Rainy Mountain Monday

It's raining ... it's spring ... of course it's raining!!

Raining produces random thought for me. As if my thought process wasn't complicated enough to figure out ... now I have to try and follow the random path! Not to fear, however, because our weather is going to VASTLY improve, and with it will be sunshine and warmth .... WARMTH, you hear that???? Praise the sunshine and all that comes with it!

So ... here is some random catch up:

* I filed for unemployment today. Extension on the spring break. ;-)

* The goats are growing by leaps and bounds. They are the very best in entertainment!

*We've been teaching at the school and it's wonderful to be back in the swing of things.

*My son and his 2 sons are having some "boy stuff" time at a cabin in the North GA mountains for the boys' Spring Break. I'm so glad they get to spend quality time, uninterrupted, together.

*My daughter had some kidney tune up surgery on Saturday and seems to be feeling lots better and can now have the antibiotics she needs to take. Amen!

*You are supposed to plant your potatoes on Good Friday ... it will be in the high 70's and dry. We will plant our potatoes! I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself! Guess I should get the ground ready ... when the rain stops.

*Paul is refereeing soccer now and last week he was spoken to by the coach and a spectator family member in ways unbecoming to a gentleman ... or even a scoundrel. I cannot believe the things people think they are entitled to say to another human being! It's appalling. And obviously, I would have cried if they'd have spoken to me like that! AND they would have been red carded FOREVER! Goodness!! I'm still shocked ...

This weekend is already EASTER! Unbelievably fast! But we're ready any way. And, we hope you are!

Happy Monday!

Paul & Cheri

Mountain Mid Week

Done & Done ...

at least this much is cut, split and stacked.

It was scattered all over the place and under all the snow!

Looks like we'll have some wood for next year ... and thank goodness!

This much is still to be cut, split and stacked ...

As is all of this! It's amazing how much work it is to do these 3 little words ...
Cut, Split, Stack!
It was an AMAZING day as I stacked the right hand side of the container. I'd forgotten how incredible it is to actually break a sweat, get muddy, get wind blown, and accomplish a task outside in the wide open. I also forgot how sore one body will get with hours of unprepared physical labor! It is heaven ... and I am absolutely in it!

This is what the mountain looks like today ... sky not so blue and gorgeous, but incredibly wonderful at any rate! It rained (more like spit) off and on the entire time I was outside. The wind blew on and off ... and this is what it looked like. No way to explain how it felt, but it was very healing for this ole' gal. And I'm so very grateful for this day!

And right down below the wood stacking project were these guys ... watching every move I was making in case I got too close to their precious little ones. What they didn't realize is that they were my entertainment the entire time I was out there. There are 2 new babies that have added to the mix, but they just arrived yesterday and are too small to get out and frolic. I guess I'll have to wait a couple of days to get them photographed. 5 baby goats! Meanwhile ...

I have these to entertain me. I spent a good 10 minutes watching these two little ones head butting each other ... they'd push against each other's heads, then one or the other would fall over. It was hilarious and so fun to watch. Have I mentioned what a wonderful day I've had?

Momma goat finally figured out that I was taking her picture and posed at long last.

Perfect!

I haven't been to work in two weeks. Extended Spring Break of sorts. Real estate is not hopping up here yet. After all, we're still having snow. And rain is going to be happening daily since it's spring. I'm hoping to be home for a couple of months...or more. I'm trying to get the land cleaned up and get the flower beds and the garden beds ready for planting. Paul & I would like to grow as much of our own food as possible this summer. We've been asking mother nature to be good to us and let the sunshine some this year. Last year was way too soggy. I'd also like to get some mosaic inventory in the works, get some weaving finished, and get some pottery going.

First, I have to do the taxes. Dang!

Paul is busy refereeing now. He went to a game in the snow the other night, but they called the game because they couldn't see the lines! We're not in Kansas any more .... and certainly not in Orlando! HE did get to ref a game tonight. And he's home and all warmed up with a cup of tea and a warm dinner.

Hugh got a pretty good report on his health today. Thankfully! We are very grateful for that. I hope to get to see him tomorrow. Hope he looks great!

My sister and her husband (Cyndie & Paul) have been building a new house! It is almost finished, which is a HUGE accomplishment in this part of the country at this time of year with the weather challenges we've all had! I can only imagine how excited they are. And exhausted! Good luck to you two and I'm hoping you finish and move in with absolutely NO hitches or delays. Best of everything!

Well, must sign off and get on with things ...

Happy Friday everyone!

Paul & Cheri

SPRING!

We know for sure it is Spring because ...

Mr. Boone's goats have new babies! There are 3 of them ... soooo very cute! These are the two mommas (on the left) and the 3 babies on the right. The little gray one on the far right is only 2 or 3 days old. He/she is adorable. This year there are also white baby goats! They are so precious ... just kind of spring around the yard. But by the time they follow momma from the stable to the other side of the pasture, they're exhausted and must lie down! So funny!

Chef Beth had us over for Equinox dinner (another reason we know it's spring - Equinox!) ... and she prepared an incredible fare, as always. We had an island chicken and basmati rice for a main course that was oh! so! scrumptious! We also had a few different wines, which is always fun to pair wine and food!

Beth's brother Dan, who is visiting from Maryland, helped outfit Paul. As he is the experienced torch man, he was voted to caramelize the tops of the meringue. The "afters" were superb, of course ... lemon meringue with strawberry toppings. Holy cow! More food in one sitting than I've eaten in two months.

The professional! The evening was absolutely lovely!

Here we are, the merry band of Equinox connoisseurs! L to R ... Paul, Dan, Beth. I, of course, am behind the camera, which is why it's not the best picture in the world. Dan & Beth, thanks so much for the wonderful, ever so spring-esque Equinox dinner. Oh, and the deer came down to eat while we were there too! That never loses its special magic. Something about the forest animals being trusting enough to share our world. So very precious and magical. And Beth's 5 kitties were also in attendance, however, I neglected to photo them for some crazy reason. They are all beautiful.

Here's my new project (since I'm among the unemployed) I get to refill the wood crates. Now that the snow has melted off, I found the wood again! Now I can refill the crates for the rest of our season this year, and the season next year that will surely come! It felt so good to be working outside and actually doing something physical. Certainly improved my mood! And my body is sore. I feel alive and IT IS GREAT!

And just look at this BLUE BLUE sky! Oh yes! I know we're expecting some more snow, but I'm hoping the 9 feet or so we've already had this winter will serve as our share for the most part, and whatever is on its way will be lean and quick!

Remember this!? Our poor little bird bath in February ...

Here she is .... back to her free self!

And so, it is spring again!

Thank goodness!

Just can't explain in words how happy we are to see it!

Happy Spring, y'all!

Paul & Cheri

Encouraging!

Look at this!

Spring is coming...

Even if it is only 32 degrees .... there is a promise of spring.

Thank goodness!

We can see the ground (finally) for the first time since Dec. 18th.

It's been a L.O.N.G. winter.

Happy Coming of Spring!

I'm on spring break this week. :-)

Life is good!

Paul & Cheri

Nina is on Spring Break!

Snowbaording on Beech Mountain!

Here is Paul ... who happens to be "goofy", which is a real term for folks who snowboard with their right foot front. Appropriate, eh!?!

Boom!

Nina! Snowboard Queen ...

Sort of !!!

Elk River Falls!

Carver's Gap!

It's been a lovely fun few days as Nina has been visiting! It's nice to brighten up the house with a young spirit, filled with enthusiasm. Nina had never seen or touched snow before. As luck would have it, she brought the Florida sunshine with her so she didn't see much actual snowING going on, but she definitely got to be in the snow that is every place. And she and Paul together are such a bundle of energy that there was plenty of playing in the snow ... there was even one soccer game where Nina and I were bundled up COMPLETELY, while the kids playing soccer were in shorts and tees ... and the snow was 5 feet high around the lines of the field. When the ball would go out of bounds, the girls would climb the snow banks and giggle all the way to the ball. Some things are just a bit "out of kilter"! Anyway, we must say goodbye to Nina today (Wednesday) as she flies back to sunny Orlando, and after looking at the weather, it appears she is taking the sun with her. (DRAT!) It's been a wonderful break from our normal life and the snow!

Thanks for coming up Nina. It was great to see you!

xoxoxo

Dad and Cheri

March!

It is March 2nd. We have a new snow storm. Welcome to spring!

It was supposed to be a dusting. It was supposed to start tonight. They missed it .... again. A lot of us had to come home early from work/school. A lot of school buses were stranded with children, stuck in the snow. It was an exciting drive ... for sure!

I've decided to find a "cut and choose" lot, get a tree and just decorate it with Easter Eggs. I've got a feeling it's going to be just what the season is going to call for! The Fir Easter tree including lights. Yay!

Hope all y'all out there in "warmville" are having a lovely March! Please send warm thoughts. I hear we're going to have a mild up this weekend --- high 40's! Good thing, as Nina is coming up for a visit. It'll be nice to have some young energy around here. And I will be able to weave in the front room. YES!

We had the opportunity to once again see the movie Avatar. It's an excellent movie. It's in 3-D if you're lucky. Try to see it. It's well worth watching on the big screen.

We had a very rough Sunday morning. My friend Sabrina lost one of her best buddies to cancer. Moe was diagnosed in December, and died in February. It was a very unexpected, sad and horrible loss. Moe was 50. Blessings to Sabrina, Missy, Moe's wife, the children of Missy and Moe, and all the people who will suffer from the loss. Rest in peace, Moe.

***In a post to be produced later, Paul's grandmother passed away in England on Sunday. Muriel Olivia, isn't' that a fabulous name??? She was 91 years old. We went to England in 1998 and stayed with her for a few days. It was a fantastic time being in England, and meeting this fabulous woman. She had a gleam of mischief in her eyes, which I learned transferred to Paul's dad, Mel, and onto Paul. I enjoyed Grandma and her spirit immensely. Paul has stories to share, when he feels like it. As he had her in his life all these many years, he's understandably not ready to post, but he promises he will. Our hearts go out to Mel, who lost his mom after all his years of having her. We know how amazing it is to have anyone live into their 90s. And our best wishes out to ALL the family members and friends who are saddened by the loss of this lovely woman.

Rest in peace, Muriel, Grandma, Mom.

Sunday afternoon we had the priveledge of taking one of the Crossnore girls out for the afternoon/evening. We saw Avatar, ate dinner, giggled, sang in the car, and let some of the serious matters of adult life go, just for a few hours. It was healing, and delightful to giggle and sing! Thanks to the "powers that be" for letting us hang with our friend.

There have been some miracles to add to the mix, thank GOD, mostly involving Jenn. Amen, amen!

Blessings to all,

Happy Spring!

Paul & Cheri