Sunday, October 23, 2022

Celebrating Fifty-five Years

Do you have a place that just feels right to visit over and over again?  Grayden and I feel that way about visiting Colonial Williamsburg.  It's only a couple hours away and always feels right for us.  I've written many posts here about this area and will hopefully continue to do more in the future.  For our 55th anniversary we both agreed that a trip to Colonial Williamsburg would mark this major milestone wonderfully.


The weather for our 10 day getaway was amazingly beautiful for October.


The clear blue skies greeted us as we walked daily along the streets that are so lovely and remind us of a time long ago.  


The gardens are always lovely to check out.  Williamsburg's climate allows an abundance of lovely flowers and vegetables to thrive before winter sets in.  This garden had many leafy greens such as kale and lettuces along with beets, radishes, and onions.


There were pots of rosemary, thyme, and oregano.  Notice the wattle fence.  They always intrigue me.  I find them a brilliant use of materials found in the garden.


I noticed a very interesting plant that I had never seen growing before.  When I first noticed it I thought it was celery, but the leaves were all wrong.


The plant above is Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)!  It's in the artichoke family, sometimes referred to as the Artichoke Thistle.  It is native to the Mediterranean area.  It will grow in zones 7, 8, and 9, so it is quite happy in zone 7 of Colonial Williamsburg.


Behind the lovely homes of Colonial Williamsburg one is welcome to walk the gardens.  This lovely garden was full of beautiful St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum) and Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana) plants.


 







Colonial Williamsburg is a photographer's paradise.  Home after home is a feast for our senses.  The foundation that takes care of this large living museum takes great care to keep the area vibrant and interesting for all who visit.


The Fife and Drum played on the green with the Compton Oak as the backdrop.  This group has played in Colonial Williamsburg since 1958.  Young men and now young ladies are allowed to try out for the group that is taught by fellow members.  Each uniform is accurate down to the buttons on their uniforms.  They echo the Fife and Drum Corp of the Revolution that actually was the communication system before present day technology telling the military the next advance.




It is sobering to realize that young men such as these had a role in the revolution.





Many of the trees were beginning to put on their Autumn colors.  Going to Colonial Williamsburg in October to celebrate our anniversary and our birthdays was a great choice for us!  I have many more photos of our time there and hope to share them soon.




22 comments:

  1. Colonial Williamsburg was one of my special places when I lived in Virginia Beach. Another special place for me was Ocracoke on the Outer Banks. The Redwood forests of California was special. As was Thingvellir in Iceland. Of course, I am blessed to live in one of those sorts of places that are special.

    Heartfelt Congratulations to you and Grayden on 55 years of wedded bliss. Quite an achievement in these days, isn't it? xoxo

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    1. Deb, I like your special places as well. All except Iceland that is on our wish list. And Wales would have to be on the list as well.
      Grayden and I are certainly blessed to have a long and happy marriage. Thank you for your kind words of congratulations. xoxo

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  2. Happy Anniversary! Williamsburg is so charming and with the weather cooperating and the foliage so beautiful, it looks like the perfect choice for a time away. Yes, please share more photos of your trip.

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  3. Happy congratulations to you and Grayden on your 55 years of marriage! That is certainly something to be celebrated and I am happy to hear that you were able to celebrate in a beautiful place that you both enjoy . . . even better that the weather was perfect! Can't wait to see more photos of Williamsburg in its autumn glory!

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    1. Cheryl, we can hardly believe we have been married 55 years! Celebrating the good things in life is very important to us. Thank you for your congratulatory comments!

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  4. Oh Martha Ellen, what a lovely way to celebrate your anniversary! Fifty Five Years! Wow -- I'm very impressed. (Were you married at 16?) You both look so happy. And Williamsburg has a beautiful romance to it, with its history and all. You picked a perfect time to visit, too! Happy Anniversary!

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    1. Jeanie, thank you! Yes, I did marry young--18 years old. Our long lasting love is a blessing that we recognize and don't take for granted. October in Colonial Williamsburg was the perfect spot for us to celebrate.

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  5. Happy Anniversary! You are stunning, my friend! What a beautiful place to celebrate! And your photos??? Amazing!

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    1. Billie Jo, you are so kind. Thank you for your kind words this evening. In Colonial Williamsburg it is difficult not to get a good photograph!

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  6. Happy Anniversary, Martha Ellen. What a wonderful trip you made for your special day, and I know how much you love this place. The red spider flower is so pretty. and unusual. What a delight to see these young men playing the drums. I'm glad you celebrated your anniversary at one of your favorite places, Martha Ellen. This is a sweet picture of you and Grayden.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, we do love Colonial Williamsburg. Grayden and I can hardly believe how long we've been married! Thank you for your sweet comments, my friend.

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  7. Happy 55th Anniversary! Colonial Williamsburg sounds perfect! I need to get back there!

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    1. Liz, I hope you get a chance to return to Colonial Williamsburg. Autumn is a perfect time to visit!

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  8. Martha Ellen, congratulations on 55 years together. That is a very nice milestone for sure. A 10 day getaway at a place you enjoy is pretty special, indeed. Glad you could do that!

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    1. I appreciate your congratulations, Ellen. We can hardly believe the time has passed so quickly.

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  9. What fun to see this Martha Ellen :))) especially as we have just returned from Williamsburg. Congratulations on your 55th Wedding Anniversary. This would be a great place to celebrate and you got some fantastic photos!!!

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    1. Denise, I'm looking forward to seeing your photos of your time in Williamsburg. You are right, it's a great place to celebrate. Thank you for your congratulations!

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  10. Many congratulations on your 55th anniversary.
    It looks and sounds that you had a wonderful trip, I did enjoy seeing your photographs.

    Sending my good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I appreciate your kind words, Jan. Thank you and all the best to you!

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  11. Enjoying a double whammy with your photos and Denise's. Such a great place to visit.

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    1. Denise is a superb photographer and commentator of her adventures. It is fun that we both are blogging about the same place!

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