Rose Cottage Ltd

Look for “Real Estate Saturday” tomorrow morning…

Last day of 2014. Hope it is a safe one for everyone. Party if you feel the need, but make sure there is a designated driver in your group, or cough up the coin and take a cab ride home.

Best wishes for 2015 to all readers of the Rose Cottage Ltd blog….

Without realizing it, my Christmas trees have gradually become sort of a statement of things I like most.

I’m a firm proponent of the color blue – which has for decades been reflected in my choice of lights and ornaments. But I also have added a few things – like the ornament I received as a supporter of “Defenders of Wildlife,” and a little Oakland Raiders ornament – which – based on how their seasons have been, gets pushed further back on the tree each season!! I even have a Mark Martin #6 car ornament – even though Mark Martin no longer drives in NASCAR.

This year, my aunt in Maryland helped me carry on my tree tradition with the new ornament shown below:

If you are from Maryland, and are over the age of say FIVE, and haven’t tasted steamed Maryland Blue Crab, I feel sorry for you!

My aunt lives on the site that used to be my Grandparent’s “cottage on the river,” where we – my siblings, parents, grandparents, and aunts, uncles and cousins – spent many summer days out crabbing, fishing, and swimming. We could catch nearly a bushel of crabs (female crabs had to be released) in a afternoon – and know we’d have a fantastic meal coming later.

Not so these days. The crab population is not what it was – which is reflected in exorbitant prices of Maryland crabs – no matter where you buy them. And unless you are a struggling crabber by trade, you’d be hard pressed to catch enough to make them worth steaming.

But have no fear – I now have my crab ornament, sent by my aunt in Maryland, to not only adorn the tree with yet another “blue,” but to remind me of my past and my history, and all the family members who are no longer with me.

I’d say that for the smallest and probably least pricey of all the Christmas gifts I received this year, this one was an excellent choice!

Happy Holidays…

Trying to find ways to keep it light this holiday season. Here’s another one for you…

Merry Christmas Eve…