Betsy's Wildwood Home: 10/1/09

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Apples of my eyes

One of the treats that fall brings are Apples and we love apple butter.
On the way home from Orkney Springs I saw a sign that said "Apples for Sale" of course my husband just loved the idea of turning around on a very winding road to head back to get them. we stopped and bought apples from Paughs orchard.
We bought Apple cider also, soooo good, I make my butter with that too.

Apples cost $18.00 a bushel. A bushel makes a lot of sauce, plus I made a couple of pies to freeze to have at Thanksgiving. I will just pop them in the oven.

to make my butter I cook the apples, put them in blender to puree.

my spices are clove, little sugar, cinnamon, mace , and butter. I used the apple cider I purchased in the making of the apple butter also.

I processed mine for 15 minutes in a hot water bath.

My husband has already opened a jar, he likes it served with pork or beef, but he likes just about anything served with pork or beef.

click to enlarge photos

Picture above and below taken at Orchard

Pumpkins and gourds decorate the little bridge area

beautiful farm land

these extra large photos are cut off in view, if you click on them you can see the whole picture

Blue Ridge

Monday, October 26, 2009

Fall falling

Wow, the leaves started changing color at my house a week ago and now they are falling from the trees already, I was hoping they would stay on longer, but with the breeze and some rain, they are hitting the ground, Oh the fun of raking them up is upon me. , I posted some fall pix. and I found a rose blooming along with the zinnias.

I hope you enjoy the colors of fall as much as I do.

view from down the street

so pretty with the raindrops

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Orkney Springs - Shrine Mont

Shrine Mont

My husband and I went away for 2 days to Orkney Springs, a small town located in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia and home to Shrine Mont,   a conference center of the Episcopal Diocese of Va. which consist of 1,000 acres, adjoining The George Washington National Forest at the foot of the Great North Mountain which is part of Appalachian chain of Allegheny mountains. We like to go there and relax , get away from phones, t.v.s and sit outside if the weather is nice , read or take walks , especially now as the folliage is gorgeous.

Shenandoah is an Indian name and it means 'Daughter of the stars".

The Virginia House built in 1873 was formerly known as the Orkney Hotel.   There is large Dining Hall , meeting rooms and offices, and a winding staircase.   There is also a large ballroom on third floor and is 5.000 square feet.   Beautiful wrap around porches with rocking chairs. We enjoyed sitting on the second floor balcony with a cup of complimentary coffee or tea from the lobby of the Virginia House.

When work began on Orkney Springs hotel in the 1800's, it soon became a tourist attraction, because of the seven natural springs, people would visit to take in the waters .     Three springs today are visible on the property.

In 1925 the open air Cathedral was consecrated.   Each of the stones were rolled or taken from the mountain by horse. The baptismal font was once used by Indians to grind corn.  A truly beautiful and spiritual place.
Great place for family get together.Simply appointed, with beautiful views of the property from our window in the room.
We have visited several times and will visit many more times in the future. Peaceful and relaxing, and family style meals served to us in the Tucker lodge dining room.
In the lounge areas , Brown Hall and Art Hall, which is home to art of John Douglas Woodward, uncle of Shrinemonts founder (1846-1924).   Large stone fireplaces burning with a cozy fire, are so inviting.

Virginia House