Just a little Christmas

Just a little bit of Christmas from Hillsborough.  I decided this year that to adopt the 'less is more' philosophy in decorating and opted for a few 'vignettes' rather than the all out decoration of past Christmases.  

"Baby Cat" did not want to be left out of the photo.  Here she is casually sitting among some stuffed and musical  toys. Cats are sneaky that way!!!

 I just love our pre-lit 7 foot SLIM tree. it fits very well in the corner of the family room.  The only problem is that there is less space for the many ornaments and decorations that have been accumulated throughout the years.  One way to display a some of the extra ornaments was to put them in a basket surrounding a pine-scented candle.  When lit, the candle's fragrant pine aroma fills the room with the 'real tree' scent and bring out the sparkle of the multi-colored glass globes.

 The Mantle seems the most logical place to display my Santa, Toy Soldier and Nutcracker collections.

The wicker loveseat that 'winters' in the foyer seemed the ideal setting for more stuffed and musical toys.  The message on the antique marble table reminds us that Christmas is all about 'believing'.

 A Toy Soldier stands guard on the piano, and a 75 year old coat rack becomes a truly SKINNY tree flanked by the wreaths that dress up the door to the home office. 

 

No Christmas tradition would be complete without "A Charlie Brown Christmas". This story has been told countless times, and thanks to Linus reminds us that "that is what Christmas is all about".

Thank you for visiting "This and That" .........and a little bit of the Joy and Peace of Christmas.  From our house to yours, a Very Blessed Christmas and Health and Happiness in the New Year. 

Linda P

Thrift Shop-Behind the Scene

There is a great deal of preparation and strategy that precedes the "first Thursday of the month" Thrift Shop sale. All gently used clothing is donated, thanks to the generosity of its benefactors.  Some of the donations are delivered to St. John's back door, some delivered directly to our homes, and some are picked up on location and delivered  to the shop by members of the Mary, Martha Guild (affectionately known as the "M&M's).

Mother Nature's unexpected October snow storm held up a 'delivery' to my home making it necessary for a Road Trip to Red Bank, N.J. to the offices of Western Pest Services where the generous ladies who work there had TONS of clothing they were donating.  My sister and I were the picker-uppers today.

The generous employees of Western Pest Services:  Shirley, Cindy, AnnMarie and Jeanette.  After describing the workings of the Thrift Shop and thanking the ladies, the donations were loaded into the back of my truck for the return trip to Somerville, N.J., and the subsequent unloading and setting up of the clothing.   

The bagged donations are sorted and placed on designated tables by the 'back stage crew', and then the volunteers take the items and place them on the tables in the sales area (Parish Hall). 

 

 

 In addition to many tables of clothing ranging in size from Newborn to Women's and Men's Plus sizes, we had many shoes for sale. 

A new 'logo' was designed for us by Chris Spolarich, and the aprons we all wear while serving the shoppers were made for us by "Screen Styles" of Manville, N.J. (Chris's employer) and made available to us at a very substantial discount.  Here is Dot Spolarich (Chris's mom) modeling the apron for us.
This Thursday was a particularly special day for the M&M's and the Thrift Shop because it was the day Ms. Polito was presenting donations to three charities within our community to help them continue to help others.

 Dee Guarino and Nancy Michaud representing the East Millstone First Aid Squad, whose building was destroyed in the floods produced by Hurricane Irene.

 Joanne Polito and the Reverend Rafael Perez representing the Salvation Army in Somerville.

 Joanne and Marymae Henley who represents the Cooperative Housing Association.  Also representing the association but not pictured here was Joyce Pennyfeather.

A list of the organizations that the Thrift Shop contributes to:

A letter of thanks from the Executive director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Somerset County. 
November 3. 2001 had special meaning to the Shop because it marked the 6th year anniversary of service to those in need.  To date the Thrift Shop has raised and donated $30,000.00 to the community.

While we appreciated being  recognized and thanked by the various agencies and associations the Shop contributes to, nothing is as rewarding and gratifying as the beaming faces of the women, men and children as they leave the Shop with their purchases.  . 

Thank you for visiting "This and That" and a little bit of .......paying it forward and keeping in mind those in need.      
   Linda P.

What a difference a day makes!

I was busy capturing the reds, yellows, and oranges of the changing of the leaves.  We have some beautiful oaks and maples right in our neighborhood. What began as a simple "Intro to Autumn" pictorial essay ..........

                                                                      



........evolved into an "Intro to WINTER" essay.  These photos were taken Friday morning, and the following were taken barely 24 hours later during the storm, (hence "What A Difference A Day Makes"  )         

 

                                                                                         

Eddie hauling away one of the MANY limbs we lost the to weight of the snow, from the Dogwood alone.

The weight of the heavy wet snow takes its toll on the old Scotch Pine trees.

After 10 hours of a constant wet heavy snow fall, the morning sun softens the effects, if only visually, of the pre-pre-winter Halloween Snow Storm!!!

recognize this tree?  Yes, the same one that started this blog!  It happens to be the most beautiful tree in the neighborhood, and it lives on Elaine's and Ed's front lawn.

 This brings to mind another winter-seasonal song....."I'm Dreaming Of A White H A L L O W E E N ?!?!?"
What would Bing Crosby say????  I say......:Can you say "BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS?????"

Thank you for visiting "This and That" and a little bit of "Winter 101.....a primer"
Please come again and in the meantime - stay warm!

Linda P.

Four and Twenty Blackbirds

Well....not EXACTLY four, more like 20; and not EXACTLY blackbirds, but Turkey Hawks, standing 2-3 feet tall and with a wing-span of 5-6 feet and the face of an angry turkey. These fiendish looking fowl took up residence in the trees along side our house.

 

I tired the scare (crow) tactic using my own straw-filled sentinels, but that didn't seem to faze the hawks.  I decided to seek professional help, and took a trip to Peddlar's Village in Lahaska, Pa. to see the annual "Scarecrow Display and Competition".

                                                                                 

                                                                                        

                                                                          

Having toured the grounds, and enjoying the many scarecrows on display, it was time to sit a spell. This detecting work can be tiring!  On the way home, I spotted the perfect larger than life scarecrows perched on two Edith Ann-and-that's-the-truth sized Adirondack style chairs (remember Laugh-In???).  Perfect foil for those nasty hawks, but sadly just TOO HUGE to be relocated. 

I would love to see the neighbors' faces if these DID appear on the front lawn!!!  Well, as problems do this one solved itself while I was away.......and then there was one (soon to be none) who left when he realized his friends had gone on in search of food elsewhere!


Thank you for visiting "This and That" and a little bit of boo-tiful, spook-tacular scarecrows and the crows (ahem...hawks) they scare.  Please visit again! .......Linda P. 

B O O ! ! !