Life in the Bristolwood

Our Thanksgiving Day was just awesome!  We got up at about 5 am to get ready to go to visit my parents and Randy, and my older brother, Bob.   We were out the door shortly after 7, and arrived at about 10:30 at my parents’ home. 

We spent the day relaxing,  watching some television (gasp! I never do that!)  and visiting. 

We ate at about 1 and let me tell you, the food was fantastic!  There was turkey, roast beef, and even chicken!  We had tasty cranberry/ jello dish, rolls,  salad, and sweet potatoes, and stuffing.  And speaking of stuffing,  we all stuffed ourselves!  My compliments to the cook….Mom, everything was beyond awesome!

Yes, I took the new camera with me, but we got so busy with all that was going on,  I barely took it out! 

However, there was one little fellow who provided so much entertainment, I found myself laughing over and over!

As soon as I placed the camera bag on the couch, little Fritzmeister began diving in with his long nose.  I have no idea why he was so attracted to the bag,  other than perhaps he smelled “Scottie scents”!

As soon as I rested on the couch, I was pounced upon by Fritz, receiving a rather ambitious cleaning! Fritz loves “kissing”, and he really likes me!  However,  I was not the lone victim!

I know…I should have photographed all the people…the food….the essence of the day.  However, I just plumb didn’t do it. 

As we left to come home,  I asked Mark to drive through downtown because I wanted to see if there were pretty Christmas decorations.  I love the decor they chose….

Well, not much in the form of photos, but we all had such a satisfying day!  We were home again at about 8 this evening.

My mother showed us an article in the local newspaper that announced the official Christmas shopping season has now begun.  Tomorrow is Black Friday.  That means crazed, glassy-eyed shoppers arriving at stores in the middle of the night,  hoping to score big savings on Christmas gifts for themselves and others.  Sorrowfully, I must say, I shall indeed be counted amongst those numbers.  Yup, Miss Michelle has gleaned all the sales flyers,  making her list and well, in a few short hours,  we will be out “there”.  Ah, nothing like a teenage shopping diva in the house!

Wish me luck.  I’m sure I shall be needing it!

Yes, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the US of A!  I am so excited because this means we will be traveling to the home of my parents for the big day!  We haven’t done this in a while, so it is going to be a real treat.  AND, Mom, bless her heart, is doing ALL of the cooking and baking!  Yay!!!

I truly am thankful for each and every one of you who has read my babbling…I really love blogging, but I imagine sometimes my mundane posts are painfully tedious!  And so, for you,  I am so grateful. You have encouraged me when I thought about giving up writing my oft silly posts!

You have no idea the anticipation of this morning….A couple of days ago, Mark and I sat at his desk and ordered a new Nikon D-90 camera, as well as an incredible lens.  I fluttered about the house,  whining and wondering how long I would need to wait for the box to arrive! 

The friendly Fed Ex guy came to the door with Angus announcing his arrival.  I floated into the house, box of goodies snuggled in my arms!  I am so happy!  And now, you poor thing,  you must bear with my photos taken today.  These photos were taken in Penn Yan, as the kids were there late this afternoon to visit with Jonathan, who came home for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The town of Penn Yan is situated on Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes.  Penn Yan has an awesome trail called the Outlet Trail which runs along the outlet of the lake.  It really is a pretty little walk, but we arrived late in the day, after 4 pm.  I really was hoping to get some photos, but my hopes dwindled as the cloudy skies were darkening as the minutes ticked off.

Mark nudged me to walk along the trail, parking at a little public park along the trail.  I got out and began walking…I love walking so much.  As I walked,  I began using my new camera and was surprised at the results.  These were all taken in Auto mode with the camera set up just as it arrived at our door!

As I wandered along the trail,  I noticed what looked very much like a little rabbit hutch tucked into the brush.  I couldn’t figure out why someone would have discarded it there, nor why it hadn’t been removed by the town.  I do think I might have met up with its two inhabitants, though as I walked the trail.

Yeah, cute kitty, isn’t it?  Gads, the thing was gallopping toward me full bore! I saw another kitty a short time later pawing through a pile of leaves.  When I tried to take their photos, the wild felines appeared as though struck by lightening and one actually limbed up a small cliff. Not friendly.  Not at all!

I contemplated walking out on the railroad bridge, but the ties were so rotted, my smallish foot kept wanting to retreat into one of the open cracks.  I certainly was not wanting myself,  or my brand new camera, to make a splash!

Since the Birkett Mills is an integral part of this town,  I was happy to capture a few interesting shots of the huge yellow building….

I love the bridge with graceful arches.  As I walked closer and closer,  the noise was increasingly louder.  There must be turbines or some sort of machinery for the mill located there.  The water went from glass smooth to vicious whitewater while passing under the bridge!

I walked back to the truck and took a slight detour because I thought a mirage lie in front of me….all of our trees are stark naked. Not this one.

Mark and I decided to visit the little town to see if anything might want to be photographed.

I love the streetlamps decorated with small simple snowflakes.

We picked the kids up at 7:30 and headed home as we have an early day ahead tomorrow.  As I stepped out of the truck,  I decided to try a handheld shot of the moon and clouds.

I am so thrilled with the new camera. I cannot WAIT until tomorrow!