Willy Nilly Friday 5 No. 18 - Happy Halloween & A Give-A-Way!

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This little lady used to have a twin but one of our dogs Bella didn't like her hanging on the light and attacked!

Now for some Halloween Willy-Nillys!

1) Nick sent me THIS LINK about Halloween in the 70's vs. Halloween today...so funny...so true!

2) Watch a silly SNL Halloween skit HERE

3) Are you brave enough to go through "Virginia's Most Terrifying Haunted House" ? Caution, super creepy and super graphic!

4) CLICK HERE for some real haunted places in the area.

5) Dalton had to write a Halloween story for English. I think it's pretty good. This is what he wrote, I did not correct any errors as I don't think that is my job but up to his teacher: (click story to enlarge)

Welp, that does it for me! And remember I have a give-a-way going on. You can win those great handmade dish rags I posted yesterday, from the little market in Fincastle. To enter, post your 5 randoms, follow me, link back, let me know in the comment section if you want to be entered! I think that is it! I will have Braden and Dalton draw the lucky winner at midnight and will announce on Saturday! Good luck and have a great weekend!

Signs, Signs - Heritage Family Market & A Good Fence in Fincastle & A Give-A-Way!

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Heriatge Family Market . 36 Botetourt Road . Fincastle

This market is amazing and has only been open a little less than a year. They have a great deli and the sandwiches are so delish, so fresh! Much of the inventory is from Amish suppliers and also local goodies as well, like local farm fresh eggs!

The 2 owners came to Fincastle to start a Mennonite congregation and opened the market as a way to earn a living while building their ministry. I think they are already a huge success! Linking with Signs, Signs
You can read more about the market HERE

A Fincastle cow and fence to link with Good Fences

And now about that give-a-way! Here's what you will be winning:

A set of 4 hand made dish rags from the Heritage Family Market!

Here's whatcha do to enter:
I want to host a Give-A-Way on Friday for a Willy-Nilly Friday celebration! Post 5 randoms on your blog, link up, comment, follow, you're entered! Just let me know in your comment if you would like to be entered :) For more info on what Willy-Nilly Friday is, click the Willy-Nilly tab up top!

A Rural Sun Flare

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Somewhere in Botetourt County....(it appears I'm addicted to sun-flares this week!)

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
― C.S. Lewis

I want to host a Give-A-Way on Friday for a Willy-Nilly Friday celebration! Post 5 randoms on your blog, link up, comment, follow, you're entered! I'll show you what you are able to win on Thursday!

Rubbish Tuesday & The Barn Collective On Shaver's Farm Road

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White Oak Tea Tavern
5690 Roanoke Road, Troutville
The Tea Tavern was once upon a time, circa 1783, the Cloyd House.

Not too far from the Tea Tavern is this:

On Shaver's Farm Road. Dalton turned up the bass in my mini-van to get all the cows attention. Apparently they are music lovers ;)
I have shown you this farm before HERE and HERE but both of those views were bovine-less!

Linking with Rubbish Tuesday which is a meme for the love of old things, not trash and The Barn Collective

Sunrise

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“The next morning dawned bright and sweet, like ribbon candy.”
― Sarah Addison Allen, Garden Spells

Willy Nilly Friday 5 No. 17 - A Hampton Sunset

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Walking along one of our favorite trails to one of our favorite little beaches in Hampton.

Willy Nilly Time:

1) My first 2 will be links that Ashlyn sent me: 46 Questions Every Twentysomething Still Asks Their Moms ohhhh some of these had me really lol'ing because she's really asked

2) And then this one: 17 Things That Happen When You Miss Your Dog While You're At College ...she really misses Ozzy :(

3) If you went to school in the 70's or before, you might remember some of THESE old films.

4) Do you watch American Horror Story? I love it. This season is Freak Show. Here's Sarah Paulson as conjoined twins Bette and Dot, singing Fiona Apple's "Criminal"


Freak Show is set in the 50's but the music is more modern, originally recorded by "people who identified themselves as freaks." I think that's pretty cool and it works well with the show!

5) In the market for a new house? How about a haunted one! 8 Real-Life Haunted Houses For Sale

That's mine for the week. Now it's your turn! Post 5 randoms, link back and visit other Willy-Nilly players! Have fun and have a great weekend :)

Signs, Signs & A Good Fence In Hampton

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Taking you back to summer, back to Hampton. This place sits across from the seafood market I showed you HERE

Do you play the lottery? We very seldom do. Nick will buy a ticket here and there when the jackpot is crazy big. So far we haven't won ;)
Linking with Signs, Signs and Good Fences

A Hiking We Will Go

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Horse trail in Buchanan...this is pretty much my view on every hike... me and Ozzy bringing up the rear ;)

I hope to see you back on Friday for Willy-Nilly Friday 5! Post 5 randoms, come back and link up!!

Rubbish Tuesday & The Barn Collective On Read Mountain Rd

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You might remember that white building from Friday. I wanted to share with you the barn that sits there too. I'm so happy that Amy started a new barn meme! So I get to link with Miss Roan's Rubbish Tuesday and Miss Amy's Barn Collective ...yay for twofer's!

I hope to see you back on Friday for Willy-Nilly Friday 5! Post 5 randoms, come back and link up!!

Dog Jumping @ The Go Outside Festival

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Saturday we went to the Go Outside Festival ...we should have brought Ozzy as there were a lot of dogs and they had this fun event set up for them. This lady's pooch wanted no part of jumping in after the ball so she pushed calmly persauded him to jump in. Ozzy loves to swim but I'm not sure if he'd go for the jump either.

They also had a zip line that the boys wanted to ride. They stood in line, then were told they were shutting down so they didn't get to. Last year there was a jump they wanted to do but weren't old enough by a year. They just aren't having any luck doing any of the fun things there.

You can see posts from previous visits HERE and HERE

Willy Nilly Friday 5 No. 16 - On Read Mountain Rd

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Read Mountain Road, Cloverdale

There used to be a real pretty old house that sat on this piece of property. It was big and kind of in the same state of disrepair as this building. I always loved it though and would admire it when I drove by. I always meant to stop and take a picture. Then one day, about a year ago, I noticed activity going on around the old house and thought "yay, someone is going to fix her up"...then she was torn down...so, a couple of days ago while driving past, I made myself pull over and get a picture of this place and the barn, before they are both gone.

Now it's Willy Nilly time:

1) Did you know that someone is rebuilding the Gone With The Wind house? Yup, it's true...read about it HERE

2) Do you have a hard to shop for person on your Christmas list? I'm sure you can find something for them in the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book ...that Vanity Fair Academy Awards Experience would be a wonderful gift, just putting that out there ;)

3) I love street portraits...here are some great ones Meet Harlem's Official Street Photographer

4) Did you hear about the Canadian teen that was bullied? Read about the positive way she handled it Right Here

5) Some of you might know that our Ozzy is a Rottweiler. We've owned the Rottie breed for about 25 years now. I started this blog when we had Crockett and you have probably already seen photos of Ozzy on here, or been on his blog! Anyways, Rottweilers are such a terrific breed, very loyal, very gentle, and very smart! There's a documentary that was recently made about this amazing breed and I can't wait to see it. I wanted to share the trailer with you :)

Black Beauty Breed - Official Trailer from Angie Ruiz on Vimeo.

Our Ozzy sleeps in the boys room. He takes turns from Braden's bed to Dalton's bed and is very protective of his brothers!

Well that's my 5 for the week and now it's your turn! Post 5 random "willy nilly" things and link back to me. Visit other Willy Nilly participants and have fun! Have a great weekend too!!

Signs, Signs & A Good Fence in Daleville

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Catawba Road, Daleville, Botetourt County

Heading out to pick up the boys from school. It's starting to storm...excuse the raindrops on the windshield...

Freedom First Credit Union showing their support for the high school football team on game day.

Linking with Signs, Signs & Good Fences

I hope to see you back tomorrow for Willy-Nilly Friday 5! Post 5 randoms, come back and link up!!

Some Colors of Fall

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Catawba Rd, Daleville. The trees are really starting to change with color!

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Rubbish Tuesday - A Vulture in Jamestown

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Spotted this guy in Jamestown. He got tired of me stalking him and then flew onto the dumpster. A "real" Rubbish Tuesday post! Linking with Roan's Rubbish Tuesday

Lord Botetourt Homecoming 2014

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Christian and Alyssa were able to squeeze in a few minutes with me for some pictures before they rushed off to meet friends for dinner and head to the Homecoming Dance. Here's a few I like. I'll share a few more over the week, you lucky people you ;)

If you live abroad you may not know what Homecoming is so you can read about its origin HERE

Happy Monday!

P.S. I had the weirdest dream last night. I dreamt I stabbed someone to death and then Christian hid the body out in the desert. The police came by just to ask a few questions and right away Braden says "Everything is fine here. Nobody stabbed anyone." Then of course that raised suspicion and we couldn't shake the officer. Then I went through the drive thru of a taco shop and ordered a Carne Asada Burrito lol...That's what I get for binging on Boardwalk Empire before bed and evidently heading to bed hungry ;)

Willy Nilly Friday 5 No. 15 - Waiting In Line At The Milk Parlor

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123 all eyes on me!

These little ladies were patiently waiting in line

This is the milk parlor at Homestead Creamery. Big excitement going on here! They were giving tours but we had a good view from right here, and besides, the line was super long...you know the hubs and lines, he doesn't wait around long for anything...remember the donut line? Yeah, told ya so!

Look how much these girls love me, they can't take their eyes off me! They like having their pictures taken, I could tell :)

Homestead Creamery is located @ 7254 Booker T Washington Hwy . Wirtz . VA
Check out their website HERE

Now for some Willy-Nilly's:

1) Have you heard about the school in Nebraska that has been told to start addressing their students as "Purple Penguins" instead of "Boys" and "Girls" to be "gender sensitive"...It's official, the US has gone wackado...read about it HERE

2) Tried a new crock pot recipe yesterday. It was so good. I was surprised really because it didn't require a lot of seasonings but it really packed some flavor! If you would like to try it out, here ya go! Pork Chops & Gravy

3) Homecoming is this weekend. Christian is taking his girlfriend Alyssa. In case you've forgotten what they look like, you can see them heading to the Prom a few months back RIGHT HERE

4) Jimmy Fallon had Carol Burnett on his show the other night. I loved her show when I was a kid. She looks amazing and still just as funny! Here's a skit she did with Fallon



5) And last but not least, I leave you with some major cuteness...pandas on a slide:



Well that's mine for this Friday, now I want to see yours! Post 5 randoms, link back to me and add your link, visit others! Have a great weekend :)

Signs, Signs & A Good Fence @ Homestead Creamery

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I first saw this cute sign over on Lisa's Blog a couple of weeks ago. I had forgotten all about it till we pulled up and parked right in front of it! I didn't see any young farmers trying to cross though.

Then we went in here. Don't let this view fool you. It was packed! I was just lucky there was an open parking space right in front where I could quickly snap a picture! There's all sorts of Heavenly delights inside, like locally made candies, meats, cheeses and a machine that lets you make your own fresh peanut butter! There's also a little restaurant that serves some great looking sandwiches! Read more about Homestead Creamery HERE
Linking with Signs, Signs and Good Fences :)

I hope to see you back tomorrow for Willy-Nilly Friday 5! Post 5 randoms, come back and link up!!

Farm Day @ Homestead Creamery

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There were lots of yummies to eat at Farm Days:

She actually lives right down the road from us and sells here apple butter from her home.

We waited in line for ice cream. Nick and I split a scoop of butter pecan. It was scrumptious! Dalton had raspberry something and Braden went crazy and had vanilla!

Making ice cream deliciousness!

The apple cider was just like eating an apple.

A lunch buffet of hot dogs and bbq.

We waited in line for a donut. They looked and smelled amazing. The line was long the whole time we were there. People were buying them by the box. We ended up leaving because it took so long and we were practically in a sugar coma anyway after eating all our peanut brittle and ice cream. But if I see the Millers and their donuts again, I'm waiting for one!

Farm Days is an annual event. If you missed this year, be sure to check it out next! For more info on the Homestead Creamery Click Here

Rubbish Tuesday - An Old Tractor & A Cute Old Trailer

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Saw this neat old tractor at the Homestead Creamery Farm Days...the picture would look so much nicer without all that caution tape but I guess they didn't want a bunch of people climbing all over it.

Then on our way home we saw this:

...what a cute little old trailer getting towed behind that motor home! My parents had one similar when I was little, but it was yellow!

Linking to Rubbish Tuesday

Monday Murals - Homestead Creamery

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I love their trucks. Kind of counts as a mural? Right? :)
Linking with Monday Murals

Willy Nilly Friday 5 Number 14 - Drunk Driver Simulator

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The police had this drunk driving simulator set up to show you what it's like to drink/drive while under the influence and how you really can't do it safely. Both of my older 2 have tried the simulator while in Driver's Ed. The police come out and set up a course at the school. This one was set up in Blacksburg at the Steppin' Out Fest...See what Virginia Tech is doing to instill positive partying HERE

Now time for some Willy-Nilly's:

1) This morning while looking for a cookbook I ran across my first cookbook. It was this:

The one I have is not the same one I had as a child but one I purchased off Ebay a few years back when I was feeling nostalgic. Our neighbor, Jane, gave it to me as a Christmas or Birthday gift. It has super simple recipes like pb&j, grilled cheese & scrambled eggs inside just to name a few.

2) So then, after thinking about the cookbook and our old neighbors, Jane and Weldon, I got to thinking about their son, Kenny, or Kenny boy as he was called. Kenny was older, I think about 20 and I was just really young, elementary school. Kenny was special and lived at The Home Of Guiding Hands during the week and would come home on the weekends. On those days I would go over and visit and play endless games of Concentration with him because he loved that game, and I remember he would beat me, a lot! Do you remember that game?

3) It also made me remember the very first time my mom let me stay home alone. My friend Patty was over and my mom had to go to the store or something. We begged her to let us stay home and she said we could. I was maybe in like 3rd or 4th grade...it couldn't have been much past that because we moved from the neighborhood when I was in 5th grade. Anyways, it was the middle of the day and we were so happy to get to stay home alone...Patty lived a house down and I remember her calling her mom to see if it was ok if she stayed too. Well, not too long after my mom left, the phone rang. It sounded like a guy and he said "Is your mom there?" I said "No"...he said "Is your dad there?" I said "No" then he said "Is your brother there?" I said "No" then he said "I'm coming over and I'm bringing a gun!" lol....I was terrified! I told Patty that he must know where I live because he knows I have a brother so we ran next door to Jane and Weldon's house and she said we could stay there. Well I looked out the window and noticed I left the front door open and I could see my little Poodle Mimi just standing there at the screen looking at me. I was fearing for her life then and bravely ran over and got her and brought her back to the neighbors with me. I can't remember when we found out that the "guy" who called was my other friend Lisa, Patty's sister. She knew of course that we were home alone because of when Patty called to ask if she could stay. I then got a lesson about phone safety and to NEVER EVER tell anyone I was home alone!

4) In the same neighborhood, a couple of houses up from me, was another good friend Noi (sounds like NEW-IE)...her mom was Vietnamese and her dad was in Vietnam during the war. I don't think Noi ever knew her mom but had a few pictures of her. I can't remember what had happened to her. She lived with a "Foster Mom" Grace though because her dad travelled so much for work. But Grace was really just like her real mom. Anyways, Noi and I loved anything scary and I remember we would have "Seances" in her closet. She would tell us to say things like "if anyone is there, pinch me" or "pull my hair" and guess what, I'd get pinched...turned out to be Noi all along lol...I was the youngest on the street and so I was "ordered" around a little bit by the older kids!

5) A couple of fun things going on this weekend: Homestead Creamery Farm Days and Alleghany Highlands Heritage Festival ...haven't decided which one to go to!

That's my 5 for the week and now it's your turn. Post 5 randoms, link back and visit other Willy-Nilly participants! Have fun and have a great weekend!