Blog header photo is mine taken a couple years ago here at home. - Photos posted on my blog are mine unless stated otherwise. BH

Friday, March 27, 2015

Highlands Festival (1)


For the third year in a row,  our trip to the Highlands town of Monterey Va. and county seat of Highland.
It's the Maple syrup festival where you can eat maple syrup donuts,  buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup,  and maple syrup candy.   
My favorite syrup is the dark amber as the flavor is stronger and I like making cakes and breakfast buns with it.  
  The  Highland nicknamed "Little Switzerland",  because of it's high altitude, was originally settled by Scots/Irish and German immigrants.   The  clean mountain air served us well as we gazed upon pastures and farmland with some beautiful fast moving brooks and streams along the way.


The drive started out a little rainy but cleared some on the way.




along the way









 Arriving at destination .
Main street 


   There are only two hotels here and we couldn't be picky with making reservations only three weeks ahead,  lucky we found a room, everything else was booked. 

This retro hotel  was built in the 1950's and not much change since then.
Wrought iron railing on second floor walkway.

Inside was very clean



I like staying in a place where I can open a window for breeze and I did at night here.








After settling in we took a walk around the area.

Had a bite to eat at the Highs restaurant.

We both had oven baked pork chops with gravy and mashed potatoes with Lima beans

After dinner; a walk across the street to look inside the Highland Inn .  We will hopefully be able to stay here in the fall.






stepping inside


I like the way the niche houses the phone.   My daughter lived in a home  in Big Rock Tennessee that had a niche carved out near her foyer for a telephone.


dining room which also serves as a information center with brochures about places to see and do.

stairs to rooms.


This picture hangs in dining room

The next day  a look out of the bathroom window in our hotel room ,  cars lined up as far as I could see for the festival.

Words getting out

more later

Sunday, March 15, 2015

twiggy wreath

What  a beautiful day this was and still is pleasant outside.   Very wet but with the wind things should be drying off some.
I finally put a wreath on my door with some twigs I cleaned from a bush .   Then added a very few faux flowers .
Sun was starting to set , so not a very good picture.

A closer view


She is getting more hair and with a few curls - youngest grande, Genevieve


sister Adalyn says her hair is curly too.

I am sharing with masterpiece monday at boogie board cottage

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Sunny Sunday

Finally,  Sunlight is shining through the windows and besides brightening a room it also brightens my mood.   Nice to see it warmer today finally.
I decided to make rolls today because I didn't buy any at the store for the burgers we were having.  Easy recipe and very soft rolls for hamburgers.

Here's a picture of them fresh from the oven
rubbed with butter


I could slather a huge hunk of butter on one at this point and enjoy.
I didn't do that this time.

I mixed green pepper with onion and an egg with lean ground beef.   These great tasting rubs were sent to us at Christmas from Steve's son and wife.   This is my favorite as it has coffee crystal in it.   I always use coffee in my baked beans and it's good in hamburger also.

A pot of navy bean soup with celery , onion, green pepper, hickory smoke salt and pepper.  I made this in 25 minutes in my elite pressure cooker that I use every time I make dinner.   Love this.
I can wash the dried beans,  throw them in the pot with water and spices.   Set it for 25 minutes and it's done.   No soaking the beans for any length of time or over night.
Steve's burger


Mine wrapped in a large lettuce leaf with condiments.   Holds together well and since I am watching what I eat to lose some extra pounds,  the lettuce works just fine.

love olives in my salad

no tomatoes,  just celery , spinach, red onion,  carrots and some olives.  

Toss it up


Dressing

I used orange juice to my taste or liking along with Balsamic vinegar, chopped garlic, vegetable oil (prefer olive oil but am out at the moment)  couple T.  water and shake really well.   It will taste even better tomorrow.  

Light the candle and enjoy

Thursday, March 5, 2015

thinking bout spring

I am sitting at the window skimming  through a seed catalog today and found some seed packets to order such an heirloom tomatoe and some pretty flowers.

Looking forward now to spring



noticing little buds
The snow started




will think about spring tomorrow