LET ME TAKE YOU TO LEESBURG

I am back in Singapore having spent almost 6 weeks in my other home -  Leesburg, Virginia in the USA.  This cute Northern Virginia Town, steeped in Civil War history, has a special place in my heart, not least because they named the Town after us.  (Just kidding!  Of course, our surname is Lees so we do like to joke that maybe they did name it after us.)

Anyway, it was a lovely time, re-connecting with family, friends and "our Town".

It was so good to be reunited with our kids, (plus their doggies), and to be able to spend Christmas together.  A double celebration this year as our daughter became engaged to be married - much excitement as we start to plan a wedding to take place in May of 2015!  We will be gaining a super son-in-law.

With a mix of weather whilst I was there, from snow, icy rain to bitterly cold temperatures (which broke the record), back again to temperatures in the 50's (F), it was a far cry from the hot sultry temperatures of Singapore.  But who can resist a good snow picture right?!

Our backyard

Our frontyard

The beautiful Morvern Park, Leesburg

Downtown Leesburg is steeped in Civil War History, nowhere more so than Harrison Hall (Glenfiddich House) on King Street.  Visited by General Robert E. Lee on September 3rd 1862 where he received treatment after he sustained injuries to his wrists after his horse, Traveler, unexpectedly shied.  

General Lee was starting into the Maryland Campaign, he had sustained a painful hurt when standing by his horse which gave a sudden start. In catching himself, both wrists were sprained and a small bone in one was broken.
                                                                                             Courtesy of www.mileslehane.com

 That evening he held a war council, planning the confederate invasion of Maryland, which ended with the Battle of Antietam. Among the planners in attendance were Generals Lewis Armistead, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, James Longstreet, and James Ewell Brown “Jeb” Stuart.[2]
                                                                                              Courtesy of Wikipedia.org

One of my favorite haunts in Downtown Leesburg is Shoes, Cup and Cork.  This awesome little coffee shop/restaurant is a great place to hang out and watch the World go by.  For many years this place was a shoe repair shop.  Some of the old fixtures of the repair shop are featured in the place, for example the old shoes making up the light fixture, which I just love.

Shoes, Cup and Cork - a favorite Leesburg haunt of mine.

Yum!

The lovely painted mural inside Shoes, Cup and Cork

The unusual lighting in Shoes, Cup and Cork

Getting to re-connect with these ladies is always a highlight.  For many years we have been meeting up on a Friday morning at South Street Under, another Leesburg gem.  I slot back in whenever I get back to Leesburg and they welcome me with open arms, love them. (Disclaimer, these pictures are from last summer as I did not manage to snap any of us this time around)

Yummy Chilli, photo courtesy of South Street Under

South Street Under - Photo Courtesy of South Street Under

Leesburg is a quaint Town with some interesting places.  Lightfoot Restaurant is housed in an old Bank building and has some unique features inside.  We have the Chris Cooley Art Gallery owned by former NFL Redskin player Chris Cooley.  The Loudoun County Courthouse, whose first courthouse building was erected in 1758 and has seen 3 different buildings on the site since then, a dominant feature of our Downtown.  Along with an eclectic bunch of restaurants, antique shops and boutiques, Leesburg is a little gem - but then I am slightly biased ha ha!!  It is hard not to love a Town that has been named after you!! ;)

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