Monday, April 23, 2012
This Past Week At My House
This past week I signed up to volunteer at a winery. I was scheduled to work during a wine festival in the Northern Neck of Virginia. It was a long drive to Heathsville, Virginia, but it was nice to get away and do something new and different.
The wine festival took place on the grounds of the Historic Rice Hotel/Hughlett's Tavern. This building is the oldest surviving structure in Virginia's Northern Neck.
The wineries set up their cabana's behind the hotel/tavern. The winery I was volunteering with was Vault Field Vineyards.
They are part of the Chesapeake Wine Trail. I have visited all these wineries and love the wines at Vault Field Vineyards. So many wineries age their Chardonnay completely in stainless steel. I'm glad they still age their's in french oak. What a spectacular wine, along with their Conundrum, which is an interesting mix of several whites. Their 2008 reserve red is a wonderful, bold meritage of four different grapes. Vault Field Vineyards is an award winning winery, and it was fun to pour their wines for the day. We soon were very busy!
This past week we bought a new gas/infrared grill. The infrared part is suppose to cook the meats/vegetables more thoroughly than gas alone, while keeping everything moist.
Bill had the job of putting it together.
We soon we had a brand-new grill. The first one we've had in over three years.
Our maiden grilling adventure was with lean, pork loin chops. We've never grilled pork before, but my sister Becky does it all the time, so I thought I'd give it a try. From grill to plate, they were hot and juicy!
I paired the chops with potato perogies, brussel sprouts and green beans. Delicious!
Have a great week!
Monday, April 16, 2012
This Past Week At My House....
This past week at my house was actually pretty quiet. Well, quiet for my family. However we did have time together at Julie and Tommy's house after church on Easter Sunday.
All four kids were together for the first time since Christmas.
Miss Cassidy was as cute as ever.
It's always nice when we get to see Susan. She is so busy that months will go by before we will see her again.
No ham dinner for us! We had a half-bushel of delicious crabs.
Susan bought her triplets with her...(you didn't expect complete normalcy did you??) She has been bottle feeding 3 kittens abandoned by the mother cat, since they were three days old. They are now one month old.
Who doesn't love kittens? (Yes, Cassidy changed her outfit).
Kitty wanted to play peek-a-boo with her mommy....
Julie made this cute cake from an idea she found on Pinterest. What is Easter without peeps?
Games were played, kittens were fed and held, and everyone had fun. Even Lily, the golden retriever, had her Easter dinner.
Have a great week!
All four kids were together for the first time since Christmas.
Miss Cassidy was as cute as ever.
It's always nice when we get to see Susan. She is so busy that months will go by before we will see her again.
No ham dinner for us! We had a half-bushel of delicious crabs.
Susan bought her triplets with her...(you didn't expect complete normalcy did you??) She has been bottle feeding 3 kittens abandoned by the mother cat, since they were three days old. They are now one month old.
Who doesn't love kittens? (Yes, Cassidy changed her outfit).
Kitty wanted to play peek-a-boo with her mommy....
Julie made this cute cake from an idea she found on Pinterest. What is Easter without peeps?
Games were played, kittens were fed and held, and everyone had fun. Even Lily, the golden retriever, had her Easter dinner.
Have a great week!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The RV Went South...And So Did The Vacation...
The winter was over. Bill knew the time had come to take the Big Beast down South. Some nights, just before sleep came, the thought would simultaneously cause both hot sweats and cold chills. However, before he could drag IT down Interstate 95, he had to get IT ready to travel...and that doesn't mean just hitching IT up.
It should be easy enough...just wash IT down after a long winter.
Generally, dewinterizing IT, is not complicated. But IT made it a half-day ordeal when a pipe leaked for no known reason...(IT shuttered with pleasure at Bill's aggravation).
Squirting grease into the wheels made the driveway look like the floor of an ER after a major trauma victim. (IT trembled with glee).
But, the next morning IT was all hitched up and away they went. Just to knock Bill off his game, (or give him hope), IT pulled like a champ. There was no bucking, squealing, smoke, or broken axles. However, Bill knew deep in his heart that IT would require sweat labor before the vacation was over.
However, Bill was thankful It let him live during the drive South, and sleep was sweet that night. The next morning when Bill opened the door he saw the RV of his dreams...
It was his ideal camper...compact, riveted aluminum sides, and only one small window to caulk. Surely something this sweet would let him enjoy his vacations...
Each day Bill toiled away on the menacing, hulking beast that had become his worst nightmare. He knew that even with constant attention IT would still drain his bank account. Past history doesn't lie.....
His chair sat lonely at the beach...
While the little camper beside him smiled and sweetly charmed Bill with her softly curving body, and shiny, clean lines...
Lonely, Bill's chair sought out the company of another lonely chair on the beach.
The week slowly passed, with Bill spending much of his time on the ladder, caulking windows, sealing seams, and hoping that it would be enough to satisfy IT's appetite for Bill's misery...
Finally, it was time to pack up and go home. IT was closed up, double-checked, and triple-checked. As we drove down the highway, IT raced past us, mocking us with it's greased wheels and spanking new caulking.
And just for fun, IT blew the cap off of the freshwater tank...just to drive Bill insane one more time...:)
It should be easy enough...just wash IT down after a long winter.
Generally, dewinterizing IT, is not complicated. But IT made it a half-day ordeal when a pipe leaked for no known reason...(IT shuttered with pleasure at Bill's aggravation).
Squirting grease into the wheels made the driveway look like the floor of an ER after a major trauma victim. (IT trembled with glee).
But, the next morning IT was all hitched up and away they went. Just to knock Bill off his game, (or give him hope), IT pulled like a champ. There was no bucking, squealing, smoke, or broken axles. However, Bill knew deep in his heart that IT would require sweat labor before the vacation was over.
However, Bill was thankful It let him live during the drive South, and sleep was sweet that night. The next morning when Bill opened the door he saw the RV of his dreams...
It was his ideal camper...compact, riveted aluminum sides, and only one small window to caulk. Surely something this sweet would let him enjoy his vacations...
Each day Bill toiled away on the menacing, hulking beast that had become his worst nightmare. He knew that even with constant attention IT would still drain his bank account. Past history doesn't lie.....
His chair sat lonely at the beach...
While the little camper beside him smiled and sweetly charmed Bill with her softly curving body, and shiny, clean lines...
Lonely, Bill's chair sought out the company of another lonely chair on the beach.
The week slowly passed, with Bill spending much of his time on the ladder, caulking windows, sealing seams, and hoping that it would be enough to satisfy IT's appetite for Bill's misery...
Finally, it was time to pack up and go home. IT was closed up, double-checked, and triple-checked. As we drove down the highway, IT raced past us, mocking us with it's greased wheels and spanking new caulking.
And just for fun, IT blew the cap off of the freshwater tank...just to drive Bill insane one more time...:)
Friday, March 30, 2012
This Past Week At My House
I woke up everyday this week not knowing what to wear. Capri's with sandles? Jeans and a sweatshirt? Umbrella? Sunscreen......crazy! I even got a weather alert on my cellphone calling for "1-3 inches of snow by the afternoon," but it was a mistake. LOL
It was a good week here at my house. I bought a new porch swing. My last one was disintegrating, board by board. I asked Bill to replace the boards last Spring, and the next thing I knew the whole thing was in a heap in the corner of the yard. Hmmm...I hope to spend many a late afternoon here, reading a good book!
The Big Beast has found out where we live, and has once again taken up residence in our driveway. We will take it down South, soon.
We stopped by our daughter Julie's house this past week and I couldn't believe how beautiful her tables were. She bought them used, and then sanded and stained them. They turned out gorgeous!
She also made me this adorable Spring door wreath. She got the idea for it off of Pinterest.
We had several highlights this week. It was Grandparents Day at Cassidy's school. It was so fun to see her classroom, and she was so excited to see us there!
Grandpa with his favorite little lady!
My baby turned 17 years old. I can't believe how fast time has flown by since he was born.
It's not a great pic, but here he is the day we brought him home from the hospital.
And here he is now...on his head is the blanket I carried him in when we brought him home from the hospital.
Billy having a birthday beer,(root, that is), and getting ready to blow out his 17 candles.
Have a great week!
It was a good week here at my house. I bought a new porch swing. My last one was disintegrating, board by board. I asked Bill to replace the boards last Spring, and the next thing I knew the whole thing was in a heap in the corner of the yard. Hmmm...I hope to spend many a late afternoon here, reading a good book!
The Big Beast has found out where we live, and has once again taken up residence in our driveway. We will take it down South, soon.
We stopped by our daughter Julie's house this past week and I couldn't believe how beautiful her tables were. She bought them used, and then sanded and stained them. They turned out gorgeous!
She also made me this adorable Spring door wreath. She got the idea for it off of Pinterest.
We had several highlights this week. It was Grandparents Day at Cassidy's school. It was so fun to see her classroom, and she was so excited to see us there!
Grandpa with his favorite little lady!
My baby turned 17 years old. I can't believe how fast time has flown by since he was born.
It's not a great pic, but here he is the day we brought him home from the hospital.
And here he is now...on his head is the blanket I carried him in when we brought him home from the hospital.
Billy having a birthday beer,(root, that is), and getting ready to blow out his 17 candles.
Have a great week!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The RV Has Awakened From It's Winter Slumber...
It was a long, lonesome winter. The RV did not want to spend it in a field all alone. It wanted to be in a storage yard with the other RV's, to share war stories of all the vacations they had made into miserable times.
But the MAN, being one who is frugal, put the RV at his daughter's house. The RV was not happy, and spent the winter making plans on how to ruin the MAN's upcoming RV vacations.
"I've stewed all winter in this squatter's field. I hope the MAN has some fun trips planned this year. I've got a few fun trips planned for him."
The day finally came when the MAN in the gray truck pulled up to tow the RV away from the field.
The MAN was happy because the RV didn't leak over the winter. The RV did that on purpose. It's no fun to have leaky windows or roof, without the MAN there to witness it. However, the RV did have to release some steam that built up over the long, boring winter. So, just before going over a bridge, it popped off its cap covering the bumper,and tried to spit the sewer lines into the Patuxent River.
The RV wondered what else it could do to get the MAN's attention, and let him know how it really feels.....I'll blowout a tire! Wait, better than that, I'll let the man know that all the tires are unsafe and that they all should be replaced...even the spare...
I love the feeling of being jacked-up. It's my power over the MAN....
The man is confused as to why the cover no longer fits the spare tire...LOL...I told the tire man to put larger tires on me (giggle).
Well, that was fun, and expensive. But I have more mischief in store for the MAN this coming Spring and Summer.
"That's right, be afraid...I'm right behind you, Sir."
But the MAN, being one who is frugal, put the RV at his daughter's house. The RV was not happy, and spent the winter making plans on how to ruin the MAN's upcoming RV vacations.
"I've stewed all winter in this squatter's field. I hope the MAN has some fun trips planned this year. I've got a few fun trips planned for him."
The day finally came when the MAN in the gray truck pulled up to tow the RV away from the field.
The MAN was happy because the RV didn't leak over the winter. The RV did that on purpose. It's no fun to have leaky windows or roof, without the MAN there to witness it. However, the RV did have to release some steam that built up over the long, boring winter. So, just before going over a bridge, it popped off its cap covering the bumper,and tried to spit the sewer lines into the Patuxent River.
The RV wondered what else it could do to get the MAN's attention, and let him know how it really feels.....I'll blowout a tire! Wait, better than that, I'll let the man know that all the tires are unsafe and that they all should be replaced...even the spare...
I love the feeling of being jacked-up. It's my power over the MAN....
The man is confused as to why the cover no longer fits the spare tire...LOL...I told the tire man to put larger tires on me (giggle).
Well, that was fun, and expensive. But I have more mischief in store for the MAN this coming Spring and Summer.
"That's right, be afraid...I'm right behind you, Sir."
Sunday, March 25, 2012
This Past Week At My House
It has been almost 3 full months since I've updated my blog. I certainly wasn't covered under drifts of snow this past winter, unable to reach my computer. We had less than two inches for the entire season. It was a boring winter, weather-wise.
Then, two weeks before winter was officially over, Springtime arrived, regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil had predicted on February 2nd. Everything bloomed early!
Both Bradford Pear Trees are now sporting full green leaves. I've never seen them with leaves in the month of March.
Bill and I went to Charlottesville, Virginia last Saturday to spend the weekend. We enjoyed visiting wineries on the North tour of the Monticello Wine Trail. We have now visited all but two wineries on the whole Trail. It was a tough assignment, but I was up for the task! Lol
I don't remember which winery had this beautiful view. All of them have views that are picturesque.
I've never seen a winery quite like this one. It was called The Glass House. One of the proprietors was also a chocolatier. The chocolate treats were amazing! I just can't imagine having a glass of wine in this room with all these plants. To each his own....
The general consensus (we were with friends) was to skip Stone Mountain Winery. It was a 3.6 mile trip up a mountain, and in the opposite direction from the other wineries. I insisted, and look at that view! However the drive up to Stone Mountain Winery was so scary! It was a pitted, gravel road with many blind spots. The winery was beautiful though!
Pippin Hill Winery just opened last June. It is beautiful, and would be a wonderful venue for special occasions. They also have a wood fire oven and made their own pizzas. I would suggest they drop the tasting fee with the purchase of their wines...
I've wanted new living room furniture for quite a while. I've had this set for 12 years, and it was out dated when I bought it. My sister had this same couch in 1992 Even the saleswoman tried to talk me out of buying it at the time. Apparently I was reluctant to move pass a blue/mauve color scheme...lol
Here is what the room looks like now...
Here is a better pic of the couch.
I never thought I'd have glass topped tables again (circa 1970's for me), but I really love this look!
I still have a lot to do to finish the room, but at least I have managed to let go of my decorating scheme from last century!
Have a great week!
Then, two weeks before winter was officially over, Springtime arrived, regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil had predicted on February 2nd. Everything bloomed early!
Both Bradford Pear Trees are now sporting full green leaves. I've never seen them with leaves in the month of March.
Bill and I went to Charlottesville, Virginia last Saturday to spend the weekend. We enjoyed visiting wineries on the North tour of the Monticello Wine Trail. We have now visited all but two wineries on the whole Trail. It was a tough assignment, but I was up for the task! Lol
I don't remember which winery had this beautiful view. All of them have views that are picturesque.
I've never seen a winery quite like this one. It was called The Glass House. One of the proprietors was also a chocolatier. The chocolate treats were amazing! I just can't imagine having a glass of wine in this room with all these plants. To each his own....
The general consensus (we were with friends) was to skip Stone Mountain Winery. It was a 3.6 mile trip up a mountain, and in the opposite direction from the other wineries. I insisted, and look at that view! However the drive up to Stone Mountain Winery was so scary! It was a pitted, gravel road with many blind spots. The winery was beautiful though!
Pippin Hill Winery just opened last June. It is beautiful, and would be a wonderful venue for special occasions. They also have a wood fire oven and made their own pizzas. I would suggest they drop the tasting fee with the purchase of their wines...
I've wanted new living room furniture for quite a while. I've had this set for 12 years, and it was out dated when I bought it. My sister had this same couch in 1992 Even the saleswoman tried to talk me out of buying it at the time. Apparently I was reluctant to move pass a blue/mauve color scheme...lol
Here is what the room looks like now...
Here is a better pic of the couch.
I never thought I'd have glass topped tables again (circa 1970's for me), but I really love this look!
I still have a lot to do to finish the room, but at least I have managed to let go of my decorating scheme from last century!
Have a great week!
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