Retro Christmas: Holiday Ships, Boats & Santa Claus

Good morning! It's almost Christmas - can you believe it?? No, me either. 😄 This is a very quick note to share a collection of vintage images feature jolly old Saint Nick, A.K.A. Santa Claus, on festively decorated boats, ships and in nautical themes. If you love these older designs of greeting cards and holiday memories, take a peek at the list of other sites at the end of this post as well.

Welcome Winter! Celebrating the Official Arrival of the Winter Solstice

The sun has officially set on the last day of Fall; tomorrow afternoon, December 21st, the winter season begins. Just four days away from Christmas and other occasion to celebrate this week ~ because Wednesday marks the shortest day of the year, meaning from here forward, each day increases the amount of light we can enjoy. That's definitely cause for rejoicing, don't you think?

Coping With Christmas: Reflections on Evolving, Personal Growth and Finding Joy

"One Week Until Christmas: I Feel Like I'm in a Blender of Year-End-Meets-Holiday-Chaos"

I'm stunned, shocked and appalled; although I've been diligently counting down the days until each major holiday - starting with Halloween - the actual number of weeks and hours simply must have escaped my brain's narrow window of comprehension. I mean really(!); it's one thing to say "Christmas is just 47 days away".....and a completely different thing to realize "it will be here any MINUTE NOW." And that's where I am....wrestling with the reality that just 16 days remain in this time span we call 2022. 😆

Ocean City, MD: Beach Patrol Holiday Train Garden

Have you been to the visitors center at the Ocean City convention center? I'm sure you're familiar with the tall, rounded portion of the building on the left side of the facility, but this time of year it looks a bit different, as the "Rotunda" has magically morphed into a holiday display. Multiple trains run on a round display divided into two uniquely different types of layouts, railroads and scenery.

Delmarva Christmas Lights: Caine Woods House (Ocean City, MD)

This local delight originally started out as a holiday display, and after several years it has now morphed into a year-round attraction featuring constantly changing tunes and performances. The Caine Woods Christmas House is a spectacular light and special effects show, choregraphed to the music played through speakers and also available to listen to via your car radio.

Christmas Lights on Delmarva: Winter Wonderfest in Milton, DE

Finally! We trekked up to Milton tonight (December 9th) to check out this drive-through light experience. Located at Hudson Fields, a couple of miles north of Lewes and right off Route 1, the event was launched in 2016 with the goal of giving back to the local community. To date, Wonderfest has donated an incredible $850,000 to area nonprofits and charities right here in our state. That's pretty impressive!

Train Gardens and Holiday Railroad Exhibits & Events on Delmarva (December 2022)

Hello there and welcome to this year's edition of Railroads and Trains across the Delmarva Peninsula! I've enjoyed these events so much that I wanted to share the information so you can take your family, delight the kids, and experience displays which are artfully crafted with love, skill and expertise.

My Short List of Best Places to Find Quality Clip Art

Nothing fancy to see here folks, just a list of my go-to websites for quality clip art, images, backgrounds and more. Enjoy!

"Fall Back"- Daylight Saving Time Memes And Chuckles

It's everyone's most un-favorite time of the year again - the season of darkness is upon us and turn back our clocks we must. SIGH. There's some good news out there however.....in the future, "they" say this practice will actually be overturned and obliterated once and for all, so no more backwards in fall (ha ha, see what I did there?) 😆

    

Welcome, November | Festive Fall Images for Month #11

Cover graphics and autumn images to celebrate the first day of November! Today is 11/1 and I'm scrambling to wrap my brain around the fact that we'll be consuming turkey later this month and that there are only 54 days until Christmas. (yes, I just double checked that fact....did it take you by surprise too??) I'm digressing, however, because really I'm sorting through my files of seasonal cheer to discover some fun pictures for upcoming dates and occasions.

Colors of Autumn: Scenes from the Delmarva Peninsula

Fall is a time of change and shifts....a season of winding down, for some in our coastal areas, but for others, reasons to plan and prepare for the upcoming holidays. It's also often a chance for reflection and change; decisions put off during the last five months now need to be made; projects postponed while in the midst of a hectic summer are now ready for discussion and progress.

   

Greenwood, DE Volunteer Fire Company: 1924 Model T

I've often referred to vintage vehicles as "art on wheels", and this machine fits that description to a "T". In July 2022 I ran across this beautiful piece of apparatus at a show held in Georgetown, Delaware, at the Marvel Carriage Museum. Here are a few photos I took, along with a bit of history from the GVFC website.

  

Good Neighbor Day is September 28th (but Really It's Every Day)

Good people and pleasant places to live certainly make the world a better place, don't they? If you're lucky enough to have great neighbors to share your street or zip code, with, you probably already know how wonderful such connections can be. Getting to know the people nearby benefits everyone through mutual relationships, creating safer places to live, and promoting respectful interactions in every area of our lives.

A Glance At the Past: Phillips Beach Plaza Hotel

I am the kind of person who loves things from the past - items which once held a special place in the local area - and find them to be far more meaningful than just an ordinary thing which can be bought anywhere. Guess that makes me a nostalgic type of individual, since seeing an old piece of furniture, for example, rehomed into a new location where it will be appreciated and valued as part of history, that feels so much more satisfying than a store-bought purchase.

 

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Greetings and Images to Celebrate the Holiday

I can hardly believe it.....somehow, magically I supposed, we seem to have FLOWN forward and arrived here, in September. (shocked face emoji!!) 😮 It's a beautiful start to month #9 and a gorgeous weekend here on the east coast. I hope you will be enjoying this holiday and finding peace no matter what is on your schedule.

  

Where To Find Local Events on Delmarva

Events, Happenings & Things To Do on Delmarva ~ from birdwatching to surf lessons, art fairs to pancake breakfasts and everything else in between..... some of my go-to calendars for what's going on across the 14 counties of the Delmarva Peninsula.

  

Find Your Strength

STRENGTH.


It's what's inside of you that makes you push through depression, pain, feeling ignored, broken, angry, shattered. The things you go through that hurt the most; stupid stuff you never saw coming; challenges and failures..... they are fuel for your journey and energy for you to overcome whatever happens.

  

1954 Hudson Hornet

Accomack County, Virginia: in a tiny town on the eastern shore I discovered this old Hudson sitting quietly in front of an auto repair shop. The lines were long and flowing, the chrome details and lettering exquisite, and it didn't matter to me that this wasn't a show car.

   

Maryland Torch Run for Special Olympics: Worcester County Torch Run In Ocean City

As the Worcester County Torch Run prepares to kick off on Monday morning, June 6th, I'm sorting out some of my photos from the last couple of years. This is a great event to attend - come out and watch the Special Olympics torch begin it's journey by traveling down the famous Ocean City boardwalk while cheering on the athletes and runners.

  

Promote What You Love Instead of Bashing What You Hate

The following blog post was found on a website titled "The Voices of Youth", written in 2017 by teenager Yeshna Dindoyal. In these simple words I found a lot of wisdom, as well as food for thought, and I wanted to share with you.

Delmarva Commercial Property Listings

Looking for a business for sale or property on Delmarva? One of the best features of our area (I think), is the wonderful small towns, rural destinations and coastal communities which are home to many independently owned and operated stores, restaurants and service companies.

When It Seems As If the Rain Won't Stop.....

After this many days (eight), it's starting to be more funny than anything else....when the dogs crash back into the house after rolling and running in the mud and the dirt and the spring bloom whirlygig things (you know, the little pollen pods?) They are EVERYWHERE, ha ha!

  

Mother's Day for Dog Moms & Cat Moms (2nd Saturday in May)

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing women who rescue, adopt, love, and cherish their beloved furry friends. 💔 The 2nd Saturday of May has been officially proclaimed National Dog Mom’s Day but personally I think it should extend to ALL moms of furkids of all kinds - dogs, cats, feathered friends, rodents, fish and so on, don't you?

'Why I Buy Local" | Thoughts for Small Business Week

Somebody I've known for years (not close friends, just acquaintances), upon hearing me say we haven't been in a Walmart in 13 years just asked me "but where do you buy stuff, get your car worked on, get groceries!?"

Thank You Correctional Officers

Today is the start of Corrections Officer Week, observed the first full week each May since proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. I wholeheartedly believe these men and women deserve much more respect and appreciation than they are given, perhaps due to opinions made by those not in the field or on the front lines of this essential and challenging profession.

Stress Kills; Retrain Your Brain

One of the best ways to fight stress is to retrain our brains not to automatically react in negative ways. We so often fall into a mindset of acting a certain way simply because of triggers or specific actions of others, but good news; we don't have to react - we CAN change that response!

  

Common Courtesy Day: Monday, March 21st

Courtesy....it's a word that almost sounds like something from the past, doesn't it? You don't hear it mentioned very often in today's world, and yet it seems we are desperately in need of kindness, empathy and actions which show caring for our fellow humans.

   

It's the First Day of Spring!

It's here; an ordinary, average Sunday morning has crept up on us again, unremarkable and no different than any other day this month....except today marks the official beginning of the Spring Equinox.

  

Be My Neighbor Day: Mr. Roger's Birthday

Sunday, March 20th honors the life of Mr. Fred Rogers on his birthday with “Be My Neighbor Day".

  

Happy St Patrick's Day 2022 | Humor, Cartoons & Quotes for March 17th

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2022! This March 17th certainly looks vastly different than a year ago, doesn't it - and how long ago that seems, right? I hope your day is filled with good luck, happiness and smiles, but just in case you needed some cheer I have it right here. 😀

 

  

Countdown to Spring (Part I)

The Official Countdown has arrived! What is your favorite spring quote?

 

Celebrate What Comes Your Way

Happy weekend, peeps 👍🎡
This week I've learned things.... the hard knock school of life called, again, HA HA 😅🙄

  

March Fourth! (Thoughts and Images)

March Fourth may not sound like anything special but 0304 *might* just be telling us to go after a something important.

  

Adorably Cute Vintage Valentine's Greeting Cards, Part II

 Happy Valentine's weekend! This is a very quick post as I'm short on time this beautiful Saturday morning, but I wanted to share these irresistibly lovely old-fashioned images with you. I hope you find their sweet messages just the thing to bring smiles and joy to your heart this holiday! 

"Cats And Love" Charming Vintage Valentine's Day Felines in Retro Greeting Cards

Sweet images featuring felines for February in antique Valentine greetings - so cute! I hope these cute old-fashioned greeting cards from the 1940's - 1950's bring a smile to your face this month as we celebrate chapter two of twelve. 😊 Enjoy!

Self-Care and Why It Actually Matters

This can be a tough concept, one I fought for a long time, feeling as I was weak for needing time (or anything) for myself.

  

All Aboard! Open House at the DelMarVa Model Railroad Club

In today's crazy mixed-up world it's a good thing we have people like the folks at the DelMarVa Model Railroad Club! What a fun experience to walk through their layouts and villages, admire models railroad towns and trains of all sizes and marvel at the miniature details built carefully into every scene.

Vision Board Day | Bring Your Goals To Life

Coming up Saturday, January 8th is "National Vision Board Day", focused on creating a physical road map of targets, goals and ideas for the year ahead. Think "mood board meets collage" type of artistic endeavor, but without needing to be artistic at all!