Hotel Roanoke

Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Va...if you click on the picture, you should be able to read the historical marker about the hotel.

Last Saturday night, Nick booked a room for us in the Hotel Roanoke. I have loved this hotel since we moved here. The architecture just pulls me in every time I'm downtown. What a wonderful stay we had there too. The service was impeccable. We ate in the Regency Room which is located in the hotel. We had a super dinner there and then had an amazing brunch the next day. I didn't know that the hotel has a themed Christmas tree display this time of year. I showed you one of them on my last post. I guess people make this a Christmas tradition to come and see the trees each year. It kind of reminds me of growing up in San Diego and seeing the Hotel Del's tree up and decorated. You knew it was officially Christmas time then. Next Christmas we'll have to bring the kids back to the Hotel Roanoke and see the trees and make that a new Christmas tradition for us!

Nick took the week of Christmas off so that's why I was absent from my blogging duties :D He's back to work today but will be off on New Years Day.

What are your plans for New Years Eve? We stay in. Don't like being on the roads with all the drunk drivers. We make a bunch of appetizers and we all stay up to ring in the new year.

How was your Christmas? Did Santa bring you what you wanted? I got a new camera but have yet to read the instruction manual. I got a Fujifilm HS25EXR. Looks complicated so I guess that is sort of overwhelming me!

I got Nick a Roku for Christmas. One of his favorite shows is Breaking Bad which I have never been able to get into since I haven't watched from the first episode. I'm like that, I have to see the beginning of something to be able to get into it. Anyways, we've been catching up since the first show since he's been home and I admit to now being hooked to it!

I guess that's about it to catch you up to speed! Wishing you and your families a very Happy 2013!! May you be blessed!

Merry Christmas

One of the many Christmas tree displays at the Hotel Roanoke.

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I am stepping away from my computer this week so I'll see ya next Monday! Take care!!

Street Scene Lynchburg

After we grabbed some lunch we wandered over to the Lynchburb Community Market which is the third oldest farmer's market in the country, opening in 1783! We bought some raspberry chocolate and watched crepes being made. They make it look so easy!

I'm heading out and finishing my shopping. I won't come home till it is done! I wasn't able to get too much done when the boys and I went out on Wednesday since I had them with me but I really only need a few odds and ends now. Then food shopping, blah!

The Craddock Terry Hotel

Lynchburg, Va

Last weekend Christian had a track meet at Liberty University in Lynchburg. In between his events, we left to grab a bite to eat. This photo is of the Craddock Terry Hotel. Yes, I know there are ugly electrical wires and poles in the picture but you know, that's how it looks so your stuck with them in the photo ha! Anyways, I've always wondered why there's a big red shoe on the building. I mean really, what do shoes and hotels have in common? Well, here's why, for all you inquiring minds :)

(From Historic Hotels.org)


Today a name inextricably connected with the finest in luxury accommodations and hospitality, Craddock Terry was once associated with shoes. The Craddock Terry Shoe Company was, in fact, the first shoe company south of the Mason-Dixon Line and the fifth largest in the world. Built on the edge of the James River in 1901, the factory immediately became the backbone of the city’s commercial success. In recent years, it was converted into a luxury boutique hotel occupying the original building and the historic tobacco warehouse next door. Original architectural details such as brick walls, high ceilings, and large windows with views of downtown, the river, and the Blue Ridge Mountains complement the stylish modern décor, appropriately accented with shoes.

Shoes are celebrated in the services of this landmark hotel. Daily, guests enjoy a signature in-room shoebox breakfast, and overnight, they are treated to shoe shine.

Original Property Opened: 1893

Contact Information:
Street Address:
1312 Commerce Street
Lynchburg, VA 23504

Historic Hotels of America toll-free reservations number +1 800 678 8946

Black & White Wednesday

Another of the old Coca~Cola building. I can't find any information on it. It's such a great building that you'd think there'd be some sort of history out there on it. So, again, this is in Alleghany County, I think in Covington. Hopefully, someone, somewhere and sometime will fill us in!

Still haven't heard back from the historical society on what that other little building is.

Have to take the boys to the mall today...It's their first day of Christmas break. Christian wants to get a present for Braden and Dalton. I have a couple of things I need to pick up but can't with the boys with me so I'll need to be sneaky ;) We'll grab some lunch. Should be a nice day with my guys.

Weather wise: Thursday night

Friday morning

I'm just a little bit excited about this right now!

A Day of Silence

Supporting the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

If you are able to donate time or funds to the families, please click here

Coca~Cola Bottling Plant

Alleghany County


Tomorrow, Tuesday the 18th, bloggers are uniting and going silent to support the families who lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook tragedy on Friday.

Please feel free to pass along to other bloggers and also visit the link below if you are able to donate time or funds to the families.

http://newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org/

Friday Fences - Cumberland Island

While looking through my Picasa files, which I still really don't know how to navigate my way around, I found some pictures of our trip to Cumberland Island. This was a few years ago, while we still lived in Georgia. The kids were so little.

This is a teency glimpse of the Recreation Building ruins.


The Dungeness Recreation Building, which once held an indoor swimming pool, squash court, gymnasium, billiard room and several large guestrooms, has since collapsed from years of neglect.

You can read more about the Carnegies and their life on Cumberland Island here.

Linking up with Friday Fences

Have a great weekend!

Price House

Main Street, Fincastle, Va


The Price House, circa 1870, is Victorian architecture with 11 foot ceilings on the first floor and 16 foot ceilings on the second floor. The bay windows, cupola, ornate wrought iron over the windows (now painted) and upper and lower porches were added by Ewell Brugh's young wife, who came from New Orleans. The multi-storied bay window was featured in a painting by Salem artist Walter Biggs and it appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post.

Why on earth would someone want to paint wrought iron?

Black & White Wednesday

Church Street, Fincastle

Somebody was busy decorating for Christmas...see the ladder?

Barn Charm Tuesday

This barn sits across the road from last week's entry on Catawba Road in Troutville. I wonder if this barn goes with that old house I showed you? Many times you will find a barn that got separated from its home when they paved the road. I always find that kind of sad, and a huge hassle for the home owner.

I did quite a bit of Christmas shopping online today....I'm getting there, slowly but surely...Have you done online shopping using ebates? A friend of mine just told me about it this week. I was able to get some things on the kid's Christmas list by going through ebates and should be getting a little check from them. It's pretty neat, especially if you are a big online shopper, which I probably do about 80% of my shopping online...so much easier!

Linking with Barn Charm...check it out!

Mystery House

I don't anything about this old home. It sits on Church Street, just up from the Crowder House (Friday's post). I like the sliding doors. I contacted Historic Fincastle and asked them about it so I'll hopefully be able to give you the scoop a little later!

Weekend Reflections - Downtown Roanoke

Taken a couple of weeks ago on a brisk Saturday afternoon! I just love how blue the sky is in the winter time, although technically it isn't actually winter yet.

If you are a local yocal visiting, please consider visiting The Pet Place in Daleville. They have an angel tree with lots of sweet dogs and kitties that would love to have a Merry Christmas! Just stop by and pick a pet off the tree to shop for. We picked up three cute pups: Braden chose a Pit Bull named Romeo, Dalton picked an older hound dog named Baby Girl Biscuit and I chose a beautiful Pit named Rosie. The dogs and cats are all at Angels of Assisi and would love a forever home!

Linking with Weekend Reflections

Hope your weekend is off to a great start!

Friday Fences - Crowder House

Heading home from the parade, we pass the Crowder House, built 1791...Church Street, Fincastle.

Linking with Friday Fences

Have a great weekend :)

Fincastle Parade

Some favorites from the Fincastle Christmas Parade.

Can I ask a favor of you? Our local radio station has a contest going on with the local high schools. The winning school will get a private concert from the band Love and Theft. The 2 high schools in our county are referring votes to Staunton River High School, the school that suffered 3 tragic losses of young lives last month. Some of you might recall me mentioning it. Anyways, if you have texting available, would you mind texting Staunton River to 63532. You can vote as many times as you like. This would be something special for a school who has lost so much. To read more about the contest, click here...thanks for your support!

Black & White Wednesday

Snowy Day @ Greenfield, Botetourt County

I remember this day. It was a Sunday last winter and we all bundled up and headed over to Greenfield to walk. It started to snow like crazy while we were there and we were all excited thinking that this snow would keep up and give us a snow day on Monday. Well that wasn't meant to be. The snow left just as quickly as it came. What a disappointment!

Barn Charm Tuesday

Catawba Road, Troutville, Botetourt County

The barn here is ok but I really love that house!

To see more barns from all over, visit world famous Barn Charm!

Waiting on a Parade

Saturday we went to the Fincastle Christmas Parade. Here you can see people anxiously awaiting the parade to start. It was a great little small town parade!

“Living in a small town...is like living in a large family of rather uncongenial relations. Sometimes it’s fun, and sometimes it’s perfectly awful, but it’s always good for you. People in large towns are like only-children.”
― Joyce Dennys, Henrietta Sees It Through: More News from the Home Front 1942-1945

December Theme Day - My Street

Oh my gosh, the months are just flying by. Another City Daily Photo theme day is here already! This month's theme that won the vote is "My Street". I took this photo yesterday afternoon from my front yard, looking up towards the road. You can see the little speed limit sign of 25 mph if you look hard enough.

Busy day ahead. Have to haul up the Christmas decorations. Nick and the boys will hang lights outside while I work on decking the halls on the inside.

The Fincastle Christmas parade is this afternoon. We've gone every year since we moved here in 2008. The first year it was actually snowing. That was our first time to go to a parade in the snow...nothing stuck but it was kind of neat, and very cold! Today will be a pretty day for a parade, sunny and 60 degrees! We have to stop and pick up some dog food as they will be gathering it during the parade to give to the shelters.

I had originally wanted to post a street sign from Franklin County. The name of the street is Tanyard. My brother lived off of that road and I thought it was kind of funny, to be named after me. My name after all is Tanya so of course that is Tanya Road :) but I slacked and didn't get out that way and the notion to do it had hit me too late but I should get a picture of it anyway to hang in my house, ya think? :D

To see other interpretations of the theme, visit City Daily Photo :)