Giving Birth to Independence Day

It's always a delight to visit Colonial Williamsburg (we honeymooned there almost 36 years ago) -- but it's certainly a wonderful place to visit on or close to Independence Day. We were able to walk around for the day last week when our son's family was here. Our first stop was the Govenor's Palace. This was the home to 7 royal governors and after independence, Govenors Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson until the capitol was moved to Richmond.




Our guide for the day in her Colonial dress. The furnishings that are shown are from the time of the last royal govenor, John Murray the 4th Earl of Dunmore. I had a hard time with the interior pictures because I either had to get close up...or get pictures of the other people on the tour in them. So you don't really get a sense of the size of these rooms.



The entryway is where most business would take place .... few people ever got past this point. You can see the dark wood and the display of swords....


....and muskets - rather imposing wouldn't you say?



A peek into the pantry --- wouldn't I love that sort of storage?



The family dining room -- don't you love the floor covering?



This table is being set off the ball room for evening refreshment.



This was one of the beds in the upper chambers.



Lots of beautiful millwork.


Loved the blue and white tiles surrounding this upstairs fireplace.



Beautiful crystal and silver chandelier.




Standing so close I had to get two pictures of this gorgeous bedding.






Ourdoor grounds.



The kitchen was, of course,not connected to the house but an outbuilding. Another guide in colonial dress.



And, yes, she really does cook all this food -- it' real. Wish I had taken a closer shot of the baked apples --- the dough was cut and shaped to make them look like pineapples.



More dish storage.


Love all the pewter plates.



The capital building. Virginia was the first colony to speak for American Independence. This is where on May 15, 1776 fundamental liberties were debated and ended in the creation of a new government. Virginia instructed its delegation at the Philadelphia Contenental Congress to move the question of freedom.







More Colonial interaction on the very ground where the rumblings and debates on independence first started .... giving birth to the freedoms we all enjoy today.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

A Very Virginia Dinner and Tablescape

Thanks for inviting me to participate in Centerpiece Wednesday!



I decided this week to repeat a fall favorite tablescape from last year. This was a fun one to do and contains many elements of autumn and my home state of Virginia -- I hope my new friends will enjoy seeing this for the first time and my old friends won't mind seeing this again.



Here we are approaching our Very Virginia tablescape. This sort of reminds me of the Colonial taverns of Williamsburg. One of my favorite places in Virginia -- It's where we went on our honeymoon.


A closer look at our centerpiece showing a pineapple, apples, magnolia leaves, oyster shells and peanuts. This probably seems like a strange collection..unless you've been to Virginia.


The pineapple is the colonial symbol of hospitality (we're not tropical enough to grow them here). However, you'll find many roadside stands selling bushels of wonderful Virginia apples this time of year.

I love the magnolia trees and their beautiful blossoms in the summertime. Virginia is also famous for peanuts and I don't think you'll find any finer oysters than from our own Eastern Shore. You'd see lots of this very sort of decorating in Williamsburg - particularly at Christmas time.


The tourism theme for Virginia for the past 40 years has been "Virginia Is For Lovers" -- it's won many awards and is as recognized as "I Love NY" and "What Happens in Vegas stays in Vegas". Virginia IS for lovers..not only for it's romance -- but for Beach lovers, mountain lovers, history lovers, hiking lovers, golfing lovers, wine lovers -- we've got a lot to love here. We are known as the Mother of Presidents - having eight presidents come from our state: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, WIlliam Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson. I believe that all of their homes are open to the public.

Here's a closer look at my tavern style place setting.


My black and white checked cloth napkins came from Walmart. The white napkin rings from eBay and the wooden cardinals came from an antique store. The cardinal is our state bird.


Here's a side view of our state bird.


The red transferware bread plates are Johnson Brothers Strawberry Fare.


Ready for the tabletop strip tease? First we have individual pewter soup toureens from ebay.


Red salad plates from Marshall's


We got three pewter plates when we got married and I've filled in with more from eBay in just the past two years or so. I don't know why this picture makes them look a little gold. My flatware has a shell design -- this came from a restaurant supply store.


An overview of our table top.


An overview of our center piece.


Hope you've enjoyed a look at Virginia on my tabletop. Now what would your "state dinner" look like?


When we honeymooned in Williamsburg, I had to get a cookbook.


One of our favorites, was brunswick stew from Chownings Tavern.



Brunswick stew and Smithfield country ham on a biscuit -- you really can't get more authentic Virginian that that!

Chowning's Tavern Brunswick Stew

1 stewing hen 6 lbs or 2 broiler fryers 3 lbs ea. ( I used a package of thighs and a package of breasts)
2 large onions, sliced
2 cups okra, cut (optional)
2 cups fresh or 2 cans 1 lb ea. tomatoes
2 cups lima beans
3 medium potatoes, diced
4 cups corn cut from the cob or 2 cans 1 lb ea. corn
3 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon sugar

Cut chicken in pieces and simmer in 3 quarts water for a thin stew, or 2 quarts for a thick stew, until meat can easily be removed from bones, about 2 1/4 hours.
Add raw vegetables to broth and simmer, uncovered, until beans and potatoes are tender.
Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
Add chicken, boned and diced if desired, and the seasonings.
Note: If canned vegetables are used, include juices and reduce water to 2 quarts for a thin stew, 1 quart for a thick stew.
also note: Brunswick Stew is one of those delectable things that benefit from long, slow cooking. It is a rule in some Virginia homes never to eat Brunswick Stew the same day it is made as its flavor improves if it is left to stand overnight and reheated.

Thanks Susan for hosting Tablescape Thursday each week. I hope you'll visit her at "Between Naps On The Porch" for inspiration and temptation!

See ya!

Weekend Treasures Of A Different Sort

Usually when I post on my treasures of the weekend I'm talking about thrifting at the Goodwill or shopping at the local antique shops -- but this weekends treasures are about something priceless. Time with my daughter Katy and her twins, Kendall and Keelyn. Right after Church, we packed up the van and headed to Colonial Williamsburg where my son-in-law Brett works with the horses for the carriage rides and his dad, Gerry, works as a colonial costumed actor.

First order of business when we got there was lunch for the girls. You can see their sweet smiles -- sweet potato smiles that is! And I wonder who gave them those bibs that says "I Love My Nana"?


After lunch Keelyn looks ready to roll, Kendall says that she'll just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Kendall says, "This guy sure sounds like Gramps but what's up with the powdered wig and hat?"

Keelyn just hanging out with Nana and playing in the grass.



After a full afternoon it's time to pack up and head back home. The girls say "Bye-bye ya'll."

Nana says "See ya!"