Category: Lifestyle


Aug
2012

Bealeton Flying Circus

categories: Lifestyle

(Photo courtesy of the Bealeton Flying Circus.) This weekend the Bealeton Flying Circus hosted its annual hot air balloon show. Hot air balloons cannot fly in windy conditions so balloon activities typically take place in the early morning (7:00 – 9:00 am) and late afternoon (6:00 – 8:00 pm), when the air is calm. It’s a fun and colorful event the whole family can enjoy.

This year I was able to enjoy the evening show from the comfort of my deck (my dog, Piggy, alerted me to the event with some fierce barking at the balloons passing by my kitchen window–what a good boy!) The setting sun made photographing the show a bit tricky but I thought I’d share the best of the lot with you anyway. Note the spotter planes in all the shots. Apparently they are there for safety purposes, since every balloon had a spotter plane.

Hot air balloon rides last 1-2 hours and, the last time I checked, cost ~ $400.00. I’m way too chicken to take a ride, but my sister has been wanting to try it for the last several years. I’m more than happy to photograph her taking a hot air balloon ride from the safety of the ground. For more information on the Bealeton Flying Circus, its live airshows, annual hot air balloon festival, or hot air balloon rides, visit their website at www.flyingcircusairshow.com. Here are some shots I took.

You can even see the folks in the basket in this photo!

Note the orange glow from the fire….

And the last photo taken in the setting sun. I love small town life.


Aug
2012

A Tour of Main Street in Remmington, Virginia

categories: Lifestyle

And speaking of Remmington, Virginia, I thought I’d give you a brief tour of Main Street, which consists of a one-block area. So this will truly be a brief tour!

I’ll start the tour with the Remmington Variety store. As the sign says, they sell “absolute beta products,” whatever they are–LOL. Business was brisk during our tour.

And this is Groves Hardware Store. It almost looks like a painting instead of a real brick-and-mortar store. I think it’s post-card worthy.

The train station and railway crossing.

The Embry-Maupin building built in 1903, which is currently vacant. Look at those architectural details. It’s such a lovely building; I hope to see it in use again soon.

Military presence in Remmington. I don’t know why that amused me so, but it did.

The Remmington Laundry Mat and Remmington Drug Company. I haven’t seen a working laundry mat in years.

We stopped by the Remmington Pharmacy to pick up a prescription–for my dog. It’s a compounding pharmacy and fills canine prescriptions, too.

We were greeted at the door by Peanut, the pharmacy dog.

I wish I could bring my dogs to work with me.

And they even have a working soda fountain. A working soda fountain AND a pharmacy dog?  All I can say is “yowza,” I want to work there. And that ends our brief tour of Main Street.


Aug
2012

The Farmer’s Wife Shop in Remmington, Virginia

categories: Lifestyle

The next stop on our Saturday morning shopping outing was the Farmer’s Wife–a small Amish market in Remmington, Virginia. I love living in a rural area where the next town is, oh, about a minute down the road.

This shop offers lots of old-fashioned goodies, farm-fresh dairy products and fruits and vegetables, home-made breads and pies, a variety of interesting canned goods, and unique bulk items.

Mom browsing the aisles.

Fresh butter from local dairy farmers and Amish roll butter.

Fresh tomatoes.

And locally grown corn on the cob.

A peek inside my mom’s shopping basket. Even the shopping baskets are quaint.

A variety of jams and jellies.

Including old-fashioned F-R-O-G jam. I haven’t tried that yet, but I’m sure my curiosity will get the best of me.

And mini peach pies. One of those went into my basket. I should have bought two; boy was that good.

You can also order lunch at the deli counter and enjoy it at one of these brightly colored tables.

Another view of the dining area. Isn’t it delightful?

And when you’re done shopping, they ring you up at the front counter. How charming. The next time you have some grocery shopping to do, why not check out the small mom and pop shops in your area? They sure beat the big box stores and they turn the weekly chore of grocery shopping into delightfully fun outings.


Aug
2012

Going Hog Wild at the Farmer’s Market

categories: Lifestyle

One of my favorite things to do on Saturday mornings is to visit the Honey Hog Barbeque stand at my local farmer’s market to load up on barbequed chicken, Italian sausages with onions and peppers, pulled pork, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and home-made desserts to serve for quick and delicious lunches or dinners during the week. What a time saver for me. Farmer’s markets are not only good places to pick up delicious meals and healthy fruits and vegetables for my family, they also offer an opportunity to learn about what’s happening in my community, socialize, and make new friends.

The Honey Hog Barbeque stand is owned and operated by Theresa and Jerry from Andralyn Farm in Bealeton, Virginia. I can’t get enough of Theresa’s homemade treats. Her honey pound cake and mini pineapple upside down cakes are particular favorites of mine. And not only is Jerry a master chef, but he’s also a beekeeper as well–hence the name Honey Hog and the inclusion of honey in nearly everything they make. For more information on the Bealeton Farmer’s Market, Honey Hog Barbeque, or beekeeping, visit Theresa and Jerry’s website.

Honey and bee pollen fresh from Andralyn Farm.

Theresa ringing up my order.

Miss Theresa. Isn’t she lovely?

If you look really hard, you can see my friend, Jerry, there in the window.

This guy found himself a good seat on a cooler and chowed down on his Honey Hog lunch. Hot eats and a cool seat–LOL!

And here’s a picture of the Willow Farm of Midland, Virginia fruit and vegetable stand. My mom and I buy fresh fruits and vegetables here every Saturday. Tomatoes are my mom’s favorite summer time treat. She even eats them for breakfast!

And here’s my mom squeezing “maters.” Isn’t she beautiful? Note the big bandage on the end of her nose–LOL! Sorry, mom, I just couldn’t resist pointing that out….

We always have a great time at the farmer’s market. If you’ve never visited a farmer’s market in your area, what are you waiting for? Get out there and grab some good eats before summer is over.


Jun
2012

Yumminess from the Farmer’s Market

categories: Lifestyle

I went shopping at the farmer’s market yesterday–one of my favorite things to do–and brought home these beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables. I’m going to be eating good this week.

I plan to make stuffed green peppers with these beauties.

And a batch of eggplant Parmesan with these babies.

I also picked up some cherry pie filling, cherry jam, blackberry jam, and some enormous fresh blackberries. I’ll throw some sugar over the blackberries plus a tablespoon or two of blackberry jam for extra goodness, spoon them over biscuits or sponge cake, and top them with whipped cream. If you haven’t tried blackberry shortcake, give it a try. It’s a real treat.

I also picked up some pulled pork, sausages and peppers, homemade banana bread,  blueberry muffins, fresh eggs in a rainbow of colors, and hand-made soap. You can’t find goodies like this in the grocery store. If you have a farmer’s market in your area and haven’t given it a try yet, what are you waiting for?


Jun
2012

New Kitchen Appliances

categories: Lifestyle

My old kitchen appliances were barely functional, so I finally replaced them this weekend. I like the look of stainless steel, but not the fingerprints. I’m also considering replacing my porcelain sink with a stainless steel sink, but I’m still undecided. Should I go for it or stick with what I have?


Jun
2012

Another Sneak Preview of My Upcoming Tangerine Tango Tour

categories: Lifestyle

Painting is still underway at my house for my upcoming Tangerine Tango tour. It’s been a lot of work–and a lot of fun. I’m still assembling items in a variety of shades of tangerine to splash around my house. Here’s another sneak preview. This outdoor dinnerware was too colorful to resist:

As was this outdoor rug with a border of tangerine and pink poppies:


Apr
2012

Ahh, This is the Life

categories: Lifestyle

A little time all to myself, a steamy cup of coffee, my little Piggy snuggled up at my side, and the arrival of two new books from my book club–it doesn’t get any better than this. I can’t wait to see what visual delights and inspiration await me inside these two books:

I hope you carve out some time for yourself this weekend and do something equally inspiring and enjoyable. Have a great weekend.


Apr
2012

Color Changes Everything

categories: Lifestyle

Color is back–in a big way. And everyone including Target, the folks at Design-Milk.com, and the Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel are embracing it. Well, hallelujah! It’s about time. Good bye beige, your long, drab run is over. Hello color–bright, beautiful, bold color.  Here’s a hotel that really tickles my fancy. Love the rainbow colors. Imagine how much fun it was choosing the color palette for this design. You can see more photos and read about the makeover here.


Apr
2012

Free Give Away for Color Lovers

categories: Lifestyle

Here’s a free giveaway for color lovers to celebrate the one-month anniversary of my blog (and over 1,200 views!). Thank you for your comments and encouragement. Leave a comment below–only one entry per person, please. I’ll draw a name on Friday, April 6th, and announce the winner. The winner will receive a copy Susan Sargent’s book, “The Comfort of Color,” one of my all-time favorite interior design guides.

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