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 :)

Friday Fences

Mabry Mill, Floyd County

Linking with Friday Fences

Rural Thursday Blog Hop #44

Nick getting a lesson in Moonshine 101 from Mr. Williams of Franklin County, Va. Photo taken at Mabry Mill, Floyd County, July 2011.

Last night we watched the movie Lawless. It was really good! For those of you unfamiliar with it, it is based on the book The Wettest County In The World telling a story about moonshine and the Bondurant family in Franklin County, Va.

After watching the movie, I remembered our trip over to Mabry Mill last year. It was there that we met Mr. Williams, who I introduced to you on this post. I thought I remembered his name as Franklin Delano Williams but I might have gotten confused with the other Franklin Delano and just thought that was his name. I do know it was Delano Williams though, that's for sure. Anyways, I wanted to learn more about the nice man we met so I tried a few google searches to see if any stories popped up that had been written about his experiences. I did find this interesting story on moonshine in Franklin County called Still Cookin' that was written in 1997. It mentions a Charles Delano Williams, a 63 year old moonshiner that had had some troubles with the law. That certainly sounds like my Mr. Williams so maybe his name is Charles. If anyone knows, I would love for you to clear it up for me, please! I guess it's because of my love of genealogy that I have to go about and set things right! It's kind of an obsession for me!

I did order the book, The Wettest County In The World so I'm excited to read that when it gets here.

One thing I find strange though about the movie is that most of it was filmed in Georgia and I don't understand why they wouldn't film it in Franklin County? Hmmm, kind of seems that they should have doesn't it? I wonder how the residents of Franklin feel about that.

Another neat thing that I want to share with you today is that I just learned that GE filmed a national commercial right here in my county, Botetourt! It was filmed in a teeny, tiny community called Nace. You can view the commercial below :)

Oh, and just one more thing! I found this great group of paintings while I was at Black Dog Salvage the other day. Some of you know Gill over at Sunny Brook Farm and if you don't know, go check his blog out, you'll love it. But as I was saying, he mentioned that he has some paintings displayed there and so I was on the lookout for them when this painting of the truck drew me over and low and behold, the artist is none other than our Gill! Love his artwork and the colors he uses! This Saturday coming up, Black Dog Salvage is holding a Christmas Party and Mr. Gill will be doing a painting demonstration. If you live nearby, you should definitely attend. I am going to try to make it!

And I almost forgot...I got a message about a new blog called Roanoke Music Scene. There you can find all sorts of information on Roanoke's music, past and present. It's really a cool blog! Besides linking it here for you, I have added it into my sidebar under "Virginia Blogs"....

I guess that's about all I have to report for now! Linking up with Nancy and Lisa with Rural Thursday! It's a blog hop so hop over!



sad news...Rural Thursday is no more :(

Black & White Wednesday

The boys having some fun with the twirly door at 16 West Marketplace

After tooling around Black Dog Salvage on Saturday we were hungry for lunch so we headed downtown to Texas Tavern for a couple of burgers. There weren't any seats available when we got there, since they only seat 10 people at a time, so we decided to wait a bit and walk up to 16 West Marketplace and check it out. I blogged about this place before back in the summer and since then had wanted to see what their "European flair" grocery store was about. Well, it wasn't all that impressive but I'm not judging since it is brand new and hopefully once they get more vendors will become a cool place to come shop at. So far I didn't notice anything different that I can't already buy at Kroger. I will say though that the people were all very friendly and I've got my fingers crossed for this place to make it! By the time we were done looking around, we had killed enough time for a few seats to open up at the tavern so we enjoyed our burgers and a bowl of yummy chili and got a bag of burgers to bring home to Christian. He was a happy camper!

Barn Charm Tuesday

Took this shot yesterday while out. This barn is on Shaver's Farm Road in Fincastle. I've shown this one to you right here in the spring time from a different angle.

Linking with Barn Charm :)

Black Dog Salvage

Saturday we went over to Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke. I first heard about it from Sunnybrook Farm and have been anxious to get there. They have a show on the DIY channel that is pretty good too. The boys recognized this lion from the show and chased Sally the dog around till she sat with them for a picture :)

You could spend a whole day in that shop and still not see everything. It's really a pretty cool place!

I'm a little annoyed with the weather. I want some snow! Yesterday I was following the weather and we are supposed to get rain tonight and tomorrow and there was a 70% chance of snow (no accumulation but still, snow) and now they've taken that out of the forecast and just calling for rain....pshhh

Friday Fences

White Hall Tavern, Harper's Ferry, WV

Inscription on historical marker :


Located directly across from the U.S. Armory, the White Hall Tavern was an 1850's community gathering place, where white males debated politics; discussed local events; and protested armory management, wages and layoffs. The tavern's close proximity easily tempted armory workers to raise a glass, or two... or three, before and during work. As a result, Armory officials took a stand that public houses, such as White Hall Tavern, ruined morals, work ethics, and even threatened armory production. Crowded building conditions posed another threat - fire. In 1856 the U.S. Government purchased and removed the front section of the building. They subsequently widened the street, creating the needed safety buffer around the Armory.

Linking with Friday Fences ....yes, there's 2 fence pieces, one to the left, one to the right ;)

Anyone go out and do Black Friday shopping? Not me! I didn't see anything that I had to get. I prefer to do it online anyway and stay in my warm house in the wee hours of the morning!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving last year...I'll introduce you starting at the head of the table, going clockwise. Nick (my husband) Braden (one of my 10 year old twins) my brother Jerry who passed away last month, Dalton (my other twin) Ashlyn (my oldest) and Christian who is bigger than Ashlyn but 3 years younger :)

We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Black & White Watery Wednesday

A view of the Potomac River from George Washington's back porch @ Mount Vernon.

Today I've got some tidying up around the house to do and I'll get some cooking done for tomorrow. Things like the cornbread dressing, pies (apple and pumpkin), and mashed potatoes so then I can just heat those up tomorrow. I'll only have the turkey left to cook tomorrow and the green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole which i don't think those hold up well enough to sit in the fridge. I can also get the relish tray together today to save time. No matter how much I prepare, seems like I'm up till midnight cooking the night before, then up bright and early to get the turkey in the oven!

Safe travels if you are out on the road!

Linking up with Tricia's new Watery Wednesday II so go check it out!

Barn Charm Tuesday

Troutville, Botetourt County

Are you cooking or traveling for Thanksgiving? I'm cooking. I've been cooking our Thanksgiving meal for years now. Last Thanksgiving my mother was in the hospital and my brother, his daughter and grand daughter came and ate with us then took my mom a plate. We knew that it was likely she wouldn't be around for another Thanksgiving. We had no idea that my brother also wouldn't be around. 2 people will be missing this year. That's quite a lot for a small table.

Remember last week when I told you about that car accident and 2 teenagers were killed? Well Sunday another teen was killed in a car accident and she as well went to the same school as the 2 from last week. She swerved to avoid hitting a deer and ran off the road. This little rural high school and community has been through so much. Please keep them and the families involved in your prayers this Thanksgiving.

To see barns from all over the world, visit Barn Charm

Sunday Best on Monday #12

This is President Lincoln's box at Ford's Theatre. To the right of the box is the door where Booth entered Lincoln's box and shot him. Booth then jumped from the box onto the stage before escaping. President Lincoln was carried across the street to the Petersen House where he died the next morning.

Friday Fences

George Washington's Mount Vernon. The view from the back of the house looking out onto the Potomac River. We were there about a year ago, on a VERY cold day!

Linking up with Friday Fences

Rural Thursday Blog Hop #43

Ashlyn's car is needing some service so I am playing taxi mom. She got called in to work last night so I had to pick her up at 11:00 pm then we were up with the chickens this morning to get her back to work by 6:45 am.

Yesterday morning, the next county over suffered a tragic loss. 2 teens were killed in a car accident on their way to school. From what I've read, the stretch of road where they were killed has claimed many lives and people have been trying in vain to get VDot to do something about it. Hopefully now their voices will be heard.

Here's a group of teens that are speaking out and getting something done Local teen group tries to increase driver awareness.

Ashlyn was just heartbroken last night. She had spoken to several family members and friends of the teens killed and hurt that were coming into the hospital. Such a sorrowful time for the family and friends of those involved.

Black & White Wednesday

Some controversial graffiti along the Roanoke River.


Life aint always beautiful
Sometimes it's just plain hard
Life can knock you down, it can break your heart

Life aint always beautiful
You think you're on your way
And it's just a dead end road at the end of the day

But the struggles make you stronger
And the changes make you wise
And happiness has its own way of takin it's sweet time


No, life aint always beautiful
Tears will fall sometimes
Life aint always beautiful
But it's a beautiful ride


Gary Allan