy the promises I make to myself.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

December Daily -- Day 25

Here it is!  Christmas Day.  I never thought I would be able to take a photo a day and do a bit of journaling but I did it!

Here's what I journaled about our turkey:

I really did mean to take a photo before we started eating the turkey but I forgot!  It really looks a mess now but it sure was good eating.   We'll have a bit of leftovers for sandwiches and maybe for dinner tomorrow.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year but I am looking forward to a better one in 2010 in our new home.

December Daily -- Day 24

Christmas Eve and I am finally all finished wrapping!

My journaling on the back:

These are the last of the gifts to wrap.  I took the easy way out and just piled them up in a gift bag.  They are for Rochelle and she won't mind not having ribbons on them. 

Now I'm anticipating the fun we are going to have later tonight opening all our gifts.

December Daily -- Day 23

Wrapping gifts is not one of the things I enjoy, but at least I've started!
Here's what I journaled on the back:
Ted went out for a bit so I decided to get his gifts wrapped when he wouldn't catch me.   I never seem to catch him, but he usually pops in when I'm doing my wrapping.  This time he didn't surprise me!

December Daily -- Day 22

Today was mending day.

Here's my journaling on the back.

My mending had been piling up and since I needed to hem a pair of slacks for Christmas, I decided to pull out my trusty little Singer Featherweight sewing machine and just do it.  Once I got started it didn't take too much time to get it all done. 

Now I can enjoy the holidays with new things to wear and older things mended.

December Daily -- Day 21

It looked absolutely gorgeous when I went out today.  Snow is so beautiful when it is clean and not dirtied up from traffic.

Here's my journaling on the back:

I love the look of these snow-covered dwarf pine trees against the towering larger pines in the background.  The snow was beautiful in the morning.  The air was cool and clean with little wind so I did go for my daily walk.  I saw some of the regular walkers were also courageous enough to get their boots on!

December Daily -- Day 20

The entire northeast was hit with our first big snow storm last night.  When we woke up this morning, the wind had drifted snow against our front door and we had difficulty getting it open.   Some of the drifted snow was much higher than the 9 inches I recorded on a flat part of the lawn.  It was very windy last night and the howling of it woke me up twice.

Here's what I journaled:

Hubba covered part of my car with a tarp to make snow removal a bit easier.  I wish he had one large enough to cover the whole car.  I recorded 9 inches on the flat part of the lawn, but the drifts were around 15 inches.  Snow was piled up against the front door, making it difficult to get it opened.  I shoveled a path to the street so I could get out to get the paper, but hubba soon got out the snow blower and finished the rest of the driveway.  He then brushed off my car in case we need to go out.

December Daily -- Day 19

It started to snow about 10am but didn't come down full force until about 9pm.  When I went out to take this photo at 8:30pm, we had about three inches on the ground. 

My journaling on the back:

This photo was taken in our backyard during the snow storm.  It is not out of focus, that's the snow blowing around.  I think if I had a better camera, it might have shown the snow flakes.   I think the sight of falling snow is beautiful.  You can't see them in the photo, but in the upper right hand corner, I could see deer tracks.  They must have come to eat some of the grass still showing  the snow in the corner-- under the pine trees.

December Daily -- Day 18

It's beginning to feel like Christmas finally.  I continue to take photos on my walk. I am pleased that when owners see me taking photos of their houses, they come out an talk with me.  I am meeting some very nice folks.

Here is my journaling:

Today was very cold.  I was so bundled up it was difficult to take photos with my gloves on.  I love the cold snap in the air and my lungs seem to like it too!  Even though winter is still a few days away, it feels like mid-winter.   A cup of hot tea was very much appreciated when I got home.

December Daily -- Day 17

Now, this is the kind of decorating I like!  It is simple but joyous, but then maybe I'm just getting old and wish for things to be simple again.

My journaling on the back:

Mr. Frankenfield's fence runs around his property and it is decorated with vines and red bows.  How festive this looks while walking down Taft Avenue.

It reminds me of the simple laurel vines my father used to drape around the windows of our house on Edmund Street. 

December Daily -- Day 16

Some fortunate children must live in this house because this little amusement must have cost a lot!

My journaling on the back:

They sure didn't have anything like this when we were growing up!  We were lucky to have a snowman on our lawn--but, only if it had snowed in the last few days.

Whatever happened to the simple laurel vines and cut greens and holly from the backyard?  If it doesn't light up and blink, you won't find it decorating homes in our area!

December Daily -- Day 15

It is rather dismal today.  It rained again during the night and the streets are still wet.  I came home with wet socks because the tops of my walking shoes are made of fabric and I managed to stomp through a couple of puddles.

I took this photo on my morning walk.  It looks like Santa might  have sent two of his reindeer down to check out landing sites!

Here's what I journaled:

While on my walk today, I came across these two reindeer on Derby Road.  I've only seen the ornamental reindeer that are all white with lights on them.  These are brown and it doesn't look like they light up at night.  I could be wrong on that.  While snapping the photo, I started thinking that maybe Santa had sent these two down to check out landing sites. 

December Daily -- Day 14

Wahoo!  I was in the garage today and came upon this propped up against wall.  I dropped a hint that I would like one of the digital photo frames so I sure hope this is for me!

On the back, I journaled:

So, maybe hubba does listen to me sometimes.  I dropped a hint that I would like a digital photo frame and then found this in the garage.  I can't think of anyone else he would buy it for, so I must act really surprised on Christmas Eve when we open our gifts.

I only wish they made digital frames in a square size so I can display all my beautiful digital layouts that Jessica Sprague taught me how to do.   However, maybe I could do some in 8.5 x 11 size and then display them.

December Daily -- Day 13

I'm sure you all realize by now that I love walking.  In particular, I love walking  in the development near me.  On our street, everyone built their houses at different times, and there are only 8 houses.   People used to escape the summer heat of the city by building up here in Chalfont.  That's how our street was created.  Our area only has three streets, so  the development I walk in has lots of streets to roam and explore.  There is always something new to see so I usually take my camera with me.  I don't know many of the people living in this development but some of them recognize me from walking there so much and I sometimes  get a wave or one of them stops me to talk a bit.  

Here's what I journaled:

I took my camera with me today because lots of people have finished decorating and some of the displays are just wonderful.  This particular photo was taken on Cornwall Drive.  I was attracted to the manager scene because it looks like it was hand made.  I wondered if the owner made it or if someone made it for them.  While the display is quite large, it is not very dimensional.  It is only about six inches in depth, and is painted all in white.  I rather like it.

December Daily -- Day 12

For years the holly bushes in our backyard never had berries.  Just in the past few years have the berries started to appear.  I thought I had only males bushes, but the berries prove the female bushes are fertile!

Journaling on the back:

Each year I am more delighted to see the berries appearing on the holly bushes in the backyard.  For many years, I thought the bushes were all male, but now that we have berries, I guess that is not so.  These are not tiny berries, they are huge!  The color is a bright, clear red and there are lots of berry clusters.

It almost seems a shame to cut the holly for decoration, but I will!

December Daily -- Day 11

At my hubba's urging, I joined a knitting group that meets at our local Border's Book Store every Friday.  I managed to snap this photo before everyone starting protesting.   I am enjoying the group and also love the green tea latte with soy milk that I get from Border's coffee bar .

My journaling on the back:

I surprised my knitting group by taking this photo.  I never met a more camera-shy group!  They would not let me take more photos to include the rest of the group at another table!  I was really lucky to get this one.  

The coffee bar is not the usual meeting place at Border's.  Because of the Christmas displays, the knitting group was asked to gather here until after the new year.  It's not really a problem because we get to spread out over a couple of tables.  Plus, the coffee bar is right there so no walking through the store to get refreshments.   Since I am so new to the group, I have no idea where they in the store they usually meet.  Guess I'll find that out after the holidays.

December Daily -- Day 10

The rain finally ended and today I was able to take a long walk.  I think it must have been almost 6 miles.  My pedometer needs a new battery so I am only guessing by how my feet felt!

I picked up a few huge pine cones on my walk.  I intend to smear the pine cones with peanut butter and roll them in bird seed.  Sort of a little treat for the flying critters in our backyard. I also have some stale popcorn that I'll thread onto string and hang it on the trees for the squirrels and birds to enjoy on Christmas Day.

Here's what I journaled  on the back:

Today the air smelled fresh and clean after the long day of pounding rain.  I almost had to force myself to take a walk, but once outside and breathing in the wonderful clean air I kept on going.  I think I walked about 6 miles--judging by how walking 5 miles feels, and how badly my feet hurt!

I picked up these pine cones in the Highlands.  I think the birds will enjoy them with peanut butter smeared on them and then rolled in bird seeds.  I will have to place them where the squirrels can't get at them.  Surprisingly, squirrels love peanut butter -- at least the squirrels in our yard do.

December Daily -- Day 9

Note:  I was unable to post for about a week because I hurt my shoulder and arm and could hardly type.  It's becoming easier now so I have quite a few days to catch up on!

I thought the rain would never stop!  You probably can't tell how hard the rain is falling in the top photo, believe me, it came down in buckets full!

Here's what I journaled on the back:

The rain started early in the morning before we woke up.  It rained all day and into the night.  We were ready to start building the ark.

The top photo attempts to show how hard it was raining but I think that attempt failed.  The bottom photo is one of the creeks in our neighborhood.  The day before it was dry, and when I took the photo it was rushing loudly!

December Daily -- Day 8

It is still gloomy and COLD today.  Winter doesn't start until December 21 but it sure seems like it is here early.

Here's what I journaled on the back:

This is one of the most glorious sites in Chalfont--the gazebo at Krupp park.  After walking across the bridge covering Neshaminy Creek, there is a wonderful view of the gazebo.  Many a wedding  has been ph0tographed there but I think it would make a wonderful Christmas card with it's snow covered cap.

December Daily -- Day 7

Today, I walked up to the Post Office to get stamps and brought my camera along with me.  As I passed Kelly Park, I saw these geese trying to eat through the snow.  I changed the photo to black and white for a bit of variety.

Here is the journaling on the back:

Whatever happened to the sun?  The weather has been so gloomy the past couple of days.  We need some sun!!!!!

December Daily -- Day 6

When we woke this morning, the snow was just about gone on the roads.  However, once we got to Route 309, the trees were just gorgeous.  The snow might have melted on the highway but the trees were still snow covered and gleaming in the early morning sun light. 

I took this picture from the car.  It's OK, Ted was driving.

December Daily -- Day 5

The weatherman was predicting snow for later this afternoon, but around noon it started to rain.  It came down really hard for a while, but then the temperature dropped.  Around 4pm it started to snow.

What a beautiful sight to look out your front door and see the snow cover up the bare branches of trees that just a short while ago held leaves.

December Daily -- Day 4

When I look out my front window, I see a beautiful display of lights from my neighbor's

The journaling on the back reads:

"We are probably not going to put up any lights this year.  Maybe some candles in the windows and a bit of greenery here and there.  Some years you just don't feel like going overboard in decorating.  Besides, all I have to do is look out my front window and I see my neighbor's lights blazing beautifully."

December Daily -- Day 3

I finally felt like getting some knitting done--now that Christmas is almost here!  I just didn't have the urge to do it before now and it will probably be too little too late.

Journaling on the back reads:

"I'm knitting a scarf using a soft yarn that will feel wonderful around the neck.  I'm not sure who will get it as a gift, but it's nice to have an extra one on hand -- just in case.

I haven't made many handmade gifts this year.   I just didn't feel like it.   Next year I'll start early and get lots of goodies made well in advance so I don't feel rushed."

December Daily -- Day 2

On the way to the Post Office to buy stamps for Christmas cards, I saw this display of Christmas trees, and wondered who bought their trees this early. 

The journaling on the back reads:

"When we were young children, my family always bought the Christmas tree on Christmas eve.  I remember my father buying yards and yards of laurel to trim the windows early in December, but the tree waited until Christmas eve.

Since we didn't have a car, we would walk up to Torresdale Avenue to get our Christmas tree.  The tree lot was located the same place each year--outside the library.  A  long time was spent deciding which tree to buy.  When that momentous decision was made, we all hauled the tree home trying our best not to drag it on the ground.

December Daily -- Day 1

Well, I successfully started my December Daily album by taking the first photo.  I really want to complete this project but I forgot to post this yesterday!  I put the photo on the front and did this journaling on the back:

"Today is the first day for my December Daily journal.  Rochelle brought over the wreath her daughter, Kim, made and I placed it on the bench outside our front door.  I think it looks very pretty sitting there."