Thursday, November 5, 2015

Fun with Family in Autumn




Spending time with family is one of the greatest joys of life.  Our daughter, Noel, came from New Hampshire to visit Samuel and us for the long weekend.  I know she really misses her grown son, Samuel, who lives with us while he is attending college.  It was a beautiful weekend spent being together.


Wreath on our mantle


On Friday, she treated us to dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate her Daddy's birthday.  Then on Saturday we went to our son's home in Richmond for a visit.  While we were there we cleaned out the inside of pumpkins and Alex and Miles and Samuel carved their pumpkins.


Samuel, Alex and Miles


The children certainly enjoyed themselves as well as Boo and Bear.  We had pizza for lunch, which is always a hit with the children.




The next day we went to Mount Vernon.  We are very lucky to have many historical sites to visit nearby.  We are history nuts and enjoy any excuse to go to one of these sites.  It was a rainy morning but then cleared off to make for an enjoyable day.  Of course, Mount Vernon, was the home of our first President, George Washington.  This beautiful property is on the Potomac.




Rear View of Mount Vernon


Front of Mount Vernon

I didn't realize photos were not allowed in the mansion.  So I was snapping away.  Oops-- But I must show you one photo that always gives me chills.


Bastille Key

The Marquis de Lafayette gave George Washington the key to the main prison at Bastille.  The key was given to Lafayette after the Bastille was stormed in July 14, 1789.  This speaks to the respect that Lafayette felt for Washington.

After touring the inside of Mount Vernon we explored the grounds and the dependencies.  I always enjoy seeing kitchens from long ago.












Mount Vernon is a special place to enjoy and to learn more about George Washington.  Inside the museum we are amazed at the similarity of our grandson, Samuel, and George Washington at about the same age.




The model of Washington was made from a computer generated likeness of him at the age of nineteen.  Samuel is twenty years old.






  Autumn in Virginia is a great time to explore the historical sites nearby.


18 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos of Mt.Vernon. I remember so well visiting it as a child, and with our own children when they were younger. And my nephew took his family there last weekend. You are right about your grandson looking like our first president! Glad you had such a nice weekend.

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    1. Dotsie, a docent at Ferry Farm (George Washington's boyhood home) told our grandson he should work as young Washington. When we took the photo we were amazed at the similarity. ♥

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  2. Samuel certainly does resemble George Washington! (Have always thought so.) Mt. Vernon is so lovely this time of year!

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  3. Martha Ellen, I love going to Mt. Vernon, too--especially the grounds. Now that they have that museum it is quite an experience. And Samuel certainly DOES look like George Washington! Hang on to that photo (maybe even frame it and hang it on the wall!) :-) It is said that George Washington placed one of his survey markers on our property here on Braddock Mountain. The guy who built this house in 1952 found it on the property and covered it up so it would not be stolen. Boy, wouldn't that be a find if we ever stumbled upon it in our woods! I love that shot of the split rail fence and tree ablaze in color. George Washington would be one of those people on my list to have to dinner if I could invite people who are no longer with us.

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    1. Cathy, we always thought it was the hair that made Samuel look like George Washington--but the model of GW and Samuel shows a very strong facial resemblance. That would be so neat to find the survey marker on your property! We live on property that was part of Washington's boyhood home. I always like to think that he walked through the gardens that I have planted. It would certainly be wonderful to have a visit with him!! ♥

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    2. Living on GW's boyhood home land is very exciting! I agree, imagining him running through the woods or fields that are now your property would be so much fun....no wonder Samuel looks like George Washington! (Wouldn't that be an interesting story line for a novel) :-)

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    3. Cathy, I agree a great story line here--maybe a children's story. ♥

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  4. Martha Ellen, your photos are beautiful! Your son really does look like George Washington! It uncanny the likeness...

    Blessings
    Gert

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    1. Hi Gert, thank you for stopping by. You are right--it is uncanny that our grandson looks like GW. That's a good person to look like! Blessings to you as well! ♥

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  5. What a wonderful post, Martha Ellen. You truly captured the beauty of Mt.Vernon (even though you shouldn't have ) lol This is probably a bit crazy but I think one of your grandsons (and I don't know who is who yet) looks a bit like old George himself. LOL
    We love history, too. Our SweetCheeks knows everything about Washington from birthdate to years he served as president to the names of his wife and children. She is going to be our history buff, I think.
    I am so glad you enjoyed your family time together...and I love the pumpkins! xo Diana

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    1. Diana, you are so funny! You need to bring Sweet Cheeks to VA--we live in the land of George Washington and so much history occured here. Samuel is a ringer for GW. We always thought it was just the hair, but the facial features are spot on. Enjoy your evening! xo ♥

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  6. That key! What a treasure! I have never been to Mount Vernon, but certainly would love to visit there one day. Nice post and beautiful photos!

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    1. Judy, you would enjoy Mount Vernon. The Bastille key is one of the many treasures that are housed there. Our country has an amazing background that involves more than we can ever imagine. ♥

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  7. Hi Martha! How fun! We love Mount Vernon and have been a few times but never in the fall. I'm sure it was gorgeous! It is amazing how much your grandson looks like the painting of George Washington! Thanks for popping in to see e and I hope you have a great weekend.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. I'm so glad you've been to Mount Vernon, Shelia. We love it there. I always learn something new when we go. The model of George Washington at nineteen was our grandson all over! Enjoy your weekend! ♥

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  8. Oh my gosh, your grandson DOES look like George Washington in this picture, Martha Ellen. How delightful is that? So glad you got to spend some time with your family and shared special time with them. I love the pretty Autumn trees surrounding this area. The kitchen at Mount Vernon is so charming with a rustic feel. I just changed my kitchen to bits of red, which has always been a favorite of mine. I will post pics soon.

    You are always visiting interesting places and doing wonderful things, Martha Ellen, and I'm so grateful for sharing the experience right along with you.

    Have a sweet weekend.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, thank you for you sweet comments as always! You understand how important family is and I love that you share those times also. I love red in the kitchen. I have deep red (crimson) in our living room, dining room and hallway. It's time to paint again and I think I'm sticking with the same color as it looks warm and inviting. I'm looking forward to seeing your kitchen. Enjoy your weekend. xo ♥

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