Clarkesville Va -- part one

We got away on Moms day and Steve's birthday.    The work thing dictates when we go places.   I missed seeing Mom on Mothers Day, but did see her on Saturday to take a sun hat and flowers.  

Clarkesville Va.  population 1,139 and size 2.9 square miles.
 Virginias only lakeside town  is located in Mecklenburg County and named after it's founder Clarke Royster and incorporated in 1897.  My mom was born in Mecklenburg county in the town of Chase City.  I will have pictures of that later.
Lands located along the Roanoke river were originally home to the Occoneechee Indians.    By the British in 1676 the Indians , led by Nathaniel Bacon were driven away.    Temperate climate and  good tobacco soil made populating fairly quick.    
We both like this small town and it's close proximity to our home which makes us think about a vacation spot.    Maybe someday.   

We stayed at the best western in Clarkesville and the view of the water was beautiful

water views from our room

After settling in we took a walk around the town and there was this neat little gift shop,  loved it.  Could not take pictures on inside as the sign posted on the door reminded me.

In early 1950's - the damming of  the Roanoke river had a large impact on the area making Clarkesville the only town on the 50,000 acre body of water named after an island upstream - Buggs Island lake.   A lake my mom said she used to swim in as a child.

 

 

you can see the water in background

Plaques on building that house shops with date of the bldg.

The driftwood arrangements were very nice and commanded a large price too.  

nice wreaths

I do like much the arrangement in window.  Lights in the evening look so pretty.

yes, I was wondering how I could get down to get this piece.  

I love this old enamel ware with plantings.   I remember mom planting in these because she didn't have a pot or container to put greenery or flowers in ,  now it's fashionable.  Man -  how times have changed.

 

I like the mossy wreath and the driftwood signs

 

back to our room for a sunset

 

sharing with  The Table scaper for  Oh the places I've been
                      Dwellings  for          Amaze me Monday
                     

Country places

Rural and decaying in

Mecklenburg County Va.

I am sure it was full of life at one time and it's better days are over

Here is a little place on a country road

I think the dandelions are pretty
 I am sharing with Rurality blog hop

moms day

Steve's b'day was Saturday and Mother's Day on Sunday.  We both took a few days away in Clarkesville Va.   which I will post about later this week.   We did enjoy it very much and took time to walk ,  check out some shops and read..
I did receive nice flowers and Steve got some chocolate covered strawberries,  yum mm.
 Our grandchildren from Hawaii send us some pictures that were framed in hearts that they painted.    We got a nice picture of the oldest grandson too and many sweet and thoughtful cards.

orchids and lilies from Annette and john

chocolate covered strawberries for steve from Annette and john

a drawing by tyler

grandson seth

love these daisies from Derek and Miranda

beautiful card

my fence

The Peonies against my fence are just about ready to open and the White Lilac that I planted two seasons ago is getting to large so I will move it this year

I am sharing with this week Jan and Jers  Fridays Fences and A Southern daydreamer  Outdoor Wednesday

 

 

the pot here against the fence has basil plus  two forsythia sprigs  that I broke from the large shrub last season. I  put them in the dirt and they rooted.
I will plant  these in the far back against the little shed.

Boston Bomber

What a surprise that the Boston Bomber was buried in va today.   No one was aware of it.   Very sneaky I say.    
Caroline county Va.. is where he is now.  All of this done with the help of Martha Mullins and the United Methodist Church.  I just hope the guard that is protecting the gravesite is not using county taxpayer dollars to guard someone who blew in  half an eight year old child.

 
http://youtu.be/Zx-0QqJPS08  if you want to take a look..  

Nasturtiums

 

Beside being a beautiful fast growing flower for me.    I like using it in my salad and the taste is a little peppery.

I have this one in a pot but will plant more in my flower bed as it fills in and adds such pretty jewel tone color to the garden and pots.   Easy to grow , the soil this one is in is a little sandy.

  I will be lining a walkway or maybe my flower bed,   as the deer and rabbit do not like them - makes that one flower I will be able to have that is pretty.  Such a nice scent the flowers have too.

 

Orange and yellow blooms on this one plant.  The leaves are mottled with light and darker green color.

I am sharing with -The view from here weekly top shot and Blooming Tuesday

Blue Ridge Fences

Humpback Rocks area along the blue ridge in  Va.

 

Fences -  as we make our way to structures that were brought here and in the 1950's - reconstructed

 

 

I am sharing with  Fridays Fences

A ladys slipper

Pink Lady's slipper  is an orchid,  I have not come across one in years,  used to see them in the wet areas where I used to live near the creek. 

I was out putting a hanging basket in the tree and found one next to it in my side yard which is near a creek.    Just one with long stem two leaves, very pretty.
I was so excited to find it.  A rare find for me , transplanting it is discouraged.   I tried many times to transplant at my previous home, but no success.    It has to have just the right soil and drainage. What I have read about the orchid is that it  lives off Rhizoctonia fungus, which grows within the seed and helps it take root.
   I understand that white tail deer love it,  and we have lots of deer here.  

 

 

 

 

I am sharing with Katherine's Corner - for Thursdays favorite things blog hop  and
                              Little by little

Friday and late Easter pics

A ride to my sister's house last Friday with Adalyn whom enjoyed playing at the park.   I enjoyed lunch and a look at the azaleas in bloom at the moment.   Soon they will be gone and other blooms to follow on the Crepe Myrtles and flowering plants.

 

 

 A pretty sun dappled lane to house

 

 

 

 

 

So proud,  second time down the slide and got it right this time.    The first time she wasn't sitting upright.

 

here I come

 

and here I go

 

Erins  sandwich shop for a soda

 

 

 

A flower arrangement on dining table they almost look real

 

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A few Easter pictures I never posted and here they are now

We had dinner at Donnas house and as always delicious!    Ham and all of the fixings.

 

Here is one lil ham - Adalyn

That little finger is always pointing at something,  she is a serious lil gal at times

 

 

So glad mom came and she had a great time .  She is 91 and is doing great

 

addy and momma

Daddy and Addy

 corner in dining room

bedroom table

 

Time to leave for home

 

til next time

betsy