The (Not so) Rural Pennsylvanian

  • A Little Lancaster County Christmas Closer to Home

    Here is a look around the Lancaster County Farmers Market in Strafford. It’s not in Lancaster County, so I suspect the name has more to do with the origin of some of the vendors. This is a great place no matter.

    At the produce stand.
    A little holiday decor with your produce.
    Now, this is my kind of holiday display.
    A little coffee to go with those sweets.
    Decisions, decisions …
    A little assistance for a boy at the candy counter.

  • A Stoneleigh Christmas

    The Stoneleigh Natural Garden in Montgomery County is a recent addition to the the Natural Lands Trust. The mansion house on the property hosted a Christmas open house on a recent weekend. Although the property is open all but Mondays, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, the house is open only for special events. This property has been used as a residence since 1877, with the current house dating to the turn of the twentieth century. The history of the property can be found here.

    After entering the house you soon come to the grand staircase

    This is quite an impressive staircase.
    This room also holds a large fireplace.
    There are some beautiful stained glass windows to the side of the fireplace (with some additional commentary from yours truly).
    There was a lovely Christmas tree just off the dining room
    There is beautiful woodwork throughout the house.
    This plant needs no introduction.
    A look out one of the upstairs windows.
    The view down an upstairs hall.

    I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and will focus on the exterior and grounds in upcoming posts.

  • A Merry Christmas Pageant

    Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. Here’s a look at the Christmas Pageant at St. Davids Church in Wayne, PA. You can’t beat the combination of community spirit, cute kids, and potentially miscreant livestock. A great and inspirational time was had by all.

    The donkey, however, was not pleased.

  • More Christmas in Black and White

    Here are some Christmas scenes from Phoenixville this past Saturday night.

    There was quite a crowd going through town.
    A visit with Santa.
    It was a “starry” night.
    Time for a night cap.

    I followed up by visiting the Luminaria display at the Lock 60 Recreation Area on the Schuykill River in Mont Clare.

    This was impressive in an eerie sort of way.

  • A Black and White Christmas

    I am experimenting taking some black and white images from around my local area and in my church this holiday season. This is still a work in progress. Check back for more later this month.

    Poinsettias lined up ready for delivery.
    It’s still Advent. Like many Episcopal churches, mine doesn’t actually decorate much for Christmas until it’s the actual liturgical season of Christmas (Christmas to Epiphany).
    Christmas from the little ones.
    Christmas lights from around the area. You’re not losing much in black and white. People seem to like white, not colored, lights these days.
    This one was red and green, however.

  • Peace and Merry Christmas

    Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Chester County. Here are some of the holiday decorations from my town.

    I think this says it all.
    This neighbor is really in the Christmas spirit.
    The Nativity at a local church.
    Mother and child decorated for Christmas.
    My town makes a great collective effort with the Christmas lights.
    Merry Christmas, America.
    Finally, the town Christmas tree.
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