Happy Halloween!

Did someone say treat?  Count me in!

We woke up to 30 degree weather this morning, but no snow.  Yaaay!  The kitties both wanted out this fine sunny morning, after being inside all day yesterday.  Missy didn’t last out there for very long.  KC probably won’t be back in till it is time to eat.  That boy loves being outside.

So who will have trick or treaters coming to their house tonight?  We only get our own grandkids, since our neighborhood doesn’t have any wee ones but our own two next door.  Of course any good grandma pretends NOT to recognize their own goblins, and that tradition will be continued tonight.

MM is working on a door project.  I’m still cleaning off my desk.

It’s just another day in paradise, y’all!  Watch out for the ghosties and goblins out there!!!

Sweet Treats!

Trick or treat.

Smell my feet.

Give us something good to eat!

School teacher Amy was handing out candy with students at the SADD table on the square Saturday night, so she and her two munchkins stopped by and posed for this photo before they left.

Joy’s cutie patootie went to see her great grandfather Roger to show off her froggie costume:

These are much sweeter images than what we are seeing on TV from up north this morning.  Sure hope folks are staying out of the way of workers and volunteers, but of course there will be gawkers out and about, getting in the way.  Sheesh.  All that seawater intrusion is gonna make transportation a nightmare for a long-time to come in NYC.  And airport flooding, homes lost…the list goes on.  Prayers are needed.

We stayed in the upper 30s with light rain early evening, but NO snow today!  Thank you, thank you.  We have lots more leaves on the ground, but most of them were brown anyway and ready to fall.  We are grateful we didn’t get the expected high winds, with trees and limbs falling!

Blessed here in Mayberry.  Life is sweet, y’all.  Stay safe. 

October made unwelcome history.  We’ll be happy to say goodbye to you!

Monday in Mayberry

Finally a little sunshine after yesterday's rain, however our boy has to stay inside so I can find him in a few minutes to take him to the v-e-t for his annual exam. Shhh, don't warn him.



We have lots of wind and it already too cold for October, with white stuff predicted for tonight! Holy crappola...of course it won't stick, but still. Sheesh. It is still preferable to what Bad Sandy will be doing up north. Batten down the hatches, folks!

Where's KC?

Heeere, kitty kitty! Missy is chasing him around the living room. Enjoy your fun. He'll certainly be voicing his protest there and back, poor boy. Wish us luck.

Have yourselves a ginger peachy day, y'all!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sunday in Mayberry

Early morning gray heron visitor, over to the L just off shore on a limb above the water.  He visits our cove quite often, as does a Kingfisher.  The Kingfisher is one noisy critter!

The heron is quite sensitive to having his photo taken, as he flew off right after my click.  Bugger.  I hope he had finished his breakfast.

I think our leaves peaked here at the house while we were gone.  We are losing them rapidly.  MM was out blowing them away (again) yesterday.  The big oaks over at our old house next door are getting pretty bare.  Winter is a’coming.  And we’ll be a’going south, but not till some time after Christmas.

The moho will be ready to roll by then.  MM and I both made good progress yesterday getting stuff finished up on it.  He is having our canvas awnings redone.  They don’t last forever, unfortunately.  They needed some re-sewing.

Stay safe, our family and friends in the path of Big Bad Sandy.  Don’t take any chances.

Have yourselves a ginger peachy Sunday.  We sure will!

Home, sweet home

Check out the fall decorations, compliments of Faith and Brian, complete with hay bale!  Faith brought each of us a pot of mums, Haley included (sorry, I didn’t get a photo of their campsite, but I took this photo FROM it).  Imagine a big white fifth wheel parked behind me.  Good job!

I’m not sure if the highlight of the week for the three girls was playing in the cg arcade or going polar dipping in the creek that was right behind the campers.  Yes, the girls are brain damaged…along with instigator Faith!  Brrr…the girls did get a lesson in fire building, and had fun making s’mores and riding bikes and reading and staying up LATE!  Yep, they are good campers!

Dick needed to change the oil in the moho, so we parked it up at the shop to empty out from there.  KC managed to escape (freedom--finally!), but we figured he would find his way down to the house.  I fretted over whether he had actually ever been up to the shop and knew his way home, plus we had been gone a few days and would his little kitty brain even remember the way???

No KC this morning.  Dick went up to the moho, shaking the food container.  That is an instant attention getter.  No KC.  Those woods next to us can be skeery for a little kitty (as in BECOMING dinner!).

My turn next to try the container shaking.  Success!  A happy and dirty boy came out from under the moho, happy to see his mama.  And breakfast.  He must have slept in the shop because he left very black paw prints on my (old) jeans, but who cares?  The boy is home.  And probably will be found curled up on my pillow (safely covered with an old hand towel) when I go back downstairs.  Or back outside.  That boy loves his freedom and he has been contained inside for too long…according to him.

This mama is a happy camper when all the babies are home.

So now back to the regularly scheduled laundry…and snailmail that needs to be sorted.  Home, sweet home!

Life is good and back to normal in Mayberry, y’all!

Homeward bound

Windshield clean. Check.
Awning in. Check.
Car hooked up. Check.

Ready to roll!

KC is once again protesting. He is wanting his freedom, which he will get soon, bless his heart. He only escaped out the door once. Briefly.



It's a beautiful fall day for a mountain ride!

Happy Friday, y'all! Rolling home...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Campbell Creek,Landrum,United States

Peaceful and quiet

This is another view of the Biltmore Estate.

Just a quick point and shoot out the car window.  We finally pulled over and let traffic go around us.  I was hoping to see a deer, but none were out.  And I have shut off that annoying date stamp.  Sheesh.  I didn’t want to crop it out and lose that big tree reflection.
UPDATE:  Sweet Barb played with my photo and removed the date stamp!  Thanks bunches!!!  What a friend:)

So yesterday was a little local shopping and sightseeing.  Today MM and I are meeting someone from our long ago life in WPB down at Lake Lure…view of LL from Chimney Rock.
It is another beautiful, cool day where we start the day with heat on for just a little while to take the chill off, but have to open windows after lunch…and shut them again when the sun goes down.  Crazy, huh?!  It works.

Have yourself a ginger peachy day, y’all!  We sure will.

America’s largest home

Officially opened in 1895, this beautiful home is still owned and operated by the Vanderbilt family…along with 1,800 employees!  It is owned by Vanderbilt’s grandson, who has relinquished the running of it to his own son and daughter.

It is an awesome place to visit.  We were treated to seeing Christmas decorations that are being put in place already, seeing areas not previously seen, and a tasty lunch in the former stable.

A drive through the gardens led us to the winery, where we enjoyed the free tasting.

Lots of flowers were still in bloom, and of course the fall foliage through the forest was a feast to the eyes.  The estate encompasses 8,000 acres, down from the 125,000 that it once was, and is truly worth the visit…in any season.

Biltmore House is filled with a rich history.  Did you know that during WWII, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, stored priceless paintings and sculptures here for safekeeping?  I sure didn’t know that.

Come visit!

Biltmore day!

We are visiting George Vanderbilt's little mountain house today on a perfect fall day.




It has been at least 20 years since we were here.

More later...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lazy Monday

Hello from Asheville...well, outside Asheville, at an older campground on a nice creek.  I can't use nice to describe their electrical hook ups though.  Our 30 amps isn't even up to a full 30.  The voltage drops in the whole cg, so I have to be very careful and jockey electrical usage.  The wifi signal is also weak (as is my cell coverage), so no photos...yet.  We are (almost) back in the dark ages!

MM had to go up on the roof to fiddle with the satellite dish this morning.  KC was startled by the sound of footsteps on the roof and jumped down from his perch on the back of the couch and dived under the "skirt" of the co-pilot chair.  I keep blankets draped over the backs of the leather chairs to protect them from kitties jumping on them (they are not declawed).  KC emerged from under the chair when those pesky footsteps disappeared, and is now UNDER the blanket, hiding...just in case that noise returns.   Missy is an old hand at this camping business and is stretched out on the floor in a sunbeam.  Smart girl!

So we slept in and are being a bit lazy, but we have no schedule...but will venture out into the area later.  Or we might sit and watch the chipmunks scurry around.

No agenda.

Music from the rushing creek.  Sweet.

Life is mighty good for a Monday, y'all!

Sunday adventure time!

It sure is!  I am finishing up the fridge loading, getting last-minute stuff finished, and have the two kitties locked inside the house so we won’t have to search outside for them (we’ve learned!).  We’ll be ready to roll out pretty soon.

We are trading the GA Alps for the NC mountains for a few days.  Why not?! 

So about the land sale yesterday.  No, we did NOT buy any!  Brian, Jason, and Amy were officially working the sale; MM and I thought we were only going to be observers.  I wound up helping in the hospitality tent, which was easy peasy and fun.  All 74 lots were sold by 4:40 (and no, it was not an auction—just a liquidation sale).  Those buyers got super deals on a beautiful piece of property!

Have a super Sunday.  Miles and smiles, y’all!

Major land sale!

Lots are selling like hotcakes! Beautiful 50 mile views. WYWH!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:U S Highway 76,Young Harris,United States

Second best

MM leaves, and HIS girl moves over to my lap.

I take what I can get…and love her anyway, but I am stating for the record that this is not a fair deal, since I am the one who has litter box duty.  Bugger.  It’s a good thing she is cute.

So Doodlebug enjoyed yesterday and all the birthday greetings.  And a couple of cupcakes and lots of hugs.  I get both boys for the afternoon, lucky me!  I wonder what they’ll want to do?  I can guarantee it won’t be dull around here!

Our temps are dropping at night, and the colors are popping out.  I need to get out with camera in hand before too many more leaves drop.

MM has been busy!

Have yourselves a ginger peachy October day.  I sure will!

Happy Birthday!

Amy wrote on Facebook:

Six years ago today Alex burst into the world peeing all over the nurses.  He kept us laughing then and still does today. 

Happy Birthday Doodle Bug!

 

Following in my mom’s tradition, I just called and sang “Happy Birthday” to him.  He repeated the peeing story to me…and probably will also tell his teachers and fellow students today.  Can he get sent home for saying peeing in school???

Life is never dull with this boy.  Or his brother (or his parents either!).

Grumps and I love you, Doodle Bug!  You are a blessing to all of us.

Wednesday already?

I have been missing in action because my friend had to be admitted to the hospital. We are waiting on discharge papers so I can take her home and get her settled in. Home health care will take over then.

Prayers for Maryan are appreciated. Enjoy her flowers!



Life is good, y'all!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday stuff

Missy did a witch inspection, but could only find her legs.

Don't look at the mess in the yard, OK?


I am sitting at the doctor's office with my sweet friend. Four ears are better than two when listening to the doc, right? Right. We think this doc will be able to help my friend. That makes me smile!

Life is precious,
y'all, so take care of yourselves!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday Smiles

Just prior to taking my daily nap, I was pondering the problems of the world.  I rapidly realized that I don't really give a rat's a$$.  From now on, it's the tortoise life for me, as I have concluded:

1. If walking is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.

 

2. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water, and is still very fat.

 

3. A rabbit runs and hops everywhere and only lives 8 years.

 

4. A tortoise doesn't run and does nothing, yet some live for 450 years.

And yet they tell me to exercise??

 

I don't think so.

I'm retired.  Go around me.

Hat tip:  Marjorie G.

Overloaded and Saturday stuff

When I opened the kitchen cabinet yesterday, this storage shelf was not a pretty sight…hanging at an odd angle, with stuff falling over everywhere.  A brace had had too much of a load!

Being the smart wife that I am, I unloaded everything before telling MM that I needed his help.  He’s got himself a good woman!  Do you think it was overloaded?  Naw!  It was just underbuilt!

MM removed the shelf, glued some wood strips under it, screwed them in, beefed up the side braces, and then we had to leave it to dry overnight.

Everything is neatly put back in place.  Thanks, honey!  You rock!!!

And now back to the regularly scheduled cleaning and moving more stuff—chairs, tables—next door to the fire pit.  My BSP group (hubbies included) is coming over for a poker run/weenie roast at 4.  Joan and I have been working hard setting it up this week.   We will send 5 teams out to 7 different places (they have to figure out the clues we give them).  Each team will retrieve 1 envelope and bring it back no later than 6p.  Prizes to the team with the best poker hand, and for the least mileage recorded.

Joan and I will stay by the bonfire and drink a little wine and nibble on some munchies.  Yep, that’s the plan.

Who wants to join us?  Bring a side dish and come over!

Life is good in these cool mountains, y’all!

Umm good!

We just put some "south in our mouth."



Added bonus: Brian was here! I love small town living. WYWH!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thursday things

We had leftover cupcakes from the meet and greet, so they came home with me to be given to the wee boys.  They were yummylicious.  I resisted trying them.  Doodlebug’s class enjoyed them.  Thanks, Lamar and Dinah!

I post them today in honor of friend Barb’s birthday!  She is enjoying a daily cupcakefest this whole month, so stop by and drool.  Oh yes, and tell her Happy Birthday!

Amy chauffeured the two Miss Daisys (Joan and I started to smack her!) yesterday for a successful shopping trip.  I returned the TWO pairs of Crocs I bought on the last trip (they just didn’t feel right), and brought home only ONE pair of adorable pink leather sandals, so I am ahead, right?

Wonderful MM fixed the misbehaving washing machine while we were off “saving” money.  He ran it through two test cycles successfully.  We shall see how it does today loaded with dirty stuff inside.

But first…basket case, um, class!

Life is foggy and good in Mayberry, despite KC waking me up at o’dark thirty, bless his heart.

Have yourself a ginger peachy day, y’all!

Bottle tags

Pretty, functional, voting reminders! The pouch contains a flavored drink powder. This was a much better choice and treat over the traditional bowl of punch (yuck!).




We stamped each tag with a leaf or tree in a nice green to match the color of the candidate's name, which was printed above. They were fun to make.

Gotta run. Will post more tomorrow.

Happy Wednesday, y'all!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Where's the sun?

It is still overcast, and that means the solar heater isn't putting out enough heat. The furnace came on briefly for the first time yesterday. Bugger. It isn't even November yet!



Joan and I got 54 water bottle tags made yesterday for the gathering this afternoon. Photos tomorrow...if I can remember.

I have physical therapy for this pesky hip this morning, the afternoon gathering at the retirement home, and BSP tonight, with snailmail fun thrown in there somewhere in between all the running around. Can you stand all that excitement?

MM gets to move the Airstream back to its normal parking spot now that it is unloaded and cleaned up and ready for its next trip in just over a week. The Moho will tag along. Yes, another adventure is in the near future.

Share a smile today. I sure will!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Monday in Paradise

Overcast with rain expected. KC is out on the deck, and Missy is in my lap as I type and drink my coffee on this quiet Monday. I likey.

This pretty tree will probably be minus even more leaves soon, so I wanted to at least get one quick shot of it before it is bare.




Joan is coming over soon to help me with a wee project for our friend who is running for commissioner. We will be using some of our card making skills, but mostly we'll be having fun, go to lunch, then come home (me) to finish up a few household chores and finish cleaning up the Airstream.

It's Monday in Paradise. I shall find my own sunshine! I hope you have a ginger peachy day, whatever you are doing.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Camping Sunday

I pretty much have everything inside ready to roll, and am sitting here waiting on MM. His tinkering abilities were required...again, but for someone else. He has been Mr. Fixer all weekend, but that is OK. He just came back to retrieve some tools, and I asked him if he was making progress.

"On which one? I'm working on 5!" I guess we'll be here awhile.

He's such a good guy. I think I'll keep him!

Riverbend Campground is a very pleasant campground, just outside Hiawassee, and right on the Hiawassee River. I met the young couple across from us this morning, a school teacher who graduated with Brian and Jason! I think I mentioned that this is a small world...proven once again. She said this is a good place to be on Thanksgiving. The cg provides the meat, sets up long tables, and everyone brings two side dishes to share. Sweet...



I enjoyed my outing yesterday, and already told MM that I bought (only) two pairs of shoes, both sturdy and half price. I'm smiling...and he isn't complaining. Smart man.

So, how is your weekend? We are overcast and cool. It is totally a fall day.

Life is good...everywhere, y'all!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Camping Saturday

Breakfast is over...egg casserole, sausage patties, biscuits and fruit. It was good, and plentiful. Most of the ladies are headed to a craft fair just over in North Carolina...I am going to poke around Hiawassee while MM has gone to do a few errands.



We had no complaints about the bed, both sleeping well last night. I am thankful I got in the shower first, as MM finished up his with cool water!

MM spent quite a bit of time yesterday helping one fella with his Moho. He is new to camping. This is his first Moho, and he doesn't know squat about fixing anything. That is not a good combination. I predict it will soon be for sale!

I just met our neighbor...who knows son-in-law Logan. Small world!

So that's it from the campsite for now from the Griswolds.

Life is good, y'all!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Basket case

Here is my market basket in process.  See that top row?  It was the second try on that row.  I got my reed woven almost all the way around and suddenly realized that it was going to be too short.  Bugger.  I pulled it out, soaked a new length, and rewove it.  All in a day’s work.  I will hopefully get it finished, or almost finished next class.

I am a Longaberger basket lover, not that I am in THAT league of experience, but I am sure checking out every basket I see now…and have a better appreciation for the craftsmanship and time involved in the process. 

So, MM and I are off on a small camping adventure today, only about 20-25 miles from home.  Since it is so close and we will only be there for 2 nights, it is hardly worth pulling out the rolling home, plus we want to try out the new-to-us Airstream.  Of course this means that we have to take everything with us because it isn’t stocked with our stuff.  Brian and Faith have used it a few times, so it has dishes, towels and the basics, but no clothes, shoes, jackets, etc.  Since we don’t need much for 2 nights (and there is no cooking in the camper involved), it won’t be a problem.  It will be an adventure, right?!  Of course photos will follow.

We are meeting a small group of camping friends, but they won’t recognize us when we pull up in the silver bullet!

Tonight we are eating in the campground pavilion, but will all go out for dinner tomorrow night.  Easy peasy.  Dick and I are helping hostess the event, so we’ll have to get up early to help prepare breakfast both mornings.  Groan.  I don’t do mornings, but I’ll pull up my big girl panties and do it.

Enjoy your weekend.  We sure will!

Thursday and foggy

Fog. We has it. Still.



But it doesn't matter. I am heading into town to basket class (Dan refers to it as basket case, bless his heart). Joan and I barely began a market basket last week, so we want to see some progress today.

Then I shall have a busy afternoon loading up the Airstream. More on that tomorrow.

Have yourself a ginger peachy day, whatever you do. And smile!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Which upgrade to get???

That is the question. Do I go from 4 to 4s, or move on up to 5?
Dan and Joan are new to the iPhone world, so the three of us went to a free tech class last night to learn some operational tips on the 4s and iPad. It was a pretty basic class, and some of the folks were not even iPhone owners, there just to learn more about them.

My goal was to do some comparison shopping, so the instructor nicely printed out some info for me. Sure the 5 is slimmer, but it is taller and it uses different accessories (groan). More stuff needed (4s—no new stuff needed). The major big change the instructor pointed out is that the 5 is 4G, not that Mayberry has 4G yet, but it will, so that may be reason enough to upgrade to the 5, rather than the 4s.

I would love to have comments on pros and cons between now and December when my contract is up and I can upgrade.

MM just needs help finding his phone this morning, bless his heart. He remembers using it after lunch yesterday…and the battery was almost dead, so calling it may not do us any good.

Is it Monday again?!

That’s life today here in foggy paradise, y’all!  At least the phone is now found---still in his truck.

Proud moment!

Pardon me while I brag a little on my young cousin Jenni, daughter of first cousin Will (also shown here)on the Redding side.  Jenni was picked for Georgia Trend “40 under 40” 2012 Best and Brightest.  I totally agree:

Jenni Harris, 25
Marketing Manager
White Oak Pastures
Bluffton

“Could I call you back?” Jenni Harris asks. “I’ve got to give a goat a couple of shots.”

It’s not the kind of task most marketing managers undertake, but most probably are not fifth-generation stewards of a family farm, one increasingly known for environmentally sustainable production of grass-fed meats and poultry.

Harris has been plying her Valdosta State marketing degree by revamping White Oak’s website, where sales this year were “the fastest growing sector of our business,” she says. She has also started inroads into making White Oak agritourism-friendly – the farm now has a restaurant that serves lunch to the staff and general public. More importantly, Jenni gets to work with her dad, Will Harris, “a pioneer in the food movement,” but also “my absolute best friend.” – KR

If you want to find out more about the family business, click here for White Oak Pastures info, located in little old Bluffton, Georgia.  Who knew?

Congratulations, Jenni!  I am proud of all the Harris family.

Life is good, y’all!

Special dedication

Lake Winfield Scott’s Church Without Walls was the beautiful, cool location for the dedication of a very special baby yesterday.

 

Grammie Joy was all smiles for granddaughter Eva, as friends and family alike promised to uphold her Christian upbringing.

It was a touching service by long-time family friend the Rev. Fred Whitley as he made the old gospel come alive in that open pavilion and still apply to us today…doing for “the least of these.”  What can be more least than a helpless baby?  This baby girl is mighty blessed with love, that is for sure, and not entirely helpless because she has dozens of willing servants already at her beck and call.

Her dress was exquisite!  Joy made not only the heirloom dress, but a flannel slip underneath (she knew it would be chilly and baby girl needed to be warm), and a matching bib and bonnet.  All stitched with love.  The ladies of the church crocheted the purple blanket Melissa is holding.  Proud papa Nathan and Uncle Billy are mighty pleased with Miss Eva.  She was more interested in her thumb than all the hoopla going on.  Eva was quite the star attraction…deservedly so.

Auntie Sandy is definitely in Eva’s fan club, you can tell.  Smooches to the baby girl.  Come back and see us soon!

Life is good in rainy Mayberry, y’all!  It’s a new month.  Make it memorable.