Picnic in the Park

...in the Home, I mean.

T's lunch today had a picnic theme.

• picnic basket = sandwich with pretzel sticks on top for a "wicker" look (Each handle has a small, yellow sprinkle for the brad that attaches it to the basket.)
• tablecloth = graham cracker with vanilla frosting and Fruit by the Foot cut into small squares for a "checkerboard" look
• ants on a log (and off!) = raisins and a pretzel rod
• sun = orange slices
• lemonade

Check out some other picnic-themed meals....

I'm also linking to Muffin Tin Mom.

Firecrackers on the 4th

...sort of!

We were out of town last week, so I wasn't able to make an Independence Day meal for T.  (~Forget trying to do it before we left!!)  Hence, I made the meal today for T's lunch.

• firecracker-shaped sandwiches with Twizzlers Pull 'n' Peel candy for the wick and star-shaped marshmallows for the "burn"
• stars Goldfish Space Adventures crackers
• applesauce with jumbo stars sprinkles
• mini cupcake with vanilla frosting and a flag icing decoration

He went for the cupcake first.  ~He's a smart one!  ;o)

Check out some other muffin tin meals....

Linked to:
   Bent On Better Lunches

Christmas in July

aka Colonial Williamsburg, Part 3b

Inside the Greenhow Store, jars full of 18th-century-style candy and a display of cinnamon sticks greet visitors.

As we were wandering through the store, my mom picked up an old-fashioned candle holder and asked me, "What's this...a doughnut maker??"  That struck me as so funny, that I turned around and said to my dad, "Mom thought this was a doughnut maker!"  However, as soon as I had spoken, I realized it wasn't my dad standing there...it was Santa!

We had a nice conversation.  I told him how less than an hour earlier, T had pointed to a fireplace in a building we were touring and said "chimney, Santa, Barney" (thinking of a Barney Christmas VHS movie we have at home, which he watches year-round).

Don't you know that that sweet, kind Santa went outside where T was sitting and sat down next to him so I could take a picture?  He was so good with T; he even asked T about Barney.  It was totally delightful...and all so unexpected!  :)

Colonial Williamsburg, Part 3a

~Back to Williamsburg today!

First, we toured the Governor's Palace.

Above white painted wrought iron gates are the lion and the unicorn, symbols of British rule.

The entrance hall was decorated with weaponry.  Muskets, sabers, and pistols covered the paneled walls.

The parlor also served as a waiting room where most visitors were received; only important visitors went beyond.

The butler's pantry was filled with glassware.

This bedroom was used as a guest room by some of the governors.

Upper-class Virginians would be invited to the ballroom on special occasions.  As many as 30 couples would attend a ball held to celebrate a royal birthday or another important event.

A life-sized oil portrait of King George III hangs in the ballroom.

After their introduction to the governor, guests would dance the steps of the minuet.

When dancing was over, guests would adjourn to the supper room beyond the ballroom.

Crafted wood molding and
carved door pediment

Early linen spring shade
on the window

The chamber organ and bureau organ are examples of period musical instruments.

A Buzalo coal-burning stove was imperative in winter in such large rooms as the ballroom and the supper room.

This is the rear view of the Governor's Palace...

with a close-up view of the royal coat of arms over the rear entrance.

Rear view from a garden with
sculptured boxwood hedges

There were guests in the garden.

Next, we visited the wheelwright...

where wheels are made for carriages.

T was so excited to see the horses!

The stable at the
Governor's Palace

Our next stop was the Shoemaker's Shop.

(~Looks a bit like a modern day shoe tree -- doesn't it??!)

The shoemaker would work every daylight hour, hand-stitching and forming leather to make custom footwear.

Colonial Williamsburg, Part 2b

We certainly learned a lot about coins used in the 17th and 18th centuries.  These are a few of the displays of money at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.

Largest Coin -

French Ecu
1702

At slightly less than 2" in diameter, this ecu of King Louis XIV was a French "sliver dollar."

Smallest Coin -

English Silver Halfpenny
1604-1619

In 17th-century England, even the lowest denomination was made from silver.  This tiny, pea-sized coin is only 3/8".

Highest Denomination -

Brazilian 20,000 Reis
1724

Worth 20,000 reis, this Brazilian gold coin contains more than 1 1/2 ounces of pure gold.  The most valuable circulating coin during the period, one of these would have paid four months' salary of a journeyman artisan in Virginia right before the Revolutionary War.

Lowest Denomination -

English Farthing
1699

The English farthing was worth 1/4 of a penny.  It was highly useful for small, every day purchases.

Prettiest Coin -

Dutch Gold Ducaton
1687

This 1687 Dutch "Rider" ducaton is made of gold.  It was struck with specially engraved and polished dies, resulting in a stunning piece with mirror-like surfaces.

Ugliest Coin -

Bolivian 4 Reales
1677

Almost all Spanish colonial "cobs" were crudely made and irregular.  This coin has an insertion of a silver plug, meant to bring its weight up to par.

First "Greenback" -

Today's "greenbacks" trace their origins to the £6 note issued by New Jersey in 1757.  It was the first to have a back side printed in green ink.

First $1 Bill -

Maryland $1 Note
1767

Even though the denominations were the same, colonial American paper money always was worth less than the equivalent amounts in gold and silver were worth in England.

We stayed until the museum closed at 7:00 pm.  I don't think we saw everything.  :}
Needless to say, we were ready to call it a day!

T was sitting nicely, getting his picture taken outside the visitor center on our way to the parking lot...

when all of a sudden, he impulsively turned around to play in the water!

He thought that was so funny!!

I did, too.  ;o)

T loves his papa...and vice versa!