Fedex lost Rosie Lee's new bed so she's insisting that Kota share his. It's pretty funny watching them both take turns with this. 

An amazing few hours on the Skyline Drive, enjoying the amazing cloud show. 

One of the waterfalls on my hike near home today. Because of the recent heavy rain, the springs were thundering down the mountain.

Very cute salt and pepper pots at the cafe in Flint Hill where I stopped for coffee today.

Rosie Lee watching Kota try out their new Snuggle Cave Bed. If they both like it I'll order another. A lovely relaxing Christmas Day feeling cozy while the rain fell down outside.

Saw this cute Santa sack in a shop window in Warrenton, with a wookie, Yoda and Darth Vadar.

Came home and found this lovely gift from my neighbors, Tom and Laurie. So cute, and the pecans are delicious!

When the kids finish school the parents have to bring them to work and it doesn't take long for the antics to start. Here, Sebastion was being boxed up and being sent to who knows where!

One of my favorite views of Marshall. I never tire of this old grain tower, and hope it will always remain as part of the town's skyline. 

Beautiful lichen covered rocks on the Appalachian Trail today. 

It's heaven to be out of the freezing cold and sat in front of a crackling fire with Kota and Rosie Lee.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Emily polishing off the juices from her bowl of mussels. We all got together to use our $50 vouchers from the Snallygaster beer festival that we'd been given for volunteering. At Bluejacket in DC, the food and beer and company made for an excellent evening. 

I've just seen the premiere of the Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, with a friend, and everyone in the cinema cheered and clapped when this appeared on the screen. Continuing the saga from 30 years ago was worth the wait. As expected, JJ Abrahms did not disappoint, it continued in the same style as though it were made at the same time as the originals. I'll be going to see it again!

Buckets of old chimney lining stacked outside the house. The chimney and wood stove have been revamped so it's now easier and safer to use, and will be more economic. But where's the cold weather? We're going to be in the 70's next week, boo!

Another awesome Christmas display in Marshall. An empty house on Main St has a nativity scene in its window. The word PEACE is in the background and I loved the 'stars' on the left.

Love this snowman that sits outside the new Red Truck Bakery in Marshall. 

My latest acquisition. Janice and Bill accompanied me, helping tremendously with their knowledge, and Janice, bless her, was a bit wobbly with the photo. But I'm glad she took it!

At Soul Belly Brewery to enjoy their beers after a day at Waterford's Winterfest.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Meadow House. 

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Beautiful sunrise with the heavy fog diffusing the colors.

After a really bad day at work I came home early to see how the chimney repairs were coming along. A custom piece has to be made so I could be without the stove for a week. Not good.

The last few seconds of the sun's rays bathed all the vehicles on Rte 66 in an orange light. In less than a minute the sun had dropped below the horizon. 

Walking through production I looked down and saw a heart on the floor. Jony saw it too and added an arrow!

Margie trying to break down the chunks of frozen fruit in the punch at her fun and fabulous Christmas Brunch Party.

A fabulous view of Harper's Ferry, but one that we had to work damn hard to see. My poor legs were very tired after a lot of uphill climbing.

Loving my Star Wars sweater that I wore to our work Christmas lunch. Even the waiter at the restaurant said it was the best one he'd seen all day!

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Met Emily at the posh Airlie Hotel for a few late night drinks. A great night but very glad it's Friday today....

Finally settling down to watch this series that I used to love as a kid. It's so dated now but at the time it was the business. Kota gave his sniff of approval. 

Another day of perpetual rain. Another image of my favorite skyline in Marshall. The rain running down the windshield makes this look like a watercolor painting. 

The Christmas decorations are already up at my chiropractor's office. I love the vintage reindeer, I love to see them each year. 

Really fed up this afternoon as I was looking forward immensely to editing my photos when I got home. I'd been fortunate to witness 3 raccoons up a tree and had shot quite a few photos, my first ever sighting of live raccoons. I got home and opened my camera. No card. I'd been shooting blanks. So my photo today is the inside of a cheese grater. 

I nearly missed this sale and was desperate for a new pair of work boots. Perfect, and at half price, these were a steal. Only one pair left in my size, must have been fate.

I've brought in the plants I wanted to save from the patio, my Boston ferns and geraniums. This particular germanium never seems to stop blooming, it's beautiful.

Our beautiful table settings that Bill set out for our Thanksgiving dinner. 

Ingredients for my apple pie that I'm making for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. The pastry's made and chilling in the fridge. An early start will be in order tomorrow to put it all together and then take it over to Bill's in the morning when we'll all go for a hike before feasting.

We're all snuggling together with lots of fleeces on the sofa. 

Monday, November 23, 2015

11/2315 Marshall Ford celebrated 100 years of being the longest running Ford dealership in the country. Model T's were shipped here by rail and the packing crates used as floorboards. A local article: http://www.fauquiernow.com/index.php/fauquier_news/article/fauquier-marshall-ford-celebrates-a-century-in-business-2015

Bill and Steve joined me at a class close to home on building a debris hut. Steve took this photo of me trying out the shelter. It was nice and cozy in there!

Bill taking a photo of his drink at Tim's Oyster Fest in DC. 2 oysters in a cup with vodka and a shot of hot sauce. Delicious! I had two!

Friday, November 20, 2015

Kota has very luminous ears.  Had to turn off the camera sound to take this, he hates having his picture taken. 

I used to spend a lot of time as a kid with coloring books so I was delighted to see in Hallmark that they had a wonderful selection. I may have to treat myself!

The Whole Ox looking cozy and autumnal this evening. I still haven't tried any of their sandwiches, it's on my 'to do' list!

They had some 'battle combat instructors' in Walmart, Darth Vader and a few storm troopers. I spent a few happy minutes pressing buttons and listening to commands.

Driving into the sunrise on the way to work. So much traffic.

Enjoying a hike in the Appalachian Trail and trying out my new hiking poles.

While in the grocery store I had only good healthy foods until I saw these. My most favorite flavor ever. Lucky I only bought one bag!

New front door mat. Ain't it purdy?

Kota Kat says, "You looking at me?"

I left Oscar at work printing this artwork. He's got the halftones and gradients captured perfectly on his screens but needs to register one of the blues screens, note the white peeking through on some of the edges.

I discovered that a cinema a couple of miles from work has been revamped and has discount tickets on Tuesdays so after work I shot over there to see Spectre. A great movie enjoyed with my feet up in a huge leatherette chair with my dinner on my lap. I was also delighted to see that they sell Maltesers but will save that for next time as I shall definitely be doing this more. Dinner and a movie for less than $14 is a wonderful mid week treat!