Visit to the tree farm

Time for the annual visit to the Christmas Tree Farm.
Allison, Natalie and Steve - what a perfect day.

Nana and Natalie, the happiest baby ever.

Ah, the perfect tree!

Mike, Reese and Michele pose for Reese's first tree cutting adventure.

Proud mommys and cute babies!

Monticello, Virginia

Monticello is the masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson - designed and redesigned, built and rebuilt over a 40 year period. Unfortunately pictures were not allowed inside the home. Very frustrating for me... The main house that exists today is, for the most part, the home that Jefferson lived in during his retirement. It is well preserved and decorated with many of Jefferson's original furnishings.

Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence, the third president of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia. He was also an amateur scientist and architect, and drew all the architectural plans for Monticello.

He died on July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. His tomb is located in the family cemetery on the grounds of Monticello plantation.

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg is the world's largest living history museum. It is the restored capital of Britain's largest, wealthiest, and most populous outpost in the New World. The site occupies 30 acres with hundreds of restored, reconstructed and historically furnished buildings. Costumed interpreters tell the stories of men and women of the 18th century city.

The court system was based on the English model with a House of Commons (locally elected) and House of Lords (official government representatives appointed from Great Britain).

Efforts have been made to preserve the original buildings to the extent possible.

The costumed interpreters are actually craftsmen in their respective trade and work their magic as they talk. This silversmith explained his craft as he worked on items using tools and techniques that were typical in the 18th century.
You can treat yourself like royalty by taking a ride in an elaborate carriage.


The workers stay "in character" when answering questions, explaining the different types of material and techniques used. They produced wigs from the simple to elaborate - all typical of what would be worn in the 18th century. Wigs were considered a sign of success (the Rolex watch of the time). Only about 15% of the population could afford a wig. Prices ranged from a weeks wages for a typical worker up to the equivalent of a year's salary for the average worker.

Only the wealthy could afford the "big wigs".


There are very nice folk art and a decorative arts museums, each displaying items from their own collections and items on loan from other institutions.

Berkeley Plantation, Virginia

The Berkeley Plantation was the home of the first Thanksgiving celebration. Captain John Woodliffe arrived at this location from Prestwood, England on December 4, 1619 and proclaimed "Impr wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrivall at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perputualy keept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to almighty God."

Some years later the property was purchased by Col. Benjamin Harrison V., signer of the Declaration of Independence. Besides building the original plantation, he was the father and great grandfather of two US presidents.

To me there is something very southern about a weeping willow tree.

Unfortunately no photography was allowed inside the home, which was very well restored and/or preserved, complete with period furnishings.

In the basement is a small museum and film room that tells the story of the property.

The original brick floor from the plantation built in the 1700s!

Life was difficult and uncertain in the early colonial years as can be attested by the embedded cannon ball in the side of the kitchen.

The original slate roof from the 1700s. Good quality lasts...

Jamestown Settlement, Virginia

In 1607, 13 years before the pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, a group of 104 English men and boys began a settlement on the backs of Virginia's James River. They hoped to make a profit from the resources of the New World, but instead suffered terrible hardships. Somehow they managed to endure, earning the distinction of being America's first permanent English colony. Today their story, along with that of the Virginia Indians is told through film, exhibits and living history (re-enactments by period-dressed individuals).

A reconstructed Powhatan village gives an opportunity to visualize the lifestyle of the local Indians.
You can also board and explore replicas of the three ships that sailed from England to Virginia in 1607.

Docents are available to answer questions and provide information about various facets of the settler's lives and the long and difficult trip from England.

As the relationship with the local Indians deteriorated, the settlement had to fortified to provide protection to the settlers. Life was not easy, many died of disease and malnutrition. Each restocking ship, which came at regular intervals, was full of replacement settlers in addition to supplies.

Washington, DC

So much to see and do in DC... It is said that to explore the Smithsonian's 19 museums and 9 research centers in detail would take years - even if you just spent 30 seconds in front of each exhibit... Unfortunately we weren't able to hang around till after hours to see the Natural History Museum come to life.

A journey around the mall took us to many of the National Monuments.


The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery.

Over 300,000 are buried in Arlington National Cemetery including veterans from all the nation's wars - from the American Revolution through Iraq and Afghanistan. Pre civil war dead were reinterred after 1900.

Of course I had to grab a shot of the original Red Cross Headquarters. The organization outgrew this building long ago and national staff are now located in several building in D.C.

Who remembers Carol Burnett's spoof on "Gone With the Wind"?
The older building in D.C. are a visual delight of bas-relief art.