We have been traveling northwest to Barboursville vineyards for several years. Usually we have such at their fine restaurant, Palladio, and tour the gift shop and ruins on site. Very picturesque, relaxing, and the food is outstanding. This year Cherie discovered the house olive oil, which she particularly enjoys with a crust of fresh country bread. We now have a bottle on hand at home whenever possible.
Just about every April we head to Maymont Park for the annual herb festival.The park is filled with vendor stands for fresh herbs, plants, garden accessories, and the assorted junk that shows up at all of these events. But, when the weather cooperates, and we can find a good parking space, it is a fun day in a lovely setting. The smile that remains on Cherie's face the entire trip makes it all worthwhile. April 26, 2014.
We had a lovely trip to Naples, FL — the first time either of us had visited there. Fine weather, the beaches are great, the food was the best, and the ambience was other worldly. So much money: luxury automobiles, multi million dollar homes, and high ticket restaurants. in other words, we fit right in!
The week was just about perfect. The only glitch was the surprising absence of sea shells from the sands of Captiva. During our last vacation there, about the same time of year, there were hundreds; not this trip.
Oh well. We did have several nice excursions, to the pier, the (multiple) shopping areas, and the many restaurants. We even made it to the beach! All this during a dreadful snowstorm in Richmond. We thought we had beat Old Man Winter: not! It snowed the week we returned, and every week since! Can we go back now?
See more photos on my Flickr stream.
Our 24th Christmas together is here. Has it been that long? I can still remember, as if it were yesterday, getting off the plane in Kansas City and driving up to St Joseph for this first time. It was cold, very cold, and snow was on the ground. Dark, cloudy, and blustery. Priding myself on following directions (this was long before nav systems!) I pulled up to a cozy rancher on a short street with a school at the end. Knocked on the door, and Mr. Borghoff appeared, with these words: "Welcome, David."
And there was the entire Borghoff family! Alma, who always acted a little shy but was easily the wisest and toughest of the bunch, Sandra and Karen, the older and younger sisters, eager to appraise the "New York Jew", and, of course, my wife to be, decked out in one of her famous, and thankfully now packed away, Christmas sweaters. It was quite a lot for me to take in at one time, let me tell you!
And now, these years later, we miss it so much. It was always a good time — lots of laughs, not many tears or shouting, few surprises, but even fewer disappointments. The trips to the Plaza in Kansas City. The nighttime drive around Krug Park. The big party at Bob and Janet's, featuring refreshments taken on ping pong tables. The many trips up and down the basement stairs, loaded with presents while Alma and Cherie kept up late Christmas eve, wrapping and reminiscing.
Christmas morning. Presents stacked waist high in the seldom used living room (where the second Christmas tree resides.) We each had our own place to sit, carefully refined over the years. As the family grew, some of the younger, and some of the more picky, stood during the gift exchange. Then it was off to church (second time in two days) and then the party for the aunts.
There was a particularly nice time for me, when the three sisters went off to visit friends or their own homes, and just Alma, Floyd and I were left behind on Scott Street. Soon Floyd and I would depart for our annual Christmas drive along the neighborhoods of St Joseph, but, for a time, the three of us got to rest, and got to know a bit about each other. It was peaceful there, in the family room with Mr. and Mrs. Borghoff. I hope they knew how well I thought of them, and I wish them another Merry Christmas, as we all remember them, and thank them for their grace and kindness. Merry Christmas.
After a lot of hard work and preparation, we were happy to welcome our relatives from Missouri and Florida to our home for Thanksgiving. I think everyone enjoyed the menu:
Prior to and after the Thanksgiving feast a plethora of activities were enjoyed, including lunch at CanCan, a pizza feast, roasted hot dogs, the inevitable auction (with surprise bidding!), a bowling competition, scrabble, pet hospital, photo opportunities, etc. We certainly hope everyone enjoyed it as tremendously as we did!
The rain comes swooping in on strong winds and the leaves are blowing. Not full color yet, but in a few days Autumn's browns and golds will be in full view. Of course the thermometer has dropped, causing the first hint of a frost, the furnace to ignite, and the flannel sheets to return to the bed. Summer was too short!
We are saddened by the turn in Mrs. Farmer's health, but in admiration of her strength and return home. It is always a warm feeling to look across the lake and see her house, knowing she is there, and hopefully enjoying the view of our home. Get well Mrs. Farmer!
In a few weeks we will have company for Thanksgiving! Our blessed relatives from Missouri and Florida will be visiting Copperpenny Court, bringing carloads of laughter and cheer to our door. What a delight! Even now we are planning an old fashioned menu with roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and pumpkin pie. It will be a Thanksgiving holiday to treasure! We are really looking forward to it!
Summer ended yesterday, and the weather has been cool, sunny, and glorious. The ground still wet from Saturday's storms. This is outdoor weather: golf, gardening, photography, and getting chores done. And the dogs are loving it!
Certainly for many this is back to school season. The yellow busses are making their way throughout the neighborhoods and roadways, early morning and mid-afternoon, and children's backpacks, tennis shoes, and jeans are popping up all over. The new Fall television season is upon us, and, for me, some of the best literary fiction is hitting the shelves. Time to get serious about cooking again.
And so another year at Copperpenny Court begins to wind down. However, there are still some highlights ahead: for us, a trip to New York City, my birthplace. And we expect guests for Thanksgiving! Finally, niece Darcy is going to have another little boy very shortly. I am lobbying for the name to be David natürlich, but I think it is a lost cause...
Early September, back to school, and the announcement we have all been waiting for: the next cast of Dancing with the Stars! Right.
In the real world, this incredibly wet season is still sloshing forward. The ground is always wet, the flowers have all gone, and the humidity is still high. Through all of this, our new guests have been able to thrive, however. Aunt Stella and Aunt Ennie are looking quite well, thank you. Certainly getting enough water!
Yet another rainy day in Richmond, VA. It is so humid the windows are fogged up all day long. Like living in a fishbowl. Glug, glug, glug.
Going into the Fourth of July and Cherie has made her annual pilgrimage to Florida and Amy's seaside mansion near the water. Both ladies are enjoying shopping excursions, fine dining and exotic cocktails, flashing looks from dark gentlemen from tropical climes. I am taking care of the house and the dogs. Of particular importance this year, with the torrential rain and incursions from ravenous copperheads and bobcats.
June 8, and we visited the Richmond Zoo, located not far from our home. It is always hot there, no matter when we go. However, I found some great tips on zoo photography, and we plan to return this fall.
We made our annual trip to Pawley's Island in the second week of May. Despite the threat of rain, and some early showers, we enjoyed a relatively dry and stress free vacation. Lots of golf, beach, the Lazy River, and good food.
That is, until the passenger side real window in my Taureg exploded on the way home. No one was hurt, just some bruised eardrums from driving three hours with the wind rushing in. We still do not know the cause, but repairs have been made, and all is back to normal.
Despite the amazing cold weather, and the constantly reoccurring chance of rain, Cherie has set out to get plants in the ground. Her companions are only too happy to be of assistance. During the beer break, ball play and beer sipping were de rigor.
The title of this post is taken from a World War II reference that has nothing to do with the late snow we experienced this morning, except for the literary allusion, at best.
So, it did snow a bit, following the trend in recent years for a white surprise around the end of March. What is worse is the continuing cool temperatures and rain. Another day? Yes, it will be high forties and drizzle. Not good for the golf game, or the spring planting.
However, we are healthy and happy and looking forward to vacation next month!
It's been a long, slow winter, as confirmed by our recent Dominion Power bill. But we are coming out of it! Cherie and I actually played the game of golf Monday! Buds, shoots, mini-blossoms are everywhere! Birds have nestled down into birdhouse openings. Our trees have been de-limbed, the lake is full, and thoughts of planting tomatoes and herbs are in the air. Could it be...?
The days are getting longer. The sun is brighter and warmer. Curious and intoxicating smells are in the air. Now, where is that desiccated dead mouse I was rolling over the other day...
Although it is going to be in the sixties today, snow is forecast for tomorrow. Nevertheless, Spring is in the air! Buds are popping up, shoots are emerging from the ground, and now and then you can see an early flower, soon to be tarnished by the cold: a promise soon to be kept