A Warm Spell

And might I add that it is most welcome? Actually I like the cold but my darling husband is not as big a fan. I am writing this on Wednesday afternoon at 2:45 and according to the front porch thermometer the temperature is 72 degrees, a far cry from a little over a week ago! A big rainstorm overnight left wet courts leaving Bruce and I free to work on things here at home. 

Looking through the photos from last week, I guess it had something to do with the cold weather, but we were not as busy as some weeks, a cause for celebration actually. 

Saying that, it is more likely that I can't remember what we did! Actually I do remember some things, one of which was helping with both buying food for and organizing the food pantry that Diane and Cobby set up at the church. Lots of generous folks contributed and with Bruce's guidance ringing in my ears. we did what we could to make it appealing. 

Last Thursday others manned it during the time it was open to the public for distribution. Everyone was heartened though when the government shut down ended, making this sort of operation unnecessary. Around this county a food pantry is always a good thing, but most of the most needy folks live outside the downtown area and getting here can sometimes be hard for them. It is undoubtedly a conundrum. 

That reminds me of something we learned the other day. We stopped into Cherokee Cellars for lunch because we'd heard they were selling more food these day. Indeed they are and it was tasty. While that was good to report, asking the server if she was a local she answered in the affirmative saying she was from Abernathy holler. Now I have read that term in countless Southern novels I've read but I can't say as I could have actually defined it. Now I can thanks to our server who told me it is called that because mostly a group of related families live in an area so closely you could holler at them. At least that is my interpretation of what she said! I tell you friends, some days it is if all those novels are coming to life right here in front of me!

Most morning it has been freezing when we awake in the dark. I have not liked daylights savings time one bit this year!

The snow feels like it happened forever ago! I picked up a handful and it felt so nice, sort of fluffy-like. These bricks are in a shady part of the yard, so a tiny bit remained for a few days and the birds found it!

It was not just the Japanese Maple tree that lost her leaves, yes I am dubbing her a she because she was so showy and beautiful!!

On Saturday Bruce began tackling the backyard leaves going in such a methodical fashion it astounds me how he can be so consistent. I am such a scatter-brain compared to him. If I was the one doing this,

I might have started in a circular fashion, but there is no way I would have ended up that way! David Lamb came over to work on a drawer bottom of his that he'd ask Bruce to help him with. When he finished the staining, he joined Bruce in making the yard look tidy.

Please note those handy leaf-picker-upper things David is using that work like a charm, I might add. I found those at JoAnne's Fabric before we moved into the house when we were in Orlando and for like $4. At first Bruce was a tad bit dismissive, that is until he actually used them, discovering that they are as good as gold. 

Meanwhile inside the house, the scatter brained housekeeper, AKA Gail, finally caved and cleaned the fridge. For weeks I kept thinking it really was in need of some attention and finally, Saturday afternoon, it happened. I removed not just everything from the drawers and shelves but the door shelves as well! That's what I call a deep clean.

While we are looking at the above photo, most of which did not need throwing out, it's really the dishwasher that is the star of this show.  20 plus years old and still growing strong! Simple to use, cleans the dishes, and doesn't ask a thing from me in the doing. Most folks, including me, have horror stories of the new, wildly expensive appliances, with more functions than anyone knows what to do with, breaking in a few years, or in some cases a few months. Keep your old appliances folks and you will thank me for the suggestion later!

Look at this beauty!!

It has been a learning curve, using a side by side, but we've been up for the challenge. One item I found in the fridge, in a brown paper bag, was this gift from Tom and Jane Payne.

Who are Jane and Tom you ask? Astute readers just might remember Tom, he of who needed a ramp more than a year ago, but no longer does, much to everyone's surprise. He is really something at 92, as is Jane at 90! I bring that up because, yes they are from West Virginia, They were at Dollywood this past Sunday, otherwise I would have asked which one of them did that drawing? Enlarge the photo so you two will know how to make a West Virginia hot dog!

Every day is a good day, but having Bruce working on and finishing one bookcase, makes them even more special.

Perhaps I mentioned that the fireplace front will be the wall color? We are still looking for a mirror to hang over the mantle, but finding one has been somewhat elusive to date. I suspect if we were ten years younger we would have already gone further afield in our search but with age we have become more patient. One of these days, the right mirror will show up! 

Sunday after the church potluck, we popped into Marketplace Antiques to scour the store for things to fill those shelves with. I found a couple of things, all very unique, at least to me. Especially the purple spotted rhino that is heavy as can be.

One more thing we bought, all for very reasonable prices I might add, is this, what we have learned is called a Cage Santos doll. Or at least I think that is the order of words.

Kind of weird, right? That is why I love that store so much, you never know what you will find!

Another place I visited to find books, well duh, the library where when they are trying to get rid of books, they know the power of a deep discount! I paid one dollar for this stack!

While I was perusing the books for give away, I mean for sale, Matt rang on FaceTime and I went outdoors, sitting on a power box under a bright blue sky, we had a good long chat, that is until my phone died!  About a month from now we will be reunited after almost 1 1/2 years. Speaking of family, thank God for videos because being able to watch Christian take some early steps was so good. Unfortunately I cannot share a video here very easily, so you will have to trust me that it was adorable and did wrench my heart a bit that we are not there in person. That said, it won't be too much longer. He celebrates his first birthday on Thanksgiving Day. Time has flown, hasn't it?

It has been far too long since this site has hosted bird photos ,so let's remedy that right now, shall we?

We were driving by and I did not have the best camera with me, but it's still fun, isn't it?

While choosing the books, it did not occur to me that with my heavy camera bag, two bags of heavy books to walk home with might be a challenge. It was a little bit, but when the bluebirds landed in the tree as I was walking, I just set everything down on the ground, rummaged for my camera ,and we have bluebirds to admire!

To tell you the truth, I can't remember seeing a bunch of bluebirds together, otherwise known as a flock of bluebirds, but by golly here they are!

As to when I've seen a Myrtle Warbler before, maybe never?

Lastly, taken the same day as the warbler at Konehete Park, are the long shadows of winter, something that really appeals to me. You know I wanted to experience seasonal living and by golly, I am! 

Oops, one more bird photo of a Robin enjoying the berries on our neighbor's tree.

We are celebrating Thanksgiving a week early tomorrow at Soul Table and expecting a big crowd. Ham and turkey are on the menu, as are mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and something else. that I  can't remember. Most times I make a dessert to share but I'm thinking others will be helping with that leaving me free to concentrate on getting this blog post done!!! 

Fall, yep, that is why they call it fall.

The leaves on the tree above Bruce and David's neat work have no respect for that work and are finding their way to the ground as I type.

I will be back next week and if all goes according to plan, it will be on Tuesday!!

your friend,

Gail

Winter Comes Early

 Looking out the front door this morning, the scene below greeted me. 

It was the calm following the storm.  Quite a bit earlier than our previous winters here, a fact that I confirmed by checking my handy blog posts! Speaking of blog posts, of late, I don't think I am posting the newest version on Facebook at the right time. As we all  have come to discover, we are shown what the algorithms show us, rather than what we may want to see. Thus, that means my posts don't show up on your feed. Like my last post that went largely unread. All that to say, I am doing my darnedest to post every Tuesday, so look for me then. 

I noticed that I was talking about rain, rain, and more rain in that post.  For sure, I never imagined I would be talking about snow in this one! Before I write more about yesterday, let's back up a few days. 

Finally, after several delays, the soccer conference championship happened and Murphy won! I just love this photo of Grayson with his coach. I took a million so they would have some lasting memories of this historic first championship for Murphy Middle School.

Jeannie, Grayson's Granny, took this of the three of us.

The game was very exciting, with Cherokee scoring first, but our boys were up for the task and at the last minute scored their second goal to take the victory. The fans and boys were going crazy with joy as were the two of us.😀

Meanwhile, back on Campbell Street, our Japanese Maple tree continued turning redder and redder. 

Let's just say I was obsessed and leave it at that.  

Much to our delight, friends Joe and Cynthia from Orlando were staying in Blue Ridge with family for the week. Tuesday evening she wondered if we were free to meet them on Wednesday and of course we said yes. This was their first time seeing the house and after a tour, we went over to the Chophouse where the weather was so delightful we ate outdoors.

As is always the case we do love showing friends what the heck made us abandon everything we know to live here! We had a marvelous visit and will look forward to seeing them again when we return to Orlando for several weeks to end the year. I've not been home for my birthday for three years now, so that will be nice. And instead of being surprised, I've already made plans for a housekeeper to get the place in shipshape before our family comes. It has been ages since we saw our London or Austin family, so we are naturally excited. Christian won't know what to do with all these extra uncles!

I've finally discovered a way to make my quilting a little easier by draping it over a chair as I sew. Why did I not think of this before???

I have about a little over a third of the quilting done. It's a slow process. 

Forecasters were claiming snow was on the way in the next few days so taking it seriously, we began thinking about saving some of our plants before the freeze. My strawberries had perked up and were producing again. It is now in the guest room where there is ample sunshine coming through the tall, double windows. I'm not sure what will happen, but we are fixing to find out!

I picked the little tomatoes and just left them outdoors.

I don't know about you, but I had been getting loads of posts on Facebook about the monarch butterflies coming south. Although I felt they were quite common in Orlando, I don't feel as if I see them very often here, so I was much surprised when I spotted these two intertwined on some weedy flowers along the riverwalk.

I'm not sure what surprised me more, the monarchs, or this fellow doing a podcast from the back of his SUV as I walked by.

Loads and loads of leaves have already fallen which most definitely changes one's sight lines and in some cases, perspective. I was at the kitchen sink when I spotted a Pileated woodpecker in the trees below. Fortunately it was so intent on pecking that I went unnoticed. 

For an unknowable reason, my cookies for Soul Table were mostly uncrinkled.  I have no idea how out of five dozen cookies, only one dozen did what they were supposed to. At least they are delicious to eat in spite of their imperfect appearance. 

The oven temp was the same, I only bake one dozen at a time, AND I rotate the pan half way through. What, oh what is happening to my baking skills??? I've made this recipe for decades!

There were a lot of leaves on the yard in the photo below, and now, the pictured tree has dropped SO MANY more in the super windy conditions and snow yesterday.

Most mornings have been super foggy, including our drive to Hayesville on Tuesday at 9 in the morning.

The sun was trying to break through! 

I walked a lot last week, anticipating the inclement weather to come. But, of course as I was leaving, I had to photograph THE tree.

It looks as amazing outdoors as it does looking out the window. When it was sunny it felt like it might catch fire it was so intense!

So one of the days I walked I passed this area and took a photo.  It might have been Thursday? 

As I mentioned in my last post, I am trying to get out as often as the weather permits in order to soak up all of the color. I'm getting out of order! Nevertheless, the above was taken on the 12th and by the time I walked on Sunday, the 16th, under very gloomy skies, it had changed color!

I am learning what areas do what after two seasons, so I knew that the part of the riverwalk I rarely walk, was going to be interesting. 

I would call the sky, bruised.

If you continue on the path on the right, one will end up at Lowes, something I rarely do, but I could if I wanted to! There are so many fallen leaves, making things a little slippery ,so I usually avoid any situation that I am uncomfortable with. No more falls for me if I can help it!

Normally the full trees block the view across the river but that's not happening again until next April? The deep burgundy plants are called "burning bush".

There is still some deep rust in the trees.

The white buildings are the pool and workout facility where Mr. Bruce regularly lifts weights. I was walking regularly, but this past summer I missed a bunch and am hoping to get back to my walking ways! 

I was meant to go with Bruce to the Libers for a get together on Saturday evening but my tummy thought otherwise, so I just kept sewing and sewing. It's Tuesday now and I've yet to get back to it because yesterday was so darn exciting I just kept going in and out the front door watching the action.

Sunday while I was taking yet another walk before the storm, Bruce was doing what he does best and that is taking care of business. I am a frequent reader of the obituaries, especially here where they are fairly detailed; I always get a kick out of what the deceased interests were. As such, I asked Bruce what he might use for himself and instead of hunting/fishing/kayaking or other traditional pastimes, he told me he enjoyed organizing. Organizing!! No wonder he wanted to tackle the pantry!  No wonder he was so exceptional at this paid job!! At any rate, he brought my flowers indoors, dreaming up an idea on how best to keep them near light and hopefully warm enough.

When we looked at this house, we knew instantly that the basement would be a God-send and we were right! 

Sunday afternoon, beginning my walk with a trip around the block, I will have to admit that Jason's tree might even rival ours.

The main thing to notice in the above photo though, aside from the beautiful tree, is the clouds. In person, it felt so low and just not like regular clouds. 

As I walked down Valley River, past the post office, crossing the street and on to the actual walk, the sky began turning gray.

There are still a few trees with color, especially the bright yellow you see in the distance. It also began getting colder, but I was dressed for that. 

 

The yellow tree is at the entrance to what is known as Fisherman's Loop, a path I avoid in summer due to mosquitoes, but is quite wonderful other times of the year. I carried on as the temperature dropped and the gloom worsened. Once back in downtown I called Bruce to see if he wanted to meet me at Fairy Cross and he said, not yet please. Instead I walked home and once he was done with what he was working on, we went over for a glass of wine. Few people were there, so we did not stay long,  maybe 6PM. the sky was even more menacing.

So often weather forecasts don't hold up, but this time was not one of those times. In fact, the predicted afternoon snow turned out to be morning snow instead. I heard from DAnna that she was having flurries at 9 in the morning and they continued to increase and become actual snowflakes. From my Vancouver experience I remember that they can start as just little specks and about an hour after hearing from her, I saw out our window that we were beginning to do the same. It was blustery to say the least, with the wind chimes going crazy.

Before I knew it, snow was coming down, swirling this way and that in the wind.

As it contined to come down in big bursts, I was running in and out, freezing I might add.

It happened so fast! And a few hours later the sun came out! The fierce winds, not to mention the snow, 

did a number on the gorgeous, too good to be true, Japanese Maple for the year. I just looked outside and the leaves, the ones actually still on the tree, are shriveling as I type. Boohoo!!

I can't really say when it snowed again, sometime after the sun came out and dinnertime, yet when I looked outdoors to see about getting the mail, it had snowed again. 

Aside from watching the tree fall apart, it was so fun, albeit colder than I can remember from last year. Maybe it is somewhat like in Florida, how the summer heat in September can be so brutal, in part because we keep thinking it should not be SO hot at that time of the year.

Did it feel so cold because of the opposite? Good thing I had made chili on Sunday night. It was indeed chilly, to put it mildly. 

your friend,

Gail