okie dokie artichokie...

I once read that Hillary Clinton will respond verbally to her staff with this jovial phrase. I love steamed artichokes with drawn butter and lemon juice. These beauties, along with the example in the header, can be found in the Lower Gardens at Mount Vernon, Alexandria,Virginia.

Willow Creek Farm: barn, inn, farmhouse and tavern combined

Situated outside of Washington, DC in Broadlands, Virginia is a remarkable spot for lunch or dinner or drinks, Clyde's at Willow Creek Farm. Part of the Clyde's Restaurant Group, this justly one of a kind dining experience combines great food with a visual enchantment of collections.

Clyde's at Willow Creek Farm

Dodona Manor

I recently made a visit to Leesburg in Virginia to the home of General George Catlett and Katherine Marshall, Dodona Manor. The home has been carefully restored to resemble the life that occurred while they lived there in the late 40's and 50's, including period wall coverings, furnishings, drapes, curtains and accessories. Stacks of National Geographic and Life magazines top book shelves and side tables. A vintage radio, television set and telephone suggest the methods of communication the General used to speak with Presidents and keep informed of the happenings going on around the world. The home was visited many times by Madame Chiang Kai-shek, wife of the Generalissimo, who required much attention while there and brought along a number of personal servants to assist.

"This is home...a real home after forty-one years of wandering." GCM

The Marshalls enjoyed gardening while at Dodona Manor. Herbs and vegetables have been planted around the home.

The peonies were in full bloom while I visited and were simply gorgeous.

"Deliver me from the lazy thinker…give me someone who can and will think for himself."

~General George C. Marshall~

Southern Plantations

A virtual tour of six, restored period plantations on the

Eastern Shore of Virginia

can be seen here.

nesting is for the birds...

I have long collected nests after the momma birds have finished them off.

Faux eggs have been inserted.

Here is by far my most prized nest, and over 20 years old. This nest was found in a low bush just outside my house when I lived in Kansas. Directly behind our building was a horse barn. The diminutive nest was lined with perfection with horse hair to keep those little eggs warm and cushioned.

Edit. Enhance. Tweak.

Picnik allows photos from any source to be altered and revised for publishing. Technique possibilities include neon, heat map, pencil sketch, posterize and many more options.

As features download, watch for clever, picnic-related phrases to appear such as growing grass, warming breezes, applying sunscreen and blooming blossoms.

The method displayed here is called PIXELATE.

Have fun playing around with this free, or upgraded website.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to Moms everywhere.

For a good chuckle, watch Keeping Mum as mentioned in my last post, with your Mom today.

Keeping Mum

Mary Poppins meets Nanny McPhee in a gorgeous countryside setting, here.

A dark, witty, madcap, humorous British comedy featuring Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas is easy to watch for the chuckles, not any deep underlying significance.

Be prepared for a like Mother, like daughter conclusion.