A step back in time

Today A LUNCHEON AT Adaland Mansion

http://www.vandalia.org/adaland.htm

The mansion house was built in 1870 at the end of the Civil War by Augustus

Modisett, Sheriff of Barbour County and local banker.

The brick house was constructed by local carpenters and emancipated slaves and

is an example of neo greek architecture.

The interior has been restored using 1870-1890 period wallpapers and furniture

from local sources which compliment the original walnut woodwork.

Guided historic tours are provided.

The house is open for parties, weddings, receptions, dinners, luncheons and

meetings.

Adaland Mansion is owned by the City of Philippi.

It was donated to the City of Philippi in January 1996 by Philippi Development

Inc., a division of Anker Energy.

Built by Irish settler Augustus Modisett in 1868, Adaland is set among the rolling

hills of Barbour County, with wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.

Guided tours of the home reveal a carefully restored house with period

wallpapers, antique furniture and period gardens.

The 1850 barn on the property, a good example of early farm post and beam

architecture, now serves as a heritage center.

The mansion house has been restored with great attention to authenticity and

features homemade brick and walnut woodwork throughout.

The barn was built approximately 1850 and has been restored and is open to the public on during tour season.

The house and land reflect the early history of West Virginia with the original

owners engaged in farming.

Emancipated slaves from the farm worked on the construction of the house.

The surrounding area is rich in civil war history with the first land battle of the

war fought in Philippi in June 1861.

This trunk is like the one I grew up with, now I know the @ age of it and wonder

which side of my family it came from. Needless to say mine has been restored to its former state.

HA HA look at YOUR keyboard now ;=)

Gardens below however the rain kept us from this jaunt.

I have been remiss in posting…BUT

We are going to be first time Grandparents come mid June.

It seems obvious that the “TRIP” will linger from time to time until I finally get all the

photos that are fit to show on the Blog.

Until then I suppose the judicious thing is to again post as I began my Blog, on a day to or

every other day or so journal of life as I see it.

That being said

Let’s see what I conjure up for today!

The Baby Shower for those that do not do Face book…

It was [I heard someone say this:] elegant.

WHEW because I wanted, what Mom does not, the best for their child [ren]

I only took 149 pictures hee hee

Soon it begins

Family, Friends, Flowers, Food and FUN

OH YUMMMMMMMMMMM

Catching up on times past and times to come

some serious writing of helpful hints, or not to the Mom to be

What a range of beautiful colors

Some emotions show through, awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

A whirl wind of baby fashions

Mother - in - laws are always ready to be there

MORE BABIES

Gosh I just went to the grocery and all seemed well.

I had forgotten to get fixings for a quiche to go with the Home Made Leek Soup

and the roast for this evening!

When I got home Poppa Call Duck was acting concerned for his mate…

Needed to get George, the Wonder dog back inside first…

I came back out and saw Momma feverishly looking for her wee ones…

I could hear the peeping for her.

Upon closer inspection her babies were still in the raised bed, she had just gone

out to tell her mate about the kids. They really thought Mom talked WAY TOO

LONG, I am guessing. Once Mom got back into the bed and the nest, they scurried

over to get under wing [not underfoot, hee hee] she has several eggs un -hatched

and will take a few days to hatch any remaining eggs before she takes the family

out for their first walk.

This is why this raised flower bed is not cleaned out…

had to make room for Mom ;)

This time English Call ducks birthed Just TODAY

Whooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooooooo Click here for more Information about these really neat DUCKS! Soon I will get back to Egypt and my One Mile Camel Ride…but this is too precious not to share!

Hand/Homemade Gifts

For years I have made THINGS for people that are in our lives in a non family way.

~~

This all started when I was a kid...

The mail carrier

We live in a small town, so 6 more for all the workers at the Post Office, yup even

the cleaner upper person.

The garage mechanic, the sanitation workers

The people that I purchase gasoline from

My Florist and her staff

Friends at a couple of place I do business on a regular basis

Used to give to the children’s bus drivers…

Not money, NOPE, stuff made from hand/or by Hand

Cookies, all kinds

Soup in a jar already to add liquid…enuff for a family

Remember the Constant Comet TEA?

Spiced Tea Mix

One year I made all sorts of spices, all grown from our garden.

Another time canned veggies, like when we had a GLUT of green beans or applesauce

Still want to do infused vinegars and oils with the herbs etc from the garden,

maybe next year…Do have the bottles, bought 6 years ago on SALE

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO

Hot Cocoa Mix

Everyone will love sipping on this rich hot chocolate!

For a hot cocoa twist, try different flavored coffee creamer.

5 cups powdered milk

2 cups powdered coffee creamer

1 1/2 cups cocoa powder, sifted *

3 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup granulated sugar miniature marshmallows, optional

1. With a wire whisk, thoroughly mix dry ingredients together.

Stir in marshmallows.

Divide mix into containers.

2. Attach instructions to jar:

To use, fill mug one third full of cocoa mix and then stir in hot water.

* For a richer, darker cocoa mix, use Dutch cocoa.

Yields: 11 cups cocoa mix

Shades of Cub Scout days for sure!

This year something a tad different.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

1 Coffee Mug

4 tablespoons flour(that's plain flour, not self-rising)

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons baking cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) some nuts (optional)

Small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.

Add the egg and mixthoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high.

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!

(this can serve 2 if you want to share!)

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the

day or night!