Pennsylvania Rt. 655

  Riding down Rt. 655 this afternoon was a lovely way to spend one of the last fleeting weekends of summer.   It's starting to look like Autumn for sure but the warmth of the sunshine still echoes of summer.

Our first stop was at Natural Designs ~ Floral Studio and Gardens...a little gem tucked away up a winding country road.  Owner Sally Yoder was gracious and her unique floral arrangements are really lovely.  If you're interested... she offers workshops in floral  arrangements.  Visit her at Natural Designs Studio for directions and more information.   

Some more of her pretties.

Rt. 665 is a thoroughfare for the Amish and Mennonite communities.

I consider myself privileged to be able to witness snippets of their daily life.

Working the fields.

Amazing!

We ended up at the charming Brookmere Winery where we participated in a wine tasting.  We visited with the owners who generously explained to us their experiences of owning a vineyard and winery. 

It was a perfect afternoon to spend with my husband as sultry summer days come to an end and gives way to cooler days bursting with color.   ~amy

Taking Notice

When I'm driving I usually take notice of the lovely architecture of the homes in my small town of Pennsylvania.  While strolling through town today not only did I marvel at the pretty homes and the beautiful historic buildings but I took notice of those architectural elements that are part of one's landscaping.  Those details that some how go unnoticed.  Please stroll along with me and let me show you what I mean.  

My Vermont Find

While we were on vacation...we visited a wonderful antique shop in Stowe, Vermont.  I saw this old bucket that once was used to collect tree sap for maple syrup and I knew I was in love.  Someone had painted a quaint winter scene on the face of it.  Immediately I thought...this would be great on the front porch in the winter stuffed with pine boughs and cones.  I hope you like it as much as I do!  ~amy

I'll be linking to Vintage Thingy Thursday hosted by Suzanne at Colorado Lady. Go over... visit and see every one's vintage treasures.

We're back from vacationing up in the Adirondack's....

 and we had a wonderful time!   The first night we went to a community play that took place in the local upholstery shop by day and the 'Recovery Lounge' by night.  The name of the play was called 'The Real West' and it kept our attention for sure.  It was a fun night.

The next day we headed out for a hike up Whiteface Mountain.  It was a glorious day and the top of the mountain was a comfortable 66 degrees while at the base it was in the sweltering 90's.  It felt so good up there and the views were clear and grand!

Here we are making our way up.

Tah Dah!!!  We made it to the peak!

The girls posing at the base of the mountain.

On Wednesday we hiked in Keene, NY.  It was a shorter hike but this time there weren't any railings to help us up.  I thought this hike was more difficult even though it was far shorter in distance.  Here's a picture of the girl's after our hike.

On Thursday we took a ferry to Vermont and enjoyed a day of sightseeing and shopping.  Definitely a must for us girls.  We started off at the local country store.

It was cute as a button on the outside

and inside.  We picked up some local maple syrup.

We dropped the girls off at the Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream factory (that's B & G's sign in the distance) and my husband and I went to the antique store across the street!  A good trade off for me.  I picked up some treasures that I can't wait to show you!!  One of my fav finds was an old vintage maple sap bucket that someone had painted a Vermont winter scene on the front of it.  I'm picturing it on my front porch this winter stuffed with boughs!

Then we headed up the street to The Trapp Family Lodge.  You remember The Sound of Music Trapp Family?  This is where they moved to when they left Austria.

The Trapp Family Lodge

and one of the many paintings inside the lodge.

A picture I took while heading back to New York State via ferry.

I can't go on any vacation without taking pictures of lovely cottages.

Not only did I think this porch was charming but I love the idea of the ski's hanging on the ski rack.  Another idea I hope to steal and use on our cabin's porch some day.

I have a soft spot for window boxes.  So pretty!

I hope you're enjoying your summer.  I can't believe how hot it's been!  I hate to mention it....but I'm seeing leaves changing color and starting to fall already.  I think the change of seasons is bitter sweet.  ~amy

Porch Rocking Chair

On our front porch my husband and I sit on our rockers after he comes home from work.   We enjoy a glass of wine before dinner and talk about the days activities.  It's a special time for us to reconnect.   Enjoying nature's beauty from our porch sheltered from the hot evenings sun and good conversation is a simple pleasure for sure.  I don't take these simple pleasures for granted.  I treasure them.  Daniel S. McTaggart explains lovely in this poem.

Old Chair on the Porch

of all the rocking chairs on that porch
the old one was the one

everybody fought to sit in

even though the other two

were brand new

with flowered cushions and pads

the old one wobbled and creaked

and paint flaked off in chips

both large and small

yet somehow it molded

to the comfort of those

who managed to win its seat

maybe they weren't aware

of paint flecks sticking to their clothes

after they left the porch

but talks they had over lemonade

from that old chair made sure

they took a piece of it with them anyway

Backroads ~ A Family Reunion

We had a terrific and fun week at Montana's Glacier National Park.    We had a family reunion and we all participated in an active travel vacation through 'Backroads'.  The 'Backroads' staff put up and took down our tents.  They cooked and did the dishes for us.  They were superb guides.  They cheered us on!!  They played games with us and were positive, knowledgeable, personable and energetic all the while.  They really did their best to accommodate us!

We traveled cross country by train to get there.

In the park we toured by boat.

We hiked.

We biked.

The kids went horseback riding.

We participated in skits.

Some went whitewater rafting.

We played games.

We ate

and ate.

We socialized.

We never got our fill of the magestic scenery.

Some slept in tee pees.

We all slept in tents.

We saw moose.

We saw bear.

We saw elk and

...mountain goat.

After our goodbys...we boarded a plane back home and brought back with us priceless memories.  Thank you Craig and Lori for making this trip happen!!