Busy Summer

    Summer seems to pass so quickly.  Mike and I have travelled to Seattle to see Kyle.  Worked constantly on the house.  Unfortunately in June we travelled to Colorado for the illness and funeral of Mike's father, Julius Ray Taylor.  Papa we miss you terribly!!
   This past Sunday we attended the beautiful wedding of Josh Byrne and his bride Amanda. 
   We have no central air conditioning in the house so except for a couple of window units, Mike and I have been trying to stay out of the heat.  So we have been working on several indoor projects.

This is an apron I made for my mother-in-law's birthday.

She picked out the fabric.  It is so cute.

It has a fabric flower and button the shoulder strap.

A ruffle in contrasting fabric at the bottom of the apron.

I had so much fun making it, I decided to start on a tote pattern that I have had forever.

I was pleased how it came out.  I used several of the new quilting skills that I have learned recently.

These are some of the fabrics I used.

It took me several days but it was really fun.

IN MEMORY

This is a picture of my wonderful father-in-law, Julius Taylor.

We were so fortunate to have been able to spend two weeks with him in Seatlle a week before his death.  He was a  compassionate man who taught a bible class in the local prison, he had four children, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  He was greatly loved and he greatly loved each one of us.  God called him home and we wait to be reunited with him. 

Richmond Home and Garden Show

     April is Home and Garden Month in Virginia.  All across the state are wonderful home and garden tours in most of the larger cities. 
     Different cities, different days and different weeks.  You could spend the whole month travelling all over Virgina seeing lovely homes and beautiful gardens. 
     Every year Mike and I visit Richmond for their tour.  This year our friends Linda and Larry Bell went with us.  Here are a few pictures of our travels...... unfortunately they won't allow pictures to be taken inside the homes only the gardens.

Isn't this a cute idea?!!

Chandelier hanging from a tree.

A restful spot.

Took a side trip to the Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond.  So elegant.

Inside the hotel.

Stained glass ceiling

Not sure what the concrete alligator had to do with the hotel. 

 Must be a story there somewhere.

Another alligator.

We even took a driving tour of the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. 

 It overlooks the James River.

A wonderful little vacation.  Beautiful homes, great friends.

Next year don't forget the Virginia Home and Garden Tours in April.  Valerie

Spring time in Bedford

Even though they are calling for snow on Monday and Tuesday, 

 yesterday was a beautiful spring day.

Snow in April??????

Planted tulips in this big pot right after Christmas. 

 The movers brought it to Bedford from Maryland for me.

They look great!!

Still working on the bathroom but we can see progress.

The drywall is up and Mike and I put primer on the walls this week.

Mike laying the floor......  this is his third day

and he is none to happy.

Isn't it beautiful?!!

Well, hope you have had a productive week too.  We are off to church tonight

 to see a play about Corrie Ten Boom, my favorite person.

Happy Birthday to our son, Kyle.   Valerie

Recipe

Made this for dinner the other night.  It was a little bit of work but worth it.  Wasn't too sure about using fresh spinach but it was great. 

CHICKEN COMO,  serves 2-3

Recipe was a little vague but still worked out well.

One pound of boneless chicken breasts cut in half.

Flatten slightly, ( I used a wooden mallet.)

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and roll in flour.

After dipping in flour, dip in slightly beaten egg mixed with one tablespoon water,

then dip again in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 mixed with 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs. 

Saute the chicken and serve on a layer of chopped spinach

 seasoned with lemon juice and nutmeg.

Add a little cream or wine to the juices in the pan, heat, and pour over the chicken.

Enjoy! 

Valerie

Happy Easter

Took a beautiful drive up and over the mountain to Somersett, Pa. this week.   Along the way I took pictures of all these churches.  Most of them had beautiful spring wreaths on the doors.

  Happy Easter!!

This one was at the very top of the mountain.

Wonderful wreath on the door.

This is a Bedford Church

This church had the greatest spire.

This church was ringing it's bells at noon

and not just chiming the hour but playing an entire song.

Enjoy.   Valerie

Black Bear Sited.....

Can't believe we move out of the country, to the city, and a black bear is seen a couple of houses up the street from us.   Hope it is not a momma with cubs.

Valerie

The Big Move

Sorry it has been so long since the last post.  Needless to say it has been quite hectic lately.  Getting the Maryland house ready for settlement.  Moving all the furniture to Bedford.  And still the renovations go on....and on...and on.

Mike mowing the Maryland yard one last time.

The Bradford's in full bloom.  We always loved this view. 

 I think the new owners will too.

Close up of those beautiful Bradford flowers.

Moving Day.  What a great moving company. 

 Nothing was scratched, dented or missing.

Fernando and his wonderful crew.  I think they were wondering

how all that furniture was going to fit into that small house.

This is the latest on the bathroom redo.  The old toilet is still basically in the closet. ( So at least we don't have to keep running upstairs).  A lot has been done it just doesn't look like it.  There is all new electrical for the downstairs and upstairs bathrooms.  All new plumbing for both bathrooms.  Tile and fixtures have been purchased but still waiting to be installed. Don't know how HGTV can get a bathroom done in a week.  Would like to know their secrets!!

Thank you to all our wonderful friends in Maryland who had us to dinner, gave parties and called to say "see you soon."  It means so much to Mike and I.

See you soon.  Valerie