Thematic Photographic #170 -- Drink Up!

This week at Carmi's Written, Inc. the Thematic Photographic topic is "Drink Up!"  That brings to mind so many tasty beverages for me, but the first thing in the morning rich, aromatic coffee gets my attention.  And not just any coffee!  My favorite is Komodo Dragon at Starbucks, though I will savor just about any blend any time.  I'm one of the lucky ones that can drink coffee like water!

I don't have just one favorite cup/mug, but I do have one requirement:  it must be larger than the dainty cups that came with my set of china!

Dark coffee is lovely............

...... but I do love my cream and creamers in a variety of flavors.  This particular morning I had the new Bailey's Caramel flavored creamer.  The real Bailey's is still my favorite ;-).

I like watching the cream swirl in the rich brown liquid.  Of course the clear glass mugs are best for watching this dance of the morning brew!

Nearly ready...........

Just a one more stir with the spoon........ Ahhhh! Perfect!

Hmmm, I think there is still a bit of coffee in the pot.  I suddenly have a craving for a warm cup of joe!

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and drink up!  Hop on over to Carmi's and see if he and his commenters have hit on your favorites. This week's theme goes until tomorrow evening when Carmi will once again send us on another Thematic Photographic trek.

Thematic Photographic #169 --- (More) Brick and Mortar

When Carmi at Written, Inc. posted the Brick and Mortar theme for this week my thoughts went to Charlottesville, VA, one of my favorite places to visit.  So I Wednesday I posted photos of the town.  But I couldn't let the week go without posting brick and mortar from the home of Charlottesville's most famous resident:  Thomas Jefferson.

This is my favorite shot of Monticello.  Jefferson loved tulips and the flower beds were in full bloom with many different strains and colors.  This visit was in April so the trees weren't in full leaf yet, but the tulips added so much color we didn't notice the trees were merely budding. The pond in the foreground is actually where live fish were kept after a fishing trip until the cook needed them for meals.  

Before we were taken up the hill to the house we gathered at the visitor center to wait for the trolley.  This gigantic hearth had been cleared out after the winter.  It looks like they had some roaring fires in it, though, to keep winter visitors warm while waiting.

These arched side windows take sunlight and warmth into the arboretum.  We weren't able to take photos inside the house, which was the most interesting part of the tour.  Jefferson was an amazing man and his home reflected his passions for literature, inventions, and his country.

The homes back then didn't have attached kitchens, but separate cook houses.  This is part of such a building at Monticello.  Everything on the plantation has been impeccably preserved and the fields are actually a working farm, much like the fields at George Washington's home, Mt. Vernon.

We were able to tour the various cellars where the stone foundations retain much of the original stone and mortar construction. 

This is part of the wine cellar.  It was still rather cool on this April day and we were wearing jackets.  I was really glad to be dressed warmly in these subterranean chambers. 

This is taken in the stables where, again, the original brick and mortar is evident. 

Thank you for returning for more of the tour of brick and mortar found in Charlottesville, VA and Monticello.  A new Thematic Photographic won't be posted until Monday evening so there is still time for you to join in or just hop on over to Written, Inc. for a look.  

Enjoy your weekend!

Thematic Photographic #169 --- Brick and Mortar

From last week's Metallica to this week's Brick and Mortar, Carmi at Written, Inc. is striking another favorite chord with Thematic Photographic #169.  The theme announced Monday evening immediately brought to mind Charlottesville, Virginia, one of my favorite cities, which we visited in April 2006. While my son was deployed in Washington, DC we made several trips to Virginia and explored dozens of historical sites.  Old town Charlottesville is practically all brick and mortar from the streets and sidewalks to the buildings, much of it intact from the 1800s.

It's a beautiful place and up the hill is Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home.  Talk about brick and mortar!  I'll have to post some of those later during Thematic Photographic #169 which you can also play along with by posting your photos of brick and mortar and linking them up in the comments here.  You can also visit other participants' blogs and see their works.  It's always a great trip, especially since we have bloggers from all over the world joining in each week.  Thanks, Carmi, for another great theme. 

(Note:  These photos were taken with my Canon Rebel EOS, the first digital SLR.  Since late 2007 I've been using a Canon 40D.  What a difference!  Of course at the top of my wish list is to step up to the newest Canon that we can afford..........Santa, are you listening?  hmmmmm?)