Lavender Shop and Gardens

Last fall, the Mister and I, took a trip to Virginia. Before spending a few days at the beach, we visited some interesting small towns. One was Harrisonburg, Virginia. It's the home of the White Oak Lavender Shop and Gardens... field after field of wonderfully scented lavender and beautiful color.

They have a gift shop, winery, and interactive gardens.

 They sell EVERYTHING lavender.... beautiful lavender - themed gifts...

lavender wine, lavender ice cream!

  fresh lavender bouquets!

I really enjoyed my afternoon there and if you're in the area, stop by... you won't be disappointed!
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Hammering away...

We have a variety of woodpeckers in our wooded back yard...and they are so busy! So busy, that they don't even notice me taking photos of them, or maybe they just don't care!

This guy has drilled so far in that he soon will disappear. I'm guessing he intends to nest here with his significant other. I think he should have picked a bigger tree.

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 What's for Dinner   Mosaic Monday Busy Monday  Keep it simple Monday Through my Lens  Tasty Tuesday   Bee Inspired  Your whims Wednesday  Talk of the Town  Wonderful Wednesday Creatively Crafty  Full plate Thursday  Fiesta Friday  Create, Bake, Grow and Gather  Home Matters  Dare to share Sat  Saturday Sparks   Natasha Musing  Happy Tuesday  Wordless Wednesday
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Amaryllis Time...

Nothing brightens a dreary, winter day, like a colorful Amaryllis...

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 What's for Dinner   Mosaic Monday Busy Monday  Keep it simple Monday Through my Lens  Tasty Tuesday   Bee Inspired  Your whims Wednesday  Talk of the Town  Wonderful Wednesday Creatively Crafty  Full plate Thursday  Fiesta Friday  Create, Bake, Grow and Gather  Home Matters  Dare to share Sat  Saturday Sparks   Natasha Musing  Happy Tuesday  Wordless Wednesday
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West Virginia mountains

A mosaic of photos that were taken during a trip a few years ago to southern West Virginia. I love how the mountains were carved in order to build the roads!

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 What's for Dinner   Mosaic Monday Busy Monday  Keep it simple Monday Through my Lens  Tasty Tuesday   Bee Inspired  Your whims Wednesday  Talk of the Town  Wonderful Wednesday Creatively Crafty  Full plate Thursday  Fiesta Friday  Create, Bake, Grow and Gather  Home Matters  Dare to share Sat  Saturday Sparks   Natasha Musing  Happy Tuesday  Wordless Wednesday
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January brings...

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Happiness is Homemade What's for Dinner  Cooking and Crafting with J and J   Mosaic Monday Busy Monday  Keep it simple Monday Through my Lens  Tasty Tuesday   Bee Inspired  Your whims Wednesday  Delicious Dishes  Talk of the Town  Wonderful Wednesday Creatively Crafty  Full plate Thursday  Fiesta Friday  Create, Bake, Grow and Gather  Home Matters  Dare to share Sat  Saturday Sparks   Natasha Musing  Happy Tuesday  Wordless Wednesday
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Ham, Potatoes and Cabbage

We had a very large ham this Christmas and there was plenty leftover. I froze the ham bone and extra ham to make a favorite dish of ours. My family has made this for a long as I can remember...

Ham, Potatoes, and Cabbage
Put the ham bone into a large soup pot. Fill the pot about half full with water. Heat the water to a rolling boil so that any ham left on the bone will cook-off. Add half of a medium onion...  chopped.

Boil for 45 minutes to an hour. Remove the bone and pull off any remaining ham with a fork. Discard the bone and put the remaining ham back into the pot.

Add about 6 large quartered potatoes. I used red ones because that's what I had on hand. Cook until potatoes are tender... then add half a head of cabbage... chopped in large pieces... and a bag of frozen green beans.

Hubby likes a thicker broth so I sprinkle in some instant mashed potatoes. (great as a thickener for soups and stews).

Make sure you make enough for leftovers because it's always better the second day after the flavors mingle!... Enjoy!


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Happiness is Homemade What's for Dinner  Cooking and Crafting with J and J   Mosaic Monday Busy Monday  Keep it simple Monday Through my Lens  Tasty Tuesday   Bee Inspired  Your whims Wednesday  Delicious Dishes  Talk of the Town  Wonderful Wednesday Creatively Crafty  Full plate Thursday  Fiesta Friday  Create, Bake, Grow and Gather  Home Matters  Dare to share Sat  Saturday Sparks   Natasha Musing  Happy Tuesday  Wordless Wednesday
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Peaceful Winter

Here's where I'll be sharing:
Happiness is Homemade What's for Dinner  Cooking and Crafting with J and J   Mosaic Monday Busy Monday  Keep it simple Monday Through my Lens  Tasty Tuesday   Bee Inspired  Your whims Wednesday  Delicious Dishes  Talk of the Town  Wonderful Wednesday Creatively Crafty  Full plate Thursday  Fiesta Friday  Create, Bake, Grow and Gather  Home Matters  Dare to share Sat  Saturday Sparks   Natasha Musing  Happy Tuesday  Wordless Wednesday
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