Winter solstice

Winter started this morning at 6:11 a.m. EST and we've had snow all day (though not heavy). The wind has blown, too, which moves the snow all around. We won't have a white Christmas, because temperatures will rise and we're supposed to have rain. Oh well. We were close.

I took these photos with my iPod, so they're not the highest quality.  You get the idea. This is our front walk.

Our decorated tree in front.

The back yard.

The people working at Troy's Bakehouse ... or the elves, as the case may be.

I love Kroger

Kroger gives gas points:  every $100 spent equals 10 cents off per gallon of gas. Well, we had a really good December, when Kroger gave 4x points for gift cards purchased through Dec. 9 (every dollar spent on gift cards equaled 4x in gas points; $25 gift card = 100 gas points). We ended up with over 900 points (yowza) and got gas for an amazingly low price. See the receipt below:

I am a hockey buff ... who knew?

We've attended some hockey games at Hobart Arena. The Silver Sticks tournament was held on Dec. 1-2 and 8-9. Our nephew Ryan and his wife Tanja accompanied us on Dec. 8. We all aspire to be Zamboni drivers.

Pity the goalie - trapped under there somewhere.

Different team, different game. See the puck?

My dream job: Zamboni driver.

Our tree on top of the credenza.

A collection of fall photos

I found some pictures in various folders and I thought I'd share.

I'm prepared for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. While I waited, I sent an email to Joan Kunkler to update her on the number of kids who came to the door. Final tally = 107.

Peace on earth, cat version. While the "wall of flames" is on, they manage to get along.

Mom and me on Thanksgiving as we prepared food.

A little Carolina wren has shown up in the back yard.

Our first Christmas decoration is up - we got these Santa lights last year in the after-Christmas sales.

Happy Thanksgiving

We've been busy. Bob entered two craft fairs with his photographs - perhaps not the best venue for him, but we made enough to cover the cost of the entry fees! There are lots of talented people at these bazaars. Homemade greeting cards, all manner of crocheted items, wooden toys, Christmas ornaments, etc. - the trick is not to spend money he makes buying other people's stuff. :)

Bob at First United Methodist Church's holiday bazaar.

Milkweed seeds getting ready to fly away.

My homemade suet before I put it in the "accessory refrigerator" (the garage) to firm up.

Chipmunks are thankful for big cheeks.

Isabella is thankful for a heating vent on a cold morning.

Late October-early November

We went on an overnight trip to the Hocking Hills before Halloween. The Hocking Hills area is very pretty, with lots of rock formations, lakes, rivers, and caves. We stayed overnight at a bed-and-breakfast in Nelsonville, OH.
On Halloween, we had to take a picture of the "scary yard" in Troy, where the owners really take Halloween to heart. They decorate with lots of skeletons, coffins, and stuff that would have made me run the other way when I was trick-or-treating. But, they get 400-500 trick-or-treaters, so they must be doing something right (or wrong, as the case may be).
Finally, the Miami East girls volleyball team once again went to the championships near Dayton. They won their second title in a row - Division III girls volleyball champs for Ohio. Quite an accomplishment for a rural school. Bob took over 500 photos, but I promise I'll share only a couple. :)

  

The Mead House, our bed-and-breakfast.

Lake Logan, with swans and fall color.

The largest rock bridge east of the Mississippi River, located in ... wait for it ... Rockbridge.

Part of the scary yard.

Just of few of the Casstown Crazies before the championship game. What a good cheering section they are.

The second year in row champs!

Some non-Sandy October events

We handed out candy at the First United Methodist Church's Trunk and Treat on Oct. 29. Once again, we woefully underestimated the number of trick-or-treaters (and I really thought I was prepared this year). I heard estimates of 600 (!) kids. No wonder we ran out. Thank goodness, candy donations to the church allowed us to refill 3 times. On Halloween, we had 107 trick-or-treaters (yes, I counted) at our front door. We ran out of candy at the end and had to resort to the pretzels bagged for trick-or-treating. They're in the shape of jack-o-lanterns and bats. Really very cute ... and we have some left over!

Not our trunk. But, gosh, what great bones.

Penny was once again Cooper the Dog. This year, she loved the warm costume.

Our trunk. It's too light to see the ghost and pumpkin lights, plus our light-up jack-o-lanterns. Trust me, it looked better as it got darker.

The new bridge opens. That's the mayor with the really big scissors (anyone remember "Dead Again" with Kenneth Branaugh and Emma Thompson?)

Fall leaves.