Mark and Nicole's Big Adventure

I've always enjoyed the late fall and Christmas season in Williamsburg's historic district. The streets and byways are quieter. The houses and other buildings take on almost a sculptural quality as the trees lose their dense leaf cover and views stretch further than during any other season. But mostly I like the doors. Well, not the door itself (although I do appreciate those old latches, hinges and door knockers). It's the beautiful, organic holiday decor that catches my eye. Every year a fresh batch of gorgeous wreaths are created from real materials -- fir boughs, magnolia leaves and pods, dried flowers, wheat, cotton, shells, pine cones and fresh fruit including apples, lemons, oranges and cranberries. No plastic and polyester here. Even these natural-based wreaths are far more decorative than an 18th century local would have seen. But in our twinkle light and tinsel-encrusted world, they are a lovely change of pace.

We closed on our house! And we're in and more or less settled. It's going to be great. Those of you who know me also know that moving is at the top of my "Things I Hate Most" list. I love the outcome. The process is hell. Mark does better and just does what needs to be done. None of this matters now as we winnow down the last of the unpacked boxes, take yet another load to Goodwill and see what, if any of our unwanted furniture, can be consigned.  We downsized dramatically when we left our townhouse in Herndon and put what was left in storage before moving onto our boat. Now, as we move into a compact space with a much different, more contemporary vibe than previous homes, we are letting loose of more. I have never been afraid to get rid of stuff and look forward to the day when the floors are free of outcast lamps and there is more art on the walls. Until then, a few snaps of moving day and the new house.

We revisited one of our favorite historic haunts -- Jamestown -- and found it as fascinating as ever. Jamestown was established more than 400 years ago as the first permanent English settlement in the New World. But it's only been in the past 25 years that its secrets and treasures have come to light. Archaeologists began actively digging in the mid-90s to determine the location of the original fort that housed those first intrepid newcomers. Prior to that the assumption was the York River had swallowed all remains of the fabled site. That assumption would prove wrong. A handful of determined archaeologists discovered the outline of the wooden palisade by the presence of "stained" soil, indicating the location of post holes. That crude, high wooden fence surrounded the fort and today is reproduced so you can see just how small this first settlement was. Rustic buildings such as a barracks, a communal storeroom, the first of several church buildings and a graveyard were sn