Colonial Williamsburg 3

Cute little shops, Williamsburg has so much Character.

Have to say.. I am itching to start a new painting, just have to decide which one I want to paint first, will not be easy to choose!

Front of one of the old houses.

Another shot of one of the back gardens. Really enjoyed following the unbeaten path. Could get more of a feeling for the place and found interesting nooks.

The only day they had the horses's out, which was on Christmas day. I really wanted to go on a carriage ride, horse person I am. That and I find it very romantic. ;O)

But sadly on the 29th, with all the Ice and snow, they could not bring out the carriages. So hopefully next time.

The George Wythe house.

George Washington's head quarters just before the British siege of Yorktown, and French General Rochambeau made the home his headquarters after victory at Yorktown. In 1776, the house accommodated Virginia General Assembly delegate Thomas Jefferson and his family.
Is a really nice old house, I was told is 85% original. Repaired or replaced pieces were very well done to say the least. .

The Armory, we just walked by and did not go in, though I wish we had. Ah well.. another of those to save for next time.

Williamsburg is a really big place. Between the two days I could only walk about half of it.

Needless to say, I loved walking hand in hand with my wonderful DH.

The only down side to Williamsburg, is if you are handicapped in any way. I could of seen the whole place if I had access to a scooter or even a wheel chair.

They do not offer scooters and only have a couple of folding wheel chairs. So if you have any mobility issues, you need to bring your own transport.

Colonial Williamsburg 2

DH snapped this photo of me looking at that cute little Tavern.

There are so many house's I would love to have. LOL Is my kind of place. VBG

Some random shots DH took for me as we were walking around.

Can see the period Christmas decorations on the front of the houses and the Icicles add a nice touch.

Any photo you see with the blue sky and or with snow like this one, the photos where taken on the 29th of Dec. The photos with the clouds and no snow, were taken on Christmas day.

A very pretty Well.

Pretty sure this was the wood workers shop.

The Trip to Virginia

Decided to visit Husband in Virginia. So off on the plane flight I went... on the only direct flight offered.
Flight in, was smooth until we got to DC ... bit of a bumpy landing. Dulles is huge, I mean major huge. Had no idea I had to take a tram to end up where Husband can come get me. Also learned... I am shipping/mailing all my clothes home. Even a light carry on bag is too much for me. Have never been an Airport so big! Also very, very glad I did the upgraded seats! Can we say.. cattle car?!
Flying has become much more of ah... an adventure and not for the better sadly.

Welcome to Virginia.. OMG the traffic... 5 hours to get to DH's place, when it should of only taken 2 hours. By that time, felt like just going back to the Airport to fly home.
This country mouse is no longer used to that kind of traffic. :P

Next day was a little better, got to recoup. Is really nice to see husband. VBG
And where he lives, there is little traffic, so much more relaxing.

The day after we went to Williamsburg, what a wonderful place! Could only walk a 1/4 of Wiiliamsburg but I did have fun. (Wish they had scooter rentals! Or let me borrow a horse! LOL )
I could see myself riding my bay Icelandic mare or driving Maggie in her traditional wooden cart. Is so flat, wee Maggie would have no issues. Would love to have one of those lovely houses and barns! Oh.. and gardens.. sheds.. Did I say I love the place?! LOL
Just started to snow lightly when we left, was almost magical that Christmas day and so very special to be there with my Husband.

Glad we went yesterday because we are getting quite the snow storm today. Good day to stay in and found out, "How to tame a Dragon" is a really good movie!

Love seeing all the big farms, though a little surprised not to see big beautiful Barns too. Like ones see's in Oregon.

DH, sharing his hat with a new friend. LOL At this point it was starting to snow. Christmas day is a great time to go to Williamsburg, yes, it is cold if you don't dress warmly, but there are very few people there.

All the photos you see with the clouds.. was taken on 25 Dec 2010. Any bright sky photos, they were taken a couple of days later.

I would love to have this Barn yarn! This is the way a town should be. ;O)

A very beautiful scene. Tiny house with a Big chimney and a wonderful split rail fence.

A back garden through the gate. I loved exploring the back gardens, where no one goes.

DH took most of the photos for me.

I love this shot. An outside view of the Barnyard I am standing in above.

Will be adding more photos and so on, in the next few days.

Family photos

DS and his outside Main Coon Cat Nari and Nari being where she likes to be... on DS's shoulder.

She is one happy cat and Lad too for that matter!

OK... a so, so photo of me. I do not normally do photos of me because I am not photogenic.

Down to size 8 pants..and the pants are starting to look big. Wearing my really comfy Cabela zip on boots and a soft Alpaca wool sweater.

Wee Christmas Tree and Nari the shoulder Cat

We have a small house, not really any room to set a Tree up this year and then, there are the Cats. Sure DS would get tired of picking up a large xmas tree and or the ornaments several times a day, as the Cats try to rearrange it to their liking. So this year..we just decided on a tiny table top xmas tree, set away from the Cats.

Is still festive and smells just as good as the large trees.

Nari, with her favorite person, standing on her favorite spot (her 2nd favorite spot is laying on Dyfra). Any time DS goes out side there is Nari, wanting to sit on DS shoulder, when he is standing, walking or doing chores. LOL I told him, I could always design a platform to go on his shoulders so Nari can sit better, but DS just looked at me kind'a funny ....and I swear... he rolled his eyes! Can you believe it?? LOL

Dyfra's Sporting Stjarna's Parson's rump, so someone I know could see it on a grey horse... couldn't miss her could you!!?

Excuse the odd angle of the photo and even with a rainsheet on, Dyfra finds new and interesting ways to get dirty.

Baking bread today, and the house smells wonderful!

A cool Tuesday morning Sunrise

Woke up to 18* temps on Tuesday morning but it looked like it would be a beautiful day. Can see the Moon on the upper right and the sun just touching the next hills over.

And a Closer shot of the Hills next over, camera couldn't quite capture the stunning beauty of that morning.

Made it all the way up to 20* later that day. I saddled Dyfra up to ride the fence line to make sure the poachers hadn't messed with it.

Had my new shoes on and with the Protection Vest I now wear every time I ride..

Stayed nice and warm.

DS even had to use the snow shovel for the first time this year. ;O)

If we can't have Sun ....a Fire place will do...

This is what cats love to do during a winter storm.... Sun themselves in front of the Fireplace.

You can't see DS off to the side.. but he is playing with Mia. She likes to bat the foil ball back at him, when he tosses it to her. Also a great winter storm pass time.

Can see her in... "well hurry up" Mode... "toss the ball already... I am waiting". LOL

First Snows of Winter

Started snowing Sunday morning and has basically been snowing since then. Not a whole lot but enough to turn everything white.

Edda in the snow around 1pm on Sunday. Snow is still kind'a new to her. Can you believe is a little over 12.3 hands now!

The Icelandic's are loving this weather... they spend a lot of time running and playing. Is a joy to watch.

A little more snow on the ground.

Right now it is Monday evening... and along with the snow and hail every now and then, we are having fairly high winds. Just hope the power doesn't go out.

Have a good snow shovel, plenty of wood, food for us and the animals...

We should be all set for awhile.

An November Evening

Yesterday evening it was so nice, I thought I would stay out after feeding the horses their evening meal.

After being fed and well groomed, there is nothing better than a relax rolling in the Evening sunshine... LOL Stjarna is really enjoying it.

Next up we have wee Maggie... and her cute, adorable teddy bear like winter ears.

Think the will be the last time I will Roach her mane, as I won't be driving this winter. But she really doesn't seem to mind having no super thick Mane to lug around.

When I looked up into the sky from taking photos of the horses and foliage I see a Rainbow cloud. Of course I had to try to take a photo of it... camera wasn't happy about it, had a hard time trying to focus but it came out fairly well.

The Evening sun in Nov looking toward the night pasture, hay field and our woods beyond. This is such a beautiful place.

A little Fall color.

Everyone is doing well, staying busy to say the least. DH is enjoying his job, DS is trying to find work and practicing with his Longbow and me.. I am handspinning more yarn and working on my online shops.

British Longbow arrived

Will take more photos in the next couple of days but even stringed, the bow is taller than DS. Is a Traditional Red Oak Huntsmen's Longbow design from the Middle Ages.

He is also going to have to build some muscle because this is one powerful bow.

Can see one of his new cool looking Noggle Stone arrows in flight, too.

Archery

What a beautiful morning for a little Archery practice. Can see our lopsided straw bale targets. LOL

Getting ready...

DS is using his small Martin Bow until his Red Oak British Longbow comes in.

Can you find the blue arrow in flight?

DS is doing quite well.

Me... I am a little more rusty. But it is the first time since the accident I have been able to shoot my Horsebow and not get a headache.

Forgot how much fun Archery is.

Cool Leaf Moth, DS and Nari, Stjarna taking an morning nap.

Stjarna happily sunning herself after her breakfast.

DS, getting some help on how to move a bale of hay from Nari. LOL

This cool looking Moth that ended up right by the back door. Looks a lot like a Autumn Leaf, have never seen this kind before.

Lush Green pastures and working on fencing

Finally put up the last line of heavy duty hot wire. We have had a bear trying its darnest to get into the the horse pasture, over the camel backs.. even bent one of those 8' tall heavy duty T posts. Sigh ~~ So beefing up things even more. Have a predator rated charger too, so it has some bite to it.

If the Bear keeps being a problem, will have to call Fish and Game... that is if they will do anything about it. There is nothing to entice the Bear at all...other than the horses.

Beautiful slightly foggy morning yesterday. The sun did come up a little later. The weather has been perfect for doing things outside.

Can see how lush and green the miniature horse pasture, as we call it, is. And the main hay pasture is growing quite well now. Much better than last spring. Which means, the horse's haven't been able to run in that pasture during the day as the green grass is too rich.

Normally this time of year most everything is brown, but not this year.

Am going to have to put some horse's back in this pasture for a few days, so they can eat it down.

This is such a beautiful place!

Homemade Rice Milk ~

Allergic to cow dairy or just do not want to use dairy products but need some kind of milk to cook with. Here is a good recipe that will allow you to do just that.

BASIC HOMEMADE RICE MILK - Adjusted

yield 6-8 cups

You can use all kinds of brown rice - basmati, jasmine, short grain, long grain, even sweet brown - to make this milk. While they all work, I like the overall effect of short grain best. But the choice is up to you, feel free to experiment.

1/2 cup short grain brown rice

8 cups water

optional: stevia or other natural sweetener to taste, Maple syrup, or 1-3 pitted soaked dates

2 TBP sunflower oil to make it creamier.

Rinse rice and soak for for 6-8 hours. Rinse then place in a large pot with 6-8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover and cook until rice is totally soft and starts to dissolve and get very mushy, about 45 minutes to an hour.

You can also do this in a crockpot and cook it on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

Once your rice is super soft, transfer rice and water to a blender,, fill your blender halfway with the rice mixture and halfway with water and blend until totally smooth, working in batches as necessary. If using, add sweetener to taste and blend until combined. If you are not using a Vitamix or other high-powered blender, you may want to pour through a fine sieve, straining out any small chunks. Pour into jars, cool, and cover, then store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Shake well before consuming. Milk will thicken slightly as it cools; dilute as necessary when ready to use.

A look at the label of Rice Dream Rice Milk reveals that it contains oil. Oil does make things creamier, and can add about 2 Tablespoons of organic sunflower oil to your batch of milk.

You can also add about 4 Tablespoons of Maple Syrup to our batch of milk,instead of sugar, as most are still used to the slightly sweeter taste of the Rice Dream product than what you get from homemade. It’s not a big difference…just a little one.

You may have to experiment to get the milk the consistency you want. Have fun!

Going to Pull the House off the Market, Sunrise and Edda Dyfra photos.

Early Sunrise the other morning, looking over Rainbow Hill.

DH and I have decided to pull the Farm off the Market. No one is willing to pay a fair price and since we owe the bank and do not want to destroy our excellent credit....

We will be keeping the farm and next year, mostly likely the first week of March, will put it back on the market and see how it goes.

Finding a Lease on the other end hasn't produced any results either. Mostly do to my health issues..ie.. needing to live in a very quiet place, my lack of ability to go up and down flights of stairs easily and our limited budget.

Sunrise a couple of mornings ago.

Not the best photograph but you can see how tall Edda is getting. Dyfra is a solid 12.3 hands tall... think Edda is taller than that now.