Corn Hill Arts Festival

Last Saturday I went to the Corn Hill Arts Festival. We parked in downtown Rochester, and took a shuttle to the neighborhood in this comfy bus. It was dark and stormy-but I was determined to have fun.

I love this festival-there were over 400 vendors selling wonderful items in this historic neighborhood.

I stopped to listen to these musicians playing on a front porch!

Checking out the architecture is one of the best parts of attending this festival.

Time for something to eat.

MMMMMMmmmmmmmm. Pulled pork sandwich with salt potatoes from The Beale.

I saw a tent that said "Got Ghosts" so I went in. I met historian and ghost researcher David J. Pitkin. He wrote some great books about ghosts here in New York State.

A view of the crowd.

Going to the fair can be exhausting. This guy was all tuckered out.

Time to admire one more interesting house before I called it a day. If you get a chance, come explore the Corn Hill neighborhood of Rochester, NY. You won't be disappointed.

Lollypop Farm

Sadly, not all animals have wonderful, loving homes of their own. I recently visited Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester. This sweet puppy is looking for a good home.

These cats live in a lovely cattery, but I'm sure they'd prefer a living room in a home of their own.

They have more than dogs and cats at Lollypop Farm. I made friends with this lovely rabbit!

You can visit and adopt farm animals too. Horses, donkeys, sheep, geese, pigs, and more.

They even have rats! I liked these 2 boys so much-I came back and adopted them. Newly named Neige and Blizzard now have a home of their own with me!


When you're looking to add to your family, make sure to check out your local animal shelter.

Don't shop, Adopt!

Hedonist Artisan Ice Cream

Hedonist Artisan Chocolates is one of my favorite places in Rochester, NY. Now, in addition to the scrumptious chocolates they make...they're also making ice cream!

Right next door to their chocolate shop is Hedonist Artisan Ice Cream.

Look at these amazing flavors! Goat Cheese Whiskey Fig, Raspberry Sorbet, Strawberry...  how can I decide?

Bacon Peanut Caramel. After all, everything's better with bacon!

Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens

This past week I went to South Buffalo to visit the lovely Botanical Gardens.

This Victorian conservatory was designed by Lord & Burnham, based on the famous Crystal Palace in England. It opened in 1900.

Today, the Botanical Gardens is one of only 2 remaining Lord & Burnham conservatories incorporated into a Frederick Law Olmsted designed park.

You enter into this magnificent Palm Room. Isn't it gorgeous?

I love the earthy smell-so lush!

Isn't it gorgeous? I'm in the Florida Everglades, well, the Florida Everglades House.

This picture was taken in the Victorian Ivy and Herb House. The largest public ivy collection in the world is housed here!

There are over 400 ivy cultivars here. Whew! Time for a break.

These are just some of the flowers found in the Orchid House.

Always take time to smell the roses...or orchids!

This tree is just my size. It's part of the Bonsai collection in the Tropical House.

I'm standing next to some Crown of Thorns in the Desert House.

WOW! This 30 foot waterfall is located in the Fern House and Ancient Rainforest. I'm surrounded by banana trees. There are also koi living in the ponds here.

There are so many beautiful and interesting plants to be found here. The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is a jewel of Buffalo-and a must visit location!

Amelia Enjoys the Cayuga Lake Wine & Herb Festival

This past Sunday I went to the Cayuga Lake Wine & Herb Festival along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. At each winery you get an herb plant, food made from that plant, the recipe, and wine!
                              This fantastic view is from Goose Watch Winery.

Here I am with my souvenir glass enjoying the Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad at Goose Watch Winery!

Another gorgeous view of Cayuga Lake. The weather was just perfect!

I think there's wine in there! I'm at the Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery.

This is my new friend, Sam. I told him that I lived with a dog named Sam! This Sam lives at Buttonwood Grove Winery.

EEEKK! Wine tasting can be dangerous, especially for a rat at Thirsty Owl Winery.

I just had to take time to tip-toe through the tulips at Lucas Vineyards.

Here's a view from the East side of Cayuga Lake. I'm at Long Point Winery.

Isn't this old barn neat?

Look at the bounty! These are all the herbs...and a strawberry plant...that we got to take home. I love this wine trail event!

Tornado Damage

Several states are currently preparing for tornadoes, some have already experienced devastating storms-it's a scary situation. There have already been several deadly storms this year. In June 2011, Cabot visited Joplin, Missouri about 3 weeks after a category 4 tornado. Here are pictures of the devastation.

The building behind me is the destroyed St. John's hospital.

It's hard to believe that these pictures don't show the worst of the damage.

The massive damage is really indescribable.

If you notice, just behind me on the ground on the curb is a destroyed tornado siren. A new one has already been installed in its place.

All those who have dealt with tornadoes and those who currently have tornadoes in their path-we're thinking of you.

Holiday Decorations in Medina, NY

While driving through Western New York I stopped in Medina.

I love seeing towns decorated for the holidays. See the wreaths in the windows?

Who knew you could visit the North Pole while in Medina, NY?