Thanksgiving Weekend

 Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! 

Biscuit

Will, Stirling, and I were invited down to the country for the holiday weekend by our lovely neighbors, the D's.  Most of you are familiar with the D's dog: Biscuit, Stirling's best friend.  We have decided that getting Stirling was the best decision ever.  Because of her, we have met so many wonderful people, including wonderful people with a beautiful home on the Choptank River in the Cheaspeake Bay watershed.

The D's have had had this place for 30+ years and have about 17 arces (majority of it does not face the water).  The house and land at one time belonged to a DuPont, but I am not sure when that was the case. 

The D's country house

Regardless, it is beautiful and the scenery is stunning.  We were able to watch the geese and ducks come and go; gulls bobbing in the water; and blue heron flying & fishing.  The Choptank River is pretty healthy and it is a great place for oysters and a variety of fish, not to mention crabs.  In fact, the D's have a crabbing cage off their pier that they use to catch fresh seafood.



Mr. D took us on a boat tour of the bay.  Several large, sprawling houses face the water-- what are called telescope houses, as additions have been attached to the house year after year, creating the telescope effect.   We passed Mr. Jones house--as in Dow Jones-- as well as his helicopter pad. Apparently he comes down to the Eastern Shore for weekends. 

 The main house itself isn't too terrible big; it is just two bedrooms.  There is a separate cottage that Mr. D uses for his office and the upstairs is an additional bedroom.  What makes the house though are the huge picture windows that face west, with views of gorgeous sunsets. 

leaning cedars

It is also one of the few houses on the river that has a beach-- of which both Biscuit and Stirling took full advantage.  The trees on the property are also so fun: the yellow ginko trees, the leaning cedars, and the twisted willows all just add to the relaxing vistas. 

dogs in the river after a romp on the beach

the house from the vantage point of the boat

We were also there to give thanks
and to eat.  and eat. and eat some more.  Mrs. D certainly knows how to cook!  Thanksgiving dinner included her sister, her brother-in-law, and her nephew, along with us.  I made fresh bread for the occasion and we provided the wine. 




Mrs. D sets out a menu for everyone and creates anagrams from your name.  You have to figure out which place setting is yours by figuring out the name cards. 

my name card

Will's name card

 We had our fill of turkey, two types of stuffings, onion pudding, green beans, sweet potato rounds, bread, and two types of cranberry sauce.  It was all delicious.  And then came three different types of pie: apple, pecan, and pumpkin.  Not only did we fare well with the meal, but the dogs did very well too.  Lots of turkey was accidentally knocked to the floor, where waiting pups scarfed down the droppings. 

golden leaves of the gingko tree

cranes by the swimming pool

 All in all, it was the perfect holiday weekend get away: about a 1.5 hour drive to a seclude home on the water.  We aren't sure, but we think that the best time was had by the dogs.  Both were exhausted by the end of the weekend from all the swimming, running, wrestling, eating, walking, chasing, and mauling that was done.  Upon our return to the city, Stirling napped for about 8 hours straight, went for a quick walk around the block, and then curled up again for the night. 

one happy, sandy, wet, crimping dog

along the water's edge

their pier into the Choptank River

We couldn't have been more thankful to have a dog in our lives, as she has introduced us to some wonderful dog owners who were quite amazing to share their holiday with us.  We had a wonderful time and do hope that after all the dishes we did, walks with the dogs, and small chores around the house, that we get invited back.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

the gingko tree with the edge of the cottage