First full mowing of 2013

No, today was not my first mowing day of the year.  The picture above was taken on April 24, which is probably the latest I've pushed off mowing since we moved here in 2007.  I don't recall when we started mowing in 2008, but 2009 was kicked off on April 22, which was my previous latest start.  My post from March 26 this year showed how winter tenaciously hung on this year, and at that time I thought I may be able to push the mowing off until May.  Alas, maybe next year.

Corn in the backyard 2013, week 1

May 26

I first noticed plants poking through the ground last Monday (May 20) after they'd been planted less than a week before. Although everyone is getting a later start this year than last year, rainfall has been good but not overwhelming, and temperatures are warm enough to generate growth in most of the fields around us.  The plant shown above was 4 inches tall when the photo was taken, and we plan to give it plenty of attention this summer.

Colonial Williamsburg 2013, Day 6

Our last day in Colonial Williamsburg on each trip is always bittersweet, and this visit was no different.  That did not prevent us from cramming as much into our day as possible, so here are a few highlights.

We started the day at the Powell House, which is popular for the 18th century games and activities available in several rooms. Tara was familiar with mancala and is instructing Lily in this shot.

Meanwhile, Karen and Gretel took up a game of checkers.

Our visit to the printing shop included an explanation of this set of cases that hold the cast metal sorts that are combined as movable type to print documents. I don't think I ever noticed before, but the capital letters are in the upper case and the smaller letters are in the lower case.  Get it?  Upper case and lower case.  I guess I'm easily amused.

Our afternoon included a tour of Bassett Hall which was once the Williamsburg home John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. I've shown some pictures from this house in at least one previous post, but the house has several interesting features that warrant further consideration.  The room shown above is the master bedchamber decorated with some of the Rockefeller's favorite art and figurines.

The early flowers were blooming in the backyard to make for a pleasant (but hot) garden tour.

Next stop: the George Wythe House.

I don't recall if I've ever shared an image of the dining room in the Wythe House, but it is certainly eye-catching!  Even though it may not be my favorite decorating scheme, it has a tasteful charm that kind of grows on you.

Proof positive that Tara got a chance to play the reproduction harpsichord in the cabinetmaker's shop.

This little outbuilding caught my eye and reminded me of the playhouse I built several years ago for my daughters.  Not that our playhouse shared a lot of features with this building other than approximate size and proportion.

As the afternoon winds down and we realize these are our last moments on Duke of Gloucester Street for this trip, we can't pass up the opportunity for a fashionable shot of our lovely young ladies.  These memories will have to suffice until we can return again to Colonial Williamsburg.