I Spy

Yes, they're kids books...or are they? I picked up two I Spy books when B. Dalton went out of business downtown. One of them was a Christmas book and I thought Gwen would enjoy them. Let me tell you, those suckers are tough. Look who else thinks these books are challenging!

Family at Christmas

With extended families, it's often so difficult to get everyone together. Many years ago, we established the tradition to gather on Christmas Eve to accommodate everyone. We've continued that tradition and were fortunate to have everyone together. Unfortunately, I didn't get a family pic, but have some random shots of the evening to share.

Children always add so much to Christmas. The joy and surprise on their faces as they open their gifts makes all the work worthwhile.







Hey, big kids like Christmas too!








What's more fun than opening gifts? Playing with them of course!

Presents Round the Tree

Wow! I thought there were quite a few gifts around the tree. Then Mom, Dad, and Rick came and their gifts were added. Quite a haul!

Gwen's School Program

We were excited to attend Gwen's Christmas program at school this year. This is Gwen's last year at pre-school before starting kindergarten next year. I don't know where the time has gone. Gwen was quite adorable in her Christmas dress.


It was standing room only, and we were lucky to get seats in the second row. Unfortunately, Gwen was also in the second row, so it was difficult getting pictures of her. I think these turned out pretty good though.


She's been practicing Christmas songs all month and occasionally has very unique lyrics to We Three Kings (see Kera's blog http://www.dailysahm.blogspot.com/). This is the class rendition of Welcome Christmas.


I thought the kids were particularly cute with their red noses as they sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. What a hoot!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my Mom's 76th birthday. Although we actually celebrated it a week and a half ago, I wanted to post this and wish her a very happy birthday. Love you, Mom!

Sleep Over

Gwen coming to spend the night is a big event. What shall we play, what shall we eat, what movies shall we watch. Gwen wasn't feeling too good, so we were pretty low key. Played pbs.org and bunnytown computer games. Looked through the I Spy Christmas book looking for the items. She didn't really want spaghetti for dinner, but she really wanted to eat popcorn while we watched the Aristocats, so she ate as little as she could get away with.

Gwen really wanted grandpa to bring Santa down from the attic. As you can see, Gwen and Grandpa had a really good time singing Christmas songs...especially Grandpa who got a little carried away with the microphone!


The next morning after breakfast, Gwen laid out a bunch of her toys in a semi-circle and we had to play within the circle. While hunting for just the right items to drag into the living room, she found this pig mask and couldn't resist playing the little piggy.

O Christmas Tree

We put the tree up 2 weekends ago. Typically Mom and Dad come over for the event. Brent and I get the tree up and all the branches spread out, Dad sits on the couch and watches, Brent adds a token ornament or two while Mom and I do the rest. This year, Brent put the thing up and Mom and I did the rest. Not quite the family event I'd hoped for, but the tree's up.

Woohoo! Disney Knows I'm Coming!

Eat, Pray, Love

This was our book club selection for December. What I love about about book club is that I have the opportunity to read books I might not otherwise pick up. This would fall into that category primarily because I generally prefer fiction.

By Elizabeth Gilbert, it's been on the best seller list for quite awhile. The thrust of the book is that she's coming out of a contentious divorce and a roller-coaster relationship and has sunk into depression. As a writer, she sells her publisher on the idea of a year of travel to Rome, India, and Bali to rediscover pleasure, find God, and establish balance.

She doesn't really explain why she leaves her husband, which makes her appear shallow, self-centered, and whiney. As she ate her way through Rome, I kept hoping that things would get better. The section of her life in the Ashram in India really drug along and I nearly caved in and abandoned my effort to finish it. Bali was a little better, but not much. There's nothing deep here and she never really comes out of her self-absorption to notice anything around her (like the poverty in India and Bali). I found that despite her claims that she can make friends anywhere, I really didn't like her as a person.

I really didn't enjoy this book very much, although I did finish it.

Nouveau Beaujolais

Each year, on the 3rd Thursday of November, the nouveau beaujolais wines are released. It's a young, fruit wine meant to be drunk immediately. We host a party each year on that day to celebrate the new release. It started out small. Family, a few close friends. Each year it seems to grow a bit until this year when we had 30 people. Still family and those same close friends, but now extended to our friends at the PLCB, the biking group, some friends from past and current jobs, my book club, etc.

There were two observations this year:

1. We're apparently trendsetters. Who knew? For the first time that I've noticed, local establishments like the Hilton, Level 2, and many others hosted a nouveau beaujolais night too. Copy cats.

2. We've noticed this before, but it's interesting how groups divide themselves into little sub-groups. For instance, the bikers stayed together, the book club stayed together, and here, the majority of my weekly "wings" group is sticking together. What's up with that?

Marilyn, Danna, Kevin, Kim, and Jim - Core Wing Night Gang

Kirt in the foreground, and the bikers (guy I don't know, Janice, and Mike)
Matt (part of the close friend "wings group and the only person who understands the concept of mingling at a party), Mary and Jason from work

It's Coming, It's Coming

Yes, yes, I hear you! I have new posts coming. Sorry....delayed due to Christmas Shopping!!

COOL TOOL

Each time I go to the scrapbook getaway, I seem to find some new tool that I just can't live without. This time, it was the Scrappin' Spin.

The color I bought was purple trimmed with gray to match my scrap room. The nice thing about it is that it spins, enabling you to get to the stuff on the other side without having to lift the whole tote around. I'm lovin' it!

Scrapbook Getaway!

I am lucky to attend Scrapbook Station's Scrapbook Getaway twice a year. It's a scrapbooking crop where 100 or so women gather in Butler, PA to - yup, you guessed it - scrapbook! It's long hours getting prepared to go, and you can see how much gear is needed for these 3 days.

Once I had my stuff packed, I couldn't figure out where I was going to go with Kim and Sandy's stuff! We had a van full.

Sandy got me in a particularly unflattering "action" shot (LOL!) as I'm selecting ribbon for my layout. Hey, these are difficult decisions that have to be made.

Finally, here's Kim preparing to use the greatest tool every - the Cricut. This is the coolest thing ever. If anyone needs Christmas ideas for me, I could really use some Cricut cartridges!

All my planning paid off as I completed a record 22 pages. Woohoo!

After Election Thought

I congratulated myself too soon. I was happy that I managed throughtout this 2-year mega-spending free-for-all presidential campaign to not post anything political here. Politics seems to bring out the worst in people and I don't think I'm any exception. But, while reading a political message board, someone posted this quote. I think it sums up perfectly my thoughts the day after.

"Do not blame Caesar, blame the people of Rome who have so enthusiastically acclaimed and adored him and rejoiced in their loss of freedom and danced in his path and gave him triumphal processions... Blame the people who hail him when he speaks in the Forum of the 'new, wonderful good society' which shall now be Rome's, interpreted to mean 'more money, more ease, more security, more living fatly at the expense of the industrious.' Julius was always an ambitious villain, but he is only one man." ~Cicero

Did You Vote?

I voted. Hope you did too!

Gemarama and Taste of Central PA

Dad called on Friday night just to chat. He threw out the invitation to go with him and Mom to the gem show in Exton. I know he figured I already had plans for the weekend. I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was totally surprised and pleased when I said I would go along. It was a big show with quite a few booths. Here are mom and Dad, taking in the sights at the show.

The show had all sorts of specimens, faceted stones, cabachons, beads, and jewelry. Quite an assortment of stuff, but alas no rough. Rough is the bare gem stone before it is faceted into the beautiful faceted piece you see at the jewelry store, or if you're really lucky, one your receive from my Dad. I'd take one of his pieces over what you buy in the store any day.

Also on tap for this weekend, my friend, Renee, invited me to attend the Taste of Central PA. This event is sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and this marked the 21st year for the event. About 50 area restaurants, caterers, etc. set up tables with samples of their food. I especially liked the sample provided by the Hollywood Casino. It was champagne sauerkraut topped with pork tenderloin and a mustard sauce. Mmmmm, it was totally yummy. This is a great event which typically raises more than $100,000 to help feed hungry families in Central PA.

Happy Halloween!

Each year, Kera invites us over for trick-or-treat night. Brent and I take turns each year passing out candy while one of us walks along as Gwen collects her candy loot. This year was Brent's year to walk along.

I brought this Pochahantas dress back from Disney for Gwen. At which point she promptly decided that's who she would be for Halloween.

Gwen's Webkinz raccoon, Moona, was available to trick-or-treat with her. Pochahantas' raccoon friend in the movie is Miko. How fitting, and how cute!

Blast from the Past

As I was searching "My Pictures" for something, I came upon these pics of Gwen. Wow! These were some good times!

Gwen at about 18 months old. Pic taken at our place (now gone) in Ocean City. She wasn't walking yet, and was scooting around on her butt. Love this pic with Grandpa.And a very timely pic of her at Halloween when she was 2 years old, getting ready to head out trick or treating. Kera did a great job making the Blues Clues costume.

Time is flying by!

Flocking Up

I know I've mentioned my lovely back road travels to work and how much I enjoy the wild life. This morning there were at least 30 turkeys flocked together in a field. This is the time of the year when the turkeys begin flocking together for the winter. I hate mornings but views like these make my day a little brighter.

GAWT VI

Each year over the Columbus Day holiday, my family congregates in the Finger Lake region of New York state for what we affectionately call the Great American Wine Tour. Four of my Brooks cousins started this 6 years ago - many thanks Memory, Marcia, Marta, and Jacqui!

Each year is different: lake toured, wineries visited, family members attending - and this year my SIL, Chris, made us fabulous shirts. But, there are some things that remain the same: connecting with family, camraderie, and Memory's birthday.

This year, we chose the western side of Seneca Lake and visited a record 9 wineries. How are the wineries selected? Well, Brent does a little research through Wine Spectator and other wine publications to see who's getting good publicity. Then, a meeting of the minds occurs in the bus on the way to the first winery. As you can see, Marta, Brent, and Jacqui debate the pros and cons.... ....while Duane and Theresa peruse the most recent Seneca Lake Wine Trail guide.
The rest of us just sit back, enjoy the ride, and catch up with news. The big news this year is Maureen's engagement to Dickie. Here Jacqui congratulates Mo. The ring is gorgeous!

Our first stop was Fox Run, the previous scene of a "Brent faux-pax." Really, does that fox look like a cat to you?The 2006 Cabernet Franc/Lemberger here at Fox Run was yummy. Jacqui says, "This would be perfect with pepper encrusted steaks." The description for Fox Trot Red suggested it was a "fruity red wine blend of Cabernet Franc and Concord Grapes. Okay, I admit it, I turned my nose up at the concord grapes. But, Jacqui says, "don't prejudge." I took a deep cleansing breath, swirled, sniffed, tasted...yeah, Welches is okay for juice but not so good for wine! we did pick up their 2006 Pinot noir though. A little pricey but delish.

We were all in high spirits as we sported our new shirts. Obviously one of us was a little more excited than the rest!Back into the bus and on to Seneca Shore Wine cellars. This place is known for the medieval wines. I believe we picked up a Gewurztraminer Trimanette and their Reserve Port. Other reviews weren't so great: Jacqui says, "Their port tastes like cough medicine." And, you know it's not good when Mo says, "The no-oak chard smells like dirty feet."

Anthony Road has a beautiful garden and view of the lake. One pricey bottle of Herman Wiemer Riesling and we were on the road again.

At Prejean Winery we were looking for a place to picnic, but it was a no-go. After purchasing the 2007 Un-oaked Chardonnay (ugh) and a late harvest vignoles, our driver kindly snapped a photo of all of us.

We're all happy that Paul was able to join us this year. So....ya got your knees fixed and just passed the pain on to me?

Torrey Ridge Winery had a beautiful gazebo. Our race bus driver cut off the other bus who thought to picnic there. Brent and Mo ran like the wind to claim our picnic spot. It was perfect. Unfortunately, this winery is not. They have little to no customer service, they are rude, and quite frankly their wine isn't very good either. I didn't feel bad using their picnic spot and then not buying anything here.

If you love oak, you'll love Villa Bellangelo. We didn't purchase anything here, but thought their gewurztraminer was good. Jacqui says, "The White Scooter would be great with pancakes." Do you suppose it was something Dad drank?

It was a stupendous year for gewurztraminers and Glenora Wine Cellars had one worth buying too. We also picked up a sparkeling that was so-so, but I'm sure we'll enjoy. We picked up serveral selections at Fulkerson - Traminette and their Reserve Red. The best exchange of the day though was between Maureen and Memory:

Mo says, "Dornfelder's bouquet is like ass."
Memory responds, "Yeah, it's Bumfelder."

By the time we reached our 9th winery, Arcadian Estate Winery, the tasters were dropping like flies. There were only 7 of us and I think Dad's the only one who made a purchase.

Each year we wrap up the GAWT with dinner. This year, we chose the Red Newt, on the eastern shore of Seneca, and one of our favorite winteries. We were thrilled that Aunt Carolyn, cousin Paula and her husband Bill could join us for dinner. The food was fantastic, unfortunately, sorting out the bill was less than wonderful. But hey, we were all together for another year and what a great way to end the weekend.


Celebrating Memory's birthday has kind of become tradition for us. I thought the stirrups were a great gift, and so was shocked that she was so embarassed. We already have next year planned, but now I'm having second thoughts about it! Oh what the heck, it's just family! LOL!

Next year, GAWT VII - Keuka, here we come!