Monday, November 14, 2016

A Day in the Mountains





Autumn has been so lovely here in Virginia.  The late turning of leaves has been a bright spot for what is usually a gloomy November.  Our first frost occurred last evening.  Looking at past year's frost, this is late by at least a month for us.  Grayden and I emptied our pots of begonias that were hit by the heavy frost.  We always put all of the spent plants into our compost heap.  The other pots that I overwinter in our basement are now making a home in the Florida room as they acclimate to being inside.  I overwinter geraniums and re pot them in the spring.  I have some that are quite old.  We use grow lux bulbs that simulate the sun.  It's good enough for their winter vacation.  I also picked all the green grape tomatoes so I can let them ripen in brown paper bags.




Last week after voting we decided we wanted to get away for a few hours, so we drove up to the little town to have dinner and see what remains of the autumn color in the mountains.




On the way we stopped in two country stores.  I adore going to Yoder's Country Store.  It's been a while since we visited and we found they have opened a brand new big store.  It's a wonderful place to buy flour, nuts, jams, honey and kitchen items.  I bought a new little garden flag.  Also we couldn't resist a loaf of their honey wheat bread.










We made reservations to have lunch at Grave's Mountain Lodge.  We have been going here for years. They usually serve buffet dinners, but the day we visited it was family style dining.  Years ago we  attended retreats at this mountain lodge.  Grave's Mountain Lodge is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Syria, Virginia.  It was enjoyable to share our dinner with two other couples that were getting away for the day as well.












After our dinner we rocked in the rocking chairs and soaked in the beauty of the area.  Samuel commented how quiet it was there.  All the hushed tones of the mountains, except the chirping of the wrens and the sounds of leaves falling to the ground was good for the soul.








On our drive through the rolling hills we stopped at an antique store.  I bought nothing.  Buyer's regret on a few things.  I couldn't believe I didn't buy this sweet cross stitch piece that was only $12 dollars!




What was I thinking?




What little day trips do you enjoy?  I'd love to hear about them.  I hope you are enjoying the days leading up to Thanksgiving. ♥



















33 comments:

  1. so beautiful pictures of autumn...

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  2. Oh, Martha Ellen ~ What were you thinking???
    I've really enjoyed trundling along with you through the mountains this {dreary} morning.
    Now, you will have to explain "family dining" for me? Here, that usually means children are welcome and there is a special play area for them. I can't somehow see you and Grayden wanting a slide and ball pit! lol
    As for Yoder's ~~~ you know I want to go there!
    ~~~Deb xoxo

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    1. Deb, family dining is where they place platters and bowls of food on the table and you eat like you would with your family passing the food around the table. Grayden is a big kid, but not sure about the ball pit for him!
      You would really enjoy going to Yoder's ---really everything for kindred's there. As far as that antique store, I'm still shaking my head over that one and a pink and white transferware plate! xoxo ♥

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  3. What a lovely day and it's that quiet, and more, here. Recently, Mom and Daddy went to Graves Mtn Lodge and thoroughly enjoyed it. I've never been but look forward to going one day.

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    1. Sandra, we really don't realize all the noise we have until we visit a place like this. You have it everyday, you lucky one! ♥

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  4. Yes, what WERE you thinking, Martha Ellen! Probably subconsciously planning another trip back to get it! I just looked on the map on how to get to Syria from Skyline Drive because it would make a lovely destination for a day trip for us--but I can't be sure if the roads shown are navigable. Some are called "Fireroad" and that sounds more like an off-road vehicle kind of road. It seems to me there is only one true exit on the Skyline Drive. Will have to check it out. I need to check on my geraniums this morning. I tried wintering them over last year and they did not survive. I think they needed more light. My living room is already looking like a greenhouse! Which is great right now, but if the plants start dropping leaves it looks pretty sad.

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    1. Cathy, I've been getting rid of a lot of things in our home--trying to downsize a bit. So that has been on my mind and maybe a little too much that day in the antique shop!
      If you get on US29 , Syria is quite an easy destination. Other than that, you could get off of Skyline Drive at Thornton Gap down to Sperryville and then the back roads to Syria. I do know Skyline Drive closes in the winter.
      I still get a lot of leaf drop on my geraniums, but they hang on with the grow lux light. Last year I did lose a couple. Have a great day, Cathy. ♥

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    2. Thank for the directions. We would only go in the warmer months anyway. It sounds like a nice autumn getaway.

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  5. You have a beautiful to enjoy there! I enjoy that kind of a day. We often take day trips on the weekends. I love to stop at small unique stores and find a good restaurant. Seeing the landscape along the way is always enjoyable. We finally had a frost the same day as you. The leaves on my hydrangeas are brown now and close to falling off. It's become a bit bleak here but still warm (60's during the day). A year ago we had our first snow already!

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    1. Liz, it's so much fun to have a little get away. Our heavy frost was quite late this year, but it was not a killing frost for the sturdier plants like the hydrangeas like you have had. That usually has happened for us already. I'm glad that you are having mild temperatures to enjoy your lovely garden for a little bit longer. Have a lovely day, Liz. ♥

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  6. Your photo's show the scenery in its splendour - I love the mosaic/collages too.
    A special photo of you and Samuel, such lovely smiles.

    It's always nice to enjoy a day out perhaps to stop a while and look around some stores, or go to a nice cafe and enjoy a cup of tea. Time to be just spent enjoying the company, the place ... perhaps just to stop awhile and appreciate the quietness.

    I do hope this week will be a good one for you.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan for your sweet comments. I think all of us kindred spirits enjoy a little get away. I hope your week is wonderful, Jan. ♥

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  7. Just the sort of day I enjoy. Yesterday, my father and I played "pretend" and we imagined that we would go to the ocean to watch the extra high tide, caused by the super moon, crash against the rocks. That's something we used to do years ago. I know that you passed on snagging the treasure, but really, we must resist the urge to bring more home and, if we do, something else must go. That's my method anyway. I sure have a lot that needs to go bless someone else.

    It's beautiful country down there. I would love to see the Blue Ridge Mountains again. Cute photo of you and Samuel.

    My plants are still going, even the superbells, which have not been touched with frost yet. (It's hanging under the lilac bushes, perhaps that's why.) An extended autumn has been a wonderful blessing to us all.

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    1. I love the pretend game you and your father played, Vee! Sounds like you two are enjoying each other's company.
      Yes, I do need to refrain from adding more to our home as I am getting rid of many things around here. But that cross stitch piece has been calling me ever since.
      Superbells still blooming? How grand for you! I have a couple begonias that are in pots attached to the wall of the patio that are still okay. I'm quite surprised that you have not had a hard freeze up your way. I'm so glad your autumn is pleasant. ♥

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  8. Day trips can be so much fun! Your pictures look so peaceful and calming! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you, Pilar. I hope you can enjoy a little day trip soon. ♥

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  9. Hi Martha, I guess you could say we have day trips every time we head for a show. On our way up to Richmond, we always stop at 3 Antique Malls along off I-64. I found some great little deals this time around. The view from the roads of Virginia are splendid this time of year!

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    1. Jeri, I so glad you are able to mix pleasure with your business. I hope to hear about your finds in the antique shops. ♥

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  10. Hello Martha, I am new to your blog. but had to leave a comment about your Day trip, your photos are so pretty. We usually go to Mesilla new Mexico for our day trips. We are unable to make another trip this month but are hoping to drive around town before Thanksgiving, I want to get some last photos of the beautiful leaves. I hope you get to go back soon and that the cross stich is still available. Have a great week.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by. We went to Old Mesilla NM years ago and found it to be so charming for an old west town. I have a couple of pieces of art that we bought there. I remember them having an art festival and so many craftsmen selling their wares. What a great place for a day trip! Thanks again for visiting. I hope your week is a good one. ♥

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  11. Oh Martha Ellen, I could really relate to this post very much. Getting away for a day is just what I needed when I took a drive to the country. This is such a charming store, and that honey wheat bread sounds delicious, especially with a little butter on it. :) The quilts are beautiful. It's such a talent when one can sew quilts. Autumn is still showing its beauty there. The cross stitch is very special, and reminds me of Nel who is a long way from home right now living in Georgia for a couple of years. I wish you could have brought that home with you. This store is so cute, and I love the doll section. The blue china is lovely as well. What a wonderful day you had with your family, and that picture of you and Samuel is a treasure.

    ~Sheri

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    1. When I read your blog I knew we both had the same thing in mind, Sheri! A little day trip is great for refreshing the mind and soul. I've been thinking about that cross stitch piece and hope it finds a special home with someone. I really don't need it, just found its words to be so meaningful. I hope you get to have a visit from Nel or you go visit her soon. Have a wonderful week, dear Sheri. ♥

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  12. Yours sounds just like what we like to do. I love antique shops as well, and don't buy much anymore, but it seems like a step back in time to see things that are from our past and childhood. It's kind of fun!

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    1. We both like to remember "when" while visiting antique stores. Have a nice afternoon, Dotsie. ♥

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  13. What a lovely day trip. Taking in all of the beauty as you travel country roads. A perfect day to visit lovely shops and enjoy lovely meals. Sometimes, it is fun to just look and not buy. My husband keeps telling me, if I buy something new, I must get rid of something...Of course he jokes about it....LOL We haven't had a day trip for quite some time. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

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    1. Linda, our weather has been so nice here this autumn. We are about to have cooler weather on Sunday. I hope you are feeling better so you can go on a little day trip soon. Have a nice weekend.♥

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  14. It's been a fantastic fall all over the country. Ours has been so nice and warm.
    Your photos are so good...you must have a nice camera..and know how to use it.
    I am working on a post of an overnight trip that I'll have ready soon..
    sure enjoyed your day trip. xoxo

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    1. Thank you BJ for your sweet comments. I do have a good camera, but I have so much to learn about photography. I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip. Have a nice weekend. xoxo ♥

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  15. Your day trip looks so lovely! I have heard of Yoders--I believe I received a catalog from them years ago. The antique store looked like it had so many nice things for sale that would have tempted me. You had good will power, Martha Ellen!
    After and unusually warm and dry autumn we finally had some snow yesterday. I love snow so it made me happy.
    Colorado has many scenic areas so we love to get in the car and take a drive whenever we can. There is always something new and amazing to see.
    Have a very happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Pat, I thought of you yesterday when I saw on the news that Colorado had snow. The first snow is always exciting to me. I always enjoy the gorgeous trips you take. I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving! ♥

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  16. A little post-election solace sounds wonderful! Yoder's Country Market looks like a wonderful place to shop...and Grave's Mountain Lodge seems like the perfect place for a getaway. Such beautiful surroundings are sure to quiet the soul.

    For a quick getaway, we love Lancaster, PA or one of the little coastal towns of Delaware or Maryland. It's a little further, but Williamsburg is one of our favorites too!

    Happy Thanksgiving week to you and yours!!

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    1. Cheryl, we would love to go back to Lancaster. It's so charming there. Your little getaways sound great.
      Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family! ♥

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