Holiday Excursions

My body has been riddled with arthritis, so the past few years had gotten progressively worse until I was unable to move freely without pain. I had my 1st joint replacement in 2015 and was good for awhile. After I moved back to PA in 2022, I've had more joints replaced and back surgery. I'm now pain free and just need to get stronger through PT and exercise. I soldiered through every procedure, confident that, even at my age, it was worth it. I know how lucky I am, adding a few more years.

Since I'm getting around better, the holidays held many milestones for me. I never make New Year's resolutions, but I vowed to get off my ass. Finally. 

My brother always joins me for Christmas, no matter where I am. Mission TX, Miami FL, wherever. I picked him up from Baltimore airport the past few years. The next day we shopped our feet off at Wegmans, which I haven't done in (a year)? because I can't pull a wheely cart full of groceries...yet. Delivery it is for now.

Another day we shopped at  Roots Market (ding ding ding! prize if you can pronounce it properly). It has many buildings, vendors indoors and out selling fresh produce, baked goods, meat, seafood. There's also a flea market and auction.

so of course we got lost and couldn't find our car, so my brother took the key fob to locate the car while I sat on a bench. A side note: when he used the men's room, he told me there was a Bible in each stall. Contemplative material I suppose. In addition, weekly shopping at Central Market and nearby farm markets provide us with locally grown produce, cheese, flowers, herbs and meats. Grocery stores are  for basics and every year, I look forward to "putting up" for winter as I pressure can seasonal vegetables, fruits, and soup. 

We toured the Hand Mansion at Rockford, decorated for the holidays. 

https://www.historicrockford.org/

On yet another day, we visited Burning Bridge Antique Market in Columbia PA. https://burningbridgeantiques.com/ A plethora of glassware, jewelry, furniture, kitchen items, just about anything.

I've been there before but was physically limited at the time. This time, however, they closed early because an ice storm was heading our way. I'm looking for a few specific items, so I'll be heading back soon. 

Not sure if it's Waterford, but is beautiful.

Hobnail

 

I could swear I have this set in storage! Desert Rose made by Franciscan.

Marcasite

I used to collect vintage colanders.

I had the most unusual Christmas. We decided to not exchange gifts this year. My brother visited from Florida, but daughter Carla had singing gigs and other daughter Nina worked Christmas, so it's just my brother and me until Nina and her boyfriend Carlo joined us later. We had a lovely Christmas meal with good food and company. Christmas isn't about decorating, or baking my brains out, buying the perfect gifts, last minute wrapping while watching the Pope at St Peter's Basilica in the wee hours of Christmas the morning. Gifts don't always come in boxes.