My family and I spent the holiday weekend in Colonial Williamsburg.
The weather on Thanksgiving Day was absolutely superb. We got up early, and were walking down Duke of Gloucester Street by 10 AM!
We had such a good time taking in the sites.
I might have fallen in love with every house I saw...
But can you blame me?
On top of the houses, we had an excellent time observing the different tradesmen and women in action.
Our first stop was the weaver.
They showed us a variety of spinning and weaving techniques...
Along with a myriad of wheels and looms!
Further down the road we saw the Wythe House. I just loved this house!!
Across the road, we visited the Founder and Gunsmith.
While the tools for this job we a little more abstract to me...
The the fruits of their labor was quite familiar!
A couple blocks further down Duke of Gloucester Street we saw the Courthouse, originally completed in 1771.
A couple of blocks further, we had the chance to visit the Margaret Hunter Shop.
This tailor and milliner was really interesting- I really liked looking at the clothing!
The wigmaker's shop was especially interesting- when we visited, one woman was creating a wig while the other was styling one... it was great!
When we visited the apothecary, it took all my might not to jump the counter and grab a few of these jars.
And I suppose the chemist might have stopped me.
But boy, I sure love those containers!
On our visit to the printer's shop, my brother reminded me of a tidbit he had learned before I arrived. During colonial times, the printer kept the capitol letters in the top case, while the rest of the letters were kept in the bottom case... ergo,
Uppercase letters and
Lowercase letters.
I hadn't heard that before, and was duly impressed!
In front of the town Magazine was Market Square. We had fun checking out all the wares- from baskets and hats...
To fifes and drums!
After a wonderful afternoon spent wandering around Williamsburg, my family headed to our Thanksgiving dinner at
Dudley's Farmhouse Grille in Toano, VA.
We started our wonderful meal with soup and salads- either the seasonal mixed greens, spiced pecans, dried cranberries, and shaved Parmesan Reggiano, with house balsamic vinaigrette...
The classic wedge of iceberg lettuce, served with house balsamic vinaigrette and crispy bacon pieces.
Or the crab bisque.
For an entree, my brother ordered the special of the day: a traditional turkey dinner...
My dad had the boneless breast of chicken stuffed with Portobello mushrooms, spinach, goat cheese, and sundried tomatoes with demi glace...
My mom went with Dudley’s steak au poivre: peppered New York strip steak served with a green peppercorn and cognac demi glace...
And I rounded out the evening with pan-seared black Berkshire pork tenderloin served with a mustard, cream, white wine, and chive sauce... SCRUMPTIOUS!
It sure was a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner! Thank you for joining me on our afternoon stroll through Colonial Williamsburg and holiday meal- I hope you have a great Tuesday!
And boy did we have a good time checking out the wreaths! Almost every building in Colonial Williamsburg had a unique, handmade wreath- and we took pictures of quite a few.
While some wreaths were made of natural elements, others spoke to the trade or wares that were available behind the door. For example, check out the wreath at the weaver's shop:
Some of the decorations were simple...
While others were a little more ornate!
Don't you love the color scheme on this one?
The dried slices of persimmon were so different!
What do you think about this one?
I just love those mini-pineapples!
This one incorporated quite a lot of items...
See the dried artichokes?
Or what about the lotus seed pods?
Not all the wreaths were circular in shape.
And some incorporated just a few items!
This one had fresh pomegranates and bittersweet berries... the simple color scheme looked so festive against the white double doors!
This wreath hung in front of a tavern- don't you love the pewter steins?
Being from the North, our family was especially enamored with the magnolia leaves- they're so shiny!
This one incorporated all sorts of dried flowers and plants:
Can you guess what door these hung on?
The music shop, of course!
Clearly, this was one of my favorites!
I also have to draw your attention to the dried oranges... aren't they snazzy with the slits up the sides?
I never would have thought of it, but there were quite a few red peppers woven into some wreaths.
Another popular item were the lady apples... they're so precious!
I really liked this square one, especially with all the sprigs of lavender!
Could you tell that this wreath hung in front of the tailor's shop?
I think the fabric fruit was probably a giveaway!
I thought it was especially appropriate that the wigmaker's wreath Incorporated ostrich feathers... fancy!
And I bet you've never seen moss and lichen look so pretty!
Don't you love that texture? And the different shades of green were so lovely!
I could have taken photos of wreaths all day...
They were all so unique and interesting!
Wouldn't it have been fun to create those decorations every year?
I can't think of anything better! (Oh- and see the clam shells in this one?)
Each of the wreaths were wonderful, but together they make quite a masterpiece!
Thank you for visiting my blog- I hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday!
