Getaway.....

Two years ago, for our anniversary, we pulled off a long weekend in Lake Seneca NY, wine tasting and relaxing. 
We managed to pull off another trip this weekend, only took two years. It was supposed to be a return trip to Seneca, but at literally, the last minute -- ok, two weeks -- on the advice of a friend, we rearranged everything and wound up in Northern Va; a thriving wine country, in case you  were not aware. Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys such a thing. Pretty much, a lot of people just tease us about our wine hobby. To which I say, "To each his own!"
We enjoy quiet time together, sipping good wine, eating good food, soaking in the local beauty, and meeting fun people.

I find it interesting that people we met, that discovered what we were up to, automatically assumed we were "getting away from the kids". Well, not really. It is more about "getting away from life". The kids just happen to be a part of that. We honestly enjoy traveling with the kids, and spending time with them. We have also just decided it is important to us as a couple and as individuals, to getaway from the cacophony that is life.
The best part of the weekend....
The quiet.
Not the lack of sound.
But the lack of noise.
We do not realize the amount of needless noise there is in our days and the effect on us.
We wound up outside of Purcellville, Va. in a 1700's farmhouse that had been "converted" into a bed and breakfast.
The beauty, other than the house itself and farm, was no tv or radio in our room. There was one in the common areas, that we found ourselves, not in the least tempted to turn on. It was heaven.
Moving to our own rhythm. Our own speed. Not one determined by outside forces.

  

The entire house is furnished in 1700's civil war era antiques, and is run by an adorable woman who made my children look calm!
She was described in some of the reviews as "eccentric", but I hesitate to use the term. Eccentric itself, denotes some level of insanity. This woman was anything but insane. She was a busy, energetic, eager to share her wealth of knowledge, welcoming individual, and great cook to boot! She was a civil war buff who could tell you anything about battles of the civil war, local history and the history of most of her antiques, as well as her house. She has lived here since 1970, when she and her husband moved with 5 kids into the house with no running water, or electric and her husband was sent to Vietnam. She claims she just "did what she had to do". Raised her family in the house, and after her husband died in 1988, decided she would open the doors to others. She raises chickens, sells the eggs, has half an acre of blueberry bushes she picks herself, uses at the B&B and sells to locals including many of the local restaurants, as well as up keep of the house, and going out every night at 1 am to deliver 100 newspapers because, "it pays $2000 a month! can't turn my nose up at that!" "Fortitude" is what comes to mind when I think of her. She is a ball of energy, warm and welcoming, yet I have a feeling doesn't take crap from anyone.Our room was clean, the sheets were crisp and the towels were fluffy. What more could we want?


 
We had the room at the end of the hall, with our own bathroom across the hall, and access to the library and sitting room downstairs, through a spiral staircase in our room. Sir Fartsalot insisted we use that entrance every time because it was "cool".  Not a darn thing was brand new in the entire house, the kitchen was a lovely eclectic collection of found pieces that just seemed happy arranged together. I loved it. I literally had to crawl up on my hands and knees to get into the bed.

The rest of the rooms were along the hall. Yes, those are original floors. Did I mention she raised 5 kids here?

Our bathroom. Nothing but the sound of the birds. This was an addition recently.

The staircase up to our room from the library. 

"Our" sitting room. To the left was a bank of doors that opened up to the deck. The outside did need a bit of work, which of course, seemed to be ongoing. 

Looking up into the room. Yes, there was a second bed on the other side of the room.

Kitchen side of the house. The chicken house and Barbara's "Office" -- a converted out building -- sit to the left. Along with a gardening "house" I would kill for! 

Just a small peek at some of her gardens. Nothing was perfectly manicured, which had been a complaint on one of the reviews. I, instead, found it more inviting, and charming that way. 

The front of the house.
I sat on the porch to read almost every morning.
Quiet. Birds. Cats coming to purr at my feet. The creak of my rocker.
Sounds.
Not noise.

Our "end of the house" -- we had the upstairs bedroom and the sitting room and library underneath.

Some of the out buildings by the "creek".

I really wanted to ask her if there were any ghost stories about the house.
I can only imagine the residents prior to her family,
but I was not brave enough to ask while we were staying.
I really didn't need those stories in my head at night!

Lovely irises in the front.

The kitchen. Behind me was a sun room that opens out to the side of the house, chicken coop and her "office". We sat in the kitchen for breakfast at our request and just have to smile at her energy and chatter while she finished our breakfast. Deliciously made from her own eggs, local organic milk and Va meats. She asked me Friday if I was a good cook, and we talked at length about some time she spent in France living and learning to cook! She even tried a recipe on Sunday for sticky buns so she could get my opinion.

This here, will visually define the keeper of the house. This is  stack of magazines and books, perched on a footstool in the library.  Perched to nearly falling, yet did not fall. Disorganized, appearing to be ready to fall over at any moment, but steadfast.  I just smiled to myself when I saw this pile, because it so perfectly personified her and the house. 

Oh and did I mention, it had been part of the underground railroad?? This is the trap door that is in the original "one" room of the original farmhouse.
Other than a creepy inconvenient *small* stink bug infestation, our stay was very pleasant.
we were literally welcomed right into her home. I felt so bad not helping in the kitchen, but the one place she said another person was not welcome to help her was her kitchen, since she had "her way" and everyone else just got in "her way". This as well made me smile, as I get the same way.

So, this was "home base" and we traveled out each day in a different direction exploring the local area.......
at our own speed.
in our own time.
with the radio off.
It was heaven.

My deep dark secret

(because this is where my brain goes at times)
Yes.

It's time to come clean.

In our  medicine chest, lies my darkest secret.

Nestled with the innocent OTC medicines, hair removal creams, and unknowing razors.

The Vicks has no idea it is sitting on the same shelf with such a travesty!

What could this horror possibly be?





Guesses?

Yes, those are all the little samples for floss that the hygenist so caringly places in my little paper bag every six months. 
Yes, I faithfully see the dentist.

But....

I. Don't. Floss.

There. I said it. feels good to get it off my chest.  Don't hate me.

I mean to.
Honest I do.
See? I SAVE them all.
Penny pincher Sir Fartsalot would never ever throw them away. Lord knows we may need to McGyver something with it some day!

My jaw is tight. My teeth are extremely tight, as my orthodontist.

I can barely get one hand in my mouth, let alone the fingers from two hands.

I give up.  I have tried those little stick things.
They tear. (I told you my teeth are tight!)
I tried Glide.
The thinnest brand.
  I just can't do it.
My jaw winds up killing me, and I wind up gagging.

What I don't do....is lie about it.

When she inevidably asks,
"Have you been flossing?"
Nope!
And now she isn't the only one who knows.

The dress

 

 22 years ago -- yesterday -- April 27, 1991 -- five years to the day after we met.
Seems like a lifetime ago, seems like just yesterday.

I made this photo my Facebook profile picture yesterday, just for the fun of it. IT is my favorite of all of our weddings pictures. Very *us*, very casual, outside in the sun. In the process of the comments, we got to talking about my dress and a wonderful memory came flooding back to me.

I then sat back and thought about it.

In this day and age, *this* blog is where I dump my thoughts my diary so to speak.
This is where I tell our stories.

This is where my grandchildren will read about their parents' lives as children, and my stories.
They will probably be saying things like, "can you believe Grandma actuall had to type!?"

They may also say, "why on earth did she think that was important?" -- but here goes.
Someday, they may want to alter the dress and wear it for their wedding. One never knows!
If I don't tell the story here, it won't get told.

First, chuckle if you may, the dress was the epitome of fashion in the late 80's and early 90's. The age of *big* - big hair, shoulder pads, poofy things...the bigger the sleeves the better, and the sheer high neckline was on everyone's wish list. It also had the most beautiful beaded lace at the ends of the sleeves, around the shoulders, and bottom of the dress and along the train. You can also take note of my curled up bang poof and Sir Fartsalot mullet.

My girlfriend Jackie and I had stopped at Anne Bailey's Bridal during spring break my senior year in school. (Now you know why we were together 5 years before we got married. Four  years of college and a year to work. Yes, we made sure we could AFFORD the wedding....I know, we were rebels!)  I, of course, had torn all of the pictures from magazines, and made my wish list, presented it to the bridal clerk and she went in search of *the* dress.

And she found it.
The first one I tried on, the one I wanted.
The most awesome part is that she checked the pricing twice because she thought there is no way the price tag was correct. $800. (who knows what my grandchildren will say about that price, but then, it was a STEAL with all that beading and lace) Teh average price of such a dress at the time was $1500 or so. I put down the deposit and ran out of there before they could come tell me there was a mistake. Thankfully, my mom was not to upset only cried a little to not have been included in the process. Jackie and I never expected to find anything, we were just hanging out and decided on a whim to try some things on. Mom did come for one fitting, but I lived in Conshohocken at the time, and the dress shoppe was in Doylestown, so it was crazy for her to try to be there for each fitting.

Fast forward to *the* day.
The dress hanging on the curtain rod in my mom's bedroom because that was the only place high enough to hang it that the train could hang.
All of my bridesmaids at the house getting dressed and made  up.
My mom lived in a row of townhouses. Each was not huge, but enough for the two of them. The front door was at the bottom of the stairs. The stairs led up to my mom's bedroom and bathroom, all that was on the second floor.  My mom always, and mean ALWAYS, had a wreath or decoration hanging on that door. Changed with the season and holiday. ALWAYS. Just like she ALWAYS had her seasonal decorations inside. (That will have to be another blog post as well).  I often think to myself how remiss she would be of my lack of attention to decor on my front door. I am lucky if I remember at Christmas. But anyway, I digress....which is usually the problem when I start writing....

The front door, however, did not have a screen door.

Often, since they did not routinely use that door,
there was a bird that decided to make the decor on her front door into a home.

You can see where I am going here?

The innocent flower delivery man came to the door with our flowers. In the hustle and bustle, the mama bird got caught off gaurd IN the nest, when the door was opened.

The door opened INWARD.

So, she flew out.

And straight up the stairs.

To my mom's room at the top of the stairs.

Straight to the shoulder of my dress.

Yes, ON the dress.

All I can really recall is hearing my  mom yell, "Do NOT scare that bird! It'll sh*t on the dress!"

I can not remember how we did it, other than that there was a pretty crazy few minutes of shooing,dress grabbing and door slamming. We did manage to get the bird out of the house, with no damage to the dress and.....

There was much debate later about whether this was a good omen, or bad omen etc etc, if you believe in that sort of thing. Much akin to the "rain keeps the bad spirits away" , which is nothing more than a way to make a bride feel better about rain on her wedding day.

Looking back after 22 years of marriage, ups and downs, struggles and joys, growing together and apart, surviving raising teenagers, and aging parents, I can say we have made our own way. With our faith and willingness to work together, I can safely say, that little bird gave us nothing more than a funny story to tell 20 years later.

Spring has sprung!

WARNING! Photo laden post!
I need to get back in the habit of writing more often!


Look what my wonderful husband and son built for me!
Pinterest win! A project that actually came to fruition.
I am trying to much harder to be more energy conscience, a good steward of the earth, as well as knowing where my food is coming from and what I am eating. I have wanted to start my own seeds for years. This year, I saw this project on Pinterest, made from old windows. We happen to have a TON of old windows Sir Fartsalot found  "dumpster diving" -- my affectionate term for all of the crap he finds driving along and stops to pick up -- about two years ago when I was into altering them for photos and wall hangings. The most awesome part of the project was Sir Fartsalot and The Dude worked on it so well together. The Dude actually used his CAD program -- yes, all 16 year olds have one of those on their computer to design houses, don't they? -- and they worked on it together for two weekends! Makes my heart swell HUGE to listen to them work together, and for Sir Fartsalot to teach The Dude the things he knows, and for The Dude to occasionally teach his father something!
I LOVE it!!

However, I do believe I got a bit overzealous -- Me? Never! -- with the seeds!!
Again, I tried to up-cycle, so I used egg cartons that we get at the recycling center to start the seeds.

Tried to get all organic and no GMO seeds!

And look how pretty they look all lined up in the greenhouse!
I however, need to figure out what I am going to do with 12 cucumber plants, 24 pepper plants, and the miriad of lettuces and broccoli I started as well! Even started my basil!! And, decide where I am going to put all of these plants. I fear my enthusiasm is FAR larger than my garden. As well as the simple little fact that *I* am the only one that consumes anything I grow. So, warning, dear friends, I will be giving away plants and veggies most likely!

The Dude really is as awesome as he thinks he is!

He split ALL of this! Lots of backyard bonfires this summer! one of our favorite family activities. So glad the kids still don't mins hanging there with us, or even inviting a friend or two! We do try to keep the embarrassing moments to a minimum. Love the conversations we have around the fire. it also helps that The Dude is a little fire bug who jumps at the chance to build one.

The flower beds are starting to come alive! The tulips, daffs and "bluebells" are up.

As well as some pansies I potted for some color at the front walk.....

Unfortunately, that also means the pear trees are blooming. While they may be pretty to look at, their smell leaves a lot to be desired. Not a sweet flowery scent at all. Most musky, not entirely unpleasant but not entirely pleasant either.

It will look like it snowed here in a day or two.

These on the other hand, smell divine! They have such a short bloom cycle, it is so disappointing to see them finish. I can not for the life of me remember what they are. Some type of bush we planted by the pond for privacy. The landscaper told us they had a wonderful scent, and she was right!

This is the difference a week makes, look how pretty the pink flowers have gotten!


The rabbits eat all the crocus, but thankfully leave these beauties alone. They too, have such a short bloom cycle, it is so sad to see them go, but so exciting to know the other things will fill in shortlly. 

This is an ground cover that tagged along with some plants that my MIL sent home with usa few years ago. It is starting to spread and cover the area under those wonderful smelling trees. They may be forgetmenots, but I don't think so......

And, of course, to my delight, these guys are back and there are tadpoles in the skimmer scaring the begeezus out of Sir Fartsalot every day! They think I can't see them in the sticks and grass. We'll just let them keep believing that, now won't we?

 Another wonderful gift, I wait for each year, is the Judas tree blooming. It gets the prettiest little pink/red buds all along the branches. These will soon be replaced but the infamous heart shaped leaves. These as well, were a gift brought home from my MIL's gardens, and I think of both of them often when I see them start to bloom. 

"I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring.  Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature's rebirth?"  ~Edward Giobbi

Self Esteem

10 things I love about me.....

Seems to simple doesn't it? Come on, I dare you. Quickly. 10 things.....

This has been rattling around in my head since being presented with the challenge by a friend. Her daughter's therapist had tasked her with the assignment. Most of us, if given the assignment about any one of our friends or loved ones, could come up with more than ten. I can come up with ten things I *hate*  --yes, a strong word but applicable here I believe -- about myself in ten seconds flat, but things I love? I am still struggling as I sit down to write this!

"You, yourself, as much as anyone in the universe, deserve your love and affection." ~~ Buddha

And our first impulse when presented with a photo of ourselves, is to immediately identify everything about it that we do not like. You do not want to know what goes through my mind when I look at this most recent, and most likely only, photo taken of myself in the last few months. I was spending the day doing something I love with my daughter who is so special to me, yet when I see this photograph, I only see the negative physical things. 

What bothered me the most, when I read this challenge, was that I immediately thought of physical attributes. There is so much more to all of us than the shell in which we live.

So here goes -- my ten......

1. Going physical here since that seems to be the way humans roll.....I actually like my legs. They have always been long, and usually muscular. Years of marching band, bike riding and walking miles between school and friends' homes as a teenager set the stage. 

2. I also like my feet. No ugly big second toe, no callouses, not too veiny.....teehee.....

That is about all I could come up with physically. 

Now, the non-physical things. Problem is, it seems egotistical to *toot my own horn* so to speak. Why are we so afraid to be proud of who we are?

3. I happen to think I am pretty darn good at my job. I am lucky enough to have a career, not just a job.  It is a career that I enjoy, that challenges me, and one that I think helps me make some kind of difference in someone's life.

4. I like that I am curious. I love to learn knew things, hate an unanswered question, and love learning of knew things. 

5. I think it is pretty cool that I can cook. 

6. This just dawned on me -- I think it is pretty cool that I have reached a point in my life that I can think it is pretty cool that I can cook! Cooking was never even on my radar as a young adult. Wasn't I supposed to want more as a woman than standing in the kitchen?  I have learned that I enjoy it, and was curious enough to pretty much teach myself.

7. I think I am pretty generous. I help when I can, with what I can.  We are blessed beyond belief, and giving back, at least to me, is the best way I can think of to show my gratitude as well as make a difference. Little things like casseroles and baby hats, do make a difference. If I can make someone smile, it is a good day!

8.  I am helpful, kind and patient.  I stop to help people who can't reach the top shelf at the grocery store, answer questions when they think I work there, try to give directions if I see someone who looks lost -- I try to pay attention to those around me. I am pleasant to those around me in line. Remember to be patient if a cashier is taking longer than I think it should. Try to be respectful of other drivers. Hold doors, help with strollers, and pay it forward as much as I can.  

9. I can remember one time when Princess Textsalot was younger, she asked me if I always found something nice to say about everyone. I think I remember that she and the Dude were discussing something about a classmate who was a bit "difficult", and I was simply providing reasons behind his/her  behavior, and other things that were positive about him/her. There are only a few people on this earth with whom I struggle to find some positives!

Oh my gosh, I made it to ten!!

10. I happen to think I have grown into a pretty darn good wife. Sir Fartsalot even thinks so! (Or at least he knows better than to say otherwise!) 

All that being said....while I may have a hard time saying so out loud, and maybe I don't have to, I am a pretty interesting, fun, caring, and giving person. I have grown and matured in so many ways, especially in the last 15 years and most so in the last 5, grown to accept and love things about myself that I never would have been able to find valuable or see as an  asset in my younger years. There are days I would love to sit down across from the 18 year old me and have a tete a tete with that girl! But, you know, the process is probably half of the learning.

 I have goals for the future, love and feel content with the life I have made. I guess that is a good thing! 

Project 365–Day 7

Simplicity

Had a tough time with “simplicity” – finally got it.

Is anything more simple that a beautiful crisp red ball lit by a beautiful tree?

But I couldn’t decide.

So, the candy cane won a spot as well.

A nice pretty traditional simple old fashioned candy cane on a beautiful Christmas tree.

Every year we put our tree up, and I step back and look at it and just love what it means to me.

There is not real “theme” to the tree, except – simplicity, honest. It’s not fussy. It’s not perfect by means. 

Red balls still tied up with the red string remaining from when the kids were small.

Lace bows, Sir Fartsalot and I have had since our first tree in 1987 or 1988 I believe.

Popcorn strung so long ago I don’t remember.

Red and white candy canes. Not fussy, not fancy.

And the remainder are yearly memories, bought for the kids every  year. Gifts given by friends and patients. Nothing matches. Nothing belongs together. But yet, they all blend to a beautiful glowing representation of our family.

The simple red and white elements, tie it all together. Just like the simple daily rituals that tie our family together – dinner around the table, errands run together, favorite t.v. shows shared, family trips and vacations. Nothing special in their individuality, but together, blend to make a wonderful life for us.

It’s a new year!

Time to challenge myself a little bit.

Been letting some things slide lately.

Blogging is one.

Photography another.

Spending far too much time on Facebook.

So this seemed perfect….

http://projectlife365.com/blog/

It’s a daily photo challenge.

Today’s challenge – Still life

I have missed a few days.

So tonight I grabbed my camera and just snapped a few things that were striking my fancy right now.

Two more additions to the snowman collection. This is a Mr. and Mrs. that were a gift from Sir Fartsalot this year. I love them and they make me smile. Ergo, they make the cut for my first blog post of the year!

Picked this guy up for next to nothing at a warehouse sale. He is supposed to be a bank. But I have him sitting on the window sill, so every morning he greets me and makes me smile. Once again, he makes the cut!

Went down to the wine shelf tonight to treat myself before “healthy eating armageddon” hit tomorrow….I smiled to myself when I came upon a bottle we had gotten nearly two years ago, at Lake Seneca, on our anniversary trip. It made me smile, and seemed very fitting to open, since we are now planning and working on returning this year. Happens that I am googling some things this very night. The thought makes me happy, so made the cut as well.

This simply documents my every day. But, as much as you don’t want to believe it, makes me smile. (See a trend here?) I adore nice orderly piles, neatly folded, fresh warm laundry. Not only does it mean my family is clothed and warm, but I do enjoy the repetition and familiarity of the folding process. To me it is very relaxing and a very zen process.

Just in the past few months, I took a class and learned how to make this yummy fresh bread. Guess what? Yup! It makes me smile. My family ADORES it, looks for it, and I love that I am making them something fresh, and healthy (well as healthy as white bread can get). I know what is in it, I know how old it is, and it won’t keep on the counter for three months. I plan on exploring different varieties and additions to widen my horizons. The biggest caveat – it’s SO easy.

Shhhhh…don’t tell. Dude in true fashion of always surprising me, has decided once again to take up his guitar. Want to know why? Shhh…don’t tell him I told you. He discovered he can learn how to play *their* song, if you know what I mean. It is only five cords apparently. I asked why he was still using this fartosmall guitar – turns out two reasons. One, his larger guitar is broken.  Two, he said he prefers this one anyway. This one was his uncles. He gifted it to him years ago when he first decided to try the guitar. Dude says, “it means more to me, so I like to use it” – who is this boy, where did he come from? Some days it is hard to believe he is mine!

So, that is today’s challenge. A small glimpse at the “still life” around my house right now.  Didn’t really make an resolutions this year. Just to continue to be a better person, as I have been working all in the last year. Continuing to love myself more and put myself first more often. One challenge for myself this year, is to return to a bit more creativity. Time will tell I suppose!