Wednesday

Well the day started out with the usual; dew dripping, hummers humming, sunlight in the tree tops and 4 buckwheat pancakes(sounds like a song I've heard before) after our quiet times. The temps once again in the 50's. We had the big breakfast minus the eggs before heading out to pick red and black raspberries. This farm we picked at was Clara Crouse' sister place near Galax. What a beautiful place and the berry patch was in rows neatly manicured. We picked 7 quarts in about 45 minutes; enough to make to 2 batches of jelly so that's what we will be doing tomorrow.

After the berry farm we headed to Wal-Mart as I had ordered 4 new tires for the truck plus we had to pick up jelly making stuff like sure-gel, sugar and lids. I think its cheaper to buy store bought jelly than it's to make it now a days. Oh well its the fun that goes in picking the berries that makes it worth while. We had lunch in Wal-Mart as there is a Subway inside the store in Galax. We headed out of town around 2:30.

We got back and Jodi came up for a visit and to check her e-mail so I got a little garden work in before it was time to start dinner. Nancy made a fabulous chicken pot pie and we finish off the salad from last night. After dinner and the clean up we did some watering by hand as the garden's have begun to dry out once again. Around 7: 30 we headed down to Jodi and Gerald's cabin for games. Tonight was the night for the boys to win as Gerald and myself won the first 2 games of spades before I won(first time this year) the game of domino's. Wow the boys only have to win the next several times to catch up. We headed(walked) back up the drive for home around 10:45. Later

Tuesday

Wow it was after 8 when we finally got out of bed this morning. It felt good to sleep in and the temps were in the 50's once again. By the time we finished our quiet time it was going on 10 AM so I threw a load of laundry in the washer checked all the the gardens and woofed down a left over buckwheat pancake with a ripe banana on top with some honey I was set for the morning. I know that sounds bad but try it. Its really good.

Amy called and said it was close to 9:30 when they finally got home. Ava fell asleep in her car seat and slept until 6 this morning. She did good for being on such a long trip. Won't be long until we will get to love up on both Annsley and Ava as we will head to Florida on the 25 th. After a good long hike to the top of the mountain we came back and got another load of laundry out on the line. It was such a nice day for drying clothes. I did a few garden chores and then got ready to take out a tree I had cut off last year. I decided to dig down around the roots and saw it off below the ground level. Meanwhile Nancy, had lunch ready and I finish off the spaghetti from over the weekend.

After the tree was taken out I headed down to help our neighbor, Jodi with some weed wacking. I worked there for an hour or more then headed back to do some basement chores as it was starting to warm up and I had a good sweat. The basement stays about 60 degrees or cooler and feels down right refreshing on a hot day or when you just need to cool down.

It was getting to be close to dinner time so I took a break and picked some fresh herbs for a salad Nancy as preparing for dinner. The salad was topped with the last 2 left over grilled chicken breasts. The Greek dressing topped off a delicious salad along with garlic bread. Nancy carved up a small seedless watermelon for dessert. Yikes did we eat good in the hood tonight and healthy, too.

After dinner I did a little raking in the back yard under the trees and worked up a good sweat before we took off on a hike down to the creek so Nancy could swing. The evening was just beautiful with no humidity and temps in the low 70's. Well will close for now as its a big shopping day to Galax, Va in the morning. LATER

Monday

Well it sure was an emotional morning as the kids got ready to head back to Florida. Ava was so cute knowing she had to leave the cabin. First she wanted Nancy to read a "big book" and then wanted us to go with them. Of course we were teary eyed and stayed that way every time we found an article she had used or played with or her hair pony. We finally dried up around noon after a good long hike, ride out to the mailbox and visiting with neighbors Jodie and Gabriel. Amy called us several times with their progress which was a bit slow as the last stop count was at 10 stops. I believe they got in around nine or so after leaving from here at 8 AM.

It cleared up as the day wore on and by 3 PM the sun was out after some light rain during the night and some light mist in the early morning. The grass and gardens seem to have been rejuvenated after the last 2 weeks with out an moisture. I checked my 1/2 runner beans and I believe the seed was bad and none came up after the last planting. I think I have 9 hills but about 20 hills of pole beans so I will have some beans but not the good eatin' ones. I will replant as soon as I can find new seeds.

After supper tonight which was mainly left over; green beans, potato's, broccoli casserole and some pintos Jodie shared from her pot from yesterday I found a wanna be pickle ball player and we headed to Roaring Gap Club to play. We played on the paddle ball court which is just a little smaller than a PB court but the floor was a rough aluminum. It was a nice court outside with a great high fence. Ted Smith will become a very good player with a little practice. We sure ran each other for about an hour and a half. The setting was very nice with woods all around. This court is lighted so we can play at night.

After getting back around 8 PM Jodie, Gabriel and Carson came up for domino's. The girls won again with Jodie coming from behind to win on the last 2 rounds. Its not a good year thus far for the boys. Well will close for now, LATER

Sunday

Well I was awakened around 5 AM to the sound of a soft rain beating on the tin roof of the cabin. Wow was that ever a much needed rain as the gardens and yard was beginning to dry up. It wasn't a lot of rain but the sun never shined all day long and there was dampness with fog in the air. Ava was awake early so Nancy and I enjoyed her until Amy and Tyler got up around 7:30. After a lite breakfast of blue berries, Cheerios, toast and fruit we all got ready to head out to Cornerstone was worship.

Ava fell asleep during the worship service and slept the entire time in my arms. She really needed that nap after getting up so early. After church we headed back home as there was a cold rain falling so we just heated up leftovers; spaghetti, brisket, hot dogs. After eating we all took off for a visit to Ms. Helen's house. There we checked out her yard, gardens and Ava checked out the jelly beans bowl. Ava was so cute as she kept saying she wanted to see'um and hold'em and of course Ms. Helen encouraged her to choose different colored beans to eat.

We got home and it stopped misting long enough to take a golf cart ride to the top of the mountains. Ty, Ava and myself took a long ride and stopped off to visit with Joe and Yvonne and then on the way back we stopped and visited another couple, Bertie and Barry. We came back with Ava having her hood on her sweat jacket on as the temps really dropped due to the lack of sunshine.

Eddie and Kimberly came by for a short visit bringing Ava a horse night lite. Ava played with Little John their small dog and of course was generous with her hugs and kisses. Well we are getting ready to eat a frozen pizza as we had a late lunch. LATER

Saturday-4th of July

Well the morning started out with Ava ready to celebrate at 6 AM. The outside temps were in the 50's, birds were singing and dew was dripping from the roof. Ava was ready to go outside and rescue the "scarecrows." She had determined all 5 were her favorites and wanted to "hold'em"and give them kisses. I think so far her fascination of the scarecrows is a bit surprising as some of them are quite ugly. Ava watched Toy Story the "funny movie" while we all lounged around and made plans for the day.

Around 11 we decided we would go to Sparta and see the Blue Grass Music Show at Crouse Park. We saw our little buddy Caleb Dalton win the dance contest in his age division. Caleb is quite the dancer and showman. We later saw him with his mom Mechelle in the parade with older sister Kathryn"Kallie."The parade was a good home town parade with lots of local folks, leaders and kid groups of boy and girl scouts, little league players and fire trucks and fireman. Several churches had floats as well. Lots of old cars, trucks and old veterans from prior service to their country. What an honor to witness such patriotic loyalty and enthusiasm.

While waiting for the parade to start we visited with a long time friend Walt and Theia Hampton at their residence. It was great to see them again especially after Walt suffered a debilitating fall through the roof of his shop last winter. He has slowed down considerable.

We headed back to the cabin around 4 PM and decided since we had skipped lunch after such a large breakfast of buckwheat pancakes, eggs and bacon that we would have an early dinner. Nancy put together a broccoli casserole, baked beans, freedom fries and I grilled hamburger and dogs. It was a sumptuous feast and afterwards we took a golf cart ride to the the top of the mountain. On the way home Ava fell asleep as she missed her afternoon nap. We woke her up to put her in the bathtub and she regenerated to stay awake until 8 PM. After putting Ava to bed Jodie and Gerald came up and we played Imagineiff and domino's. The boys finally came through with a win over the girls as Tyler won.

Well we are getting for worship at Cornerstone, for those of you who don't read our Face Book posts I have to recommend a read that will cause you to stop and pause about life. Its titled "same kind of different as me". The title is real catchy. Youngest sister Dee brought it for me last week on her visit with us. Thank You Dee.What a true story read and very inspiring. Its written by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with pictures at the end. LATER

Thursday and Friday

Thursday was a kind of sleep in, take it easy day after the kids drive of 700 miles the day before. Ava wasn't about to get back into a car seat so we just chilled the day away. I put a 7 pound beef brisket on the smoker and let it smoke for about 7 hours. It was good but not as nice as the one Tyler did for Ava's birthday back in April. I think we forgot the garlic powder in the rub. We took a nice hike carrying Ava much of the way but we were able to get some good exercise and the weather was the best ever for hiking with temps in the low 70's. After a big breakfast of smoked turkey bacon, buckwheat pancakes with cackle berries on top we started the day after our quiet times.

The golf cart rides were many through out the day and we took a trip down to the small creek in our lane where Ava played with her hands in the cold water, chased me and Tyler around and swung on the swing over the creek. All had our turns and Ava just loved the swing. We just chilled in the afternoon reading and playing toys with Ava.

After dinner Jodie, Gerald and Gabriel came up for a fire and smores. Jodie and Gabriel stayed and we played the best of 6 games of Sequence. The girls once again beat the boys 4-1 so we quit at 10:15. After showers we fell quickly asleep. Ava was up at 6:15 and raring to go. Wow is it different with having a 2 yr. old with tons of energy around but we love it.

We took the morning and went to Rhonda, N.C. and took some beautiful pics at the Raffaldini Winery. What a picturesque setting surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. We took several roads we weren't familiar with(in other words exploring or lost) but saw lots of different lifestyles. We stopped off at Subway for a late lunch after one of our forays. Ava fell asleep on the way back and took a 3 hour nap. After getting back from Rhonda we marinated some chix breasts and put them on the grill while Nancy made mac and cheese, fresh broccoli and salad. Yumm once again. Tyler and I brushed up our shooting skills with the BB Gun while the breasts were cooking.

Well the shadows are falling and Ava is watching along with everyone else Lady and the Tramp and Toy Story.I think we will just chill as we have a big day planned tomorrow. I don't believe the temps got much out of 70 degrees today. The girls are all running around with sweat shirts and pants on with the windows closed. Well will close for now, LATER

Wednesday

Wow it was 53 this morning and during the morning we had a small rain shower. After my quiet time I had a lite breakfast of cantaloupe before heading out to check on the gardens. Every thing looked good and the tomato's must have grown 6 inches during the night. I worked on my peach must as I started a gallon of homemade wine yesterday. When I added the yeast to it today it immediately began to cook so much so the mixture went up into the balloon so I changed back to the plastic bucket with the airlock to cook the must.

Nancy and I were so excited to start the day as Amy, Tyler and Ava would be arriving around supper time. Nancy got a load of clothes on the line before we took off for our daily hike and it was a great hike mainly because of the cool temp's with the beautiful breeze. After we got back I finished up with the weed eating and then had a sandwich for lunch. After lunch I took out the riding mower and mowed all but the back yard in the trees. After mowing I headed down the driveway to weed eat. I then did a little garden work when Nancy yelled the kids were less than an hour away. So we both cleaned up a little and changed clothes.

The kids arrived around 5 PM and we were so surprised to see the change in Ava. She has matured so much and talks as if she is 4 yrs of age instead of 2. It was fun to see her trying to walk down a hill for the first time. She was hilarious as she was having trouble stopping and then watching her walk sideways along the hill. These were all new things to her and difficult to explain to her why she walked different than on flat land. This gave them a chance to stretch their legs after being in the car for almost 12 hours even though they made 5 stops for Ava to potty, eat and run around. Nancy had a huge pot of spaghetti and a fresh salad with garlic bread. Yeow, that was fine eating and after we made a couple of golf cart trips with Ava we came back and polished off 2/3's of a chocolate pie with whipped cream on top. Ava was loving that whipped cream.

After dessert we watched Ava play with puzzles and Nancy read her a couple of books before her bath time. She went right to bed and fell asleep after her prayers. She is so sweet and smart. Well the kids just headed off to bed as they were up at 3:30 this AM and we aren't far behind. We had to close the windows for Amy and Ava as they were cold. It should be a good night for sleeping,especially knowing the kids are safely here. LATER