"There is peace even in the storm." - Vincent Van Gogh -

Monday, August 17, 2009

Sea doo

Since it's summer, one has to pick up some fresh veggies for the picnic on the lake.

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On the way to Pocahontas park I spotted this beautiful barn just had to snap it. I do have a thing for red barns.



Summer is winding down , I can feel it and hear it, the sounds at night feel like fall is nearing.
I was looking at these pictures I took on the water this year in early July and boy time goes by fast when you're having fun.






Annette spying a snake in the rocks, she told me about it much later.







Seth waiting patiently for his turn to ride.


Derek loves this thing. I must say it is fun.






Sunday, August 9, 2009

Jamestown - Americas first permanent English Colony

The year 1607, 104 Englishmen and boys , sponsored by the Virginia company of London, began a settlement on the banks of the James River. There were plenty of hardships , but they endured. The replicas of the three ships that sailed from England can be boarded here.
Powhatan village and the colonist fort along with historical interpreters made for an interesting and fun visit.
Here are a few pictures of the day. I visited with my daughter and grandchild, along with my nephew Alex and sister Donna.

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Beans growing on trellis.



I think they have the wrong size gear for battle, maybe trade.


One of the colonist constructing a fishing net

little scared he'll get pecked


Anglican Church


Captains quarters
looks like the captain



close quarters



A view inside of musum, I like the lighting fixtures

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Maymont House and Gardens

My friend Carolyn and I visited Maymont house and gardens some months back.
Maymont is a Romanesque style Mansion built on the banks of the James river with 12,000 square feet and 33 rooms and was the 100 acre Victorian country estate of James and Sally May Dooley. Mr. Dooley was a Philandropist and millionaire.
Estate was purchased in 1886 and the mansion was completed by 1893.
Maymont is named for Mrs. Dooley. A combination of her maiden name and mont which is french word for hill..................

The Dooleys maintained a mountain home, Swannanoa, in the Blue Ridge mountains at Rock fish Gap. A beautiful swan bed that once was in the summer mansion , can now be viewed at Maymont. I wish I could have taken pictures inside, but that was not allowed.
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One of many beautiful trees on property






Covered entrance

Gazebo in the distance



Beautiful gardens surround the property. You can see down to the river from here










Friendly Peacock watching the chickens eat at the childrens zoo on property







collection of antique carriages.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

This 'n' that saturday

Not getting too much done today, can't stay focused on any one thing.
I did make some cantaloupe juice and stew with rice. I may not get lots of other things done, but I do like to eat.
For the juice you just shred the cantaloupe, add sugar, it is best to let it sit a little while after adding water to it. So Refreshing on a hot day and I like eating the shredded cantaloupe left in glass after the drink is gone. I think I may put some shredded cantaloupe in blender with some vanilla ice cream.




I did cast a leaf last week, some of the mix went over the side of the leaf, I will just glue something on it like a garden fairy or maybe a mushroom to hide it.





I decided to use the trimmed vines from the willow tree to make a heart wreath, I actually wasn't sure what I would make, but when I started bending the vines it started looking like a heart.


I will just keep working it until it gets much larger than it is now.

One of my favorite hobbies is paint by numger., this one I finished not too long ago. Takes a while with all of the shading that has to be done. There are so many different designs to paint now. I just find it relaxing.


Til next time--Betsy