Metamorphosis Monday & Giveaway Winner

Thank you Between Naps On The Porch for hosting this Metamorphosis Monday.

I can't believe what a difference a year makes. This was a photo taken of our yard last year.

Now look at the after photo! Thanks to Mother Nature and Jason the landscaper, a much needed private, functional and beautiful space was created. I have to thank my husband Kurt for thinking of taking the before photo. Something we always mean to do before we start a project but never get around to actually doing it. Not this time! Thanks Jason from Showalter's Landscaping for your vision and hard labor!! Click on to the picture for a larger view. ~amy

...And The Winner of the

blanket giveaway is Becky from Sweet Cottage Dreams. Becky...congratulations and I hope you enjoy the blanket! Thank you everyone who entered. It's always so much fun to have giveaways. Have a great day and I'll see you tomorrow. ~amy

Giveaway Update

Thank you everyone that entered the blanket giveaway. I am presently in the front seat of our car outside of the public library in beautiful Keene, NY linking on to their Internet. I will post the winner of the giveaway on Monday the 20th. I hope you are having a warm and sunny day. The high here today is a balmy 59 degrees with off and on rain. Ugh... We are planning on hiking, horseback riding, riding a bobsled at the Lake Placid Olympic Center, visiting the Adirondack Gorge. Mostly all weather permitting. I am keeping my fingers crossed for nice weather. I can't wait to show you all the pictures I've taken next week. See you then..... ~amy

My Vintage Blankie Blanket Giveaway

It's been a while since I've had a giveaway. So... here we go. All you have to do is write a comment on what you would like to do with this blanket and I will pick the winner randomly. If you mention this giveaway on your blog...I will enter you in the contest twice. You have through Monday to enter. Good Luck! ~amy

Tablescape Thursday

Thank you Susan at Between Naps On The Porch for hosting the 46TH Tablescape Thursday.

I gathered a variety of items for setting the table for Thanksgiving dinner. Everything from a birch bark container to gold plated eating utensils. I bought the candlestick holders at a store called "Fine Antiques"...a wonderful antique shop in beautiful historic Lewiston, NY. The wine glasses were bought at an antique shop called "Europa" in picturesque Niagara On The Lake, Canada. Which by the way for those of you that have never visited this beautiful part of Canada and the USA... they are across the Niagara Gorge from each other. There is plenty to see and do in these two quaint historic towns.... forts, antiquing, restaurants, art, winery's, and beautiful scenery. I used a mix match of plates I found at garage sales and from Walmart. The birch bark container from "Ray Brook Frog" in Lake Placid, NY is filled with blooms of ornamental grasses from our garden. Gourds, leaves and berries are scattered on the table top for vibrant color. Table runners and napkins I sewed out of scrap fabric. Click on the images below for a closer look. ~amy

It's Been A Memorable Month

It has been a memorable month. We have witnessed two graduations in our family. The birth of our beautiful niece Kylie and the wedding of my dear friend Joan's daughter. Sadly...we lost also. My nephews "Nana" who was our dear friend passed away last week. We'll miss her.

~amy

My daughter graduated on June 5TH.

Introducing our new niece Kylie.

My handsome nephew Kyle graduated on June 25TH.

Ann walking down the isle on July 3RD.

Such pretty peony bouquets.

Before dinner at the reception we had drinks and appetizers out on the terrace at Belhurst Castle in Geneva Lake, NY.

My girls and I in church.

At 10:00 we all gathered back onto the terrace and witnessed a spectacular display of fireworks. Just a lovely wedding!

The Adirondack's....Lake Placid, NY, Vt. and Saratoga Springs Images

Below are a few pictures I took from our trip up in the North Country. Please scroll down and I'll describe each picture with a brief caption. Later this morning we are on our way to Fairport, NY for my dear friends daughters wedding. After that I'll drive to my mother's and spend a few days with her. I'll be back the beginning of next week. Have a warm and sunny weekend and Happy 4TH of July. ~amy

A view of Whiteface Mt. The largest mountain in New York State. This mountain was used during the 1932 and 1980 winter Olympics.

Driving down the highway entering Keene, NY. Majestic view.

Looking down Church Street in Burlington, Vt. This street is home to many retail shops and fine restaurants.

Our favorite hangout when we lived in Peru, NY. Rulf's bakes delicious pies and baked goods. We picked many blueberries and apples from their orchards. The evergreen garland they made and sold at Christmastime was beautiful....so big and mixed with many different evergreen and berries. Just lovely. Rulfs Orchard's definitely a gem up in the Adirondack's.



An old map of Rulf's Orchards.














On our way to Vt. via ferry.



View from ferry looking out at Lake Champlain.





Land of Make Believe in Upper Jay, NY (1954-1979)...created by Art Monaco who designed the original Cinderella Castle for Disney. He built this theme park right in his backyard. Everything was made in child size and children were encouraged to play and touch anything in the park. The local children in the hamlet were able to enter the park free of charge when ever they wanted through a special entrance. Uncle Monaco as he was called from the local children never had children of his own. The park closed in 1979 after several bouts of flooding. Art Monaco designed many theme parks during his 90 years. He died in 2003.


Land of Make Believe now.



Land of Make Believe then.



Land of Make Believe now.



Scenes from my favorite eatery in Lake Placid called The Cottage. Nice place to go for drinks, appetizers and
meals. I look forward to sitting on the deck every visit up there. The scenery is pretty.















Picture of the toboggan run.



Imagine starting out at the top of this structure and then you slide down it on a toboggan on to the frozen lake. When you hit the lake you glide forever!




Saratogo, NY. If you like horses you will love Saratoga. Home to many of the greatest horse events throughout the years.



Shopping.

These girls are always happy shopping.