Chill in the Air

 I can’t believe how cool it has been in New Brunswick! Perhaps that is what has stirred some of my current activities.

There’s been an Early Primitive Homestead candle burning on the tabletop—emitting the scent of gingerbread.

My thoughts have turned to my Fall schedule which includes planning for our rug hooking group to meet face to face once more. 

I even prepped some cabbage to make sauerkraut.

 

 

(The rocks have been boiled to sanitize- and I ended up putting a layer of plastic wrap under them to ensure better fermentation. )

Now we wait and see..

Cooler weather also means I’m more likely to hook. I started this piece by Woolen Memories:

And here are pics of other  purchases I made on my trip. 

All were bought in Lancaster Co., Pa, save the delightful George Washington tribute cross stitch which came from Strasburg Emporium in my hometown of Strasburg, Virginia. 

This is “the long weekend,” a term used up here for holidays which include a Friday or Monday off. Monday is New Brunswick Day.

 We will celebrate with a walk to the nearby cidery to hear a friend perform old NB folk tunes. 

Many are taking this opportunity to leave the province as the covid mandates have lifted, but we’ve been away for a long time and will dog sit for a friend.

All these thoughts of Fall will soon disappear as the sun heats the region with summer once more. 

Hoping you embrace whatever weather you’re given today.

Goodies Haul

Just unpacking my trip purchases...

Here are my buys from Woolen Memories in Ware, Ma.       Sandy had a sale on some of her hand dudes, a treat for me as I usually purchase off the bolt textures.                That red striped and dotted is divine. My next project will be the large “Antique Shop” pattern on the far right.

I had a box shipped and waiting for me at my parents’ home— it was from The Wool Studio. Be still my heart.

The green plaid is “Guacamole” and is particularly lovely.

(Above): antique frog which will hold my rug hooks, antique rolling pin (Va.)for Cmas shortbread, and a small Amish made broom, yet to be freed from its binding, which is perfect for de-fuzzing a freshly hooked rug. 

And this gourd birdhouse from Pa. ‘Twas hand painted by an elderly local and a steal at $19. 

Well, I’m stumped as to why my lettering isn’t centering... anyway..

I also made some purchases at The Emporium, a huge antiques mall in my hometown of Strasburg, Va. if you’re ever there, do visit! 

Trip nears end

After more than 6 weeks away, our trip is winding to an end. I think I’m ready for the most part.                  We’re doing our last overnights here in a small rv park called Two Rivers in Skowhegan, Maine.       Skowhegan doesn’t have much to offer, except a New Balance outlet, but the river and surrounds are great. 

Before we arrived in Maine we spent a few days in Rhinebeck, NY. This small town has much to offer in the way of old architecture and yummy foods and specialty shops. The windy roads and rolling green hills with stone fences are positively dreamy.

                                  

        The views of the Hudson River were stunning and the fact that our son was able to join us from NYC after seeing us just last week in NC was the icing.

This was taken at Poet’s Walk Park. Son and my hubby are posing in the area Washington Irving walked to get his inspiration. On this day the humidex was 96, so our three miler was challenging.

In town, the Beekman Arms is popular; it’s the oldest inn in US, opening in the 1760s and us purportedly where Aaron Burr and Andrew Jackson had their argument which ended in the fatal duel. I could positively smell history in the pub there. On Fridays they give ghost tours of the basement. 

 Lastly, we walked around 1800s Wilderstein House where the Suckleys summered for years. They were related to FDR.       

And I managed to visit Sandy of WOOLEN MEMORIES in Ware, Ma.                                          Her sweet she-shed, packed with patterns and wools, was dreamy.                                                                     I left with a package of new wools and two patterns. I’ll photograph these when I’m home and unpacked. 

Very grateful and happy to have been able to see family and friends again. Also that our old dog Lucy could share it all. What rich blessings ♥️♥️

Shenandoah Valley

 We’re rv’ing in Bird-in-Hand, Pa, which means we’re going to bug the poor Amish and Mennonites for the next couple of days. Just spent a couple nights near our home town with some friends. Their home is hugged by a bend of the Shenandoah River in Edinburg Va. Being a lover of history I always enjoying visiting their home.

Posted below are pics of their 1790s home. The original part is the brick to the left and they added a pricey addition a few years ago. 

Enjoy the warmth of the week.....

Old Virginia

 Back in the Shenandoah Valley; this is where hubby and I grew up— met in grade 4, co-editors of the school newspaper and good friends. 

Daughter Kate is enjoying being with us, though she has work to do daily via computer.

 We’re staying with friends who have young kids but I found time to pop in to Belle Grove plantation. The Hites moved in in the late 1700s and added to the house. Mrs. Hite was a daughter of President Madison. 

Belle Grove is a fav spot for history and beauty and connects me to my childhood.

The garden is divided into cut flowers, dye plants, fruits, culinary herbs, and medicinal herbs.

I saw the above and couldn’t identify it there but I believe it’s Rue. Does anyone use this today? It has a wonderful scent.

The photo above, though common in appearance, is especially poignant. This is the area the slaves would have inhabited. Archeological digging is young yet but there is plenty undiscovered; the sloped area would have been where sweepings from the cabins went. 

There is evidence that the Hites purchased veggies and eggs from the slaves who farmed before and after hard days of work at the main house. 

This field may have recreated quarters in the future to expand a fuller picture of life at Belle Grove. I hope so. 

Happy Trails

We’re across the Canadian/American border and are making our way (slowly) to NC with the rv and elderdog. 

Grateful to get our second vax in New Hampshire, we limped into our rv site in Brattleboro, Vt. Exhausted. We set up and did what every true camper does- ordered the local pizza.

 Today we had a bit more energy and we took turns sitting with Lucy or climbing up to the tower in the town. Built by people with mental struggles during the 19th century as a “healing project” by the “asylum.” The asylum was more progressive for the day, but an untold number of people took their lives by jumping from this tower, hence it was locked.

I said a prayer for those who built, died at, or visited the tower; a prayer for the mental struggles with which so many of us struggle.

After stopping to buy some exorbitantly priced cheese from a tourist spot, we hightailed it back to the campground for a rest and a read:

 

I’m really enjoying the book by Elizabeth Miller of Parris House Wool. 

Her writing captures her life and lifestyle in an old home in Maine. 

Recipes and rug hooking included.

 

And tomorrow, oh! day of days!, we get to see our daughter in person for the first time in 19 months!!!

Poor dear will be sick of us by the time we pull up in NC. Ah well.

It’s too hot to hook, so I’m not sorry I left my gear behind; but I know my hands will be twitching to create something before long...

Happy Quilt

Yard saling with friends yesterday I scored this quilt for $20. It’s gone thru two long soaks in Oxi stain remover and gentle washes and clothesline sun sanitizing!!

 

Isn’t she a beauty? And hand stitched. I can feel the love. She has a good home now.

I walked Willie Nelson thru the woods until we couldn’t stand the skeeters any longer. Aren’t the paths lovely and wide?

Though I’m slimming I couldn’t resist trying a new and super simple cheesecake recipe I found on The Blind Pig and Acorn blog. Adding raspberries and strawberries with honey to the top made it extra decadent and it got rave reviews at our dinner party!

Buy it make a graham cracker pie crust. 

Then mix well together the following:

8 oz cream cheese, one can of sweetened condensed milk, and 1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice.

Pour into crust and refrigerate until firm. 

(A great tip from the blog is to bake your store bought crust a little. I put mine in oven for 5 minutes on 350.)

Happy Memorial Day weekend!!!!