I want to wish you a Happy New Year!
Thanks to all of you for being my friendly blog neighbors, for stopping by to say *hello* daily, weekly or even just once in a while. I’ve grown to love your company and look forward to the coming year of chats and crafts and this and that. I hope I’ve inspired you the way that I’m motivated and cheered on by your kind words and encouragement.
That’s my humble abode on the left. Isn’t it charming? I love the amber glow in the windows at dusk. Ok, just kidding. But I imagine our virtual neighborhood like this, where you could come talk to me over the fence while I hang out the laundry.
This is actually the amazing attraction Roadside America Indoor Miniature Village in Shartlesville PA. We stopped there during our mad dash for home to stretch our legs and look around. The quote on the outside of the building said, “BE PREPARED TO SEE MORE THAN YOU EXPECT – YOU’LL BE AMAZED” How could we resist? Building this miniature village was one man’s 60 year hobby. There are trains and trolleys running, fountains, waterfalls, you name it. Lots of interactive buttons to press to make the trains go or the swings on the playground move, etc. The kids loved it. I would’ve taken more photos, but much like most of the holiday, I wasn’t up for it.
We’re all feeling better now (thank you for your sympathy!) although I don’t think I’m quite ready to toast the New Year with champagne. Looking forward to 2009 and whatever it may bring!
oh my goodness.. i was going to envy you deeply for living in such an adorable place!!!
i’ve always wanted to go on a roadtrip and stop at every cheesy tourist attraction we could find.
i, however, am quite ready to toast to the new year myself tonight.
happy blogging and happy living!
I’ll drink the champagne for you! Happy New Year!
Ciao Betz ti auguro un felice 2009. auguri from Italy ciaoooo
Wowie you kidder. I was ready to comment that I love your abode!! That village is fantastic. Glad to have found your blog. Happy New Year!!! LindaSolnia
Happy New Year! Thank you so much for your book (it was heavily used this holiday season!), inspiring me, and sharing your creative endeavors. Your a peach and I am so glad you are feeling better. Cheers.
Happy New Year to you too!!!
I did add your blog to my Amazon wish list for my husband and my brother! I wish he Three Kings will give it to me this next January 6th!!!!
lol
Hi Betz, I have just learned your blog from one of my friends mail. I loved it. I immediately added you to my favorites. Hope you can have time to visit my blog as well. Have a blessed 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)
Feliz año 2009 desde Barcelona!
Happy New Year! Glad to hear you’re feeling better.
The village is amazing. I can look at that sort of thing for hours. I have the makings of a dollhouse in my craft room and I haven’t had the nerve to begin it yet. Another expensive hobby.
Oh, I love the village…so cute :-)
I finally got your book (although I’ve speant some time in the craft store reading it) so I felt like I already had it, hehe. I went to the “largest Salvation Army in the US” yesterday and picked up some wool sweaters to felt…woo hoo! I can’t wait to try one of your cupcakes! Thanks for such awesome ideas!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your fam and hope that you are feeling 100% soon!
You drove right by my house in Reading PA! And I’ve heard a lot about that little village – just have to make the trek to get there!
Happy New Year!
You almost had me, the horse drawn carriage and buses puzzled me, does she really live there??? It is a lovely village.
Happy New Year to you & yours!
Kel
Feliz 2009, muito sucesso e saúde a voce.
Um grande abraço do Brasil
Nice
Am catching up on my blog reading and was thrilled to see mention of Roadside America on your blog! I grew up about an hour from there and went many times as a child… Always loved it.. Were you there long enough to see the nighttime show where they dim the lights and play God Bless America?
Hi Emskyrooney,
Yes! We did see the night time show! Too good…
Betz
That was a good one, too funny.
Happy New Year to you, sweet Betz.
susan
Thank you for all of the creativity and good cheer you share.
Your photo and story remind me of an exhibit at the mfa in Boston through Jan 25:
http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/sub.asp?key=15&subkey=6910
An entire village created from doll houses!
Oh my . . . I didn’t know anyone else had ever heard of Roadside America! I grew up in Scranton, PA and my grandparents lived in a little town called Deerlake, not far from Shartlesville. My parents used to take us to see the giant train village when we were kids visiting our grandparents. A few years ago we were back in Deerlake and I took my kids to see it, and its still just as cool as it used to be! Thanks so much for sharing!
we were there this summer.. hasn’t changed since I was a kid 40 years ago, except there’s no petting zoo out back now.