Random

 

It's always nice to have the option of an Air BNB for guests right in your culdesac.

Of course, it is subject to availability!

Just watch out for those fees :)

A Complete Do-Over

 While our Christmas plans mostly fell through,

we were able to fulfill our plans last week.

On Thursday night, we headed to Northern Kentucky.

We rested in a town near the Ark

and then spent Friday at the Ark.

We greatly enjoyed the whole experience,

the displays,

our time together,

and even caught the last of the Christmas lights.

Then we headed to my parent's house to celebrate "Christmas" with the family there.

It may have been late,

but it was sweet.

Babysitting Grass? Or The Mangy Mutt?

Not the best picture due to morning sun placement, but I am blogging while watering.

I've been a little MIA.

Last Friday, our sod arrived.

We no longer live on the red planet,

Or in a dry desert.

Of course, hubby says it looks like a mangy mutt,

Varying colors, directions, and seams.

Now we have grass and are trying to walk the fine line of keeping it watered, not burning it, and not flooding it.

So for 2-3 hours a day, I multitask and move sprinklers about.

We are supposed to have more rain next week, so that will help.

We are glad not to be tracking red clay anymore and can now think of pots of flowers or other landscaping ideas.

Time Away

 On this Thankful Thursday,

I am thankful for time away at the beginning of October.

For the past year,

while we could have gone away,

we felt a responsibility to be near in case we were needed.

 

We enjoyed day trips to the coast a few times,

a trip to the Tillamook cheese factory in May,

and some shopping trips in neighboring towns.

But between Covid shutdowns and responsibilities,

we had not had a vacation.

At the beginning of October,

we took a little getaway to see 2 well-known West Coast sites.

We went to Northern California to see the Redwoods,

and then traveled to see Crater Lake here in Oregon.

We first went to Mystery of Trees - highly "touristy,"

but the suspension bridges through the trees was fun

and there was a gondola ride through the trees as well.
Both were a little bit of a challenge as far as a fear of heights.

We also just hiked through the national forest on a rainy afternoon.

The great thing was - the forest was pretty dense and we stayed mostly dry.

We are always drawn to the coast.

The first picture is the California coast on a stormy afternoon.

And a pier and a lighthouse in Crescent City, CA.

We also enjoyed Chick Fil A for the first time since leaving NC 2 1/2 years ago.
There are sadly only 7 in Oregon and the nearest is right outside of Portland
which we don't like to visit.

And Crater Lake was just beautiful.

When we left home, we thought we would be visiting in snow and icy rain,

but just look at the skies.

We had talked of going to the Redwoods when we lived in Washington,

but just never had.

Come April or May, it is likely that we will not be back to this area of the West,

so we wanted to take it in before we move again.

I am thankful because we had the time to take the trip.

I am thankful because we had the resources to make the trip.

I am thankful because the weather was cool and comfortable (and only a little rain one day).

I am thankful because our car developed an issue on the trip but never left us stranded.

I am thankful because God created such magnificent beauty.

I am thankful because I have someone to share my adventures with.

Home Again, Home Again ... Jiggety Jig

Sorry for the Nursery Rhyme title,

the kindergarten teacher in me comes out now and again.

  

We are back from our trip to New Holland, PA.

Hubby had some schooling to learn more about tractors,

and I enjoyed a change of pace and scenery.

Because of our food allergies,

we rented a little cottage.

A real cozy place in the middle of some large farms.
Check out VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) before your next trip.

 

The cottage was cheaper than the local motels,

and provided a full kitchen including Victorian tea service (See last Thursday's post).
We were glad for the kitchen especially when toast was the only thing that sounded good.
It was also nice that hubby could use the grill on the front porch when I was not up to cooking.

If you were reading last week,

you will know that we were dreadfully sick for about 3 days of our trip.
I was feverish for 2 1/2 days.
Hubby missed 1/2 day of class.

I spent Monday, Tuesday, and part of Wednesday in bed sleeping.

At least it was a pretty bed.

By the last day, I was able to take a walk,

and realized that we had horses in our front yard.

The last night we also enjoyed the hammock for a bit with the tiki torch lit.
Unfortunately, we never lit the chiminea (clay fire place).
The property would be lovely in the spring or fall.

On the way home,
we saw SNOW in Virginia.
We had an empty cooler and brought some snow home for the church kids.
They had a blast making a small snow man and throwing mini snow balls.

Now we are back in the saddle again.
The forced rest was a blessing.
No phone calls...
No feeling bad for missing responsibilities ...
No temptation to be drawn in by the tourism of the area ...
And God reminded me anew that HE alone is in control.
I can plot, research, plan ...
and while He may use that research and planning,
He can also change the path at any time.

Home Again, Home Again

For the first time in MANY years, we were away for Thanksgiving.  I believe that our last Thanksgiving away from home was spent eating Turkey sandwiches on the North Shore in Hawaii when hubby was in port for a week in about 2004.  We took a whirlwind trip to NY.  It was supposed to be linked to some schooling in PA this week, but that training was postponed.

We had smooth sailing on our Northbound trek.  13 hours door to door.  We spent time with family on Thursday and Friday especially trying to become more than a picture to many of our nieces and nephews - though one nephew told me that I did not look like my blog picture (I look older now!)  My mom prepared a gluten-free feast for our first gluten-free Thanksgiving ... from stuffing, to gravy, to pie, to pumpkin bread, and even gingerbread cookies and breakfast casserole.  The only thing we had to pass on was the rolls.

Of course, we are always hoping for a glimpse of snow when we head north.  After a balmy Thanksgiving day ... We got it!  It started snowing on Friday night and we ended up traveling in icy snow through NY, PA, and WV.  It was so much "fun" that we were stopped on I-79 for almost an hour and a half while spun-out cars were cleared from icy bridges.  Needless to say, we were glad to get home in one piece and enjoyed services in our church on Sunday. 

I have cleaned the house this morning and have the clothesline full.  The yard needs some serious raking and this may be the afternoon for that before some rain moves in.

Home Again, Home Again

Did you miss me? 

Oh, probably not. 

Hubby and I left home on Saturday morning and were back in town by Sunday afternoon.  Just needed a little time off - no responsibilities on Saturday morning, no teaching, leading, playing on Sunday morning ... just time with each other and time with our Lord.  We travelled less than an hour to a neighboring town and enjoyed beautiful weather and a relaxing couple of days.  We visited a church plant in the area on Sunday morning and were blessed by the work there.  In light of that, I did not do a lot of cooking this past week and definitely not this weekend.  Back to work today feeling refreshed.

Hope you had a good weekend, too!

Biltmore Vacation

We took our summer vacation this year to one of the only "touristy" places in our area.  We visited the Biltmore estate.  It is a huge home and gardens built with the money of the well known Vanderbilts.  I spent much of my childhood in Hyde Park, NY which is home to another Vanderbilt family, but this far exceeded that property.  We had a wonderful time being away and spending time wandering the trails of the property and thinking about the vanity of earthly riches - we just can't take it with us!

Hubby also enjoyed having the time to fiddle with the camera.  Though the gardens were a little sparce because of the heat of the summer, there were some remaining blossoms fighting it out in the high 90 temperatures.  Some of them were looking a little better than I was! I am still not completely acclimated.

Then hubby humored me.  We had been seeing a lot of engagement pictures posted on the internet.  We never had any taken (maybe because our engagement was so short).  We may be 8 years late (May 14, 2002), ... but here are some fun pictures that we took while on the grounds at the Biltmore. 

Well, I guess this last one couldn't be an engagement picture, but it was still fun!

The last day of vacation, we drove up the Blue Ridge Parkway (about to the top of NC) and then stopped at Mount Airy (aka Mayberry) - the childhood home of Andy Griffeth.  They have refurbished some of the scenery from the show, barber shop, sheriffs office, Garage for a tourism boost. 

Now we are back in the saddle.  Hubby is beginning work to get ahead before the semester starts and I am trying to keep the garden producing in the heat and dryness and hope to be canning again soon.

End of Fall Break

We finished fall break.  The weather was not cooperative, but it was nice not to spend each evening in the books or writing papers.  We had a good visit with dad and mom early in the week.  Thursday was a typical work day - hubby at the farm, and I at home cleaning up.  Friday we had planned to hike at chimney rock, but the clouds were VERY low, so we went to Asheville and wandered a mall and a craft store.  Saturday hubby went to work and I did finish the possibles bags.  I think hubby might have slept with his - he was excited about the new design.  The other recipient said he was going to wear his out with use.  The fall decorations finally came out on Saturday as well.  Leaf garland ... pumpkins ... scarecrows ...  The scarecrows are in my front garden and greatly cheer me when I come and  go.  It is wonderful that we can make life FUN!

Today it is back to school.  I will mow and hubby will be back to the books.  It is also missions conference week, so we will be at meetings much of the week.  We're excited to be in the last half of the semester - the end is in sight.

Have a great week, all!

Foundations Destroyed?

Marriage has been much on my mind since May. I received some good books for my birthday which have challenged me and provided "food for thought." One is "Created to Be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl. I am sure that society at large would not appreciate the book, but I am challenged all the more that my responses and actions in the home as a wife are all that God requires of me. Godly actions will produce greater results than nagging, complaining, bitterness ...

The books came at a great time as I have been seeking to encourage 2 wives who feel that things are just falling apart at home. These homes are not the exception any more. All around us there is confusion about the roles in marriage.

We just got back from a family get-to-gether in NY to celebrate dad and mom's 40th anniversary. Quite the milestone! Marriage is a covenant to love, honor and respect each other. It is not without sacrifice, time in prayer, reliance on God. I am so glad for the example that my parents and Chris' parents have set for us. The way that was set before us is easier to follow because we can see the results. If your path was not so neatly laid out, do not despair, just follow God's way - wives being submissive, meek, and quiet; husbands leading and providing with love. God's way is perfect.

More Fun at Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock

I just realized that all of our non-facebook friends and family readers had not had a taste of spring break in NC. We set aside 2 days to have a little vacation and rest from all the reading, writing, and studying of the semester and headed out to Chimney Rock, NC. We were rained out on Monday, but spent the day mall walking and driving a beautiful back route to Asheville. It was a good day together, even if we were not hiking.

Tuesday dawned bright and clear. We began our "hike" with an elevator ride to the top of chimney rock. Then we climbed up higher for a birds eye view of the area. After that it was down to lower falls for a view of Hickory Nut Falls. Next lunch out in the village. Then we climbed some lower educational trails meant for children (I don't think we were disqualified). Before we left we climbed to the top of chimney rock and down 2 more times. Yes, we only planned one more trip to the top, but at the top we met a hammered dulcimer player and he gave me a lesson :) We wanted to buy a cd, but the ATM did not work in the gift shop. He let us take it on faith that we would send the payment, but when we got to the car we realized that we had the check book there. So - up we went again.

Oh, it was beautiful there. We upgraded our day pass so that we could return anytime in the next year. We plan to get picture in the summer and in the fall ... OOOOOHHH! We also realized that we need to plan a trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall - it is supposed to be gorgeous. It goes near to Mount Airy (aka Mayberry) and far into VA near the Luray Caverns.