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The Alpacas Stole The Show At The 11th Annual Thanksgiving Artisan’s Guild Open Studio And Vineyard Tour On The Eastern Shore Of Virginia

Friday, December 6th, 2013

Brochure for the 11th annual artisan open studio tour on Eastern Shore VA

The Tour Is A Great Way To Find Unique Gifts For Special People On Your Holiday Gift List

It’s that time of year again– splendid Thanksgiving repast over, excess turkey safely ensconced in a light cream- and- sherry tetrazzini sauce, friendly football bets all settled– and on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, time for something different, one of my favorite events of the year, the annual Thanksgiving Artisan Open Studio and Vineyard Tour. Pleasant, low-key, the Tour is the Friday-Saturday-Sunday after Turkey Day opportunity to personally meet talented local artists and select unique and beautiful art for some of the special people on your holiday gift list. One of the great things about this self-guided driving tour, for locals and visitors alike, is that it is spread over a wide- ranging area. Since the event is held in the participating artists’ studios, which are quite often located at their personal residences, visitors often end up traveling down scenic by-ways and into little hamlets that they would not ordinarily be exploring if not for the Tour. Thankfully, the Guild puts out an on-line brochure and map, plus plenty of signs and arrows are placed strategically along roads, their red bows waving in the breeze, helping to guide folks along the way. This year’s Open Studio sites were scattered from Capeville to Onancock. ( One of my favorite Tours took place a few years ago when we visited Open Studios located from south of Cape Charles up to the island of Chincoteague near the Shore’s northern border with Maryland, a distance just shy of 70 miles. We got started early in Cape Charles and visited just about every venue. In fact, after touring the 2 of the 3 open studios on Chincoteague that year, we spent the remaining half hour + of daylight at the beautiful Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge, home of the famous Pony Round-up. The vast flocks of snow geese were so impressive, elegant white birds serenely floating on clear blue waters. )

Am I Cute Or What ??

Because of another commitment, this year we were unfortunately unable to start until after lunch. With two grandkids in tow, aged 8 and 11, we set off for the By The Bay Alpaca Farm in Pungoteague. The approach to the property is down a long farm road, through large fields blanketed with green winter cover crops, when suddenly they appear, some of the cutest farm animals you’ll ever see, a herd of 14 beautiful alpacas. During the drive I had asked the boys what they knew about alpacas– the 8 year old piped up that he thought they were members of the camel family and the 11 year old commented that they are a lot like llamas. But none of us had ever seen an alpaca up close and personal so we were looking forward to reaching out and touching one of these adorable creatures. Definitely not disappointed, they were the highlight of the entire Tour for the 4 of us, absolutely stole the show ! These graceful animals, with cloven hoofs like deer, in various shades of beige, white and brown, placidly chewed their cuds, completely ignoring their many admiring visitors.

OK, I’m Ready For Some Petting

Awards and ribbons won by the By The Bay Alpaca farm

A Sea Of Awards and Ribbons Line The Walls At By The Bay Alpaca Farm

Andrew Leach, who with Tara King runs the farm, was kind enough to put a leash on one of the sweetest youngsters and let the 4 of us pet him. I was quite surprised at how long and deep the fleece is, about 3 inches this time of year, although it will be at least 6 inches long by the time they get sheared in the spring. And soft, it was amazingly soft, which is why it is so prized for sweaters, scarves, gloves, etc. , all of which Tara makes right there on the farm in her light-filled studio. By The Bay has won numerous awards for its fleece. The studio is a veritable sea of ribbons and awards, a real accomplishment for the owners, especially considering that they started with only a single pregnant female and have built their herd of 14 from there. Aside from how incredibly soft the fleece is, we were all surprised by how much alpacas vocalize as well as by the fact that, unlike cows, horses, etc., they are essentially “potty trained”. Though I hesitate to get so earthy in a blog post, we were all astonished to see three or four different animals walk up to what apparently is their selected potty area in the middle of the pasture and do their thing, right on the exact same spot where a previous animal had just finished. I asked Andrew if I was just imagining this and he said that alpacas like to keep their pastures clean and that they do basically adhere to a central toilet area instinctively, no attempts at training from him ! Who would have guessed ….

Reflections Glass On Display

From By The Bay we were off to Onancock, specifically the historic Onancock School which now houses the studios of about 10 artisans. We visited the studio of Elizabeth Hunt, a well-known potter who does beautifully decorative stoneware, David Farlow, the Harbormaster at the Quinby, VA harbor, who is a 4th generation Eastern Shore decoy carver and the Reflections Glass Studio, owned by the Careys, a husband and wife glass blowing team. There were more studios at the school to visit but because of our late start it was almost the witching hour and I still wanted to visit the studio of Vesna Zidovec, a well-known potter, whose mirrors decorated by borders of her hand-made glazed marine life tiles are legendary here on the Shore. Vesna has a very cozy studio in her home in Onancock, toasty warm from a wood stove in the corner, flanked by a chessboard table, soft classical music playing, a great place to end the Tour. We selected a lovely glazed bowl decorated with, of course, a blue heron, and then it was time to head for home, another Tour, albeit abbreviated, under our belts, a delightful time had by all plus a lot more info on alpacas.

Tags: Art Events on Virginia's Eastern Shore, By The Bay Alpaca farm, Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Eastern Shore VA Artisan Open Studio and Winery Tour, Holiday events in Cape Charles Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Posted in Business, Crafts, Entertainment, Just Having Fun, Our Little Towns, The Arts | No Comments »

Gorgeous B & B Listed For Sale In The Charming Victorian Beachfront Town Of Cape Charles, Virginia

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Beach blanket and flip flops at Cape Charles VA beach

Cape Charles, VA Was Named One Of Southern Living’s “5 Best Little Beach Towns” In 2012

What better opportunity to marry a love of fine historic homes with a spirit of entrepreneurialism than operating a B&B ? And what better place to purchase a gracious Bed and Breakfast featuring fine Southern hospitality than in Cape Charles, VA which offers an exciting coastal lifestyle in an intimate small historic town environment ? Presto, Blue Heron Realty Co. has just listed a fine opportunity to follow your dream of both owning a gorgeous historic home and running your own business with this charming 7 bedroom, 8 bath beauty. Located on the beautiful Southern Tip of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, which is the slender terminus of the DELMARVA peninsula, bordered on the West by the Chesapeake Bay and on the East by the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia’s Eastern Shore is a dream location for anyone interested in coastal traditions. And the charming Victorian town of Cape Charles is the epicenter of cultural and maritime events on the Shore, so it’s a terrific place to live a water-oriented lifestyle as well as to operate a business that takes advantage of these special assets. In fact, in 2012, Cape Charles was named by Southern Living magazine as one of its ” 5 Best Little Beach Towns.” And we’re also proud to announce that Cape Charles and Blue Heron Realty Co. were recently chosen by the Home and Garden TV Network (HGTV) to be a featured episode, airing in January, 2014, of its exciting new series entitled “Beach House Bargain Hunt”.

Cape Charles House B & B, A Classic Colonial Revival Featuring 7 Bedrooms And 8 Baths

Introducing the Cape Charles House Bed and Breakfast, one of the town’s largest and most opulent homes. Constructed in 1912 on the highest point of land in Cape Charles, this 5900 sq. ft. classic Colonial Revival was lovingly restored by the current owners. Featured on the well-known HGTV program, “If Walls Could Talk” and a recipient of the coveted Governor’s Award for B & B Hospitality, this long-established B & B has been welcoming guests since 1993. With 5 spacious guest rooms, each with a sitting area, an en suite bath and individual climate control, Cape Charles House offers guests a great place to just unwind and relax. Numerous large, sunny windows in guest rooms and in the spacious common areas create a pleasant, light and airy feel throughout. The gorgeous original hardwood floors were hand restored. The original moldings, pocket doors and high ceilings help maintain the integrity, warmth and beauty of this stately historic home. Outfitted with comfortable furniture and plenty of reading material and games, the common rooms include a large dining room with fireplace, a spacious living room with fireplace, a roomy parlor and, of course, the cheery kitchen with “never-ending” self -serve coffee and tea service plus guest ice maker .

Gracious Front Porch on Cape Charles House B & B

The Gracious Wraparound Porch- The Perfect Place To Relax, Unwind And Enjoy The Virginia Eastern Shore Slower Pace Of Life

The gracious wrap-around porch is a favorite guest amenity and the perfect place to kick back on a balmy summer’s eve. Filled with pots of blooming flowers and decorated with white wicker furniture, guests love to relax and unwind here, enjoying the refreshing breezes flowing off the Chesapeake Bay just a few blocks away. The town’s soft, sparkling sand beach and swimming area is not just a favorite of Southern Living magazine, it is one of the many prime recreational amenities that attract guests to Cape Charles House year after year. Golfers fall in love with the two side- by- side 18 hole award-winning Arnold Palmer Signature and the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses located less than 10 minutes away. The deep water Cape Charles Harbor Marina and the King’s Creek Marina are both boater’s delights– in fact, lots of B&B guests arrive by boat and golf cart rentals are available for guests to tool around town during their stay. For Nature enthusiasts and bird watchers, the nearby Eastern Shore of Virginia Wildlife Refuge and the Hawk Observatory at Kiptopeake State Park offer a full range of unique outdoor activities. The Cape Charles Historic Area boasts vibrant little shops, art galleries, restaurants and the beloved Palace Theater, a lovely venue for live dramatic and musical performances. ( As a matter of fact, some impressive artists, including the Virginia Philharmonic Orchestra, have played at the beautifully restored Art Deco design Palace. Theatre. ) Fine and casual dining opportunities, both in-town and nearby, offer a variety of delicious cuisines including luscious local seafood, the famed steamed Chesapeake Bay blue crabs and authentic Southern-style BBQ.

Prospective purchasers will really appreciate being able to retreat to the roomy owner’s quarters. Offering total privacy from the rest of the house, the third floor has been remodeled into an owner’s penthouse apartment, complete with a master and a guest bedroom, an office area, a sitting room and a kitchen. The owner’s quarters sunny master bedroom overlooks park-like grounds and includes a huge walk-in closet and a sumptious master bath. At the end of a busy day, the owner’s apartment provides the perfect place to relax and retire into your own private world. What a great house and terrific town for actually being able to live the dream of owing a spectacular historic home and being your own boss !! In addition to the real estate itself, the purchase price of $695,000 for Cape Charles House B & B includes most furnishings, as well as ownership of the trade name, website domain name, the telephone number, the B&B’s very attractive website and its valuable guest list. Financial information is available upon request by calling the Blue Heron Realty Co. listing agent team of Gerry Forbes and Heather Brady, who may be reached at 757-678-5200.

Tags: Blue Heron Realty Co. Machipongo and Cape Charles, Cape Charles House B & B, Cape Charles Virginia, Cape Charles Virginia historic home for sale, Chesapeake Bay real estate, Eastern Shore of Virginia, HGTV, Home and Garden TV Network, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Palace Theatre Cape Charles Virginia, Real Estate, Virginia historic home for sale
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The 21st Annual Eastern Shore of Virginia Harvest An Unqualified Success

Friday, October 18th, 2013

Harvest Fest on Virginia's Eastern Shore

Harvest Fest On The Eastern Shore of Virginia

When you live on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, as the first week of October rolls around, you can look forward to a few traditional pleasures– mums start to bloom gloriously, pumpkins appear in riotous hues of orange at roadside farm markets but, best of all, it’s time for the annual Virginia Eastern Shore Harvest Festival, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Ticket sales are limited to about 2500 each year and there is no better hangout for an entire afternoon of food, fun, hospitality and some old-fashioned “howdy-I’m-so-and-so-and-our-candidate-would-appreciate-your-vote” state and local politics. Ground Zero is the Sunset Beach hotel’s spacious beachfront acreage at the beautiful southern tip of the Eastern Shore , right at the edge of the mighty Chesapeake Bay.

So Little Time, So Many Seafood Goodies

Although there is always lots of great local art for sale, the seafood, of course, is the big drawing card, a veritable cornucopia of Eastern Shore delicacies from the deep, plus a few harmless veggies ( i.e., French fries and corn-on- the-cob, although this year there was also a salad station, which mysteriously I somehow managed to miss ). And for the landlubbers, fresh, local BBQ and the ever-popular Southern-style chicken wings do the honors. First off, the trick is to start out by making a big circle around the entire venue, checking out exactly what’s on offer and then setting one’s eating strategy. To dive enthusiastically into one’s favorites or to go with the conventional appetizer/entrée’/dessert strategy, that is the question. Personally, I think most folks just dive into their favorite seafoods right off the bat in this all-you-can-eat heaven but almost everybody in our little group went with an “appetizer first” strategy, meaning that first up were the steamed little nicks, everyone picking up baskets heaped with the ever- so- tender, half-dollar sized beauties, accompanied by melted butter. And for those who love ice-cold oysters on the half shell, an army of volunteers was kept busy popping opening these glistening beauties, enticingly displayed on deep beds of crushed ice.

Snagging A Nice Cool Glass of Local Chardonnay Wine, Perfect To Accompany An Afternoon Of Munching On Luscious Local Seafood

But, heresy of heresies, here in the land of prolific clam and oyster aquaculture, I don’t like either clams or oysters! So, while others were busy smacking lips over the bi-valves, I was moseying on over to the other side of the grounds to scoff up on a nice cold glass of Chardonnay to enjoy with my seafood. On the Eastern Shore we are fortunate to have three great local wineries, Chatham Vineyard, Holly Grove Winery and Bloxom Vineyard. We’re not Napa Valley but still, it’s great to be able to brag about having our own wine appellation, the Eastern Virginia Appellation. And from there I headed straight into the arms of the Shrimp Station tent. Now I really love shrimp, they are my personal seafood favorite, but I am very particular about shrimp preparation. Be they steamed, fried or scampied, what reader of this blog has not suffered through rubbery, what-the-heck-are-these, grossly over-cooked shrimp ? I must congratulate the charge’ d’affaires of the Shrimp Station for a job really, really done well. It’s hard to even imagine the challenges of on-site cooking for literally hundreds upon hundreds of people, in an open air tent, with portable equipment, grappling with the logistics of assuring that every single ingredient is on hand, in the correct amount, definitely no possibility of just stepping into the pantry for more. But to do this with shrimp, which are so easy to ruin with a too-thick, greasy coating or by over-cooking, is even more of a challenge. But these were excellent, tender, succulent, crisp in a light, crunchy tempura style batter, congrats to the whole Team Shrimp ! And did I mention the accompanying sauce, a smooth, mayo- based sauce, delicately seasoned with tangy horseradish, a few spices and a bit of mustard, offering just enough bite to contrast with the sweetness of the shrimp, absolutely delightful.

Toads By Any Other Name Would Be More Delicious

After a couple of turns with the whole shrimp thing, it was off to Toads–fried toads. Not the jumps-out-from-behind-the-flower-pot kind of toad but rather a toadfish toad. When cooked, they’re just tiny things, about three inches long and about an inch or a bit more across. But despite the off-putting name, they are delicious, with a delicate white meat, not fishy at all, This was the first time that I can recall toads being served at Harvest Fest but they seemed to be very popular and I certainly enjoyed them, several helpings worth. From there, it was off to the Flounder Station. Flounder is a fav fish of mine, I especially like it served a la Sting Ray Restaurant’s style, topped with a rich Crab Imperial and finished under the broiler until smoking hot and crispy brown. Totally yum ! Sadly, but of course, the Fest Flounder wasn’t topped with crab, but it was still very good, tender, with a crisp seasoned coating, very nice.

Eastern Shore Harvest Fest Crabcake Tent

Waiting In Line For Some Savory Crabcakes

While strolling around, scooping up shrimp, toads and flounder, I had also been keeping my eye on the Crabcake Station which been sporting a pretty long line all afternoon. However, when you’ve got seafood on the brain and there are savory crabcakes to be had, well, trust me, like the Sirens tempting Ulysses, those crab cakes call out, long line or not. So, hey girl, better just get in line with the dozens of other folks looking for their crabcake fix. Presented this year by the well-known Exmore Diner, prepared on a sizzling grill instead of deep-fried, I did wonder at the outset if these would be worth the wait. But reaching the end of the line and picking up my prize, a plate of two aromatic crabcakes, made from the famously flavorful Chesapeake Bay blue crab, subtly spiced, with a pinch of parsley added, delectably rich, melt-in-your-mouth, I had to say, oh yes, they were worth the wait !

Harvest Fest - Virginia Eastern Shore art tents

Surveying The Local Art Talent

By then, totally sated, I was ready to move on to the Arts and Crafts tents and check out all the paintings, carvings, sculpture, etc. Harvest Fest always has always included great variety of local artisans displaying their creative works. Among this year’s group were Billy Crockett, a well-respected local carver, Mary Onley, known affectionately as “Mama Girl“, whose whimsical paper-mache’ figures have become quite famous locally and Copper Creations, well-known for their Nature based copper art figures as well as garden art. It’s always fun to browse through, taking in all the beautiful things on display, especially as I have no talent whatever along those lines . I’m always amazed to see how many really gifted artists we have here on the Eastern Shore and I love wrapping up the annual Harvest Fest with a stroll through the art tents, a real feast for the eyes after such a delightful feast for the tum-tum.

Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Eastern Shore vineyards, Eastern Shore Virginia Harvest Fest, Events in Cape Charles, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Posted in At the Beach, Business, Entertainment, Events In Cape Charles, Fine and Casual Dining, Just Having Fun, Regional Foods & Wine, The Arts | No Comments »

A Rollicking Street Festival In Cape Charles For “Benefit by the Bay” 2013

Friday, August 23rd, 2013

Every year one of the Eastern Shore’s primary arts groups, Arts Enter Cape Charles, holds a major dinner-dance-auction benefit to raise funds to pay the mortgage on the Palace Theatre for another year and float many of its other expenses. It’s the major fundraiser for this important community arts group and a lot of time and effort goes into planning this event so it will be not only fun for guests but profitable for the organization. This year’s benefit was a Street Festival, a Strawberry Street in Cape Charles, VA festival to be exact. And festivals in general are so fun and colorful, the hum of voices and music blending, rising, floating above the street, surely they are the perfect occasions to get together with family and friends to hang out, let the vibes flow, just have a merry old time.

Guests entered through the front doors of the theatre, which was all decked out for the evening with fragrant floral arrangements placed in eye-catching corners, then slipped out the side doors, down a long red carpet and into the street. Voila’, overnight a magnificent transformation of the first block of Strawberry Street from the usual blacktop pavement and concrete sidewalks busy with cars and pedestrians into a gorgeous plaza ! Decorated with leafy trees in huge, beautiful pots bedecked with strands of tiny burnished gold lights, flower arrangements sporting a thousand brilliant blossoms, gurgling fountains and dozens upon dozens of circular tables covered with eye-catching deep rose and teal cloths, the street had become a virtual fairyland of colors, shapes, sounds, textures.

We arrived about 7 pm, the sun already throwing long shadows and deliciously cool evening breezes were gently blowing off the Chesapeake Bay just 3 blocks away. Before stepping through to the street, we took a quick whirl through the Silent Auction site set up in the Stage Gallery, just checking on the donated artwork there, lots of promising items to review in-depth later in the evening. But now, time to visit with friends over a glass of chilled Chardonnay and sample from the appetizer table. I had to check out some of my favorites more than once, including the ice-cold jumbo shrimp served with a very tangy red cocktail sauce. The cheese tray was also very popular with wine drinkers and beer fans alike, being well stocked with a variety of both soft and hard cheeses and plenty of crunchy multigrain crackers. Dinner was served buffet style on the southern end of the plaza, with a number of grazing stations set up, offering a variety wide enough to satisfy even picky eaters.

My husband headed for the cold salmon station, the fish prepared by talented local chef Tim Brown, beautifully decorated with wafer thin slices of cucumber, served with a dill creme’ fraiche, and accompanied by a colorful cold pasta salad and skewers of antipasto anchored by chilled asparagus, all very, very nice. I, on the other hand, elected to head first to the Land & Sea station and the savory plump grilled chicken breasts and succulent crabcakes awaiting there. One thing about grilled chicken– it’s so easy to end up with something dry and tough ! But this was really excellent, very tender, great flavor and texture, done about as perfectly as any BBQ chicken I’ve had, with plenty of spicy sauce on the side. Tossed green salad with a balsamic vinaigrette, roasted potatoes and an elaborate fruit tray were offered as sides, all in all, a tasty summery meal. For those looking for local seafood, a raw bar station offered fresh tender little clams and salty oysters from the Broadwater Oyster Co. of Willis Wharf, both served on the half shell atop deep beds of ice. Raw seafood is not my thing but this was a very popular station, keeping several servers busy just popping open the clam and oyster shells. for the ever-present line of aficionados.

As twilight morphed into darkness, we headed inside for another view of the Silent Auction items in the Stage Door Gallery. Lots of good stuff to bid on– several original paintings including a dramatic oil by Clalia Sheppard, lots of original jewelry, some great autographed items, a number of very collectible records, some dramatic framed photography including a very striking photo of a blue heron. ( And as it turned out, for which we were the successful bidder.) As I had an early meeting the following day, it was about time for us to call it a night. Too bad, as we were leaving the band was starting to really get into its groove and the dance floor was filling up. Another year, another great Benefit By The Bay. Keep ’em coming Arts Enter, time soon to start planning Benefit 2014 !

Tags: Arts Enter Cape Charles, Benefit By The Bay, Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Events in Cape Charles, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Palace Theatre Cape Charles Virginia, Stage Door Art Gallery
Posted in Events In Cape Charles, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, Regional Foods & Wine, The Arts | No Comments »

A GLORIOUS FOURTH OF JULY 2013 IN CAPE CHARLES, VIRGINIA

Friday, July 19th, 2013

Sun And Fun On The Cape Charles Beach

We spent a few days over the 4th of July at a charming Victorian home overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and sparkling sand beach on Bay Avenue in the quaint historic town of Cape Charles, VA. The plan was to have a couple of grandkids for a sleepover on Wednesday night, then a big family gathering to watch the fireworks on Thursday night and finally for Hubby and I to grab a well-deserved day of peace and quiet on Friday. For once, things went some what according to plan. We rolled into town just after a kid-friendly lunch at Mickey D’s, intent on getting all cold items unpacked and stuffed into the refrigerator at the house before heading out to the Wednesday Aftenoon Chess Club at the new public library on Mason Avenue. I say “new” library not in the sense of the building, which is a grand bank building built in the early 1900’s, most lately inhabited by Bank of America, ( and now owned by the Town thanks to the very affordable terms offered by BOA ), but in the sense that it just become the library. Space to be able to offer chess for kids is just one of the perks of making the building a public building rather than just another retail business as some had hoped. I personally think time will prove that this expenditure by the Town was a brilliant decision.

Brown Dog Ice Cream Shop In Cape Charles VA

To Try It Is To Love It— Brown Dog Ice Cream !

But what is located conveniently adjacent to the library, beloved by young and old alike, the perfect after-chess treat ? The Brown Dog Ice Cream Shop, of course, home of made-on-the-premises, good as Haagen Dazs, 6 or more rotating flavors everyday, served in a cup, sugar cone or crunchy waffle cone, delightfully cold, deliciously creamy ice cream. I tried the for- adults-only lemoncello which hit the spot on a warm summer’s day but I must say that Hubby’s coffee ice cream made with the Eastern Shore Roasting Company’s coffee was absolutely wonderful and I don’t even particularly like coffee ice cream ! The kids all had the Simply Berries, full of raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, the yummy way to sneak in extra antioxidants. From there it was off to the pool for a couple hours of pure splashing, jumping, laughing fun for the kids and a little relaxation in the shade for us.

Cape Charles Fishing Pier at Sunset 4th of July

Cape Charles Fishing Pier On A Soft Summer’s Eve

Back to the house for a fast, kid- friendly dinner of grilled hamburgers, corn on the cob and salad plus plenty of watermelon for dessert. I think that no fruit says summer better than sweet and juicy chunks of deep red, crisp, ice cold watermelon — unless it’s a tree-ripened, dripping with juice, sweet-as-sugar peach, plucked at the peak of perfection from a tenderly cared for tree at the Nottingham Farms orchard just south of Cape Charles. Anyway, we wanted to get in a walk at sunset and headed for the lighted fishing pier just down from the house. It’s a wonderful facility, stretching out into the Chesapeake Bay quite a ways, protected by a jetty, perfect for a relaxing after-dinner meander, no hurry, enjoying the sights and sounds, watching folks still sitting on the beach or wading in tide pools, just savoring the last few minutes of daylight, boats drifting back into the harbor, sated with a day of fishing, lights on the channel markers blinking red and green, a peaceful end to a busy day. Once back at the house, early lights-out for all in anticipation of a busy morning on the 4th, grandparents definitely tuckered out, grandkids not so much, which I guess proves we’re not spring chickens anymore.

Vendor Tents Cape Charles Beach July 4th

Getting Ready For A Busy Day

Awoke on the 4th to stiffled giggles downstairs, where the kids were trying hard (and almost succeeding) to keep the sound levels to a low roar. A dash for the coffee pot, zip-zip for a breakfast of yogurt and sausage & egg biscuits, then out the door for adventures down the street as the artist’s tents and the bouncy house folks were being set up for what they hoped would be a profitable day. Food vendors were already bustling about, the Italian sausage guys busy slicing up mounds of onions and bell peppers to grill, delicious aromas starting to waft across the sidewalk even at that early hour. We poked our noses into everything, easy to do because we were more or less the first visitors on the scene. The kids got fixated on the possibility of a funnel cake later, I bought a light-weight hat with an amazingly wide brim and the biggest flap down the neck I ever saw, perfect for extra sunburn avoidance. We took a moment to say hi to Billie Crocket, a terrific local carver, and then back to the big front porch to settle down with a tall glass of lemonade awaiting the parade.

And Where Are The Clowns ? Send In The Clowns…

What I have always loved best about the Cape Charles 4th of July Parade is the active participation of so many folks in the Parade itself as well as a great turnout of spectators to cheer them on. Led by the Color Guard from the Cape Charles Coast Guard Station, followed by our first responders– fire truck after tanker truck after ladder truck after ambulance, full of volunteers from Fire and EMT Stations all over Northampton County, giving we the served a chance to cheer and wave to these folks who risk life and limb to help us everyday. And then the long procession, a whole array of organizations from Veterans to the Girl Scouts to the ESO Clown Troupe, followed by the Golf Cart Parade, this year with at least 30 gaily decorated golf carts full of waving people throwing candy to the crowd, followed by the Kid’s Bicycle Parade, with the Horse Parade bringing up the rear. So much participation, so much spirit, a joy to see, no apathy here, we love the Parade and the esprit de corps, it beats slick commercial floats a ten times over.

Tall ship at sunset in the Cape Charles VA Harbor on July 4th, 2013

Cape Charles Harbor At Sunset

After the Parade, a stroll down Bay Avenue, flowing with the crowd, snagging some of those aromatic grilled sausage/onion/bell pepper sandwiches, just generally enjoying the day until time for more splashing & laughing at the pool where one of the mothers took over kid supervision responsibilities and Hubby and I went back to the house for a well-deserved iced tea, just chilling out in an overstuffed chair, newspaper in hand, silently singing the praises of whatever brilliant person invented AC. Evening brought a spectacular sunset and some great “people watching” as still-decorated golf carts cruised merrily up and down the avenue, folks arrived to watch the fireworks from the beach, bikes and joggers silhouetted against a glowing sky of deep pinks and reds. Down at the harbor, white masts contrasted with the midnight blue sky. It was lovely, a truly wonderful day. Yet to come, the fireworks, this year a 30 minute display of grand explosions, a profusion of blazing flower patterns, brilliant petals glowing in bright reds, greens, golds, white. It was awesome ! The kids loved it, we loved it, the crowd loved it, a colorful and exciting end to another great 4th of July in Cape Charles, VA.

Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Events in Cape Charles, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Posted in At the Beach, Boating, Crafts, Entertainment, Events In Cape Charles, Fine and Casual Dining, Just Having Fun, Our Little Towns | No Comments »

Contemporary Eastern Shore Virginia Waterfront Home On Dramatic Point For Sale

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013

Aerial view of contemporary Eastern Shore VA waterfront home near Jamesville VA

Aerial view of this lovely waterfront home on the Virginia Eastern Shore

The very first thing you notice coming up the driveway of this like-new contemporary-feel Chesapeake Bay area waterfront home for sale near Jamesville, VA on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, is the water itself. Located on the very high banks of a dramatic waterfront point and boasting water on three sides, it offers the great beauty of having blue saltwater all around you. Three bedroom, three bath, this lovely home was custom- designed for this unique property and nestles contentedly into the woods, blending seamlessly into its surroundings, looking for all the world as though it just grew naturally up from the land instead of being the result of meticulous planing and construction.

Jamesville VA contemporary Eastern Shore home for sale great room views

Light filled great room with walls of windows and dramatic stone fireplace

Once inside, you are immediately struck by how all the glass just brings the outdoors right on in. The spacious 2 story foyer offers immediate views through the hallway and the great room right out to the waters beyond, azure points and silver sparkles dancing in the sun, peeking through the trees. This truly is a lovely home, filled with natural light, with an open, airy floor plan, the kind of home that just feels relaxing and natural, comfortable in its own skin so to speak, where it would be easy to be inspired every day by the beauty of the landscape. Because creating a casual and comfortable coastal lifestyle were key requirements when designing this home, instead of a traditional formal living room and dining room configuration, a great room as created, with walls of windows and sliding doors out to the wraparound deck organized into two distinct conversation areas. The first overlooks the eastern side of the deck and offers glimpses of the inlet as it curves around as well as the backyard boat dock. Oriented towards the full-wall length hearth and fireplace, the second conversation area is oriented towards the point itself and the gorgeous long views of the broad blue waters that lead out to the Chesapeake Bay.

The kitchen, well-equipped and sporting white counters and cupboards which contrast nicely with the earth-tone terra cotta floor tiles, offers a great work triangle for whipping up a favorite meal. A little breakfast nook nestles into one corner of the kitchen, offering views of shimmering water through the trees. ( If you love birds, this home is truly a birdwatcher’s delight– in summer you’ll see lots of herons,egrets and other wading birds, ducks, geese and loons in the winter and dozens of varieties of tiny songbirds warbling cheerfully from spring to fall, especially during migration seasons.) Lots of kitchen storage space for dishes, cookware, etc. plus a large pantry for spices and food items as well as a little wet bar area all make entertaining in this home an absolute snap. The window package in the kitchen is as well thought-out as those in the rest of the home, a full wall of windows fills the kitchen with soft natural light throughout the day, opening easily to be able to take advantage of cool breezes off the water all season long.

View of dock at Jamesville VA waterfront boating home

The sturdy backyard dock offers plenty of room for your boat and all your other water toys

A large workshop area adjacent to the 2 car garage has plenty of room for all your special projects plus extra storage space as well. And if a boat and kayaks are your main water toys, you’ll be well prepared to enjoy them. A large, sturdy backyard dock provides ample room for a good-sized power boat and kayaks too. It’s just a short cruise down the inlet to access the Chesapeake Bay and some of its prime fishing and crabbing grounds are nearby. This time of year, as the waters in the Bay have warmed, the fish are running, the big fish chasing the little fish and the whole cycle begins once more, fertile grounds for this season’s myriad fishing yarns about ” the big one that got away.” So, all in all, this home is great opportunity to own a home where everyday you can soak in that coastal feeling of leisurely living, in your very own castle, right at the water’s edge, on Virginia’s truly gorgeous Eastern Shore.

( Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed Virginia agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo,VA. )

Tags: Blue Heron Realty Co. Machipongo and Cape Charles, Chesapeake Bay real estate, Eastern Shore Virginia real estate, Fishing, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Real Estate, Virginia waterfront home for sale
Posted in Birding, Boating, Just Having Fun, Our Little Towns | No Comments »

The First Annual Great Bay Run in Cape Charles, VA

Friday, June 7th, 2013

The Great Bay Run

This summer an exciting new event is coming to the Eastern Shore of Virginia ! On Saturday, June 15, 2013, in conjunction with the Tall Ships at Cape Charles Festival, the town will be the site of the First Annual Great Bay Run.

Organized by race directors Eric Hack, a teacher and coach at the Eastern Shore’s Broadwater Academy and Eva Noonan, an agent at our own Blue Heron Realty Co., this is a first for both of them. Eva also works with Eric as volunteer assistant cross country and track coach at Broadwater. This is expected to be a premier event, kicking off the debut of what they hope will be an exciting annual runner’s challenge.

Cape Charles beach with Victorian homes in background

5k Run will pass along Bay Ave.in Cape Charles, VA

The Great Bay Run in Cape Charles will offer both a 5k race and a 1.25 mile fun run/walk. Both events start at 8:30 AM on Saturday, June 15th, near the Blue Heron Realty office at 113 Mason Avenue. The route will take runners along Bay Avenue, with its grand dame’ Victorian- era homes overlooking beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay and the sparkling sand dunes along the Town’s soft sand beach, weave through the Historic District, then out past the Coast Guard Station and finally into the Cape Charles Harbor of Refuge. By concluding at the Cape Charles Harbor, participants will be able to enjoy all the events at this state of the art marina which will be be filled for the Festival with sailboats of all sizes and descriptions, including three Tall Sailing Ships and a US Navy patrol ship, all of which will be visiting for the entire week-end. The three Tall Ships berthed there will also be offering deck tours and 2 hour day sails all weekend long so it’s a great opportunity to experience maritime history. Additionally, the winners will be presented with their trophies down at the Harbor right after the race.

Eric and Eva look forward to putting on a competitive and fun race experience that the hundreds of athletes of all abilities already signed up will enjoy. Eva has recently started a local women’s running group which has inspired many locals to join the June 15th race as well. And it’s really exciting that runners have signed up to participate from as far away as Ohio and Pennsylvania. For additional information about the race, visit its Facebook site at: https://www.facebook.com/greatbayruncapecharles. Anyone interested in registering for the race can still sign up, registration will be active until 7:30 am on the morning of the race.

Online registration is available on Active.com at this link: http://www.active.com/5k-race/cape-charles-va/the-great-bay-run-in-cape-charles-2013. So, whether you’re interested in being a spectator or a participant, come on down, we think it’s going to be lots of fun.

The Great Bay Run would like to thank it’s sponsors: Blue Heron Realty Co., QS LLC, Eastern Shore Custom Carts, Eastern Shore Signs, Hook U Up Gourmet, Rayfield’s Pharmacy, and Kelly’s Gingernut Pub. The proceeds of the race will be split equally and donated to benefit two causes: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as well as the Broadwater Academy cross country and track & field teams.

Tags: Cape Charles Harbor, Cape Charles Tall Ships Festival, Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Great Bay Run, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Tall Ships Cape Charles Festival
Posted in At the Beach, Boating, Entertainment, Events In Cape Charles, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, Sailing | No Comments »

Living Life On The Water On The Eastern Shore Of Virginia

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

In my efforts to let folks who are considering buying property on the Eastern Shore of Virginia know what living here would be like, I sometimes think I write too much about the many “Happenings” and the wide variety in the myriad of things to do here and not enough about the simple pleasures of daily life at home here on the Shore. We are very lucky to live on a beautiful waterfront parcel near the town of Nassawadox, VA, named for one of the Shore’s Native American tribes, long since vanished. And one of my cherished treats on beautiful days when I won’t be going into the office is to have my morning coffee out on our screened porch or the adjacent back deck, both overlooking the clear blue waters of a wide, pristine saltwater inlet from the Chesapeake Bay. ( On days when I’m going into the office I don’t even try to relax outside, instead I start getting geared up for another long day of everything but the kitchen sink.)

Our Bird Sheltering, Shade Producing Bradford Pear Tree Standing Proudly Between The House And The Woods

This morning, sitting on the porch very early, coffee mug in hand, the sun coming up over the tops of the trees in the orchard and just beginning to illuminate the now huge Bradford Pears in the backyard, the thought occurred to me that it probably is hard to truly understand how relaxing and peaceful it really is to live on the water, to be able to just sit and gaze at the ripples along the channel, listening to the sounds of Nature, watching the birds get a start on the day. ( We have a number of bird feeders in both the back yard where we can enjoy them from the porch and also in the front yard, hanging from a magnolia tree, easily viewed from what I lovingly call ” the library” but which is a very large south-facing room with an entire wall of windows overlooking the expanse of front yard lawn and flower beds. Over-stuffed with not only two walls of book shelves, crammed with a lifetime collection of books, but also two desks with adjustable office chairs, two comfy Lazy Boy loungers, a stereo system plus a billion and counting compilation of cd’s & dvd’s. It’s a veritable paradise for two, filled with things we love.) As I look out now into the backyard, a pair of cardinals and a couple of fat doves are pecking at seeds on the ground which have dropped out of the feeder, two tiny yellow finches are flitting between the feeder and the pear tree, trying to eat and keep safe too, and a pesky squirrel is trying to decide what to do, munch off what’s fallen on the ground from the feeder or attempt to shinny up the pole to get to the serious goodies ! Out on the inlet, an early morning waterman checking his crab pots has startled a large blue heron which gives a loud squawk-squawk-squawk as it skims over the water, searching for a more promising breakfast venue further down the shoreline.

Views Of The Water From Our Deck

When we first bought this house, there were two small Bradford Pear trees that the original owner had planted about 150 feet apart in the middle of the large expanse of lawn between the house and the woodline along the water. It seemed to me that the trees marred the view of the water from the porch and deck and I wanted to have them cut down but my husband loved them and convinced me to wait a year to see if I still wanted to have them removed. Well, that was quite a few years ago and the Bradfords are still there, bigger and taller now than most Bradfords ever normally grow. But what I came to realize over the course of that very first year was that those trees don’t interfer with the view, they are a part of the view. Miss Charlotte, our first Newfie, loved to sit under the one to the left of the porch, relaxing in the shade of its branches, scanning the woods along the water for signs of rabbits or squirrels, maybe even a deer, ready to instantly jump up and futilely chase. Now she is resting forever in the shade of that tree, her big floppy stuffed bunny buried with her for company. Songbirds adore that tree because the large bird feeder hanging from a metal staff just outside the dripline is so easy to reach from the safety of its leafy branches, they establish a sort of rhythm, eat for a few seconds, fly into the tree and look around, then back to the feeder, a careful ritual, repeated over and over by all sorts of sweet, tiny birds, singing songs we love. And although I know hawks have to eat too, when I see a soaring redtail land in a high branch of a big oak or a tall pine in the woods, I love knowing that the sweet little birds who come to our feeders are safely hidden among those Bradford leaves, the trees being too close to the house for hawks to comfortably venture near. I often think how much we would have missed had those trees been removed. Thanks Hubby, you were so absolutely right.

Cozy & Comfy– From A Cup Of Early Morning Coffee To A Glass Of Wine At Sunset, Our Screened Porch Is About My Favorite Place To Be

As I finish this post, after a coffee refill, the breeze is picking up, gently moving the kitetails of the two wind chimes positioned on opposite ends of the deck, creating gentle music. I love wind chimes and since being on the water offers breezes all season long, our deck is ideal chime territory. It’s also home to a myriad of flower pots filled with bloomers of all kinds, this year mostly in shades of lavender and pinks, including a gorgeous deep pink mandevilla, although the big pot of red geraniums may be the most eye-catching. Since we’ll be here all day today, I’ll serve lunch out on the screened porch, on our little glass-topped rattan table for four. I’m thinking cold roast chicken from last night, sliced thinly for sandwiches, bread and butter pickles, maybe a glass of well chilled Riesling, a tiny piece of Kate’s Kupboard coconut pound cake, just a sliver to satisfy the sweet tooth. After lunch, maybe an hour or two with Dan Brown’s new book, Inferno, read stretched out in a big, comfy porch chair, totally relaxed, totally into Home Sweet Home on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the house, the water, the birds, the butterflies, the Newfies and squirrels still carefully eyeing each other, for today life is good.

( Posted by Marlene Cree, a licensed agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo,VA.)

Tags: Chesapeake Bay real estate, Eastern Shore of Virginia, gardening on the Eastern Shore, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Nature, Real Estate, waterfront homes on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, waterfront living on the Eastern Shore
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Garden Week 2013 On Eastern Shore Virginia– The 80th Annual Event Sponsored By The Garden Club of Virginia

Monday, May 20th, 2013

The Beautiful Southern Tip of the Eastern Shore of Virginia

April, 2013 marked the celebration of the 80th Annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia, presented statewide by the Garden Club of Virginia each Spring since 1929. This year’s official Garden Week book indicated that 178 homeowners all over Virginia, assisted by over 3000 volunteers from the 47 member clubs, opened their homes and grounds to public tours last week. Proceeds from the Tours help preserve the grounds of historic landmarks all over the state as well as to fund scholarships in landscape architecture. The Eastern Shore of Virginia has so many beautiful historic homes that have been preserved and restored that going to the Garden Week open houses here is always a delight. The homes that are selected are always great and the last week of April is a perfect time to show gardens in full bloom here on the Shore. This year six waterfront homes in Northampton County’s beautiful southern tip were opened for Garden Tours and we devoted our Saturday afternoon to visiting three of them, two historic and one quite contemporary home. Each was gorgeous in its own particular way. I only wish that interior photos were allowed because the architectural detail is often remarkable in these homes, as is the decor, including some outstanding collections.

Old Castle’s Elegant Approach

Our first stop was at Old Castle, home of Northampton County Supervisor Rick Hubbard and his wife, Kate. It’s a lovely traditional style home located on the Cherrystone Creek inlet from the Chesapeake Bay near the historic little town of Eastville,VA, seat of Northampton County, well known as the oldest repository of continuous court records in the nation. The house itself is of a telescoping design, a favored architectural style on the Eastern Shore in the 1700 and 1800’s, with a gambrel roof . The approach to the front door is through a double row of ancient boxwoods, taller than I am, and pressing close in, don’t think that someone the size of Pavarotti could have made it through without a bit of a push, not that I am the size of Pavarotti. Once inside the spacious foyer, which features a striking custom floor covering by well-known local artist, Mariam Riggs, it quickly became clear that a lot of love and work went into the restoration of this lovely home. My favorite interior architectural details were the two identical fireplace mantels in the parlor and the dining room. I’ve not seen any quite like them, multiple layers of thin carved wood in descending size, sort of like thin steps in descending order, apparently created from a single solid piece of wood, creating a remarkable effect, especially given the tools of that day. As part of the Garden theme, each room in a Garden Tour Home has a floral arrangement custom created to compliment the colors and feel of the particular room in which it will be placed. Lots of lovely floral pieces throughout this home, clearly a great deal of thought and effort went into these arrangements. Interesting collections abounded, especially Kate Hubbard’s amazing collection of salt cellars — an entire room is devoted to display shelves featuring nothing but salt cellars. All shapes and all kinds, crystal, silver, porcelain, from countries all over the world– who knew that the Chinese even used salt cellars or that German salt cellers were generally so ornate ? But the real showplace was the backyard where Mother Nature took over the limelight, including one of the most beautiful crape myrtle trees I’ve ever seen as a focal point. Fronting on the Cherrystone Creek inlet, Old Castle’s fabulous views spread right out to the Chesapeake Bay, totally awe-inspiring, I’m sure that sunsets are absolutely spectacular.

Pleasant Prospect Farm Front View of House

Pleasant Prospect Farm on Cherrystone Creek Inlet

Off next to nearby Pleasant Prospect Farm, a 170 acre working farm, home to retired 4 star Admiral William J. Flannagan, Jr., whose distinguished naval career included the very serious responsibility of being the Norfolk, VA based Commandant of the entire US Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. True to its name, Pleasant Prospect Farm is indeed quite pleasant, with a quiet approach through fertile waterfront farm fields , sun glinting off the glistening blue waters all the way down the driveway. Passing several outbuildings, including a two story garage with a castle-like appendage, we arrived at the main house, a very attractive Dutch colonial style with two huge pin oaks heralding the front entrance. The original section of the home can be dated back to the 1750’s. During restoration, support beams were found in their original, unfinished state, revealing a numbering system directing the order in which they were to be installed, a rare historic construction detail. The original wainscoting is also still in place which I believe is fairly unusual. A new kitchen has been added, large, luminous, with a lightly stained hardwood ceiling adding warmth and texture, a dream kitchen really,with every detail and convenience one could wish for right there, ready to take on anything from a simple omelet to a large dinner party. My favorite floral arrangement of the day was here, the long dining room table the display surface for a striking composition consisting of 5 small, dark green watermelons (or maybe they were citrons ), about 6 inches in diameter, handsomely striped, arranged in a zigzag pattern among fancy curled Lucky Bamboo stalks which had been arranged in delicate vases of a variety of sizes and shapes, but all in various hues of pale green, a pleasing contrast to the deep green of the melons. Absolutely stunning, kudos to the ladies who created it. Once outside in the backyard, we took a few minutes to peek into several of the numerous outbuildings, my favorite being an elegant little building, light-filled, housing a built-in marble jacuzzi, waters steaming and swirling, neck muscles could unwind just by looking at it. From there, Mother Nature took over the limelight again. If possible, even broader views of Cherrystone inlet and the Chesapeake Bay were on display here, simply inspiring, no other words for it.

Simple Yet Elegant Describes This Pickett’s Harbor Beachfront Home

Then, as they would say on Monty Python, now for something completely different. Leaving the Eastville area, we headed to the Eastern Shore’s very southern tip, past Cape Charles, nearly to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, to the Pickett’s Harbor area and a new beach house nestled into the rolling sand dunes of this unique topography. Unlike most homes on the Eastern Shore, this home is very contemporary, a single story home, almost a Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie style home, appearing as if it had just grown out of the ground, looking as natural here as any of the numerous trees and shrubs which surround it. Cedar sided, it blends quietly into the wooded setting right at the edge of the dune line. Yet immediately as you enter the house you realize that instead of just simply being in a beautiful woods you are actually on the edge of an amazing beach, that although the house is nestled into woods on the front side, the rear of the home is balanced on sparkling, rolling dunes, nothing but sand and swaying sea grasses for hundreds of feet, ending only at water’s edge, where a view of infinite blues takes over the eye’s focus. The house itself, designed by its architect owner, Tom Goffigan, an Eastern Shore native, now transplanted to the bright lights of L.A., is long and narrow, basically one room deep in many places, but each of these bright and airy rooms enjoy fabulous views of sparkling waters, glistening sands and golden sunshine. What more could be asked of such a pristine setting ? My favorite room was the screened porch, full house wide, built- in window seats spanning one entire end, framed with wide cedar cross posts forming a soothing pattern, breezes flowing through, laden with the tangy sea aromas. Outside, a long, low slung boardwalk zigzags unobtrusively from the house to the end of the dune line, providing an easy path to the beach and protecting the fragile dune vegetation from being trampled. This is a very handsome home, decorated with all sorts of Eastern Shore memorabilia, old maps, photos, antique fishing reels, a very restful space indeed, a great home to end our tour with. From there, after making a quick stop at nearby Nottingham Farm Market to pick up some tender, picked-that-morning-fresh local asparagus for dinner, ever so yummy grilled with lemon butter, we set out for home, a delicious spring treat in hand, the end of an interesting day. (Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed Virginia agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr.,Machipongo VA)

Tags: 80th Annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia, Chesapeake Bay real estate, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Garden Club of the Eastern Shore, Garden Week in Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Virginia historic homes
Posted in Entertainment, Gardening, Historic Homes, Just Having Fun, Our Little Towns | No Comments »

May Is Barbeque Month On Eastern Shore Virginia – Make Way For Savory & Delicious

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

Actually, May is BBQ Month nationally but I like to think we really do it up brown ( pun intended ) here on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. For such a slender little peninsula as ours, I think we’re lucky to have several luscious BBQ places here on the Shore, ( a special shout-out here to StingRays ), plus easy access to several more in nearby Virginia Beach, Whitner’s BBQ being my personal favorite in Tidewater. And a really well-known place, Pierce’s BBQ near Williamsburg, try to stop there to bring some carryout whenever we visit the historic area, at least 2 or 3 times a year. But some of the most delicious BBQ might be the homemade stuff, slathered with the family ” secret sauce”, ( the South being legendary for its love of BBQ and just about everyone has their special sauces and methods of cooking ), and served with time-honored favorite side dishes.

The flavor of the very first BBQ sandwich I ever had in Virginia surprised me completely, being used to what I now think of as typical Kansas City type tomato based sauces. Anyway, shortly after we moved to Virginia I was at a business meeting in Richmond where many of the other attendees were locals. When lunch break rolled around, they suggested what was described as a ” great BBQ place” nearby, which sounded good to me. At first bite I was surprised, not because it was so tasty, because I’d had many tasty BBQ sandwiches, but because it appeared to have no sauce, a “special sauce” being the holy grail of good BBQ. But , as promised by the group, it was really delicious, chopped pork, tender, moist, very flavorful. I told our server that I really liked it but wondered why it didn’t have any sauce. Honey, you aren’t from Richmond are you, said she, well, not only was I not from Richmond, I was brand-new to Virginia. Which is no doubt why I failed to recognize the premier BBQ sauce of Richmond, VA, boiled vinegar Sooey Sauce. Consisting of just vinegar, salt, a smidgen of sugar, black pepper and red pepper flakes gently simmered together for about 15 minutes and left to rest for at least 5-6 hours before tossing into fork tender pork which has been slow cooked in a smoker or covered grill and then coarsely chopped. As one can likely guess, this is now one of my very favorite BBQ sauces for chopped pork. Ribs, of course, are a different matter entirely and we’ll deal with ribs shortly.

So to make sure we are observing BBQ Month properly, very important indeed, we are going to turn a combo Mother’s Day/Dad’s B-Day party into a little cook off/pot luck, complete with whipping up several new and different sauces to evaluate. I am planning to try two great sounding sauces from amazingribs.com, the Chris Lilly Spiced Apricot Sauce and the Tennessee Holler Whiskey Sauce, both rib sauces. The plan is to grill the ribs, mopping them with the vinegar sauce to keep them moist on the grill, then glazing each rack of ribs with a different finishing sauce. Of course, a great BBQ isn’t just about the ribs, it’s about the accompanying side dishes. In fact, as I’m writing this little post, I have one ear tuned to NPR’s Sunday afternoon show, America ‘s Test Kitchen, and Chris Kimball is discussing the history of cornbread and the differences between Southern and Northern styles of cornbread. No question in my mind which is better, Southern style wins hands down. Made with almost no sugar and very little flour, just good ole yellow stone-ground cornmeal, eggs and buttermilk, it’s something you can sink your teeth into. Topped with a smear of butter and an ample drizzle of honey, now that’s a cornbread so delicious I don’t even feel guilty about abandoning my Northern roots to declare it the winner. And you must have cornbread at a BBQ, wouldn’t seem right without it, plus crunchy coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad with plenty of celery seed, fried apples and, of course, creamy, gooey mac and cheese. And at our house, either green beans or collards to help balance out all that starch ! So, we’re planning to do our part to celebrate BBQ Month 2013, hope everyone else is ready to enjoy this savory and delicious outdoor food. (Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed agent with Blue Heron Realty Co, 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo, VA )

Tags: Eastern Shore of Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, National BBQ Month, Souther style cornbread, StingRay's Restaurant, Whitner's BBQ
Posted in Entertainment, Fine and Casual Dining, Just Having Fun, Regional Foods & Wine | No Comments »

Life and Real Estate on the Eastern Shore of Virginia