Saturday, May 18, 2013

House Hunting

Welcome to Applejack Lane.  Cathy has done a little house hunting recently.  Here is one possibility for a new nest.
Entrance...
Living room ...
An interesting ceiling fan...

Small dining area with French  doors...
Compact kitchen...
Nice refrigerator...
Hallway with laundry and kitchen pantry...
Master bedroom...

Bathroom number one...
Bedroom number two...
Bedroom number three...
Bath number two...
 Storage shed...
Very clean little place and lots of room in the back for Kahlo!
Lots to think about!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Hair Appointment

Today is the day I have been waiting for all spring!   I made an appointment to give my plants a much needed haircut! Oh, I feel better already!


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

In the Lane, Snow Is Glistenin'!

We had a a bit of snow last night and today at Applejack Lane.

Our snowman flag may have been a bad omen...

We registered about 16 inches...
 
The bird bath overfloweth...
The sundial registers no sun...
 
 The dogwood tree is surrounded by a heavy snow blanket...
Mounds of snow cover holly and laurel bushes...
An apple tree branch or two didn't make it....
Kahlo was in his element...
 And an Easter egg wreath decks the door...
It seems to have subsided for a while. In fact, the sun is peeping out.   The wind has knocked a lot of snow from tree branches, and we can see bare pavement and sidewalks. Thanks to our farm neighbor Scott, hubby didn't have to get the snow blower out this time.  The power and cable periodically blink on and off, but we are snug and cozy this evening at Applejack Lane.




Sunday, February 10, 2013

Miss E's Mickey Mouse Birthday Party!

Last night we were invited to a very special event-Miss E's Mickey Mouse Birthday Party ...

Starring Miss E!...
I arrived in my ears...
And found Miss E and her brother all ready for the festivities...
 Hot Diggity Dog!  Special balloons and banners decorated the house...
                     



I made Miss E a hair bow that just happened to match her beautiful polka dot and heart dress for the special occasion...

Miss E enjoys a special musical greeting from Winnie the Pooh..
And Mickey Mouse himself... 
Miss E unwraps all kinds of presents...
And brother thinks up ways to use the ribbons...
Brother even gets a new book that he can read to Miss E at bedtime...
The Mickey Mouse party had lots of  special goodies...
And Miss E's mom did a spectacular job on the Mickey Mouse cake ...
A bite of cake make this Mickey Mouse birthday party official...

Happy 3rd Birthday Miss E!







Sunday, January 20, 2013

Birthday Bash at the Brewery

Saturday was Mr. Applejack Lane's birthday.  Since Saturday is his normal day to golf, we chose to take him on a birthday excursion as soon as he came home as he is usually starved from being out all day.  And as in the past, we do not tell him where his birthday destination will be.  It is just get in the car and go.

This year's dinner site was the Blue Mountain Brewery or BMB as the locals call it. Blue Mountain Brewery is in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, located in neighboring Nelson County near the crossroads of the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive.   The brewery site also happens to be in the midst of Virginia’s finest wine region, known as “The Monticello Wine Trail”, between several of Virginia’s premier destination vineyards. It takes us about 30 minutes of driving time and we arrived late afternoon on this beautiful sun lit day in January .
The parking lots were packed.  People were milling around the grounds, sitting on the patios, enjoying what was left of the sunny afternoon.  I wished we could have come earlier to have an outdoor respite ourselves.
Inside, the place was really hopping.  My son tells me Saturday and Sunday are like this all the time.  But he is a regular patron there so we had no difficulty getting a table. It sort of reminded me of Cheers where everybody knows your name.  At least the staff knew his name. 
Most breweries have a sampler and this is BMB's tasting.  My son recommends The Full Nelson, named in honor of the county. 
Here's the birthday boy...
We all ordered something different. but here is the Chicken Parmesan pizza after a few guest tore into it.  I should have gotten a picture before it was dissected.  The presentation was beautiful.  Pizza is a specialty at the BMB.  Just about every table around us had at least one along with other entrees.  We enjoyed various burgers, Cuban sandwiches, and salads with all dressings made in house.  The chipolata ranch was excellent.


The restaurant has co-oped with local farmers to supply the hops and other ingredients for the beers as well as provide what is seasonally feasible for the food that is served.  One local establishment supplies the breads used for sandwiches.  This is a great boon for the economy of Nelson county.

The ladies in the party can't wait to go back and enjoy that terraced patio on a warm spring day. Blue Mountain Brewery is a place for friends, family, and those of us who enjoy the natural beauty of the Virginia countryside.
  Happy Birthday, Mr. Applejack!

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Sweet Corn Muffins

When I was a kid, I hated cornbread.  It just tasted blah.  Enter my friend Valerie with a birthday present.
A cast iron muffin pan...
With the muffin pan, she was obligated to give me a recipe for corn muffins that I would find delicious.  She did, and it was.  Here it is...

Sweet Corn Muffins*
1 cups flour
1/2  cup corn meal
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2/3 cup sugar
4 large eggs
2 T. honey
12 T. melted butter

Combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl.  
In a larger bowl, combine the sugar and eggs, mixing well.
Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, blending well.
Add the honey and melted butter.
Let sit in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
Spoon into an iron pan and bake until golden brown about 10 minutes.
May add green chilies, bacon, or cheddar cheese to give a variety of flavors.
Makes about 12 small muffins.


*This is the perfect recipe to half.  I cut back on the amount of sugar and butter.  Also, we were in a rush to eat so I did not refrigerate for 4 hours. 
On a cold night with a hot bowl of soup, what could be better?
 Until next time...
Joan from Applejack Lane

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Happy Birthday to the Grotts!

I just can't believe that Ben and Meredith are celebrating their 12th and 10th birthdays this week.  How time flies especially when I thought they were 11 and 9!  I missed a whole year of birthdays for them.  Wishing both a very happy day from Applejack Lane!
Ben and Meredith