2009 In Review

2009 In Review
Originally uploaded by maggie_gem
It's been an interesting year; I've met some very interesting people through blogging and photography and it was just wonderful to share and grow with such a diverse and talented group of people.
 

Belated Christmas Wishes

It never ceases to amaze me how time just manages to slip away, oh so quickly. December has been a complete run away! You all know the all too familiar "Holey, moley Christmas is here!" frantic pace!

I have been happily busy getting things ready for Christmas with Family and Friends, but seem to have just caught up to my cyber-friends! They seem to have it all under control... even running contests to win some their prized prints. Just check out this lovely print you can win over at Kate's Chronicles very lovely indeed. Oh, don't forget to congratulate her on her two year blog anniversary while you're there!

Hope you had a great Christmas!

Sugar Pup: History is all around us

New Jersey is full of history, as one of the original colonies there is lots to learn on a Sunday drive. A few weeks back we traveled to Washington Crossing, we certainly had a beautiful day!

My photo buddy Sugar Pup came along for the ride, she really likes exploring..

Sugar: History is all around us

Originally uploaded by maggie_gem

We even peered through the window of the Nelson House, the old glass and reflection gives the view a very dream like feeling.


Autumn was all around and the view from the foot bridge was spectacular! The D&R Canal has been a favorite of ours this fall, and provides a nice reflection here.

The bridge in the background leads to Pennsylvania, and more of the Washington Crossing history. We didn't have much time to explore the Pennsylvania side this day but did wind up traveling north to New Hope.

Until next time ~ Live, Love, Laugh

Man of the Hour

Would any Winter Parade be complete without....

Nope this is just a strumming Mummer in a red suit....

The a Man of the Hour....

Santa Clause!

Winter Parade

Yesterday was the annual Metuchen Winter Parade. Despite the balmy 60+ degree temperatures, everyone was in the holiday spirit!



We had sleigh rides



Well it could have been if it wasn't so warm...

Colorful Mummers

Angels

The snow men made an appearance

The drummer boy shared his song

And everyone anxiously awaited the arrival of the man of the hour ....

Until next time ~ Live, Love, Laugh!

Stockton, NJ

Located along the Delaware River, Stockton is a small borough of approximately 560 residents as of the 2000 census.

The borough was incorporated in 1898. This is a very charming town with one of it's main attractions being the Centre Bridge-Stockton Bridge connecting Stockton to Solebury, PA. You can click on each photo to enlarge.


The view from the bridge, the Delaware looking south


Approximately a quarter mile east of the bridge is the D&R Canal path, a path we've been along several times over the last couple of months.


The Stockton Inn, supposedly immortalized by the Rogers and Hart song "There's a Small Hotel" from 1936 Broadway musical "On Your Toes" .


Along Bridge Street there are just a few little shops. This shop caught my eye, especially the horse painting.


This was a short and relaxing Sunday jaunt, we'll probably make another trip to Stockton to catch the last covered bridge in NJ which is in Sergeantsville and Prallsville Mills.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Autumn In Clinton - Part 2

Sunday Drive Explorers

Here is a continuation of our Sunday in Clinton, we'll have take a time trip back a few weeks

Decorating for the season was early and thorough, from the harvesting signs of the autumn corn

to the displays of gourds and mums in the shops around town.

As we walked along Center Street there were views of the river, clearly showing us Mother Nature's decorating skills!

Providing an opportunity to reflect on the beauty we should be grateful to have.

Homes on the river attempt to guard their precious access to nature


Their place for relaxation, contemplation


Or cherished conversation


But there you find a small local business with the hospitality to share their abundance, and assist with decorating the scene for visitors



In the town that brings one back to a time when life was slower, and Nature was more cherished, when even power came from the river.



Until next time ~ Live, Love, Laugh!

Pink November Sky

I just happened to be leaving a client's office this afternoon and this is the view I saw from their second floor doorway



{sigh} Beauty I often miss, captured thanks to Blackberry!

I Want to Be Alone!!!

Just a quick shot of Maddox, trying very hard to avoid the camera. Click on photo for a larger view.


I just don't get it, everyone is so camera shy!

Until next time ~ Live, Love, Laugh!

Autumn in Clinton, NJ

Sunday Drive Explorers

The exploring continues in Clinton NJ. We had a great day in this little town located in Hunterdon County and on the Raritan River.

I absolutely adored this basket setup in the window of the town framing center.

Clinton is known for the Red Mill, a source of area development and commerce in the 1800's. Learn more about The Red Mill Museum Village.

The South Branch of the Raritan River begins it's flow at Budd Lake and ultimately empties into Raritan Bay just south of Staten Island in Perth Amboy. I posted some summer shot of Raritan Bay here.

The river in Clinton provides a relaxing and reflective view of life in the area, this scene seemed to long for the not too distant past that was summer.

New Jersey's western countryside is a beautiful treasure deserving of the title "Garden State", far from the smoke stacks and factories that are viewable from I-95. Full of beauty and history these towns are worth the trip!

I'll be posting a few more pictures later, but here is a sneak peak of what's coming up!

Until next time ~ Live, Love, Laugh!

Sugar Pup's Specs

Friday Fun Foto

Sugar Pup has been complaining that words are blurring when she reads, so we made her some custom specs.

Just a little fun shot for a Friday afternoon!

Until next time ~ Live, Love, Laugh!

Reflection - October

Another quick stop on the trip up north - Rochelle Park. I could not resist this reflection pool, and that Sunday was just georgous!

Maywood Station

A quaint little town in Northern N.J., Maywood remembers how important this railroad station is to the development of the area. There is always so much to learn from remembering the past!



Read all about the stations and it's restoration at http://www.maywoodstation.com/.

October in Atlantic City

October was a busy month, we had a wonderful time taking trips all around the state! Our first trip was with a group of friends to Atlantic City.

The Steel Pier thrilling visitors for nearly eight decades before legalized gambling made it's debut at Resorts International on May 26, 1978!

Trump Taj Mahal from the boardwalk



And of course the Atlantic Ocean!

Until next time ~ Live, Love, Laugh!

Sunday Drive

Steve and I have been taking little Sunday trips over the last month. And of course I made of point of having my camera with me every step of the way. Seems to me the month of October just went flying by! Our first Sunday drive was to Lambertville.

Lambertville Station has been converted into a restaurant, a complete 19th century restoration has made this a must see stop for visitors to the town.

Canal-side dining is also available, enjoy the calming sights and sounds of the D & R Canal.

This was our very first trip to this quaint and historic town located on the Delaware River. Formerly known as Coryell, George Washington's troops crossed the Delaware into Pennsylvania from here. There is a brief and interesting history of Lambertville provided by the Lambertville Historical Society.

The town saw a resurgence of popularity during the 1970's - 1980's when many artists were drawn to the town.

Today the town is full of quaint little antique shops, proud of their location and decorating to keep up appearences.

Shops with antique bicycles and building clocks

Shops that offer the best of the confections

Or maybe just a glimpse of the owner's own treasures

A place where one can clearly see modes of transporation from bygone eras

Waterways

Rails

and Automobiles

A truly enlighting autumn day in the Garden State! More photos can be seen in my Flickr Lambertville Set.

Until next time ~ Live, Love, Laugh!

Happy Halloween!

Until next time - Live, Love, Laugh

Puppy Love

Friday Fun Foto

Having fun with flicker and Big Huge Labs, happy Friday! Until next time - Live, Love Laugh

True Love

I came across a wonderful You Tube video while catching up on my blog reading this morning. I just couldn't help but smile when I saw this!



Special thanks to Snappy Di over at The Blue Ridge Gal for finding and sharing this! Be sure to stop by Di's blog for a wonderful trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains!

And for a real smile, here is my favorite Dog of all time!

Until next time ~ Live, Love, Laugh