November ... bare trees and firewood piles

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGKN2uZCaNBFdsds1W2PI8YAQyAjMvRHn9hLd7rW8AoCFks9ypv7Fuk649j6EtbZLg3uPiVu6-SxodFsIeSYWFFcQ90OuyhK_39J9MBUlwc973d-4N2-lg1SxhJ6tjoPVIfTuul4p0LM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGKN2uZCaNBFdsds1W2PI8YAQyAjMvRHn9hLd7rW8AoCFks9ypv7Fuk649j6EtbZLg3uPiVu6-SxodFsIeSYWFFcQ90OuyhK_39J9MBUlwc973d-4N2-lg1SxhJ6tjoPVIfTuul4p0LM/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> November landscape ... bare trees, leaves on the ground, cold wind blowing. It's almost Thanksgiving.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTcBXnGk5nxBXzVTtrjKjVDQs6sCD2bJpCKxhUVw_7-1-T5oIO6xoaoKSW71M_P6H2wDYFRE3pXZN6T_QG2jyM-d7ODoh91OWLDSXpmXzf19D-7UqCYG6j5UTawhG7TUwGXg_oGbOjLo/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTcBXnGk5nxBXzVTtrjKjVDQs6sCD2bJpCKxhUVw_7-1-T5oIO6xoaoKSW71M_P6H2wDYFRE3pXZN6T_QG2jyM-d7ODoh91OWLDSXpmXzf19D-7UqCYG6j5UTawhG7TUwGXg_oGbOjLo/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bill's wood lot. The latest pile waiting to be split and added to the big stack. There is nothing like a wood stove to keep the house warm during wintry weather.</div><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />November 25, 2013

bare trees November Thanksgiving winter woods wood stove November ... bare trees and firewood piles

 November landscape ... bare trees, leaves on the ground, cold wind blowing. It's almost Thanksgiving.Bill's wood lot. The latest pile waiting to be split and added to the big stack. There is nothing like a wood stove to keep the house warm during wi…

Read more »

Thanksgiving greetings from Congressman and Mrs. Eric Cantor

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_9QsPjoowfExtl-cS5gZPVQ8F_3aiU4ZBA1ZB7s4ZvLxGh8ns1mCEyVF88itDeQ1H9sF-WCuIRIJmHbxjE8UvgJsbLO6a19xAKb950gpPmNaGboR6_eZPLE5HkX5J3dNQSjFGfzQHbY/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_9QsPjoowfExtl-cS5gZPVQ8F_3aiU4ZBA1ZB7s4ZvLxGh8ns1mCEyVF88itDeQ1H9sF-WCuIRIJmHbxjE8UvgJsbLO6a19xAKb950gpPmNaGboR6_eZPLE5HkX5J3dNQSjFGfzQHbY/s640/1.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We received a Thanksgiving card in the mail today from Congressman Eric Cantor and his wife Diana. In these tough political times, we are thankful for the leadership from the U.S. House's majority leader who happens to be from Virginia.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah to Congressman Cantor and his family from the Shenandoah Valley!</div>

Eric Cantor. U.S. House of Representatives Hanukkah Majority Leader Thanksgiving Thanksgiving greetings from Congressman and Mrs. Eric Cantor

We received a Thanksgiving card in the mail today from Congressman Eric Cantor and his wife Diana. In these tough political times, we are thankful for the leadership from the U.S. House's majority leader who happens to be from Virginia.Happy Thanksgi…

Read more »

Spend Thanksgiving weekend 2013 in historic Staunton, Virginia

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF2CsT5ZntjeVfI2GyaJpw0EZvaTAmh2Y9sMWnAUNcov_ku8vrjc0LSev3sQ2d38NL3C6UQeNCg8Ilij19J_mJBeSHZkR90Twi-sgm3wNKvQcXk_Eef-z_Hr_vZV97wbQlP_Xz6uCEas/s1600/Thanksgiving+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF2CsT5ZntjeVfI2GyaJpw0EZvaTAmh2Y9sMWnAUNcov_ku8vrjc0LSev3sQ2d38NL3C6UQeNCg8Ilij19J_mJBeSHZkR90Twi-sgm3wNKvQcXk_Eef-z_Hr_vZV97wbQlP_Xz6uCEas/s400/Thanksgiving+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />There are few places as quaint and picturesque as the city of Staunton in the central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains, this community-oriented small town celebrates holidays in style, and Thanksgiving is no exception. For a fun and exciting adventure, spend the long weekend enjoying all the area has to offer. The calendar of events is packed with activities to celebrate Thanksgiving and welcome the holiday season.<br /><br /><b>Wednesday, November 27:</b><br />- Playhouse Tour, 2:00 pm, Blackfriars Playhouse<br />- Trivia, 7:00 pm, Zabbs Beach Day Cafe<br />- "She Stoops to Conquer," 7:30 pm, Blackfriars Playhouse<br />- Live jazz, 7:30 pm, Mill Street Grill<br />- The Level, 8:00 pm, Clocktower Restaurant<br />- Brent Hull & Joe Tyree, 9:00 pm, Byers Street Bistro <br /><br /><b>Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 28:</b><br />Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal at one of the local restaurants that will be open:<br />- <a href="http://www.kathys-restaurant.com/thanksgiving-buffet/">Kathy's Restaurant</a>, 11:00 am - 3:30 pm, reservations available<br />- <a href="http://www.stonewalljacksonhotel.com/media/docs/ChristmasCalendar2013.pdf">Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center</a>, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm<br />- Rowe's Restaurant<br />- <a href="http://www.crackerbarrel.com/restaurant/thanksgiving#OpenForThanksgiving">Cracker Barrel</a>, 6:00 am - 10:00 pm<br /><br /><b>Friday, November 29:</b><br /><b>Black Friday"</b> offers the opportunity to check out the local stores and shops of downtown Staunton and the surrounding vicinity. From unique gift items, jewelry, clothing, handmade chocolates, and domestic goods in Staunton to the shopping availabilities of Waynesboro's Target, Books-a-Million, and Kohl's, there's plenty to keep everyone happy. Check out local restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as unique coffee shops throughout town.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.gvbookfair.com/">Green Valley Book Fair</a></b> will open Friday, November 29, for its last two-week run of 2013. Open daily, this Mt. Crawford book retailer is known far and wide for its deeply discounted deals on books, audio tapes, and more. It's a great spot to pick up gifts for everyone from children to grandparents. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.frontiermuseum.org/"><b>The Frontier Culture Museum's gift shop</b></a> offers imported items from Ireland, Scotland, and Great Britain as well as America -- nutcrackers, Christmas ornaments, glassware, historical and cook books, and other just-right gift items for that special person. Don't forget the Museum's famous fudge that comes in a variety of flavors and is always a favorite with visitors.<br /><br />Staunton's world-known <b><a href="http://www.americanshakespearecenter.com/">American Shakespeare Theater</a></b> kicks off the holiday season on  Friday, November 29, with a variety of offerings<i></i> in the authentically recreated Blackfriars Playhouse as well as tours of the theater. The playhouse can be found on Market Street beside the Stonewall Jackson Hotel.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.oxeyevineyards.com/our-tasting-room/"><b>Ox-Eye Vineyard's tasting room</b></a> is located in a renovated 1910 building in the historic Wharf District of downtown Staunton which offers an inviting location to taste this local wines crafted by Susan and John Kiers.<br /><br />The <b><a href="http://www.stauntondowntown.org/">Staunton Christmas Parade</a> </b>will add a magical touch on Monday, December 2 (always the first Monday after Thanksgiving). The route will begin at Frederick and Augusta Streets, turn down Market Street, and then turn right onto Beverley Street. Thousands of tiny white twinkly lights, Christmas decorations, and inviting window displays will entice visitors to step into shops and dine in restaurants before and after the parade. Bundle up for a fun evening in the brisk December air, followed up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Meeting friends downtown is a must for this annual tradition.<br /><br />Be sure to check the <a href="http://www.visitstaunton.com/stauntonontap.htm">Visit Staunton</a> website for more activities as well as lodging and dining opportunities. Come to the Shenandoah Valley for Thanksgiving and stick around to kick off your holiday season.

Appalachian Mountains Blue Ridge Mountains Central Shenandoah Valley Christmas Historic Downtown Staunton Lynn R. Mitchell Thanksgiving western Virginia Spend Thanksgiving weekend 2013 in historic Staunton, Virginia

There are few places as quaint and picturesque as the city of Staunton in the central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains, this community-oriented small town celebrates holidays in style, and Thanksgi…

Read more »

Sweet Potato Bread Pudding with Whiskey Hard Sauce

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWfoEcqwtUVRwxNn8IycleYd8ewbe3FrV5ANKYtYH4pO_4KzlCgBxd6JOaKteeA7nFBeDgxX7yfnNGRyDIbhx78kP7qNZRudQtYY_9FjEgyjiSs2Ab0cz-3Eda6XtnSS2zRj4U4SbUdiQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWfoEcqwtUVRwxNn8IycleYd8ewbe3FrV5ANKYtYH4pO_4KzlCgBxd6JOaKteeA7nFBeDgxX7yfnNGRyDIbhx78kP7qNZRudQtYY_9FjEgyjiSs2Ab0cz-3Eda6XtnSS2zRj4U4SbUdiQ/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Part of the fun of being in the blogosphere is the people we meet and the information we share. Case in point is this cold weather recipe a blogging friend sent over that is something my husband will absolutely adore. He's the big sweet potato lover in our family, and bread pudding is one of his favorite desserts. The recipe is posted at her blog, <a href="http://lbdrecipeblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Little Black Dress and A String of Pearls</a>, where she declares:<br /><blockquote>It has been said that a Southern woman only needs three things to survive any social situation: a little black dress, a string of pearls, and a Smithfield ham. If you ever find yourself facing that “social situation”, this little blog is my contribution to weathering the storm, making a splash, or merely creating some 'comfort on a plate'. So .... find a recipe, grab a glass of wine, maybe a mint julep, or perhaps a cold sweet tea and head for the kitchen .... time's a wasting!</blockquote>Amen, Sister!<br /><br />Hop on over and check out Merlot's recipe for <a href="http://lbdrecipeblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/sweet-potato-bread-pudding-with-whiskey.html">Sweet Potato Bread Pudding with Whiskey Hard Sauce</a>, just in time for Thanksgiving menu planning. Eat, drink, and be merry!<br /><br />Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />Thanksgiving 2012

cold weather recipes Lynn R. Mitchell Merlot Thanksgiving The Little Black Dress and A String of Pearls blog Sweet Potato Bread Pudding with Whiskey Hard Sauce

Part of the fun of being in the blogosphere is the people we meet and the information we share. Case in point is this cold weather recipe a blogging friend sent over that is something my husband will absolutely adore. He's the big sweet potato lover …

Read more »