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

This Past Sunday's Excursion

This past Sunday we stopped picked up a couple of sub sandwiches and drove up to Lake Jocassee in the later part of the afternoon. The lake is so low, just shows how desperate the south is needing water even the thou this lake has plenty of depth to it. Pretty quiet afternoon at the lake, a few families down by the water and a few boats that came up to the ramp where we were at. I have posted the rest of the pictures on my webshots page.

Unfortunately my next Sunday's excursion will be to work - nothing to take pictures of.

Mary

Taxes Are Done and Filed

Today I finally finished our taxes and for once I'm not writing a check - YIPPEEE!! I did start on them about a month ago so I knew that we were in pretty good shape but I still procrastinated to almost the bitter end - thank goodness for e-file.

After I finished the taxes we took off to the mountains to get away for a few hours. The first stop was what I thought was a winery, fields and fields of grape vines, a nice looking Inn and Restaurant that had a real Tuscan feel. Stopped in the Inn for some information. No Winery, they sell their grapes - ??? - nearest Winery 14 miles away - ??? - looked like a real miss on their part - prefect place to open one up, should have taken a picture.

Ok back in to the car for more riding decided to go to Tryon NC and then back home. Stopped in Tryon for dinner at the local pub, they had a live band playing loudly for a small place. A couple of beers and a quick meal we were on the road again to go around Lake Lure. The picture above is the lakes version of Charleston's Color Row. Its a very peaceful lake even though just about every foot of shore line has a building on it or near it. I uploaded more pictures of the lake on my webshots page in the album 2008.

We were home by 6 and getting ready for the work week ahead and there still is laundry to do.

Mary

Been Busy

Wow can't believe its been along time since I posted last. Can't really think of anything specific that I have done but the month has sure flown by.
Spring is coming along here in the Upstate, different varities of trees and flowers take their turn with their show of colors. Its a beautiful time with all the different colors that spring brings to life. The days have been warm and the nights still cool which makes for enjoyable days.
Mary

Thirteen Years

Today is our 13th Wedding Anniversary, can't beleive it - its gone so fast and I have not regretted it one bit. I wouldn't change anything through the years - its never been boring.

To Jody - I love you and looking forward to another 13 years times 13.

Mary

Spring is Finally Here!

Thought I would share a few pictures of the cherry tree in our yard and could not pass up the first dandelion of the year. The bradford trees in the neighborhood should be in full bloom soon. All the trees are budding out - everything is coming alive again.

I wasn't sure after Tuesday night's storm any blooms would be left on the trees. Jody called me at work and while the storm was going thru and said he thought part of our roof was gone. But lucky enough not, they did report 60 mile an hour winds that went thru. Oh yes, the springtime storms are here again.

Mary