Who loves getting fresh-cut trees for Christmas? Last year at Alpine Lake was the first time in my adult life that. I’ve had a live tree and it was absolutely amazing! It smelled divine and it was prefect in every way. This year we set out for Mountain Top Tree Farm again to find the…

Ever since we bought our home at Alpine Lake, we’ve been spending holidays here. It’s a homecoming of sorts since I actually grew up here in Preston County. Sometimes life finds a way to lead us home, doesn’t it? My parents and brother came up to celebrate with us and feast on another one of…

It’s been an unusual fall this year; the leaves have clung to the trees far longer than any autumn in my memory. There was a huge difference in the landscape this past weekend. What a difference a week makes! Luckily, we haven’t had much snow so far; it’s the last thing you want with leaves…

Do you have kids? If so, you’re well aware that they’re walking petri dishes of infectious illness. If there’s a strain of something particularly disgusting going around, you can bet my kids will be bringing it home to share with one another and often times, Arthur and me as well. This week has been no…

This past Saturday, Alpine Lake hosted its annual Oktoberfest celebration. What a production! The organizers, Birgit and Bernie Stock are heavily involved in so many committees and activities that make Alpine Lake an amazing and active place to live. Fun fact: Birgit is from Bavaria and now lives in the Bavarian section of Alpine Lake!…

As the last day of summer 2018 receded before me and turned to dusk, I took a few minutes to reflect on what was has been the most wonderful time in my life, thus far. Isn’t it an odd feeling to realize that you’re living your best days? It’s both wonderful sad to know that…