My surprise...

Hi folks! I guess you've been wondering where I've been...well the name above says it all. I have to say, my hubby really outdid himself! I mentioned in my last post that DH was planning a surprise. BOY did he!! Surprise me, that is!

First off though, I have to start with our little trip in the spring. We decided one night that we would take a long weekend and visit Virginia and Monticello and a few other places. Well we decided too late to get in on some of the better tours of Monticello and so I lamented on the way home that I would have liked to see the behind the scenes tour. The very next week, DH made plans and made reservations, and planned this surprise back in April! You have to know my husband, he's terrible at keeping surprises, but he did indeed keep this one until we left last week.

What gave him the idea is a picture that was in our hotel room in Charlottesville. There was a picture of a waterfall (he knows I LOVE waterfalls) and he asked where it was. He googled it when he got home and found it was near Steele's Tavern, Virginia. It was called Crabtree Falls. He then googled bed and breakfasts near that area and came up with the Osceola Mill. I HAVE to rave about this place! Not only were the rooms lovely, the setting peaceful and quiet, but the owner made things just lovely for us! We had the place to ourselves for the first three nights, and we were treated like royalty. The food was AMAZING, and we enjoyed our stay so much we've decided we'll go back if we ever get the chance. (And we HAVE to, because again, I didn't get to see everything there that I wanted to.)

Did I mention the breakfasts were amazing? They even put rose petals on our plates the first morning!

Did I mention we had a hummingbird visit each morning while we ate breakfast?

So...what did we do? Well we made a mad dash back to Monticello for the behind the scenes tour (we got to see the dome room, and a few other rooms that you don't see on the regular tour). I'm only posting this one picture, as this was the only room we could take pictures of.

We hiked part way up crabtree falls. Just to let you know, this is professed to be the longest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi. I believe it, it's a 2 mile hike to the top. I want to go back when I have more stamina and really make it to the top. I was only able to make it partway up before I ran out of water and energy. Here are a few pictures of it on the way up, not to mention the hike we had to take...it's called a "moderate" hike.



The butterflies we saw along the way were all amazing!!!


We visited Woodrow Wilson's birthplace in Staunton, Virginia. No pictures were allowed inside either, but they would let us take pictures of his Pierce Arrow (how would you like THAT as your presidential limo?)



We drove along the Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway, both celebrating their 75th anniversary this year.



How do you like my hair now? Did I mention it's growing in curly? I've always had arrow straight hair...what a difference! LOL


We stopped to hike up to wigwam falls, just a short little hike but well worth it for the view!


On the way home we stopped at James Madison's home near Orange, Virginia.


We did a few other things on our trip, but sadly, no stitching. So today, I tried to make up for my naughtiness by stitching on my UFO today. I didn't get far, but at least there is some progress.


I did stitch on a biscornu for an exchange but no pictures as it's not together yet AND hasn't been sent to my partner yet...but as soon as I get an address and the right button, it will be in the mail and winging it's way on to it's new home.

Other news...I'm still babying my arm and getting some workout at physical therapy. I hope I can clear things up before we head off again. We're heading north soon to see our mothers. It's been a while since we've been able to get out of town.

DS has a wonderful time on his trip to Louisville Kentucky. Next week he'll be headed to Daytona Beach for Big Stuff, another Christian youth gathering. What a lucky guy he is!

Ok, off to try and get a little more stitching done before I head to bed. We have a busy weekend planned. Thanks for stopping by...*Hugs*