Snowy Morning Chores

The cold snowy weather here in Eastern Ky didn't make the morning

chores any easier. I bundled up and headed out with camera in hand for

the barn. As soon as the front door slams shut the animals come alive!

The ducks come up the road to greet me while the sheep, donkeys, hen, rooster, cats, dogs and Chance (the little red bull) give out thier morning cry.

Everyone is hungry and ready to be fed. The ducks, sheep and calf have no patience but the little donkeys quietly wait thier turn.

They are the first faces I see every morning and sometimes the last before bedtime. They are all so precious to me and I love them dearly. They have a way of warming the heart, even on the coldest of days.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Blessings,

Cyndi

http://www.keeperofthepast.com/

Chesapeake Bay

Our last day of excitement ended Saturday. We ventured over to the Chesapeake Bay area. We crossed the Chesapeake bridge/tunnel and ate lunch at the Sea Gull pier which overlooks the ocean. Afterwards we went out on the fishing pier and took these pics. I only wish I had a fishing pole and some live bait!

The view was heavenly! Living so far from the ocean.......it was a treat to see the open waters and being a bird lover I fell in love with the sweet little sea gulls.

We heard of a large Antique show being held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center so we decided to check it out as well. It was really nice but I didn't buy a thing. I think I was so overwhelmed I couldn't decide what to buy. It was fun just seeing some really old and unusual things. After the show we headed back to Williamsburg for a quite dinner and to get some rest for the long trip home on Sunday.

I will be adding some new items to the website later this evening. I hope you can stop by and check them out. Back to work for me. Take care!

http://www.keeperofthepast.com

Cyndi

More Colonial Williamsburg

Here is some pics of more of my favortie shops. Hope you enjoy!

While exploring Colonial Williamsburg we visited many working shops like the blacksmith, cabinet-maker, silversmith, cooper, etc. We also toured many of the historial buildings such as the Courthouse, Printing Office & Bindery, Capitol, the Govenor's Palace and more. Here is a few more pics of some of those places.

We finished off the long day walking in Williamsburg by going over into New Town and watching a movie. We watched Role Models. Very funny movie but the language was a little too harsh. I'd rather seen Appaloosa but unfortunately it wasn't playing. Saturday we head out for the Virginia Beach & Chesapeake Bay. I'll have some pics from there for you tomorrow. Until then, take care!

Cyndi

Colonial Williamsburg Day 2

It's Sunday now and we just got back home. We are snuggled in at home on a cold Kentucky night. We had a wonderful trip.....but it's nice to be home! My first visit was to the barn. I missed the animals so much. They greeted me with much love and with hopes of getting a late night snack!

Sorry, I didn't post anymore while in Williamsburg. We were so tired every night we crashed as soon as we got back to the room.

Anyway, it rained practially all day Thurs. so we didn't go back to Colonial Williamsburg. Instead we went SHOPPING! Mostly visited Antique shops. Boy was that fun! I bought a couple small things. Seen a lot I wanted but most items were not within my budget. We went in the Big Yankee Candle store and it was so beautiful and smelled so wonderful you just wanted to stay there all day.

On Friday we returned to Colonial Williamsburg and walked and seen as much as we possibly could. The atmosphere was so realistic, we felt like we were back in time living in the 1800's. The shops, houses, taverns and people look just like they would back then. My favorite part was the Colonial garden shop. I bought a large bell jar and some flower seeds in the cutest packets. I gave one to Jill my sister and one to my mom. They took care of all the animals and tended to the shop while we were gone so I picked up a few little Thank You gifts for them.

Fresh herbs and Bee Skeps!

Wild Rosehips for sale!

I wanted this so baddd but it wasn't for sale :0(

I hope you enjoyed the garden shop half as much as I did. I will post some more pics tomorrow!

Blessings,

Cyndi

http://www.keeperofthepast.com/

Colonial Williamsburg

Well here we are in Colonial Williamsburg! We just came back to our room after an exciting evening in the beautiful and historical town of Williamsburg. After a 500 mile drive from Kentucky we didn't waste much time starting our adventure. We set out right away to explore the beautiful town.

The shops are the greatest. I could have spent a fortune on the old writing papers, powered inks, soaps, bonnets, candles, reproduction clothing, books and cook books! I haven't bought a thing so far. I didn't want to carry it around so we plan on going back tomorrow to see everything we missed today and do some shopping. We ended the evening by taking a guided Tavern Ghost Walk by lantern light through the town. All I can say is OMG! I loved it! Not scary but so much fun!

We will probably venture over to Jamestown and Yorktown tomorrow. And I am dieing to stop at some antique shops we seen. Here are a few pics I took today before dark. I'll try to list some more tomorrow.

Blessings,

Cyndi

http://www.keeperofthepast.com/

Christmas Open House

We just had our Christmas Open House last Saturday at the shop. I worked for two weeks putting up the fresh pine, holly, cedar and hemlock and making new goodies for the shop. Everything looked good and went very well. We served lots of homemade food and candies! Such as: soup beans n cornbread, hamburger dip n chips, pull candy, homemade pay day bars, peanut brittle, refreshments and my favorite snow cocoa from Gooseberry Patch. See recipe below. We also popped fresh popcorn in my nostalgic popcorn machine. Hubby and I will be leaving Wednesday for a getaway to Colonial Williamsburg! Can't wait! I'll post some pics later this week.

Snow Cocoa Recipe

2 c. whipping cream
6 c. milk
1 t. vanilla
12 oz. pkg. white chocolate chips
*Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Heat on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hrs. or until chocolate is melted and mixture is hot. Stir well to blend.

My new Christmas Flicker Candle.

New Handpainted Candy Cane Tapers

The Apron Book

Friday I went with friends to the Annual Meeting of the Northeast Area Extension Homemakers Association. The meeting was held in Greenup Ky at the Greenbo Lake Resort. I went as a guest. I haven't joined the Homemakers yet......but hope to in the near future.

The guest speaker was EllynAnee Geisel author of THE APRON BOOK. I urge you if you ever have the opportunity to hear her speak.....GO! I promise you will enjoy it. She tells the most amazing stories. I purchased her book and was thrilled to get it signed by EllynAnne. You may have seen an article about her in Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Country Woman or in many other known magazines, tv shows, etc.

If you are looking for a new book.........try it. If you find the time, visit her site. http://www.apronmemories.com/

Until next time, God Bless!

Cyndi