Because of the forecasted snow we decided to go on the Frederick Candlelight Holiday House tour later that evening rather than as planned for Sunday. I thought everyone else would, too, so we were pleasantly surprised that the lines weren't terribly long. Indoor photos were not allowed so I can only show a couple of the outside decorations. Dusk was just settling in....
This was the longest wait encountered, but it afforded me a wonderful view of the moon above the tree tops and Venus lower in the sky to the right of the rooftop....
The last house on the tour is actually a museum called Schifferstadt. Built around 1758 it retains several features particular to German-built dwellings of the time. Here are a few....
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| 5-plate stove dated 1758 |
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| Arched windows |
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| "Use your time wisely so you will always be ready."
We also stopped in the Rec Center for refreshments where several Gingerbread Houses were on display....
We woke up the next day to the beginnings of a seven-inch snow fall which you can see here again. Poetry and Gabriel watched Ken plow the driveway for the second time that day....
 
The tree needed to be decorated and with being housebound the next couple of days because of the ice I got more decorating and baking done. To see my "Getting Ready for Christmas" post go here. Meanwhile, one lone leaf held out a little while longer....
We celebrated two Christmases because our second son and his wife would be with her family this year....
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| Our whole family celebration on the 14th |
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| Fondue on Christmas Eve |
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| Opening more presents Christmas morning.
I was pleased to get the items on my Wish List....more Beatrix Potter figurines, books, heart pan, and the total surprise of a lovely old print from a children's book....
The day after Christmas I try to find huge markdowns on Christmas items. I was particularly pleased to find these miniature cookie cutters and gingerbread men for my doll house....
This pesky squirrel has been particularly bothersome to Gabriel....
He watches it intently....
The squirrel would jump from the walk railing to the bird feeder and annoy the heck out of Gabriel, so I moved it to a window farther away where Poetry can still keep an eye on the birds and Gabriel can keep a watch-out for the squirrel, just in case....
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What a lovely blog post! Is there a post that shows more of your doll house?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Belinda! You can see more of my doll house if you click on "Dollhouse" listed to right under "Labels".
DeleteIt looks like you had a lovely holiday! Westies seem to have an intense dislike of squirrels. Fergus goes ballistic when one shows up at our bird feeder trying to steal some seed.
ReplyDeleteYes, their vermin-hunting instinct has not been bred out of them! I've read that electronic collars don't work on them because if they see their prey they'll cross the barrier despite the electric shock. Tenacious terriers, indeed! But it's what I love about the breed.
DeleteHello Cathy! Hope you had a wonderful holiday - it sure looks as though you did! Your previous post, showing your house decorated for Christmas, is great. I've got to say, you are very skilled at capturing the lighting of each room on camera. So many photos like those show a colored light and blackness - but you really know what you're doing. The room with just twinkle lights and candles etc are so accurate - and lovely. PS - I could watch your little "snowing" video for hours. Seriously. The falling flakes and the sounds of the quiet woods - just perfect. It could be marketed as a tranquilizer - it's so soothing. Hope you have a healthy and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHi Janet! Thank you for your compliment on my little movie. As for the photos and the lighting, the credit goes to my camera. I just set it on auto and it does the rest! Then in iPhoto I sometimes use the "enhance" feature and it takes the shadows out when I think it's a little too dark. Wishing you a healthy and happy 2014, too.
DeleteWell, at least you know enough to set it to "auto" - apparently most people must not even know that much because you see SO many dark photos with colored dots - while yours are beautiful. Not to mention your daylight nature shots. I'd saved a bunch of your Autumn landscapes to use as desktops for my Mac. That rolling Maryland countryside is gorgeous dressed up for Fall! Have a great day!
DeleteThank you again....I'm so happy that my photos are being put to good use! :-)
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