Our Ageless Care Group

We had a wonderful time of fellowship this morning at the Ageless group Wednesday meeting. We are named Ageless because our ages range from young adult to well into the eighties, but we're all very young in spirit. Today mom and I did the refreshments but mom was feeling too under the weather to attend so I told her I'd put it on the blog. The holly came from her tree and she made those delectable chocolate yummies everyone loves so much.
I made a cranberry walnut bread and cut up some fruit. It was just enough- but the food wasn't the highlight of the day. The Presence of the Lord and His Glory was so evident through the service. Our teacher, Marlene, has such depths of insight and the fellowship as a whole is some entrenched in intimacy with the Holy spirit and to be there is like a huge slice of heaven.Today Marlene introduced the book of Joel and demonstrated just how clearly it relates to our world today. Oh, how the church needs to repent- turn back to God , be renewed and pray for God to deliver us from His wrath and the consequences of the perversity in our society.
Our worship was so sweet as our dear sister, Jan played the whole set of carols in the hymnal and we called our home bound families and sang and prayed for them over our phones. It was so sweet! We all heard the angels singing with us!

Our Saturday Drive

to Blacksburg was a real treat. The flyover was at 3:25 and we got to our favorite viewing spot about 3:23. As soon as my feet touched the ground we could hear the jets on the air, but we couldnt see them. I took this photo of Lane Stadium , home of the Hokies, from our vantage spot.
The sky ws supremely beautiful with all the clouds and billows as we scanned the horizon for the coming aircraft. And then... there they were flying one right behind the other...side by side....They were sneaking up on the stadium right on time, and then...the after burners were kicking in as they zoomed off to the left and were heading due east back home. I cannot describe my feelings when that sonic roar explodes as the f18's pass overhead. What a rush!
We drove through the campus enjoying the Orange effect- everyone wearing orange. The tailgaters gear still standing testimony to the thrill of expectant
victory against Georgia Tech. I havent heard the outcome yet, so we'll have to see if we do in fact win! But we were more interested in our lovely drive home back down Blacksburg Road through Catawba Valley. Beautiful any time of the year, today, because of the amazing sky, it was exquisite!
And then I ran out of battery!

Virginia Tech Gameday Flyover

I am so excited!
Not just one!

But two!!

"Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets sponsored Flyover - VT vs. GT
(Corps)
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets is proud to announce that barring weather or operational factors, Navy Fighter Attack Squadron 106 from Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, VA, will conduct a military aircraft flyover with two F/A-18 Hornets during the National Anthem prior to the Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech game on Saturday, 13 September.
The aircraft will be flown by graduates of both universities, Marine Major Tom "Sally" Fields, a 1995 graduate of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, and Navy Lieutenant Jeff "Bobby" Latham, a 1998 graduate of Georgia Tech."

We don't have tickets to the game, although Amanda and Josh are tailgating this one, but we will be perched on a nearby ridge expectantly awaiting the exhilarating rush as these beautiful machines buzz Lane Stadium. And as usual, I'll tear up and cry!!

Been Away from the Computer for a While

Wednesday the rains came, remnants of Fay. This picture was taken coming home from church that night.

Thursday morning was such a wonderful day enjoying the lazy rain. We got about 4 inches of slow drizzly rain.

It was totally refreshing! I could have had a few more days of it, but the Lord knows best! Do I dare share what I did Thursday morning? What we women endure for the sake of beauty! I debated whether to put this on Pink Saturday, but decided not to! HaaHaa! HeeHee!

Then I went over to visit with mom and dad and found him out tickering with his bird houses. Here he is sanding one he's promised Amanda-



By the lunchtime I was looking really cute with my new hair, so I decided to surprise my sweetie by stopping in at the office. He was busily cramming for a test that afternoon for the project management training he'd done that week.

So I spent the afternoon at the nurseries checking out trees to replace around our yard. I found a beautiful White King Hawthorn and a luscious deep read Crepe Myrtle there. This morning we found some 2 red maples and another white Myrtle. I know what we'll be doing Monday!

SUNNY in Scotland-High 66

Doesn't that just sound fabulous! What a beautiful day there. I was just checking the webcam at Eilean Donan- the icon of my Caledonia. To me that is just about heaven! Of course they have their fair share of drear- well, more than their fair share, but isn't that just like life? Today it is SUNNY and fair in my life- I have not a care in the world- a lovely morning spent with my dear husband who chose to report to work later than usual so we could enjoy a leisurely morning-followed by a wonderful afternoon spent playing with dear friends out to luncheon and the movies. Fair with not a chance of rain, today!! But showers and drear are looming on the horizon as I contemplate a visit to the podiatrist next week to see about an infected toe. Funny how we dread the very thing that is good for us and is going to make things so much better. Well, as long as I medicate and put on my toe protector, I'm good to go for today! If you're reading this one, I'm praying your skies are SUNNY today!!

The Oaks Victorian Inn

The sun had already gone down behind the massive oaks when we first arrived Wednesday evening. The sunlight dappled through the leaves as evening shadows crept across the lawn, but the 115 year old Inn shone like a dazzling gem in a sea of green! Our excitement peaked as we drove up the drive toward the Inn, as old homes always makes us sizzle with wonder, who had lived here, or which wayfarers had found respite from their weary travel within this space... each nook and cranny promising secrets to be discovered. Just to traverse the wide expanse of veranda is to revel in a glory of a time gone by that calls my name, "come home, this is the place you want to be!!"And then we were ringing the bell, but alas the Innkeeper had gone to dinner so we were to let ourselves in and quietly explore on our own. Alright, by me!
Our room, the Alexandria was exquisite, to say the least. The bed , a marvel!
The bath, a jewel!And then we went exploring!The parlor was elegant!
. The hallway beyond led to the gorgeous stairway, we did not use because our room was on ground level.The breakfast room was completely charming..reminscient of an English Inn. Relete with an amazing collection of teapots!
And that first night the inn tucked us in for a very peaceful, cozy night of sweet dreams!
Thursday we started our day following a delightful candlelit breakfast of orange bread with chocolate chips, fresh fruit cup, and decadent bluberry croissants slathered in between with a yummy melted creamy cheese!And then the secret garden beyond called to us. Innkeeper, John, fed the brood of fish in the pond!
Sometime we would love to come up and stay in the hide-a-away garden cottage.and then we were off to town to check out the sights.First stop, Cambria, The old rail station is a testament to a bygone era. Now the area sports antique shops where we whiled away several hours!
Later that evening we met out dear Amanda and Joshua at the prestigious Summit Restaurant to celebrate. A lovely old victorian, each room hosts lavish decor to sate the eyes even as the food sates the palette. Delicious crab cakes were the fare of the day for Amanda and myself!
This morning we enjoyed our coffee in the library. The morning air on the veranda was almost too cool even with my sweater.Our happy butler kept us company while we awaited out breakfast call, which included Belgium waffles with lemon zest, (yummy), homemade butter, maple, nut balls, fruit cup, blueberry banana nut bread, and did I ever say, the best coffee in four counties! And then we enjoyed our last visit to the veranda. I loved tht little chair with the flowering basket so much I went to a shop this mornin g and bought one to bring home. It will be my Show and Tell Friday, later.You can probably tell I was loathe to think about leaving. we enjoyed the bird song so much and the trees being at least 150 yesrs old were glorious. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of them! And then we were saying, farewell, but not goodbye! We'll be back!