Day 208 - 7/27/14 - distant

I stopped in Culpeper to check out the Culpeper national Cemetery. There were so many tombstones lines up in every direction. As soon as I thought I was at the edge of the cemetery, I would see another distant section with hundreds more. This was a very somber and humbling place to be. So many that gave their lives for their country.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge distant

Day 206 - 7/25/14 - super close

I'm grateful for the level of comfort Willie has to let me take this super close up of his face.  I don't think he really understands, but he lets me.

#theidearoom's photo-a-day challenge - super close

Day 205 - 7/24/14 - soft

I am grateful for the break in the heat and to be able to look up and see these pretty, fluffy and soft looking clouds.


#theidearoom's photo-a-day challenge - soft

Day 204 - 7/23/14 - three

It's hay baling time in Culpeper.  This farmer has three bales done and many more to finish. I'm grateful for farmers so we can have real and natural foods.

#theidearoom's photo-a-day challenge - three

Day 203 - 7/22/14 - I hear

I hear...... rain in the distance, it is on its way. I am headed to Culpeper for a presentation and stopped to take this picture while on Route 3 just before the intersection with Route 29.

I'm grateful for vistas such as this.

#theidearoom's photo-a-day challenge - I hear......

Day 202 - 7/21/14 - dark

I love the contrasts of the colors against the dark night. I'm grateful to have time to look at things more closely in the dark.


#theidearoom's photo-a-day challenge - dark

Day 201 - 7/20/14 - a favorite

I am very grateful to have spent the day doing a favorite thing of mine,  spending time with family and learning some history. My Mom and I spent the afternoon with my son, Jonathan, nephew Troy and niece Jamie. We toured Chatham and Ellwood and visited the Chancellor Battlefield Visitor's Center.

#theidearoom's photo-a-day challenge - a favorite

Day 200 - 7/19/14 - a number

I am grateful for the history lesson so I could learn what really happened to Stonewall Jackson's left arm. He was left with just 1 arm, and lived only a week longer.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge = a number

Day 199 - 7/18/14 - outdoors

I'm grateful for the wonders I discover when I am outdoors.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge = outdoors

Day 198 - 7/17/14 - I enjoy

I enjoy trying new recipes. I'd heard of Frittatas but never made one or even knew what they really were until I saw one featured in a magazine. So, I decided to try it. It was yummy and both Scott and I enjoyed it.  I will be making it again. I'm grateful for the nerve to try new things and that Scott will try just about anything that I make.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge = I enjoy......

Day 197 - 7/16/14 - carefree

A carefree summer evening enjoying some ice cream from Booty Treats while in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I'm grateful for the simple things that make us all happy.



#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge = carefree

Day 196 - 7/15/14 - bright

Jonathan's future is so bright, especially with James Madison watching over his next 4 years.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to share JMU with Jonathan today and to see his excitement grow as he learned more about his next 4 years and as he begins to make decisions that will impact the rest of his life.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge = bright

Day 195 - 7/14/14 - open

The pool is open.  We got Willie a pool yesterday, he was so happy to be chasing the water around and around and just laying in the water cooling off.

I'm grateful that Scott understands my desire to spoil my dog.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge = open

Day 194 - 7/13/14

On our walk through the trails today, Willie and I found this very unique mushroom. It was big enough for ferries to be living underneath.

I'm grateful for the wonders of nature in the woods.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge = unique

Day 193 - 7/12/14

After dealing with a minimally functioning air conditioner upstairs for about 2 months, it was time to replace it. This certainly changed my mood to happy.  My family is awesome. Cousin Gary, my nephew Troy and brother Fitz came up to help Scott and guide him through the installation.  It was awesome and we now have coolness upstairs.  Just in time for Jonathan to come home from the beach.

I am grateful for family unity and willingness to help.


#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge = a mood

Day 192 - 7/11/14

Silly Willie playing in the creek 1/2 way through out long walk through the cross country trail.

I'm grateful for the health to enjoy these walks and that Willie can enjoy the creek.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge = silly

Day 191 - 7/10/14

This is the dimpled cheek of my darling husband. I'm grateful for the time he spends with me and the efforts that he is constantly making to try to grow our relationship. I can't wait to see what the next chapters of our lives will look like.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge - dimpled

Day 190 - 7/9/14

I reluctantly accepted a tomato plant from my neighbor Wayne, knowing full well that my thumbs are closer to purple than to green. I Accepted the self imposted challenge to grow tomatoes. Much to my surprise, today when i went to water it, there were 3 teeny, tiny tomatoes! I'm grateful that I couldn't say no and am now beginning to see the green come through.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge = a challenge

Day 189 - 7/8/14

This wet garden stepping stone is one of a set that is a reminder of the size of my kids' hands. I'm grateful to have these reminders.


#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge wet

Day 188 - 7/7/14

I'm grateful for the travel that Scott and I have been lucky enough to take. This is the James River just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge travel

Day 187 - 7/6/14

This is true puppy love.  Willie looks at me with these eyes many times during the day. I am grateful for the unconditional love he gives and the comfort that it provides me.


#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge love

Day 186 - 7/5/14

Scott and I got up today at 3:30am to hike to the top of Sharp Top Mountain of the Peaks of Otter, on the Blue Ridge Parkway for the sunrise.
It was awe inspiring to watch it change from day

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge change

Day 185 - 7/4/14

I see......  purple mountains majesty.
View from the Blue Ridge parkway. I'm grateful that my hubby takes me on these short trips to see what God has created.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge I see.....

Day 184 - 7/3/14

The road we climbed to get to the top of Sharp Top was a rough one, very steep in spots and 1.7 miles of climbing.


I'm grateful for the Blue Ridge Mountains being so close that I had the opportunity to see and learn all about those mountains.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge rough

Day 183 - 7/2/14

Yummy, sweet dessert at the Dinner Theater tonight.  I went to see West Side Story with Mom & Christian. Dinner was decent but dessert was amazing. I'm grateful for time to spend with these ladies!

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge sweet

Day 182 - 7/1/14

My simple breakfast of mixed fresh berries and yogurt. Yummy. I'm grateful for fruit in season.

#theidearoom photo-a-day challenge simple