Ring in the New Year!

Happy New Year!

Bell made in 1844 by the Buckeye Bell Company, Cincinnati, Ohio

Model of Cincinnati and Train Display

Good morning,

Today's images are of the model of Cincinnati at the Cincinnati Museum Center.  The Duke Energy Train Display has now been integrated with the Museum Center Display for a permanent exhibit. 

The Roebling Suspension Bridge at Cincinnati was John Reobling's pprototype for the Brooklyn Bridge.

I took these pictures through glass without flash with my baby camera, a Canon PowerShot SX 210IS.  I think that little camera does a great job!

In this image you can get the size perspective with other museum visitors in the background.  This is displayed in a giant room and the trains are running.

 This is a model of the building in which we are taking all of these pictures, Cincinnati's Union Terminal.  Images of this building were used as the Joker's Lair in one of the Batman movies. 


All the best,
Lois

1925 Ford Model T Station Wagon

Good morning,

My Honey and I enjoyed Cincinnati's History Museum at the Museum Center recently.  The Museum Center is in the old Union Terminal (train terminal) near downtown Cincinnati.

The old car pictured above is where our modern day station wagons got their name.  The vehicle transported people and their luggage from the train station to hotels in the city.

In days to come I'll feature more images from the Museum Center.

Enjoy,
Lois

Presents!

Good morning,

These are the images that are always so much fun to take and to have in years to come. 

Aunt Carol, friend Bill, our son, his wife, and their six children were here for Christmas Eve dinner and presents, of course!

Our daughter, Catherine, made and served a fantastic dinner, then it was (finally!) time for presents!

Sadly, our oldest son and family were not able to travel to Cincinnati this year.  Perhaps next time.

 As I took these pictures I mentioned how funny it seemed that everyone was squeezed into about one third of the living room because that is where the tree and the presents were!

 Santa had some pretty good communication this year so everyone got what they wanted for Christmas.  :) I asked Santa for knitting needles and I got them!

 Even Penny and Erik received gifts. 

 They had been sniffing presents under the tree, but didn't touch until we gave them theirs.  Of course, they already knew which ones were theirs.  They are so cute when we tell them they can open their presents!

 We all had a fabulous time! 

 Does anyone else chuckle when you think of how long it takes to wrap all of these presents compared to the few minutes it takes for them all to be opened?  It is so worth it!

All the best,

Lois

Decorative Cabbage

Good morning,

There isn't much happening in the outside garden right now, but I did spot these decorative cabbages when we were out recently.

They add such pretty color when everything else is brown!

Enjoy,
Lois

Christmas Tree Decorations of Recycled Materials

Good morning,

These images are from the Cactus Room at Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati.

The decorations in this room are made of recycled materials.

I'm pretty traditional when it comes to Christmas decorations and I love hand made ornaments.  These trees had pretty hand made ornaments made of red coke cans.

Other decorations in the room have a Southwest US flavor.  Very nice!

All the best,
Lois

The Nativity Display by Western & Southern Life Insurance Company Since 1939

Good morning and Merry Christmas!

Beside the Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati is the Nativity Display that has been sponsored by the Western & Southern Life Insurance Comapny since 1939.

You can't see much from the outside any more.  You used to be able to see the Holy Family inside from the street.  Perhaps that has been changed to be politically correct....

Live animals are part of the display.  I can't help but think of knitting when I see these pretty sheep.

To enter the display, you walk around to the side.

When we walked inside the lady ahead of us said, "Ewww, it smells like a barn...."  Well, yes, it is supposed to smell like a barn.  I found the smell of the hay quite pleasant.

Looking out of the front of the the building we can see the four sheep grazing.  At night they are brought in for warmth and safety.

 The display is quite realistic and beautiful.  Behind the figures is a live donkey.

 The display also includes items showing how people lived with the animals.

 At the exit is a place to leave a donation for those less fortunate.  How appropriate.

I've been visiting this display every year since I was a child.  It's a part of celebrating Christmas in Cincinnati.

All the best for a joyful Christmas,
Lois

Christmas Trees - Krohn Conservatory - Cincinnati, Ohio

Good morning,

Here are more images of our trip to Krohn Conservatory near our home in Cincinnati.  There were many pretty Christmas trees.

This giant tree in the lobby of the Conservatory had been decorated with hand made ornaments made by Park Board members. 

A bird house tree house!  How special. :)

This giant poinsettia tree was the backdrop for many pictures of people visiting the Conservatory.  Beautiful!

Here is My Handsome Honey who is wearing the hat and scarf I made for him for Christmas.  Sometimes you have to open a present early when it gets cold outside.  ;)

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Lois

Christmas Train Display - Krohn Conservatory

Good morning,

The Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati is literally right down the street (well, Parkway, actually) from where we live.  We pass it when we go downtown and we go there to visit several times a year.

There is a beautiful Christmas Train Display this year.  This is a cable car reminiscent of the old Cincinnati Incline.  For Cincinnati readers who know about the Incline, I remember it from pictures my parents took.  The Incline was long gone by the time I was born.  ;)

There are familiar structures from around the world.

And, above is a wonderful train that slowly winds its way around the room.

 Even Thomas the Tank Engine is here!

 And, Thomas brought some friends.

 This little cable car has the emblem of the Cincinnati parks on the side.

 What a fun display!

 I walked around several times and kept taking pictures from different angles.

 Then I spotted a replica of the building in which I was standing almost hidden among the flowers.

 I'm so glad we stopped in today and I hope you've enjoyed the images, too.

All the best,
Lois