FRONT PAGE NEWS: Our 10th grandchild was born this summer - July 2008. His name is Elijah Lang and he is a cutie!! Welcome Elijah!

Autumn 2008

Autumn comes sneaking in - those glorious blue skies like no other time of year, and the smell of woodsmoke in the air. We're snug in our little cabin home on the hill, and grateful for the two months that we don't have to run AC or heat! It's very comfortable and economical. I have definitely learned how to can produce! We are still reaping the local abundant harvest! Our shelves are full of jars of peaches, peach jam, peach butter, blueberry jam, blueberry syrup (which is AWESOME on pancakes), apple sauce, apple butter, tomatoes and tomato sauce - etc etc etc!! What wasn't canned went into the freezer. Thank you, Patty, for telling me about freezing the apples for winter pie. The apple tree branches were bowed with the weight of so many apples. Mom's first visit to Patrick County was spent picking and peeling apples. We set our work tables up out on the deck for peeling and preparing apples when it was too beautiful to be inside. We had apple pie, apple cobbler, apple crisp and FRIED apples ~ a delicious southern recipe we just learned about!!! YUM YUM    My brother, Bob and his wife, Tammy came over from Beulaville, NC for a visit while Mom was here - and it turned out to be a great night for a bonfire. Pete hauled rocks up from the creek bed to build our fire pit. Its right out in the middle of the front yard!  We've enjoyed many many nights around the fire with friends and family. Sometimes we need a little blanket around us when it gets late - it IS Autumn and the nights are clear and crisp.

I've worked several weekends for Sue at the Mountain Meadow Farm and  Craft Market while she runs the famous Corn Maze in Meadows of Dan. The husband and wife team - Sammy and Sue Shelor - do a fantastic job with the corn maze. If y'all are in the area in September or October - be SURE to go through the corn maze!! Its very pleasant work to fill in for Sue at her little shop - meeting and greeting customers from all over the country. The shop is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. In the slow times, I sit outside in the sunshine and listen to the hum of traffic from the parkway. In the afternoons, a thoughtful Pete shows up with a carafe of hot coffee and our guitars. ( He makes the best coffee in the world!!!) We pick all afternoon out on the porch between customers. Some stop to shop, some stop to listen, some stop to pick and some just stop to say "hey". Life doesn't get more laid back than this, folks...

Back at the homestead - the woods and the creek area were completely overgrown - we couldn't even walk through it in the summer months, so as days got cooler and the leaves starting falling, we started clearing trails and cleaning up the fallen trees - (great firewood). Pete worked on cleaning up an old dump site down by the creek, and to save some very large trees that the water was undermining, he diverted the water away from that washed away bank (with huge roots showing) and created the most gorgeous spot! The pool and the waterfall are absolutely beautiful. He's such a natural! Lots of clipping and hauling brush was good for both of us. The trail is a work in progress, but now we can walk all the way around our property - a few spots are goat trails yet, but not too bad to manage. Its a wonderful hike. Several spots along the way need a pondering bench - we're still working on the plans for those.  (Click Here and take a nature hike with us through photos.) 

The deer and the turkeys come every day. Sue let us have bags of leftover corn from the corn maze, so the animals were well fed. We see 28 turkeys - 23 hens and 5 toms. The racoons come up and clean off the underneath part of our grill at night after we cook out - the little red muddy footprints give them away.

Life is good. Its slow and easy, full of music and friends and laughter - all blessing our lives here in a magical way. We miss everybody who isn't here with us - you ALL are in our hearts and thoughts and prayers.

Spring 2009

Spring always feels like the breath of fresh air that it truly is. We had one measurable snow in Patrick Springs over the winter, and that was in March. It was about 3" and lasted maybe 2 days. It really was a pristine picture and we appreciated the beauty in it for that one day... but we were anxious for spring by that time, so glad to see it melt away so fast.

The daffodils have gone by ,the dogwood and the sweet almond trees are taking their turn at showing off. The creek is high, so we need our wading boots to criss cross when we want to. Pete and I spent the winter in our woods clearing underbrush and cleaning up dead wood in anticipation of many bon fires to come this summmer. We're still working on the trails all along the creek, making it so inviting to go for a long walk. The fiddlehead ferns are popping their little heads up and unfurling slowly day by day. The blue and yellow violets are in full bloom, and the May apples create a gorgeous green carpet along the creek. Hundreds of tiny umbrellas are the May apples. The miniature iris grows in abundance and is only about 3" - 4" tall. The mossy banks of the creek are the color of early spring green, with the undercolor of a very dark shade of green. The pink honeysuckle tree is absolutely gorgeous - and smells heavenly.... there are several little ones that I can transplant!! Pete put a swing in a tree by the water - what a peaceful place to stop and rest. And speaking of that breath of fresh air - our niece, Rachel just spent the week (her spring break) with us here, where she got a chance to try out the new swing. Even though the water was icy cold, we tip-toed up the creek in our clogs and sandals. It was an exciting week - a most memorable time for the 3 of us. We toured the famous Mabry Mill up at Meadows of Dan, and shopped at Nancy's Candy Factory.... and told so many silly family stories that made us laugh til we had tears running down our cheeks. "What's the Password" was one that Rae had not heard before! It was the first air flight for Rae - she proved to be a brave traveller and can't wait to go again! She spent some real quality time with her perfect Uncle Pete learning a few secrets about pitching and hitting.

We bought huge bubble makers and when the wind blew - we ran outside with our bubble gear and let the wind do the work - (we found blowing bubbles that big was a work out)! The woods out back were full of bubbles - and the sun shinging on them made us feel like we were truly in the enchanted forest. As quick as a wink, as full as it was, the week was gone and Rae was leaving to go back to her home. I thought of Shakespeare and felt the words he wrote: " Parting is such sweet sorrow". I miss her so much.

A week later we were at the same airport to collect Mom for a weeks visit. She requested the week be filled with music - and we were happy to comply. We shared music almost every night - she got to meet all our pickin' friends, and was blessed many times over with the gift of wonderful bluegrass (and more) music. We shared meals with Mary Jo ,Charlie and Marti. Mom brought lots of gifts in her suitcase - thats always fun to open!! (hee hee - says the kid in me..) We got to hike the Heartstone Branch with her. ** We both loved the May Apples - something neither one had seen before. Mom was here during the time of the bursting bloom of azaleas, dogwoods, and redbuds. The show was absolutely breathtaking!!! Virginia's state flower is the dogwood, and now I know why - the abundance of dogwood trees is beyond anything I could have imagined. The beauty of the white dogwood standing next to a pink dogwood is awesome, but then when you see the redbuds mixed in.... well, you just have to come here to experience it for yourselves... there are no words to describe the beauty of this magnificent sight. We have several dogwood trees of our own. Mom treated us to a shopping spree at Hall's Plants - our first pick was a redbud tree, then two more wagons got filled up with shrubs and flowers!!! (Thank you Mom!!!) I can't wait to take pictures NEXT spring to share with you all! We're planting a grove of flowering trees where Pete cleaned up the old dump. Mike and Mary have given us some, and Leon and Judy gave us a bunch!!! And we're adding a few of our own that needed to be moved where they can be enjoyed and taken care of. We are so blessed!! It is such a beautiful spring. Its been WET, to put that mildly, but I got the chance to explore and photograph the fungi life along our branch - I've always had a facination for fungi.  Life continues to be good for us here in our little haven - enjoying the natural beauty of this wonderful place we now call home. As always , we miss and love you all.

Summer 2009

Twilight creeps in peacefully, the fireflies once again sparkle and twinkle like a million Christmas lights - delighting us night after night. The owl comes alive asking "whoooooooo, whooooooo" and we mimic him, keeping the conversation going for quite a long time. The sound of the coyotes raises the hair on the back of our necks.

Bob White calls out in the mornings as we're enjoying the view and a cup of coffee on the deck. We knew the deck would be the most used "room" in our place, but we didn't know to what extent! We're planning to add a roof over the east side of the deck so we can stay outside in all weather....

 Check out the all natural topiary rabbit up on the hillside - we LOVE it!!

The fields around us are full of cattle in one direction and sheep in another. Its so funny to hear the different baaaa's of the sheep - you can surely tell which is the grandpa and which are the young babies. We love what have become familiar sounds to us. The sheep are owned by our neighbors at Border Springs Farm and the lamb meat is absolutely scrumptous!

We're getting a bit spoiled with the abundance of fresh organic food.... We never had a vegetable garden in Pine Plains - (our top soil was the best grade of gravel around) so when we needed anything.... we jumped in the car and went down to Peck's Market. With friends like Mary Jo, Charlie, and Marti - the fresh produce in unbelievable! Fresh lettuce every day, snow peas to die for... tips of asparagus, fresh picked spinach...peppers of every size and shape and color...rhubarb... tomatoes galore ( I made SALSA , folks - jars and jars of it!!!! )  Marti's sugar baby watermelons were the sweetest melons we have EVER tasted - what a treat!! O my gosh! We are so blessed.

In April we decided to stop watching the TV - just too much negative stuff on it, and we really don't have time over the summer anyway. WELL, it turns out to be the very best decision we have ever made!!! (almost)- We don't miss it one bit - in fact, we play lots more music and we read!!!! And we have long conversations.... imagine that!!! : )

In June at the Festival of the Bluegrass in Lexington, KY, we got to spend some great days with our friends Chuck and Charlene (not to mention the awesome picking at the camp site with Memphis Bec and the Fogmeister, Mary Jo and Charlie!) A BIG old thunder storm came up early one morning and both Pete and Charlie were outside (in their skivvies) trying to get the awning down before the wind tore it to shreds.... when lightning struck them both - it was an experience they will never forget, and we are glad (and so grateful ) to say that they are both fine!! WHEW!

Back home again with a renewed sense of being alive and being able to enjoy our lives, we did exactly that. We watch the little salamanders scurry across the deck, stopping to sun themselves at times. The colors are so brilliant - neon blue, green and orange. The butterflies seem to flock around this meadow, and several pose to let me get up-close pictures of them.

We had a visit from grandaughter, Lanna.  It was a treasured time for us. I didn't realized how much I had missed seeing her. We got caught up on our lives and enjoyed each other every second she was here!! I got commissioned to take senior pictures - now THAT was so much enjoyment, I could barely stand it - Here they are: Lan's Senior pics  She has blossomed into the most beautiful young woman - inside and out. We are so proud of her and we love her so very very much. Marti saw the pink in Lan's hair and had to have some for herself  - we all had such a memorable time.  Once again we are humbled and so very thankful for the blessings.

Fall and Winter 2009 - 2010

Fall sneaks back in on chilly tip toes.... the color of the sky is bluer than any other time of the year, and the temperatures invite us to put a sweatshirt on and go outside for a walk through the fallen leaves along the branch.

Finally we got to go to the Colorado Rocky Mountains - OHMIGOSH!!! it was a long overdue visit to our long time friend Ron and his sweetheart, Heidi. There aren't words to describe the beauty and the grandeur of the mountain range, the entire area, and Rons Ranch, Aerie Peak. We spent the most peaceful wonderful week catching up on our lives and sharing this gorgeous ranch. We felt like we were staying at the best bed and breakfast in the world. Heidi and Ron spoiled us beyond anything we could have imagined. It was awesome awesome AWESOME!! Here's the view from our bedroom windows:      

Ron took us on a tour almost everyday. West Cliff is beautiful. It was all beautiful. There was a great jam and we got to meet all the locals. We got snowed in on the last day of our stay, and had to sit around in front of the roaring fireplace and pick.... A dream vacation to say the very least. We thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. Thank you Ron!!!

When we got back home we had Mike Scott (our wonderful friend and contractor/builder) come back and put a roof over the east side of our deck ~~ and are we ever glad we did!!!

November we spent a weekend with my brother and his wife in NC to celebrate the Marines birthday - what a great party - so much food - a whole pig on the bbq - and lots of salads and snacks and BEER!!! whew! Great new friends to add to our long list!!!

I've spent some time experimenting with herbs and their multitude of uses. I have a little outdoor garden on the deck in the good weather. We have also been studying the ingredients in everything we take in or use... and found it amazing what is accepted and used by millions without question - so many toxic chemicals, folks!! SO - here comes the herbs ~~ I'm making all my own lotions and creams and salves and balms with all natural organic ingredients!! My favorite , so far, is the comfrey salve, but the peppermint foot balm comes in at second place! I make our own toothpaste - its way better than anything I've ever bought at the store!! WHO KNEW?? I'm still studying the world of herbs and their healing qualities as well as aromatherapy, which, I believe goes hand in hand. Enjoying every minute of that!!

Winter comes early in the Rockies.... But then it came to Virginia and snowed on us every week for months..... we were buried!!! Not a typical winter for us here, but now we know we will need a generator for next year if this happens again! We did play a lot of music, we got out to the library every chance we got and stocked up on books. It was a quiet, peaceful, slow winter, and we loved it. Pete also got his little building - his very OWN SPACE!!! A very cute 12 x 16 room with sliding glass doors so he can see the mountains. He insulated it and ran the electrical wiring so he could use it. It's become his workout room - and his picking shed - simply his private space. With a long winter like that .... it really was a blessing!! heehee    

I'm taking over the entire basement.... and with that long spell we had to spend indoors, I set up a spot down there to paint.... and after a few days of pacing and staring at beautiful landscape pictures - there it was again - like an old familiar friend.... the spirit in me came forth and the painting began again. What a blessing and a gift!!!!! Life is good here in Patrick Springs, Virginia. Its all we ever dreamed of and then some. Friends and family - come for a visit - you'll love it!!

2010

Another year has gone by.... and we're back around to winter again - actually a great time to write. Its so brutally cold out, all we can do is stay in out of the ferocious wind. Well, time marches on, I guess, as it always does. Its been an abundant year in so many ways - so many, many blessings. A thank you to Pat and Gary for an abundant beginning of 2010. We love you both.

We've been working on the simplified life here in Virginia, so when May rolled around we had uncovered quite a few family treasures we had saved and packed up for Jenifer and her family, and made the trip to King George with a pick up truck FULL of boxes and furniture, our camper in tow. Jen and Craig had just finished building their new home, so they were ready for Grammy's harvest table. It looks so beautiful in their new home. We think it might be big enough to seat the entire clan!! We got to spend the weekend which included Mother's Day with them. It was so good to see them all. They had a big bbq in celebration of their house warming, and we got to play and sing for the party and bless the new home. A fun time had by all in their beautiful place.

We added a car port on the east side of our house for the camper and the extra shade and protection in inclement weather. Its really nice to pull under the carport when its pouring rain to unload the van full of groceries!

Once again, I spent a good deal of time learning more and more about canning and preserving food. Had wonderful luck with pickles, and yellow squash relish, and salsa, and pickled beets, and tomato sauce, and applesauce and blueberry jam, and peach jam, and concord grape jam, (thank you, Doris) and plum jam (thank you again, Doris) and blueberry/peach jam - ha! Judy started that trend!! Boy, is it good!!! We froze bags and bags of blueberries and peppers and green beans and blackberries and peaches. It was a good year for fresh produce.

Mary Jo, Marti, and I signed up for the local water aerobics class - the most fun exercising I have EVER had!! What a fun bunch of women we had. Our niece, Rachel, got to spend a whole week with us this year and to participate in the areobics class, too! Of course, none of the rest of us looked like she did in our bathing suits..... even after the class was over in August!!! We enjoyed Rae to the max..as we always do. Sweet sixteen this year for her. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. We played with art in all forms - I think our favorite was hand dying pieces of flannel fabric. GORGEOUS stuff came out of that day!!! And later in the fall Rachel got a quilt from the efforts of dying that fabric. We tie-dyed everything in sight! What fun. She is really a true artist. See her latest work from school here .

I felt so blessed when Pete put a false floor in my basement studio, which helped my knees and back and feet immensely!! He's so good to me. He found a nice part time job at the Mayo River Saw Mill this summer working for his friend and fellow picker, Jason Harris. He loves the job! Its very flexible and only 24 hours a week. Just what Pete was interested in. In between work and the basement floor, he also built a planter the entire length of our deck in the front of the house!! Its beautiful, and I absolutely love it!!!