May 7, 2023

So this morning Kelly and I gathered up a few items for the day and set off to Sunday School. Our lesson was about being happy/joyful while we wait on God’s direction. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) We made a list of that make us happy so we can think about them when we are having trouble being joyful!

But that’s for tomorrow! I will recount the day at Hanna’s Town yesterday, as I spent the whole day with a group of lovely, talented, hard-working ladies as we put together the Spring Victorian Tea. The day started a little after 9am when we checked all the tables and made sure they were set. Becky did the decorations and she always uses fresh flowers. So delicate and appropriate.

Beautiful Day!
View from the foyer
Front foyer
Under the tiers
Paper cone with sprigs of purple flowers
Glass bowls with yellow tea lights and purple petals
Magnolia buds in floating vases
Clear twinkle lights in pink tulle
Mantle
Dogwood branches
Extra tea cups
Vase of hydrangea

Lillian, Roxanne, and Michael were the tea crew – they made the spiced, made-to-order hot tea. Michael is a great help, making trips back and forth to the kitchen for water and requests.

Lillian is seated

The menu is always decided ahead of time, and then volunteers step up to make or bring all the food. By about 10am we began working on making sandwiches, plating the food, and organizing the process.

Middle tier
Sandwiches: Cucumber, Pimento, Egg Salad Croissant, Chicken Salad
Sweets – bottom tier
Closeup
Sweets: Almond Pound Cake (my favorite), Tea pot iced sugar cookies, Lemmon Spritz, Linzer Cookies
Top tier
Scones with Lemon Curd, Strawberry Jam, and Devonshire Cream
Fruit Skewers (with gooseberries!)

The servers, Deb, Carol, Cathy, and Janice, poured the tea from delicate tea pots and made sure the plates were in the tiers on the tables. The rest of us – scullery (kitchen help) – stayed behind closed doors, plating the food in lovely arrangements and seeing that everyone got to sample all the food.

Cathy, Deb, Janice, Carol

We had two seatings – one at 11:30am and one at 2pm. There can be 26 at each seatings. Everyone invests a lot of themselves to make the teas a success, and this one was! We received (as a group) so many compliments. The food is always delicious and the atmosphere is delightful. It’s a big job setting up, serving, cleaning up, and then starting again. But it’s mostly a labor of love and it’s a great feeling of accomplishment when we are done at 4:30pm. I was glad to get home and unwind.

Another successful tea – food plates on the tiers

BUT — Kelly got here around 5:15pm and we set about our first task: She needed some perennials to plant at their 4H headquarters. So we dug three boxes of plants. Glad we did that yesterday as it would have been wet to do it today!

Boxes of plants

After a supper of grilled cheese made with homemade bread and cream of potato soup we put together a pile of binders for a 4H project about threes and leaves of West Virginia. We got all but two of them done. We watched North to Home while we worked – she had never seen it. It’s actually a favorite of mine.

Binder project
North to Home (DVD)

So that’s it for today – tonight we’ll finish the last two binders and try not to do much.

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man ...

Quote:

The secret of being happy is accepting where you are in life and making ...

TOMORROW May 8th is:

National Student Nurse Day; National Thalassemia Day; National Women’s Checkup Day; National Coconut Cream Pie Day; World Ovarian Cancer Day; Time of Remembrance & Reconciliation; National Have a Coke Day; World Red Cross Day.

Have a Coke! And God bless us, every one!

(TOMORROW I WILL RECAP OUR LIGONIER MUSEUM DAY!)

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May 6, 2023

Today was the Victorian Tea at Hanna’s Town. It was a beautiful day and the event was a huge success! I got home close to 5pm, and my daughter came up within the hour. We have several projects to work on this evening so I will postpone sharing today’s adventures with you. It may even have to wait until Monday, as tomorrow is Ligonier’s free museum day and Kelly and I are going after church.

Beautiful day at Hanna’s Town

Have a wonderful weekend – God bless!

TOMORROW May 7th is: National Infertility Survival Day; National Tourism Day; National Leg of Lamb day; National Lemonade Day; National Paste Up Day; National Barrier Awareness Day.

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May 5, 2023

Here we are, back to real life! I was mentally reliving a few Williamsburg adventures last night as I snuggled in bed – the full moon was bright shining in the window.

Full, bright moon

I was at Hanna’s Town before 9:30am this morning. The County was cutting the grass and the sidewalks were heavy with wet grass clippings. I found an outside broom – with the help of Stacy – and cleaned off all the walkways. By then Claudia, Priscilla, Lillian, Roxanne and Cathy were there and we got started setting up tables. I left there about 12:25pm.

Image result for cartoon image - sweeping grass off walks

The Whirlpool repair person came about 2pm. He took apart my freezer drawer and made some adjustments, explaining everything as he went. By the time he left everything was realigned and the drawer was closing perfectly. He even gave me a few tips on cleaning the stainless steel outside.

Fridge

Today was a beautiful, sunny day – not extremely warm but very pleasant. I weed-whacked the yard and blew the walks and driveway clean. There was a very fat robin hopping around by the lilac bush – I think she is possibly with child – or with egg, or something.

Fat Robin was not at all afraid of me!

Once I cleaned up from that I went to Diane’s church for their Trash to Treasure sale. It was nice that it started this evening because my tomorrow will be very busy with the Tea and Kelly’s visit. I bought a little flat, wooden house that I hung on the star hook. 50 cents. They won’t fund their next project on what I spent, for sure!

Just a portion of the room…
About 2 inches by 3 inches

As the sun went down it looked like the hills behind the house were glowing. I paid some bills and will get a salad for supper later. I’m still half-way in Williamsburg!

Scripture:

I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes unto the Hills | Bible verse mountains, Bible ...

Quote:

Quotes Running Hills. QuotesGram

TOMORROW May 6th is:

International No Diet Day; Free Comic Book Day; National Start Seeing Monarchs Day (Butterflies); National Nurses Day; National Play Outside Day; National Crepe Suzette Day; Kentucky Derby Day; National Homebrew Day; National Beverage Day; National Bombshells’ Day; Join Hands Day; National Scrapbook Day; National Fitness Day.

Lots to choose from! I will spend the day celebrating the Victorian Tea at Historic Hanna’s Town. It’s such a lovely event! Have a wonderful day – God bless…

Posted in Uncategorized

CW Vacation – Day 5: HOME!

Reluctantly we were up early and took our time organizing and packing to leave. It was very hard for me – I was SO not ready to walk away. I really could have stayed several more days. There was still more to see and do. We would have even had options to visit Yorktown and Jamestown if we had the time and finances to do so. But THAT is why it’s a vacation!

Have you heard of the Historic Triangle in Virginia? | Usa travel ...

Turned out we had parked the car in our designated area on Sunday evening and not moved it until we left Thursday morning! It was SO convenient. And fun! And exciting! And PERFECT!! But before we loaded the car, we took an early walk up and down Duke of Gloucester Street, then ended up at the Raleigh Tavern Bakeshop. I promised a friend a Ginger cake so I got that last minute with our breakfast. One last muffin and hot tea!

Last muffin of the trip…

Photos from our early walk:

Courthouse (Randolph house far right)
Bruton Parish Church
Quiet street
Through the open gate
Brick sidewalks
Houses
Market square, guardhouse, magazine
Randolph house – center
‘Sign of the Rhino’ – leased property (employee lives there)
More houses
In the shade

While we were loading the car, Kathy met the people staying in the Market Square Kitchen, with level entry and handicap accessible amenities. It slept multiple guests and sounds like a perfect fit for 4 or 5 travelers for a week, and it would be reasonable for Duke of Gloucester Street. Something to think about!

Market Square Kitchen – you rent the whole thing!

The car is packed; we checked out at Williamsburg INN, and we headed up to the visitor’s center. I was still hoping to find a sweatshirt. We visited the REVOLUTIONS gift shops but there was nothing different there. Kathy bought two rulers – one listing presidents and one listing first ladies. I bought a post card with coordinates for Williamsburg and a coaster (we all know my fondness for them…). I also bought a cake of ‘LET IT SNOW’ soap that smells heavenly! I’m saving that for winter!

Saying goodbye – we just check out at the Inn
Coordinates
Coaster

We settled in for the long ride home, heading up Route 64 West. I just about have the route memorized even though we don’t go that often any more. We stopped early on to get gas in the car, then waited until about 1pm to get food. We were blessed to find a Chick Fil-A and fill our own tanks! We never have a lack of topics to talk about, including over-riding Cordelia’s driving directions (Cordelia is Kathy’s GPS – mine is Gwyneth). We took it straight into Breezewood and filled the car with gas for the last stretch. I was glad we did, because the centrally located plaza gas station on the mountain was closed for remodel!

Lunch!
View of the mountains
Mountains
In the distance…

I dropped Kathy off at about 6:30pm and came home to unload the car. So now the work began – putting everything away, looking for things I couldn’t find (found everything but one thing!), do laundry, tuck away suitcases, re-stock food, file maps and travel brochures. It was a somber, quiet evening, with lots of reflection and contemplation. I loved this trip more than any I’ve had in a very long time. It spoke to my soul! Maybe I’ll reflect on that tomorrow, or over the weekend. Thanks so much for reliving this journey with me!

If you are keeping track, we drove 752 miles!
Colonial Snoopy made the entire trip with us – great company!

In the meantime, I have to take Chrissy to work in 15 minutes, and tomorrow is prep day for Hanna’s Town Spring Tea – then the repairman for my new, way-too-expensive fridge! Saturday is the Tea itself and I’ll be at Hanna’s Town from 9am until 4pm, then Kelly is coming up. We are going to Ligonier’s Free Museum Day on Sunday after church. So… no time for wallowing in my nostalgia!~

Spring Tea – sold out!
Back courtyard of Market Square Tavern… Sigh…

Scripture:

Bible Memory Verse Station Home Bible Time for Kids - Forget Him Knot

Quote:

Banana Yoshimoto Quote: “Truly happy memories always live on, shining ...

TOMORROW May 5th is:

School Lunch Hero Day; National Hoagie Day; World Portuguese Language Day; National Cartoonists Day; International Day of the Midwife; National Space Day; National Silence the Shame Day; National Totally Chipotle Day; African World Heritage Day; Cinco De Mayo; National Astronaut Day.

I’m celebrating Charles Schulz – the most brilliant cartoonist ever (in my opinion). Celebrate your favorite cartoonist, and take lime to laugh. God bless ….

My hero Charles Schulz
Pin by Debbie Henson on snoopy | Snoopy cartoon, Snoopy and friends ...
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CW Vacation – Day 4 2-23

We did something different for breakfast – we walked over to the Williamsburg Lodge and had their buffet breakfast. They had lots of yummy choices! By the time we got back to the historic area the building were just opening up. We stopped in the Milliner’s and talked to a very enthusiastic person who was currently working on mending many of the day-to-day outfits for employees. She told us the story of how she was making her own costumes since she was 6 or so, and was thrilled to be part of the CW family!

Breakfast at the Lodge
Milliners

We stopped at the Apothecary and checked out the medicines and the office – we even learned about a few treatments. The Charlton Coffeehouse was open for tours so we went in there and learned about the couple who lived there and ran it, as well as the people who met there for casual drinks. At the end of the tour we went downstairs and had a taste of either coffee or chocolate. I had the chocolate, and it was a little on the bitter side and thicker than you would imagine.

Learning about 18th century medicines
The office
Charlton House parlor – where they received their guests
Common room – open to the public
Fireplace downstairs

And wouldn’t you know it, when we came out there were Martha and George conversing on the street! We stopped to ‘chat’ but didn’t want to monopolize their time – We were on our way to the stage in the back to listen to Patrick Henry.

Martha on horseback – and George
Patrick Henry

Our program said that there were Nation Builders roaming around the Palace green, so we headed over there to see who it might be. We stopped in the street beside Chowning’s Tavern to see the Oxen, which were very gentle and quiet.

Pair of Oxen
Oxen in front of Chownings

BUT – you’ll never guess who was hanging out on the Palace green. YEP! Martha and George! I know they thought we were stalking them! But we had – and listened to – several interesting conversations.

George and Martha by the palace
Engaging the community
By the carriage

From there we walked around to the other side of the green and met Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. I’ve heard Thomas speak on YouTube videos and he’s very funny. We stood there for a while, and when we moved on we saw Patrick Henry sitting on a bench under a tree by the Wythe house. He was talking to old friends from Erie – they were local (to Erie) reenactors of Martha and George Washington. We had an 18th century and a 21st century conversation with the three of them.

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
James was reading Voltaire…
Martha and George (Erie) visiting with old friend Patrick Henry

We hadn’t been inside Bruton Parish Church yet, so we stopped there next.

Kathy in Thomas Jefferson’s pew
The front of the church
Pulpit and sounding board
I am in George Washington’s pew
Rev. W. A. R. Goodwin’s grave – inside the church!

Then we walked across the street to the garden to see what was growing – among other things, Poppies!

We walked past the Magazine (still wasn’t open – it was being renovated) on our way to our room, and a nice couple took our picture in our matching shirts. We also encountered GENERAL Washington sitting on a porch and chatted with him for a few minutes. He was NOT nearly as engaging as COLONEL Washington. We passed a few lambs on the way back to the Charlton Stage to listen to George Mason, who declared himself a grump!

Sisters….
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GENERAL Washington
Lambs
George Mason

Our last evening in Williamsburg had us standing in the green behind the Courthouse, listening to the Fife and Drum performance. There were several little boys with drums playing along with the corps and once the performance ended the musicians invited the kids to try their drums and get photos. My sister got a picture with a drummer for Isaac, their super-drummer grandson.

Maybe, when he grows up….

We took our time going to the Capitol where our evening program would be. The streets really clear out after 5pm. The program was TO HANG A PIRATE, and after listening to the witnesses we all had a vote in deciding his fate. THEN we found out what REALLY happened. I won’t share that in case you go! The actors were excellent.

Quiet streets of early evening
Quiet street out our window
Capitol
In front of the Capitol
Waiting for the program
Trial by candle
Meeting the cast
Cast

I loved walking back to the room by the street lights and candles. It was hard to make myself go inside! Goodnight, sweet city!

Empty streets
Shields Tavern
Shields Tavern
Houses by lamplight
Looking back at the Capitol

Scripture:

Good Night! | Good night bible verse, Good night quotes, Good night ...

Quote:

28 Amazing Good Night Quotes and Wishes with Beautiful Images – TailPic

TOMORROW May 4th is:

Bird Day; National Weather Observers Day; World Password Day; National Candied Orange Peel Day; National Star Wars Day (May the Force (4th) be with you); National Orange Juice Day; National Day of Prayer; National Day of Reason; National Self Employed Day; National Renewal Day.

Here’s to my kids (Kelly, Matt, Nate, and Jen) who are all self employed). Take time to pray for our country, our communities, families.

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CW Vacation – Day 3 2-23

After the capitol we walked over to the Wythe house, passing gardens and houses on the way. There was also a family group that were all dressed colonial – the mom had made all their outfits! They were drawing a lot of attention!

Houses
Lamp post – Duke of Gloucester Street
Wild garden
More houses
Colonial family

We were glad to get to the Wythe house, as it’s not open every day. George Wythe was a lawyer and a professor at the college of William and Mary. Also, W. A. R. Goodwin, the man responsible for the ideas of restoring the 18th century capitol (Colonial Williamsburg) lived in that house when he was the priest at Bruton Parish Church. He was also responsible for enticing John D Rockefeller Jr. to invest in the renovation.

Bruton Parish Church
George Wythe house – facing the Palace Green
Wythe garden and the back entrance
Kathy at the garden
The office
Out the window; the Palace green
Trying to catch a glimpse of Mrs. Wythe in the mirror. But there’s only me!
Spare room – Kathy looking at the collections
View out the back window
This is the room I want to sleep in when I visit
Another window view
Another bedroom
Wythe outbuildings (Laundry, kitchen, workshop)
Another visitor – lizard with a blue tail! (I think it’s a skink???
In the arbor
Slave quarters
Workshop

Since we were ‘right there’, we next went to the palace for a tour. The first interesting thing we learned was that when chewing gum is smashed onto the bricks or walkways, it cannot be scraped off. The entire section or pathway had to be removed and replaced, which is very costly. So dispose of your gum respectfully! As we walked up to the entrance there was a carriage driving past. We also walked past the Theatre, and popped in for a few minutes to watch the end of an 18th century performance.

Palace and carriage
Carriage
Play was very cute – an funny!
Pantry – kept under lock and key
Pantry – drying rack
Office
Bed Chamber
Family dining room
Palace ballroom – our tour guide in front of the picture of Queen Charlette
Banquet hall – balls often lasted until dawn!
Palace gardens
View from the back
Another back view
Canal at the Palace
Palace Maze – Kathy and I got lost. Two little boys showed us the way to the center!
We made it to the middle – and back out!
Carriage house and stable

We had a few minutes until it was time to meet Mr. Washington (Colonel) at the Charlton Stage. Low and behold we met Mrs. Washington riding her horse in front of the Kings Arms Tavern! It was so lovely to see her again! As previously mentioned, both Kathy and I have a sweet fondness for the Washingtons. We stopped and chatted for a few moments before heading over to visit with her husband.

Mrs. Martha Washington

Colonel Washington was SO entertaining and informative! He engaged so well with the crowd and shared so many personal and professional conversations. Once the formal presentation was finished, he walked out to the street and stood by the sidewalk for about 40 additional minutes! He is so informed and educated and shared information (especially about slavery) that I did not know. He was – and IS – a great man of knowledge and compassion and integrity. I’m in love! Please don’t tell Martha… I know this is a photo dump but I can’t help myself. I have several more, as well!

Colonel Washington on the stage
Conversation
Serious topics…
On the street
(You can see we were up close!)
Closer….
VERY close!

We tore ourselves away and let the Colonel get back to his affairs (no, I wasn’t one of them!), and we walked back down the street toward the center of town. The Printer’s was open and we stopped in there just before they closed for the evening.

Print shop – printing the Virginia Gazette

Our next stop was to Christiana Campbell’s Tavern (George Washington’s favorite tavern in Williamsburg), where we had reservations. It’s right across from the Blue Bell. We were seated on the second floor and we both ordered fish and seasonal veggies. Along with that came Spoon Bread and Sweet Potato Muffins. The recipe is from Thomas Jefferson’s personal cookbook according to the menu.

Blue Bell
Our view out the window – the Capitol building

The meal was plentiful and we did not order dessert, but instead decided to take a walk. We took to the side streets and went in a huge circle, past the Williamsburg Inn, Bassett Hall, the windmill, and through a parking lot that bordered a field of horses and oxen.

Basset Hall – where the Rockefellers stayed when they were in Williamsburg
Oxen
Horses
Little mounds with freshly planted crops.
Windmill
Williamsburg Inn
Tippy top of the Palace from two streets over.

It was falling on dusk when we got back. We sat on a bench outside of Chownings Tavern (which is closed until July) and people-watched and talked. We did take a walk in a loop around Duke of Gloucester street which was magical – street lights and candles glowing and flickering in the dusk.

Our room (sort of to the right of the middle) has the light on.
Chownings Tavern – with lots of benches to sit on.
Chownings Tavern by lamp light

We finally went inside the Market Square Tavern to our room to drop off our sweaters and purses, and I took off my shoes and put on slippers. We went down to the Common Room and played Scrabble for a while. Guess who won??? KATH! She’s the queen of playing games. We snuggled into bed and settled into a good night’s sleep. Such delightful peace and in a (again) magical place. I could live there.

Contemplating her next move…

Scripture –

39 Bible Verses about Food - DailyVerses.net

Quote:

Enjoy Eating Quotes. QuotesGram

TOMORROW May 3rd is: – LOTS to choose from so choose wisely.

National SAN Architect Day; National Bike to School Day; National Paranormal Day; National Montana Day; National Garden Meditation Day; National Specially-abled Pets Day; National Lumpy Rug Day; National Textiles Day; National Skilled Trades Day; National Interpreters Appreciation Day; National Two Different Colored Shoes Day; World Press Freedom Day; National Raspberry Popover Day; National Chocolate Custard Day.

As my sister is an interpreter I will celebrate her! Who better to honor than my sister! And maybe spend some time in the garden. God bless…

Posted in Uncategorized

CW Vacation – Day 3 2023

Tuesday 4/25: I will split day 3 into two or three parts and they may not be in exact order. But here we go. It was another sunny, beautiful morning – and this is the view from our window. And the back courtyard — and the lock that has a sliding cover to hide the keyhole.

View from our window – Bruton Parish Church
Stepping out our back door
Keyhole

We walked the streets early and they were mostly empty – We were waiting for the bakery to be open so we could have breakfast! Found lots of trees with knarley roots and a fringe tree. The back road to the Publick Gaol (Jail) has a quaint little house – I have that one picked out to live in…. 🙂

I could live here
Knarley roots (is that a word?)
Fringe tree

There is a flock of Leicester Longwool Sheep in the pasture by the Gaol. There were a few employees brushing and trimming knotted hair from the sheep. One decided to talk to us at length. The creek was right across from the sheep pasture.

Creek in the shade
Sheep
He had lots to say!
In the Gaol
Planning my escape

After the Gaol we walked up and toured the capitol building, learning and relearning our nation’s history from even before it was a nation! Below are photos we took inside – and I like the two taken from the windows.

Walking up to the capitol
Waiting outside for our tour
The houses beyond.
In the picture
Outer yard
Where the Burgesses sat.
Christiana Campbell’s Tavern out the Capitol window
View of the gate
Duke of Gloucester Street from the window
A little higher up
Learning our history
Upstairs meeting room – where decisions were made
Where petitions were heard
The Governor’s chamber – HE made decisions, too!
Order in the court – God save the King!

I’ll try to finish day 3 tomorrow…. Maybe…

Scripture:

Sheep Quotes Bible - ShortQuotes.cc

Quote:

Sheep Quotes. QuotesGram

TOMORROW, May 2nd is:

National Teacher Appreciation Day; National Life Insurance Day; National Truffle Day; National Foster Care Day; World Tuna day.

Tomorrow is my first school tour of the season — I’m working with the kids doing tin punch. Then I have to work! So it will be a busy day! God bless…

Posted in Uncategorized

CW Vacation – Day 2 part 2 2023

After a cracker break we walked down to the little bridge where we always get pictures. It was fun to wear our matching shirts today. We took our heavy sweaters back to the room and took pictures of the flowers in the back courtyard, as well as the magazine right outside our window.

ORDER IN THE COURT is a reenactment of court cases actually heard in the 18th century. These are small claims petitions. The acting sheriff was perfect in the role – he had a loud booming voice and was very convincing!

The Bailiff (I think!) and the judges on the upper bench
Our very effective and convincing acting Sheriff

We walked past the Compton Oak, a 90 year old tree planted during the time of the initial restoration in the early 1930’s. Then we took a tour through the Peyton Randolph house. The tour guide actually grew up in Williamsburg in one of the restored houses. His father was an employee.

Compton Oak
Randolph house

SLAVE QUARTERS:

Grew up in a restored house

INSIDE THE HOUSE:

Out the window
Another view
Staircase
Office – first floor
Guest room
Upstairs bedroom
Dining room

We finished the tour in time to get to the Charlton stage to hear Lafayette speak. He was clever and funny and very informative. These Nation Builders are fast becoming my favorite part. I love listening to them share history and so much information!

Lafayette
Lafayette

Walking around we snapped more photos, always keeping our eyes and ears open for the next thing!

Iris bed
House beside our parking lot
Martha Washington with her friend James Madison.
Governor’s Palace – on the green
When do you ever have a clear view of the Palace Green???
Kath
Me – Palace Green

We found a little place to grab a sandwich in Merchant’s Square, then walked back to the room and took our shoes off for a while. Our Haunted Williamsburg tickets were for 8:30, and designated meeting spot was right outside our door. It was nice to take a quick break, read a bit, and relax.

A quick rest at the Market Square Tavern – Home!

It was dark by the time we met in Market Square, and the cressets were lit. The sky was clear and the stars/moon were very bright. The steeple of the Bruton Parish Church reflected the lights.

Cresset at the Courthouse
Bruton Parish Church at dusk by lamplight
Sky above the colonial street
Cresset and me
Ghost stories under the Compton Oak
Lanterns lining the path coming out of the Getty house
Looking for ghosts on the stairs at the Wythe house
Across our back fence….

So – that was the end of day two – Monday April 24th. I will post about Tuesday’s adventures tomorrow! Blessings….

Posted in Uncategorized

Weekend April 2023

Although my mind and memories are still in Colonial Williamsburg, I am going to take time to post about the rest of my weekend after we got back. I did have to work on Friday morning, and it was a tricky transition. Also having issues with my new fridge so had to call Whirlpool to schedule service. THAT was an ordeal. But then I went over to Nate’s in the evening for cake and ice cream for Chrissy’s birthday. Seventeen! Oh, it’s hard to believe! Jen ordered a plainly-frosted cake and a kit to decorate it. Everyone got a little triangle to be creative. I was a little hesitant to try my hand(s) at that, so Autmn decorated mine in Red/White/Blue. Great job!

My section is the ‘flag’.
Happy seventeen!
Balloons
Jen, Chrissy, Autmn, Noah

Chris climbed up on the kitchen island and decorated her part, placed the candles, and we sang happy birthday. Piggy was uninterested in the whole process, despite the balloons. Ranger (dog) wanted to be in the middle of everything.

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Jen
Chrissy on the island
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Piggy could care less
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is MB-CK-AR-NT-Ranger-4-23.jpg
Chris, me, Autmn, Noah
Ranger

Saturday was the Ladies Spring Luncheon at Camp Christian, so I drove up there for the day. Kathy and our friend Lynn were in charge, and the programs were wonderful. Jesse Landis was the morning speaker, and her mother Chris is another friend from when we were all raising kids. Jesse had a great testimony and provided insight and information to being uniquely ourselves.

Fireplace
Table favors – all different scriptures
Lynn
Chris and Kathy
Speaker – Jesse Gump Landis

After a delicious lunch of chicken and biscuits, quiche, sausage links, fruit salad, potatoes, and strawberry cake we were entertained by a local ladies trio, Simply Grace. In addition to praise and worship songs they performed a few of the Andrews Sisters numbers. What fun! Blessed to be with like-minded people, praising and learning and laughing (and eating!).

Three very talented and fun entertainers
Simply Grace
The sky was a cloudy dark all day – but no rain!

I left there and came back home, only to turn right around and go to Mary’s 60th birthday party at Persichetti’s in Jeannette. Pizza and salad and cupcakes. There were 16 of her closest friends and family (all ladies). Lots of stories and laughter and emotions in that little room. Happy birthday to my sweet, special friend! I wish you a life of blessings, happiness, and peace.

Persichetti's Jeannette
Persichetti’s in Jeannette
60 and Fabulous!
May be an image of 1 person, cupcake and text
Mary’s friend Colleen and her mom Nancy –
They organized the party.
May be an image of cupcake and text
May be an image of 15 people
The group

Sunday morning Mary and I taught our Sunday School class, about listening for God’s voice — not in the wind, or hurricane, or earthquake, or fire, but in a quiet, still small voice. He whispers what he most wants us to hear. JJ & Max were both sick, but we borrowed Shanelle from the 2nd grade class, had Ben from our class, and also Silas as a visitor (he’s 3). Silas is the proud big brother of 2 day old Luke Daniel. Congrats to Silas and the parents/grandparents on this sweet new blessing.

Shanelle and Ben – siblings.
Silas
Ben, Shanelle, Silas
Silas proud of his story wheel

After Sunday School the special teams went out into the community to perform service projects, like repairing deck boards, pulling weeds, buying supplies for local shelters, and singing for nursing home residents. There were two teams at the church, baking cookies for Meals on Wheels and writing encouragement notes to missionaries and shut-ins. We finished by meeting back at the church for pizza and salads. Looks like the day was a success!

May be an image of 2 people, road and text
Donations for Life-Way
May be an image of 2 people
Replacing deck boards
May be an image of grass
Yard cleanup
May be an image of 1 person
Making cookies
May be an image of 9 people and text
Donations for Blackburn Center

Today would have been Stoney’s birthday – 87! Seems impossible. And today is also my friend Teresa Shanta’s birthday. Happy birthday, friend!!! We need to catch up soon!

Stoney
Teresa

Scripture:

Serving Others Bible Verses

Quote:

helping others quotes Helping one person might not change the whole ...

TOMORROW May 1st is:

Global Love Day; National Loyalty Day; May Day; Silver Star Service Banner Day; School Principals Day; Law Day; National Mother Goose Day; Melanoma Monday; National Chocolate Parfait Day; International Workers’ Day.

Love is good, and I’m very loyal. And of course it’s May Day! Celebrate and be happy. God bless…

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CW Vacation Day 2 – part 1 2023

4-24: We had plenty of time to get up at a slow pace and prepare for our day. Our first task was to walk over to the visitor’s center and get our length-of-stay admission pass. We walked the path that went past the Colonial Parkway (road to Yorktown and Jamestown). The pathway goes past the Governor’s Palace.

Palace
Pathway
Pathway
Pathway

Once we had those, and the clerk had printed out our evening program tickets for Monday and Wednesday, we watched ‘The Story of a Patriot.’ This movie has been shown at the visitors center to guests for decades. I know personally I’ve seen it there well over a dozen times. We popped into REVOLUTIONS (gift shop) to see if there was anything exciting.

I have my own copy! It was a donor premium
Display outside Revolutions

We then took the shuttle back to the historic area since the Cafe at the visitor’s center wasn’t open for breakfast. The bus dropped us off a few steps from the Raleigh Bake Shop where we grabbed a light breakfast. Light? The muffin was the size of my Buick! It was very good, and the hot tea really hit the spot. And it was plenty to get us through most of the day.

Tea and my muffin

We had plenty of time after breakfast to walk around the mostly-empty streets; we took pictures and soaked in the ambiance. It was a sunny, quiet morning, and everyone was very friendly and talkative. We had an hour of free time until we wanted to be at the Charlton Stage to hear the first Nation Builder (key person in the building of our nation) at 10:30.

R. Charlton's Coffeehouse
Stock photo – Charlton Coffeehouse

They don’t post the speakers too far ahead of time, so we were very delighted and excited that it was the young Martha Washington. It was such a thrill. Kathy has always loved the First Ladies (especially the FIRST First Lady) so it was great to see her. But for me it was extra exciting because I have watched dozens of YouTube videos, Colonial Williamsburg TV interviews, and Facebook blogs that she has had recorded. I actually recognized her before she was introduced. It was like meeting a double celebrity – the person of Martha Washington via film and via history! We scurried into the stage area and got as close as we could to the front!

Martha!

After her amazing and authentic conversation, we went through a few trade sites and also toured the Raleigh Tavern. The guide was very good and graciously consented to a photo at the end.

The Raleigh
Dinner is served
Pantry
Our tour guide

We just walked around visiting anything that was open, taking photos of the buildings that we passed.

Moss covered house
Strolling through back yard gardens
Capitol building at the end of the street
Fireplace lit in the Silversmith’s – Golden Ball
Handmade wig in the Wigmaker’s shop
Tarpley Store clothing display
Working hard in the Blacksmith’s shop
Pumping the bellows in the blacksmith shop
A lesson in book binding
Working on a book

There were several different types of carriages offering rides. Mostly they sold out early in the day, or even the day before. They were fun to see driving up and down the streets. The horses were – of course – well behaved and beautiful.

I think we’ll stop there for the day, and pick up with ‘Order in the Court’ tomorrow! In the meantime, today would have been my step-daughter Theresa’s birthday; she passed away last August.

No photo description available.
Theresa in the middle front

I’ll post pictures of Chrissy’s birthday cake, the luncheon at Camp Christian, and Mary’s party on tomorrow’s post! I just came in from mowing (it was HIGH!!!) and I’m bushed.

Fresh cut bottom yard

Prayer of blessings:

Thank You God For Blessing Me Pictures, Photos, and Images for Facebook ...

Quote:

See related image detail

TOMORROW April 30th is:

National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day; National Bugs Bunny Day; National Oatmeal Cookie Day; National Raison Day; National Military Brats Day; National Sarcoidosis Day; National Prepareathon Day; National Pet Parents Day; National Bubble Tea Day; National Hairstylist Appreciation Day; National Honesty Day.

Tomorrow is a special program at church. I’m really a little too worn out to celebrate anything else! Maybe Bugs Bunny. God bless…

Bugs bunny Clip Art
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