Racoons like Cat Food!

I went outside to call Banjo a few nights ago and thought I heard something crunching....but it was black dark. Thinking it was him I step off the stairs and peered around. I flew back into the house....its VERY dark out there at night and the sight of this little masked face about scared the pee out of me. Go Postal came down the hall laughing, wondering what I had encountered. I grabbed the camera and he posed for us (thanks to digital imaging for brightening up the original) He wasn't scared of us at all, I think he is still kind of young. So whatever Banjo doesn't eat first thing in the morning, the birds, squirrels, opossums and now racoons finish up for him. Life in the Country.

Just 6 little plants...

Who knew how many cucumbers would come by planting just a little six pack of plants. This is what I have gotten in three days and plenty more coming.






So, I am trying to make freezer pickles.....any other suggestions?

Note to self for next year....we don't need as many cucumbers but do need more than 9 little green bean bushes.

In a few more weeks it will be tomato time!

Bike and Hike 2011

Here is most of the crew in Damascus, just before hitting the Va Creeper towards Abington. They suffered a bad tornado in the area in late May that competly tore out a long trestle so we weren't sure what we would find. Several signs said the trail was still closed but we lifted our bikes over the gates and continued to ride. They had made a new gravel path around the place where one trestle used to be.....so we were able to make it all the way. But saw the clouds forming....

This is what blew over us on our trip home....we still had about 10 miles left to go!

Ken didn't stop....(he took the rain pictures)

Dairy Queen, Go Postal and I found a niche in the rock and hung out to the worst was over!

I got a drink from what was dripping off his helmet. The ride home was wet and gritty, they don't put fenders on mountain bikes. We didn't get to do our hike on Sunday because of the weather but spent some time at the Grayson Highlands visitor center and was entertained by the young ranger and all his animal calls. A late lunch at Tamales in West Jefferson after a stop by Dairy Queen's homeplace in Ashe county rounded out the day.

The Great Race 2011

The Great Race travels each summer several thousand miles (this year TN to VT). You must enter with a car that is all original and made on or before 1969. Go Postal has entering this race on his bucket list so I may have to brush up on my navigation skills....because here's the thing. You win by hitting the various checkpoints closest to the given times without the aid of anything but a clock. No speedometer, no tachometer, and for sure no GPS. There was one model entered this year that was made in 1911, it was 100 Years old! Both the Willy's and the Studabaker qualify so who knows in a few years.....

And we started with the self tanning lotion on those legs last night! Trying to get them cruise ready. And on that note, please pray for Teen....she is in terrible pain with shingles and we all want her better soon! I know she will be devistated if these don't clear up in time for the family cruise...but I believe in the power of prayer as do a lot of you that read my blog!

How Cute is This?

My TJ Lane thimble keeper and chain was supposed to be my birthday present this year, but look at what GP found for me at the local antique mall. Its a little toy singer for my quilt studio. I think it looks like it made a stitch at one time so I will have to do some research. He knows I like presents....so I also got an IOU for a new bike helmet (mine has cracked so really need to replace) and the Definitive Best Every John Denver Greatest Hits CD. He has me pretty well figured out!!

5/8" Seams and Iron them Open....

I don't know how many years its been since I have sewn a garment...but I bought some fabric in Hawaii (Go Postal actually picked it out while I shopped for quilt fabric). So the Disney Cruise is coming up and I need to get his shirt done! I need to allow plenty of time to rip out seams because I know my quilting insticts will overtake me a time or two and I will make a 1/4" seam. We even bought coconut buttons.....and boy I hope I can remember how to make a button hole!

Thank Heaven

This little sweetie was discharged yesterday! Recognize the quilt? I was working on it at my one day retreat with the gals at Black Mountain. Her Mom works with my sister and when they all found out about her uphill climb they asked for a quilt that they could all sign sending their thoughts and prayers with her parents up to Boston where she was delivered. Can you believe this little bright eyed girl has already had open heart surgery in her short little life? My hope is that she continues to recover and will be home soon with her older brother getting into all kinds of mischief.