My Birthday at the Vineyard

So the Phil took me to Gregory Vineyards for my birthday last weekend. It was so much fun. We got to sit down with the owner, Dr. Lane, and talk to him about the different vineyards we've been to and all the wines I've tried. (Phil prefers beer tasting to wine tasting.) We learned a lot stocked up on some muscadine wine. They also bottle ciders and juices. I'll try to bring some for Thanksgiving for everyone to try.

We also were told about a few of the "wine trails" in NC. Go here to see what I'm talking about. It looks like a good goal to try to go to each of them, right? The one the Gregory Vineyards is a part of, if you go to all four vineyards within a six month period, you get a t-shirt. I think we should start a collection.

Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving being so late this year, it makes things a little different. For one, the hubby is actually working on Thanksgiving, instead of the weekend after. So we'll be in for the three-day weekend with our three crazy dogs to celebrate.

Hope to see you then!

Puppy Pics (and a kitty)

Look what I found. :)

Decorating Changes

Phil and I did some rearranging of our living room today. We moved the couch off the wall and put the saddle stand and two bookcases behind it. I really like it. We also moved all our horse pictures to the wall behind the couch. Here's how it looks. What do y'all think?

Happy Birthday, The Mom!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!! Here are a few yarn birthday cakes just for you. I'd like to say if I were in Texas I'd make one for you, but we both know how that might turn out. 

Hope Dad makes it the best day ever! 

Make sure he takes you to a vineyard and a yarn shop.

Love you bunches!!!

Puppy and kitty pics!

Puppy and kitty cuteness!

More garden stuff...

     As you can see, I've added a few plants to my garden pond. Oh, and we got the rocks put around it and the waterfall working. To be honest, we got the rocks and waterfall up and running, and we transplanted some moss and ferns (which may or may not make it). We did this all last weekend. However, we woke up Monday morning to an empty pond.
     We thought it was the waterfall, so we adjusted the hose. And woke up Tuesday morning to an empty pond and a huge bubble of water under the pond. So we got it out on Wednesday, got it dried (kitty litter does the trick), and back in on Thursday. And thankfully, Friday morning we still had water in the pond! Apparently the waterfall was right on the edge rather than overhanging just enough to not cause issues. Go figure.
     So I added these plants yesterday; a local nursery had a bunch of their water plants on sale (75% off!), and so, of course, I had to get some. From everything I've read about the ones I got (2 hardy water lilies, a pickerelweed, and a Louisiana iris), they'll overwinter fine in our pond as long as the water doesn't freeze. Since we have the waterfall, that shouldn't be an issue. Especially in our zone.
   So, now I've been driving Phil crazy looking up fish I can put in the pond come spring. It's too small for koi (which makes me a little sad) but large enough for several different goldfish species. I just have to figure out a way to protect the water lilies. I'm thinking about putting some type of netting cage over the pots about 6 or so inches so the new growth is protected from nibblers but the plants can still grow and expand. Not sure what to do yet, but I have a while to think about it.
     Here's a video of it. Doesn't it sound great?

Some knitting I just finished for Anna's friends.

I think he is a cutie! And a lot of fun to make. Now I am back to Christmas knitting. No peeking!

Hunter Pony

So I recently found a girl just a few miles from the house that needed an exercise rider for her 17 yr hunter pony. His name is Cotton, and he's only about 14 hands. He's a typical hunter pony in that he can be pretty rotten, but at least he's a horse to ride. The girl who rides him runs a pony rescue called Lilly's Ponies.

Here's a video of him after I rode him one day. I spent all this time brushing him and making sure he was nice and clean. Then I turned him back out into the pasture. Oh, well, what else was I expecting?

The Weekend Outside

 

Well, as you can see, we finally have our garden back up and almost running. Had to order a new pump for my pond because some random Great Dane decided it was a chew toy. He actually went into the pond, pulled the pump out of the pond, and chewed on it. All while it was running. Just goes to show how special he is.

This of course, is why we needed the fence. Phil did a good job on it, didn't he? All put together by hand, not those prefab panels (cheaper that way). We did have to raise the gate so it wouldn't drag through the mulch, but I like it that way better.

Phil has a friend with some property up in Person Co with a creek where we can get some rocks to line our pond with. That's the plan for next weekend. I'm just glad we have it all roughly put together. Now it won't be so hard to do the next steps a little bit at a time. I think I'm going to make a fairy garden in the grassy area in front of the AC unit, and we're going to put some trellis or pallet walls around the AC unit to block it from sight (more spots for plants).

What do y'all think? 

Charleston SC March 2011 Wild Dunes

Congradulations!!!!!

Yep,! I'm A Proud Momma!!!

35 FW Quarterly Awards

Hi everyone! Hope this message finds you well. David wanted me to share with you a cool thing that happened last week. I was invited to the 35th Fighter Wing's 3rd Quarter Awards luncheon only to be suprised with the Volunteer of the Quarter Award. Please find attached a picture of me with the Vice Commander and the Chief of the base.

xoxoxoox

The Pergola (and deck extension)

What do y'all think of this? :)

My first interview :)

Hi everyone! Below is an article I was interviewed for for the Red Cross here on base. David thought you might like to read it too. Miss you all and hope all is well!
Best,
Victoria

http://www.misawa.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123219865

The Mom's Chicken Salad

So I just made The Mom's chicken salad recipe for Davy and he loved it :) The only suggestion I as given was to toast the bread more and add a bit more mayo. I know it will never be as yummy as if made by his mommy, but at least it is a close second! Thank you for sharing :)

Nothing too new here just trying to keep cool. Thankfully we live off base and have an ac unit! I just joined a book club (first time) which should be quite fun. I'm happy with most of the books picked. Also no word on my job status yet. My contract will be renewed, but just not sure if that is the place to stay. So prayers for guidance!

David is going back to school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is planning on getting a B.S. of Computer Science. Soo excited :)

Miss you all and hope all is well xoxoxoxoxox

Hot day in the Neighborhood !

No pictures , sorry, It has been a hot day. In the upper 90's. Gracie and Vala did nothing all day . When we watered the garden, Gracie acted like a fool and got overheated. Now she is miserable .. I hope we get a breather from the heat. Hondo is throwing at Grandfather mt. on Fri and we are all going. It will be fun!!Merry and Jay, Some friends from WV. Dad, Anna and Me. I think his Mom will be there also.. . I will take some pix and post. I picked , Dad helped, a big mess of green beans, peppers, and 2 buckets of tomatoes. I think I will turn into a tommy tomato, I eat 2 or 3 every time I pass the kitchen. I am almost finished with a sweater I have been working on . almost finished with the pink shrug, and all I have to do to the blanket that I had laying beside the couch for so long ,is to weave in the ends. Just too hot to have that thing on my lap. Have been going to the Ywca too! I have moved up the weight to 20,30 and one 40 lb. the only one I still do 15lb on is the arm curls. They are awful. I cuss that machine every time. I do 4 sets of 4 links in the pool and walk a link in between each set. It takes about 20 min for that. But I never thought I could do any of the above. I have been doing it for 8 weeks at the most. Still look the same, and still have chicken fat arms. But feel sooooooo goood. Love to all xxoo ps I hate crunches too.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

HAPPY JULY FOURTH TO EVERYONE AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!

Nanan's Potato Salad

Just made Nanan's potato salad for our 4th of July cook-out and WOW sooooooooooooo delicious!!!!!!!!!!! David even loves it :) So major thank you for sharing the recipe!

Also, I wanted to share that the delicious sauce that Laurel Gray makes is really good as a dipping sause. Though, I did try another thing and wanted to share. Make a hamburger and top it with goat cheese and avocado then spread a little of the Laurel Gray dressing on the bun = super yummy!!!!!!!!!!!! Then of course you have to have a glass of Childress 2008 Riesling with it :)

Miss you tons and hope all is well!!!!

ps: hope we can post on this a bit more again ;)

found the pix on the net . Just wanted to show Victoria!! I think the bottom is open. It sets over a ball of yarn. you pull the yarn out the top. I have seen antique ones of jadeite on ebay. But way over priced. Anyways, Just a hint , a big hint , Ha ,If you are looking for something to make in your pottery class. hehehe. Love to you