OHIO's Fall Beauty and Christmas In The Woods, Shaker Woods that is !!

I would like to make a border for the Blog of Fall Foliage photos, but I would not know how. So will do my usual. We have been taking some photos of the leaves changing when weather permits. There has been so much rainy and cloudy days, that it has been difficult. I still have not any brilliant orange or red photos. We have seen them but either do not have the camera or the driver does not stop the car! In the past year and a half of travel, we still think that Ohio's sugar maple country is the most colorful when leaves start to change! And that is compared to the northeast states. Could be we are just a little prejudiced. Even the beauty looking out from our door over the back yard here at the apartment is just beautiful!! We love it! Then going down our steps we found this beauty! Beauty, you say? Yes, no activity there now!! It is amazing looking at the structure. And Wayne, you thought the one near the power pole going on to Rt. 90 was unique !! And we thought the bird nest on top of a power pole going on to Wellesley Island in New York was unique!! Guess they will build anywhere to avoid us humans! Also thought this truck that we followed down from Rt. 90 was interesting , but could be dangerous also. Amazing that there are vehicles using such huge tires!! We have been wondering for a couple years what this house is being renovated for, is as we drive through Sebring, Ohio. Gary has heard recently that it is supposed to be a Bed and Breakfast. It sure is beautiful and has been enlarged during the renovation process. I think that I would love to try it out!! It would have to be grand inside also! Yesterday we braved the elements and went to Columbiana to Shaker Woods to go through the booths for Christmas in the Woods that is held every year in October. It is fun but much of the same stuff. There is one booth that sells all forms of Santas. Each year she always has a new style Santa, probably 24 to 30 inches high, that sells for $115 this year. I had heard that she has put all of her children through college with this income. People come from the states around us to buy these each year! So she sure has a good market for them. They did not want her booth photographed, so I heeded the request. The rest of the booths are more crafts of all kinds, as well as good art. Gary had a booth there for about three years, for his pencil art, but the majority of the people going through are looking mostly at crafts to buy. This year we went so Gary could find a blacksmith working with iron to have a tool made to use when winching the straps on the car while putting it on the tow dolly. And we came away with one!! But we are paying today with hurting joints from the dampness and SLOW walking. There is even a little chapel for church services on Sunday morning for the crafters!! And Christmas carolers for the shoppers ! A booth for Dulcimer enthusiasts !

Booth after booth and many people making trips to their cars and coming back for more! Sandy, you would just love this place!! My favorite is the Boswell's booth of Dips and Sauces. I have to get my supply refilled. I have even ordered from them by mail and had it shipped ahead to wherever I would be for the Holidays. I find it the easiest way to make dips of any kind.

And my most favorite is sitting on benches listening to B E Taylor playing and singing !! I would like to see him sometime with a larger variety of his music. He has his own twist to the traditional Christmas music and it is great! The season will be upon us before we know it. I am getting ready to begin some cookie baking. The boys and my daughter-in-law are looking forward to it. It may be the last year for a while if we get to go west next year, so they had better savor it!

And updating on my health; surgery is over and only radiation, as a precaution, to go. Actually, I have been feeling very well. You wouldn't know that I had surgery, unless you lived with me.

So we are looking forward to getting out of the cold! This coming week is promising some warmer temps, but I am sure it will not last long. I just hope the freezing and snow holds off!!

We will try to keep you updated more through the Blog! Try!

Take care and God Bless you all!!

SAYING GOODBYE in OHIO with Update on Health Issues

We said "Goodbye" to old friends (This one was a big fella!) and prepared to take the motorhome south , as planned for safe keeping for the winter while we take care of health issues. Before leaving we found a temporary home with friends near were we used to live in Salem. It is nice and sufficient space to keep up with our hobbies and also be able to bake for the family for the holidays. That will keep us happy for a few months. The back yard here is beautiful including bushes, trees, flower bed and small garden. But the easiest for us to see from our windows is the lake with the geese . Although, I think that it is transient flocks now, as they are going south for winter also. I had surgery a week ago and am scheduled for surgery again Wednesday. So we made a day of running around this past Saturday for a change. I needed the exercise! We stopped in at Mike's Grille on State Street in Salem for lunch and got to chat with the owner, Mike himself . It brought back memories as he grew up with our boys. He is a great chef and we enjoyed a delicious lunch! We'll see you again before we leave town to travel, Mike. We wish you much success with the restaurant!! From there we walked the streets for Salem's Heritage Days and got to visit with old friends. Home Savings' mascot was out roaming about also. You did a great job as Sponge Bob, Kevin! The kids enjoyed it, I am sure. We stopped by the Salem Hunt Club display to see an old friend, Maytag ! Good to see you again, Rudy and tell your wife "Hello" for us. Hope you can get to traveling more in the near future. It is great. We love it and can't wait for this health issue to be behind us so that we can get out west as we intended to do this winter. However, it will have to be next winter instead! On down the street we stopped by to see other friends who were popping corn . We even got curb service !! Hope you had a fun day, Deb and Isis!! After leaving downtown, we went to check out Habitat for Humanity's Restore. Nice!! And we hear that you are growing and going to move down the road. Keep up the good work!! It is a good cause and we enjoyed our many years working with it!

And we checked back in with our friends at Timashamie Campground before they close up shop for the winter. We found a few friends home and stopped in at Seven Springs Restaurant there at the campground to say "Hello" to cook, Debbie . Your decorating for Halloween was very nice! Hope you have plenty of patrons in to enjoy your good cooking as well as enjoying the decor !! Hope you all have a great winter as well!

The trees are just beginning to change here and I hope that we can get some more pictures before the leaves fall.

We will see you on down the road soon. Take care and happy traveling!