Snell's Coming To Virginia

My brother, sister-in-law, and niece will be in the air on their way here in the next few hours. They are heading to Philadelphia for the day, and then do in here on mid-day Friday.

My parents are on the road, and are also due in mid-day Friday.

Mmmmmmm Smores

After a long day at work - I got home to find out that my lawn tractor was broken, with foot high grass and family coming.
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Then the neighbors guinea hens were in our yard, and Ripley took off after them. He had gotten two before we stopped him, as they can fly, and he can run faster than us. It wasn't his fault, they were in his yard when he started after them, but not by the time he caught up with them.



Spenser and I decided with such a warm spring night - we would try out our new fire pit.


It worked great, and the firefighter enjoyed making the fire, and putting it out.

My First Fruit

Hey Look - I've got fruit, and it's only May!

Strawberries
and my first baby tomatoes

I visited 4 states today.

I live in Virginia, and work in Maryland - so I'm always in 2 states. However today I took a trek to Pennsylvania to see a dog, and came home through West Virginia.

Crazy - huh? I've driven more miles in the last 10 months than in the last 10 years!!

What ... a rainout?

I was trying to buy tickets to an Orioles game when a person at work said "But it's going to Rain"and I replied

"So what - It's just Rain".

He replied "But what if you get there, and there is a rain out?"

Ahhhhh WHUT?

Ummmm, I hadn't thought of that. After 20 years in a dome, and retractable roof, I'd not be happy if I drove all the way to Baltimore, only to sit in the rain for 2 hours, and then to drive home again.

A Mother's Day

Initially we talked about doing Mother's Day @ Monticello.

However when we woke up this morning, we were both so thankful for a day off that we just wanted to be home. It was raining outside, and we were tired.

(The flower and card that came with my breakfast on my nightstand)

After Spenser fixed me breakfast in bed, we decided that we would have a day at home. We would watch movies, and catch up on chores. We watched a movie, then did an hour of chores, watched a movie, an hour of chores.

It was what we both needed, and I got to spend Mother's Day with my son.

Upside Down Tomatoes

Rumor has it that you can grow tomatoes upside down. Not only will they grow, but that they will produce more fruit with less damage due to laying on the ground.

So - I bought these new 5 gallon buckets off the Internet. There is nothing special about them - they are just green, and I thought they wouldn't stick out like the bright orange Home Depot buckets. I then talked Roger into cutting holes in these new buckets ... (You can imagine how this conversation went).

I then filled them with dirt - and planted the tomato plant. It will be a few more weeks before I turn them upside down - I'll update you then.

Avalon's Senior Prom

Last night was Loudoun Valley's Senior Prom.

"In Virginia ... ALL GEESE ARE SWANS" --John Adams

I listen to Books on Tape during my commute. I've gotten through about 25 books so far. I thought I would take this time to learn more about the history of America - so that I would be more prepared as I began touring this part of the country. Currently I am listening to "John Adams"

http://www.amazon.com/John-Adams-David-McCullough/dp/141657588X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209592351&sr=8-1.
It's 26 disks (most are 9-14), though I am enjoying it.
John Adams said "In Virginia - all Geese are Swans". It was mostly directed toward Thomas Jefferson, however he goes on to point out that most of the wealth of the 13 colonies is in Virginia, and people act it.
---Didn't I say something like that in a few posts back?

Want to find your own local food?

Here are some good links to help you find your own local foods.

http://www.localharvest.org/

http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/buylocal/

Community supported agriculture

http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml

Putting my money where my mouth is

I've been talking alot about eating locally. A few months back I enjoyed two books about eating locally, about the amount of oil it takes to transport our food - and how to support local farmers.
These two books were good.

1. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - the story of a family who commits to eating locally for a full year. http://animalvegetablemiracle.com/
2. The Omnivore's Dilemma - A natural history of Four meals. http://www.michaelpollan.com/omnivore.php

I believe in supporting local farmers, eating more of whats in season, and allowing the animals a decent and respectful life before feeding me.

NOW - I'M PROVING IT!

1. I bought 1/2 a cow from a neighbor. It's been grazing on grass behind my house in an open field as cows should.
2. I then purchased 1/2 a "share" from a local farmer. A farm about 4 miles away allows you to purchase 20 weeks of food in season for 350 dollars. From June-Oct I will receive a pre-packed tote of food from their farm, as well more that I can pick myself. http://www.greatcountryfarms.com/base.cgim?template=index
3. I've searched other local farms to purchase the majority of my food from, and will try to freeze more food to last through the winter.

Attack of the Dandelions

This is my first spring in the East - when spring finally hit last week, my yard filled with Dandelions. Not a few - BUT THE WHOLE YARD. They are in big sections with perfect lines, you can tell the builder brought in some dirt FULL of seeds.

Why do we hate Dandelions so? They are hearty, perennial, give us not one but TWO flowers.

I have more Dandelions than grass. Here is a question for the environmental conscious but Dandelions haters? If you had this many Dandelions over 4 acres - would you spend 5 years diligently trying to rid them - or would you pour poison over them to kill them now?

I'm choosing the 5 year plan. I bought a harrow, and spent twice as long mowing/thatching my lawn (10 hours) - and applied an all natural fertalizer (lovely smelling).

Saying Goodbye, again.

I took my sister to the airport Tuesday morning.

Seeing family is a very special thing - I'm so grateful that she came to visit. While the visit was so much fun, saying goodbye again was not easy.

When you leave home, it's NOT easy to live your daily life, trying to put the fact that you've left your family and friends out of your mind. Seeing them, and saying goodbye again -only makes us more home sick.

I've explained to my sister (and my brother) that we are very lucky to have had so much time together. We spent 19 years living within just a few miles of each other. As 4 families we got Christmas's, Easter's, birthdays, parties, adventure's and every day life together. Mom's cooking, and Dad's jokes were the center glue in this family.

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While we all grew up together in Ohio...

we became families together in Seattle.

We got to raise our children together, to raise them as more than cousins, but as close friends. These are relationships that will be with them for their lifetime. We've laid solid ground for this generation to carry on this crazy Snell bond.

As I told my sister before I left Seattle... I was on a 2 year plan, and what's 2 years in our 75 years together?

Right now it feels like alot...

What would you miss if you moved away?

My sister brought me many treats from Seattle.

1) Tim's Chips

2) Johnny's Seasoning

3) Tillamook Cheese

4) Adams no-stir peanut butter

She made Deviled eggs, french toast and Black Bottom cupcakes.

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In return it was up to us to find her things here.

1) Virginia blistered peanuts

2) Carvel ice cream

3) Giant Salsa

4) AND JOE'S CRAB SHACK

We took Spenser to Joe's Crab Shack. It was time for him to learn how to eat a crab. Right off the bat he broke one open and coated his Aunt Frankie with crab juice and parts across the table. Her hair, her clothes, her face .... we laughed until we couldn't breath and we were all crying.

The people next to us would have been surprised to find out there was no alcohol being served at our table.

Frankie's trip to Leesburg, Virginia

Leesburg is the larger town next to us

"During the War of 1812, Leesburg served as the temporary capital of the United States when the valuable papers of the Federal Archives (including the Declaration of Independence and Constitution) were brought to town for safekeeping."

"Leesburg is the county seat of the fastest growing county in the nation. From 1990 to 2001, Leesburg doubled in population from 16,000 to 32,000. That phenomenal growth shows no sign slowing down. The town's current population is an estimated nearly 37,500 and is projected to be 45,000 by 2010. "

Frankie and Ron the goat

Frankie with one of the baby goats.

Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

On Sunday my sister and I went to to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia.

Harper's Ferry has changed little since John Browns raid on the arsenal in 1859. Most of the town is a park, with many of the buildings set up with the original businesses.

http://www.harpersferrywv.us/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers_Ferry,_West_Virginia

Want to see more pictures? I'll give you an invite to ofoto.

mailto:angseawa@hotmail.com

The Aldie Mill

Yesterday we went to yuppy Middleburg horse country http://wwww.middleburgonline.com/index.html, then we stopped by the Aldie Mill. Aldie Mill was built in 1807, and was still a working mill until the 1970's. We took a tour, and watched them grind corn. http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/aldiemill/index.php

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My Mom and Diane are on a road trip, so they were here for the day too!

Eagerly awating....

My sister arrives late on Friday. I'm very excited. I'm sure we will have much to post over the weekend. She is only here 3 days, so we have lots to cover.

While I have been WILLING the leaves to come out, she is going to see a wintery, dead looking east.

She is bringing lot's of Seattle goodies with her and I'm hoping for french toast and deviled eggs. I hope she makes deviled eggs - cause I just bought 6 dozen!

Tim's chips, Johnny's seasoning, smarties GIANT pops, Adams no stir peanut butter - OH MY.

Spenser requests Jack-in-the-box.

Roger's "Digs"

Here is where Roger will be staying for the next year. He has a room mate - and the bathroom is a hike.

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Actually this seems much nicer than what I've seen him in before.

America's Richest Counties, by Forbes.com

Complete List: America's Richest Counties

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Well this is interesting...

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http://www.forbes.com/realestate/2008/01/22/counties-rich-income-forbeslife-cx_mw_0122realestate_slide_2.html?thisSpeed=15000

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I live in Loudoun, it is bordered by 3 counties to the south.

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The weathliest counties in the US are....

#1 Fairfax,VA (the county south me)

#2 Loudoun,VA (the county I live in)

#8 Montgomery, MD (the county I work in)

---------------and to round out the top 20 ---------------

#9 Arlington, VA (county south of mine - borders Louduon)

#11 Stafford, VA (county south of Fairfax) (see #1)

#18 Prince William,VA (county south of mine - borders Louduon)

#19 Alexanderia, VA (in FairFax)(see #1)

-----------------AND-----------------

There are also two more counties in Maryland in the top 20!

No wonder people act like they are "all that".

SPENSER - YOU BETTER NOT HAVE RUINED THIS FOR ME!?!

As I sat in my office yesterday - I looked out the window to see a firetruck pull in.

It peaked my attention.... Ummmm firefighters? As I got up to check out the situation I stopped and thought. "My son is a firefighter - do I want to look at the firefighters????

I wasn't sure .... I'm still not sure.

If he ruined this for me - I'm kickin his ass.

DC's Cherry Blossoms

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=390

Click on the pictures to enlarge, and see the Jefferson Memorial behind us.

I suggested to a friend that she come visit "While the Cherry's are blooming". Her response - "Wow - you really have become a hick. We will sit on your porch with lemonade, and watch trees"? --- Name withheld to protect the not so innocent.

A memory from home, Thanks David!

I've not had a very good week. There have been some real issues at work, and with Roger gone - I'm just not sure why I am here.
I've been feeling very homesick...

On my doorstep yesterday were my favorite suckers, I had been telling David how I couldn't find any (and can only find them in one place in Seattle), and as a thank you - he sent me a whole box.

It was a great surprise to a not so great week. Thanks David.

Spring is almost here, it's time to sow

When you are in a small town, you don't go to HOME DEPOT to buy seeds. You go to Nicholos Hardware.You pick what you want out of a mason jar or metal can, weigh it, and place them in an envelope.These are the small things I'm really coming to enjoy about a small town. I have an ofoto folder of Nicholos hardware - it's 100 years old, with few changes.

mailto:angseawa@hotmail.com to see the pics