Yuletide Staycation

Hello everyone! 2009 is almost behind us and it has been another busy year.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Xmas as we certainly did though it was a quiet one at home for Jen and I. We received some wonderful, thoughtful gifts all-around: my baby sister managed to find the obscure biscuits for my biscuit joiner and got me a couple of Ohio State beanies (go Bucks!) and she got Jen a bunch of organizational supplies for her newly (mostly) completed craft room. (I'll post before and after pics as soon as I complete the chair rail).

We received a wonderful "care package" of naturally raised pork products from my dad and Joanne. We started out with some breakfast sausage Xmas morning with the French toast I made with Jen's homemade bread. We're already planning to try the bacon with blueberry pancakes this weekend.

Last Sunday, we went to the Buffalo Botanical Gardens for "Dollar Day" and it was worth every penny (one would hope, right?) We decided that 72 degrees and humid with flowers all-around qualifies as a mini-vacation. (Especially after the 17 degrees and snow the week before). They have several themed domes - we especially enjoyed the epiphyte one - even if it wasn't very photogenic. They had a display of poinsettias as one might imagine and there are actually some really pretty ones, go figure.

These were my favorites:


Jen's Favorite:

Jen and I also enjoyed the assortment of Orchids that they had (so much so that we're gonna try to make it back for the Orchid show in late February).

Can you tell that Orchids trick insects into pollinating them by pretending to be insects to mate?

They also had some pottery on display from the local college students, this was my favorite:
Anyway, I'm gonna cut this short as Jen and I are about to start our "guilty pleasures comedy movie marathon." Anyone who is interested in seeing the rest of the pics is welcome to do so at our photobucket account.

Holidays - Niagara Style

Hello everyone, we hope the holidays finds everyone well. Last weekend we took a road trip up to the Niagara peninsula to check out 283 year old Fort Niagara for Christmas by Candlelight. Our visit happened to coincide with the anniversary of the British's recapture of the fort from the Americans during the war of 1812. It was quite the fascinating visit. The tour was pretty much self-guided from room to room in the castle where we met up with various reenactors.

Here is one of the massive gates. (Jen's helping me by illuminating it w/ her flashlight).



Here is the supply area with some of the provisions available.


Here is some of the gear needed to hunt & trap for food in the treacherous New York winters.


It was quite chilly while we were there and while the castle did us all a huge service by blocking the Canadian winds that roar off of lake Ontario, it was far from from warm and cozy though the pics may make it look otherwise.

The kitchen was the warmest room of all and, compared to the others, was the coziest by far. (This room was the busiest all night - I'm thinking that the roaring fire had something to do with that).


Across the parking lot from the fort's visitor center is the Old Fort Niagara lighthouse which was built in 1872 and decommissioned in 1993.



Of course we had to stop at the falls on the way up because, apparently, Jen thinks that late December is the best time to see the falls. (FYI she has never managed to see the falls any other time of year). Needless to say, it was cold! 17 degrees with a windchill of maybe +2 degrees.

This is what happens when those frigid winds get a hold of the mist.


Ok, I feel like I need a blanket. Don't worry, though. I have a much warmer post planned for next time. Until then.