AN OLD FAVORITE

 Revisiting an old photo taken at a place called Frying Pan Park, not too far from us. It seems a long time since we went there, and I only remembered it when I found the photo in my archives. It's fun to walk around. It depicts farming life from the 1920s to the 1950s. It has a working farm, live farm animals, a playground, country store, wagon rides and an antique carousel. There is also a visitor center and family concerts are held throughout the year. You can see several photos from our other visits here. It would be nice to go back sometime this year.

A DRIVE ALONG THE SNICKERSVILLE TURNPIKE, VIRGINIA - FRIDAY, MAY 5TH, 2023 - PART 2

Continuing from yesterday’s post here, and thanks to Ginny’s question in her comment the same day, and also Linda's comment when she replied to her question saying, "It is named for the town of Snickersville, which is now Bluemont. That and Snickers Gap were named for a Mr. Snickers who operated a ferry, probably across the Shenandoah." Thank you ladies!  I searched online to learn that the village of Snickersville was named after Captain Edward Snickers who ran a ferry across the nearby Shenandoah River in the 1760’s. It grew quickly, and in the 1840's a General Store opened for business to serve the local population and travelers.  I am assuming the turnpike was also named after him. You can read the full history at this link. 

I am sharing a few of the properties we saw.

We passed several wineries.   I have noticed more of them over the last few years, but wine has been produced in Virginia as early as the 17th century.  

This was the only mural I saw that day.

There are also very old-looking log cabins still standing.  

Another view of the one above.

And then there are places such as the following.

All different styles of architecture.

I enjoyed looking at the pretty homes, including the old log cabins and think of how it must have been for them way back when.  Such stories those old walls could tell.

I still have photos to share from our mini road trip.  More next time!

OFF TO BUCKLAND FARMER MARKET...

but first we noticed, as we drove by, that all the scaffolding on the Old Stone House in Manassas has been taken away.  It is looking very nice but then I have always thought so, even before these recent renovations.  I'm glad they are taking care of it for future generations.  We must never forget these places, or the people most importantly.  

The Old Stone House was used as a hospital during the Civil War, and the red flag signifies that it is a place of refuge for those who were injured. I thought that was the case but I wanted to make sure, and on my search for more information I came across this blog.  Jay, its host, is an amateur history buff.  I am always trying to glean more information about these places, some of which I am familiar with, but I found a few snippets that were new. Going through each page of history, and I will be going back as there are many, he tells us about Civil War characters.  Not just people but places too.  I sent the address to my dear other half, as he is also a history buff and I know he will enjoy it.

It took us an hour to reach Buckley Farm Market. We didn't walk around the back and would like to explore next time.  All the produce and other items for sale were in a big building. You can look at their home page at this link for more information, and the history of how it all came to be can be found here.

These were out front.  There were also lots of interesting items for sale inside, but I didn't buy any of those today, just grocery items.

We had fun walking around.  

And there's hubs in the center heading to the...

biscuits.  We bought a package and he

 said they were very good.  I also popped a loaf of bread in the basket.

There were dozens of jars of honey on display.  We have one at home but maybe another time.  We both enjoy local honey.

There was a little nook off to the side and it was a lot fun browsing.  

The painted pig was under the crape myrtle tree out front.  

The farm buildings in the distance got my attention right away.  It was the first thing I saw as we turned into the parking lot.

Closer view...

and one of this lovely house almost obscured by the trees.

There were a few Chicory blooms around (botanical name Cichorium intybus).

The next photo shows an American pokeweed (botanical name Phytolacca americana). It is a toxic plant to both humans and animals, and you can see more information if you click on the link. 

One last view of the farm before we point the car in the direction of home.

These were our purchases; the biscuits, white bread, a mixture of beans (looking forward to making soup when it starts getting cooler)...

 and a pork gravy mix that I was curious about.  My Mother-in-Law made the best pork gravy.  I don't remember tasting anything better, she had a gift. I will use this mix the next time we buy a pork roast.  It won't be as great as my Mum-in-law's but I have a feeling it will still be good.

Our produce: portabella mushrooms, sweet red peppers, tomatoes, peaches, oranges and pears.  They were all very good!  These were about to get a good rinse before storing them.

It was a very enjoyable visit and I would definitely like to go back in the Fall, not only in pumpkin season but nearer the holidays.

THIS MONTHS QUIZ QUESTIONS - ANSWERS TOMORROW

(Photo of an old tractor found at a local farm.)

Here we go again, another quiz!  I am still having  fun putting them together and I hope you are too. As I always mention, no pressure and only for fun.  I don't always know the answers.  Some I may have known but now forgotten, and I enjoy the refresher, or learning something new.

For a change I am starting off with a photo question.

Who is this nurse?

When was the first Dollar Coin made?

Who invented the computer?

Which country did bagels originate from?

Which country has the highest rate redheaded population?

I will be back with the answers tomorrow.

GOSIA'S FENCES AROUND THE WORLD

I am having fun looking through my archive photos.  This was taken as we were driving along the road, and the washing on the line caught my attention.  

I have these memories from childhood when my mother did hers.  To this day there is nothing that equates to the smell of freshly washed bed sheets that have been dried in the sun.  For me another wonderful childhood memory helping my mother as best I could, handing her pegs to hang up the washing, carrying the oversized basket to her when the washing was dried, and being given more chores to help out as I got older, hearing her laughter as I got into the occasional childish antic which made her laugh.  I loved making my mum laugh and that didn't change as the years went by.

I hope you are all doing okay.  Our days seem to be going quickly thank goodness.  There is always something to do.  Yesterday we were changing two of the lightbulbs that had burned out in the front of our house, and our new neighbors were across the street.  They were enjoying the sunshine and were sitting under their cherry blossom tree.  It made a pretty sight.  We shouted over and asked them how they were doing, had a mini conversation.  A pleasant interlude while keeping our social distancing. I look forward to the time when we  can get to know them better.  I still intend to invite them to a meal when this is all over.  

The lightbulb change turned into a bigger problem and now we have called an electrician and will be getting four new light fixtures.  The ones we had are as old as our 30 year old house.  We got an estimate from one electrician and the two others haven't called back yet (hopefully business is good).  Mundane tasks but we never take anything for granted these days, even more so now.

It is very windy today.  I am watching the branches from one of our trees.  There are pine cones from another that have blown onto the deck.  The cherry blossoms from our neighbor's tree were falling like snow earlier.  Pretty sights in nature also not to be taken for granted, and the sun is shining, a gift.

There are fences in my photo so I grabbed it for Gosia's Meme.  

If you would like to see other Fences Around the World, or join in with your own, you will find the link here.  Thank you for hosting Gosia.

Thanks you also for stopping by, and take good care of yourselves out there.

SUNDAY DRIVE

(An old fence on the left of the barn which has also seen better day.  Still beautiful though.)

Last weekend, feeling a bit of cabin fever, we thought it would be safe to take a ride in the countryside. We wanted to find a nice, quiet area for a walk and so, with a full tank of gas, we set out. 

(An old farm with fences out front again.  Hard to see those fences as they seem camouflaged against the grass.)

Much to our surprise there was a lot of traffic on the roads, and when we drove to all our usual places, the parking lots were packed and people were heading for the trails.  We didn't feel comfortable being around all those people.  There wasn't 6 feet between them to spare, so we drove by and went on our way.  

(Another farm with a silo painted like an ear of corn.  And there are the fences again.)

Not once did we get out of the car, and the only time I opened a window was to take these photos. Our speed was generally between 40 to 55 miles per hour on open roads, much less of course going through towns, and along narrower roads.

(Other rural scenes as we drove by.)

It was good to get out but I don't think we will be doing that any more.  

(Another fence in front of the cemetery.  We were in Manassas by this time.)

(The rest of the photos were also taken as we were driving through Manassas.)

(Approaching the traffic light I noticed the mural on the left.)

(Here's a closer look.)

 (The historical old town area is very nice.)

(You can read about Manassas at this link.)

(I have often thought I would like to look around Iron Horse Antiques.  One of the comments I read from a happy customer, was that it is the best furniture store in the Northern Virginia area and it is one of the top 10. Their furniture is made out of quality solid wood at a great price with professional customer service.  Now that is quite a glowing recommendation.  

Apparently they have obtained solid oak European furniture from military people who have purchased overseas, and there is also Amish furniture of the same excellent quality.  The salespeople appear very knowledgeable, knowing all about the fabrics used, whether they were treated, what was in the cushions and much more.  If ever any of our furniture finally falls apart, I think I will look here first.  Unfortunately I couldn't find a website but it has plenty of good reviews on Yelp.)

These photos I am sharing today for Gosia's Fences Around the World, were taken on our Sunday drive, and I was happy to see several fences, so win-win!

Thank you for hosting Gosia.  

If you would like to see other fences, or join in with your own, you will find the link here.  

Thanks for stopping by.  

Enjoy your day and stay safe and happy.