My Rose Bush

Yes I know I didn't grow this - but I have kept it alive for the past 2 weeks so I deserve some credit. We were at Lowe's one night about 2 weeks ago buying azaleas for the front of our house when Jody came back to the cart with this bush. It's a grafted rose bush and is quite stunning. I asked him how much and he told him he did not know but he liked it, so on the cart it went. Then he asked me where I was going to plant it, ?????, I responded I didn't know, hadn't planned on it. So right now it is in the decorative pot it came in but will find a home up by the fence in our backyard.

Today will be just a cleaning day, don't want to but need to. Then hopefully some sewing and quilting. I have the quilt I made for our bed last winter on the frame, its been on it for more than a week. I was having all kinds of issues with my tension, self induced of course. After changing the needle, playing with the tensions, etc., I finally changed the thread in the bobbin to the same thread on top - no more issues. So I have some reversing quilting to do (ripping out stitches) on a third of what I have done so I figure about another week on the frame.

OK, break time is over back to work.

Enjoy!

Mary

Saturday's Day Trip

We left home about 10am with the final destination to be Mount Mitchell on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We headed up I85 to I26 then onto the country roads for the scenic ride to the Parkway. Along the way we came upon Rockhouse Winery - which naturally I had to stop. Unfortunately the sign said that they were open at 1pm and it was well before that. I peered into the window and woke up the dog, as I was heading back to the car the owner called me back up and opened up the tasting room. So with some tasting done and interesting conversation we left with 2 bottles of wine in tow. Back into the car and up the road we headed to a restaurant just off the Parkway for lunch. We sat on the balcony with a spectacular view and the sound of the traffic below our feet. After a great lunch we headed up the parkway to Mount Mitchell, about a 20 mile drive.

As we ascended the mountain it was very evident that spring had just come to the mountains. Trees were first starting to bud, everything was just starting to come alive again. The temperature change wasn't too bad, as we turned off the parkway it was 64 and on top it had only dropped to 53, it was windy but not at all bad. The elevation of Mount Mitchell is 6578 and it truly has some of the most gorgeous views.

Back down the mountain and and off the Parkway to meet and have supper with some old friends of my husband's family, Max Woody and his wife Pat and his son. Max is a true craftsman, Max makes wood rockers that have been sold around the world, the waiting list for one of his rockers is about 4 years. Well after some great conversation and Max telling stories of the past and another great meal we headed out for our 2 hour trip home.

What a great day it was, I have posted more pictures of the Parkway and Mount Mitchell on my Webshots - hope you enjoy the views.

Mary