Only in Bucks County: My First Live Nativity

It was this time of year nine years ago when I first would visit Newtown from the Main Line. 

I'd get off of 95 North and see the enormous and magical holiday light display at Shady Brook Farm on the corner. I distinctly remember thinking, "I'll never do that; that must be what Bucks County people do." I was an outsider looking in.
Back then I couldn't have imagined how involved I'd get giving to the community or frequenting the events it offers. Barn tours...local fundraisers...light shows; I'm in!
So when my friend who is on several committees at Crossings Community Church in Newtown asked me to come take some photos of their Live Nativity the weekend before Christmas to use on their website and for their social media, I immediately said yes.
I hope my photos reflect the small town, country feel of their special event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

~ Marcel Proust  

 

Only in Bucks County: The Best House in Buckingham

I have friends who live in a beautiful 18th century stone farmhouse in Holicong, a small pocket of Buckingham Township here in Bucks County. With rolling country roads, the scent of sun-warmed grass and fresh air, and the scenery of well-kept horse farms, open land, cornfields, and periwinkle blue skies at sunset, I enjoy the 15 minute ride to their house as much as I enjoy being a guest there! Dennis and Armando have a place that is full of beauty, love, and warmth; and they go out of their way to make their guests feel welcome in their enchanting home.

The word that I would choose to describe their home is handsome. It's simply a good-looking house! Large and impressive with pointed stonework on the outside; exposed beams, deep window sills, oak floors and antique fireplaces on the inside. I wander around inside, exploring... and I walk around the grounds and feel as though I'm in an earlier, simpler time.

                            The road to Holicong


                                                                Holicong Road

Walking the grounds

 

Formal garden

 

                                                        Annual Christmas photo

                                                      King of coops

 

 

 

Autumn approches

 

 

                                              Side view

 

 

 Random width oak floors

 

                                                                                              Super wide sills

 



 I know a secret: In front of their house stands the largest tree in all of Bucks County!

(Armando tells me it used to be the second-largest tree, but the first one fell over in a storm)

iPhone photo that better shows the enormity of said tree ;)

 

                        

                                                       Armando's Cocina al aire libre

 Chardonnay among Cornfields

 

                                                                             Family

 

Shadows cast by the warm glow of the fireplace

 

A wonderful meal on the terrace
 



 

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth,

 for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire;

  It is the time for home.”

Edith Sitwell

(September 7, 1887-December 9, 1964)

 

 

And of course.... there's always Ethel.

 

------------------------------------------

 

 

 

Only in Bucks County: A Common Thread

I'm not sure if it's just me,

but my favorite photos of Holiday Time seem to have a common thread.

 And I'm not sure if the right word is timeless or nostalgic; vintage or retro,

but they share a certain look, I believe, from a much earlier time.

Taken in Newtown and Doylestown this year and in 2011, many of them

 look like they could have been taken forty, fifty or sixty years ago.

 

Or maybe I just seek out what I'm attracted to.

 

                 (More on this in my next post), but for now,

                     I hope you'll enjoy these -

                                               - and happy, healthy holidays to you and your family!

 

 Doylestown Window Box.

 

Vintage Ornaments at Golden Nugget Flea Market, NJ.

 

Main Street, Doylestown PA.

 

                                                                                Lott Carr House, Doylestown PA

 

Doylestown Window Decor.



                                                 Sam & Santa

A family favorite!

Brie Tartlets with Caramelized Onions and Cranberry.

Dresswell's, Lambertville NJ. 

 



                             Still Life No. 1 

Still Life, Part Two.

               Taken at a Lambertville, NJ Diner.

                                            State Street, Newtown PA



State Street Shoppers.

         Downtown Doylestown. 



 

   Doylestown Decorations.

 

                                            

                                   Doylestown Dodge.



Pretty Poinsettias.

Buckingham Residence.

 

Santa and me.

 

1942 Dodge Truck.

 



Hand-made wreaths at a Newtown Farmstand.

                                                     Timeless Doylestown Borough.

Buckingham Township. 

 Ready to sled. Newtown, PA
 

Antique Store Window, Lambertville NJ

 

Doylestown Township.

 

This is OK.
 

I'm not sure what I think about this...

 

Not OK.

Absolutely NOT OK!

 

...But Merry Christmas anyway!