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

How Did This Happen?

 I just finished lunch a bit ago. Bruce has gone to meet with Marji and David for a lesson in caning. As I sat at the parlor table, eating my ham sandwich, watching not only a beautiful Goldfinch at the feeder, but twin hummingbirds flying in and out of the porch before landing on their feeder. A squirrel was lapping up the water from the bird bath, which explains why it has been so dry of late. Yesterday morning as I went on the back porch I could just make out the bunny rabbit down below. The days are shortening at a rapid pace now. As are the changing trees. 

Following Hank's departure last evening, I peered at the sky and watched as the nearly-full moon appeared from the cloud cover, something that has been in very short supply here this summer. Clouds I mean.

We had him over for an early birthday dinner, although when I scheduled it, I thought yesterday was his birthday. 83 years young by the way! Once he has his new hearing aids he is going to be get-to-go.  Still giving flying lessons I might add. And riding his motorcycle to Asheville. Nancy is the keeper of the dates and in my foolishness I did not confirm the date with her, leading to my slight blunder. He could care less if we had him over on Monday or Thursday, he was thrilled having his birthday celebrated.  I have a whole series of birthday cake photographs of yet another failed baking attempt, fortunately saved by a suggestion from our friend Suzann. I will spare you the flop, but all is well that ends well. 

Maybe as you age you just find rolling with the punches is the way to go? Or maybe it is just me? 

At any rate, as I turned back toward the house, I was struck with the thought that we could not be any more pleased; it is like a dream come true, living in this sweet house with the scallopy screen door and crazy textured walls.

Wonder of wonders, those clouds produced some overnight rain that continued falling softly as we began the day.

It has been like a part time job keeping all my planters watered. I've never had so many pots of flowers before and it is glorious. Rain will make the job a wee bit easier.

I've got gold, red, orange, white and purple mums for the first time in my life. My whole life!

Perhaps you remember, well scratch that, of course you do not! Anyway, last early Autumn I purchased six plants of yellow mums, putting them in tiny pots along the front steps at the cottage. Circumstances dictated that we leave for two weeks, during which time we returned to Florida. Predictably, the mums died in our absence. Ever the optimist, I put them under cover of the cottage porch. We brought them here and if you can imagine, lo and behold, they began growing. Well those back porch steps were calling for some floral delights and by golly they are almost blooming! 

Notice the pan on the steps as you read this next bit. Because of all the heat, the hummingbird feeder developed mildew which I finally figured out how to get rid of.

I tried bleach which did a little, but after a while I discovered that hot water and bleach might do the trick. The hot water did wonders, along with some vigorous shaking and finally it was clean. A bottle brush should be on my shopping list. Anyway, little missie here, screwed up, which come to think of it, is a bit of a theme in this post. Regardless of my botches, I seem to come out okay in the end. In this case, I mixed the sugar and water and set it on the burner on high. Duh, bad time to go out to water.  If you have ever smelled burnt sugar before you get it. Unpleasant indeed.

Something more pleasant is an example of how I love the lighting in this house.

As I walk through the rooms, I cannot resist documenting the many ways that the light comes in. The little tomatoes are from D'Anna's garden. 

Stick with me friends, we are a long way from being done!

Changing leaves, oh how I love thee.

Looking to the left from our front steps, the houses heading up the hill have more leaves to show off and as each day passes there is increased vibrancy.

Thinking of the steps reminded me of this little incident that is another example of all is well that ends well. I walked out that cute screen door and discovered this.

It is rare for a bird to sit still, so between that and seeing the red, I thought the finch was injured. Calling Bruce to come outside, he watched for a bit, wondering what he could do for the bird, when fortunately, he flew off. Not far mind you. It flew into the bushes near the feeder, resting for a bit before eventually flying off. Whew!

While we are on the subject of birds, I have some exciting photos to share with you. but not before an introduction. Or maybe explanation is a better choice of words? In any case, for nearly all summer long I have avoided walking and most especially the part called "Fisherman's Loop" because my experience has been one of misery on that portion due to an excessive amount of mosquitoes. As you well know, that is not a winning combination for me. Because we have had cooler nights (56 degrees), I assumed it might be safe. Ever the optimist, I took my chances and was I ever rewarded!! First, I saw a cool butterfly with a long name. Red-spotted Purple Admiral. That's most certainly a mouth -full!

A Buckeye. I always thought this was a Moth, but I stand corrected.

Those were good sightings, especially because I was not expecting much happening on that day and walk. But then, as I came closer to the confluence of the Valley River and the Hiwassee River, I heard a familiar sound. A Belted Kingfisher!

A very rare sighting for me, but that pales in comparison to seeing an Osprey!

Both birds are common as the day is long in my neck of the woods, but here? Not so much. I'm pretty sure I've seen neither since I've been in Murphy. Good stuff!!

Here's more good stuff. The Taco Bell tree is changing!

When we visited two years ago, our friend Karen described it as such because it is in their parking lot. She also described it as her favorite tree and I cannot wait to see a huge ball of orange before we know it!

So any idea what these are?

If you guessed Chestnuts, we have a winner! They are raining down from our backyard tree, as are leaves from an adjacent tree.

I will show you the case they pop out of in my next post. Scary business, covered in little spikes.

I'm still not done!

Not a week goes by without a stop at our favorite thrift stores. Above are the goodies I discovered in a  cookbook I had the pleasure of finding. During our first year of marriage, my dear husband bought me a set of these cookbooks for Christmas and I was so touched, I bawled like a baby. There's a picture in Orlando of that day. Look at this beautiful handwriting which will be legible to older folks.

Supper and card party!!! Isabelle! The letter in the photo above is from the Southern New England telephone company stating that they had no choice but to raise rates, dated November, 1968. Nothing new under the sun, right? 

You just know how much I love finding that kind of stuff!

I took lots of fun pictures of a great party we attended on Sunday afternoon with good friends and an outstanding setting. Most of those will wait for my next post but this one showed so much joy I want to include it today.

The first three ladies from the left are sisters and I have two sisters as well. I used to have five though. Typing that makes me feel super sad. By the way, these ladies are dancing in case you could not tell!

But as someone who believes that there is a reason for everything, I try not to dwell on that, instead I concentrate on the future which is bright. Especially when I concentrate on how much beauty there is yet to be discovered in our little corner of the world.

How did this happen??

Heaven only knows.

your friend,

Gail