A Playful, Earth-Conscious Resource For Your "Ing" Journey

Weekend What-To-Do: December 3-4

December 2, 2011 by buckbuckgoose | 0 comments

Malvern’s Victorian Christmas

This Saturday, December 3rd, from 10am – 2pm enjoy some holiday entertainment from the Philadelphia Boys Choir performing at Malvern’s Victorian Christmas. This event is produced by the Malvern Business & Professional Association. It is a rain, snow, shine or starlight event. Dress for the weather. The event is coordinated by Jerry and Kathie Brown. Call 610-296-9096  or visit the website here for more info.
Wayne’s Old-Fashioned Christmas
This Saturday, December 3rd, from 10:00am – 11:30am have a fun, old-fashioned good time along Lancaster Avenue & ending at the Wayne Hotel in Wayne. This event features the Radnor High School Marching Band & Cheerleaders & Valley Forge Military Academy Field Music Group. You can visit with Santa on the veranda of the Wayne Hotel until 11:30 am. Enjoy fresh baked cookies and hot chocolate compliments of Paramour.
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides in Historic Kennett Square
This Sunday, December 4th, from 12pm – 3pm in historic Kennett Square. The cost is $5 per person. For more information on this event call 610-444-8188 or visit here for more information.

Working From Home and My Winter Jacket

December 1, 2011 by buckbuckgoose | 0 comments

Thankful For Thursday, December 1:

1) Days when my husband can work from home and spend extra time with Ap, Er, and me

2) My new winter jacket to keep me warm when I’m outside on brisk, cold days

3) A home-cooked meal that fills the house with a wonderful aroma

4) Getting excited to spend the holidays with Ap and Er, starting a lifetime of fond memories

5) A steaming hot shower to provide a physical and mental cleanse, relaxing the body and the mind

The Gift of the Magi

November 29, 2011 by buckbuckgoose | 0 comments

The Book Blurb for this week is for the book: The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. I thought this would be a wonderful book to plug at the start of the season of giving. The Gift of the Magi is a magical book that really highlights the power of love. Della and Jim both want to buy one another something special for Christmas. However, they do not have a lot of money to do so. They make sacrifices in order to give each other lovely gifts, only to find that it doesn’t really work out. I don’t want to give away the story, but I can assure you, it is one that will move you. I first heard this story in high school and I have never forgotten its powerful message. I have a miniature copy of this book and I will make it a Christmas season tradition to read it every year when Baby Ap and Baby Er are older. It really demonstrates the true meaning of the holidays. The Gift of the Magi is a gift in itself.

Weekend What-To-Do: November 26-27

November 25, 2011 by buckbuckgoose | 0 comments

The Family Fun & Dinosaur Fest

This Saturday, November 26th, from 10am – 8pm see some amazing dinosaurs up close at the Greater Phila. Expo Center, located at 100 Station Avenue in Oaks. There will be loads of fun things to do: pan for gems, dig for fossils, moonbounces, pony rides, petting zoo, and more. Go here for details and ticket information!
Santa’s Express
This Saturday, November 26th, from 11am – 12pm have a holiday train ride aboard Santa’s Express. Start at the Market Street Station at 230 E. Market St. in West Chester. Join Santa for a 90 minute journey on a heated decorated train through the Chester Creek Valley. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be greeting everyone at Market Street Station and then going along for the ride to Glen Mills. Once at Glen Mills passengers can disembark and explore the historic station. There will be plenty of photo opportunities on Santa’s lap inside the station. Upon return to West Chester, all passengers receive treats from Santa! Passengers also enjoy the live music of Greg Wright and friends singing all of your favorite Christmas songs. The cost is Adults – $20 Children (ages 2-12) – $12.50 Toddlers (not on adult lap) – $5.00. Visit here for more info.
Santa’s Paradise Express- Strasburg Railroad
This weekend from Friday, November 25th, to Sunday, November 27th celebrate the magic of the holiday season on the Strasburg Railroad at Rt. 741 East in Strasburg, Lancaster County. Potbelly stoves gently warm the passenger cars as you travel with Santa. Sing along with live musicians at the station. Coach Fare: Adult (12+): $17.00 Child (3 – 11): $10.50 Toddler (under 3): $3.00 First-Class Fare: All Ages: $26.00 (includes hot chocolate and a cookie) President’s Car Fare: All Ages: $30.00 (includes hot chocolate and a cookie) Dining Car Fare: Adult (12+): $19.00 Child (3 – 11): $12.50 Toddler (under 3): $5.00. Visit their website if you want to know more!

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2011 by buckbuckgoose | 0 comments

In the spirit of this day of gratitude and appreciation, I’m going to start a new series of posts here on Buck Buck Goose. Every Thursday will now be “Thankful For Thursday.” I will be writing five things I’m thankful for at that particular time. I used to keep a gratitude journal and write in it every day. It was a great way to celebrate moments of beauty in my daily life. Since I’m on the computer more these days, I thought why not try to revive my journal writing in a whole new way. Enter: “Thankful For Thursdays”. So, here is today’s list:

1) My funny, loving, and supportive husband who always believes in me,  inspires me, and encourages me

2) My two beautiful, healthy daughters who have helped me become the mother I always wanted to be

3) My caring family made up of wonderful individuals, each bringing their own passions, talents, and gifts to share

4) A deliciously cooked meal and a safe, warm, inviting home to enjoy it in

5) A cozy bed, adorned with flannel sheets and plush pillows after a long day of cleaning, cooking, entertaining, and celebrating

Happy Thanksgiving!

How to Have a Green Thanksgiving

November 23, 2011 by buckbuckgoose | 0 comments

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is really about gathering together and sharing a meal. Christmas is fun, but I like the slower pace of Thanksgiving with less gift buying, gift wrapping, and gift giving. For me, Thanksgiving day is really about cherishing time spent with those you love. This year, I wanted to look up ways to have a more “green” Thanksgiving. Love all the stuff on this list!  It made me really think about how we could save food and energy this year. The tips mentioned here are fabulous too. I like how after each suggestion it states when to try it out (two weeks ahead, day before, day of, etc.). Buying local produce and cleaning with non-toxic cleaners is good to do all the time, and even more so for holiday festivities. Finally, I was happy when I read the list found here. I already use reusable pans, cook as many things in the oven at one time that I can, and reuse decorations from year to year. New ones to think about:  using a cooler instead of the fridge for beverages and making decorations from edibles. We don’t have a fireplace, but lighting one up with newspaper logs to save on energy is a superb idea! I’m sure there are plenty of ways to have a more eco-conscious Thanksgiving. I hope these links just get you started.

Thanksgiving Crafts

November 22, 2011 by buckbuckgoose | 0 comments

Every holiday, I like to try out some new sort of craft, decoration, or recipe. (New recipe this year: Organic Japanese Sweet Potatoes….yummy!) The design part helps me stay in touch with my artistic side and unwind. This year, I started searching for some green Thanksgiving craft ideas since it will be the first time we have Thanksgiving at our house. I loved what I found!  The fall leaves garland featured here is so endearing. I really like the warm, autumn look it gives a room. Plus, the suggestion of writing what you and your family are thankful for on the leaves makes it even more special. I will definitely make one when Baby Ap and Baby Er are a little older. It will be fun searching for leaves with them and helping bring a little bit of nature inside during this beautiful, changing time of year. Another idea that I love is this. I did something similar. I used some old cardstock scrapbooking paper I had in my arts and crafts bin. I then went out hunting for some different types of fall leaves, hot glued them onto the folded placecards, wrote the names in cursive, and voila! I think they will really spice up my Thanksgiving table. At this site, I love the handprint turkey shirts, the personalized placemats, and the “Thankful For” box. I’m going to keep those creative ideas in my back pocket for a Thanksgiving down the road. Doing something new each year will be refreshing and exciting. Some of the suggestions from here that I will most certainly do some day are the homemade, hand-painted table cloth, the dried gourd turkey, and my ultimate favorite: the blessing tree. Talk about an unforgettable centerpiece! The best part: nearly all of these ideas are kid-friendly, making them that much more memorable.