Happy New Year!

Time to get back to work...

The holidays are over here at 3 P and N.  It's time to get back to work and accomplish some of the goals I've made for the year.  I have a lot of plans...for quilting, writing and designing and look forward to an industrious year.  Hope you and your family are enjoying the week and have a safe and happy New Year!

Wishing you and yours...

Greetings from the Christmas City!

Old postcard of Bethlehem, PA.

O Tannebaums....

I have a friend who has 17 Christmas trees in her house.  TRULY!!!  It's always wonderful to check out what she has done.  At Longwood they have a lot of Christmas trees too.. Check these out:

one main fountain

gingerbread man tree

tree made out of blue succulents

more plant combos...

Hydrangea blossoms decorate these

 Trees made by local grade schools!

Fountains at Longwood...

Here are photos of some of the fountains that can be found in the conservatory.  One of my favorites is this one below.  Every now and then, a stream of water from the fountain under the arch would shoot up and ring the bell,  startling but fun!

The creatures in the children's garden were not only shooting water into this pool but donned in their wintery best clothing:

I don't think you can make the hummingbirds out that well but that is what this sculpture features: 

There are more fountains and plenty of pools, waterways and waterfalls throughout the conservatory but these were some of my favorites.  Tomorrow, Christmas trees.....

Longwood Gardens, 2012

I'm doing three installments of photos from Longwood Gardens...for those of you who haven't been there, imagine a place that you can go to in the middle of winter and find an eternal spring.  If you live near Northeast Pennsylvania, you should really take in the experience.  It is always so inspiring and is such a nice pick-me-up any time of the year!  We spent our entire time exploring the large conservatory...really large, like gardens and gardens full....

Busy days

First of all, I'm having problems posting on blogs but I have been keeping up with everyone's photos and news.  Hopefully, blogger will rectify this soon!

In other news....My husband has been on the road for about  46 weeks this year, a lot of time, even for his schedule.  I'm grateful he has work but I am more grateful to have the next few weeks with him on vacation!  We've been keeping busy and are rarely home these days.  Yesterday we went to lunch and a dog show with our friends, Mike and Lu.  Check out the Poodles being judged.  These have the puppy cut which we use on our dogs:

These not so much: 

And let's not forget the dread lock dog (sp?):

Last weekend, we visited our kids and also took in a few museums in our valley.  These pics are from the Boutlon estate which has the original furnishings in and even had carolers singing in victorian dress.  I loved this old fireplace: 

This was from the ladies sewing room:

Tomorrow we are taking my aunt to Longwood Gardens for her Christmas present.  Can't wait to see what that will look like!

Hope you are enjoying this joyous season as well!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Did you put your shoes out last night?  Sometimes St. Nick leaves a little gift in them!  At least that is one of the traditions we love in our home. 
Things are okay.  Hand is healing nicely:

Husband is coming home tonight! Dogs are good although mother wants Greta to go back to living with her.  Not sure my dogs will handle that well (or Greta) more on that later.

Some good things on the web these days!  First of all check out Sarah's free embroidery pattern for Christmas, I can't wait to be able to sew so I can do one of these!  I love that the little girl is holding a Christmas ball!  Also Allie has a list of free tutorials on her blog!  Kelly has a neat idea on her blog; she is doing a block each week for a year (can't wait to see these!).  I'd love to participate but it will be a while until I am up to that and I already have two projects going here (then again, what is one more?).  I might jump in just to make sure I get a block done every week which would be STUPENDOUS!

Hope you are all doing well and will be catching up as I can.  Take care and keep well!