Weekend - Memorial Day

First of all, a huge THANK YOU to all who have served and honored the U.S.A. so the rest of us can have sleep filled nights and peace filled lives of freedom and a feeling of safety.

Freedom to enjoy BEAUTIFUL days like Saturday was here in the beautiful High Country. It was gorgeous, sunny with puffy clouds you could name, and LOTS AND LOTS of tourists!

So, Fabio sent us fishing for his special of Fresh Roasted Trout stuffed with Italian herbs and veggies served with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies ~ and it is SUPERB!

It was a fun filled afternoon for lots of tourists, but we had a schedule to keep!

So fisherman Paul hooked up 5 beautiful trout and grinned the entire time!

The proof is in the bucket - hope you don't have a weak/queasy stomach!

Here's the grin! We had a beautiful afternoon ~ it was a very content weekend for us. YAY!

Here is where we spent a good portion of the weekend evenings! Fabio's is now serving a large selection of wines so you no longer have to brown bag it! And Paul & I are the current wine stewards, as well as greeters, and a few other things. It was such fun! I'd forgotten how much I enjoy talking wine. :-)

This is my new current favorite place to sit in our yard ... so relaxing and fun! Feels like a kid place ... inner child alert!

We've had a ton of this around here this weekend (except this morning when we awoke to rain) SO ..........

There are strawberries galore!

Some more over here ...

Oh yeah, and bags of them we've frozen ... and more on the vines ...

the sun is also bringing tomato blossoms, which are here but I didn't get a very good shot of

and blueberries here ... which are still green ...

and cherries coming to life on the cherry trees, which will make my swinging impossible in another week or so because the birds will be in a feeding frenzy!

And the day lilies are beginning to open up! and the herbs in the planters are beginning to go CRAZY - espeically the oregano!

and what has been planted so far is beginning to absolutely flourish!

Oh yeah, and here is the hole and the ditch we had to dig for the kitchen sink and the washing machine drainage. Remember the bubbling up out of the garage floor? Well, turns out we need a reroute so .... here is the beginning of that project!

And here are the landscaping timbers for the next phase of the driveway, parking and yard project. ALL kinds of projects going on!

Hope all of you have at least ONE project you are working on ... it's nice to be able to commiserate with someone!

Safe Memorial Day to all!

Paul & Cheri

Mountain Mid week - overdue ..

Th Glover House ... mascot #2, #1 is the Saab that sits outside.

We are changing the utility and appearance of the front yard(s). This side is the "industrial" side ... with the building and parking ... ok, well, it soon will be (that's the plan)

And this is the equipment doing this arduous task .. and of course, Charles is the operator of said equipment.

And this is the change Charles made to our yard yesterday evening. We will now have a proper front yard with a side walk up the middle. (and a little white picket fence out front some day) There are loads of dirt that need to be brought in to level it out. Then landscaping timbers to hold the dirt in place ... then top soil and grass seed ... then BEAUTIFUL LAWN! Yep - ANOTHER project!

So here's Paul planting tomatoes a few evenings ago.

And this is the collection of strawberries front last night's plucking!

we have a FABULOUS strawberry patch this year - thanks to the snow!

We've got gallons of strawberries! And Paul has had his share of strawberry pudding!

Front and center is a broccoli plant, and surrounding it are strawberry plants galore!

Here he is, in total bliss. :-) Himself!

More strawberries!

Christian's sunflower patch in the foreground and Cheri's red potato path in the back.

Paul's potato patch ... can't really fit it all in one spot photo, but you get the idea. There are LOTS of tater plants!

Apparently YESTERDAY was Wednesday, which was mid week. Thursday posting will have to do! People here in the mountains are on their own time zone ... guess I've finally joined the ranks. Great! (not so much) For example, Shane the plumber was supposed to be here at 10AM. He'd showed about 3:30 or 4 PM ... I'd already gone to my 2pm appt., but Paul was at home for him, I think. Turns out we need some plumbing work done. Well, we knew that when the dish washing soap bubbles began bubbling up out of the slab in the garage. Mountain people have a code which they live by. They take care of "their own". There are two time tables and there are two price lists. One for locals and one for others. If you were born here, you get the local price and first calls. No matter how much you exert yourself in the county, or try to help others the way you normally would for another human being, you cannot be a local if you were not born here (or perhaps at least had a parent born here). This is the way it is. Awesome. The saving grace is that we have good luck with finding good people to fix our old house and help us with improvements.

Our favorite local restaurant (Fabio's) begins serving wine tomorrow night. The little town of Newland finally passed wine & beer to be legally served in the town. It means we no longer have to drive all the way to one end of the county or the other to buy wine (which makes me happier). This has caused a HUGE uproar and debate amongst the non drinkers and the drinkers. This part of the country is filled with very religious congregations who do not believe in and are ADAMANTLY against all alcoholic drink and the consumption of it. Most of the summer income around here comes from the Floridians who own 2nd houses and come up here to wine and dine for the summer. Fabio has always let everyone just brown bag their own wine to go with his exquisite cuisine. But now he has a license to serve and there can be no more brown bagging because the law does not allow both. SO, I am going to begin helping him with wine service tomorrow!! I think it'll be great fun! Can't wait to meet new people and find new friends! Fabio is also opening a second location right next door to the first one for a casual meet and eat type bistro. And PAUL is going to be the front person there. SO, we will be embarking on a brand new adventure for the summer (or parts of it or something!). Will keep you posted!

Paul has gone to play a round of golf and I should be grouting some mosaic work. But I am tired and declaring working hours over. This has been inspired by my two lazy cats who are curled up on the sofa sound asleep. Now I hope to enjoy a glass of red wine and some NCIS rerun time. Happy mid week (plus one) to all!

Cheers!

Paul & Cheri

This week just gone ...

... it was time to begin the ART PART of life now. Time to build an inventory and begin selling! So, I got in to the back room (the sleeping porch) and put up a proper craft table (ok, Paul put it up because I can't lift the thing) and begin gathering crafting stuff.

I painted some stuff for prep work ... don't know what this is going to be yet, but probably a welcome sign or some such thing.

Found some of the tiles I'll need along with "found objects" and bibs and bobs, bits and pieces, odds and ends, and some grout and such. Treasure to a mosaic artist ~ mess to others.

And here are some tools of the trade, tile clippers, adhesive, scissors, pens, you know ... stuff to work with.

starting making some little signs with "significant" words ... these are not complete, but the basics are here ... the get more painting, some trim work, wire and fancy ribbons to hang them with. They're fun when they're finished.

and I began the stepping stone inventory collection so I'll have some stuff in the boutique for sale. This is my first tile piece in ages and ages. It most likely will be a gift for someone. So much for inventory! It felt AWESOME to mosaic again. I was walking on clouds all week. :-) (This pattern came from Chrissie Grace's book "tiLes gone Wild". She has 3 amazing books and a wonderful blog if you're interested in learning mosaic/mixed media art. She has been a HUGE inspiration to me. Check her out on the button on the left ...) When I use someone's pattern or copy an idea, I don't sell the work. It's an infringement on that someone's creative license and artistic soul. Most of the time my finished work doesn't look anything like anyone else's ... but you never know! It just isn't right.

Here's the first round ... along with a gorgeous cup of coffee! H.E.A.V.E.N.

Next phase, the border and the pointy bits ..

Then the fun parts (adding the color) and the outside border

and viola' - the tiling is complete. Can't grout for 48 hours ... and since it's going to be rainy and cold, I can't really grout until Wednesday. Hopefully I'll have another piece ready by then as well. It's amazing how quickly the pieces go when you don't have to leave the house 8 hours a day for work ... and with my new found enthusiasm, it's a breeze. Hope that darn creative block doesn't visit any time soon! Always a possibility.

This is the view from the chair where I work. Nothing better! There is no real way to capture the perfect essence of all the shadows and depth of the mountain here (Beech Mountain, the back side), but it is breath taking.

On a COMPLETELY different subject, my business partner and friend, Shannon, is sanding the wood work in the living room so we can get it all uniform and lovely. It is coming along beautifully and WHAT A HUGE DIFFERENCE!

The side wood has been sanded and the top, of course, has not ... just for your reference point.

Up close ... can you believe how BEAUTIFULLY aged the wood is? There are so many depths of character in this wood. It is exquisite now, with Shannon's hand ... but I can barely contain my excitement about getting it all finished so we can just admire it all the time!

The furniture in the front room has all been covered with sheets due to the horrific sanding mess that is going on. The shellac and finish that is currently on the door frames and mouldings have probably been on for 50 years, more or less. It STINKS terribly and is grossly sticky and well, just yucky. Hence, the sheets. Our fur ball boys are quite sure we have just done that to create them many more sleeping options. So here they are, helping with the whole process. Cats are very funny and entertaining. And they sleep a lot.

On random information: The Avery High School girls soccer team won their semi-final game tonight. It was a great game. I find it extremely funny that Paul and I go to high school soccer games to support the kids. I thought after my own children were out of sports I'd never do that again. We look forward to these games and supporting the kids. Who knew!

It's almost time to plant the majority of the garden. We are getting itchy to get the stuff in the ground. Timing is everything. We're already picking strawberries!!!!! SO FUN!

Christian's sunflowers are growing like gang busters. The potatoes are coming in beautifully. We have blueberries and blackberries coming in. Hopefully we'll be able to make some jams this year. Hopefully the rain won't turn everything into mush this year! PLEASE, Mother Nature!

My niece and nephew are driving from Nashville to Los Angeles. Hollie, my niece, is beginning her new career as fashion model next Tuesday. Her brother, Derek drove with her to make sure she arrived safe and sound (and so they could visit Vegas, of course). Good luck to you both. Derek has enrolled in a video game design school in Orlando and will be moving in July. My sister will have her two children on opposite coasts. Good luck with that, Cyndie! Yikes!

All seems well with our children. We just keep saying grace over that!

My friend Janine and I went to visit a Pottery Gallery that is here locally. The potters are Dan and Patti Connor Greene. Lovely, talented people with a great studio and 3 parrots! If you get time and are local or visit here a lot, GO SEE THEIR SHOW ROOM! The work is magnificent.

Visit their website here ... http://www.linvilleriverpottery.com/

Ok, time to sign off.

Cheers to all,

Paul & Cheri

More ... as promised

More pictures from the celebration ... in complete random order

You can really tell everyone was ready to celebrate the exit of our winter!

Fire circle --- some live entertainers with guitars and vocals

Mike with the guitar - Ellis also played but no pic of Ellis with his guitar ...

Kim & Jack

Tommy

l to r Cindy, Dan & Patty

Paul, Crista, Sam and Tommy

l to r Gaye, Edie and Kathy

Chef Mark at the cooker

Carl at the food table - look to the right .. that is where the crawfish, shrimp, potatoes, corn, sausage, onion, lemon and garlic were served. Carl had a front row seat!

l to r Mike, Ellis, Barbara Patty

l to r Paul, Simon, Christine
front and center - coolers filled with beer!

pink bucket filled with crawfish shells!

Paul & his guest who's name I cannot come up with. (Please forgive me)

Linda and Dave

Don't know who this crazy woman is

Food table, Patty and Tommy

Cindy and Janine at the sink

You have to watch Janine - she always wants to be at the sink ;)

Simon,Paul, Jennie, Chad

Paul prepping with Chef Mark ... only picture with the host and the Chef in the same shot!

people on the porch ... getting ready for the evening!

This is what the crawfish boil was prepared in.

Happy times ... Good people. Now ... on with spring!

Paul & Cheri