Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Busy Days



Our daughter and son-in-law came for a few days to celebrate their son's birthday.  As I've mentioned before, they live in New England, so we are thrilled when they come for a visit.  Although the weather was less than perfect while they were here, we had sunny moments together. 



I picked several bouquets of peonies (Sarah Bernhardt) during our days of rain.  They were being beaten to the ground and I just couldn't take that!



The Nellie Moser Clematis is starting to bloom happily on our mailbox.  Flowers truly love the rain that falls from the heavens and we received over 4 inches last week.  



George Washington's Boyhood Home has recently opened for inside tours.  As I've mentioned HERE The Washington's lived in our county in what was called the Home Farm.  The foundation was discovered by archaeologists and a reproduction house has been built over the foundation.  We wanted to go inside and have a look at this home that George Washington lived from the age of six to twenty-one.  So while Noel and Peter were here it was the perfect time to go have a look.



The home was recreated using the same manner of building from the 1700's.  I must say we were quite happy with what we saw.



The Foundation is acquiring appropriate furnishings to the era and what was left on the inventory list of the Washington's.  


  
Some pieces are being made by Colonial Williamsburg craftsmen.



This replica of Mary Washington's desk is a beauty!  George's mother was widowed when George was eleven years old and then managed a 600 acre farm!



Everything is hands on at the home!  You can sit on the chairs or pick up any item and explore how it's made.  





We all enjoyed checking out the progress at George Washington's Home Farm, later known as Ferry Farm.



Back home we shared cake and ice cream.



I made the cake and Peter decorated it for his son.



The Virginia Renaissance Faire was attended by these folks, while Boo and Bear stayed home and propped our feet up.







46 comments:

  1. How cool that visitors can sit, touch, look closely. Another level of enjoyment in visiting a museum for sure. Happy Belated Birthday to your grandson. I think he must turn heads at George Washington’s homes. 🙂

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    1. I agree that it's a great thing to allow visitors to touch at George Washington's Ferry Farm. And yes, Samuel would be a ringer for the young Washington. He's been asked, but sadly is not interested. ♥

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  2. The peonies are absolutely stunning! They are my favorite flower. Your visit to George Washington's boyhood home sounds like loads of fun, educational too. How nice to live so close to so much history.

    Blessings,
    Patti

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    1. Patti, our peonies have done the best ever this year. Their fragrance is like none other. We are surrounded by so much history. We try to take it in when we can. Thank you for visiting today. ♥

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  3. I can't believe your peonies are in full bloom! Mine are still tight in the bud. I love your Clematis. I have the dark purple. I saw some in England that were pink, but smaller and the vines were totally covered in blossoms. I'd love to find out the variety and plant them here.

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    1. Cathy, I have another clematis (Jackmanii) growing on a copper trellis. It is dark purple and blooms later in the summer. I had to cut it back severely this spring, but it has almost covered the trellis already. ♥

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  4. Those flowers!!!!
    So very beautiful!
    Sounds as if you had a lovely time with your people. : )

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  5. Your garden must look beautiful if your photos are anything to go by. I am not a huge fan of cut flowers, but often cut precious blooms to bring indoors if there is inclement weather as we might as well enjoy what we can.

    What a wonderful place the Home Farm will be when finished, and I love that it is hands on! A great way to teach everyone, letting them really feel the past.

    ~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Deb. I always bring flowers inside from our garden, even a single blossom brightens the indoors. Peonies give a fabulous bloom and our's are the prettiest they have ever been this year. The perennial garden has really peaked and now the roses will have to be the stars while waiting for other blossoms.
      Hopefully the weather will warm up for you soon, my friend. Enjoy your afternoon. ♥

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  6. Interesting to visit George Washington's home when he was young, but I really love your peonies, they are just showing first flowers here. The 'Renaissance folks' ready to go to the fair in style, and you two had a great rest, also not bad at all.
    Regards, Janneke

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    1. Janneke, the peonies really would prefer a sunnier spot. We have quite a bit of shade on our property that is wonderful for us in the hot, humid summer months. This year the peonies bolted and bloomed beautifully. Have a lovely day. ♥

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  7. Thank you for showing the scenes at Ferry Farm! We may make a visit there ourselves within the year. I think I could live there! I'm sure the Washingtons wouldn't mind. ;)

    So nice that you were able to enjoy time with your family! Those are the best of times! Happy (belated) birthday to Samuel!

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    1. Cheryl, I'm sure you and your family would enjoy a visit to the Home Farm at Ferry Farm. We all said the same about living there! It's lovely property and so full of history. George Washington came from humble beginnings and grew up to do great things. I get goose bumps thinking about it.
      Family times are the best, aren't they? We so enjoyed our visit. I'll relay the birthday greetings to Samuel. Thank you. ♥

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  8. You just gave us our next day trip. Thank you for the information about George Washingtons farm. Looks like a place I can take my 6 and 4 year old grand girls you think? If not I am going still because I love exploring history here in Virginia. Your peonies are so thick and such a pretty shade of pink.
    I know you had a great time with your daughter and her family. My sister is still here visiting from Corinna Maine.
    Would love to see Vermont in the fall as I heard it is just so beautiful. You are so right when you say that the weather was less than perfect but you spent sunny moments together. How true that is.
    Have a great week,
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy, I think your grand girls would enjoy a trip to Ferry Farm. My grands love visiting there. It's wonderful to take them to places where they learn about Virginia history.
      You should visit your sister in Maine and stop off in Vermont and New Hampshire in the autumn. It's spectacular! I bet you are enjoying her visit with you. We always enjoy our daughter's visit, but find our visits to be too short. We miss her, but try to visit as often as we can. Enjoy your time with family. ♥

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  9. Looks like fun. I so enjoy visiting places like that. And the farm is beautiful.

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  10. I'm amazed that you can sit in the chairs and touch the things.. I love that.. it makes one feel more a part of the place. I enjoyed seeing that place a lot, thank you. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. I'm so glad George Washington's Boyhood Home Farm will be a hands on place, Teresa. I think this idea is especially good for children that are always told not to touch! ♥

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  11. This is great place to visit..

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  12. Hey Martha Ellen... Your peonies a beautiful... It's such a JOY to cut flowers from your own garden
    ( Isn't it )...Thank You for the informative tour of the Ferry Farm. I do love to see historical artifacts and crafts... It just seem to make one appreciate how simple our lives are( ha ha) in comparison to earlier times.... Lovely Post ....Hugs

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    1. That is so true, Zaa. Life was hard for folks back then, but the simplicity appeals. Then the practical me remembers things like indoor plumbing, electricity, and central heat....Thanks for your visit and I hope your days are full of simple joys! ♥

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  13. Beautiful place to a visit:)

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  14. Interesting to see that GW's boyhood home is open. I just heard two things about his mother yesterday--one was she never gave him praise, and the other was that she complained she was poverty stricken, when she owned so much. She must have been an interesting woman.

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    1. Dotsie, I think there are many things written about Mary Washington that seem harsh to us. She really had a hard life when she was widowed. Taking care of her children, running a 600 acre farm must have been overwhelming for her, but she did so well. She didn't want to leave Ferry Farm, but it is said when she was 72 her daughter, Betty, insisted she move across the river to be near Kenmore--her daughter's home. She had to be strong. ♥

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  15. Fun to see George W's childhood home. Loving the floral beauty. They always makes us smile, when we see so much beauty. Peonies are so gorgeous. Have a lovely Memorial Day weekend.

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    1. Peonies really do put on a great show, Linda. Thank you for visiting and I hope your Memorial Day weekend is memorable. ♥

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  16. Wow love those peonies! I planted a Sarah Bernhardt peony last year and I'm delighted it's on it's way up! Your clematis is beautiful and what a great accent for the mailbox! That is so nice that they've opened up the George Washington childhood home. I can't imagine living back then. Mary Washington sounds like a courageous woman but probably not all that different than many back then since they had to endure health and financial issues of which we don't even understand these days. This would be a great post to add to the Garden Party today- hop on over and enter your post! Hugs, Liz

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    1. I'm so glad your Sarah Bernhardt peony is on it's way to giving you bouquets of blossoms.
      I will try to add to your Garden party if I can figure out how to do that! I've never done that before. Thank you for inviting me. ♥

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  17. Martha Ellen, your photos are wonderful!

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  18. Love your gorgeous peonies. George WAshington's home looks fascinating. Visiting from May Garden Party.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Carol. I really didn't plan this post for the Garden Party, but Liz suggested I post this. It's nice to see so many folks that enjoy gardening. I'll have to do a more extensive post about my garden next time. ♥

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  19. Love Washinington's "home"...my favorite President to be sure. The furniture is outstanding, truly crafted by master artisans.
    Looks like your family has a good sense of humor; you all seem very close.

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    1. Jeri, we so enjoyed Ferry Farm. The Foundation is doing a wonderful job bringing Washington's boyhood home to life. The manner in which it was built is so impressive!
      My family does have a great sense of humor--these three really love role playing at Ren Faires. ♥

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  20. Good times with your family. I'm sure they all enjoyed your pretty garden. And cake.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thank you, Amalia. Sadly it rained the whole time they were here! But we still enjoyed our visit. xo ♥

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  21. Your Peonies are gorgeous! Mine are just starting to bloom. My peach one bloomed this week, but I have white, red, and dark pink opening up any day now. The tour of the home looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing with the Garden Party.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Jann your peonies sound like they are gorgeous colors! Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner. ♥

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  22. I.m glad you enjoyed your family's visit even if the weather did not cooperate! T he George washington boyhood home looks so interesting, and a place I'd love to visit one day. He is my favorite President and I read many biographies about him!
    Your peonies are beautiful! Mine had not blossomed as yet. Spring comes slowly here.

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    1. I think most of us can agree George Washington was an extraordinary human being as well as President. It's great to visit his boyhood home and get more of a feeling of his life as a child.
      You have a lot to look forward to. Spring is one of my favorite seasons. ♥

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  23. It's always nice to see family.
    I enjoyed your post and your peonies look so nice, so do your clematis.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you for your kind comments, Jan. Family is everything, isn't it? ♥

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