The White Dog Inn, Mathews VA

I know. I’m still talking about the Blog Fest I attended in VA with friends this past weekend but I have some more photos to share and this time it’s all about one of the highlights of my trip.

Before the beach party that was held on Saturday afternoon, several of us elected to go to downtown Mathews to look around, maybe do some shopping, and to have lunch at the beautiful White Dog Inn.

The White Dog Inn was established in early 2009 after new owners completely refurbished the place. It’s a Bistro and a Coffee House as well as a Bed & Breakfast. Check out these gorgeous [rooms upstairs]. The original structure dates to 1840 according to some documents, but a marker on the property as well as the Court House across the street dates to 1795.

Antique car buffs were inside holding a party in the blue room. I only wish I’d gotten a photo of all the wonderful old cars lined up in the side parking lot.

I love touches like this zebra print staircase runner. It’s just so unexpected and fun. I took this photo from the bar area and we ate in the room directly ahead. The doors on the left lead to the blue room where the beautiful ship chandelier resides.

We were told that the owners found this distinctive light fixture at an antique shop and bought it immediately. Clever move, I should say.

The White Dog Inn is elegant with a laid-back atmosphere that made me feel right at home. I love the mismatched silverware and the dishtowel-sized napkin.

The wait for our party of nine was made enjoyable as we sipped Bloody Mary’s on the plush seating in the bar area. And they make the best Bloody Mary I’ve had in awhile.

I snapped a few photos in the room where we dined and marveled at all the little details like the books and the gilded mirror frame. The walls are decorated with works of art by local artists and much of it is for sale.

This is a decoupage vase that held a single peacock feather.

For lunch I had the tarragon chicken salad which was served with roasted potatoes and a small garden salad. For dessert, I shared the blueberry cobbler topped with vanilla bean ice cream.

Shelley was one of the diners who chose the bananas foster for dessert.

Obviously, it was lick-the-bowl good. (Sorry, Shelley. I just couldn’t resist.)

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

PS – My new laptop has arrived and I’ll be setting it all up tomorrow. There’s a lot of files to move over, etc. But at least I was able to use the AC power adapter to fit my old laptop! It’s the only way I was able to do anything tonight.

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile

I’ve just come inside from the front lawn where my husband had called me to watch purple martins who were swooping low to the ground. A thunderstorm had just passed through and there seemed to be a hundred of the birds. The rain had caused thousands of gnats to hatch and it was a feeding frenzy out there. Quite exciting.

Tonight I’m posting people shots from this year’s Blog Fest which was held last weekend in Mathews, VA. I’ve never considered myself a portrait photographer so if you see yourself here and you dislike it, e-mail me and I’ll take it down.

I took many photos of people this year but not all of them came out to my liking which was disappointing. But here are some of my favorites.

Meg from Soup is Not a Finger Food. This was one of the first photos I took when I arrived. We were still wearing our name badges, I see.

This is Diane, from Asthma Girl. We were heading out for a sunset boat ride. I really love this photo of her.

Shelley, the Baroness. She always looks like a million bucks.

Anne Marie from Hillbilly Gothic, one of our co-hosts for Blog Fest. Fun fun fun.

Annie from The Tombstone Chronicler. Annie was one of the very first visitors to my blog back in late 2007. She’s got the most beautiful blue eyes.

Beth attended Blog Fest last year and came just for the beach party this year. I could never imagine myself going to a beach party in a bathing suit, but among this crowd I somehow felt fine about it.

The margaritas helped.

And finally, Laurie from Fooleryland, who came with her husband Chaz and their two beautiful daughters. This was taken at the White Dog Cafe in Mathews. In the background you can see our waiter, Eric who is excellent at what he does for a living. He kept us laughing. (As if we needed any help doing that).

Until tomorrow (hopefully), my friends . . .

PS – I am having serious issues with the AC power cord and my laptop in general. I could barely post this tonight because of the cord not staying in and the extremely low battery life I have. Time to buck up and get another computer, I should think. If I’m not back tomorrow, this is why.

How I spent my weekend. Part one.

I’m home from the 2nd annual Blog Fest, held at the home of Chesapeake Bay Woman, in Mathews VA. It’s late and I’m tired, so I’ll just show you some of the pictures caught in my camera lens this weekend.

How fun are these? Worn by my friend, Lauren (Mental P Mama).

Colorful local characters. This is Miss Pookie and her husband.

Miss Pookie gave us a little tour and told us of the history of Gwynn’s Island, where she was born.

My very first dragonfly capture.

I’ve been taking photographs for years and until this weekend, have never been successful with a decent capture of the elusive dragonfly. It’s not like I was making a serious attempt at it or anything, but still worth noting.

I discovered a trick. It includes being very hot and sweaty and using a long lens. Taken with my new Nikon 70-300mm.

I met new friends IRL. (Look at me, using cool abbreviations). This is Tracey Grumbach from Nine Acres Photography. It’s crazy we haven’t met before now. I’ve read her blog for over a year now and she lives in the next county over from me.

I took a fantastic sunset boat tour.

The mate was a mighty sailing man, the skipper brave and sure.

(you’re gonna be humming that all day now, aren’t you?)

This was our cabana boy at the beach.

Nah, I’m kidding. I couldn’t resist posting this photo of BHE’s nephew because he’s so darn cute. And I’m not getting my cougar on, so don’t be thinkin’.

George sent buttons for everyone.

He’d rather do that than meet IRL. Have I told you how shy he is?

This is the chandelier in the blue room at the White Dog Inn in Mathews VA. I was absolutely enchanted with this magic ship.

By the way, the White Dog Inn is absolutely, hands-down, fantastic. I need to elaborate but I am too tired tonight.

I had a such wonderful time and will continue with more pics tomorrow.

See you then,

Taking a small break

I’ll be taking a break from blogging and will return on Sunday afternoon. I’m heading to Virginia for Blog Fest weekend and will return on Sunday afternoon. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Mine is starting a little early, is all.

I’ll try to take a few photos to share.

Who am I kidding? You know I’m going to take more than just a few photos.

Love ya.

Things I love about Mathews County, Virginia

In just a couple of days, I’m heading to Virginia to the home of Janice, who’s hosting the 2nd annual get-together of a little something she and her readers dubbed ‘Blog Fest’.

After spending four days last July in beautiful Mathews County -- laughing and getting to know fellow bloggers from so many different parts of the country, we all hoped that we could make it an annual gathering.

In preparation for this year’s trip, I’ve been looking over photos I took last summer and remembering some of the good times.

So, in no particular order, here are just a few of the things that made me smile when I think of last year’s Blog Fest:

The rich history of the area.

The New Point Comfort Lighthouse.

Water everywhere.

Colorful characters.

Camaraderie. And cool hats.

Meeting new friends.

Laughter.

The Sea Shanty.

I can’t wait! Tomorrow (Wednesday) is my last day at work until next Monday. Woot!

Love,

Singing for his supper

Two weeks ago, my husband caught this series of photographs of a house wren feeding one of its babies. The day after he took them, the little bird family moved from the birdhouse, but we see them from time to time.

Sorry about the poops. Just keeping it real here.

The little one is hungry.

And not so little anymore.

The parent approaches with what appears to be a cricket.

He comes in for the landing.

And begins . . .

. . . to place the meal in the baby’s mouth.

Beautiful.

And two weeks later, the baby sings for his supper.

But now he can get it for himself.

Pretty cool, eh?

I’d forgotten about these photographs and it wasn’t until this evening when my husband walked by, saw me working on the photo above and reminded me.

George would like to thank everyone for the birfday wishes. Tonight he asked me for the keys to the car so he can take out the French poodle who lives down the road. I told him to stay away from Fifi. She’s nothin’ but trouble!

Have a great day all ~ and thanks so much for coming by. Love ya.

Everybody’s favorite turned 3 today

Thanks to everyone who left happy birthday wishes on George’s Facebook page today. It was a total surprise.

Today was his third birthday and it just feels like we’ve known him much longer than this. A lot has happened in these past three years, but I count getting this dog as one of the best.

I think he’s a teenager now in dog years.

I also think my husband wanted me to get party hats and invite some friends over. Or bake a cake or something. I asked him if he was kidding and he said yes.

But I wasn’t so sure.

This is not a new toy but it’s one he loves. (George does not need any more toys, believe me.)

He loves the ones where the squeak still works.

And I like the beginning of this poem, by Emily Dickinson.

I started early, took my dog,

And visited the sea;

The mermaids in the basement

Came out to look at me.

This was our sky on Friday afternoon. Saturday brought blessed rain and we had a whole day of it gently falling. The ground is much less crunchy now.

So how was your weekend? Do anything exciting?