Tag Archives: Virginia

Monthly Photo Challenge: The Changing Seasons: April

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

Each month, those of us participating in this photo challenge return to our chosen location to note the passage of time through “The Changing Seasons.” I’ve chosen to document a year around my old house and gardens. Phew. April has been one labor-intensive … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Garden, The Barn | Tagged #monthlyphotochallenge #thechangingseasons, april, heuchera, longwood gardens, monthlychallenge, the changing seasons, Virginia, west highland white terrier, westies | 96 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Wall: Street Art

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

The theme for this week’s photo challenge is “Wall.” When traveling, I like to take pictures of the particular city’s street art or murals. It’s possible to capture a bit of the flavor of a new locale through how its walls are adorned. Sorry … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Challenges, Travel | Tagged Maine, murals, new york, Portland, poughkeepsie, Richmond, street art, travel, trompe l'oeil, Virginia, weekly challenge | 92 Comments

The Old House Whispers

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

The old house had long been a mystery to me. I discovered it while walking in a state-owned wildlife refuge just around the corner from my own old house. I turned a corner and there it sat, overgrown with vines and saplings and peering out … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Random Ruminations | Tagged antebellum, frances benjamin johnston, plantation, Ruins, slavery, vintage photos, Virginia, wedding photos | 179 Comments

Freezing in Florida

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

The only difference between this post and being trapped at somebody’s house as they whip out their laptop to regale you with vacation pictures is that here you have the option to move on. But I will attempt to lure you … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, History, Humor, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged flagler college, florida, lightner museum, plumbing, st. augustine, Virginia, winter | 135 Comments

Monthly Photo Challenge: Ice in the Wheelbarrow

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” we like to complain during Virginia’s steamy, sultry summers. Well, it’s February and “it’s not the cold, it’s the wind.” It’s cold all right, but it’s the biting, bitter cold gales that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Garden, The Barn | Tagged bird nest, concrete menagerie, Garden, garden ornaments, hydrangea, monthly photo challenge, oak trees, parterre, the changing seasons, Virginia, winter | 124 Comments

Fitbit Reality Check

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

When The Bossy One recently suggested I get a Fitbit to track my activity level, I thought it seemed a good idea. I’ve learned to follow her “suggestions” having learned a long time ago that she’s right about most things. Bossy, but right. Over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Humor, Random Ruminations | Tagged 10000 steps, belle isle, civil war, exercise, fitbit, fitness, hiking, James River, little sisters, Max, Richmond, Virginia, walking, west highland white terrier | 160 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Serenity: Gone Hollywood

Posted on January 17, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

I have a love affair with a cemetery. Hollywood Cemetery is the jewel in Richmond’s crown. Were you to visit just one site in our city to capture its essence, it would have to be here, I think. Sitting high on … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, History | Tagged civil war, hollywood cemetery, James Monroe, James River, Jefferson Davis, John Tyler, National Register of Historic Places, Richmond, Virginia | 102 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: New

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Silver in the Barn

Patience is a virtue, we gardeners remind ourselves. Nothing tests that quality like the installation of a new garden: Taking on a one-hundred year old house means learning to love renovations. Or at least accept them. The challenge is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Garden, Projects | Tagged brick, Garden, hardscape, masonry, parterre, porch, Rosedon, roses, tuteurs, Virginia, weekly challenge | 127 Comments

Holiday Wreath Challenge

Posted on December 13, 2014 by Silver in the Barn

The minimalist in me might have been perfectly satisfied with this: But she was beaten into submission by the other part of me – you know, the one who raises her hand to participate in a wreath-making challenge. The Charming Woodland … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenges, Garden, Projects | Tagged christmas, crafting, della robbia, grand illumination, holiday wreath challenge, magnolia, nandina, Richmond, Virginia, williamsburg, wreath | 107 Comments

50 States of Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Silver in the Barn

Well, what do we think of the recent New York Times article on Thanksgiving dishes evocative of our fifty states? I don’t know….they seemed to be somewhat on track with the two states I’ve lived in as an adult, but they really went off … Continue reading →