Stribling Orchard

Every fall, we take a trip out to Stribling Orchard.

Family owned for over 200 years, 

the orchard boasts a wonderful assortment of seasonal deliciousness.

Today, we stuffed our bags (and our bellies)... 

I think an applie pie is on the menu for the weekend!

Or maybe we'll try pumpkin instead :)

Our Annapolis tradition

So I had to hop online one last time before signing off for the Christmas holiday.

Not only am I taking a blogging break; I'm taking a *computer* break...

and oh, how the mere thought sends shivers of excitement down my spine!

Before I do however, I want to share a few more photos from our weekend in Annapolis,

a few from a very favorite spot~

This is Chick & Ruth's.

Our favorite hang-out in downtown Annapolis.

And the home of our annual challenge...

the 6-pound chocolate milkshake.

We guzzled one last year-- my crew, my folks and Chris's as well,

and this year, we vowed to do the same.

Of course, a few in our bunch wanted to tackle TWO 6-pounders,

but alas, we settled for only one. Maybe next year~

Good to the very last drop... I promise!

So should you ever find your way over to this cozy little bayside town,

be sure to hop on in...

and give me a buzz if you do.

One more chocolate milkshake *surely* has my name written all over it :)

**********

See you next year~

and have a merry, merry Christmas!

We certainly have much to celebrate... this time of year and always~

"Arise, shine, for your light has come..."

Isaiah 60:1

Gettysburg

From Cunningham Falls State Park (that's where we camped), it's a mere 30-minute drive to Gettysburg. Since:

-- the boys and I spent several weeks studying the Civil War last spring

-- nary a one of us had ever been to Gettysburg (from my family, I mean)

-- our friends raved of their previous visit and highly recommended that we head that way

-- the 2 adult men in our party = history buffs... especially of the Civil War variety. A few hours at Gettysburg = music to their ears.

... we decided we really must go, and oh... I'm so very glad we did. The skies were blue, the mosquitoes were gone, the company was the best... we couldn't have asked for a better adventure.

Here's the abbreviated version~

:: The Devil's Den --->

:: the site of Chamberlain's famous charge --->

And the view from above... from Little Round Top... extraordinary!

The perfect day trip~ Gettysburg.

Our weekend in pictures: Camping

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

~Leonardo DaVinci

The fire is the main comfort of the camp, whether in summer or winter,

and is about as ample at one season as at another.

It is as well for cheerfulness as for warmth and dryness.

~Henry David Thoreau

To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment than almost anything else in the world.

~Charles Dudley Warner

Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life,

and the labors of life reduce themselves.

~Edwin Way Teale

You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.

~Vernon Howard

In the woods. With a tent. And great friends. And yummy food.

The stars, the sky, the fire (oh... the fire!).

It was an absolute blast! Yep, an absolute blast...

and the epitome of simple living.

Sign. me. up.

To find the universal elements enough;

to find the air and the water exhilarating;

to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter...

to be thrilled by the stars at night;

to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring -

these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

~John Burroughs