“News”
Living Everyday the Best We Can!
December 8, 2023
Today is my husband’s birthday! And guess where he chose to go - because I suggested it: to the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, VA. I love my husband :) I have wanted to visit ever since we moved to the valley. The museum has a large collection of antique quilts and changing exhibits. This month they had 2 exhibits dealing with Civil War quilts. Being that he is a student of Civil War history, I thought (hoped) that he would at least think the museum interesting. He really did enjoy himself. And then after touring around Harrisonburg, we ate at a very good gourmet pizza restaurant. A good afternoon.
I did not save pictures to the computer of the Civil War exhibits. Later, I will transfer some and post also.
antique quilt
close up
"sunny" antique quilt
special exhibit of local quilters
special exhibit interpretation
interpretation
close up of an interpretation
May 14, 2023
Happy Mother’s Day :) This also would have been my father’s 98th birthday :) He went to heaven
Feb 1, 2019, so he never got to see this wonderful place where we now live. Happy birthday, Dad and Happy Mother’s Day, Mom . xoxo
Here is the first Peony that has bloomed since transplanting one from my mother’s PA yard here to VA last year. It is so beautiful and smells heavenly. The following pictures are from a “pick your own” peony farm less than 1 mile from our house. My husband & I picked a bouquet for me on this Mother’s Day. The bouquet is making my room smell heavenly!. Loved it!
March 21, 2023
This picture is a bit old. I took it sometime in February and just now posting it. But isn’t the sky amazing. I am looking west over the fields from my deck. We often get beautiful sunsets. This evening it was cloudy but somehow the setting sun managed to make this incredible upside-down “landscape” or rug or whatever. God is a glorious painter. Thank you, God!
February 18, 2023
This happened right down the road from us the morning of Jan 4, 2023. Emergency vehicles were lined up in front of our house.
The structure was an old, but renovated barn used as a party venue. My neighbors had their children’s wedding receptions there. I had always wanted to see inside but just never got around to asking. The Fire Marshall believes it started with an equipment charger. The owners will try to rebuild and continue their business. It was a lovely red barn and the original home owners around here were quite sad. It was my next door neighbor’s family farm barn when he was growing up.
October 13, 2022
Corn field earlier in the summer
Corn field now - ready to harvest this "cow" corn
So Mr. Pumpkin has come to visit once again! Mr. Pumpkin was made by my father and has visited many many years now.
October 9, 2022
Every year I freeze bags of my tomatoes. I blanch to rid them of their skins, cut them up and put into freezer bags. So far, I have frozen about 20 quarts. I use them in stews, chili and soups for as long as they last.
It is about to frost and freeze here soon. I picked all the green tomatoes from the vines and placed them in 2 brown paper bags, folded down the opening and stored in the garage. Every few days I take a peek. The second pictures shows how some have ripen. I’ve read that placing an apple in the bag will increase the ripening process but have not tried this. I have never tried to determine if these tomatoes have less of a “fresh” taste. I just freeze them like the ones I pick from the vine and they all go into the “stew pot”.
August 9, 2022
Garden doing well
Yellow Zucchini. Grew this instead of the green but works just the same. Have been eating lots and making zucchnin bread for the freezer. If you don’t check every day, you get these yellow “torpedos”!
Big big leaves on the yellow zucchini plant
Only I like beets in this family
Cucumber plant grown from the compost!
August 8, 2022
The corn is as high as an elephant’s eye………..
My husband standing near the corn in the field right at the side edge of our property. We got a wee bit of rain in the last week and the corn seemed to shoot right up. The first summer of being here, corn was planted. Last year was soybeans and this year again , corn. Crop rotation!
August 3, 2022
Look at my beautiful bushes on either side of my front porch! We were gone for a week. The hydrangeas were just starting to blossom out and look at them now. I let most of the blossoms dry on the bushes for winter interest and trim them back to 1/3 in late winter. They grew very tall this year, even without a lot of rain. The blossoms are so soft and fluffy. I love to make a big bouquet for the house. I keep moving it around to find just the right spot. Because my living area is “open”, I can see the vase of blossoms wherever I look :) I love it!
July 11, 2022
I’m a little late in putting this up because our little excursion happened on Father’s Day. Since our 2 sons visited the weekend before, I tried to think of something a bit different for my husband’s special day. Since we had not yet visited Sherando Lake , I thought I’d take him on a picnic :).
Sherando Lake is not far from our home. There is a small car fee. I packed up , sandwiches, a few different salads, chips and dip, mixed nuts , fruit and drinks (all for just the 2 of us!). It was a nice afternoon - warm but not too hot and there was plenty of shade above the picnic tables. Many other families brought their dads too so it was fun watching the boating, the fishing, the swimming and the playing all around us. There were lots of different styles of music playing as families and groups ate, laughed and played corn hole! We even did a little “hiking” on the trails.
Below is a section from the Sherando Lake Recreation Center website:
Sherando Lake Recreation Area is known locally as the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Families enjoy picnicking in this shaded and woody area, while relaxing on the sandy beach of a 25-acre spring-fed lake. Access to multiple trailheads and rustic architecture provide numerous points of interest for families to enjoy.
June 12, 2022
Both my sons came for a weekend visit :) It was fun because son #2’s new 8 month old dog got to meet son #1’s several years old dog. One bigger, one smaller. One young, one older. One wanted to play all the time, one not all the time! Both liked to sit next to us on the couch. We all love them! Bring them here any time! :)
Auri
Auri
Auri
Theo
Theo
Theo
June 11, 2022 The Crozet Tunnel
I
My sons, each with their dogs, came to visit the weekend before Father Day. While waiting for my older son to drive down from DC on Saturday morning, younger son & his dog, my husband and I decided to find and hike thru the “Crozet Tunnel”. It opened during the pandemic but that is when I had broken my foot. But since the foot is all healed :), all of us were game! The following is from the virginia.org website:
This is from the virginia.org website
The Blue Ridge Tunnel was constructed between 1850 and 1858 beneath Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. CSX Transportation generously donated the tunnel to Nelson County in 2007; federal and state funds were used to renovate the tunnel and construct the trails. The tunnel was completed and opened in 2020.Traveling through the long, dark tunnel will be a stirring experience for a variety of visitors: hikers and cyclists of every level, wildlife watchers, history enthusiasts, railroad buffs, heritage tourists, school children on field trips, and nearby residents.
The following is from www.coolesthikesinvirginia.com:
FIND IT
Located where the famed Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park converge you will find two access points for your next adventure.
The east trail is fully accessible, primarily flat and offers views of the active railroad line. The 56-spot parking lot can be found at 215 Afton Depot Lane.
The western trailhead is situated in Waynesboro at 483 Three Notched Mountain Highway and has 20 spaces and 2 over-sized areas for small buses.
HIKE IT
Dark, damp and hidden over 700 feet below the Blue Ridge mountains lies a 4,700’ abandoned train tunnel in the heart of the Crozet Tunnel Greenway. At just over 2 1/4 miles, the crushed stone path offers the explorer a chance to travel back in time to touch the original pin scars from the 1850’s. 170 years later, the tunnel is more cave-like and holds year-round temperatures of 50 degrees.
Wanderers can discover bats, the elusive long tailed salamander, ancient hand molded bricks and secret waterfalls. Strap on your headlamp and lace up your hiking shoes for a cool, unforgettable voyage!
Walking toward the East entrance of the tunnel
East entrance
Inside the tunnel near the west end
Outside the west entrance
Theo was such a good "hiker" but he had to take a rest like the rest of us!
We came to the Crozet Tunnel Greenway from the western point. Next time we’ll go from the eastern trailhead! The trail from the west is a beautiful forest walk but the trail goes up and down and curves around. Then it goes down!! Which means that after walking thru the almost mile long tunnel and back, we still had to walk up the steep part of the trail and then up and down. By this time, the cool morning had turned into a hot almost afternoon. Take water! and don’t forget to take lights - it’s really dark in the tunnel!! We passed many families with children - what fun they were having. One father with 3 little boys was able to find “baby lobsters” with his flashlight in the water along the side of the tunnel. That was the name these excited boys gave these critters although I think they were crayfish (?).
I had to make several stops on our way “up” the strenuous trail back to the car parked at the eastern trailhead! But the hike was well worth it and we plan to do it again - from the other end!
April 7, 2022
I wish I could paint. I have to admit that I really never tried that much. Little things here and there years ago but not a “picture”. But, I doubt that I could ever paint such a spectacular sky as God did the other evening as the sun was beginning to think about going down. It had been raining during the day. Then towards late afternoon, the clouds started to break and a beautiful color blue sky was up there above the clouds. My neighbor took this picture from her yard and sent it to me. The sky is fantastic looking. I did nothing to alter the colors! My neighbor’s trees planted last spring are certainly growing., reaching up to that beautiful sky. There is a field between her yard and ours (this year it will be planted in corn -when it is high and starting to turn dry in early fall, the wind thru the stalks sounds to me like the ocean - up here in the Valley). You can see our gazebo - where we sit on “Dad’s” swing and watch the mountains - and shed and the door into the garage. The mountains in the distance look like they are covered in whipped cream, hiding the tops. Thank you Rebecca for showing me God’s beauty :)
March 6, 2022
It was a beautiful day today. The temperature was 73 degrees. The nights are getting warmer and little buds are breaking out on the bushes in the front yard. I need to trim them soon.
This picture obviously was not taken today. My husband took it early February just as the sun was setting. The wind blows so hard over the fields and the yard. The snow reminded me of picture seen of the Sahara Desert. My husband “contemplation” bench is in the picture. This is were he sits daily to read his bible and pray. It is beautiful to sit there in all weather but in the freezing cold of winter he doesn’t sit long.
I will have to take a picture of this spot when the cherry tree is in bloom. Won’t be too long now.
January 6, 2022
I’ve given amaryllis flowers as gifts but never had one myself. This year, my very generous sister-in-law sent me one! It was already growing when the box was opened but just like the instructions said, the plant would stand up straight over time and grow to it’s heart content! This picture does not do it justice as I ended up with 5 gorgeous red blooms. My mother and her green thumb will teach me how to keep it for blooming next Christmas. Thanks June :)
January 3, 2022
The New Year has started! Christmas Day the temps were in the 60’s , today in the 30’s. This is the afternoon of the first winter snow. The pictures below are not special. They are just what I see outside my house. But while shoveling the sidewalks and driveway, I marveled at the dark blue sky and how the sun can be shining so brightly and still be cold! Next year we will ask, “When was our first snow?” Now, I can look back and say Jan 3, 2022.
November 17, 2021
Even though we’ve been here almost 2 years, daily I learn new things about the area or how farming “is done”! About 2 weeks ago, I saw this going on in the field right next to our property. I took the picture while standing in the side door of our garage :)
This year, the field was planted in soybeans instead of corn. I followed along the growing of the pods all summer and now I’ve learned how the beans are harvested. I just marvel how people in the past figured out how to use machinery to get those little soybeans separated from the pod and plant material. The harvest from this field and the back field completely filled a BIG truck !
And look at that beautiful sky. For the most part, fall was so good but leaf color was not as brilliant as i remember last year. Each year is different and I thank God for His wonderful world. Now it is becoming cold - brrrr :)
October 31, 2021
We had no trick or treaters this Halloween. My husband bought two bags of candy soooo - he told me to put them in the freezer!! I will have to watch this bag of frozen candy bars!
Yesterday we came home from a 7 day stay at my mother’s in western PA. It was cold, damp, grey and rainy most of the time. But it was warm and wonderful inside with my amazing mom! She is the best best best cook!! We ate nothing too special but it all tasted wonderful. She is the champion of making applesauce. We peeled one morning, talked about lots of things and laughed. What a wonderful morning full of memories!
Picture slightly blurred but gives an idea of the bags of apples
Lots of peeled apples and still some to go. The applesauce was soooo good!
Sept 30, 2021
FLIGHT 93 NAIONAL PARK
Sept 21 to Sept 26, I travelled to western PA to visit and help my mother . We try to go once a month or so. I grew up and she still lives just about 5 miles from the site where Flight 93 went down those years ago. I have gone to the site many, many times but had not been for over a year. Since it was not long after the 20th anniversary of the terrible event, I took an afternoon to visit and see the changes to the site. It is a beautiful National Park now, unlike the mining area on a windy field those many years before. If you ever visit, do take a jacket, as the wind still blows and it can be chilly if not in the middle of summer.
I’m proud of the small towns and the people who live in them for opening their hearts and homes to family members of the passengers and crew. Friends of Flight 93 are proud of the work they do at the National Park and in the communities. If you are ever driving along Rt 30 in Western PA, do visit the Park to pay your respects.
Walking the flight path of Flight 93 from the parking lot. The educational building is to the left between the towering walls. The viewing platform overlooking the field is straight ahead.
Looking down on the sacred field from the viewing platform. The white marble wall is the flight path as the plane came down. The wall is made of panels containing the names of each passenger and crew member. The large boulder in the distance before the line of trees stands over the impact crater. It will forever mark the resting spot of those brave Americans.
"A common field one day. A field of honor forever." Overlooking the wildflower fields that was once the debris field.
Picture of one of the outside educational displays explaining what is seen from the overlook.
Wildflower fields and walking trails surround the area. In the distance, several miles east off of the Rt 30 highway, a wind farm can be see on the horizon. Many years ago when the windmills went up, we were just in awe of them. Now , as we drive past when going "home", we only mention how much the wind is blowing!
The Tower of Voices just recently completed with all 40 chimes. This tower stands tall near the entrance to the National Park.
A close up look into the Tower of Voices showing the chimes. They are tethered to the tower with baffles between the individual chimes. As the wind blows, the chimes make the most beautiful, soft sounds - always different. This is a beautiful tribute to the passengers. Everyone is always quiet and respectful here at the tower and at the crash site further into the Park.
Picture of an educational sign by the Tower of Voices. You can go to the website to hear the chimes.
Trees are planted around the Tower pad in concentric circles signifying the sound that travels out from the Tower.
Before you get to the Flight 93 National Park heading west on the hill off Rt 30, volunteers have planted a Remembrance Garden. It is completely maintained by local and Flight 93 family volunteers and rely on donations to keep it up.
The design of the rose and wildflower garden is a compass, the center being a fountain surrounded by large rocks on which are chiseled the names of all passengers and crew of the plane.
Around the fountain, along the N S E W arms and along the tree line are seats and benches with a walking trail. This is a lovely area meant to be a place of quiet reflection. The literature available at the Garden says that the compass can be seen in a plane at 30,000 feet.
Sept 12, 2021
We babysat our son’s dog, Auri, for several days. A sweet dog that was no trouble at all. Miss him now that he is gone. He is a short haired Brussels Griffin.
Sept 4, 2021
My son came to visit for the weekend. Coming home from church, we saw signs recently put up for “Pick Your Own Grapes” at the fields very near our house. Having passed before we decided, we turned around. Never having done this, we were so happy that we did turn around. The Concord and Niagara grapes are just like I remember from backyard grape vines when growing up. Since they have seeds, we did a bit of research and found that grapes seeds are very good for you and the tough skins are full of antioxidants. We did not cut too many bunches as I am not going to make juice or jelly this year. But who knows, maybe next year. We have been popping them in our mouths for the last several days and even froze some. Boy were they good!!
The family that owns the vines was so nice to talk to me, explaining how they have been growing grapes for several generations. We exchanged phone numbers and so now I know some more great people here in our “still” new area. Go to Wenger Grapes before they are all gone ! :)
August 5, 2021
It’s been so much hotter and drier this year than last , our first spring and summer here. Driving around, you can see that the corn, soybeans, grapes, grasses, etc have been affected. It does seem amazing that the crops are growing at all like the soybeans next to us. We water our garden some and can’t seem to keep up with the number of cucumbers we are getting and sharing with neighbors and the tomatoes are finally getting red. We’ve learned that when it is too hot, the ripening slows down! It has been pretty hot so far this summer! God’s nature is just so amazing!! And the hot temperatures are sure getting the pool water nice and warm :) Lots of evening floating and exercising my foot in the water has helped!
This year, instead of corn, soybeans have been planted in the field next to the house. I've never seen soybeans growing. What an education we are having in this farming area. But it has been so dry this spring and summer.
Soybean pods on the plant - so much work goes into growing, harvesting and getting soybeans into products. Wow!
A single little morning glory flower found bloomed in the soybean field. So pretty for one day.
Husband standing next to corn in the field outside our house in June 2020. He's so cute!!
July 2020 pic of the corn next to our house. It was so high that just about hid our neighbor's house. When the wind blew, it sounded like the waves coming in from the ocean.
Didn't know what this caterpillar was sitting (eating?) in my parsley, so googled! It's a swallowtail butterfly caterpillar. As I plant gardens, I'll try to plant good plants for the butterflies :)
July 21, 2021
Have had a shoe on now for about 2 weeks!! Perhaps we are seeing the end of the “break my foot” tunnel. I am so very thankful. I broke it on April 3. It still swells but the doctor says the bone has healed. I will have to learn to walk the right way. I have borrowed a cane from my sweet mother and it has helped. Don’t you just love the turquoise shoes. The color really should be gold but good shoes are worth the cost if they help your feet. Don’t ever wear bad shoes while digging in the garden!!!!
June 15, 2021
Days seem to be flying by but I get little accomplished because I am still hopping around on crutches. We take our feet - and everything else when all is well - very much for granted. Someday I will look upon this broken foot as a time I slowed waaaay down!
But I am trying to work on the garden. I took these pictures several weeks ago, so the garden has grown with the recent rain. My wonderful husband is working hard in the garden although the “garden project” is supposed to be mine! We are getting lots of good salad items - kale, lettuce, swiss chard, peas. I learned that beet greens are good to eat and have lots of calcium. So, sautéed beet greens for me - not hubby!
I’ll try adding more pictures of the garden soon. The onions are almost ready to harvest and freeze as well as the beets. I dug up the garlic and froze the cloves. Very easy to use over time and we like lots of garlic.
May 23, 2021
A change in plans!
We don’t live too far from a Plow & Hearth outlet store! A few weeks ago, they were having one of their wonderful “tent” sales. I’ve looked at their “twirlies” (can’ remember the real name?) many times in the past. This one was a great buy and so now it gives a pop of color to my front garden area. It really needed that. This was the year I was going to add flower gardens to our property. However, 7 weeks ago, I broke my foot!! Am still on crutches :( Oh well, it will get better someday. In the mean time, I am slowing down and smelling the flowers??
May 15, 2021
Still beautiful flowers from last Sunday - Mother’s Day! Absolutely beautiful. Thank you my family :)
April 6, 2021
It was a beautiful Easter weekend. Finally getting warm. The fields around the house and along our road are so “colorful” in the early morning……….
…………..view from the back of our property looking into the field that is being developed. But we will still be able to see the mountains and our neighbors now are great. Look at the clear sky!!
March 18, 2021
Not far from home the sheep are back! :) On our walk around a path in a park, we stopped to watch the lambs playing with their moms in their field. They were so entertaining. Spring is on its way in the Valley :)
One of the things I like about client quilting is that I get to see so many wonderful quilt tops. When I asked one of my clients where she got this beautiful bird fabric, she said she had had it for some time. I loved the quilt. So…she offered to sell it o me. I jumped at the chance and recently hung it on my bedroom quilt wall. Every morning when I see it, It helps me know that spring is coming. We hung our bird feeder last weekend by the living area .window
Just finished up this client quilt that I really liked working on. If you lived near here, you would know that it has University of Virginia colors. It is a graduation gift!!
My husband has already seen a blue bird on our deck rail.
February 20, 2021
It’s certainly been cold and snowy this February. Making up for past years. But here in the valley, not as bad as in Texas and the far south. I have relatives living near Houston. They were without power and had snow on the ground. Not used to that for sure. I’m looking for spring!
This week started the season of Lent - a time to quietly reflect on our Friendship with God and our lives lived daily with Jesus.
This is what I use to help guide me thru Lent. It is the Cradle-to-Cross Wreath hand-made by a wonderful company The Keeping Company. The following is from their web site…….”At Lent, the wreath extends to 40 candle slots to help you walk alongside the cross-laden Christ as He journeys to Calvary. Light a candle each day or move one candle along the wreath, and invite your whole family into keeping company with Christ during the Lenten season.” I use the wreath during Advent without the extensions.
I’ve been adding to my “Hall School Flock”!. They have been roaming all over the neighborhood. This simple chicken block is by Lori Holt from her book “Farm Girl Vintage”.
The tulips from Feb 14 - a surprise gift from hubby :) - have bloomed and are beautiful. They are from a bulb company, not far from the house, called “Bloomaker”. Instructions came with the lovely container. I can’t wait to plant in the fall for tulips next spring. This is the year I will work on making flower gardens on the property.
February 7, 2021
We took a rare trip to spend a few days helping my wonderful mother. Living by herself has been trying this past year but she has such a hopeful spirit and lives daily her faith in God. Daily calls always cheer me up if I need it but being with her in person is simply wonderful. But……….it was like Siberia there in Western PA. We dug out to go to one appointment. Then the wind blew and we dug out for the next day appointment. Lots of exercise. I did take my sewing machine and worked on some of my “string” blocks :)
All the houses on the street had icicles!
Lots of snow over three days.
Snow was over our boots!
Then we came home…….and it snowed! We woke up to a beautiful snowfall. Big flakes, so very quiet. Then….. the sun came out before noon and all snow on roads and sidewalks just disappeared. This was the best kind of winter snowfall :)
January 28, 2021
Boy it's cold! My northern family members (most of my family lives more north than us) have it colder but just seems like if the sun is out, it should be warm - right? Taco soup for lunch. Lots of good good recipes online. After lunch, a time of sewing.
Trying to go through fabric scraps - cutting them into strips. Will be a long time before I see a dent in the scrap amount I have!
Decided to make" string" blocks on a muslin foundation. Pulling out of the basket - only criteria is that the "string" fits. Color not an issue!
Have made about 12 blocks. Not sure what they will become. I need some new placemats...hmmmm.
January 22, 2021
We have not taken many rides in January but before Christmas we drove to the Our Lady of the Angels Monastery outside of Crozet, VA. The sisters there make wonderful tasting Country Cheese.
The Monastery is a simple, beautiful building but it is in a more beautiful country setting. The sky really was that blue. Will get more pictures next time! The Cistercian nuns’ lives consist of a balance of prayer, spiritual study, and the manual work of making the wonderful cheese.
January 11, 2021
View from near the top of Afton Mountain
We often spend afternoons taking “Sunday drives” to explore our new area. We have wonderful valley vistas seen from pull-overs on the mountain roads, lots of apple orchards in the surrounding area, small towns and lots of farm animals. We hear roosters and cows from our back yard :)
These apple trees will be covered in blooms in a few months .
Rock walls and old rock buildings in the fields.
A cute small post office in a small community. I hope it has not been closed. Looks like it is open. Rural areas still need close-by services.
Our recent cold days need thick coats like this one. This sheep and friends live not far from the house.