Momma in Focus: Patriotic

Sammy and I spent our fourth of July weekend visiting some local historic sites that have been on my northern Virginia bucket list of places to go before we make the big move to Texas later this summer. Here we are in all of our sweaty glory while on our hike around Government Island:

While it may not completely fit the letter of the theme, we were walking along the same paths that workmen once traversed while excavating the very stones originally used to construct the White House and the Capitol Building.  It's a stretch, but it's good enough for me!

Be sure to check out the other lovely photos this week by clicking below

--and don't forget to show Casey some love.

A colonial church visit

Located a few miles north of Government Island off of Route 1 is the historic Aquia Episcopal Church, which was constructed of brick and Aquia sandstone in the mid-eighteenth century.  I've always wanted to visit the site, having read about it in my years of working as a researcher at the antiques gallery in Alexandria.  It's possible to make arrangements to tour the interior of the church, which remains much as how it originally appeared after it was first constructed, including a highly unusual three-tiered pulpit, but since this was a visit on a whim, Sammy and I had to make do with stroll around the grounds.

Inscribed on the Aquia sandstone pediment surmounting the side entrance is a brief history of the building: "Built/AD 1751 Destroyed/By Fire 1754 & Rebuilt AD 1757/By Mourning Richards, Undertaker/William Copein, Mason."

The cemetery was filled with tombstones dating back to the seventeenth century; sadly many of the older examples had been made with the eponymous Aquia sandstone, which does not hold up well to the elements (which is why the quarry eventually went into decline) and had all but deteriorated to the point of complete illegibility.

While the text may have vanished, the carved decorative elements were still strong on some of them; this worn and weathered angel can be found on the grave of Reverend Alexander Scott, who died in 1738.

Wordless{ish} Wednesday: Get quarried away

{Sammy and I took a little trip back in time to the eighteenth century on Sunday; we headed off to the newly-opened Government Island, which was the location of the historic Aquia sandstone quarry.  The site's close proximity and the sandstone's easy carving ability led to the rock being chosen as the primary building material for many architecturally significant structures throughout northern Virginia as well as the nation's capital.  The quarry is now a park preserve and features a 1 1/2 mile hiking trail that circles the island, which is accessible by a long and winding boardwalk that crosses the tidal creeks.}

{The rock faces in the quarry still bear the scars left by the laborers who worked there centuries ago.}

{This large stone, which bears the initials, "R. S.," served as one of stone mason Robert Steuart's boundary markers.  Steuart, who was originally from Baltimore, purchased a one-acre parcel on the island in 1786.}

{The scenery on the island was lush and gorgeous; every now and then a squirrel would dart across the trail while dragonflies flitted lazily about. The trees towered above us, providing us with some shady respite from the 92-degree heat. It truly was a beautiful place--if you ever happen to find yourself in Stafford County and have some time to kill, be sure to stop and check it out.}

Getting glad

Saturday afternoon found Sammy and me in Fredericksburg, Virginia, visiting my friend Meghan.  It was a rather last minute visit, but a fun one nonetheless.  Meghan still had her kiddie pool set up from her nephew's visit the weekend before, so I stripped Sammy down to his birthday suit and let him have some fun.  Meghan brought out some gladware for Sammy to play with and it was like Christmas in July as far as Sammy was concerned:

Rockets' Red Glare

Sometimes it really pays off to live across the street from a minor league baseball team; after I put Sammy down for the night on Saturday, I was treated to a little sneak preview of what to expect at this evening's festivities:

Best wishes to everyone for a happy fourth of July!

Foto Friday: Red, white and/or blue

Sammy would like to introduce you to Mister Kitty, Jr. (Mister Kitty, Sr., is a giant pink corduroy cat who spends most of his time lounging in Sammy's crib.)  This polka-dotted feline friend was discovered on our trip to Philadelphia this spring and has been by Sammy's side ever since.

Recently, Sammy has started carrying Mister Kitty around from room to room, stopping every now and then to squeeze and cuddle him while saying, "kitty," over and over again.  (I think Sandy is relieved to have a brief respite from Sammy's affections.)  I'm in danger of a cute overload whenever Sammy does this.

Be sure to check out the other lovely photos this week by clicking below; 

have a great Fourth of July weekend everyone!

Momma in Focus: Water

Once again I managed to deviate from the Momma in Focus prompt, but it's all good because I have a pretty awesome picture to share with all of you this week:

Our first real family portrait in almost a year!  I can't wait until Captain Husband returns and then we can go about normal family activities, like posing for family Christmas portraits together.  Maybe by then I'll figure out what to do with my hot mess of a hairstyle.

Be sure to check out the other lovely photos this week by clicking below

--and don't forget to show Casey some love.