New Twist on an old Favourite

At the Virgin Atlantic lounge at Dulles last night we noticed that they had changed their menu.  The fruits formerly known as ‘far-fetched’ which used to amuse us are now renamed as ‘exotic’.

This dish is new to the menu.  Can you guess what it is?

(Bangers and Mash flatbread none less - and a lot nicer than it may sound!)

A Stormy Good Friday

In Reston town centre this morning a sunny start turned into a dark and squally middle of the day.  Having been to the hairdresser I scuttled back to the car just before the heavy rain came.

Later, at Dulles Airport to fly home, the sky was still full of cloud - in long formations which were even more noticeable from above....

Maundy Thursday

How can it be Easter already?    If time is of the essence and no hot cross buns made or available, why not try this interesting take on the flavours, as suggested by Sainsbury’s magazine this month?  

Award-Winning Pasties

In Vienna today I visited the Pure Pasty Co - ‘Virginia’s first pasty shop’.  They have been in business for quite a few years but recently made headlines in the US and in the UK when they won an award at the World Pasty Championships at the Eden Project.

The award was for first place in the Open Savoury category.  The pineapple displaying the medal is the ingredient that caused all the fuss!

The picture at the top of this post shows the winning pasty - BBQ Chicken with Pineapple.

We did of course test the new flavor and it was good - nothing like a traditional flavor pasty as quite spicy with a sweet/sour flavor - but an interesting alternative!

Items on Sale

Lots of activity at The Bargain Loft today with prices marked down on certain items... such as some of the clothes, baskets..there is quite a collection of those!

Books..

Selected pieces of furniture..

And of course Easter items..

It’s that time..

If by any chance the approach of Easter had gone unnoticed, the presence of the extraordinarily decorated chrysanthemum plants in Home Depot would give the game away!  

This year they have added a new design - this is, apparently, a cupcake!

Poor old plants!

On the Ground at Great Falls

As well as the ‘big’ views at Great Falls, it was fun to notice the details on the ground - some showing the aftermath of the wintry weather, but also some signs of Spring.

There is always interesting moss and lichen on the huge, glacier-smoothed rocks in the valley.  Tiny plants grow in crevices between the stones.

An Autumn feel about these dead leaves, still clinging on and rustling in the breeze!

The first sign of a Virginia bluebell.  The woods along the valley should be full of these in a few weeks - they will gro to 12-18 inches tall but are currently only about 3-4!

Extraordinary patterns of fungus on a piece of fallen tree.

This bright plant was growing in a shallow stream.





The daffodils have sprung back after the snow.

Another bluebell in a slightly more sheltered spot, showing the shape of the flower to come.