A Bunch of Pretty Pictures and Stories Too

There was a time when this blog was all about me showing off pretty pictures first, with stories taking a back seat. Not that I was not writing about life, but my expectation was that folks would react to the photographs. Well, it seems as if times have changed, or maybe it is expected that the photos will be good, but rarely does anyone seem to react to a photo that I am thrilled with. Or maybe it is because everyone else has caught up with me because when I began this blog, most folks were not carrying a camera around on their person? You know what they say...the best camera is the one you have with you!

Me? I go around with a couple of cameras and it is a good thing that I do because at this time of year it is impossible to not be in love with everything that I see. Everywhere you look there is something beautiful to not only enjoy, but photograph. In my last post I forgot to post this fun shot of a Catbird eating a berry.

As has been our custom, we have been nonstop busy, so much so that I am forgetting some things for sure. Before I go any further, let me explain why I am so behind in posting. We had company this week; Bill and Lisa arrived on Monday afternoon and we had several days of fun. Monday night we tried the relocated brewery named Buck Bald, located right around the corner from us. Previously they were located on the end of Tennessee Street, however for months on end, they had been remodeling the building next to the Murphy Chop House. Following extensive renovations,  it opened last week. I'm not a beer drinker but Bill and Bruce have been known to enjoy a beer or two. :

Joining John on his almost weekly trip to Asheville, where he works for Habitat, Bruce had so much fun. Hard not to when you are hanging around with John. Hard work, breweries, a minor league baseball game, what is not to like??

Meanwhile, I did some sewing, although one day David and D'Anna picked me up on their way to Blairsville where we had a yummy breakfast at the Sawmill, followed by a trip to an outstanding plant nursery where there were so many wonderful plants and trees. 

They went home with a cart full!

Seeing the big sign to Alexander's, I mentioned that we had never been, so without any hesitation, David turned right instead of left, driving us through beautiful, and GREEN countryside. After a long winter the green is a balm  for the soul. 

I told D'Anna that looking at the above scene is like looking at a Crayola box of 64 crayons with all manner of shades of green. Plus, didn't you draw a landscape with these same rolling hills when you were a kid? I know I did!

The store is big with a varied inventory and is well worth the trip if you are in the area.

What began as a roadside stand in the 50's

has evolved into a place with something for everyone.

Tell me this does not look like it should be a jigsaw puzzle!

Not for me of course because I could do nothing with all that green!!

We stopped at a wonderful and expensive farm stand. Arriving to the delicious aroma of a pound cake just having come out of the oven, we were nearly overwhelmed with the choices.

The view from the back deck was outstanding.

Our yard has been busy with hostas that seem to be doubling in size daily,

along with the first roses to bloom!!

Isn't it so sweet? More have since opened. Beginning most mornings with a survey of the property, looking for changes, almost all days I am not disappointed, including finding these unusual blooms alongside the stone wall. 

Called Arum Lilies, when they open they look like this:

Very delicate, after two days, they topple over and that is that.

The amount of buds on the big hydrangea bush is incredible.

Speaking of growing like mad, five month old Christian says hi!

He. continues to thrill Bill and Fallon with a sweet personality emerging. 

A week ago we had the pleasure of attending the awards ceremony where Anna Claire won best in show! I had John reenact his move.

The minute I saw the painting I knew it was a winner!! 

On the day we first saw visited the gallery, we also saw a tic-tac-toe made of light green clay with frogs and flies as the pieces. So very clever, we decided if it was available we would buy it and buy it we did. I did not get many details about the artist but I can say that it made his day along with his father's as he kept exclaiming how proud he was of his boy. Of all things, I've not photographed it yet ,but will soon. (striped shirt is the artist and his dad is in motorcycle regalia)

Second from the right in the photo is the director of the gallery who stated it was one of the strongest student art shows they have ever had the pleasure of showing. Lots of good stuff.

From there we went around the corner and up a three story fire escape to what Kevin and Laura lovingly call "the penthouse". Located in the only three story build in town, they turned the space into a wonderful place to live. We are super sad to see them leave for a lot of reasons, one of which he is my gynecologist! They are beginning their own adventure with a five year stint in Colorado Springs. It is a small town folks....my doctor, our realtor and our wine shop owner in one shot!

More friendly faces.

Lots of fun!

Saturday night we went to dinner at John and Vera's lovely home deep in the mountains where I saw, for the first time in my life, an Indigo Bunting on their feeder!! While we were enjoying a lovely meal, with  me seated in a prime spot for watching the bird feeder,  I spotted it and knew it was far too big to be an Eastern Bluebird. And that is all I have to say about that because it never returned!! Vera took me on.a side-by-side ride through their neighborhood and when we came across her neighbors we stopped and had both a tour of their home and pottery collection, 

as well as some beautiful views from their deck! May I present some of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Our trip was cut short because of the fast approaching darkness, but I did see a small lake,

and a glimpse of the near sunset.

The light was good on their porch that overlooks the many gardens below.

Service Sunday happened the next day with our fellow church members doing tasks around the town. Painting posts for the town QR coded walking tour of the town was our assignment. Done and done. I must admit I did not accompany Bruce down the hill where he painted two of the post near the train! Too steep to climb back up but heck, while waiting I did admire those Knock-Out roses that are blooming around town!

Around five that evening it was over to John and Laura's for a wine party that included wines from the regions they visited on their recent bicycle tour.

Some of the goodies:

and some of the gang on their lovely porch.

Beautiful variety of Viburnum blooming beside their porch steps.

Are you tired yet? Get why I was not posting? I thought so.

All except for Bruce who went home and mowed our yard!

I do look forward to recounting Bill and Lisa's visit, however we have plans for this evening, so with time of the essence, I will leave you with a fun rock that was painted during the Service Sunday. Both children and adults painted rocks to leave around town. And yes,

I do love you for reading and caring about our North Carolina adventure!!

as always, I remain,

your friend,

Gail

p.s. Did I mention it is green again?