Flashback Thursday: Views of Pittsburgh that may surprise you

Pittsburgh -It will surprise you

Pittsburgh has an amazing number of things to entertain a visitor. I am going to show you just a little teaser to get you interested in seeing what all the excitement is about.

Some of the painted buildings near the Mattress factory

One of the permanent displays at the Mattress Factory

The Mount Washington incline

The car of the Mount Washington Incline

The Carnegie Mansion

The many looks of hostas

There was a time when I hated hostas. I chopped down all the ones that lined our driveway when we moved into our home. What was I thinking? I have come to really enjoy and appreciate the variety and the ease of growing hostas. Here are a few that now grace my yard. 

Flashback Thursday: Lake Spangenberg

14 Years ago we made a life-changing decision. We decided to invest in a vacation home. Our daughter Kasey and son-in-law John joined us on the adventure and we bought a lake house on Lake Spangenberg in Pennsylvania. Lake Spangenberg is located in the town of Mount Cobb which if you have ever taken I-84 to its end, is the last exit before I-81. 

Lakes in this area of the North Poconos are man-made. This lake is small and allows only electric motors  to be used making it a quiet area. We have wonderful neighbors and have come to really love the area. Welcome to our little piece of paradise. 

Peaceful view from our back yard

Al out on the Lake

Did I forget to mention the good fishing?

The colors of my life

I don't know about you but I love color. I also love photography. I find that if I see a great sunset, I need to pull over and start to take pictures. This doesn't only happen when we are on vacation, though it certainly has happened there, just as often it happens at home.

For several years I visited my mother every night for dinner at the nursing home where she is a resident. Dinner is served at around 6 p.m.  For much of the year, this is a great time to get sunset pictures.

I have trained my husband to stop the car and pull over when I see a shot that I must take. 

These days, I don't always use my Canon Sure Shot, just as often I use my iPhone 4s and I am pretty pleased with the shots that I get.

Peonies are busting out all over

My white peonie is in full and glorious bloom. My pink is still just in the bud stage. 

Rhododendrons in my yard

As spring meanders into summer, the rhododendrons in my yard burst into blooms. This week they went from buds into glorious full bloom. 

Notice the bumble bee