We knew it would come! First Snow Dusting

This is what our morning looked like! And it has continued throughout the day. It's so clean and crisp ... the air, that is. The wind is gusting 30 - 40 mph. It's defintely winter time here today. Glad we don't have to trick or treat in this stuff! HA!

Hope all is well at your house!

Paul & Cheri

Closing Down the Garden!

Last Sunday was predicted to be our last "warmish" weekend before the temps will plummet and the ground will freeze. So my diligent Paul the Gardner got outside and dug up the potato crop he is so very proud of (and with good reason!). The pictures are not in good order here, but you can get the idea ... dig, find, pull up and collect, wash, store. So hopefully we will have enough potatoes to get us through Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners! Who could ask for more! The crop is fabulous and I've never seen anyone have more fun than Paul has had with the garden. He must feel like he's on a treasure hunt digging for the hidden potatoes. He was beaming all day. Of course, it was a beautiful day ... although you see him here in shirt sleeves, I was in a light jacket and sometimes had on my hoodie! It's amazing the differences in tolerance between us in reference to cold weather. He is my hero in that regard too! And before the weekend was over, we had to build a fire in the wood stove. So, that was bliss for me and the cats!! We have had a fire in the stove consistently all week this week.... COLD in the mornings and evenings and it is lovely and euphoric (ok, a bit dramatic but true) to have warmth!!

And although Prince Charming is currently sleeping, he'll have to awake soon as we are headed to Anderson today to help Shay clean out some of Elise's stuff and get herself situated in her new environment. Yet another adventure for Paul & Cheri ... as well as Shay and her children. Should be a good couple of days ... and we'll be in a place that has stores and stop lights and things we've forgotten about or not seen in a while. When we went down for Elise's service, I saw more people in one day than I've seen in one year! HA!

One weekend every month the donors from Crossnore take the children on a field trip ... so this is our weekend not to teach. So we found something else to do!

Some other stuff ...

Happy Birthday to Cynthia, (in Florida) who celebrated her birthday this past Wed.!!!

Happy Birthday to Ruthie, our friend here who celebrated her birthday yesterday with a newly broken ankle! Yikes! Too much partying, Ruthie!

Happy Birthday this coming week to:

Stefanie on the 28th ... hope you're doing well Stef ... we miss you! Happy Birthday!

Sue who I work with at Grandfather (and is a member) on the 29th - happy birthday SUE!

AND, my little sister, Cyndie on the 29th, as well! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CYNDIE!!!!

Tis the season ... we just seem to know so many more people who celebrate their birthdays in the last quarter of the year. Wonder why that is!?!

Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts for Sabrina, who is healing nicely and getting back to her old self.

Beth is still tending to her folks .. her mom in particular, and he called Wed. night to tell me it is snowing in MA!!! Had been the whole day ... a Nor'easter heading our way (of course!).

SO ... that means we are getting it here ... Monday will be snowing. So I will bask in the 70 degree weather we'll be in this weekend for sure! Next week will be freezing, literally. Oh Boy!

Do hope all of you are well and surviving this very strange and somewhat scary economic, politically challenging time. Although my usual M.O. is to bury my political and economic head in the sand, I seem to be doing the "ground hog pop up" now ... and am actually looking at the news once in a while (only on line or in the newspaper, can't watch the news, it's too convoluted). I'm finding it be to just plain disturbing, so I'm trying to dilute it with a healthy dose of calm, always brought to me by my sweet husband. Thank goodness!

Charles and Sabrina, the newlyweds stopped by last night with the pictures, so I'll be posting those soon. They look so happy and are just emanating joy and sparkles ... so I'm riding that wave instead of those others that are seemingly crashing upon our collective heads!

Until next time ....

Happy Trails to all,

Paul & Cheri

More gorgeousness! This week at the Club ...

I PROMISE these are not altered in any way. The sky REALLY is this blue here! Absolutely amazing to see!! Raining and cold today ... glad we have these to look at! We are expecting snow on Monday!!! Already .... notice how all those vibrant fall colors have just about disappeared! Winter is here for us. In the 40's for a high ... but 20's at night now. BRRRRRRRRRRRR... thank goodness for the wood stove and the fire builder!

Will post this evening when I can sit at home and have a little leisure time. Just wanted to share these pics and make you all envious! Hope you are all well and happy.

Happy Friday! Paul & Cheri

One of the many reasons we live here

Grandfather Golf and Country Club

As most of you already know, I work for the Real Estate Office (Fields and Company) that sells the homes inside the gates at The Grandfather Golf and Country Club. This view is pretty much right outside the window. As I come to work everyday, I'm very aware of how lucky I am to be able to have such a gorgeous backdrop while I work. I'm never too far away from mother nature. As you also know by the backdrop we've chosen for our home. These past few days Mother Nature has been in her ultimate beauty and I just want to say we are aware of every ray of sunshine, every turning leaf and every living, breathing moment we have here on earth. And we are grateful for it!

Lately, many of our sweet friends and family members are losing their sweet friends and family members. It makes for a very difficult season. These mountains seem to be a VERY healing and ancient place. It is very powerful here in that regard. So any of you who need a place to heal, or a place to get away for a weekend, or a week ... our doors are open and you are most welcome. We would love for you to come and share "our mountain"!

Scott and Psu, we are certainly sending you gobs of love, hugs and good thoughts for your unexpected journey to England and your sadness with the passing of Scott's mom. You are in our hearts. Travel safe.

Blessings to all,

Paul and Cheri

Miraculous, Marvelous, Amazing

FALL at our house means ... color! There is the most incredible display of colors this year I have EVER seen. I guess the huge amount of rain the recent hurricanes dumped up here really helped make everything deep and rich. And the brilliant "Carolina Blue" sky just makes everything pop all the more. It is truly gorgeous! I think this past weekend was probably our peak ... which is a huge contrast with, say, my sister who told me this morning they hadn't even started to change yet. ( she's in Tennessee, by Nashville ... not really at sea level or anything ... I was surprised) But it isn't any different from the contrast of the Coyote keeper who says it is now snowing in Wyoming! Oh boy!! (The daily coyote.net - Shreve Stockton)

Anyway, as you can see, some of the other words around here are ....

Apple Cider, Apple Butter, Red Apples, Green Apples, Mixed Apples, Apple Juice, just to name a few! Paul has taken a real "shine" to apples. I'm sure the obsession will switch to another subject as it always does. It's waiting it out that is a bit challenging sometimes! After we pressed the apples yesterday we had a delicious cup of warm cider. It hits the spot! There are empty bottles waiting to be filled "someday" EVERY PLACE. Its a bit claustrophobic . Just me and Paul and 5,000 empty bottles .............. and the cats. :-) Right now there is a batch of apple butter in the crock pot ... and it smells delicious. YUM! Another memory of fall in the mountains. All of the natives are beginning to get ready for the upcoming weekend when they make their apple butter in a huge cauldron ... we are going to help Charles's Nana. Last year we were frantically preparing for the wooly worm festival ... this year we're hanging out and waiting for apple butter making day ............ time changes all things, eh?

Charles and Sabrina got married in a perfect ceremony on Saturday. It was a beautiful and aprecious time for them and we all sent them on their way with good wishes and happy thoughts. I'll post pictures as soon as we get them ... the photo princess here FORGOT the camera (yeah, me, the genius!) I'm determined it was because I had to teach first and there were just too many preparations to take care of for Paul & I both. That's my story and of course, I'm sticking to that!

I took the day off of work today so I could just take a moment to CHILL OUT! Seems like there has been something happening every minute of every day since May. I just realized I am very tired and needed a "Cheri day". Must admit, it's been delightful. Went out to the garden a little while ago and picked a mess of beans, a bunch of tomatoes and cut a serving or two of broccoli.

Also found a treasure of broccoli that is coming in that I didn't even know was there! Whoo hoo! It'll have to hurry as the temp is supposed to really drop the end of the week.

Please send good thoughts to my very sweet and dear friend, Sabrina (not the same one who just got married - this is my friend from Atlanta who I've known for yonks), who is going to have a medical procedure tomorrow that is very intense. I know she will appreciate any good and kind thoughts you can spare! (And prayers are welcome.)

There were "newsworthy" items I wanted to share, but I've lost my train of thought for now.... must have something to do with the mesmerizing smell of apples and the day of rest!

Blessings to all,

Paul & Cheri

Autumn

Can you believe these colors? They are so intense and gorgeous. Things are absolutely popping up here. It is absolutely fall ... the most incredibly gorgeous time of the year. The one and only drawback to it is knowing it is only going to get colder. Dang!!!

How do you like this little guy in the top of the apple tree? Paul picked apples and pears all day on Sunday ... he didn't have this guy to help him though. I'm glad about that ... click right on the picture and you can see the size of him. He's HUGE!

There is so much going on here, I just think I'll hit the highlights to save sanity.

Paul's brother, Craig and his sister, Janet will be celebrating their birthdays on Friday, Oct. 10th. Yep, same day --- they're twins! Happy birthday you two! Hope the birthday fairy treats you both just right!!!

Today is Dana Michael's birthday! Happy Birthday Dana! Dana is my tap teacher and good friend in Orlando. The wife of Dan ... the sister and biz manager to Mia. The best percussionist ever! Hope all those wishes come true!

Elise was laid to rest one week ago today. It is amazing how fast and slow time can pass all at the same time. Proof positive there is more than just one dimension. Please continue to send love and blessings to Shay and her two children, Molly and Beattie. So much uncertainty at times like this.

There were 15 people who received lay-offs from the company Paul works for last Friday. Paul, thank goodness, was not on the list. Please keep your fingers crossed that he doesn't become a victim of this unsteady time! Garden or not, we need to have jobs!

Our friend Charles is getting married this Saturday at 2pm. Paul is going to be Charles' best man. He is marrying his long time sweetheart, Sabrina. Good luck to you two. We wish you all the best!!

We have been consistently teaching at the Crossnore School. It is turning out to be a saving grace for my heart. Amongst so much sadness, fear, disappointment, and all that life type stuff, being able to give fun times and love to these children has been the greatest blessing of all for me. I'm sure Paul is loving it as well. He's had some real laughs already. There is one teen that is a dancer. She and I work extra throughout the week. Ballet barre tonight! It's heaven!

The real estate biz is very quiet, as I'm sure you can imagine. Wish I could say I was filling my time with mosaic work, but I am not ..... yet. Perhaps when I get over the anxiety from our most recent loss I will be able to sit still and do something constructive. For now, I'm rearranging furniture and things. Poor Paul!

Paul has taken his hard apple cider to the "expert" down in Tennessee to get his opinion on it. Apparently Paul did a good job, the guy was very impressed. I know there are details ... yeast flavors, alcohol content, etc., etc., but I guess Paul has worked all that out. Or it's beginners luck. Whatever the case, he's doing good! And his grin is precious. He got the apple press back from Charles on Sunday, so I suspect there will be more cider "brewing" shortly!

The kids and cats all seem to be doing well. We try to keep up with all who have blogs and websites. Chrissie sent me her latest book. It's fabulous!! Will give you incentive to play in mosaic work if you're even remotely interested. The fall festivals are up and running full swing. The morning temperatures are between 30 and 40 degrees now. Makes for a chilly day at the festival sometimes, but it's still nice to get outside and see people's talents. I hope we get to visit at least one before the season is over. The rain is suppose to start up tomorrow for a few days. I'm sure we need it, but I'd rather it hold off for another week while the leaves continue their color show. Oh well .... we'll take what we get (and like it, as my dad used to say). So for now,

Cheers to all,

Paul & Cheri