days off from the blog - trying to catch up on sleep and busy with work on the house - painting and putting in flooring. Today it was the first annual "Green Bean Festival" in Blairsville, so we just had to check it out. Great experience with many folks selling their fresh produce and arts and crafts - all local farms and craftsmen. It was a good time with fresh apple cider made into slushies - wonderful on a sunny, summer day. Folks are all so friendly and produce in abundance. Delicious - should have taken more cash.
We waited this afternoon for a storm warning - had some rain - but no storms or thunder or real bad weather - being a weatherman is the only job where you can be paid a lot and still be wrong at least 50% of the time! I can usually tell when we are about to get a real storm - it is so dark and cloudy I can't see the mountains nearby. When it is done raining, you can see the mountains through the mist. But when the storm is coming, you can't see the mountains at all.
Had the drive up to the house graded - not rocked yet - need a lot of rain for that to work out - but at least our drive in is less treacherous. Once it is wet enough, it will be rocked and graded and we can add some concrete mix and hold it all together for a better road with a little grip to it. Nothing looks finished around here - stuff is stacked as we work on all the projects. It will start to feel more homey by Fall, I think. Meantime, we just have to be patient.
Lost one of the pepper plants - not sure why - it is in the same pot, with the same soil and fertilizer, same amount of water, but one is dead and the other thrives....tomato plant looks great but no tomatoes or blossoms. The herbs need to be cut back and dried, as they are thriving.
Off for a cuppa decaf and then bed....still catching up on my sleep.
Be blessed,
Kim
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Full Moon....
...filling the woods light last night. Visits to the bathroom were well-lit for a change and no tripping over things in the dark.
Today, we have had a somewhat "gray" day - it wants to rain and still hasn't. It was hot and not a breath of a breeze anywhere in sight. I watched the leaves and they stayed perfectly still. I tried to to get a nap, but the four-legged one was having none of it. DH made it to sleep before me, so in order to let him sleep, I had to lure her out of the bedroom. No nap allowed for me, so maybe a little earlier to bed tonight. We moved the living room around to give her more room to lay on the floor for her nap, but it made no difference - she still sleeps in the middle of the floor, where everyone can step over her to leave or enter the living room.
The carpet is all out. Jeff pulled it up. We are working on the old bedroom next. Painting and then new flooring. As soon as the road is graded and rocked this week, we can bring more stuff up from the storage shed and get the rooms in order - once we figure out where we put the furniture we need.....now where did we put that?
Be Blessed,
Kim
Today, we have had a somewhat "gray" day - it wants to rain and still hasn't. It was hot and not a breath of a breeze anywhere in sight. I watched the leaves and they stayed perfectly still. I tried to to get a nap, but the four-legged one was having none of it. DH made it to sleep before me, so in order to let him sleep, I had to lure her out of the bedroom. No nap allowed for me, so maybe a little earlier to bed tonight. We moved the living room around to give her more room to lay on the floor for her nap, but it made no difference - she still sleeps in the middle of the floor, where everyone can step over her to leave or enter the living room.
The carpet is all out. Jeff pulled it up. We are working on the old bedroom next. Painting and then new flooring. As soon as the road is graded and rocked this week, we can bring more stuff up from the storage shed and get the rooms in order - once we figure out where we put the furniture we need.....now where did we put that?
Be Blessed,
Kim
Sunday refreshements...
started with sleeping in until 7:30 AM. That is not really late, but it is as late as the four-legged one will allow me to sleep (she is also not big on us taking naps.) She does not want to go out for her morning reprieves - she just wants to be sure we are aware it is light outside and therefore we should be up. She is worse than a rooster!
We started getting ready for church when she took off again - we called and DH searched, but she escaped for another "adventure of discovery" again. We finally left and headed out for services at the first church we planned to try. It was frustrating and worrisome to leave her out like that, but not much to be done. She is worse than a rebellious teen-ager and DH and I already went through that stage with the kids.
We attended worship at Fellowship of the Hills. It is a small non-denominational church that currently operates in a large metal building. Folks were friendly. The congregatiuon might be 50 if you count the kids. Still, it was uplifting, filled with the Word and how to apply it to your life. I believe DH and I will attend again.
Got more chores done around the homestead. Needed rain, which came later. Took some vegetables over to the folks, and visited briefly. On the way back home from their place, we ran into a mama bear and her cub. Mama was sitting on the roadside and baby was playing below. We startled them and they high-tailed it up a nearby tree. Mama came on back down, but baby remained aloft, peeking around the tree at us. We decided to move on so they wouldn't be so upset. There have been three up at the folks place and they are very active this season. Plenty to eat right now with the wild blueberries and raspberries in the woods and streams full of trout. (Of course, I don't think they avoid the trash cans if left unattended - it is their version of 7-11 quickie mart for a snack!)
Rainy weather should cool it down a little and will get our road ready for the graders this week. I love the rain on the tin(metal) roof.....
Be blessed,
Kim
We started getting ready for church when she took off again - we called and DH searched, but she escaped for another "adventure of discovery" again. We finally left and headed out for services at the first church we planned to try. It was frustrating and worrisome to leave her out like that, but not much to be done. She is worse than a rebellious teen-ager and DH and I already went through that stage with the kids.
We attended worship at Fellowship of the Hills. It is a small non-denominational church that currently operates in a large metal building. Folks were friendly. The congregatiuon might be 50 if you count the kids. Still, it was uplifting, filled with the Word and how to apply it to your life. I believe DH and I will attend again.
Got more chores done around the homestead. Needed rain, which came later. Took some vegetables over to the folks, and visited briefly. On the way back home from their place, we ran into a mama bear and her cub. Mama was sitting on the roadside and baby was playing below. We startled them and they high-tailed it up a nearby tree. Mama came on back down, but baby remained aloft, peeking around the tree at us. We decided to move on so they wouldn't be so upset. There have been three up at the folks place and they are very active this season. Plenty to eat right now with the wild blueberries and raspberries in the woods and streams full of trout. (Of course, I don't think they avoid the trash cans if left unattended - it is their version of 7-11 quickie mart for a snack!)
Rainy weather should cool it down a little and will get our road ready for the graders this week. I love the rain on the tin(metal) roof.....
Be blessed,
Kim
Saturday, July 24, 2010
New and amazing....
adventures today! I went to office briefly to manage a few details for next week, when most of my staff is out - one for surgery, one for vacation, one for a personal day....then DH and I went to try a new adventure and had breakfast at the Old Sawmill. It was nice enough but too polished to suit me - think I 'll go back to the Hole in the Wall. I prefer their "style" - not too polished but the food is good and the wait staff and cook well known to us.
We stopped off at Home Depot (I swear it is a daily event) and got the materials to create our closet interior so we could hang our clothes up. DH then dropped me off at a women's group for "new folks" and spent two hours with a group of ladies from various churches worshipping the Lord and working to establish small groups. I am game and will see how it goes. It could be a good leading from the Lord.
Then we headed over to Meeks Park for the Butternut Creek Art Festival. The artisan tents were clustered under the trees next to Butternut Creek. It was shady and had a slight breeze, but it was still hot. It was fun to see all their creations and the way their work was appreciated - from quilts to woodwork and everything in between. A glass of fresh lemonade and lots of photos later, we headed home. I was able to take a nap....a real luxury.
We decided to check out Blue Ridge for dinner and ate at the Blue Jeans Pizza and Pasta Company. Dinner was good and the trip refreshing because we got to see farms and other rural communities on the way. On the way home, the mists were rising around the mountains which certainly belies their "smokey" designation. The moon is nearly full and the light was clear.
Came home and finally moved our bed into our new bedroom. First night to sleep there. Have the bedside tables in, but not the dresser yet. We will have to replace the mirror that goes with the dresser as it broke in transit. Still, we are making progress.
Exploring our new area is fun. These little excursions are exciting. There are many more adventures ahead for us, so stay tuned......
Be Blessed,
Kim
We stopped off at Home Depot (I swear it is a daily event) and got the materials to create our closet interior so we could hang our clothes up. DH then dropped me off at a women's group for "new folks" and spent two hours with a group of ladies from various churches worshipping the Lord and working to establish small groups. I am game and will see how it goes. It could be a good leading from the Lord.
Then we headed over to Meeks Park for the Butternut Creek Art Festival. The artisan tents were clustered under the trees next to Butternut Creek. It was shady and had a slight breeze, but it was still hot. It was fun to see all their creations and the way their work was appreciated - from quilts to woodwork and everything in between. A glass of fresh lemonade and lots of photos later, we headed home. I was able to take a nap....a real luxury.
We decided to check out Blue Ridge for dinner and ate at the Blue Jeans Pizza and Pasta Company. Dinner was good and the trip refreshing because we got to see farms and other rural communities on the way. On the way home, the mists were rising around the mountains which certainly belies their "smokey" designation. The moon is nearly full and the light was clear.
Came home and finally moved our bed into our new bedroom. First night to sleep there. Have the bedside tables in, but not the dresser yet. We will have to replace the mirror that goes with the dresser as it broke in transit. Still, we are making progress.
Exploring our new area is fun. These little excursions are exciting. There are many more adventures ahead for us, so stay tuned......
Be Blessed,
Kim
Friday, July 23, 2010
Okay, today is....
HOT. It was 98 degrees - not humid - but still hot. Drew says it is hot in AZ and I believ e him - this is not bad if you like a sauna. It is dry, too. Time to water the trees in the orchard and the veggies we are growing - tomatoes, bell peppers, and the herbs....
What do you do with your 4-legged fur friends when they act like misbehaving children? Libby takes off on Jeff whenever he is outside - so much to explore, I guess. The problem is when she is gone for a long time - we worry because she has seizures. So she ran off today and Jeff could not find her. Later, when he came back from toen, he found her at the bottom of the hill with a new "friend" - a golden retriever. I do not like to have my pets wander un supervised - it is a safety thing - but I guess she is just tempted by the desire to explore. Gonna' have to keep a close eye on her, I guess.
Planning on making some jam...maybe strawberry and blackberry....low sugar, of course. I used to make jam and I love to preserve the bountiful veggies of summer to use year around. I hope to make pickles and can some green beans and tomatoes. Green beans are plentiful and next weekend is the 1st annual Green Bean Festival. All kinds of "happenings" for that festival. This weekend is the Butternut Creek Art Festival and I am looking forward to attending for the first time - a little time off. Our area here in the mountains has a lot of great festivals to offer. Can't wait to attend them all! They celebrate the unique flavor of the area from its agricultural experience, natural activities of camping, mountain hiking and climbing, the history of the area from the old cars and tractors to dances and music, to the natural beauty of Fall leaves. So simple, so much to enjoy. Think I will go out and watch the fireflies ("fairy lights") with a glass of tea or cup of coffee.....
Be blessed,
Kim
What do you do with your 4-legged fur friends when they act like misbehaving children? Libby takes off on Jeff whenever he is outside - so much to explore, I guess. The problem is when she is gone for a long time - we worry because she has seizures. So she ran off today and Jeff could not find her. Later, when he came back from toen, he found her at the bottom of the hill with a new "friend" - a golden retriever. I do not like to have my pets wander un supervised - it is a safety thing - but I guess she is just tempted by the desire to explore. Gonna' have to keep a close eye on her, I guess.
Planning on making some jam...maybe strawberry and blackberry....low sugar, of course. I used to make jam and I love to preserve the bountiful veggies of summer to use year around. I hope to make pickles and can some green beans and tomatoes. Green beans are plentiful and next weekend is the 1st annual Green Bean Festival. All kinds of "happenings" for that festival. This weekend is the Butternut Creek Art Festival and I am looking forward to attending for the first time - a little time off. Our area here in the mountains has a lot of great festivals to offer. Can't wait to attend them all! They celebrate the unique flavor of the area from its agricultural experience, natural activities of camping, mountain hiking and climbing, the history of the area from the old cars and tractors to dances and music, to the natural beauty of Fall leaves. So simple, so much to enjoy. Think I will go out and watch the fireflies ("fairy lights") with a glass of tea or cup of coffee.....
Be blessed,
Kim
In the light...
of the silvery moon - I got up last night in the middle of the night and had no trouble finding my way to the bathroom. It was because the moon was amazingly bright. I guess all those years surrounded by the street lights diminished the moon's light. But here, I can see the moon and a sky full of stars - they have no competition from artificial light. I remember last summer driving through the national forest and the sky was as bright as it could be and lit up the trees in an extravagant light...it took my breath away as I drove through the darkness of the forest, enrobed with the light.
So many things here take my breath away and make me stop - fields of corn and hay, the smell of the rain as it soaks the earth, seeing the "critters" that live around us, the deer, the rabbits and others, the mountains in view through most of my windows. It is a joy to wash your dinner dishes, when you have such a spectacular view of mountains and the woods just outside the window. Tonight, I plan to sit out and watch the fireflies (we call them "fairy lights") and do nothing else but listen to the cicadas. Now, it is time to be off to work.
Be blessed,
Kim
So many things here take my breath away and make me stop - fields of corn and hay, the smell of the rain as it soaks the earth, seeing the "critters" that live around us, the deer, the rabbits and others, the mountains in view through most of my windows. It is a joy to wash your dinner dishes, when you have such a spectacular view of mountains and the woods just outside the window. Tonight, I plan to sit out and watch the fireflies (we call them "fairy lights") and do nothing else but listen to the cicadas. Now, it is time to be off to work.
Be blessed,
Kim
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
One down....
One to go! We passed the final building/electrical/mechanical inspection and now have only the appraisal tomorrow. Hope you can all pray for success with that so we can close the home loan. Then we can spend some time getting out and taking a few breaks away from the work. Floor has been put in in the pantry/hallway. Progress is slow but sure.
Looking forward to getting the porch swing back up. I love to sit there to do my Bible study - will have to do it after work every day since my day starts earlier than the sun rises. It is so great to soak in the Word of God as you look out at the mountains that surround you. I look forward to taking a glass of lemonade and relaxing out front, swinging along and hanging with the Father.....
Night is so much darker here - no lights to interfere with the starlight - sleep is great and no city lights to bother our sleep. I will say the cicadas' have such a chorus all night, though, that you can even hear it through closed windows. It is so much more comforting than the sounds of boom-cars, screeching tires and city noises.....
Off to bed - have to be up at 4 AM to get ready for work....
Be blessed,
Kim
Looking forward to getting the porch swing back up. I love to sit there to do my Bible study - will have to do it after work every day since my day starts earlier than the sun rises. It is so great to soak in the Word of God as you look out at the mountains that surround you. I look forward to taking a glass of lemonade and relaxing out front, swinging along and hanging with the Father.....
Night is so much darker here - no lights to interfere with the starlight - sleep is great and no city lights to bother our sleep. I will say the cicadas' have such a chorus all night, though, that you can even hear it through closed windows. It is so much more comforting than the sounds of boom-cars, screeching tires and city noises.....
Off to bed - have to be up at 4 AM to get ready for work....
Be blessed,
Kim
Monday, July 19, 2010
Another day in paradise
Funny, how people have different descriptions of paradise ....for me it is here in the mountains, with all the trees, fresh air and critters. We have seen a few - multiple doe, rabbits, turkeys and a bear. Every drive is a pleasure - so little traffic and so much more courtesy....yep, that's paradise to me..
Finished the electrical and hand rails and are set up for the building codes folks to visit and sign off on our certificate of occupancy - then it is on to the appraisal. If we can get through all of this this week, then we can breathe a little and move on to working on the house a little at a time - there is a lot to do, but we can take it on a little more calmly. Soon we will have our bedroom set up in the new bedroom and can begin working on Jeff's den.
Got some baking done yesterday - gluten-free peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, peach pie and blackberry pie. Fresh local-grown fruit - makes yummy pies. Fresh produce (locally grown) for salads - orange colored tomatoes that taste so great, greens, fresh peppers, cucumbers - so much flavor - beats the grocery store veggies and fruit....made the pb cookies for one of our staff who has celiac, but Jeff loves 'em too. No flour used at all...good stuff.
Meanwhile, if everything goes as planned, we can take the weekend off a little. I am joining a ladies group Saturday morning for prayer and support and then Jeff and I will check out the Butternut Art Festival down at Meeks Park. A little break on a Saturday in summer under the trees next to the creek....sounds like...well, like paradise.
Be blessed,
Kim
Finished the electrical and hand rails and are set up for the building codes folks to visit and sign off on our certificate of occupancy - then it is on to the appraisal. If we can get through all of this this week, then we can breathe a little and move on to working on the house a little at a time - there is a lot to do, but we can take it on a little more calmly. Soon we will have our bedroom set up in the new bedroom and can begin working on Jeff's den.
Got some baking done yesterday - gluten-free peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, peach pie and blackberry pie. Fresh local-grown fruit - makes yummy pies. Fresh produce (locally grown) for salads - orange colored tomatoes that taste so great, greens, fresh peppers, cucumbers - so much flavor - beats the grocery store veggies and fruit....made the pb cookies for one of our staff who has celiac, but Jeff loves 'em too. No flour used at all...good stuff.
Meanwhile, if everything goes as planned, we can take the weekend off a little. I am joining a ladies group Saturday morning for prayer and support and then Jeff and I will check out the Butternut Art Festival down at Meeks Park. A little break on a Saturday in summer under the trees next to the creek....sounds like...well, like paradise.
Be blessed,
Kim
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Welcome to Restoration House at Serenity Woods
Hi there - welcome to our heaven and haven. I have never blogged before and have to figure it out, so please be patient.
We are still working away on the house and preparing for the visit from the codes folks to pass and get our certificate of occupancy on the addition...then it is on to our appraisal. This week we have had the underpinning finished, Jeff has put in the railing around the back deck and is installing the attic vent. He still has to finish the hand rails on the steps out back. I painted the pantry a dark wine/red color. I have to finish a little trim and then put in the flooring.
Taking some time out to finish the first of the first crocheted valance for the kitchen window. I am also planning to bake some gluten-free peanut butter cookies as well as chocolate chips for the staff - also got raw veggies and dip and gluten-free crackers. Like to give them a treat each week, if I can. One staff member has celiac, so try to find gluten-free stuff to have as well.
Things here are busy and we are tired, but I just have to work on my veggie plants or check the woods around me and I get refreshed and know that the work now is because this is our "forever" home now and we are working to make it comfortable. The plants all love it here so much better - can only figure it is because they are really in farm country and feel they belong! Weather is not so hot or humid and they seem to thrive.
After the back rooms are finished and the baseboards in, we can move the furniture in and start using them. It will make things more comfortable. I look forward to putting my studio together after the bedroom is finished. Once the bedroom is moved into its new location, we can pull up the carpet in the former bedroom, paint the one plaster wall and put in the new flooring. We can move in the furniture into the studio and I can begin to sort out all of my stash and equipment. Then I can get back to scrapping! Yippee!! So much to scrap.
Still have to plan trip to take Drew to college the first of September. He is busy working in AZ for the summer and I know he misses his friends.
Off to do some baking....
Be blessed,
Kim
We are still working away on the house and preparing for the visit from the codes folks to pass and get our certificate of occupancy on the addition...then it is on to our appraisal. This week we have had the underpinning finished, Jeff has put in the railing around the back deck and is installing the attic vent. He still has to finish the hand rails on the steps out back. I painted the pantry a dark wine/red color. I have to finish a little trim and then put in the flooring.
Taking some time out to finish the first of the first crocheted valance for the kitchen window. I am also planning to bake some gluten-free peanut butter cookies as well as chocolate chips for the staff - also got raw veggies and dip and gluten-free crackers. Like to give them a treat each week, if I can. One staff member has celiac, so try to find gluten-free stuff to have as well.
Things here are busy and we are tired, but I just have to work on my veggie plants or check the woods around me and I get refreshed and know that the work now is because this is our "forever" home now and we are working to make it comfortable. The plants all love it here so much better - can only figure it is because they are really in farm country and feel they belong! Weather is not so hot or humid and they seem to thrive.
After the back rooms are finished and the baseboards in, we can move the furniture in and start using them. It will make things more comfortable. I look forward to putting my studio together after the bedroom is finished. Once the bedroom is moved into its new location, we can pull up the carpet in the former bedroom, paint the one plaster wall and put in the new flooring. We can move in the furniture into the studio and I can begin to sort out all of my stash and equipment. Then I can get back to scrapping! Yippee!! So much to scrap.
Still have to plan trip to take Drew to college the first of September. He is busy working in AZ for the summer and I know he misses his friends.
Off to do some baking....
Be blessed,
Kim
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