Booker T. Washington National Monument - Hardy, VA

Today, sister and I went on a day trip to Hardy, VA to the Booker T. Washington National Monument, which is part of the National Park Service.

This is the location of his boyhood home on the Burroughs plantation.  All buildings on site are reconstructions.  

From past experiences, the National Parks that are kind of off the beaten path do not have restaurants near by, so it is best to bring a picnic lunch, which is what we did. 

We arrived a little before noon, and there are several picnic tables in a wooded section over looking the Visitor Center. 

 

 

The Visitor Center

Another Virginia stamp

 

The Visitor Center has a short film, but we chose to see that after we walked the 1 1/2 mile Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail around the property.  

The view of the garden from the Visitor Center

Honeysuckle

Recreations of the smokehouse (L) and the Kitchen Cabin (R)

 

 

 

Heirloom Garden

Burroughs House Site

Inside the "kitchen cabin" where Booker lived

Rosemary plant

Lamb's Ear

When there is a tree stump to use for a tripod, you take a picture.

We were not slackers today; no short cuts

The Jack-O-Lantern Trail connects with the Plantation Trail loop which circles back to the Visitor Center.

 

Farm animals on the property

Horse barn

On the way home, we stopped for ice cream at Homestead Creamery on Booker T. Washington Hwy.

 

I got Apple Pie

J. got Espresso Chocolate Chip

National Strawberry Month

Strawberry season is upon us in North Carolina, so sister and I went yesterday to OL Farms in Lexington to pick strawberries.

This is a small, family-run operation.  Prices are U-pick $14 / gallon, and Pre-Picked $16 / gallon; cash only. 

One of the two flats of berries that came home with us

In this post I will be sharing pictures of the ways we use the strawberries.

Strawberries with scones and tea

Cooked oatmeal with strawberries and flax seed

Strawberry pie

Strawberry Crumble

Strawberry Bundt cake on Mother's Day

Strawberry, blackberry, apple, banana, coconut flakes, mint leaves, plain yogurt, chia seeds, and flax seed smoothie

Waffles with strawberries, fresh basil and rosemary

Blackberry, and strawberry patriotic pie

Strawberry Mascarpone cake

 

 

Spring at Reynolda, Winston-Salem, NC - March, 28 2023

 

 

SPRING, my favorite time of year!  Yes, this requires a Winston-Salem day trip to Reynolda before the tulips die, and the redbud fades away.  Yesterday was perfect; daffodils, tulips, redbud, and dogwood were all bursting with color.   

After a few errands on the south side of Winston-Salem, sister and I drove over to Reynolda Village and the House Gardens.  

For some time now, I have wanted to eat at May Way Dumplings in the Village, so that's where we had lunch.  This take-out style restaurant is very small, and busy. 

I looked extensively at their menu before hand, and pretty much knew what I wanted.  The fried dumplings come 6 to an order, so we got one chicken dumplings and one pork, as well as two hot veggie buns. It's hard to tell the size of the food from pictures. My guess is the dumplings are 2" - 2 1/2" (two bites), and the hot buns are maybe 4"- 5".  They are served with sauce, and very good. I would like to try more of their menu items. 

There is no indoor seating.  However, there are two tables outside on the sidewalk, but since they were taken, we ended up eating in the courtyard behind the restaurant.

 

I have not mastered chopsticks, but my sister has!

     

Map of Reynolda Village

 

Landscape tulips in the village.   

Interesting tulip variety

The Garden entrance.

I was going to have my picture taken on this bench, but the bumble bees decided they loved this tree!

So I chose this one instead.

Happy to see the dogwood blooming.

NC state flower

To continue our Asian food intake, we went to Tiger Tea on Silas Creek Parkway.  I've heard about bubble tea, but have never tasted, and wanted to try it.  I got the Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea, and sister got something else.  Mine was very good.