Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement

So after Christmas we went to the historic triangle. As always it was beautiful though the weather was fickle. Day one was splendidly warm, but day two was bitterly cold. Day three was somewhere in between with lots of rain.

 This is the kitchens at the Governor's Palace. It's incredible what can be made in a fire place. All of the food you see is real and authentic to the period. It is made during their daily demonstrations. He was in the middle of making a chocolate cream pie. Like most palatial homes in the day, the kitchens are separate from the house.

 Stuffed beef tongue.

 An impressive display of weapons in the Governor's Palace.

 This is the public magazine (armory).

 Alright, so the young man sitting behind Reagan is named Edward. He was a jovial lad who came in to socialize with the diners at the tavern. Reagan was quite taken with him and was constantly flirting, as much as 4-year-olds can anyway. She insisted on getting a picture with him. After a while he and his companions left the dining room. A few minutes later we noticed that Reagan had gone missing and we went out to find her and there she was, sitting with Edward and his friends in the foyer just like she belonged there and was part of their game. After we left she said, "Mommy, I really like that guy." It was cute.

 And the highlight of the trip was getting to meet General George Washington! Well, as close to the general as we will get in this lifetime. He implored us, as colonists, to refrain from the purchase of English goods and to look for local goods to fulfill our needs. He assured us that if we would all do this then England would be forced to acquiesce to our demands and he didn't foresee it taking longer than a month or two. After that he planned to retire to his beloved Mt. Vernon and spend the rest of his days as a farmer. Well, what else could he have expected in December of 1774?
On a side note, the actor portraying George Washington was absolutely brilliant! After his little speech he opened up for a Q&A. This man knows more about Washington, the colonies, and the revolution than I could ever hope to learn. He must have read every book there is to be had on Washington. He was phenomenal!     

 After two days in Williamsburg, we spent the third at the Jamestown Settlement. So those familiar with the triangle can tell you: there are two Jamestowns. One is the actual site of the old Jamestown Fort. There is a museum, some replicated buildings, and several excavation projects. The Jamestown Settlement is located just a few miles from the Jamestown Fort and has a museum and replicas of the Fort, the American Indian village, and the ships. I had previously been to the former so I was excited to see the Settlement for the first time. I feel that both are wonderful and worth visiting should you ever get the opportunity.

 This is Reagan testing out the sailor's berth on the Susan Constant.

 Annabelle and Papa Lowry in the crew's quarters aboard the Susan Constant.

 The Godspeed and Discovery.

 Below decks of the Susan Constant.

 Reagan checking out the armor in the Captain's quarters.

 Ethan, Abbi Grace, and my little conquistador.

 Godspeed.

Discovery. They were both closed to the public at the time of our visit.

Game Day!

 So our first lacrosse game of the season was a home game on Wednesday the 26th against Methodist. We lost 5-8 and unfortunately I didn't have anyone to take pictures. Today we played at Hollins University and we won 9-1. Since mom was there to watch the baby, she took lots of pictures for me.

 First, we had to make sure that Reagan stayed nice and warm in the chilly afternoon weather.

 Sometimes I could hear her say, "Go Mommy Go!"

 I am number 53. Ryan wanted me to have it since it was his football number.

By the second half of the game the sun had come out and it had warmed up enough to lose the long sleeves.

So in the picture below, I'm the one that's scooping the ground ball.

 Okay, so the photo below is the moment right before I scored. The ball has just barely left my stick and it will score in the top right corner. Mom thought she filmed my goal, but instead she just took a picture. Oh well, it's better than nothing so I'll take it.

Reagan celebrating afterward.

Urban Homestead

As some of you know, Ryan and I are in the process of purchasing a home here in Buena Vista. It is a two story home built in 1898 right in the middle of town. What makes it a little different is that it sits on two lots so the yard is larger than most found in the city. 
For years we have been talking about starting a hobby farm, but we are not yet to a point where we can afford a lot of acreage. We have decided to go forward with some of our plans anyway and begin with what I have dubbed our "urban homestead". Ryan laughs at that because Buena Vista is a rather rural town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, but the house is in city limits and just around the corner from a post office, park, library, and shops therefore I call it 'urban'. So here are some ideas I have had for our urban homestead.
Chickens - I enjoy raising chickens and who doesn't like farm fresh eggs? I am considering Rhode Island Red, Araucana, Black Sex-links, and Barnevelders. The latter are beautiful birds known for laying dark brown eggs:

 Notice the double laced pattern on the feathers. I think they are stunning. Just because I love them, here's another picture:

Dad and mom raised Araucanas which lay blue/green eggs:

I also want to get a bantam hen or two as pets for Reagan. Maybe a Silkie or Sebright. Here are some coop ideas:

 I like this one because I can put an herb garden on top and save some space.

Garden - Since space is limited I have had to research some unconventional gardening ideas. Here are some I have gleaned from the internet:

 I'll have to start saving my 2-litre bottles for this one.

 Ryan could probably build this. He can build anything.

 This one and the one below are called "gutter gardens". I'd like to put one in along the fence.

 With this one you can grow your own salad in limited space.

I believe that this one is a vertical hydroponic garden. Ryan has long been interested in hydroponics and aquaculture.
If the chickens and plants survive the summer then next year I'll add more to my little farm. I'd like to raise rabbits and worms (vermacomposting) as well. Unfortunately, the goats and other livestock will have to wait until we move to a real farm outside of the city. 
So what do y'all think? Have you seen any neat urban homesteading ideas?