Kim's Thoughts
Just a few thoughts I feel worthy of jotting down!
Holiday Entertainment At Its Best
A wonderful part of the holiday season is the availability of holiday entertainment…..from local concerts to major stage productions. I do so enjoy attending events that are holiday themed with music that sparks the spirit and inner child we all have deep down inside.
Yesterday – Saturday, Dec 17th – I had the pleasure of attending just such an event! I joined a group of fellow retirees a few months ago called the Busy Buddies. The group goes on day trips, such as theater productions and other adventures, and larger trips together. It has been great fun, so far! Yesterday, we all boarded a bus that took us to the Rochester Auditorium Theater to see the Cirque Dreams Holidaze show…..and it was FABULOUS!!!
First…..just sitting in the Rochester Auditorium Theater brought back so many incredible memories for me. I haven’t been in this theater in probably 30 years or so, because of the years that I spent in NC and I haven’t had an opportunity to go since I’ve been back home. But, I used to love to go there to see Broadway stage shows and smaller concerts. As I sat there waiting for the show to start, I pictured sitting in the front row balcony (a favorite spot for stage shows) to see such shows as Peter Pan and Neil Simon’s Their Playing Our Song, among so many others! I was taken back to a night my Mom, my Dad, and I saw Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, and Earnest Tubb perform – we sat about 3 rows back and were mesmerized by these country greats! I listened to the music in my head, remembered the pretty dresses Loretta wore, and smiled as I envisioned Earnest Tubb turn his guitar over at the end of the concert to show the word “Thanks” written across the back of the guitar. I also could picture the three of us passing through the doorway to the right of the stage where Loretta had a table to greet her fans and sign autographs – she talked to each and every one of her fans like they were old, dear friends that she’d known forever…..Mom was so thrilled to get to meet and talk with her! So many memories flooded in! It warmed my heart to just be there!
And, then there was the show! WOW! If you’ve never seen a Cirque du Soleil show, you really should! I took Mom to see the Beatles themed Cirque show LOVE! in Las Vegas several years ago and it was absolutely amazing! The Cirque Dreams Holidaze show is holiday themed with dancing ornaments, reindeer, gingerbread men, and more and traditional and new holiday songs as a backdrop to the incredible acrobatic feats of the Cirque performers. I was on the edge of my seat and in awe the entire two hours of the show! There was so much going on on the stage at all times it was hard to decide what to focus on! And the performances were stupendous! I loved every minute of it, but the finale brought me to tears……a women with the most beautiful voice sang one of the loveliest arrangements of Oh Holy Night I’ve ever heard while a man and women in white performed an aerial ballet that was simply stunning!!! It was a show to remember!
After the show, we all got back on the bus and headed to dinner at the Lamplighter restaurant north of the Ridge in Greece. Dinner was fantastic and we had the best time talking and enjoying our time with old and new friends! I’m so very happy I had this opportunity and look forward to many more chances to enjoy the company of my new Busy Buddies friends!
Of course, there was no flash photography allowed, but I can leave you with this youtube clip of the show……enjoy! And, when it comes back around next year, be sure to put it on your calendar!
2016 Daily Photos – December 14-16…..And More!!!
So…..I’m jamming this post with more than just my Daily Photos (although those will be first up). We had our first blizzard of the season this week….and, it is still coming down, so I’m also including photos I took over the past few days of that event! Enjoy!
Here are my Daily Photos taken on December 14-16
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14:
“Christmas Time in Mount Albion”
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15:
“Poor Santa, Stuck Out in the Snow”
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16:
“Clinging to the Trees”
Now, for some extras…..first, two other photos I took at Mount Albion on the 14th
“Color Against the Snow”
“Gray and White”
At long last…..the wreath I made has been hung on a door…..just not the door I planned!
So, here’s the story……I was having a new front and storm door installed (also a new back and storm door, but that doesn’t impact this story), so I had to wait until that was done before I hung my wreath. It was done last Friday, but it wouldn’t fit between the doors, so I needed to secure it with wire – which I was sure I had, but couldn’t find, so had to go purchase some! I got the wire and attempted to put the wreath up on the new storm door…..but, the hanger thingy I got wouldn’t go over the top of the door because of the gas cylinder. I played around and got it to work, but then the door wouldn’t shut!!! UGH!!! So……the wreath ended up being displayed proudly on my garage door!!! Not exactly where I wanted it, but it is up and I love it!!! Probably should have trimmed it some to make it less wild and uneven looking, but it is my first attempt at making a wreath and, like most proud Mamas, I look past the flaws to the perfection no one else sees and love it warts and all!!! 🙂
And, finally……some shots of our first blizzard of the season
Morning coffee on the patio, anyone?
Megan isn’t too happy about having to go out and pee in the snow!!!
Th-th-th-th-that’s all, folks!!!! For now…….
2016 Daily Photos – December 11-13
The next set of Daily Photos includes photos taken on December 11-13:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11:
“Hot Soup on a Snowy Evening”
Warming the ole innards…..
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12:
“Meet My Brother, Sister-In-Law, and Their Dog, Kahlua”
You’re never too old to have fun with the first significant snowfall…..
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13:
“Interesting Variation”
Hey, if we were all the same, it would be a very boring world out there!
And, actually, this really does look pretty darned cool!!!
Albion Downtown Holiday Window Displays
One thing I especially enjoy this time of year is strolling around our lovely, historic downtown just after dusk to check out all the merchant’s holiday window displays. The Albion merchants do an awesome job making the streets of downtown look festive and bright! Last night was the night I got out to feast my eyes on their amazing creations and gather some photos. They did not disappoint!!! 😀
Yesterday was also the Albion Merchants Association Annual Hometown Holiday event. Unfortunately, I popped my knee in the afternoon and spent most of the day icing it so that I could be sure I was able to walk around looking at the windows……so, I missed the rest of the day’s festivities! BOO HOO! But – the Orleans Hub got some good photos – click here to read their coverage of the event and click here to see the Window Display Contest winners!
Here are the photos I took of the windows from last night’s stroll – I didn’t get ALL the windows and some I got came out blurry, but this is what I have – go stroll around to see them all for yourself sometime before Christmas!
This isn’t in a window, but I couldn’t resist it……one of SEVERAL trees throughout the Hazy Jade Gift Shop – just look at that stuffed puppy! AWE!!!
Speaking of the Hazy Jade – here are Lisa’s windows – hard to tell from the photo, but there are so many trees all lit up both in the window and throughout the shop that can be seen through the window at night. Stunning! (BTW – this shop won 3rd place in the window display contest)
Next door to the Hazy Jade is Dance Reflections – this is their lovely window adorned with ballet slippers and other wonderful decorations!
Here we have the lovely windows of the Uptown Browsery
MMIM – one of two windows in Pratt Works – used a dress form to make a very creative and pretty angel
Knight’s Pride Woodworking is the other window in Pratt Works – always a treat to see what Jeremiah does with his windows!
Krantz Furniture has a tree in every window and some upstairs window decorations, too!
Part of Morrison Realty’s window display – so cute!!!
Full view of Morrison’s windows — they got an Honorable Mention in the window display contest!
I really wish I could have gotten a nice shot of the hand painted Santa in Morrison’s window….it was gorgeous! But, some of the lights were not working, so the photos just didn’t come out! It is in the window to the right of the door – you can just barely see it in this shot and the previous one.
Express Fitness’ window had Santa and his Reindeer – the lights make it look like he is flying among the stars! This window took 2nd place in the contest.
Orleans Travel was so pretty all lit up with trees!
The Village offices had some beautiful trees on display, as well!
Another shop used a dress form to decorate – this one at Lynne Marie Hair Boutique is a Christmas tree dress! Loved it!
This is the rest of Lynne Marie’s window……a fire in the fireplace and wonderful decorations inside and out make this a warm and inviting window! They took home the top prize in the window display contest.
And, last, but definitely not least……Tease did a great job on her windows! That Santa is the REAL DEAL….waving at and greeting passersby with that wonderful Santa sparkle in his eye!!!!
Close up of the real live Santa in the window at Tease! This shop also earned an Honorable Mention in the window display contest!
BRAVO to ALL the shops and congratulations to all the winners of the window display contest. Well done, one and all! Our wonderful merchants do an amazing job of keeping the spirit of Christmas alive and well in our beautiful downtown……and keeping downtown alive year round! We love and appreciate each and every one of you!
(And, I apologize for those I either didn’t get a photo of or that came out too blurry to use here….it doesn’t mean your effort wasn’t truly enjoyed!!!)
2016 Daily Photos – December 8-10
Here’s what I got for Daily Photos on December 8th, 9th and 10th:
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8:
“A Beautiful and Thoughtful Gift”
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9:
“Two Cardinals in a White Tree”
You totally sang that in your head to the tune of “Twelve Days of Christmas”, didn’t you?
BONUS: DECEMBER 9:
“A Winter Sky if I Ever Saw One”
I love it when the sky looks so ominous, but there is enough sun right where you are to make things look so much brighter, whiter, lighter than they actually are!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10:
“Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful”
But a cup of hot chocolate in a warm house is delightful!!!
When you’ve nowhere to go…..let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!
2016 Daily Photos – December 5-7
Here we go with the next few Daily Photos for December……taken on Dec 5-7:
MONDAY, DECEMBER 5:
“Merry Christmas, Soldier, and Thank You For Your Service”
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6:
“Gingerbread House on Steroids”
This amazing creation was seen at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7:
“Yes, Please!”
Unfortunately, he gets these two mixed up EVERY year!!!
Wreath Fun
I had so much fun at a wreath making class that the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County and the Orleans County Master Gardeners hosted at the fairgrounds on Monday evening! I have never made a wreath using pine boughs before…..made them out of a lot of other stuff, but never made a real, live pine wreath. It was a blast to learn and made for a great evening with good friends…..and, I think I did a pretty good job for my first ever attempt! 🙂
The selection of materials…..it smelled amazing in there!
Getting started……
Finished product! I need to trim and adjust a little, but I’m pretty pleased with it! 🙂
BTW – the eyes in the center are actually on my Rudolph sweater….not part of the wreath – a tad creepy, huh???!!! hehehe
An Albion Family Christmas
Yesterday, I attended and photographed an incredible holiday concert – An Albion Family Christmas. I posted about the concert on the Albion HS Alumni Foundation Blog (click here for that post), so I won’t duplicate the whole thing here – but, please go visit that post to see more photos! I wanted to post the link here, along with a few of my favorite photos of the day – some that were not included in the post on the Alumni Blog. So, here goes:
2016 Daily Photos – December 1-4
Let’s kick off December with these Daily Photos, taken on Dec 1-4:
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1:
“Nippy, Frosty’s Younger, More Fun Brother”
Made with love by yours truly! 🙂
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2:
“View From The Drive Thru”
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3:
“It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas…”
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4:
“A Museum Mouse in the Organ Loft, Oh My!”
Cobble, the Cobblestone Museum Mouse leading a sing-a-long at the “An Albion Family Christmas” concert at the Albion First Presbyterian Church
BONUS:
“Hope”
2016 Daily Photos – November 27-30
Can you believe it? This post closes out my November Daily Photos…..tomorrow is the first day of December…..the year will be done before we know it! But…..let’s take time to enjoy the Holiday Season, first…..especially Christmas!🙂
Here are the final November photos taken on Nov 27-30:
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27:
“First Sunday of Advent”
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28:
“Casualty of the Wind…..I Assume”
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29:
“Just Sitting Here In This Tree, Eating a Peanut”
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30:
“Dr. Seuss Tree”
Love this tree…..it has been a Christmas time staple in my yard for many years!!!
So……tomorrow is the start of December – my last month for 2016 Daily Photos! I hope to use Christmas as my inspiration this month…..but, won’t pigeon-toe myself into that, if I see something really cool to photograph that isn’t necessarily Christmas related! 🙂
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