A Look at Rye, New York

I so enjoyed my visit with my daughter and her family in Rye, New York. I have always loved that small, intimate town, so charming, so easy to get around in. Tall trees, rock outcroppings, flowers everywhere. You should visit there sometime. 

Me outside La Panetiere French restaurant. 

The streets lined with flags and flowers.

Square House, built in the early 1700s. Serves as a museum in present day.

The oak/acorns on the pebbly sidewalk

And, a one eyed monster of a tree. 

I am linking with Our World Tuesday

Special Lunches

I got settled in at Susan's, resting, reading, watching some tv, eating the yummiest Chinese food!! I can't get good Chinese where I live so this was extra special. The weather was nasty, rain, rain, rain. Plans we had were quickly abandoned. Surely the sun will come out soon.

Friday a friend (first a friend of Susan's but then she became my friend as well), a true Southern lady transported to Conn. of all places but she retains that southern charm and wit. I just love her. She invited us to her country club, Belle Haven, for a bit of lunch and for us to catch up on the latest gossip  news. We southern girls never gossip!! 

The club was a charming place. I loved this particular view. That water is Long Island Sound.

It seems I order chicken salad an awful lot. You just can't go wrong with that. But, I do try to experiment with different foods whenever I am in a new place. HOWEVER.... that curry chicken salad on the menu was very enticing.. so I ordered it. I was not sorry!

                                    Of course, we girls had to have our pictures taken before we left!! 

                                          Since I was the honored guest, I got to be in both of them!!
                                           Daughter Susan in top photo, friend Alease in bottom one.

                                                

Next day we went to lunch at the American Yacht Club with another of my young friends (borrowed from Susan). Again, a beautiful view and such fun. Andrea is so sweet and gentile. I just love her. So, talk over lunch was fun and entertaining. 

She suggested the Maine Lobster Roll. I've eaten lobster but never prepared like this so I am ready to try it. So happy I did. It was delicious. 

Just as we finished our meal, the rain stopped, the sun came out and we got an exciting view of New York City across Long Island Sound. A bit hazy but I was happy to get to see it. I love New York city. 

                                                   Other lovely views of our surroundings. 

                                                                              Of course, more pictures.

Sometimes it is just lunch that is the most special Little Thing that you are Thankful for. Please check out these too linkys to see other very interesting posts. 

A Wedding at Old First Church

Recently I saw a post over at The Frog and Penquinn, featuring Old First Church in Bennington, Vermont. Since that place held memories for me, I commented to Beatrice that I'd share something about the church on my next Memory Monday posts. So, here it is.....

It was July, 1989. Elbert and I had driven up from Alabama, stopping long enough in New York to pick up our daughter and her dress to head to her fiance's ski house on Stratton Mt. north of Bennington. There was going to be a wedding.

The big day arrived, hotter than usual for July. We noticed as guests arrived at the church that there was no air-conditioning. The church was built in 1805 and I guess they wanted to retain the old-fashioned charm.

 Limousines had been arranged for the wedding party... out of Albany, NY, some distance away. And, the driver of the one picking up the bride got lost! There we all are inside a rather warm church wondering where the bride is! 

Finally she arrived, absolutely beautiful, radiant. Of course, I'd say that! She's my daughter...but she was. Don't you agree?

The pastor was pretty impressed having a model from New York hold her wedding in his church. All her New York friends were there as well as from Africa, Australia and Sweden. The groom's Wall Street buddies were there as well. The Rev. was really enjoying all this. The ceremony began and he started to embellish on their chosen rites. After all, he had an audience... perhaps not so willing at this point. He droned on and on. Sweat began to trickle down our back and make our faces shiny.

Finally he pronounced them husband and wife and they headed down the aisle toward the entrance. We all were happy to get some fresh, cooler air.

The reception was held under a huge tent in the back yard at Hildene, Robert Todd Lincoln's home.

                  I am sure the staff there remembered that one for years to come.                                    
                                     New Yorkers do know how to party! 

The food was amazing and plentiful, the flowers so artfully arranged, the band played current music and the sunset over the mountains unbelievable. It was a day none of us will ever forget. 

A Little Bit of My Town

                                              I am enjoying living in Suffolk, Va.  

It suits my needs very nicely and I have made friends and have become familiar with shops, parks, my favorite ice cream store etc. 

I think it would be awful to live in a town you did not like. But, I've done it a time or two back in my husband's Navy days. 

The walking trail behind my apartment

A butterfly seat at the Cultural Arts Center

A statue at Cedar Hill Cemetery

A Professional building at the corner of Main and Washington

This 'thing' was outside a restaurant in the Harbor View area. I don't know what it is. Do you?

A Trip Of A Lifetime

Recently I began posting a memory of mine on Facebook every Monday Morning. My friends/family are enjoying reading my memories and one day I thought... "hey, maybe I will use that for my blog as well". So, here goes. 

Memory Monday....

Oh boy, we were an excited bunch of kids. The Walker County High School Band was going to Philadelphia to march in the American Legion Parade. We'd also be making stops in Washington, D. C. and New York City. Big time for most of us little country kids.

The band director got us our own private train car which would be pulled off to a side track while we did our thing in each city. Then we packed our bags and away we went.

Our first stop... Washington D. C. where we did some sightseeing. Our tour bus passed President Truman out for his morning walk. But, I couldn't get a picture. Yes, I was taking pictures even back then.

Then on to Philadelphia...It was August I think. I do remember it being very hot and our uniform jackets weren't made for summertime marching. People along the parade route would pass us paper cups of water so that we might have a drink as we marched.

Next... New York City. We stayed at the Governor Clinton Hotel, toured the Bronx zoo, some went to the top of the Empire State Building but those of us who weren't ready for such heights got to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. 

One night we were turned loose in the city. Imagine that!! But, we all made it safely back to the hotel.

It was a trip I will never forget. Thank you, Mr. Merck, wherever you are, for making that trip possible for us.

************NOTE: come back every Monday for another memory of mine!

Traveling Five

I have some photos floating around with no place to land!! So this Friday Five will be an assortment of 'stuff' today. 

1. I just love this flag hanging outside a barbeque place that we had lunch at in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

2. This building is west of Richmond, Virginia. I don't know what it is but I find it fascinating. 

3.Cypress knees growing in the Great Dismal Swamp in Virginia. 

4. Redstone Arnenal in Huntsville, Alabama

5. Here I am, resting a bit, in the Butterfly House at the Botanical Gardens, Huntsville, Alabama

As you can tell, these five were made on trips I have taken recently. Hope I didn't wear you out. We did cover a few states!! 

My Church

Some people attend church,
                                                   some do not.
                                                                             Each person must chose for themselves.

I have been a church-goer most of my life and still attend church regularly. I thought I'd share my church with the folks over at My Town Shootout and Inspired Sunday

Suffolk Christian Church

One set of the organ pipes

We have great fellowship... and some good cooks. 

The children are a big part of our church

Each day on the hour the bells in the tower play hymns. 

I love to come out of the service to hear those beautiful notes wafting across our town. 

Barbeque

I was out shopping the other day. My tummy started whining... It's lunch, it said and since I was just doors from That Good BBQ I knew that is where I was headed. My tummy knows good barbeque. 

It's the neatest little place and the owner is so friendly and helpful. Last year they won a best barbeque award and I see why. 

I am linking with My Town Shootout today and want to share this fabulous place with you. I wish you had it near your house. 

This is a sampling of all their good food. Up front and center is the brisket. Oh my... I love it. Front and right is their pulled chicken and front and left is pulled pork. Directly behind the brisket is a barbeque rib. From the left, cheese and mac, baked beans, banana pudding, coleslaw and potato salad. Every bit of it is excellent. 

Just a bit of their unique decor. Love the pledge to the flag plaque. and there is actually a hole in the wall (I think it's where some duct is running through but how cute to announce it!!

One wall has a collection of state tags. I didn't take pics of it all. Wish I had now. But, if you are ever in Suffolk, Virginia... go by this place with an empty tummy. You won't leave that way!!