Junque Shop Treasures

 

 

I've had junque shop dry spell lately, so it was a treat to come away today with three treasures: a pretty mirror, a planter, and an ironstone crock (and lid!!) that will be perfect for birdseed. 

Our Funny Boy

 

This funny boy has been waiting to be buried in the sand again since last summer. Today was the day! It was pretty cold at the beach, but I dozed in the sun swaddled in towels, my husband read a bit (the only one who dressed appropriately), and the Merry Trio played in the sand. 

Great Falls, Virginia

On our way

 

Bluebells in the woods 

 

 More Bluebells

 

The colors are so wonderful

 

Variegated purple

 

Daffodil Wood

 

Reading a few pages while my darlings climb on the rocks

 

Bookstore Treats

  

New magazines and a new puzzle from our Friday outing to the bookstore. 

Local Winery

Fairytale Cottage

Out to Eat

 

 

This is the first time we've eaten inside a restaurant in a year (we have had take out, of course). We're playing Genius Square while we wait for our food. It's a great game! 

Ice Skating

 

 

We had our little local rink to ourselves for a little bit this afternoon. The children haven't been ice skating in about a year and were thrilled to go today! 

Killing Time

 

I was two hours early for my dental appointment (whoops!) So I ran some errands and looked at pretty houses and gardens while I waited. I love this house near the university that has a fence made from logs and sticks.

Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

I made a roast chicken with all of the trimming s for Sunday dinner today. It's one of our favorite meals and perfect for eating round the table and visiting after everyone has departed in peace after Liturgy and Coffee Hour.

 

We walked a path that we've never been on today, which was nice. Our county now has a website listing all of the 'hikes' available here.  They're not arduous walks, but they're very pretty and many are near the water.  As a child, my family always took walks (to school, to the shops, to the library, just around the neighborhood). My husband and I took many walks while we were dating, too! Our home isn't situated in a place where we can really walk anywhere, so we have to get in the car and drive somewhere to walk. It takes more planning, but it just as nice. 

Basketball

 

Only one more week of basketball left! We're so grateful that our trio got to play this season!

Father Daniel

 

 

 We buried our dear Father Daniel today at Saint Tikhon's cemetery. It was a beautiful, cold, and quiet service. The quietude was not what he deserved, but there wasn't much we could do about that under the current circumstances.

My husband bought these two beautiful crosses at the bookstore. I love them and know that he will think of Father Daniel when he wears them. I bought a little children's prayer book, a marble egg, and some of the coffee that the monks make on premises. 

The snow and ice was something to behold. Thankfully the roads were clear and travel was safe and swift.

The 90's are Back

 

 

My dentist loves wallpaper. Though I find his choices in the exam rooms to be questionable, the bathroom wallpaper is gorgeous. 

Happy New Year!

 

 

 

Happy New Year, Friends!

 

We started off today by attending Liturgy for the Circumcision of the Lord and Saint Basil's feastday which was wonderful.  After church, we decided to have a meatful Chinese lunch (normally we get vegetable and seafood options due to fasting) which was sort of a nod to the annual Christmas gathering that we have with my side of the family in Brooklyn.  My aunt Susan buys trays and trays of scrumptious Chinese food and we all gather together in her beautiful apartment to spend time together.  Sadly that isn't an option this year for obvious reasons, so I tried to recreate the feeling. It was a yummy lunch with good companionship, but I think it made me miss my dear ones more.  We did get to use the lovely rosewood chopsticks I put in everyone stocking at Christmas, though!

 

We took an afternoon jaunt through the forest to a wonderful home that is near the sea and was built in the 1740s.  I love the brickwork on the house and the colonial garden is a dream.  I must remember to take the children here again soon.  It's a wonderful respite to be able to tromp through the woods and visit these lovely places.