Best Winter Weekend Getaway

I sell insurance for a living which makes me paranoid. After my rebellious teenage years I flipped the script & started "playing it safe"... Probably safer than need be, actually. So, being paranoid & playing it safe have held me back somewhat. Yes it's true that I've never broken a bone or had a cavity... but I've also never tried many of the things that other people my age have. So, when my inlaws moved to MT & I went for my 1st visit in Feb 2008, my husband (then boyfriend) encouraged me to "step outside my box" as he likes to say. I tried snowboarding & hated pretty much every minute of it. My 2nd trip to MT in Dec 2010 was completely different. Instead of forcing myself to try something that I didn't have any desire whatsoever to try again (snowboarding), I found another snow sport... cross country skiing. My mother-in-law goes XC skiing all the time in MT & was sure it would be more my speed. She was 100% right. I love XC skiing! It's expensive to fly to MT & it pretty much takes a whole day of flying to get there, so in Janurary I started looking into other places near VA to XC ski. (Nothing will ever compare to our MT ski spot, but that will have to remain a special occasion trip, for now anyways...) I found an article talking about how the Canaan Valley in WV is getting record snowfall. I played on the internet searching for places to XC ski in WV & came across Whitegrass in Davis, WV. After looking over their website I was sold on WV & the next step was to find a place to stay. I found Douglas Falls, The Bed & Breakfast on Whitegrass' website. So in Janurary we made a reservation for Valentine's Day weekend & anxiously awaited our trip.
I was hoping for the best, but not really sure what to expect of WV. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with the small town charm, laid back atmosphere, & fresh powder of WV. I still can't believe how much fun we had in such a short amount of time. We felt like we were across the country, not just 6 hrs away from our hometown of Virginia Bch, VA. Here's an overview of our trip:

1) We left Va Bch around 1:30 PM on Thurs

2) Arrived at Whitegrass Cafe at 8 PM for dinner (how is it possible that I live on the coast but ate the best fish tacos I've ever had in WV!?) Oh by the way, is was approx 8 degrees when we arrived! But that was the coldest it got the entire time we were there. Phew!
3) Checked-in at Douglas Falls B&B around 9:30 PM, Thurs (*see pic below)


4) Breakfast @ 8:30 AM, Fri at our B&B (amazing homecooked meal!)

5) Fri afternoon was spent XC skiing at Whitegrass (*see pic to the Lft), followed by coffee/wi-fi at HypnoCoffee & then lunch at Hellbender Burritos (Davis, WV)


*Ben's new friend outside of Hellbender Burritos---> HypnoCoffee. Love.



6) Fri evening we relaxed at the B&B, drank wine, & went to bed early in anticipation of a long day of skiing on Sat



7) Another amazing homecooked breakfast on Sat morning at 8:30 AM, then we went to Blackwater Falls State Park to XC ski. We ended up on the wrong trail & skiid for 10 miles in a winter wonderland. It was beautiful, challenging, & a lof of fun- an experience I'll never forget. We rewarded ourselves with a growler of local chocolate & espresso stout from Hypnocoffee. We drove around town & checked out, The White Room, a local art gallery. We also relaxed in the hot tub surrounded by snow at our B&B.

(Thomas, WV)


*Growler from HypnoCoffee ----->

8) Sat evening we went to Sirianni's Cafe in Davis, WV for an Italian dinner (delicious pizza). After dinner we went to The Purple Fiddle (in Thomas, WV) for drinks & a good time. We drank local beer out of mason jars & listed to live music. Why don't we have places like this in Va Bch?? WV is a different world & I wanna go back every year to experience it.

*Beer on tap at The Purple Fiddle (below) / Sirianni's Cafe (right)

The Purple Fiddle Stage------------>

9) Sun morning- another wonderful homecooked meal at 8:30 AM followed by a walk in the snow along a rail trail down the street from our B&B (Blackwater Canyon Trail). We packed up the car & headed into town for one last trip to Hypnocoffee for coffee, chai tea, spiced cookies, & smoothies. YUM.
Rail Trail (*above)

10) Sun afternoon we stopped in Charlottesville, VA for lunch & then headed back to Va Bch. We pretty much talked about our trip the whole drive home & already started planning another trip next Winter.

If you live in Hampton Roads & are looking for a winter wonderland to XC ski, downhill ski, or snowboard, you should skip Snowshoe & check out Davis, WV instead! (Davis, Thomas, & The Canaan Valley are all very close to each other.) You can ski at Whitegrass, Timberline, Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley Resort.


------ Blackwater Falls State Park ---------------------------- WhiteGrass ------




----- Blackwater Falls State Park ------------------------- WhiteGrass ------

-e

"If I Die Young" by The Band Perry

I'm addicted to this song! Her voice is beautiful!! I sing this song really loud in my car when ever it comes on the radio & I don't care who sees me! :) Once I finally learned all the lyrics I was surprised by how morbid they are... But the meaning behind the song is a positive one. You can read the lyrics below & at the bottom of this post is the story behind the lyrics.

-e


IF I DIE YOUNG BURY ME IN SATIN
LAY ME DOWN ON A BED OF ROSES
SINK ME IN THE RIVER AT DAWN
SEND ME AWAY WITH THE WORDS OF A LOVE SONG
OH OH OH OH

LORD MAKE ME A RAINBOW, I’LL SHINE DOWN ON MY MOTHER
SHE’LL KNOW I’M SAFE WITH YOU WHEN SHE STANDS UNDER MY COLORS, OH &
LIFE AIN’T ALWAYS WHAT YOU THINK IT OUGHTTA BE, NO
AIN’T EVEN GRAY, BUT SHE BURIES HER BABY

THE SHARP KNIFE OF A SHORT LIFE, WELL
I’VE HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME

IF I DIE YOUNG BURY ME IN SATIN
LAY ME DOWN ON A BED OF ROSES
SINK ME IN THE RIVER AT DAWN
SEND ME AWAY WITH THE WORDS OF A LOVE SONG

THE SHARP KNIFE OF A SHORT LIFE, WELL
I’VE HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME

AND I’LL BE WEARING WHITE WHEN I COME INTO YOUR KINGDOM
I’M AS GREEN AS THE RING ON MY LITTLE COLD FINGER
I’VE NEVER KNOWN THE LOVIN’ OF A MAN
BUT IT SURE FELT NICE WHEN HE WAS HOLDING MY HAND
THERE’S A BOY HERE IN TOWN SAYS HE’LL LOVE ME FOREVER
WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT FOREVER COULD BE SUFFERED BY

THE SHARP KNIFE OF A SHORT LIFE, WELL
I’VE HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME

SO PUT ON YOUR BEST BOYS AND I’LL WEAR MY PEARLS
WHAT I NEVER DID IS DONE

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS, OH NO I’LL SELL THEM FOR A DOLLAR
THEY’RE WORTH SO MUCH MORE AFTER I’M A GONER
AND MAYBE THEN YOU’LL HEAR THE WORDS I BEEN SINGIN’
FUNNY HOW WHEN YOU’RE DEAD PEOPLE START LISTENIN’

IF I DIE YOUNG BURY ME IN SATIN
LAY ME DOWN ON A BED OF ROSES
SINK ME IN THE RIVER AT DAWN
SEND ME AWAY WITH THE WORDS OF A LOVE SONG
OH OH

THE BALLARD OF A DOVE
GO WITH PEACE AND LOVE
GATHER UP YOUR TEARS, KEEP ‘EM IN YOUR POCKET
SAME ‘EM FOR A TIME WHEN YOU’RE REALLY GONNA NEED ‘EM, OH

THE SHARP KNIFE OF A SHORT LIFE, WELL
I’VE HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME

SO PUT ON YOUR BEST BOYS AND I’LL WEAR MY PEARLS


-LYRICS BY RIO BRAVO MUSIC INC OBO PEARLFEATHER PUBLISING,
WRITTEN BY KIMBERLY PERRY

---------------------

“If I Die Young” Story Behind the Lyrics
By: Kelli Green
K Frog Radio

There is something so morbidly poetic about The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” that I can’t help, but turn it up and listen to it over and over again. Here’s the story behind the lyrics….

Theboot.com has the story straight from Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry. She says that “If I Die Young” was the first song written for their upcoming album. She along with her 2 brothers, Reid and Neil (also in the band), got together on a cloudy day in East Tennessee, where they live, and came up with the concept and then turned it into a song. The meaning of the song is simple, it’s about making the most of whatever time you are given, whether it’s 2 years or 20 years. She goes on to says that even at their young ages they have all lived and loved and if it all ends at this moment, look what they’ve gotten to do. “Whatever time we’re given will be absolutely enough as long as we make the most of it”. I like the song even more now!

Va Bch Holiday Shopping this Weekend!!

There are 2 local (Va Bch, VA 23451) sales this weekend:


1) Sat Dec 4th, 10 am- 3 pm @ Cooke Elem (Mediterranean Ave): Market Place & Surf Sample Sale

2) Sun Dec 5th, 9 am- 6 pm @ the Contemporary Art Center (Parks Ave): Holiday Craft Sale --- shop local!!!

See ya'll there!

-e

Craft Project: Celery Stamp Rosebud Wrapping Paper

While browsing a blog called Creature Comforts I came across an easy craft project. I'm a big fan of craft projects, but rarely do anything crafty anymore. So, when I came across this do-it-yourself wrapping paper project a couple months ago I promised myself I'd try it for Christmas this year & I'm very glad I did; it was a lot of fun :)

After you review the step-by-step directions on the Creature Comforts blog, you may find my tips below to be helpful:

1) I used white Kraft paper purchased from Michael's instead of tissue paper or paper bags. However, I did buy plain gifts bags to stamp too.

2) Some celery stock bases make better stamps than others. I bought six & 3-4 worked very well.

Below is my best stamp. I wiped it off & used it for 2 different colors.


3) I pressed my celery stock stamp into the paint, then gently onto a paper plate to rid it of excess paint. Or, you leave the excess & stamp your paper 2-3 times to make a variety of darker & lighter rosebuds. The lighter rosebuds are perfect for overlapping with other colors. I found that red looked very nice over a shade of light pink.

4) Grouping stamps in threes or fours looks very nice, as opposed to randomly stamping all over the paper.



Below are the colors that worked best for my Christmas wrapping paper. I used different brands of acrylic paint.



I stamped a whole roll of paper that I'll be able to use to wrap presents. Of course, I actually need to do some Christmas shopping now...


Enjoy!

-e

PUMPKIN BARS & PUMPKIN PIE MUFFINS

I develop an addiction to pumpkin every November, year after year. What's different this year is that I've discovered gluten-free recipes that are super easy to make & healthy too! Elana's Pantry is an awesome web-site that I use daily for new recipes. Both pumpkin recipes below are courtesy of Elana's website.


Pumpkin Bars (see my pic above)

½ cup pumpkin (acorn, butternut or other squash) puree (learn how to roast a pumpkin in 10 easy steps by clicking here)
½ cup agave nectar
2 eggs
1 cup blanched almond flour
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves

1. In a food processor, combine pumpkin, agave and eggs and pulse for 2 minutes
2. Pulse dry ingredients into wet for a full minute, until well combined
3. Pour batter into a greased 8x8 baking dish
4. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes
5. Serve naked or with whipped cream

http://www.elanaspantry.com/pumpkin-bars/




Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Muffins (see my pic above)

1 ½ cups blanched almond flour
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
1 pinch ground cloves
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
½ cup agave nectar
2 large eggs
1 cup fresh baked pumpkin (or winter squash), well packed (learn how to roast pumpkin in 10 easy steps by clicking here!)

1. In a large bowl combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves
2. In a Vitamix puree oil, agave, eggs and pumpkin until smooth (*I used a regular blender, FYI)
3. Stir wet ingredients into dry
4. Place paper liners in cupcake pan
5. Scoop batter into paper liners
6. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes
7. Cool for 2-3 hours
8. Serve

Makes 8 muffins

http://www.elanaspantry.com/pumpkin-pie-muffins/



-e

Sweet Potatoes with Maple-Jalapeno Sour Cream

My mom found this recipe recently & my husband quickly added it to his dinner repertoire. It's really easy to make & it adds a lot of flavor to ordinary sour cream. It has a nice kick w/ the jalapenos, but the maple syrup gives it a nice sweet taste as well.

Makes 4 potatoes. Total time: 40-45 minutes at 450.

For the sweet potatoes--

Rub with oil and salt:

4 sweet potatoes, scrubbed and dried


For the topping, combine:

1/2 C sour cream(or plain yogurt) *I (ellen) use sour cream, FYI.
1Tbs pure maple syrup

2 tsp jalapeno, seeded and minced

1 tsp fresh lime juice

salt and Tabasco to taste *I (ellen) don't use Tabasco, FYI.

Serve potatoes with maple-jalapeno sour cream, bacon bits, and sliced scallions.


This recipe came from a magazine that my mom used to subscribe to... Cuisine at Home. There is also a website: www.CuisineAtHome.com


-e

Orange Chocolate Coconut Clusters

(from www.elanaspantry.com)

These chocolate treats are delicious, VERY easy to make, & pretty healthy too!!

TIP: visit link at bottom of the page to be directed to Elana's website for direct links about toasting almonds & coconut, cacao chocolate, etc. -e

2 cups dark chocolate chips 73% cacao
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 cup almonds, toasted then coarsely chopped
1 cup shredded coconut, toasted


1) In a medium saucepan, melt the chocolate over very low heat

2) Stir in the orange extract

3) Allow the nuts and coconut to cool, 10-15 minutes, then stir them into the melted chocolate

4) Drop by heaping tablespoonful onto a parchment lined baking sheet

5) Allow to cool

6) If need be (as in it's too hot in your kitchen for these to set) transfer clusters to a plate and cool in freezer

7) Serve


*This recipe is from Elana's Pantry. Please click on the link to visit her blog/website. She has tons of amazing gluten-free recipes!