Around Roanoke, VA (A Daily Photo Blog)

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The Roanoke River . Explore Park . Roanoke

Today I am thankful for pretty light! This morning I had to get the boys to school a little earlier than our normal routine. They had to run for their coach so he could record their times...anyway, on our way there the sky was dark grey but the lighting on the ground and mountains looked like a gigantic spotlight was shining down...made for a very pretty drive this morning! I wished I had my camera with me because I wanted to take a picture of everything! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

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Explore Park . Roanoke

Originally located near a ford of the Blackwater River in Franklin County and then moved to Explore Park and restored. This little school was in operation from 1860-1935. The region was isolated following the Civil War and changed very little during the time the school was in use. Reports from students of the 1920's mirror the experiences of the 19th century students.

The school was moved to Explore Park thanks to a descendant of a former teacher of the school.

I've shown you the schoolhouse before right HERE

Linking with Tom's Tuesday's Treasures

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Explore Park . Roanoke

Those 2 little specks ahead on the pathway are a pair of Mourning Doves...I think they were getting annoyed with us because they thought we were following them...but fact of the matter is they kept going forward on the path that we were taking haha...Mourning Doves always remind me of my grandparent's house...they always liked to hang out there :)

Today I am thankful for the arrival of Spring, finally, today! We get into the 70's at last...jeez I hope it stays!

Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

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View of the Roanoke Star

“We all shine on...like the moon and the stars and the sun...we all shine on...come on and on and on...”
― John Lennon

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These were all taken around historic old SW Roanoke on January 19th...
1)
Who's ready for spring? ME!!

2)
There are only 34 days until the first day of spring!

3)
We've had some super awesome warm days...

4)
But tomorrow we go back to winter with 35 degrees and freezing rain...yuck!

5)
This morning as I was taking the boys to school we saw a turtle crossing the road! That made me happy! A sure sign of spring right?!!

That's my 5 this week! I hope you will join in too! Post 5 randoms, link back and visit others! Have a great weekend and be safe!!

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Washington Ave SW . Roanoke

Built in 1910 this gorgeous old place is now an attorney's office...

Today I am thankful for more spring like weather and less wintery weather! Woke up to temps starting out at almost 60 and we'll be in the 70's today...spring makes me happy! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

Just heartbroken over the school shooting in Floriday :(

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Things I saw around Roanoke last week...
1)
No Parking here, and No Parking there...

2)
Just a simple wreath but looks so pretty!

3)
How about this grand entry?! LOVE!!

4)
This one may not be big and fancy but I like it just the same! Look at the cute little snowman star to the left of the door!

5)
Always a fan of red doors!

That's my 5 this week friends! I look forward to seeing what you have to share! Post 5 randoms, link back and visit others...have a great weekend!



Since linky isn't working, I'm creating a new linky to see if that helps! I'm sorry this has been glitchy today :(

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Old SW Roanoke

That's Braden...last Friday we had to go to Ashlyn's to walk her dog Riley since she was out of town...Braden beat me across the street and that's when I noticed this cute little house? garage? shed?....whatever it is, I like it!

Today I am thankful for routine! Monday was back to school after several snow days...I think we have only been in school a couple of days since Christmas break ended...on Monday Braden and Nick stayed home sick (they are better now) then Tuesday I had to go do some errands with Ashlyn and so on Wednesday it felt good to start back on my exercise routine again and eating healthier and took Ozzy out for a walk, did a few loads of laundry and picked up the house all before I had to be back out to pick up the boys from school...it was nice having a break from things but happy to be back on track! Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday

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The first 2 photos Nick took and sent to me:
1)
Downtown Roanoke taken from Nick's office building Wednesday morning...after our "big" snow ;) Some of you might recognize the Hotel Roanoke because I've shown you around quite a few times...if you don't remember, what's wrong with you?!! Just kidding!

2)
St. Andrews Catholic Church...I love this church and if you don't recognize it, I won't get on you for it...it's my fault...I think I've only shown it to you once or twice and why? I don't know...This is probably my favorite church of all time, architecturally speaking...

3) Do you like Lasagna? I love Lasagna but I'm about the only one in my house that does...Nick likes it on occasion and the kids don't like it at all and sadly (in my case) when you make it, you end up with enough for the whole block...so last week I happened to find a recipe for Lasagna For 2 and I made it and Nick and I both thought it was super good! So, HERE IT IS if you want to give it a whirl!

4) Another recipe I made last week was Beef Tips and Rice...I've made THIS crock pot version quite a few times and everyone loves it!

5) Today (Friday) is another snow day for us! I know, those of you living up north have to be laughing...we had about 1-2 inches of snow of Tuesday and still milking it ;) ....but it has been freezing and our county is big and much of it rural so a lot of those back roads are sheets of ice still...this week we have only had 1 day of school! We warm up over the weekend though so that will be a nice break!

That's my 5 this week friends! I hope you will play along too! Post 5 randoms, link back and visit others! Have a great weekend :)

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Downtown Roanoke

Friday was the 3rd and last Dickens of a Christmas for the year...The boys and I went down there along with Dalton's girlfriend...a trip to Benny's for a slice of pizza for dinner and then the candy store for some dessert! There was a dog costume contest we tried to watch but it was so crowded we couldn't see a thing...there were lots of cute dogs walking around though :)

Linking up with Mersad's Through My Lens

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Hotel Roanoke

The Hotel Roanoke was built by the railroad back in 1882...it is now owned by Virginia Tech...I've blogged quite a few times about the hotel like HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE & HERE and I'm sure many more to come haha...linking up with Tom's Tuesday's Treasures

To learn more about the hotel, you can A) read my many posts lol, B) click the link under the picture which will take you to the hotel's website, C) check out their Wikipedia page HERE or D) All of the above :)

Have a great Tuesday and keep warm...we are looking at super freezing windchills tonight, oh boy!

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Downtown Roanoke

Friday night we went downtown to check out the annual Dickens of a Christmas...they had a winter carnival going on...last week was the lighting of the Christmas Tree...doesn't it look pretty?!

Linking up with Mersad's Through My Lens

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Glass enclosed pedestrian bridge . Roanoke

I've probably shown you this view a few times but I can never resist to take a picture when I'm here...I love how everything reflects in the glass of the pedestrian bridge and downtown always looks so colorful...the mountain straight ahead is Mill Mountain where the STAR is...

Linking up with Mersad's Through My Lens

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Downtown Roanoke

I've walked by this building so many times...some sort of shop is in it now but I can't remember what and I have never been inside...weird of me...anyways, it was neat learning about its history! Here's what I found:
Roanoke City Market, circa 1925
A black and white photograph of Roanoke City Market, Market Square and First Street SE in Roanoke, Virginia circa 1925. The view is looking south with many people and vehicles surrounding the farmer's market. The Hartsook Building is visible in the center of the photograph.
Thomas Everhart Benton Hartsook was a prominent real estate dealer of German and English descent, who moved to Roanoke in 1891 and opened an office on Jefferson Street. By 1896, he had built the two-story brick Hartsook Building that overlooks Market Square at the southeast corner of Market Street and Campbell Avenue. The building served as his office and residence with his wife and daughter. The History of Roanoke County noted that Mr. Hartsook “purchased a farm of 526 acres, known as the Mill Mountain farm, within 30 minutes drive of the business center of the city, a portion of which he intends to plant to fruit.” Known as the Hartsook Estate, it covered nearly half of the community including some of the eastern slope of Mill Mountain. It is currently a housing development known as Mill Mountain Estates.
Here's the photo they are talking about:

I found all that right HERE
and then I also found THIS interesting news story about his estate and where it once stood...I'm going to have to go look for it! Wonder what happened to it? Obviously this needs more digging around!

Linking up with Tom's Tuesday's Treasures ...on Wednesday :)

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Rivers Edge Park . Roanoke

I took this pic a couple of weeks ago at the Roanoke Go Outside Festival ...as with most of the things at the festival, this too was interactive...anyone could jump right in and jam!

To see more "Rock & Roll" photos, visit City Daily Photo

How is it November already?!

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I'm going to show you more from the Go Outside Festival...come on now...

1)
Both of the boys did this...bleh...I did not...

2)
This guy had crazy good balance! Anyone could try this!

3)
There was also fly fishing lessons...so much more elaborate than the first one back in 2011, which you can see HERE

4)
Some yummy food trucks...I like this one...the name is Wake and Bacon...I waited for that lady to move so I could get a pic of the whole name but she just wouldn't do it...

5)
There's even paddle board lessons!

Remember I showed you the jumping dogs and the LOVE sign but there's still so much more to this festival! It really is one of my favorites!

That's my 5 this week and I hope you will join in too! Post 5 randoms, link back and visit others! Have a great weekend!


Just got back from a football game...getting this ready and hitting the hay...the boys normally have to be to school at 8 on Friday's for their football breakfast but for some reason I said I'd take them in earlier so they can meet up with friends to play basketball...sounded ok at the moment...thinking I might regret that in the morning haha

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Roanoke Go Outside Festival

I LOVE when I find these LOVE signs! :)

Today I am thankful for my daughter and our friendship! Last Friday night she came to watch the boys' football game with me and we just have the best time together. I was telling Nick that I really enjoy her company and would still love to hang out with her even if she wasn't my daughter!

Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday & Signs, Signs

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My 5 this week are from last weekend's Go Outside Festival...the air dogs are my favorite event so you know what means, 5 dogs jumping!
1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

That's my 5 this week! I hope you will join in as well! Post 5 randoms, link back and visit others...I'm still running behind from last week but I'll make it over, pinky promise! Gotta run, early day at school, blah!

Have a great weekend!

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Dale Avenue . Southeast Roanoke

This neat mural was designed by North Carolina artist Brenda Councill and drawn by local artist Scott "Toobz" Noel and painted by volunteers! I snapped this quick photo while waiting in the drive-thru yesterday at Arby's ;)

I came home and Googled for more info and found THIS news story which tells a little more about it like the fact that Toobz modeled it after the tree that is in front of the fire station right across the street, which I didn't know till now...So, I need to go back and get a pic of the tree and see if I can fit more of the mural into a picture as it is quite long!

The name "Toobz" might sound familiar to some of you because he's quite a busy muralist having created many around the area which I've shown you some HERE

Linking up with Monday Murals

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109 Campbell Ave SW . Roanoke

This cool sign belongs to the Bush-Flora Shoe Co. They are one of the oldest retailers in the Roanoke area celebrating over 100 years of business! The company started out in 1928 but moved to this location in 1951...although not at this location anymore, which is now for sale, they are now located in the Towers Mall. This building started out in 1910 as Vest Furniture, then has been a hardware store, women's clothing store, department store and antique store. I found THIS interesting site which shows the history of tenants plus pictures!

Today I'm thankful for the beauty around me with the changing of the season! All the trees are really starting to pop! Although our temps have been in the 80's and humid, feels more like summer, which I'm also thankful for haha...I want to get out this weekend and see some pretty fall colors :) Linking up with Michelle's Thankful Thursday & Signs, Signs