To Market, To Market…

I had every intention of focusing solely on a specific sewing project yesterday. Then I stepped out our back door and noticed the Farmer’s Market was open.

Ah, the Farmer’s Market. I HAD to go. Plus, it was yet another picture-perfect day here in OTW.

The Warrenton Farmers Market operates on Saturdays and Wednesdays for a good part of the year. The Saturday market is very close to our house. It’s one of Old Town Warrenton’s attractions that I really enjoy, so I try hard to support it by visiting and usually buying some sort of merchandise. It’s too early in the year for a lot of the fresh produce I enjoy — tomatoes and corn — but there were plenty of flowers and other wares to intrigue me.

There were lots of folks out and about, enjoying the market and the gorgeous weather. I think it was in the mid-50s when I left the house. Perfect weather in my my book. Hubby thought it was chilly.

On the way to the market, I noticed that our neighbor’s flowering tree is getting ready to bloom.

Neighbor's Flowering Tree
Neighbor’s Flowering Tree

I’ll have to keep my eyes on that one. It’s gorgeous when in bloom.

Following are some images from the market.

Farmer's Market
Farmer’s Market

 

Zinnias
Zinnias

 

Pies
Pies

 

Farm Goods
Farm Goods

The image immediately above shows offerings from “blurose,” a husband and wife operating out of nearby Amissville in Rappahannock County.

Quail Eggs
Quail Eggs

 

Honey!
Honey!

I hadn’t planned on buying anything at the market. I was just going to take pictures. So after seeing several things that needed to go home with me, I had to walk to the bank machine. Which is why this post also includes some not-market-related town images.

The Mural Building
The Mural Building

This building is adjacent to the parking lot that houses the market.

My Favorite Red Building
My Favorite Red Building

One of these days I’ll get a shot of this building without cars parked there. Maybe.

I am drawn to this building for some reason. I guess it’s the red color. Plus the green ivy climbing up one corner. And the church steeple in the background.

My Favorite Red Building
My Favorite Red Building

 

Pretty Tree
Pretty Tree

 

Southern Dog Lover
Southern Dog Lover

 

Pretty Tree + Favorite Red Building = Photo Op
Pretty Tree + Favorite Red Building = Photo Op

 

Courthouse
Courthouse

 

Blurose
Blurose Wares

The coasters shown below are what inspired my trip to the bank machine.

Chestnut Oak Coasters
Chestnut Oak Coasters

There were a number of different woods represented. All wood was harvested from trees downed by Hurricane Sandy in Rappahannock and Fauquier Counties.  Jan, who owns Blurose, explained that she and her husband, Chris, were devastated at seeing so many downed trees. Chris decided to turn nature’s fury to his advantage and make use of what would otherwise have been senselessly wasted wood.

The little pamphlet that came with the coasters said, “The tree that gave us these coasters was a monster. It was most likely over 120′ with a huge canopy. Size was its downfall. Standing alone on the ridge crest at the top of a small valley that funneled the wind, it was subjected to the full force of the storm. It has gone, but here is something to remember it by.”

How could I NOT buy such gorgeous coasters made by a man who describes himself as one with a “passion” for “finding the beauty of wood in its most natural forms.” He can write, too, as evidenced by the pamphlet on my coasters and other writings about the products.

Warrenton Farmer's Market
Warrenton Farmer’s Market

 

Flowers
Flowers

Another very cool merchant I met are the folks behind Primrose Farm in nearby Nokesville. Kathleen and George are a lovely older couple selling heirloom flowers and other goods. George is actually a very good watercolor artist, and their booth carried a wide range of note cards showcasing some of his lovely paintings.

Primrose Farm Flowers
Primrose Farm Flowers

 

Meats by Walnut Hill Farm
Meats by Walnut Hill Farm

I also bought some Chorizo Grillers (sausages) being sold by Walnut Hill Farm in Falmouth, VA. Big coolers of meat don’t make for great photos, but I LOVED this tablecloth. I think it was one of the owners who told me he’d purchased the table covering in France some years ago. I’m pretty sure he said his wife bought a blue one. I should have warned him about Janet, the Empty Nest proprietor, who loves all things French, especially chickens and other critters.

Homemade Preserves
Specialty Foods

I didn’t buy anything from Caroline, but I loved her sign. I chatted with her a bit, admiring her multi-colored eggs, about which she said, “My mother is VERY proud of her chickens.” I’m sure I’ll see Caroline again next week.

I did bring some of those Zinnias home with me. I might get them into the dirt today, assuming I finish that sewing project I mentioned earlier.

Speaking of that sewing project, I’d better get busy!

Hello, Spring! (Evening Edition)

Welcome back. I am glad you decided to continue your virtual tour with me. Evenings are especially pretty here in OTW.

There’s just something about evening light. Photographers refer to the first and last hour of sunlight each day as “The Golden Hour.” I could get all technical, but you’d be bored. We’re just strolling, right? Simply put, that’s when colors come alive.

Our House
Our House

I often end up walking the dogs during this time. And I am always awed by the changing hues as the sky lights up, goes pink, and casts a golden hue on everything. I always have my phone with me, but it just doesn’t capture the light to my satisfaction.

Vignette
Vignette

So I decided to ditch the dogs for a change and capture some images with my real camera. I should have taken the tripod. The images would have been clearer. But I am still pleased with the snapshots I captured.

Church
Church

 

Fauquier County Buildings
Fauquier County Buildings

 

Ashby Street
Ashby Street

 

Flowering Trees
Flowering Trees

 

Sunset Over the Mountains
Sunset Over the Mountains

 

Reflection
Reflection

 

Courthouse Tower
Courthouse Tower

 

Pansies
Pansies

 

Main Street
Main Street

 

Main Street
Main Street

 

Flowering Tree
Flowering Tree

 

Main Street
Main Street

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of walking around this lovely town.

Have I convinced you to come for a visit? Yes? Come on down. 🙂

Happy Friday!

Hello, Spring!

Spring finally arrived here in Old Town Warrenton. Truth be told, I think Summer is here. I think we hit the low 90s today.

Weather in the Virginia Piedmont may be even more fickle than in Maryland!

Really, though, it was gorgeous. I couldn’t NOT go outside. So I grabbed my real camera for a change, as opposed to the iPhone, and went for a stroll.

Main Street House
Main Street House

I so enjoyed seeing all of the flowers. It was just lovely… looking, strolling, snapping a pic or two. Us photographer types are afflicted with a curse that really makes us SEE stuff. Colors, lines, shadows, oddities… the phrase seeing the big picture doesn’t apply. We see everything.

I’ll just let these pics — there are lots — speak for themselves.

Main Street
Main Street

 

Spring Blooms
Spring Blooms

 

Main Street House
Main Street House

 

Statuary
Statuary

 

Main Street
Main Street

 

Mosby Museum Outbuilding
Mosby Museum Outbuilding

 

Colors!
Colors!

 

Another Mosby Museum Outbuilding
Another Mosby Museum Outbuilding

Note… that thermometer says 100! It’s in the sun, but that proves how warm it got today.

Can I just say I am really glad I have friends who are storekeepers that aren’t afraid to run their air conditioner? Thanks, Sherrie, Janet, and Kelly Ann!

And hats off to the Red Truck Bakery, which is where I bought a drink today and very tasty Birdseed Cookie (sugar cookie with poppy seeds, anise, fennel, and some other stuff). Of course, I had seeds stuck in my teeth afterward, but it was worth it!

Hyacinths
Hyacinths

 

Forsythia
Forsythia

 

Forsythia and a Red Bush
Forsythia and a Red Bush

 

Daffodil and Blue Stuff
Daffodil and Blue Stuff

 

Upended Chair
Upended Chair

 

Cherry? Crabapple?
Cherry? Crabapple? Pretty!

 

Main Street
Main Street

It just LOOKS like a perfect day for a stroll, doesn’t it?

Main Street
Main Street

 

Courthouse
Courthouse

 

Daffodils
Daffodils

 

Poppy!
Poppy!

 

Magnolia
Magnolia

 

Creeping Phlox
Creeping Phlox

Those flowers are so vibrant, they sort of hurt my eyes!

Library
Library

 

Reflection
Reflection

 

View from Courthouse Steps
View from Courthouse Steps

 

Frog Quilt at Kelly Ann's Quilts (made by Lynne)
Frog Quilt at Kelly Ann’s Quilts (made by Lynne)

 

It's even Springy on the inside!
It’s even Springy on the inside!

 

Back Gate
Side Gate

 

Main Street
Main Street

 

North 6th Street House
North 6th Street House

 

North 6th Street House
North 6th Street House

 

South 6th Street House
South 6th Street House

Did you enjoy your virtual stroll through my lovely little town?

I captured some pics at twilight, too. I’ll share them in the next post.

Christmas Eve Captures

We got a bit of snow in Warrenton on Christmas Eve. It happened during the day, but I was delighted. Because I love snow. And seeing it on Christmas Eve made me happy.

You gotta take happiness however you can get it, right?

Of course I had to go for a walk and take some pictures.

Red Truck Bakery during the snow event.

 

I had the dogs with me as I usually do when strolling through town.

Walking behind the bitches.

 

I’ve been taking lots of pics during my nightly strolls lately. The town just looks so pretty at night.

Here are a few examples.

Art gallery window.

 

Window at The Empty Nest.

 

Strolling past the Black Bear Bistro.

Camera phone pics are okay. But on Christmas Eve I decided to venture out without the dogs and with my SLR camera to capture some “real” images.

I used the tripod, too, which is critical for clear night shots that don’t use a flash.

Here are my favorites.

Fauquier County Courthouse in Warrenton

 

Fauquier County Courthouse in Warrenton

 

Fauquier County Offices at Warren Green Hotel near Town Hall.

 

Fauquier County Courthouse in Warrenton

 

Red Truck Bakery in Warrenton

I am pleased with the results.

Yes, three are of the courthouse, but I just love the way that looks all lit up.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

 

Snowy Day After Christmas

We got some snow on Christmas Eve, which was nice. I LOVE snow, so that really lifted my spirits.

And then today, we got more snow. Woo hoo!

I just HAD to take a walk. Really.

Wanna see what I saw?

Read on to join me on my morning walk through Old Town Warrenton…

Can you see me now?

 

"No, Mama. Don't leave us!"

 

Our House

 

It was just enough snow to make things look pretty.

 

68 Mane (hair salon)

 

It was cold.

 

 

The Courthouse

 

Amy's at Rhodes (gift shop)

 

My favorite bakery.

 

My favorite quilt shop.

 

Another angle on the cutest little quilt shop ever.

 

Mural Building

 

Old Mill House

 

Who said Pansies aren't tough?

 

Can you see me NOW?

 

Piccadilly Ltd. (gift shop)

 

Warrenton Post Office

 

Cold

 

Main Street Sidewalk

 

That just looks cold, right?

 

Main Street

 

My favorite furniture shop.

 

The Empty Nest

 

The Virginia Gold Cup Association

 

Cool red doors.

 

I hope you enjoyed the stroll. Now, it is raining, miserable, and raw.

Like Hubby just said to me… it would be a great day for soup!

Things I Saw Today

I haven’t done one of these posts for a while. ShyB inspired me! These images are actually from a few different days.

Blue House

 

Flowers

 

Cute Little House

 

Is That the Right Thing to Say?

 

Lantern Finial on Iron Fence

 

Looking Down Alexandria Pike

 

Main Street with Storm-cloud Backdrop

 

Black Bear Bistro

 

Waiting for Dad Outside of Molly's Irish Pub

 

Pretty

 

Pet Grooming Salon