Debra LaValley's Blog

What Goes Around – Comes Around

On Saturday, I was driving my “Eagle Loop” to see if I could see any eagles.  I didn’t see any eagles, but I saw some acquaintances taking a walk.  One had just had surgery – so I asked how he was doing, etc.  Fellow birders – we were watching a Peregrine Falcon trying to get a pigeon for lunch.  I got out of the car and tried for a photo – but the falcon flew away from us – so my shots were pathetic.  I was told that they had something that belonged to me, and if I followed them to their house, they would give it to me.  I was amazed to be handed an old ruler with 1968 and my name written on it.  I recognized my handwriting immediately and figured that I was in the 6 grade when I had this ruler.  47 years later – it finds its way back to me. So strange!

I have my tree up and the apartment is starting to look very festive, and I have only just begun to shop for Christmas presents. I like to give Thanksgiving its due. We had a lovely Thanksgiving at Ken and Dorothy’s house this year. We missed my dad – and my mom brought a candle with his name on it that we placed on the table in his memory.

The next few weeks will be crazy busy. I wish everyone peace through out this season. Try to keep the stress levels down and enjoy time with family and friends for the time we spend together is truly the gift of the season!

More soon!

Tis’ the Season!

Yes, It is Friday the 13th

My nephew Michael had requested my mom’s pork pie recipe a while back. I thought of it tonight when I stopped over my mom’s after work today. She took out her recipes. I thought with the holidays coming that I would share a few.

This is her favorite recipe that she got from the newspaper or somewhere many years ago. She made some slight changes to the recipe. She likes this one the best because she likes to use both hamburg and pork.

This one was Grammy La Valley’s (Olive La Valley):

The last of her recipes, and another of her favorites, is this one from a magazine (could have been Better Homes & Gardens).

I am thinking that I may have to try and make a vegetarian variation. 🙂

I Can’t Believe it is November!

Where does the time go? Yesterday, I saw Casper the Albino squirrel run across Lilac Street and over toward the oak trees. I was driving my mom back from church. My mom hadn’t seen him in a long time. It is always great to see him. I took this photo about a week ago. We are busy planning my mom’s 80th Birthday party that we are giving her this Sunday (it isn’t a surprise).

More later!

Have a great week everyone!

Smile! It is October!

I Love October!

October is my favorite month of the year. I love the colors and the crispness to the air! I also love Halloween! It is so much fun decorating and watching my favorite Halloween-themed shows and movies.

I saw my first jack o’lantern this morning when I stopped by my mom’s this morning to walk Toby. Before I left, I snapped a couple shots with my phone. The old Beaudoin’s house had the jack o’lantern. Another family lives there now. I will always remember the great neighborhood Halloween party that the Beaudoins hosted when I was young. They had it in their garage. There was lots of candy, fun, and we bobbed for apples!

I made a Cousin It for my porch (and one for my mom). It is made out of a tomato cage, a couple grass skirts, a bowler hat, and sunglasses. He is very cute, I think.

I still have a bit more decorating to do. Have a great week everyone!

October is Here!

October is my favorite month! Fall is here – my favorite season! I don’t really have much to say tonight – so I will share some moose shots that I took recently. A moose was by the pond and I saw him on my way home! They are such huge animals!

Eclipse – Super Blood Moon (9/27/15)

Last Night’s Celestial Event

Last night was a full “super moon.” It was also a total lunar eclipse. It won’t happen again for quite a few years. I went to Tim & Dianne’s house around 9:00 to watch the eclipse. Tim, Dianne and their daughter sat in lawn chairs and watched. I stood by my tripod and snapped photos. The above was one of the better ones. Unfortunately, dew was all over my lens around 10:00 – so I didn’t get too many good photos when the moon was in full eclipse. It was a great thing to watch.

This morning, I had a Casper the Albino Squirrel sighting. His feet were stained. He looked like he had been touched by the Super Blood Moon last night. 🙂

The Past is Calling

I love hearing stories about the past. Family stories. Stories about Penacook and Boscawen. I love genealogy and reading about those who came before and their stories. I find it all fascinating. I grew up listening to stories told by my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Many of our stories were told around a family table with a lot of delicious food. We spent so much time with our extended families. Great times.

Most of the Gang at Bob & Shary’s Party

The lamp in the photo was made by my Uncle Leo and Grampa Ross (Ken Ross). I was told that they knew where candlestick phones were thrown away. They cleaned some of the phones up, and my Uncle Leo – who was very handy with electrical stuff – fitted the old phones with wiring to make lamps. Recently, my mom gave me this lamp. My parents had it for decades. The lamp still works. I remember Uncle Leo had to put in a new cord. The lamp is cool because when you pick up the receiver, the light goes on and when you hang it up, the light turns off. Very ingenious, I think.

Keep the stories coming . . .

Snow Street out by the Fire – many years ago

Smokey Bear

Boscawen Old Home Day Parade

Today, is Boscawen Old Home Day! The parade is always such great fun. I always love to see Smokey Bear. I miss the parades Penacook used to have. There were events all day long in Boscawen. My mom and Aunt Mary Jane went to the chicken and pork BBQ supper. There are also fireworks planned at Jamie Welch Field. I am sure that I will be able to hear them from my house. I won’t be able to see them from my house. I am not able to drive yet – so won’t be heading to the field anyway. It would be too hard to walk around even if I got a ride. I had knee surgery Monday (for a torn meniscus and to get arthritis smoothed). I am doing well and walking OK – but tire easily. I didn’t have to use a cane today and managed a few walks 🙂

Below are a few more parade shots – I took many! It was a beautiful day!

This year’s theme: We love our cows and that’s no bull.

My cousin told me the theme came as a result of a town meeting where some new folks complained about the smell of the cows at Highway View Farm! This farm has been in the Crete family for generations and the town said they loved the cows, etc. 🙂

Decorative cows have lined Main Street for a few weeks. It was a contest. There had to have been about 50 of them. A couple of my favorites:

Newfound Lake, Bristol, NH

Ahhhh – Vacation!

I returned yesterday from a 2 week vacation at Newfound Lake with my mom and Aunt Mary Jane. I have not had a 2 week vacation in years. It was so relaxing. Newfound Lake has always been special in our family. My mother went when she was young, and we spent many weekends at Wellington State Park growing up as well. For a few summers, my folks rented a camp for a week at the lake. Such memories and so much fun.

Last year, my mom and dad sold their camper. Camping was getting to be too much work. My mom asked if I would rent a cabin for one week if they did. I said sure. In January, we made our reservations for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, my dad died on March 3, but we decided to keep the reservations and invite my Aunt Mary Jane to come along with us too since Uncle Bob passed two weeks before my dad. It was a great get away for us all and the weather was great! It was quite steamy inland – but the lake was refreshing and was a bit cooler than in town. Toby the dog enjoyed the vacation as well. He was a good boy.

We are hoping to reserve the same cabin again next year for two weeks.

Below is a small selection of photos from the vacation.

Mom and Aunt Mary Jane

Aunt Mary Jane Enjoying the Peace of the lake

Me 🙂

Gorgeous Sunset

I could go on and on sharing photos, but I will leave you with only one more:

Ahhhhhhh 🙂