New Jersey Through My Eyes

I'm Pleased To Announce...

2011-12-31T09:32:00.000-08:00

That I am now a writer for The #gardenchat Blog and I've just posted my first Adventures In Gardening column! (Click here to go directly to the post).

Again, I'd like to extend my thanks to Brenda of BGgarden and #gardenchat guru extraordinaire for this exciting opportunity and for her friendship & support.

I will continue to provide the links for each post on Diggin' Around so be sure to follow me over there!

A safe & happy New Year's Eve to all!

Christmas At History House

2011-12-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

Sandy Hook/Fort Hancock is just about my favorite place to go, especially off season when The Hook is returned to the locals and we can explore to our heart's content in the quiet of nature by the sea. An annual favorite is going to Christmas At History House (aka Christmas In The 40s) when History House is decked out with World War II era Christmas decorations and reinactors throughout the house dress in WWII era Army Officers uniforms and civilian dress. Depending on what weekend you attend, there's often hot spiced cider and musicians playing Carols in the foyer. I think Hubbs has bored of it by now, but I love going every year. Hard to explain beyond finding it magical. I can't help but wonder if all of this activity stirs up the houses' memories of the past.

If you're interested: For the NPS description of the event, click here and scroll to "History House" and "Christmas at History House." For information on Sandy Hook and Fort Hancock, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area of New Jersey and New York, click here and look for "Sandy Hook" & "Fort Hancock" links or click here.

For more of my photos of this area, click on the labels with this post.

Keeping It Local

2011-12-22T20:14:00.000-08:00

Head on over to my (original) blog for two new "Keeping It Local" posts:

Christmas Shopping

Good Eats

I'm working on a "Whispers Of Our Past" slideshow of Christmas At History House which I'll hopefully have up soon. I didn't realize I took so many photos when we were there last Saturday!

Foggy December Days

2011-12-07T16:41:00.000-08:00

Whispers Of Our Past: Autumn Flashback

2011-11-26T19:07:00.001-08:00

I took this photo in 2009 from the first overlook going up Sunrise Mountain in Stokes State Forrest. It's one of my favorite places and within a ten minute drive of our weekend home up there. We didn't get to see the foliage from this spot last year as I was recovering from my second kidney surgery in the Fall and we didn't get up to our northern home much for the duration of my recovery. We tried to get up there earlier this Fall only to find the road closed because much of it was destroyed during Hurricane Irene at the end of this August and it's closed indefinitely. Heartbreaking. (We have more long-term damage from that hurricane up north compared with the damages we had on the coast - so many roads and bridges were destroyed up there and remain un-fixed because funding hasn't been made available yet to fix them).

An Autumn View

2011-11-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

This is one of the many spectacular views from the hills in the neighborhood of where we live here on the coast. (Click on pic for larger view).

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Autumn In Our Country Mountains

2011-10-24T12:09:00.001-07:00

(Click on pics for larger view).

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A Coastal Autumn Walk

2011-10-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day, October 2011

2011-10-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to see what's blooming in my New Jersey gardens, head over to my original blog by clicking on: Diggin' Around.

With My Head In The Clouds

2011-10-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year here, but not just for the colorful show Autumn puts on in the foliage department, but because of the cloudy skies above. It's amazing to watch them here on the coast, swirling, whizzing & lumbering by. (The only unfortunate part this year is that they all apparently contain rain, of which, we've had more than enough of after 2 months strait of it!)
(Click on pics for larger view).
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Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T08:23:00.000-07:00

View from our back gate.
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Post Hurricane Irene

2011-09-24T17:03:00.001-07:00

Many local roads & bridges were washed away by Hurricane Irene. Nearly a month has passed since she hit and getting around is still an adventure.
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I Can Never Forget...

2011-09-11T06:23:00.001-07:00

And I hope you never will either.

September 11, 2001.
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Hello Friends!

2011-08-31T05:48:00.001-07:00

Despite badly flooded basements and not getting power back until 7pm last night (after losing it 12am Sunday morning), we are all okay & are very, very lucky that it wasn't so much worse right here (as well as at our northern home) and our town as a whole seems okay as well. Other parts of the immediate area and throughout the State are in ruins - your prayers for New Jersey and the rest of Irene's East Coast victims are greatly appreciated!
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Prayers For The East Coast

2011-08-26T07:57:00.001-07:00

As Hurricane Irene barrels up the coast towards us, my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in her path of the East Coast from the Carolina's to the New England area, especially for all of us in NJ Saturday night through Sunday. It's been some time since we've been through a hurricane (many a tropical storm & nor'easter but last hurricane to make landfall on the coast was in the 80's, last to make landfall inland was 1999), but I haven't forgotten the drill!

We are preparing for the worst (as I hope you are too if you're on the East Coast) and praying, praying, praying & hoping, hoping, hoping for the best!

My love to all! I'll update here as I'm able to. -Jo
(I'll post pics as able, check the slideshow in the left hand column).
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Whispers Of Our Past: Shoal Harbor

2011-08-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

We still miss the Meadowview Inn.

Be sure to drop by Diggin' Around for today's In My Garden Today post!
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Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, head over to Diggin' Around.
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An Unwitting Temporary Hiatus

2011-07-11T18:38:00.001-07:00

Aside from posting the occasional photo, I realized I've been absent from bloggerland recently; it seems I've been on a blogging break!

And now a little creative re-focusing is under way so new posts will soon follow! (If you need a little creative refreshing, I highly recommend Julia Cameron's Walking In This World, so inspirational!)

I hope you're all doing well and Summer is treating you good so far!

Love always,
Me :-)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-06T17:57:00.001-07:00

Along Route 23, Sussex, NJ.
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In My Garden Today: A Wordless Wednesday Post

2011-06-29T13:15:00.001-07:00

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Gardens Around Town: A Wordless Wednesday Post (1 of 2)

2011-06-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Scroll down to the next post to view the remaining pictures. Also, click on any one for a close-up. (The photo's appear to have uploaded in backwards order in both posts, my apologies!)
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Gardens Around Town: A Wordless Wednesday Post

2011-06-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

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Announcing My First Guest Blog Post!

2011-06-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

To read my first (ever!) guest blog post entitled, "Sharing Through 'Chatting' & 'Walking' Leads To Community" on #gardenchat's new official blog, please click here.

Wordless Wednesday, A 'Gardens Around Town' Post

2011-06-08T09:39:00.001-07:00

Something new on the blog: Because my BlackBerry Style takes incredible photo's, it's has become my 'on the go' camera and I've posted a slideshow in the left hand column under the followers section which not only shows you more of my NJ, but also my gardens, food & other aspects of my day-to-day. It updates often so keep checking back for more photo's!

(FYI: You may have to scroll past today's slideshow and the BlackBerry one that appears in the left hand column to get them both to load & play).

Wordless Wedneday: Gardens Around Town

2011-06-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

Click on photo's for a better view.
There's more Wordless Wednesday Fun over at Diggin' Around!

Gardens Around Town

2011-05-27T18:18:00.000-07:00

Veteran's Park.
Click on photo's for a better view.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-25T18:05:00.001-07:00

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Twin Lights of Navesink

2011-05-08T17:45:00.000-07:00

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Ah Springtime!

2011-05-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

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If You Never Step Off The Beaten Path...

2011-05-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

You'll never find a unique breakfast place like this one, in Absecon, NJ. Good food, great character and sincerely friendly service. Chain restaurants can't compete in our book.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

2011-04-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-13T14:12:00.001-07:00

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-06T17:38:00.001-07:00

If These Don't Make You Smile... (1 of 2)

2011-03-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

Scroll down for a few more!

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If These Don't Make You Smile... (2 of 2)

2011-03-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

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Super Moon Weekend

2011-03-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

Aka, 'I took too many photo's again weekend' :-)

Pondering

2011-03-16T09:51:00.001-07:00

While I love posting photo's of my New Jersey for you here, I'm debating on expanding the blog to include more than just photo's. Thanks for hanging in here with me during this brief intermission!

Sunset

2011-02-27T13:31:00.000-08:00

On our northern back yard. And no, I'm not sick of snow! We don't have much left down on the coast but some dirty piles - it was so pretty up north this week. Snow is good for my soul.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

The Unexpected Brings Lasting Joy

2011-02-17T08:22:00.000-08:00

The swans have arrived at the river for a visit. They will disappear as quickly as they appeared. 48 of them again this year.

Sunday Thaw

2011-02-06T18:14:00.000-08:00

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Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-26T17:19:00.001-08:00

Before the ice arrived.
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Winter At The Harbor

2011-01-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

Click on photo to view full size.
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Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

Winter on the lake.
To view full size, click on photo.
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Winter In The Country

2011-01-10T17:14:00.001-08:00

(Click on photo to view full size).
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The Church Of My Childhood 1 of 3

2011-01-03T19:59:00.000-08:00

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The Church of My Childhood 2 of 3

2011-01-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

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The Church Of My Childhood 3 of 3

2011-01-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

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Snowmageddon Returns! Day After Christmas Blizzard 12/26/10 & 12/27/10

2010-12-28T07:12:00.000-08:00

Scroll down to previous post for a slideshow of photo's from the beginning of the blizzard.

Day After Christmas Blizzard (2010) Beginning Of Storm

2010-12-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

2010-11-20T13:38:00.001-08:00

Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City, NJ.

Posted from My Palm Centro.

FYI: Blog Name Change

2010-11-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

I'm going back to the original name for this blog, New Jersey Through My Eyes. Urbanity and not so Urbanity Blogs can still be found in the left hand column.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-03T15:28:00.001-07:00

Posted from My Palm Centro.

2010-11-01T07:45:00.001-07:00

For Halloween photo's including ones of local cemeteries, please visit my post "Happy Halloween! (Updated)" over at Diggin' Around.

It's A Middletown NJ Thing

2010-10-29T06:35:00.001-07:00

This has been around for as long as I can remember and far longer than that. It's the old Food Circus "creepy" clown.

Posted from My Palm Centro.

Indian Summer Fades With The Sunset

2010-10-28T15:31:00.001-07:00

Posted From My Palm Centro.

Wordless Wednesday, An Autumn Walk

2010-10-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

2010-10-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

Autumn On The Coast...

2010-10-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

Is definintely under way now! Makes me smile, inside & out!

Posted from My Palm Centro.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-20T14:51:00.001-07:00

The trees here by the sea have begun to show off their Autumn fashions.

Posted from My Palm Centro.

Autumn Wonderland

2010-10-13T09:15:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday 1 of 3

2010-10-06T08:27:00.001-07:00

Posted from My Palm Centro.

Wordless Wednesday 2 of 3

2010-10-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

Posted from My Palm Centro.

Wordless Wednesday 3 of 3

2010-10-06T08:22:00.001-07:00

My view while awaiting pre-op testing.
(I grew up on this river).

Posted from My Palm Centro.

Autumn At The Supermarket

2010-10-04T12:51:00.001-07:00

Posted via My Palm Centro.

2010-09-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

Walk with me...
The scroll down a bit.

Below is a preview of a photo project I started working on today entitled "Porches."

Wordless Wednesday - Autumn's Light

2010-09-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

Head over to Diggin' Around for my "Wordless Wednesday - Autumn Joy" post.

Sunday Morning Stroll

2010-09-19T20:14:00.001-07:00

And a beautiful morning it was! Scroll down for 3 more photo's taken during our walk. Click on each to enlarge.

2010-09-19T20:10:00.001-07:00

2010-09-19T20:07:00.001-07:00

2010-09-19T20:05:00.001-07:00

Leaping Lizards Of Lightning!

2010-09-17T20:49:00.001-07:00

(scroll down)

2010-09-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

(scroll down)

2010-09-17T12:45:00.001-07:00

For the second time this week, dangerous storms blew through NJ & NY. We had ring side seats for some of the action while we were eating dinner yesterday. Scary stuff. The winds and rain were incredible. We desperately need the rain. The other stuff? Not so much. Summer is going out like a lion this year.

**Update: 3 confirmed tornado's touched down and did a lot of damage (along with several micro-bursts) from this system. 1 in the county immediately south of here, 1 in Brooklyn NY and 1 in Queens NY.

9 Years Later

2010-09-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

(Please also scroll down to view my Labor Day Scenes of My NJ slide show in the previous post).

NJ Through My Eyes Is Back! Labor Day Scenes Of My NJ

2010-09-10T09:30:00.001-07:00

Taken in and around our home up north.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-28T11:43:00.001-07:00

Catching Up - Summer 2010

2010-07-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

2010-07-08T01:39:00.001-07:00

New Jersery Through My Eyes is on a temporary sabatical. Thanks for understanding. If you'd like to know more, please go to my other blog, Diggin' Around. Take care until nest time!

Friday Favorites

2010-06-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

For more Friday Favorites, head over to Diggin' Around.

Jersey Gal Goes Visitin' (A Preview)

2010-06-18T18:04:00.001-07:00

Getting in touch with my inner PA.
Our 'cabin' up in the Kittatinny Mountains (NJ) is within 10 miles of Milford PA,
a beautiful town, and on Thursday we drive over to explore some places we haven't had the chance before.
Here are a few pics:

Sunset

2010-06-11T10:05:00.001-07:00

Taken last night, 6/10/11.
Colors courtesy of Mother Nature & Earth, no editing involved.

Local Garden (1 of 4)

2010-06-09T14:52:00.001-07:00

Posted via My Palm Centro.

Local Garden (2 of 4)

2010-06-09T14:50:00.001-07:00

Posted via My Palm Centro.

Local Garden (3 of 4)

2010-06-09T14:47:00.001-07:00

Posted via My Palm Centro.

Local Garden (4 of 4)

2010-06-09T14:45:00.001-07:00

Posted via My Palm Centro.

Scattered Thunderstorms

2010-05-29T21:27:00.001-07:00

Posted via My Palm Centro.

Before The Storms

2010-05-27T21:03:00.001-07:00

Posted via My Palm Centro.

Foggy Sunday Morning Greetings!

2010-05-23T07:41:00.001-07:00

I love foggy days here. Enchanting & mysterious. My creative juices overflow.

This pic totally conjures up John Carpenter's The Fog for me.

(The original, not the crappy remake).

I can hear John's music...

Can you hear it?

The fog is coming...

Posted via My Palm Centro.

Mystery House

2010-05-20T10:30:00.002-07:00

Some one lives here, that much is obvious. But no one knows who. No one sees people coming or going to & from the house. Sometimes it's well kept on the outside, other times it becomes over run with vines & weeds. No one sees who cleans it up. There's a lot of stuff inside the house, looks more like a warehouse than a home from the glimpse you can catch from the sidewalk. And you can't see into the back yard from the side street (it's on a corner) or from the house next door, the trees block the entire back of the house from view. But no matter the time of day, you always feel like you're being watched. And I don't think it's just the gargoyles.

Walk With Me

2010-05-20T10:30:00.001-07:00

Gardening NJ Style...

2010-05-19T12:55:00.001-07:00

In a "garden" apartment that is!

Click on photo to view full size.
Posted via My Palm Centro.

Cloudy Day

2010-05-19T12:40:00.001-07:00

There's nothing quite like the Coast on a day like this or when it's foggy and raining. It's beautiful all the time, but there's something enchanting about the dim, gray days.

Or maybe it's just me.

Click on photo to view full size.
Posted via My Palm Centro.

Wordless Wednesday (1 of 3)

2010-05-12T13:18:00.001-07:00

Click on photo to view full size.
Posted via My Palm Centro.

Wordless Wednesday (2 of 3)

2010-05-12T13:15:00.001-07:00

"Progress."

Click on photo to view full size.
Posted via My palm Centro.

Wordless Wednesday (3 of 3)

2010-05-12T13:12:00.001-07:00

Click on photo to view full size.
Posted via My Palm Centro.

Skies of Blue

2010-05-02T18:22:00.001-07:00

Some where along Route 206.

Best Hot Dogs Ever

2010-04-28T19:27:00.001-07:00

Seriously. (And yes, that's my Hubby).

Posted via My Palm Centro.

The Streets Where I Live

2010-04-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we hadn't stopped here before yesterday and we've lived minutes from here going on 5 years. (Photo is the view from across a lake). For more photo's of this area, click here.

Whispers Of Our Past

2010-04-14T11:56:00.001-07:00

2010-04-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

On our way to our weekend home in the mountains. Each time we go up in elevation, you see this on the northbound side of the highway. The colors are beautiful when it's wet from rain.