Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Ruby Rose Tea Room
On my way from Virgina to North Carolina last Thursday, I saw the sign for Stoneville, N.C. and made a split second decision and exited 220. My GPS easily found the lovely old Victorian house at 209 E. Main Street in Stoneville and as I walked through the front door, I seemed to step into the past.
Owners Tammy and Ken Church named their restaurant after Ruby Robertson, wife of C.P. Robertson. They were previous owners of the house. C.P. made his money in mica mines and was an author. A portrait of "Miss Ruby" hangs in the entry by the rose-covered staircase.
Roses are everywhere you look at the Ruby Rose: painted on walls, the backs of chairs and decorating the tables, mantels and shelves. China cups and saucers, figurines and antiques invite you to sit a while and enjoy a cup of tea. Crystal chandeliers and lace curtains provide a sweet, calm atmosphere. There are three large dining rooms (pink, yellow and green.) See pictures.
I spoke with Tammy who said that a 24 hour notice is needed for both afternoon tea and Royal tea (2:00 to 4:00 pm.) Finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, tea (of course) and "dainty desserts" are served. I asked about "dainty desserts. Tammy said they could be a mixture of tarts, cookies, chocolate covered strawberries or miniature cheesecakes.
Regular daily lunch fare is a nice selection of homemade soups, sandwiches (I had egg salad on a croissant) salads and lovely desserts such as pumpkin swirl cake, cheesecake and coconut pie- all homemade. I chose the pie and it was yummy.
Having blown my diet for the day with the pie (but it was worth it) I left, stepping onto the big wrap around porch wishing I had time to curl up with the teddy bear on the porch swing. I knew that I had just had a sweet taste of a time long ago when ladies wore gloves, high button shoes and big fancy hats and spent long leisurely afternoons at high tea.
Owners Tammy and Ken Church named their restaurant after Ruby Robertson, wife of C.P. Robertson. They were previous owners of the house. C.P. made his money in mica mines and was an author. A portrait of "Miss Ruby" hangs in the entry by the rose-covered staircase.
Roses are everywhere you look at the Ruby Rose: painted on walls, the backs of chairs and decorating the tables, mantels and shelves. China cups and saucers, figurines and antiques invite you to sit a while and enjoy a cup of tea. Crystal chandeliers and lace curtains provide a sweet, calm atmosphere. There are three large dining rooms (pink, yellow and green.) See pictures.
I spoke with Tammy who said that a 24 hour notice is needed for both afternoon tea and Royal tea (2:00 to 4:00 pm.) Finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, tea (of course) and "dainty desserts" are served. I asked about "dainty desserts. Tammy said they could be a mixture of tarts, cookies, chocolate covered strawberries or miniature cheesecakes.
Regular daily lunch fare is a nice selection of homemade soups, sandwiches (I had egg salad on a croissant) salads and lovely desserts such as pumpkin swirl cake, cheesecake and coconut pie- all homemade. I chose the pie and it was yummy.
Having blown my diet for the day with the pie (but it was worth it) I left, stepping onto the big wrap around porch wishing I had time to curl up with the teddy bear on the porch swing. I knew that I had just had a sweet taste of a time long ago when ladies wore gloves, high button shoes and big fancy hats and spent long leisurely afternoons at high tea.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The "Face"
Thursday was my beautiful granddaughter Sarah's 14th birthday. She has changed quite a lot since the picture (above) was taken years ago. We call this portrait, "The Face." She was wearing one of my beach hats and I love this picture.
Sarah is a grown up young lady now, loves high school and recently joined the drama club. She reads, is a computer expert (aren't all 14 year olds?) and is quite artistic. We are expecting great things in her future and hope she makes lots of money so she can take care of her old Grammy someday! No pressure, Kid. :-))))
Happy Birthday and "Love Ya, Honey!"
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Happy Birthday, Miss 18
My oldest grandchild is eighteen years old today. Oh my, does that make me feel old! She is a very special young woman and I want to wish her a happy birthday. Her artistic talents are fantastic and sometimes she even uses her face as a canvas (see below.) Love ya, Honey.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Labor Day Hillsville Flea Market, 2011
It was last Saturday morning, the beginning of the Labor Day weekend, when my husband, Andy, uttered the dreaded words "Hey, let's go to Hillsville." I must explain that although Hillsville, Virginia is a perfectly nice, small (population under 3,000) town, every year Hillsville is transformed into the biggest flea market in Southern Virginia. This thing is huge! According to Hillsville.com, an estimated 500,000 (can that number be correct?) bargain hunters from all over the country swarm this little place over the three day weekend, looking for antiques, art, vendor-style food and a whole lot of junk.
Having said this, I have to admit that I have found a few interesting items over the past few years, mostly rust covered metal things- rust being a good thing if you live in a rustic cedar home as I do.
Some of my finds include: An abstract rusty metal tree (sans leaves) sculpture that sits on my living room coffee table, a large metal star atop the pie safe, a blue and white plate, jewelry to break up and use in my own handmade jewelry and a giant metal cutout of a cowboy within a hoop. This is a welcome sign, rusty of course, which hangs on one end of our house.
Back to the flea market. So, I have found a few treasures in the past but what a hassle! The day started out great as Andy and I drove West on Highway 58, also known as Jeb Stuart Hwy and for miles and miles: The Crooked Road. We drove into the Blue Ridge mountains, past Lovers Leap and navigated the twists and turns of the road into the tiny town of Meadows Of Dan where we found a corn maze, live music and a craft fair. I visited The Dan River Book Store and bought a lovely hand bound journal with a Scottish motif.
Just past "Turnip Patch Road" (I swear it is true) we stopped for local produce - apples and tomatoes but Andy thought it was a little early for the mountain cabbage, so we will return next month.
Before I continue, Dear Readers, if you have never eaten fried mountain cabbage, well, you just haven't lived! Here is how you do it:
Slice one cabbage into 1/4 inch slices as well as one or two sweet onions. Heat a little olive oil in a large frying pan or wok and cook the vegies down over medium heat until soft and fully cooked. Add salt, pepper and a little hot sauce like Texas Pete. Yum!
On to the the Hillsville Flea Market. It took 45 minutes to drive the usual 10 minutes through town. We stopped and started moving 5 miles per hour dodging a sea of people and cars. Parking in a $5.00 space, we walked many, many blocks trying to find a certain South Carolina vendor who sold us the metal before mentioned items. Oh my, it started sprinkling and the umbrella and hats were in the car. Miss South Carolina was not in her usual space so after buying a jar of apple butter and discovering that my camera had died, I was ready to leave! The crush of humanity was claustrophobic! We bypassed the corn-dog-on-a-stick, giant turkey legs and cotton candy and headed to the car before the heavy rain reached us.
We had another mission that Saturday and that was to drop off a drawing of Andy and his dog, spike to the Appalachian pencil artist, Willard Gayheart. Willard lives down the road in Woodlawn, Virgina and wants to use the picture he drew of Andy and his bird dog Spike in an upcoming book. The picture depicts Andy taking a break from training Spike, leaning up against his four-wheeler and enjoying the day. There is a faint closeup of Andy in the background complete with cowboy hat. See picture below.
After stopping at Willard's studio, we took the by-pass AROUND Hillsville and headed home. It was a long day. Nice, but long.
Having said this, I have to admit that I have found a few interesting items over the past few years, mostly rust covered metal things- rust being a good thing if you live in a rustic cedar home as I do.
Some of my finds include: An abstract rusty metal tree (sans leaves) sculpture that sits on my living room coffee table, a large metal star atop the pie safe, a blue and white plate, jewelry to break up and use in my own handmade jewelry and a giant metal cutout of a cowboy within a hoop. This is a welcome sign, rusty of course, which hangs on one end of our house.
Back to the flea market. So, I have found a few treasures in the past but what a hassle! The day started out great as Andy and I drove West on Highway 58, also known as Jeb Stuart Hwy and for miles and miles: The Crooked Road. We drove into the Blue Ridge mountains, past Lovers Leap and navigated the twists and turns of the road into the tiny town of Meadows Of Dan where we found a corn maze, live music and a craft fair. I visited The Dan River Book Store and bought a lovely hand bound journal with a Scottish motif.
Just past "Turnip Patch Road" (I swear it is true) we stopped for local produce - apples and tomatoes but Andy thought it was a little early for the mountain cabbage, so we will return next month.
Before I continue, Dear Readers, if you have never eaten fried mountain cabbage, well, you just haven't lived! Here is how you do it:
Slice one cabbage into 1/4 inch slices as well as one or two sweet onions. Heat a little olive oil in a large frying pan or wok and cook the vegies down over medium heat until soft and fully cooked. Add salt, pepper and a little hot sauce like Texas Pete. Yum!
On to the the Hillsville Flea Market. It took 45 minutes to drive the usual 10 minutes through town. We stopped and started moving 5 miles per hour dodging a sea of people and cars. Parking in a $5.00 space, we walked many, many blocks trying to find a certain South Carolina vendor who sold us the metal before mentioned items. Oh my, it started sprinkling and the umbrella and hats were in the car. Miss South Carolina was not in her usual space so after buying a jar of apple butter and discovering that my camera had died, I was ready to leave! The crush of humanity was claustrophobic! We bypassed the corn-dog-on-a-stick, giant turkey legs and cotton candy and headed to the car before the heavy rain reached us.
We had another mission that Saturday and that was to drop off a drawing of Andy and his dog, spike to the Appalachian pencil artist, Willard Gayheart. Willard lives down the road in Woodlawn, Virgina and wants to use the picture he drew of Andy and his bird dog Spike in an upcoming book. The picture depicts Andy taking a break from training Spike, leaning up against his four-wheeler and enjoying the day. There is a faint closeup of Andy in the background complete with cowboy hat. See picture below.
After stopping at Willard's studio, we took the by-pass AROUND Hillsville and headed home. It was a long day. Nice, but long.
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