Betsy's-Wildwood Home

A wedding and cupcake holder

2012-01-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

In May 2011, my sister married. She wanted cupcakes for her wedding cake. The cupcake holders out there were not what she really wanted , wow some of the holder were pricey also. So I made this one for her. Will be glad to post how I made it if anyone would like to know.
My sister Donna made the cupcakes, we both made the cupcake jackets (can't think of the right name for them at this moment) out of doilies.

I found paper at a local chain for the tiers, glued the beads on and found a way to weigh it down if we were to use it outside and scared of it getting blown over and anything else that could happen.

Didn't take too long to make. the little fluffy thing sitting on the tier is a cupcake made with Styrofoam ball and rose petals, I put on the top some sprinkle glitter that looked like sugar.

I added tulle and extra ribbon for pew bows , these were found at the Dollar Store and
embellished.
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These Whoopi Pies I made for Randy (the groom) as he is from Maine and loves them. They turned out really well. Photo courtesy of Amy Nicole Photography

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Here are the cupcakes, Donna Gwaltney who is the photographer's mother made different flavors and butter cream frosting from scratch

This picture of the cupcakes on the tree are taken by my niece AmyGwaltney, as she was the photographer for her aunt Lynn and her husband Randall Nutting

If you click on her name you can see Lynn and Randy, Lynn made her dress for the wedding and did a marvelous job of it. She also made her table covers which were lavender and white.

I am linking to A Bowl full of lemons - Arts and Crafts

and Northern Cottage

Adalyn is here

2011-12-08T22:50:00.000-08:00

New grand baby Adalyn is here. We have 3 grandsons but she is the First grand daughter. A doll baby.

mommy

daddy

Lil Adalyn - about 2 hours old here.

grand pop and daddy. Love the side profile here.

Opa

Oma

mom, Adalyn's grandma, and aunts
We are all so blessed

Moms b'day

2011-11-28T21:28:00.000-08:00

Mom turned 90 on November 23. Here are a couple photos.

Elijah , moms great great grandson.
Oh yeah , now we have his attention. He sniffed out the truffles, looks serious too.

Wyatt - gr gr grandson, making sure no one takes moms stuff. He was glued and wanted to see everything.

Miranda does not have much longer til lil Addy makes her debut, I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS First grand daughter - she will be somewhat spoiled I think

Donna in a serious mode, she wants to eat cake

My nephew Ales and girlfriend Carrie, They both will be graduating in June. Very good students and most of all , very good children.

Now I am off to do more decorating so I can post to my Christmas blog

Cake

2011-11-04T17:29:00.000-07:00

My b'day was the 20th of Oct. My friend Jennifer sent me a cake. I am watching my diet and need to cut out sweets , because I want to make room to eat more when the extra weight is gone. I always set goals like this so I will follow a diet.

Not a calorie to worry about here, smells so good, cinnamon and spice . Love it.

sides dripping with brown sugar glaze

There is only 4 candles burning, the age I wish I was again

I will have this again next year. Did you know it was a large candle?

paper flowers

2011-10-25T23:49:00.000-07:00

I saw some paper flowers in a gift shop about 6 months ago . I decided the other day to try to make some for myself. I copied some small print and then cut in the shape of petals. Green wire I cut in lengths , any length you want and placed in between the petals with white glue. Let'em dry. Six is what I used for each flower. Stamens I found at Michael's.

cut and placed wire in between papers.

I brushed some glue on the petals and sprinkled glitter on them to give a little shimmer. Spray adhesive would have probably been less messy.

I decided to outline the edges with this glitter glue

I started winding them together and then dotted the center with glue to hold stamens

after all dry, the floral tape is wrapped around all of the wire after I twist it together.

I will make some more to go with these, maybe even give them leaves.

I am linking to A bowl full of lemons

Baby Shower

2011-10-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

I held a baby shower at my home last Sunday for Miranda - my daughter in law. She is due on Dec. 11 and the baby is a girl. There are 3 grandsons and now a little grand daughter on the way.

Miranda brought me some beautiful flowers and the lillies scented the room. Gorgeous flowers.

Some pictures of the shower

musical baby blocks

great grandma gave her this, so cute

I made this cake, I like these better than the store bought ones. Cream cheese filling between the layers.
Cream cheese frosting on top with heavy whipping cream. The whipping cream , cream cheese and confectioners sugar made it take so good. It was a 3 layer white cake.

She got so many nice things, part of the bassinet in pix she received.

you can see part of a balloon pacifier I made in window

Hard to believe mom will be 90 next month , 11/23

A game we played measuring Miranda's waist and see who comes the closest

Jenn ad Steven in Hawaii and couldn't be here, they sent this beautiful frame and sweet clothes
for baby

first Christmas ornament from great grandma

Annette sent a bottles and baby clothes. She couldn't be here as she lives in Arizona. I wish we had them all in the same place, miss'em

Amy my niece also sent baby a gift and she lives in Nashville. Very thoughtful of them all and cant wait to see them soon.

Missed Jessica , lynn and Rachel . They sent lovely gifts and much appreciated .
Til next time

Late October at Maymont

2011-09-29T22:10:00.000-07:00

Maymont is a wonderful place to be in late Autumn. I never shared my photos here when Steve and I took his brother and sister in law from Florida last year for a visit mid October. They enjoyed touring the Dooley mansion and grounds with us. We like showing our company around Richmond and surrounding counties, lots here to see. It became overcast and was misting from time to time. Doesn't bother me much as I like walking in the rain under an umbrella.

Some lovely fall flowers on our walk

nice gazebo to sit and rest on the walk

Massive Oaks and other trees on the property

Italian gardens

The roses showing off before the winter sets in.

We took this walk to the Japanese garden

Reflections

Calming , soothing

soothing sound of raindrops hitting the water

Waters edge at the Japanese garden

Maryland trip , a crafty store and sunset over Solomans Island

2011-09-28T15:50:00.000-07:00

Nice little over night stay in Maryland. Saw some Amish farms. Lots of farmland and horses. Good to get away and not think about anything but what we are doing at the moment. I could have stayed on the road and traveled forever, of course I wasn't the one driving. I am sure Steve thinks different.

I have many pictures of barns and I will add this one to the collection

The Apple Basket, I hope to visit at Christmas. I was told there are decorated Christmas trees everywhere in the house. They are on facebook also

wreath on the door of the w.c.

I didn't get the whole picture here

It is an old purse holding the items shown

They had plenty of these, I really like them

An old picture for sale, I just couldnt' get over the flower spray she is holding

Buggy for sale in front yard

Steve bought a raven, I will post his picture tomorrow, I will have to set him on my mantle with some other decorations.
Lastly a beautiful ending of the sunset over Solomans Island in Maryland

painting

2011-09-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

I finally finished painting my dining room, need to get some art or something to make the area a little brighter. The windmill painting is not doing much for it. I wanted to change out the drapes but wasn't in the mood for spending more change for new ones, so I just raised the valence and the curtains are supposed to be dry cleaned. I instead wiped the dust and few stains with this window cleaner, yep that's right, window cleaner. It did work and worked really well.

all white walls

not to sure about the color at this point

I can live with it.

I hung the valence higher and I think it looks better.

I will have to get a frame for the painting

Love the table being so shiny.

I need to polish more often

flowers and glass

2011-09-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

On a previous post my grandson and I visited gardens that had glass sculpture among the plantings.. I have started collecting these water balls so I could put some glass in my garden too. Not as fancy as the blown glass in the garden at Ginter but it's still glass and I like it, I want to find some brighter colors maybe.

Last year I visited Monticello and purchased seeds that were harvested from the plantings there. This one I like is called the Prickly Poppy - grown in Jefferson's garden.

I hope more will come up next year from the seed maybe dropped from this plant.

June 18 1767 - Jefferson recorded in his garden book that Argemone put out one flower at his Shadwell garden. Mexican Argemone grows two feet and has delicate looking pale lemon flowers.
The leaves are prickly and are striped.

Looks like an alien face on the bud ready to open

this tea rose is prettiest now in the fall , must like the cooler weather.

A windmill and a few other things

2011-09-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

Steve and I were out shopping last Sunday and while out - popped in "Through the Garden Gate". Lots of booths with vintage items, too numerous to mention. Steve found two paintings, one he likes of the sea and one for me of a windmill. I have always liked pictures and paintings of old windmills. Don't know a thing about the painter of the piece or where or when it was painted, we know we like it and purchased it.

Love the cool blue colors and movement in the trees

can't make out the name either

Also, these 4 corn plates or holders, stoneware I think. Like corn on the cob but not on the little plastic cob holders. These will stay warmer also.

we like the weathered frame on this one

found these two mags. 1957 and 58

I read them and now not sure what to do with them

$2. 00 a piece

autumn beauty

2011-09-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

I guess besides springtime, the autumnal time of year runs a close first for being my favorite season
The cold months can be miserable at times, I really don't think I would want to live without the four seasons like we have here in Virginia. Not yet any way, I may change my mind as I get older.
On my walk around the yard, I took some pictures of flowers that are giving a beautiful end of season flowering

I don't recall the name of this one, I bought it late and didn't know it would bloom

. A showy plant with beautiful purple pink color of leaves

can always count on this one to grow and bloom nicely no matter what the weather,

mom always called it moss rose, the portulaca

geranium fizzling out

my favorite hibiscus, I believe I heard it called swamp hibiscus (not sure of that )

potato vine with a puny geranium

one lonesome bloom on the hydrangea bush

purple basil grows very large and so fragrant

I cut the petunias back very often, keeps them lush and not so leggy. They grow back over night it seems
There is basil in pot with them

Love this tea rose. The color of it shimmers in the light, my favorite

This rose is the prettiest in spring and now autumn, it is monthly rose but is not this pretty in summer

keeping the trimming up to force a shape

I dug this one up from under a bush that sprouted new growth

hope it continues to thrive

time to plant some mums

Ginter and summer gardens

2011-08-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Seth and I had lunch here and in the sweltering heat took a tour of the gardens this day . Little boys his age no matter what the temp have so much energy. I dragged but made it.
This was in July this year, he has since moved to Arizona with his mom and dad. Sure miss the lil guy.

Patio area

everything is fresh and very tasty

espaliered on wall of historical home in the garden

view from the front porch

many beautiful flowers on our walk

Shadows cast on the pavement in children's play area of the garden

glass in the garden

I think I have an idea for glass in my garden,

will have to show that later in another post

he was amazed of how large the plant behind him is.

front yard view of historical home

Visit to the Berry farm and a Barn

2011-08-29T18:52:00.000-07:00

Once a strawberry farm . I took my kids  here to ride the hay wagon to the field , get out, pick berries then ride back to weigh them for purchase. We always loved getting their homemade doughnuts afterward, or roast hot dogs on the fire pit.
The strawberries aren't being grown anymore because of disease that took them out. Ponds and landscaping is what they do now.  A beautiful Christmas shop that I love to visit here and I will post pictures of their decorations when the season starts.
Here are a few pics of the landscape. My sister Donna, her daughter Amy and son Alex and I took a look around the area together.
The picture of this barn can be rented for Weddings etc.    Barns are popular today for marriages and it's not easy  to find one.   The one on the farm is for rent and I must say that I think it is beautiful and perfect for a wedding.

adjacent to barn is a covered area

for entertaining and such . Makes a great wedding reception area.

I like the color of the wood and would love to have a piece to make a picture frame. Not gonna happen though.

nearby is a waterwheel

The farm can design some beautiful gardens

aah, so lovely

Blurry, but I must say I like the way it looks

Amy , Her mom Donna and brother Alex

Amy a photographer , her site herehttp://www.amynicolegwaltney.com/ She just finished college at JMU and now on to Nashville. Way to go Amy

Lovely grounds and was such a nice day to take in the beauty of the surroundings. Cascading petunias, potato vine , etc growing on the roof of structures. I need to know how this is done. I love the look.

Whoa

2011-08-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

That's all I could say as I was fixing lunch for Steve and I. Glasses started rattling and I froze in stairwell, Steve ran outside. We were getting ready for a late lunch and it's the first time I tried this recipe for cottage pie, now known to me as the day the earth shook pie or earthquake pie.

I will definitely make this again. We both enjoyed it. I prepared mine with ground sirloin. It taste better to me.
Recipe for cottage pie here by - chef Darren Mcgrady -
Once a personal chef for Queen Elizabeth II and her husband and then chef for Princess Diana and her sons.

I put quite a bit of extra sharp cheese on the potatoes, I just love cheesy potatoes.

I made a simple salad along with a few grapes as the sides.

brownstone bedroom

2011-08-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

A mid 1860's Italianate brownstone at 4 west fifty fourth street in New York city.
In 1877 the mansion was purchased by Arabella Worsham, a Richmond native. She commissioned
a New York architect and decorating firm to expand and remodel the structure, the bedroom shown was included.

Anglo - American, Aesthetic movement, expressing as one contemporary reviewer described as an effort to persuade people to persue the paths of true art and taste in furnishing their house. ( I got this info from the description posted in describing this room )

Arabella Worsham occupied the mansion a few years. She married in 1884, and then sold the house to John D. Rockefeller Sr.
He died in 1937.

pretty lace bed coverlet and gorgeous velvet red chair

click to enlarge

could not use flash in here, so it's kind of fuzzy in the low light

stained glass is gorgeous, wish light could shine through it more so you could really see the colors

ceiling is beautiful.

stained glass in the chandelier - can't see it here, but the different colors in chandelier cast color onto the ceiling

yep , I could sleep in here

Prior to demolition , three rooms were removed from the house
and this bedroom was one of them.
A dressing room and this bedroom were given to the Museum of the city of New York.
A smoking room was given to a Brooklyn museum
The Worsham - Rockefeller bedroom as it is called was given from the museum of the city of New York in 2008 to Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
my hometown in Richmond , Va. - here - pictured below

Such a generous gift and so happy to have something this beautiful to see and share with others
reflections in glass window of museum

Last of Petersburg Post

2011-08-01T18:50:00.000-07:00

Nice plantings in front of the parking lot . Flowers and boxwood among other shrubs are beautifying the city, makes for a pleasant stroll on such a hot day. Don't mind the heat, it's like a step back in time.

This 1839 Exchange building now the Siege Museum, gives some understanding of what life was like in Petersburg before, during and right after the civil war.

The 10 month siege of Petersburg ( June 1864 - April 1865) was the longest period of time an American city has been under a Military siege.

for a split second I thought that was a real person in the window of this antique store

Lots of antiques everywhere

very old cobblestone streets

You can see the nice window boxes over flowing with greenery.

Steve and I ate here at the Hiram Haines coffee House. From history printed on the flip side of the menu says it was a hotel in 1814 -operated by a French immigrant and his wife. In 1829 Hiram Haines a poet and editor , his wife Mary, a childhood playmate of Edgar Poe took over the business. Hiram and Poe became friends when Poe moved to Richmond to edit the Southern Literary Messenger. 1836 Poe married his cousin, Virginia Clemm.. There are rooms upstairs that is said the couple stayed in for two weeks on their honeymoon before Poe and his wife returned to Richmond.

The coffee is served in a coffee press, nice touch. I had the Hiram Haines Ravenburger, very tasty chopped beef with flavorings. My husband had the Poe Panini, he will order that again. Thalhimers cake is also on the dessert list, my favorite.

I purchased a raven of course in the shop adjacent to the coffee house, called Rivers Edge

We had an Elvis sighting! Love it

-----------------------------------------------------------------There are so many fine homes , quite a few I saw this day in process of being refurbished, the one next door to this house is awful the way the roof has caved

Love this place, sort of French Quarter like.

here is a home on the street with a little creek running under it. Would be nice to sit in the evening listening to the water trickle underneath.

another balcony of iron work

THE END

Centre Hill Mansion

2011-07-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

I like day trips and one I enjoyed was visiting the city of Petersburg. Great Antique shops to visit. Can find plenty of vintage items. So happy to see it being revitalized , as the history is rich and so many unique and historical bldgs.

please enlarge so you can read the info.

This home is called Centre Hill -Robert Bolling IV built the home in 1823 and it remained a residence until 1936. Interior was Greek revival architecture along with earlier Federal and later Colonial revival styles. The home had it's role during the civil war along with two Presidential visits.

The home is said to be haunted, maybe that is why the blue paint color on the porch, I have heard that the color blue keeps away haints.   Also heard it deters bugs,  and that is because like haints, bugs do not like to cross water.   I am going with the haint version.

Towards the end of the civil war the mansion was used as headquarters for a regiment of soldiers under Union Gen. George Hartsuff.     So at 7:30 each January 24 a regiment of soldiers enter the mansion for a brief meeting.   Residents of the home in the 1890's say they heard the front door open and soldiers   marching upstairs with their swords clanging against the railing to a small room above the office.
After about 20 minutes they are heard marching back down the stairs leaving through front door and
hearing it slam behind them.  Former residents have told of encounters with a beautiful woman roaming
the grounds.

    Dampness has had it's toll on the walls and sills.  Needs repair and some has been done to try to stop the damage like trying to re route water away from home.

decorative type of metal work over the windows

This would have been the front originally facing the river

only problem is , one cannot see the river. The bldgs are being restored as you can see in picture, although it sort of looks like the war just ended with the way they look.

Light at the sidewalk of home

Let me eat cake

2011-07-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

Very hot today, the only thing I went outside for is to hang the laundry. I must say I dried two loads in less than two hours. It was so very hot and not fit for man or beast.
Sitting here looking at the plants in the window box along with stuffing my face with my homemade

apple butter on toast , I decided I would make the spice cake mix in the cupboard.   Need all the sweets for energy on a day like this - NOT!
I added one 12 ounce can of A&W root beer to the dry mix and threw in a tablespoon of my apple butter too. Mixed it well and then poured into prepared glass baking dish, I believe it's an 11 by 13.   Baked according to time indicated on box, well actually it took a smidgen less in my oven.
I let it cool.     A softened 8 ounce package of cream cheese , and small container of whipping cream.
I creamed the cheese , whipped the cream.   Mixed together with a teaspoon of more of my apple butter and sugar to taste.    Smoothed it on cake and Yummmmm.

Don't have to add the applesauce, but I had it and wanted too. This was soooo goood. No eggs, oil or milk, water. Just the can of root beer and my apple butter.
I have mixed a package of pudding and cool whip together and slathered on cake, It's all tasty.

Another one I like is orange crush with yellow or orange cake mix. love'm all.

playing around with my photos

2011-07-06T16:43:00.000-07:00

I took some pictures of my front door wreath and played around to give it a watercolor look

Sepia is a tone I like, as it gives some pics a dreamy or romantic type quality.
Origins - produced from the ink of the sepia cuttlefish. Originally used as a watercolor pigment.

This one a little too sepia maybe

I trimmed my box to hug my statue. I do like playing around in shaping my boxwoods.

Dried Wreath

2011-07-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

Next time I will use more flowers so they will look full when they do dry.

I have more drying with my other flowers to decorate a small tree at Christmas.

flower wreath

2011-06-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

I picked some hydrangeas from my bush outside the porch to make a wreath.
I read that you can wire fresh ones on a form and let them dry. I did that today.

blue -pink- pale lavender

I made a wreath form from the weeping willow tree that I have growing on the creek

tied the flowers on with fish line and that was a little too slippery, I had some white pipe cleaners I decided to finish with, I use what I have on hand.

back side

You can see where the little flowers are burnt from the sun. Hope it doesn't worsen as it drys.

Now I will see how it drys on here, Its hanging on my front door.

Little tuft of flowers on my kitchen window

Brown eyed Susan's I can always count on for color outside in the summer

few more pics at Natural Bridge

2011-06-23T00:53:00.000-07:00

Some info about the Monacan village in Natural Bridge

The making of another wigwam made of poplar bark

The guide told us that he soaked it in the water there and then weighted it down to dry flat

inside the wigwam made of cattails

A birdhouse we passed on the trail

Natural Bridge Hotel across the street from wax museum

this was so interesting

Up the steps to Museum and the figure swinging above our heads

Seth thought that the man and boy in scene above were real at first

They are wax figures along with the rest

He enjoyed this so much

We watched the story of the last supper and these are all life size figures in wax

Presidents Clinton and Bush (the elder)

Sam Houston

Laurel and Hardy

My camera did not capture too well inside the museum

I think I will have to think about getting a new one with more features

These figures are so life like

You almost feel like they could speak

nice landscaping outside

farmland as we are heading home
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a tunnel that cuts through a mountain

Natural Bridge tour with Seth

2011-06-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

Grandson Seth is visiting with us for two weeks. We took him to Natural Bridge Va to see the bridge. 20 stories of solid rock, really amazing. The wax museum we took in also. Natural bridge was formed by a cavern collapse which left the span we see here today.
Natural Bridge surveyed by George Washington in 1750 - his initials are carved on the wall of the bridge.
Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres including bridge in 1774 from King George 111 for 20 shillings. Still remains privately owned.
It is designated a national historic landmark.

Seth took this photo of us at the entrance to Bridge

the tree dwarfs Seth

Seth and Opa taking in the beauty of the Natural Bridge

What a beauty

Georges initials

the wall of rock looks purple

nice comfortable area for our iced coffee and Seth's soda and snack

such a pretty walk, even though the day was hot, these shady areas with breeze was comfortable

monacan villiage

yes, the little darling had to see how the fence was constructed and pulled one out.

we asked him to move before the whole thing fell

more pics of the rest tomorrow

Hydrangea pics

2011-06-13T18:54:00.000-07:00

I cut some hydrangeas for the house today and took some pictures while I was at it. The weather in the 80's is a welcome break from the 90's the past few days.

there a few lavender sprigs in the basket also.

I am making some lavender ice cream with these

The scent fills the air as I cut them

My dining table

Rose

2011-06-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

I love this tea rose, don't know the name but it's pretty.

Here are the twins

Some lavender I picked from my plant. I have rooted several and they are growing very well

It's gonna bloom, wasn't so sure in the beginning. This plant is about 20 plus years old.
It's huge. I did take a few roots from around it and they are doing well.

Some garden pics at Agecroft

2011-06-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

My friend Carolyn treated me to a tour of Agecroft Hall today. Our tour guide was great and we totally enjoyed it. Agecroft Hall was built in Lancashire England in the 15th century. In England it was home to the Langley and Dauntesey family for hundred of years. At the end of the 19th century it fell into disrepair.
It was sold at auction in 1925. T.C. Williams Jr. purchased it. He had it dismantled, crated and shipped to the Windsor Farms neighborhood here in Richmond Virginia.
How fortunate we are to have such a beautiful piece of history here
Secrets from the Curators closet has some great info on this magnificent home
You can click to enlarge

A courtyard view

Landscape Architect - Charles Gillette designed the gardens at Agecroft

Collards planted in the garden

Beautiful old boxwoods lining walkway

Today the heat index was about 103 today and believe me , we felt it.

Stillhouse in background

this is the still house and there are rose petals in the bowls on the table

Beautiful garden gate

Lovely statues in the gardens

My favorite

Would have taken a bit of a rest here, but with the heat in hi 90's, This bench was very hot.

beautiful bark on this tree in the garden

Elizabethan knot garden

Large Magnolias on the property

Too hot to be outside today

2011-05-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

I did get some weeding done early. I came in - got cool and had another cinnamon bun I made this morning.
Monet got me in the mood for something sweet early. The local library had some books on sale for 50cents and I bought a few as usual they were cook books.
click to enlarge -

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For the buns I used about 3 cups self rising flour. I put about a cup of water and milk in dish to warm to dissolve yeast in. I added sugar to mixture also. I never write my recipes down. I always say I will and I know I should because I never make it the same way next time. I did put a dash of salt in the flour with some extra sugar. I threw a little ginger powder in there too along with the raisins.

I never put too much flour and this doh was a little moist. It rose and then I punched it down on a lightly floured surface and rolled with my marble rolling pin as I prefer that to the wood. It doesn't stick like the wood.
I mixed milk, butter and confectioners sugar kinda thick and spread on warm buns, it sunk into the soft bun and it's so good. The yeast and self rising flour worked out really well together.

lots of cinnamon sugar and butter in between

For dinner tonight we will have cold cuts so I decided to make buns for them also.

they are soft and have poppy seeds on top

The recipe above is what I will make tomorrow, I cut it out of a nice lil paper called the country register.

Its free and I found it at one of the local stores here.

I have made this before and it is goooooooooood

Well off to the - GYM

Clouds hanging over me - can be beautiful

2011-05-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

As I was leaving home for dinner at moms house yesterday. I looked up and saw these beautiful clouds - had to share.

This one is especially beautiful

Do you see the cross? I didn't see this until I unloaded the pics to my site

I feel really good about this one!

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Some bloomers so far

2011-05-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of my roses in bloom, I have been harvesting the flowers early in the morning. The scent is strong on the red one that I use for my jelly. I throw the pinks in there also because just not enough of the red, so I mix them. Has been a busy month and have not been working outside like I need too. Hopefully next week I can.

I noticed only when I enlarged the rose that it had a tear on the bloom

I didn't enhance it as I like the way it took in the low light in the late evening.

My tea rose that is about 15 years old

another shot of the red rose

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I have ONE foxglove, I hope to get more to live and bloom next year

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Snapdragon - I didn't notice on this one the little creatures I brought in with it until I enlarged it. I will give them an even better spraying next time before they come into the home.

You can see the little critters here on this one

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The begonia leaves are huge!

Til next time ---

Betsy

Tornado in Big Rock

2011-05-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

My daughter lives in Big Rock Tennessee in Stewart county with her husband and son. They got into the bathtub and felt the rumble , peeled back their roof on their porch and took my grandsons trampoline somewhere, they can't find it. They are fine and that is all that matters.
Video here of the Tornado in Stewart county

REPOST - Mothers day at Moms --. Blogger lost my post and comments!

2011-05-14T21:32:00.000-07:00

Visited Mom on Mothers day. After everyone left, she and I went out for an ice cream and hot fudge Sunday (sundae was for mom) We got them at Dairy Queen, love their ice cream and it shows.
Actually that was one of the best parts of the day. Moms memory is not as sharp - her short term memory is not good. I do wish that the one daughter she always asks about would take a few minutes to sit with mom and visit her for a little while. She asks me and my son about her when we are with her, why she doesn't visit or come see her, I just change the subject to something else. Sad that the grandchildren do not take time to visit as much anymore if at all. Most children today walk around in a fog anyway when they are not connected to cyberspace in some way.

mom peeking from behind her peonies picked from her yard.

Another hi light of the day was seeing my son Derek, he and his wife Miranda gave me this nice solar powered light that revolves and changes color.
the wind spins it and at night the colors change

I received an orchid from Steven and Jennifer, Beautiful I must say and such a wonderful surprise. I hope I take care of it correctly and keep it living. It's a pretty purple pink color.

Annette and John and Seth sent me a beautiful watch on a gorgeous bracelet.

Annette,John, Seth and Steven and Jennifer, Ryan and Tyler live in another town and could not be here.

what has happened with blogger?

2011-05-14T07:49:00.001-07:00

Don't know if anyone else has a problem, but my last post with comments are gone.
Very frustrating.
Betsy

Spring Flowers

2011-05-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

Some of these are taken from a few days ago. The azaleas didn't put on their show like they did last year. I guess plants can get burnt out and need a rest. My peonies are blooming. separated them last year and wish I hadn't now, because they are not as full and pretty. Hopefully next year there will be more blooms.
Granddaddy's beard has perfumed the backyard, sure wish they lasted longer.
Before yard pics, I have to post these beautiful roses my husband gave me a day ago. They are a pinkish salmon color, so beautiful.

Granddaddy's beard

View from my dining room window of dogwood trees

I like how it looks after a rain shower
every thing seems so much greener

my favorite pinks

A show stopper, magnificent large blooms
I see this first thing in the morning from my porch

Peonies and mock orange which is also very fragrant

posting

2011-04-26T23:05:00.000-07:00

Am taking a few weeks break from posting. So much going on and not having too much time for it.
Hopefully back soon.
Betsy

Pictures of the yard

2011-04-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

A few spring pictures

2011-04-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

I am working more in the yard since the weather has been nicer. A few pictures I have taken in the last 14 days.

tulips around the tree in front yard

the orange ones are blooming now

will have to post those soon

these beauties scent the yard

A walk around the neighborhood in the evening

nice old barn at the other end of neighborhood

family get together for Derek and Miranda

2011-04-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Some pictures taken at my house of Derek and Miranda. Family get together for them after their marriage last friday.

Rachel and mom

My mom, she looks so good and is 89 years young

no not right

this way

Let lynn the expert show ya

Rachel knows better

we got it!

sort of

Yummm cake in the face

Hugs for everyone

steve playing ping pong with Wyatt

Derek and Miranda Wed

2011-04-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

In a quiet service on April 8 2011- My son married his longtime sweetheart "Miranda.
I am VERY happy and love my new daughter in law.
Here are a few pics

Mr. and Mrs. DeRusha

my favorite pic

Their smiles say it all.

Spring wreath and wildflowers

2011-04-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

As I was tidying up mums in the pots from the fall, I thought the dried cuttings could be used to make a spring wreath for my front door. A silk flower ring was used to place the dried pieces and flowers, a bow to hang. The first picture is of some wildflowers I picked while dead heading this afternoon, they are as pretty as any other I believe.

anyway- back to the wreath

mums needed clipping

Yep I can use these clippings.

I pushed the clippings into the floral foam ring. this view from backside.
I purchased white flowers pushed them into the foam on front and added a bow.

I think it looks like spring with the white flowers budding in the center

side view

Raised bed ideas

2011-03-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

My friend and I visited Lavender fields herb farm in Glen Allen Va. yesterday and I got some ideas on how to plant some veggies this year above ground. I tillered and planted a large area last year, we had some heavy rains that ruined the garden. This year I am planting in little areas . I think especially since my property is on a slant, planting in raised beds are best.

I like the rock , I have plenty of that I can work with at home.

stump or root of the tree as an accent

My daffodils in kitchen window

Steve brought me these home the other night, I have some yellow ones growing in the yard that haven't bloomed.

Day Trip

2011-03-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

My husband and I took a trip to Colonial Beach in Va and walked the beach looking for shell and pretty pieces of driftwood. It was breezy and walking in the sand feels good to me, I like the exercise.
A little beach town on the Potomac river. As I stand on the shore I can see Maryland in the distance.

A place to stay on the beach

As we were touring the beach, saw this new home. I like the screened porch on the front.

riding along side the river is some creative private entrances to piers

I liked this one

These two seemed to be everywhere

Looking towards shore is some lovely homes

Steve showing me a piece of drift he found, shaped like the letter Y-

A walk outside

2011-03-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

Still very wet from the rain a couple days ago. But so nice to be out in the warmth of the sunshine.
The daffodils are not as pretty this year, not as many blooms I should say. Could be more I guess coming.
Steve raked up more leaves especially around the house to keep things dry.

Daffodil growing in woods next to house

Little frog hanging from the holly

You can see the reflection in the water of the trees and sky

Many buds on the dogwoods

The sunset yesterday. I watched it as I sit on the front steps of my house, so pretty is the pink and orange glow.

Afterwards I came inside and got out my mugs I bought in Maine a few years ago. I like these mugs with the lobster handles, I thought they were cute. Can't see the handles to well.

frothed milk in my coffee with a sprinkle of cinnamon

I purchased these pots locally, the small was $10 and the two larger ones were $15. I thought they were priced decent for the size and they are cement pots.

Grits and Shrimp

2011-03-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

For brunch today ( we got up real late) I decided to have grits with something. Heard of grits with shrimp but never tried it. Grits were prepared according to package directions along with the water I sprinkled in celery seed - love the taste of celery, sea salt, and olive oil. I would have added a packet of chicken bouillon (low sodium) but was out of that. After I fixed mine, I read that some people use milk instead of water. I would rather use water myself

After it cooks enough - it's put in a casserole dish. On top goes my shredded 3 oz's. pepper jack cheese along with 3 oz's. cheddar. Shrimp is thawed and placed on top with paprika, another fave. of mine.
Placed in oven on 350 when all is looking good - it's eaten right away. Yummmmmm

Canned apples I put up in October heated with cinnamon sugar and honey along with the dish. Now for a nap.

Drum point lighthouse and museum-Solomans Island

2011-03-05T23:26:00.000-08:00

Located in Calvert county Md.. The grandchildren enjoyed the museum so much. They got to touch a sea turtle, starfish and fish. They really liked the otters.

bridge to island.

Steven, Jenn holdng Tyler and Ryan standing

on second level of lighthouse

You can see him with his head sticking out of shell

never want to see one of these in person

I had to get a quick shot of them here. Seemed like as soon as they hopped in the boat and put on their hats, they were back out again ready to see something else.

Looks cozy, but took a lot of work to make it feel that way I'm sure.

view from upstairs

Drum Point lighthouse was constructed in 1883 to mark the entrance to the Patuxent river. This screw style cottage type light is one of only three that remain of 45, that at the beginning of the 20th century served the Chesapeake bay. Decommissioned in 1962, it has been beautifully restored.

We took a walk along the beach looking for sea glass. I found a couple pieces, very pretty place.

Natures beauty

2011-03-03T22:31:00.000-08:00

In the far backyard by the old shed were these pretty little flowers. Little tiny ones, when I get up close I can see how perfect they are. I am glad I took the time to look closer and enjoy the gift of nature that God has given me . The only sound was from the gentle breeze.

As I get closer, I can really see how perfect and pretty the little flowers are

in the mood for planting

2011-03-03T11:51:00.000-08:00

I bought some roots and bulbs last week. Yesterday was nice and warm, but today is very chilly, but I still got out in the yard to clean up the beds and plan where to plant some flowers and plants.
I bought these last week and can't wait to get the black hollyhock in the ground. Never had one this color, only the double pinks and whites. I understand the black is what is used by some to color herb teas, because when it's added it gives a deep rose color. I will try it.

I must remember to dig up the dahlia this year

I am gonna try garlic , never have before. I use garlic a lot.

As I was walking the yard earlier to see if any bulbs were coming up; I found some.

These are Hiacinths, I used to have more than this in this bed, who knows what critter got them. I am having trouble with moles, need some more grub killer, or milky spore.

daffodils

this geranium has been on the porch all winter

looks like it may have survived.

I took this cutting from the larger lavender plant shown below. This provence lavender is hardy, it took being buried under snow this winter.

I am still working on this boxwood that I dug up from under a larger one in the yard, it is two years old.

I will give it another haircut soon. .

boxwoods in side yard

Looking to front yard from the side of house

These guys always make me smile, they are sitting on my side table outside on the walkway.

Bread

2011-02-24T21:40:00.000-08:00

I found this bread recipe while surfing the web . Jim Laheys no knead bread., the crust is crunchy. My husband liked it toasted under the broiler with butter. It is so good with cheese and spreads. I may put some garlic in my next loaf, as I really like garlic.
after 18 hours and a few turnings

browned beautifully

couldn't wait , had to slice off a few pieces

had it with snacks when I had company on monday

click here for recipe

Touring Fredericksburg Va

2011-02-24T12:49:00.000-08:00

Steve and I took a little day trip to Fredericksburg, Va. with my sister Lynn and fiance' Randy to tour the old town and the battlefield.

The battle of Fredericksburg, 13 Dec 1862 is remembered as one of the greatest Union defeats of the civil war.

In the streets of Fredericksburg, Union and Confederate troops fought the civil wars first urban combat.

At the visitors center we watched a 20 minute movie and then took the walking tour down the sunken road and the cemetery. Was a little chilly and overcast. A nice walk afterwards in the old town of Fredericksburg with a bite at Sammy T's - great food and some window shopping.

This was a very good model that was on display I took with my camera that depicts aftermath of the fighting

Looks like I took a picture of a picture, but it's not, it is a model.

some of the exhibits

A relic of Chancellorsville campaign, found in Rhappahannock river in 1945(all in one piece)

Lynn and Randy at the Innis house

they are to be married in May of this year

You can see the bullet hole in door inside of house

pretty pine cones from the tree on the ground

Lynn found some pinecones

Steve , Randy and Lynn in distance

this explains the graves here in the cemetery

View from cemetery down on city of Fredericksburg

After the museum we took a walk around the town before it got too dark

some nice stained glass

vintage carousel

the lights in this window cascaded down , beautiful movement

fabric cats

I like this picture, the reflection of the bldgs. are showing in the glass

Moonlight

2011-02-18T16:52:00.000-08:00

I wish I had a better camera on evenings like this. The moon is so bright and full.

Meems covered bridge

2011-02-14T23:04:00.000-08:00

A burr arch truss and 204 feet single span. A long span over the north fork river, Meems bottom bridge is one of the last remaining covered bridges in Virginia, located in Shenandoah county. Built in 1894 and standing more than 80 years, it was destroyed by vandals on Halloween in 1976. It was reconstructed from salvaged original timbers and under girded with steel beams and concrete piers. Reopened in 1979.
Steve and I walked the bridge and listened to the water rushing underneath, maybe one car passed through. We walked for a bit along the river in October 2010, a beautiful time of year in this part of Virginia, the sun dappling through the trees , casting shadows.
Little chilly and as I was walking , I looked to my side and saw a snake moving along also, he did stop and take a look at me, I guess he could sense my fear and just went along his merry way. After a few more pics - we headed back to the car and took in the Paughs orchard a little way down the road.

you may can read if you click to enlarge

Looking back to road from the bridge

Bill and Lou taking a walk at the river

this is where I met the snake walking along the river

Looking towards the fields from the river at bridge

I would like to go back in the spring and see the wildflowers in bloom.

Tis Written in Stone

2011-02-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Steve brought me roses

and yummy candy

Love to All !

A single rose

2011-02-09T19:45:00.000-08:00

I have read that a single rose of any color depicts devotion. Steve brought me this rose this afternoon.

he's just that way

actually feels like spring

2011-02-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

So I decided to fix a spring sweet with blueberries that I had frozen. I made some lemon curd Sunday . VERY lemony, or tart I should say. Don't like a real sweet curd. Tasted so good spread over the warm blueberry loaf this morning. A very strong coffee to go with it. Yum mm

You can bet my diet was all over after this. As Scarlett said " I'll think about that tomorrow".
or something like that.

I used 5 egg yolks and juice from 4 large lemons, along with butter, sugar and a tablespoon of zest scraped from the washed lemon skin. Have to wash them well. I cooked in a glass dish over boiling water , then poured through a sieve to get any zest and lumps that may remain from the cooked egg yolks.
I will make some orange curd tomorrow. I freeze mine also if there is too much to eat in a week. Freezes well.

anniversary and coffee

2011-02-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

Today is Steve and my anniversary.   Haven't sit in hours, haven't slowed a bit. Gonna have to, because we have to eat dinner soon.
Steve loves coffee, I love coffee.   When we visited the beach a few weeks back, he just loved the coffee maker there in the parlor, so handy and ready to go when he is.
I should have known he was gonna get one .

Paper towel craft

2011-01-31T11:16:00.000-08:00

My paper towel holder was empty in the kitchen , I decided to make a cross with the empty one. Here are some pictures

I cut the roll down the center for some scrolling. I used a pencil to wrap for curly q's.

Glued everything together

I used silver metallic spray

I may have to give it one more spray to cover some spots that didn't get covered the first time

Beach getaway

2011-01-19T22:20:00.000-08:00

My husband and I took a little getaway time over the long weekend to Bethany beach.
Bethany is part of a seven mile stretch of sandy Atlantic beaches, in the southeastern corner of Delaware including South Bethany and Fenwick Island.
We stayed at Addy Sea , a bed and breakfast Victorian home that was like stepping back in time. Beautiful views of the Ocean. Tea time at three in the afternoon, with that we sat in the parlor downstairs with a good book by the fire. The breakfast was wonderful with fresh fruit, eggs and bacon, pancakes, etc.
Interesting history of the home is found on their website. We will be going back for sure.

looking in from porch

our room

nice comfy chairs

I just had to get a close up of the dragonfly on this stained glass lamp on our dresser.

view going up to our room

fresh flowers always on the tables

Steve pulling our suitcase
view of the sitting room at top of stairs. Plenty of good books to read and look through

I like this view of downstairs

tea time

very nice dining area

You can enlarge by clicking on these two rooms - I thought they were pretty rooms

another beach nearby- Rehoboth-

one of the locals

Frozen lake , I think it's called silver lake, on our way back from Rehoboth

There were children on the ice playing.

sunset on Sunday
and
back to work today as usual

Happy Birthday Annette

2011-01-08T09:21:00.000-08:00

My daughters birthday today. Wow how time flies.

here she is with her son seth at a christmas museum in ky. when we visited at Christmas.
She is a sweetheart. Happy Birthday!

Three Kings Day

2011-01-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

The 12th and last day of the Christmas Season. I started taking down my decorations today. Looks like I may finish putting them away by Valentines day. There are so many little things to pack away.
My husband went shopping in a store in town called "Junk in the Trunk", lots of nice and unique items. He said he had to get me a Three Kings day gift. I am glad he did, although he never has before and neither have I. I guess it's never to late to start. I saw this before Christmas and wanted one, he remembered.
Something from the earth , which is Himalayan Crystal salt lamp.
It cleans the air and has a nice glow.
I will see, although since I have quit smoking I am not as winded as I once was. Thank God for that.
I like the color and the light in total darkness, gives a nice glow.

Happy Monday

2011-01-03T14:56:00.000-08:00

Relaxing this evening in front of the fire reading a book about the English countryside, some beautiful homes and yummy pictures of scones.    Had to have some, so I made them.   My husband and I enjoyed them with coffee.   I do like tea, but he had the coffee made.
I used rose petal sugar that I made in the summer.  With sugar I ground with the rose petals in my coffee grinder made the sugar very powdery.
   I didn't have any cream to add to my dough mixture so I added yogurt.  Mace is another spice I must remember the next grocery day, brings out the flavor - sooo good.
There is also some rose petal sugar in the mix also.

I mixed the sugar ( you can see the ground petal in the mixture) with rice milk that I had on hand.

the mixture was a little dark so I added some red sugar crystals to lighten it up a bit

My sugar ground with rose petals

The glaze hardens but we didn't wait, enjoyed it warm with some butter.

I may try some of my

rose petal jelly between the layers in the morning.

Happy 2011

2010-12-31T21:26:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Auld Lang Syne
Robert Burns
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine;
we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin' auld lang syne
We two hae paidled i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne
And here's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Island picture

2010-12-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

I snapped this picture along the boardwalk on Solomon's Island on Saturday evening.
I think I will frame it. Peaceful I just noticed in the cloud formation what looks to be an arm and hand extending from the heavens-- wow

Some Thanksgiving hi lites and my Christmas blog also updated.

2010-11-28T23:07:00.000-08:00

Had a wonderful meal at my brother and sister in laws home. It was also a celebration of my grand nieces b'day and my moms b'day.
Moms day was the 23rd , we took her out to lunch but had some gifts and a cake for both.
I made potato salad and a wheat, gluten , egg and milk free cake for my niece , it was four layers. I used rice milk and crisco and vegetable margarine. In place of eggs, I used apple sauce and mixed with it cornstarch and a little tapioca starch, it turns the color of egg and holds the cakes together just fine.

On left is redskin potatoes, I mixed in vinegar, olives onion , celery and hummus. Tasted pretty good and for someone who cannot have the mayonaise, this worked out just fine.
My secret ingredient for the mayo potato salad is horseradish- I love that stuff and besides the vinegae, it gives the salad pizazz

Jessica is my grande niece

Below is the new little baby Eli, he slept the whole time and my grande grande nephew, whew - I feel old.

Mom opening a present

Mom holding her gr gr grandson, how lucky to have a picture like this for Eli

Kendall the b'day girl and great grandaughter

Yummmm foooood

Look at the little smile - so sweet

a little doll baby

Many Blessings was had under one roof

Nice Thanksgiving.

I did miss being with my daughter Annette and speaking with her and my grandson Seth

She is in Tenn. and I am sure busy with her husbands family and friends, hopefully next year.

My son also couldn't make it. He had other plans with his fiance.

A painting purchase

2010-11-20T10:30:00.000-08:00

My husband purchased this painting here in town a few months back. A lady that owned the painting said that she purchased it in the 60's from a man selling his paintings from a sidewalk in the hamptons. Just curious if anyone else knows anything about this painting.

Garden shop in the mountains

2010-11-10T08:36:00.000-08:00

Our drive to Quicksburg Va for apples, look at shrine Mont and covered bridge a few weeks back, took us almost past a nice garden and artsy shop.
I love outdoor art and this place had so much that the 45 minutes we spent there wasn't enough. I bought two frogs, like we needed more frogs. My husband loves frogs.

metal snowmen

paper stars

nice window in the fence

foot prints

My guess -" when ya need a hand"

very nice stone bldg.

twigs designed to hold on to gazing ball

neat looking