Mom visit

Thursday November 15.  A Thanksgiving dinner was prepared by the nursing home.  We had a table for our family and it was nicely decorated for the season..  Four family members could attend. I went with Genevieve. My brother and his wife attended.
Mom ate every bite and was happy to have us there as always.  Wanda and Karl stayed to play scrabble as Mom loves scrabble.  She is very good at it also.  Hard to believe she will be 97 on her birthday this month. Her joints work better than mine.

The table was decorated very nice with festive place settings and candles.
I wish my camera had taken better pictures but I only got one or two.
Thursday was a terrible downpour and my car after running through high water started acting up but it got better, thankfully.

Genevieve going ahead of me

candle decoration

My brother and Mom .  Wished my pictures taken with my cell phone had turned out, but only a few did.

The meal was delicious!

The small creek as we were leaving was full and flowing

It got worse as the day progressed: lots of high water.

Elkton Va..

Steve and I took a day trip November 4.  We wanted to see the leaves before they finished turning and most already done  so.   Pretty drive to the mountains.

Elkton, an incorporated town in Rockingham county Virginia.   Formerly known as Conrad's store built by George Conrad.
 Adam Miller  was one of the first European -  Americans to settle here and a native of Germany.   Miller purchased 820 acres in 1741 which included a large lithium spring near Elkton.   He sold 280 acres to his son in law, Jacob Baer.  The spring on Millers land is still known as Bear Lithium spring.
We ate at this little diner and across the street had to get a closer look at this old home.  Beautiful I am sure in its day as is the beautiful picturesque farmland that surrounds it.

I hope it will be restored.  Looks the worst for wear though.

Pretty fields and barns surrounding it.

On the way back home we took a more scenic route.  We noticed the signs Swannanoa.  We haven't been able to visit this place which has been about 23 or 24 years ago.  Happened to be it was the last two day week end it would be open until May of 2019.  So excited to be able to tour it.
More on the Mansion in next post.

Swannanoa.  The summer home of  James and Sallie Mae Dooley.  Their Richmond Virginia home is Maymont.

Lavender house

Steve and I ordered a playhouse for the grand girls.  It was delivered on the wettest day.  The ground was soft.  The truck bringing it in got stuck, so the big tow was called in, well it was a nightmare.
 Anyhow, here are some pictures of the house where she sits right now.
A mule as they call it will be brought here on the 17th to place it where it needs to be in the yard.

Entrance for the children.  The rear of the playhouse has a full size door for adults.

Little loft area.

It has vinyl window with screens. The front door is a little dutch door and already the girls are talking about decorating a Christmas tree.  Be fun for a long while.  They love to do crafts so this will be good for that too.

Happy Sunday

A beautiful one it is for sure.  Sunny and cold I must say.  Such a great day to be thinking about Thanksgiving and dinner etc..

So to get ready for it, we are doing this

Yep, my nephew is painting a much needed living room , hall and entry way.

No better time for me to do things than at the holidays!

Not sure at this point what window treatment I will want but whatever it is, I will have someone come in to do it.  I don't want to put up hardware anymore.  Tired of climbing and not getting it done right the first time.

Entryway will not be fun to do as the ceiling is so high

Hallway to be done

This fixture in entry way, not too bad but not sure I want to keep it.

Well this my Sunday and hope all are having a great one!

Dancing and Wedding - Alex and Sydney

A clip of Genevieve dancing with Bride and Groom, uncle and cousins at Sydney and Alex's wedding - October 207.2018

Genevieve changed of course the pretty little patent leather pumps she had on for the wedding.  Had to find something more comfortable to dance. 

Part  1  is HERE

Fall color on October 27 2018

Beautiful day for a fall wedding.  October 27.  I have more to share but here are a few of the countryside.  Just a beautiful day for Alex and Sydney in Stanardsville Va.

Along the way

This picture I took from the car moving fast down the highway.  Through the side window on way to the venue.
Turned out more like a watercolor.

Field - Barn at Edgewood in Stanardsville Va.

Little early and caught the wedding party taking pictures before the wedding.

More later.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

A walk through the gardens today to see the changing leaves.  Lots of beauty surrounds the property.  Genevieve went with us and lead the way.  Me as always, coming up in the rear.
Entrance to lobby

I always like to check out the gift and garden shop and the two never disappoint.

Decorating the trees and greenery has started at the gardens.  I look forward to seeing it on members night.

Not liking this that much.

trees getting lights

Red Maples

Japanese maples near the pond

I don't know what this wispy shrub is but it sure is pretty and so soft looking

Look how soft that shrub looks in the distance.

close up

 Beautiful peppers planted in an urn at entrance to the fountain

 Along our walk there are still beautiful blooms to see along the way

I don't know what this one is called but partial to the color, I am.

I think I like this one the best. 

A walk along the water to see and feed  turtles