Images of Virginia Beach 2016

It's just over a week since I returned from my annual visit to see my friend, Laura, who lives in Virginia Beach.

It's always a special time for me...to visit with my friend. We first met at the local pool club when my son, Aaron and her son Nathan were babies. The two of us became close friends. I recently found photos from when Aaron and Nate were just under a year old. I also found some of the poetry that I wrote when Laura and I had regular writing get-togethers. Guess what I'm trying to say...is that my friendship with Laura runs deep.

During my visit, we spent lots of time outdoors on nature walks and cooling off in the ocean and the bay.

I got to admire Laura's flower garden...

And, of course, had the annual tour of Brian's vegetable garden.

These yellow tomatoes were SO sweet!

I enjoyed lots of yummy vegetable meals (and also some delicious meals out).

Sign on wall at the restaurant.

On the last full day of my visit, Laura and I spent some time printing fabrics. I can't believe that I didn't take any photos! She worked on a piece with printed trees that looked like hands that were lifting up a creature that was fish-like (again...how did I NOT take a photo of this!). She also started on a piece about her grandmother using lots of green (her grandmother's favorite color) and printing with Hibiscus...a favorite flower. I got involved in making another cloth book. I spent time printing the "edges" of things.

Laura and Lucy

On the last evening (at sunset), we went down to the ocean beach for a swim and a last walk...though Lucy, the dog had other plans...running off and greeting everyone on the beach!

Here are a few other things I want to remember...
--Cracking and eating my first crabs (I'm a lobster girl remember) at a surprise birthday party (for one of Laura's friends)
--Gorging on the most amazing home-made ice cream cake (I need that recipe).
--Riding bicycles with Laura and Brian at dusk.
--Watching a watermelon deflate (yes...that was an experience! It was rotting from the inside (unknown to us) and had a very slow leak. Laura inspected it...put it back down on the counter and then I watched it quickly deflate, leaking all over the place!)

Thank you my dearest friend!

Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore

Relaxing on the dock at Bay View.

It's hard for me to believe that a week ago I was walking on beaches, swimming in the ocean and just having an all-around fabulous time with my friend, Laura B.!

Here are some highlights before too much time passes...

This year we decided to take a trip to the Eastern Shore of Virginia...which requires a journey over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. This curious crossing consists of 20 miles of alternating spans of bridge and tunnels that dive under the Bay. If you want to "experience" crossing over the Bridge-Tunnel...here is a YouTube video.

We drove up to Onancock for the late afternoon and had an early dinner (seafood, of course!) there at Mallards.

After a "long and winding" detour through the back roads we finally arrived at our destination for the night, Bay View Waterfront Bed and Breakfast in Belle Haven. We made it just in time for sunset. I loved the narrow dock that went out into the water and had a bench to sit on at the end. Great views of the water and sky!

Bay View Waterfront B & B.

The dock at sunset

Beautiful cloud formations...little did we know that a big storm would arrive a couple of hours later.

In the evening, Laura and I worked on our "story/healing" cloths that we'd started in the morning. Here's mine. Laura took the various pieces of hers apart before I had a chance to photograph. So...hoping that she will send me a photo when it's further along.

My cloth of the sunset.

Next morning we had a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit with yogurt and Eggs Benedict. Since we were the only guests, we spent a pleasant time chatting with the owner, Mary Will Browning. The inside of the B & B is filled with family treasures, portraits and stitched samplers. Very homey!

Laura went kayaking. I'd hoped to do the same but my tendonitis flared up so instead I spent the morning walking the grounds and taking photos. Also enjoyed some meditative moments on that bench on the end of the pier.

The afternoon we spent in Cape Charles visiting shops and galleries and walking on the soft white sands of their local beach.

Thanks, Laura for this sweet gift. A mermaid dish by a local artist.

We arrived back in Virginia Beach for some delicious veggies from Brian's garden. Laura is certainly a magician with those fresh veggies!!

Thanks, dear friend, for another wonderful getaway!

Virginia Beach Getaway Part I

The sun setting on my final night. Just a quick walk down the street from Laura and Brian's.

Last weekend, I made my annual trek to Virginia Beach to visit my good friend, Laura.

Laura and Brian's is my home away from home. Whenever I visit I know I'll have good times, good talks, nature walks and get the chance to dip my toes (and this time, my whole self) into the ocean and/or bay.

American Lotus flowers from the Crezia Covington Reed Lotus Garden. An amazing sight and one worthy of its own post...stay tuned!

While on a five mile trek in the local park discovered this little guy.

I also get to check out Brian's vegetable garden. Each year it gets a bit larger and more impressive. I love getting a tour from the head gardener himself!

Brian in his ever-impressive vegetable garden.

Corn silk. Brian described the sex life of a corn plant...really pretty fascinating!

One of this year's tomato varieties sounded a lot like my name. Here I am posing with my tomatoes.

Laura always cooks up something delicious using some of the garden veggies. This time, it was a dish featuring roasted eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and garlic with raisins, cinnamon and a dash of hot pepper. YUM!!

Eggplants from Brian's garden before being chopped up for a delicious dish.

I had a special companion traveling with me this trip. I brought along, Bedeliah Boop (Betty's favorite aunt). I made Bedeliah over 20 years ago when I first started making dolls. The pattern I used was designed by my friend, Andrea Perkins. Bedeliah was one of a few dolls in which I completely stitched the face, in this case using stem and satin stitches. I remember her being a favorite of Laura's from years back (Laura even wrote a poem about her). I decided that it was time for Bedeliah to retire and in no better place than Virginia Beach with Laura!

Bedeliah posing with a bouquet from Laura's flower garden.

Close-up of Bedeliah's face...all hand stitched!

Thanks dear friend for inviting me to visit and being such a warm and wonderful host!