2009 Year in Review

Outside the Snow Falling…

It is snowing – there is a blanket of snow covering the ground – it is still the wee hours of the morning, the world is still and quiet and I stand on the front step.  I listen.  I hear the stillness, the tiny crackles, the soft dimples of every snow flake landing on the frozen ground.  It is one of my most cherished sounds, it is unique to snow falling in the night – it’s rarity makes it more special.   Although the night sky is dark – snow clouds and the white covering reflect a mauve haze in the sky, with a brightness, not enough to see details nor shadows, but just enough to see the silhouette of  trees and their snow covered branches and the white ground.  There is a smell a taste in the air that only snow brings – a crisp, cold, moist air that conjures up the memories of fires in fireplaces, sips of hot cocoa, sled rides on hill sides, and snow days – the joy of childhood school is cancelled – snow days!   

Technorati Tags: Snow,December

A Birthday in December…

Today is my Birthday – and over the years I’ve become a bit of a birthday bah humbug, certainly the typical birthday grimaces - getting older is always a highlight, grey hairs, body aches, funny lines, ever changing life plans, etc… but really - having a Birthday just 12 days before Christmas is just well – Bah Humbug.  So when I was younger I made up a bunch of Birthday Rules (especially for Birthdays near Christmas):

1. Birthdays are special, unique, and personal.
2. Cakes should be pretty, and displayed on special cake plates adorned with candles in age specific qty or age symbolic.
3. There must be candles, they must be lit, they must be blown out,and there must be a wish made!
4. No Birthday gifts shall be accepted wrapped in Christmas paper.
5. No Christmas/ Birthday Combo Gifts.  Really, would a June Birthday share gifts with Christmas?  Perhaps an exception could be made - if it is worthy… house, car, big trip – you get it , truly combo worthy.
6. Seasonal Gifts, i.e. Christmas sweaters for a Birthday (for obvious reasons including: holidays are to be celebrated not worn), Strictly Winter activities and accessories – there are some but few exceptions with this, leave the seasonal activity for Christmas.
7. Adding to hobbies make for easy gifts and are personal – but some hobbies are private, sentimental collections or specific – inquire with in – feel free to be sneaky – but do inquire.
8. When it comes to clothing as a gift – gift cards , cash– most people purchase clothes in a non winter season – 2/3 months out of the year isn’t enough to warrant extreme wardrobe limitations – Christmas season clothing shopping is limited   - great sales but limited selection indeed.
9. It’s my day – all day, It’s ok to take off work, go to lunch, do something extraordinary.
10. No major announcements, or other great distractions leading up to a birthday – really Christmas is enough.
11. Always hope for birthday snow – ok so this seems a bit backwards – but if it’s winter it should look it and a snow day is always welcome.  (I usually get rain – today included)
12. Always buy yourself a gift – you’ll always get one thing you want – and it’s fun to figure out what you should get yourself! – hmmm… what do I really want this year?

I am sure there were more, I make lots of rules – these are the rules I remember – Ultimately  birthdays need to be remembered.

I want to go where?…

Among my many lists, I am constantly writing lists of places/ experiences I want to go/ have.  I have been writing these lists since I was very young – I dare say before I could write – I knew what I wanted and would plot how to get there.  I will say I have done quite a few things on these lists, every once in a while I will find a list tucked in a book,  on in a file and realize I have been there done that – got the key chain (T-shirts aren’t my thing).  Here are ten places or experiences that are still on the list: (In no particular order of course)

1. Stay in an Ice Hotel…  Brrrrr… I don’t know why I am so fascinated with these hotels made of ice, I am not in love with cold -  I enjoy winter – but not as a permanent season.  I don’t like cold food, I prefer no ice in my beverages –however, I do love - how snow covers everything, how quiet the world is when it is snowing, and watching each snow flake fall gracefully to the earth.  Every year I wish for Birthday Snow – Dec 13th – every once in a while I even get it!  No Ice Hotel in particular but perhaps the closest ice hotel in Quebec, Canada: Hôtel de Glace perhaps I could use that Canadian Money I still have from Calgary.

2. Beginning of US Route 1, in Fort Kent, Maine.  Route 1 -  I have traveled many of your scenic byways, I have walked along you, I live right off of you, you stretch from Maine to Florida, I have been to the end, I want to go to the beginning.

3.  Crater Of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas.  Why not! – I’ll dig for diamonds! I like shiny things!

4. I think I want to do this… The Devil’s Swimming Pool is located in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.  During the months of September and December, one can venture out to the very edge of the 128 meter (420 feet) tall waterfall and swim around. I want to believe it’s quite safe- yet pee in your pants - thrilling – If I was already in Africa – perhaps for an African safari (also something I’d like to do) – and just a stones throw away in Sept. or Dec.  I’d go – but would I specifically plan to go to Africa just for this purpose -  probably not.

  5. Towering 8000 feet (2430 m) high in the Andes Mountains of Peru sits the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.  I’ll take the train, thank you.

6. Petra, Jordan – ever since I watched Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade I have wanted to see this place in person.

 

7. The Great Pyramids of Giza – Just follow the Nile river to ancient tombs and ruins – ok, they’re kind of a big deal and probably on everyone’s list - here’s my angle - Egyptian design is so intriguing, a people who traveled, traded, conquered, ruled for centuries and yet their design was so little influenced by outsiders and so influential to the

8. Spend the night inside Cinderella's castle, Disney World.  It’s magic – even the chance to stay there is by a magical chance (click to read an article about the magic!)

9. Stay in a French Chateau  - of course I would love to own a chateau – and there are many on the market, but staying in one would be just fine – and there are many affordable options – I am keen on the Loire Valley Options or perhaps a rent-a- castle but the one that most interests me is the Chateau du Guerinet – I stumbled across this site years ago – I love that the Clemence Family, are your hosts – they boast of all the modern technology and conveniences yet it is like stepping into a fairytale.  Save me a room! 

   10.  Iceland – yes indeed the land of fire and ice- I was planning – seriously planning a trip there – travel books and all – then I learned Iceland Air offers a fantastic layover deal – extend your layover in Iceland for up to 7 days – quite the layover – well that’s my kind of offer – two trips for one! – but where to go for the other destination – and more importantly when – Do I want to play golf or ski at midnight (i really don’t do either – but daylight at midnight I just gotta) or do I go for the Fire and Ice Show –  lava and glaciers all on the same trip, shop in Reykjavik, buy a traditional Icelandic sweater, swim and relax in the heated thermal waters of the blue lagoon, I’ve read there are incredible chefs making wondrous culinary delights, geysers (the only common Icelandic word), untouched meadow lands, whale watching, black basalt beaches, the northern lights, or my personal favorite: I want to go to this little island of the north side called Grimsey- the northernmost inhabited island off the coast of Iceland, going there means crossing the Arctic Circle, for which certificates are issued!

 

There are scads more… perhaps another 10 another time!

By the Light of the Silvery Moon…

December 1, 2009 - the Moon is full (exactly 98% full – tonight behind the rain storms it is 100% full) the air is crisp, the sky is clear, it is the Full Cold Moon or Full Long Nights Moon. 30 excited, warmly dressed people embark of a 4 mile hike by moonlight through the National Arboretum, this unique experience is considered one of DC’s best outings- who knew!

Incredible amount of planning goes into an arboretum – trees are slow growers- In planting a tree one may never see what it becomes. Many shades of greenish greys and blacks, some soggy and steep terrain – and my personal favorite lots of Moon Shadows! How I love moon shadows – I am fascinated that the moon has such a reflective quality that not only can we see it in some detail, but it also reflects enough light on the earth to allow us to see pretty clearly at night (sans color and great detail) and even cast shadows.

Highlights of the tour…

Capitol Columns – WOW! The original Capitol building’s sandstone Corinthian columns free standing in a courtyard in a meadow– the corners slightly up lit with the full moon behind beautiful – a sight not many can claim they saw!

A Capitol View - A network of rustic woodland trails follows the contours of Mount Hamilton, we followed the trail to the top of Mount Hamilton, one of the highest points in the District of Columbia. At this elevation of 240 feet above sea level, we saw an incredible view of the Capitol, Washington Monument, and the DC City Lights.

Quince Fruit Tree – Quince is a native fruit tree to Persia resembling a cross between an apple and a pear. This ancient fruit of antiquity was prized by Greeks and Romans alike. The fruit is very fragrant, aromatic, perfume like even.

Camellia Trees – all abloom – as we walked down a path there were these trees with fragrant blossoms, in the dark night the white blossoms glowed in the moon might.

Magnolia Leaves caught the moon light and glistened, almost wet looking they shined so brightly.

Cyprus Knees - These stubby projections are called the "knees" of the bald cypress tree. Bald cypresses grow where the soil is always wet (theirs was intended to grow next to a small pond), the knees are growths on the roots that help the "drowning" roots get the air they need.

Soil vs. dirt: Dirt is what you sweep off a floor, Soil is what plants grow in – 25% water, 25% air, 50% minerals and organic matter

Lancaster County

September 29, 2009: A day in PA.

As a child my grandfather would take me to Lancaster– aka Amish country, home of the Pennsylvania Dutch, he did a lot of business in the area with local iron foundries – he still does.  There were some MUST DO’s on the visit.  It has been good to repeat many of these places,  this particular visit  was a first for an old college roommate – who happened to be visiting for her 30th birthday (these are big b-days),  who happens to be a German teacher by trade, and who happens to love food! So all in all the perfect place to bring her!

There are some distinctly Amish Flavors and Foods, what we did… where we went… what we tasted:

Starting out at Roots Market, in Manheim, PA  - only the oldest single family-run country market in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. “From its humble beginnings as a poultry auction in 1925, Root's Market has evolved over the years to become a piece of Lancaster County heritage offering fresh food, family fun and a wide variety of items for sale.” Indeed!  So part of the trip I was to bring back cabbages to make homemade sauerkraut.  Cabbages fat as elephants  -well they were huge I tell you!  48” -  54” in diameter!  Lots of goodies and fresh baked goods including shoofly and whoopie pies.  All sorts of right from the fields vegetables and fruits, a large assortment of meats: fresh sausage, smoked meats, fresh goose, duck, chicken, turkey, rabbit.  One of my favorites from only from Pennsylvania Dutch Country Sweet Lebanon Bologna - a real smokey, sweet, tangy, lean summer sausage and farmer’s cheese - a mild fresh creamy flavored cheese.  Remember to visit only on Tuesdays!

On to the next destination: Lititz, PA home of Sturgis pretzel factory and Wilbur Chocolates. 

Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery: America’s first commercial pretzel bakery. Founded in 1861 by Julius Sturgis.  Visitors are welcome to tour the facility and learn the history of pretzel making in America – and find pretzels baked with the same old-fashioned techniques pioneered by Julius Sturgis himself. 

pretzel history in a nutshell - so back in the day - pretzels were soft – so an accident lead to an over baked crunchy pretzels much like we know them – however – pretzels as dried out crunchy bread twists – just aren’t the same with out that brown shell – for that to happen Julius Sturgis figured out that there must be a caustic solution applied to the pretzel to give it it’s golden brown outer shell – the process of making these crunchy pretzels, allowing them to bake, dry, and bake again – was new to bakers – he took a risk and look at us now – pretzels are everywhere!   My  official Pretzel Twister Certificate and practice pretzel – I will have to add this to my resume!

Then on to Wilbur Chocolate Factory …. mmm…. chocolate.  A fun look at chocolate history – mmm… free samples!  Beautiful chocolate concoctions  - we only had a few minutes – we happened to be there on “closing and hour early for inventory day!”    They are famous for their Chocolate buds – similar to and predate the also famous Hershey kisses and a much higher quality chocolate in a bite.  

 

We followed with an enjoyable 18th century stroll along tree-lined streets walk through the quaint town of Lititz, and discussion of it’s Moravian Background and seeing Moravian Stars hung all around.  

The Moravian Star: Originating in the Moravian boarding schools in Germany in the nineteenth century as an exercise in geometry, the stars were carried throughout the world by missionaries and other church workers, the star proclaims the hope of Advent. While we are most familiar with the white star, the first star had alternating red and white points. Stars colors have also included red and yellow, white and yellow, and a yellow "starburst" with a red center.

Whatever its form, the star reminds us of God, who caused the light to shine out of darkness and of the light which is the life of humanity. It reminds us of the promise of Abraham that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars; we are reminded of the star that pointed to the "great and heavenly light from Bethlehem's manger shining bright." The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. This is the message of the Advent star, which also points to Jesus, who said, "I am the bright and Morning Star." It is the star of promise, the star of fulfillment, and the star of hope.  from: http://www.moravian.org/faq/star.phtml

As we headed to East Earl, PA for dinner, we drove through Farming Communities.

Ending the day with a true taste of Amish Country – so when one wants to sample a lot of dishes it is best to go to a place where one can taste them all for one flat rate!  Where better than the Largest Buffet in Lancaster - The Shady Maple Smorgasbord - The taste of Lancaster County, 200 feet of deliciously authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking! This place also includes a Massive Gift Shop, (the size of a department store) a Market, and a lunchette.  this place is huge! 

So the must try PA Dutch foods – bake limas (one of my favorites), dried corn (a roasted nutty flavored boiled corn kernels), Pies – Amish/ PA Dutch are known for their pies – in great variety particularly raisin and shoofly, whoopie pies – not my fav, but a must try – thick icing between two muffin top like cakes, also served are PA Dutch sodas rarely seen outside of this area – Birch beer, White Birch Beer,  Sarsaparilla, Vanilla Cream, and of course Root Beer.  A highlight you can even have a Free Meal on your Birthday!  That’s a real value!  Pennsylvania Dutch Foods are home-style, traditional, comfort foods, simple in flavor, seasonal tastes, much is German influenced with local flare.  What have you tasted?

The area is rich in Religious and Cultural history, it is home to incredible craftsmen and artisans, unique tastes, and sights – anytime of the year it is a real treat to visit!

The Island of Hispanola

"Welcome Home" they greet us as we come into the resort. Home away from home - better - no cell phones, not checking email, no news, R & R in a much needed and enjoyable way! The Domincan Republic - A Beautiful Island bordered by the Atlantic, Carribean, and Hati. This was my second vacation here (first in 2007) and definitly not my last! August 7-14th at Dreams La Romana traveling through Apple Vacations - great service!

While I was there - I became PADI - Open Water Certified - 6 open water Dives all together! It's a whole different world beneath the surface!
After my last instructional dive - I am a real diver now!

Sorkeling Fun! So many beautiful Fish! The reef is very alive. On one swim I took along an underwater camera - Not bad photos! - Enjoy!