Holiday Wrap-Up

As 2009 winds down, I'm reflecting back on the past year, and looking forward to the next one. I guess I'm pretty lucky because nothing stands out as being sad, bad or even disappointing. I have great friends, a loving family, we're all happy and healthy, so no complaints.














We even had a white Christmas, which hardly ever happens here in Maryland. The boys went out and made this way cute snowman. I could tell it was a snow MAN because he had a mustache.


My redneck boys with their new friend.


and Forrest hugging his very best friend, Casey. He hadn't seen his dog for 6 months, and their reunion was happy indeed.


Who knew that we'd have a new family tradition? Traditions have to start sometime, so Christmas 2009 was the begnning of .... car bombs!


For those of you don't know what a car bomb is, it's a shot glass full of Bailey's Irish Cream with Jameson Irish whiskey floating on top, that is then dropped into the bottom of a filled glass of Guiness Irish stout. (the entire shot glass, not just the liquid) One has to drink it down before the Guiness starts to curdle, which is pretty damn fast! It's said to be named after the car bombings of the IRA. Not so great to celebrate that, but the concept of all that Irish goodness makes it yummy.


all my boys plus the girl that could handle it, Deidre.


Happy New Year from all of us at Dancing Leaf Farm!!!!

Happy Holly Days!

I'm tucked away in my cozy home, fire blazing, drinking cappuccino, Cheyenne (who survived the blizzard of 2009 outdoors) sitting by my side, Houston playing with his new TV (how do I say TOO BIG!), listening to Christmas tunes, my three boys home, a snow covered landscape outdside, everyone happy and healthy... life is good. Here's hoping you are spending the day with friends and family, enjoying the holiday season and eating too many cookies. Oh Happy Day!

White is a Quiet Color

Seal and I were lucky enough to be 'caught' in Cumberland during the weekend's snowstorm. We were planning on coming back home on Saturday, but were happy to hunker down in the winter wonderland of this mountain town. Downtown Cumberland is very picturesque, with turn of the century brick buildings festooned with holiday finery.


The snow was gently falling for hours, all night and all day. It was fine and powdery, like confectioner's sugar falling from a giant sifter. It didn't even crunch underfoot.


Before snow...


...and during the snow. I love how each letter seems to be wearing a pointy hat.




While at the one of two stores that were open, we ran into Santa Claus, the real one. He had a long, white beard, his cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. He had a belly that shook like a bowl full of jelly and said he had to pull over in his 'big rig' because of the snow and was stranded in Cumberland at one of the local hotels. He told us that he wouldn't be getting the mail (presents) to DC that day. He gave a wink and was out of the store in a flash. (we later saw him smoking a cigarette and talking to some lady).


Monkey Business is a small clothing boutique, carrying sizes from 0 to 2.


Queen City Creamery always has stellar decorations. Their ice cream isn't too shabby either.




Looking up Baltimore Street, to the Episcopal Church.


The courthouse was built in 1893, standing impressively above Cumberland's skyline. I call it the Purina Chow building, because of it's red and white brick checkerboard patterning.








Not many houses can pull off black, this sweet Gothic type house sure can.


Our back courtyard is blanketed in snow.


Looking out back, from one of the bedroom windows. Snow makes everything look so wonderful. I am so happy we'll have a white Christmas. For once, the temperatures haven't gotten about the mid-30's so the white stuff has actually stuck around.


Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Red and Green and Green and Red and Red and Green

Our Cumberland house seems to be in the holiday spirit with all its red and green, the old fashioned colors of Christmas.














an eclectic display on the mantle


Some of my favorite words


Love my new little red purse!


before wine....


...after wine.

Shopping, Cabin and Coffee

Another trip to Judy's cabin in the woods. Ann and I took a little road trip near Antietam Battlefield to spend the day and night with Judy. Girl stuff. Went shopping in Shepherdstown, (gallery, clothing store, coffee, wine shop), Boonsboro (gallery, bookstore), Sharpsburg (Mennonite market - sticky buns, cheese bread, farmer's cheese, cookies) then back to Judy's for chicken soup and a cozy eve drinking wine and listening to the snaps and pops of the fire.


We arranged her front porch with a yuletide display, featuring her birdhouses and darling covered bridge. Even the cheery red vise fits in.


Speaking of red, this is the bathroom in Beans in the Belfry, the coffee shop/cafe/knitting place that we stopped in on the way to Judy's.


The espresso machine is located in the altar area, churning out cappuccinos. These folks are not afraid of color, as witnessed by the bright green walls and purple ceiling.


Our knitting group meets here once a month. It used to be a church (obviously) but now we pray to the coffee gods.


A massive Christmas tree is set up in the middle of the room, with tables, chairs and couches surrounding it.


The drinks are displayed in an old iron bathtub, filled with ice. They also sell other necessities besides java, like Burt's Bees stuff.


But we did come here to knit (and get buzzed up). Linda is working on the other one of these handwarmers, knit out of my Bee Bop yarn.