Beautiful, wonderful Virginia

I am in love with this state called Virginia! It is so picturesque with rolling green hills,

forest,

red brick buildings, historic sites,

plantations, blue ridge mountains

and everything in between. Charlottesville has just a hint of southern hospitality, enough to make the people some of the nicest friendliest people I have encountered (granted, some of this probably has to do with darling Eva).

The community here is also very family centered. There are tons of mom play groups and lots of nice parks to have said play groups. There are book clubs, babysitting co-ops and mom work out groups. There also is an entire magazine called "Charlottesville Family" that lists family friendly events each week.

The music scene is also wonderful. I am involved in the Ash Lawn Opera's production of Amahl and the Night Visitors which will be playing downtown in Charlottesville next week. I'm part of the chorus and I was very, VERY impressed with the quality of musicians that are in this community ensemble. I also have the opportunity out here to be in an 18 person religious choir. We meet at the largest Presbyterian church I have ever scene each Tuesday night and sing religious works by Rorem, Mendelssohn and others. It is fantastic and wonderfully challenging.

Let me just talk a minute now about the architecture! The homes out here are marvelous. I'm not just talking about the famous houses either. See the picture below:

This is a house we found on a walk on Sunday. Last night I went to an activity at a house that is as old as Monticello. It even has the original slave quarter stairs. It was a very neat house to explore. Earlier this year we also had dinner at a mansion on a 27 acre plot of land. Case and point, the houses out here are marvelous! 

I am grateful that I have been able to fall in love with Charlottesville so quickly. It is a wonderful place but it would be nothing if it weren't for these two.