FIRST HURRICANE OF THE SEASON TAKE AIM ON CAROLINA COAST

G-son was here before 7 this morning,luckily Hubbie is off today and got up with him so I could get up at my regular time.
After I finished chores,breakfast and refilling all the bird feeders it was time for the test of my new boots.
They passed with flying colors,no moisture inside at all. They are not as comfortable as some of the others but I'll get used to them when they are broken in. I was just so glad to have dry socks when I came back in after my walk.
I heard the song of what we used to always call a Jar Fly as I walked and spotted it on this electric fence holder.
What ever you call them, Jar Fly, Harvest Fly, Dog Day Cicada, or just Cicada their buzzing song is unmistakable. I would have loved to have gotten a closer picture but it flew before I got any closer.

These lichens growing on this old rotten piece of log looked like flowers I thought.

I put an Avon order on line when I got back to the house and then Hubbie,g-son and I headed out to run a couple errands.
We took some peaches by his work place for a man he works with,then checked on daughter's house, she has been re-approved for her grant money so closing should happen soon.
Then we stopped at Sam's for a few groceries and lunch. G-son loves their cheese pizza, I guess because it's so greasy !!
Hubbie and I had hotdogs.
Back home I worked on my blog book while g-son played in his tent in his play room and Hubbie mowed the lawn.
It is a mid 80's sunny day with not a cloud in sight. This might change drastically this week end as Hurricane Irene roars toward the Carolina coast.
Daughter was supposed to go with a group of friends to a bachelorette party at Myrtle Beach this week end but they are changing their plans to go west instead of east, maybe Dollywood.
After d-in-love picked up g-son I went outside to get my daily dose of vitamin D and pull weeds out of my patio and steps gravel.
After supper Hubbie and I sat in the outside patio and enjoyed another late summer afternoon.
This little guy was scratching and pecking where we had thrown some grape hulls.I have never noticed the pink legs before. This feature identifies this as a Mourning Dove.
After evening chores I came inside to get a head start on my baking. I baked 40 layers,3 pound cakes and 2 wine cakes tonight.
It is almost midnight,I just took the last cake out of the oven so I'm off to bath and bed.

Grateful to God for the blessings of today.
Good Night and God Bless.

BACK TO SCHOOL SUNDAY

During church service this morning we took time to honor and pray especially for the students and staff that are heading back to school this coming week.
Each year I think our church has more teachers and school staff than the one before. Our school superintendent is also a member of our church. Hubbie and daughter are in this group.
After church we grilled pork chops to go with fresh corn,potatoes,okra,baked acorn squash and slaw for lunch. Daughter ,#1 son and g-son were our only guest today. #2 son is playing golf and d-in-love is working.
After lunch we watched a thunder storm pass us by then decided to go looking for boots at a discount shoe place in Asheville.
#1 son and g-son went home and daughter went with us.
I got a lesson in waterproof footwear today and wound up buying men's hiking boots instead of womens. The best waterproofing method which according to the guy that worked there is the one the military use (which would make sense!) and it is beginning to be commercialized in hiking boots,but at this time only men's varieties. It is called Ion mask, this is baked onto the outside of the shoes and never breaks down. The only way to get wet feet according to him with these shoes on is to punch a hole in them.
The brand I bought is Hi-TEC.
I also discovered that men's boots are significantly cheaper than women's !!!
Tomorrow morning I'll give them the test !!! Stayed tuned !!!

Daughter went back to her pet sitting job and Hubbie and I went by the farmers market on the way home. We got 1/2 bushel of white peaches, 2 cantelopes and a watermelon.
The peaches are really good and we ate one of the cantelopes for supper and it was okay,but nothing special. Can't wait to taste the watermelon,they said it was grown in Virginia.
#2 son came up for supper of left overs and brought Flash for a play date with Annie.
Those 2 played and .......
Played .......until

Their tongs almost touched the ground!!



Flash heads home with #2 son.
I picking some grapes from our vines this evening. Our grapes didn't do great this year and the thirsty bees have done a number on them as they ripened.
This one old vine that we moved here with us from our first home is showing it's age with very low numbers of grapes but boy do they taste better than the newer varieties.I wouldn't even want to venture a guess as to what variety this is.

There were clouds floating all around all evening but we didn't get in on any of the rain today.
A ridiculous protest in Asheville today turned into a photo shoot for some trill seekers.
A group of women decided to protest a law that" isn't" today. By baring their breast in public they wanted equal rights to go topless in public like men can. In North Carolina the law says if women desire to go topless there is no law against it. So excuse me but why are you protesting a law that doesn't exist ?????
Very few women showed up to participate in the baring your breast protest ,a few men got into the action by wearing bathing suit tops. ??????????
They did attract a huge crowd of picture takers who were not there to support their cause but rather to take pictures of all the bare "bubbies" as one sign said.
I tend to agree with the one lady interviewed on the news tonight who said it was an embarassment to all women.

Bernie and Dolly got haircuts and baths tonight before Hubbie and I crashed. We are both tired tonight from the last week and g-son will be here before 7 in the morning.
Thanking God tonight for His mercy and grace each and every day as I strive to be a better servant to Him.
Good Night and God bless.

HEAT IS BACK, VISIT WITH NEW BABY

Whew !!! I knew the cool weather couldn't last ,after all it's August !!Sweating during chores and having to towel my face off before putting make-up on,reminders of July's exceptionally hot spell.
Market was fairly busy today so I handled it by myself so Hubbie could get feed at Tractor Supply and get home to meet g-son so his dad can help his friend finish moving his kids outside swingset and things to his new house.

#1 son is doing so well with his leg after this last surgery. He still wears a brace all the time and uses 1 crutch some of the time but in another 2 weeks will be totally released from the crutch.

He may need some physical therapy on the knee before he can go totally without the brace,as his knee is week.
Had some computer time today between customers,I really should be working but oh well.
My table was looking pretty sparse as closing time drew near.
After loading the van in the heat I debated on stopping at Mast General to look for hiking boots or not.
I decided to drive down main street and if I found a parking spot close I would stop, if not I'd go on home.
I did find a parking spot just across the street and went in but didn't find boots I really liked. They had a low top waterproof that felt really good but I'd rather have high top for the ankle support.
I'll keep looking !
At home Hubbie helped me unload while g-son stayed upstairs and watched TV.
It wasn't long until #1 son came by to pick him up to go to a friends house to play.
As soon as they left the skies opened up and rain poured down for quite awhile. There was some thunder and lightening but none got too close, thankfully.
We discovered one of our gutters was clogged and water was pouring over.
When the rain stopped I checked the gauge and we got 1" . Hubbie got the ladder and unstopped the gutter but I think we're done with rain for today as the sun is trying to come back out.
After evening chores Hubbie and I met daughter over at Park Ridge Hospital to see our new great nephew. We had a nice long visit with them, mom and baby are doing great.
They get to go home tomorrow.
On the way home we stopped at Wallyworld for some dog food and a few things for lunch tomorrow.
It is lightening in the distance tonight but most of the storms are in South Carolina tonight.
We have the first named storm of the hurricane season predicted to hit the US next weekend.
Irene's track as of tonight.Look out Florida !!! If this track holds up.

Looking forward to Sunday church service ,God is an awesome God.
Good Night and God Bless.

I'M A GREAT AUNT AGAIN !!!!

Up and out to finish chores ,looking forward to trying out my new hiking boots.With the grass still heavy with morning dew I lace up and start out. Wow , they are so comfortable and feel so supportive around my ankles.
But wait, as I cross the bottom pasture ,my socks feel wet already, surely not, maybe its just the coolness sinking into the toes of my new waterproof boots,yea that must be it. I mean they say they are waterproof, right???
I finish my walk,hoping for some miracle as I remove my boots that my socks are still dry even though I can feel water squishing between my toes !!!!!!
Do not buy Columbia Coremic Ridge waterproof hiking boots if you want your feet to stay dry !! I guess waterproof holds a different meaning to the folks who make these shoes.
I iced 12 caramel cakes before lunch . Ate lunch and then took the boots back to the store while they were still dripping wet inside. The manager at the store couldn't believe it when he felt inside the boots.
Makes me wonder if someone has stuck some counterfeit boots in this store. But I sure didn't pay counterfeit price !!
Anyway they gladly gave me my money back.
Now I'm on the hunt again for a truly waterproof hiking boot. Any suggestions ??
With this cleared up I spent the rest of the afternoon working at church.
I made an Avon delivery on my way home and picked up a bag of Honeycrisp apples from a local apple house that always has these. They are my favorite apple to eat.
Hubbie was home from work when I got here and we headed back to church to finish work there.
Back home we had salads for supper and then planted Kale greens in our fall garden.
I sat outside and watched the sunset in the distant clouds.I watched this bird as it soared around under the clouds,wondering what it must be thinking way up there and what the world must look like from way up there?As I did the evening chores I got a phone call from sis-in-law , she is a grandma again !!
My nephew and his wife are the proud parents of a big 8 lb, 22 inch long bouncing baby boy born at 5:45 this evening.Not due until the 23rd ,he just couldn't wait to meet everyone !! Welcome little great nephew !!!
The heat is creeping back in as today it was 88 degrees with hot sunshine most of the day. Some clouds this evening but no rain. The humidity level is climbing back up as well and there was no breeze at all this evening as I sat outside it was uncomfortable.
I iced 4 chocolate and 2 coconut cakes tonight.
I'm feeling the effects of what I call my "kick-butt" days tonight. Thursday,Friday and Saturday are the days I'm referring to. Already feeling very tired tonight with one day to go in this series.
No help tomorrow at market won't help any either. Daughter is running in a race tomorrow morning and Hubbie is watching g-son so son can help a friend finish moving.

Thanking God tonight for the blessings and love He gives me everyday.
Good Night and God Bless

ANOTHER SURPRISINGLY BUSY MARKET DAY

Early chore time and hurry off to market. I am the lone ranger this morning as daughter had to go back to work today as school starts next week.
A neighbor's son helped me unload and get everything carried in.
I had a very busy day which surprised me as this is usually the time of year when we slow down. Not today and I am thankful. I did have time later in the day to crochet tops on 4 towels.
One of the young girls loves to take pictures.


Finished products !

After market as I loaded the van it began to sprinkle rain and there were some dark clouds back toward my house.
As I ran my regular in town errands and picked up supplies and groceries I noticed the skies lighten back up almost as quickly as they had darkened.
I did remember to look for some waterproof hiking boots to walk in.
Settled on these Coremic Ridge Columbia boots. They felt the most comfortable with my orthotic insoles in them.
The true test will be in the morning during my walk !
Hubbie was here when I got home as he had gotten off work early today because the floor to their shop was painted.
We unloaded and put things away and then he picked green beans from the garden to go with some corn a neighbor gave me at market and we had fried okra and tomatoes also for another summer supper.
If I could have fresh vegetables from my garden year round I could be a vegetarian !
After we ate I dawned a breathing mask and headed up to clean out my hen houses.
It started a light rain shower just as I finished and I made it to the front porch before it got a little heavier. Hubbie came out and we watched the rain come and go quickly. Just a little dust settler and it was gone !!
We came inside and I started baking cakes. I baked 36 layers ,2 pound and 4 wine cakes.
I am trying a new wine cake idea tonight. Everyone has been asking for a peach wine cake like I used to make and I haven't been able to find peach wine anywhere. So have you ever heard of Boonesfarm Fuzzy Navel ??
Yeah, I haven't thought about this drink since my wild teenage days. I remember that this does not taste good regurgitated,and that's all I'll say about that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That memory stuck with me so much so I had no desire to taste this tonight to see how peachy it tasted.
However the cake looks beautiful and smells heavenly and this stuff is only $3 a bottle.I am readjusting my schedule again now that Hubbie has gone back to work on Fridays.
I will be working at church alone tomorrow, but I need to ice caramel cakes before I do that so it may be an interesting day.
The temperature is 66 degrees at 11:30 tonight and that little bit of rain sure made things soupy feeling out there tonight.

I am ever in awe of our awesome God and His grace for each of His children
Good Night and God Bless.

SIGNS OF AN EARLY FALL????

Up and ready to face a new day this morning,I didn't have any trouble sleeping last night.
After chores and breakfast I went on my walk.
The dew was so heavy this morning that I felt like I had been wading in the creek .
The spider webs in the grass glistened with the dew on them. If you click on this pic you can see Mr. Spider sitting down in the hole of his well designed home.
As I got close to the creek a Great Blue Heron flew up out of the water as Annie beat me there and spooked him.
The sun sparkling off the water makes it look like drops of water are actually jumping up.
Crystal clear water is another sign of the coolness of fall weather just around the corner.

Our farm is near a small airport and planes frequently fly over taking off or getting ready to land. This fellow was circling getting ready to land this morning.
I walked for almost an hour today just enjoying the sweet coolness of the morning.
When I came to the house and took my soaking wet shoes and socks off I decided it was time for a shopping trip to find some waterproof hiking shoes.
Definitely time for new shoes !!

I iced my last 6 caramel cakes this morning before daughter got here to do her baking.
After lunch with her baking done and back to her dog sitting job I had the house all to myself to clean the floors without having to mop around someone.
I swept all the spider webs down around the outside of the house,this is another early sign of fall. Spider webs are everywhere all of a sudden.
Bernie and Dolly had appointments with the vet this afternoon to have heartworm test and get shot boosters.
They hate the vet's office and can tell as soon as we get out of the van where we are. Thankfully we didn't have to wait long,I think they would have shook themselves to pieces !!
Dolly is a drama queen and squealed with the blood draw but Bernie was a trooper and took it like a man.
The vet is a good shot giver and neither of them even knew they had gotten a shot.
With their test ,shots and refills of heartworm meds my bill was over $200 !! No wonder so many pets don't get vet care.
They are both soundly sleeping already tonight from the trama of the visit.

As Hubbie and I relaxed outside enjoying the evening this little guy came down the tree next to the patio and then stopped as if to say "uh oh" where did you guys come from ?
After chores I did weekly paperwork and payed bills before icing my chocolate and coconut cakes.
The end of another nice day in a string of lower 80 degree days with upper 50 degree nights has got me hoping fall is going to be early this year. We are supposed to get a little rain tomorrow but we'll see.
Hurricane season is in full bloom and the tropics are beginning to get very active. One they are watching starting to strengthen and head our way looks like it has the potential and direction to make it to the east coast maybe by next weekend.
The news is almost over and I'm heading for bed.
Thanking God for the strength He gives me everyday.
Good Night and God bless.

ANOTHER BENEVOLENCE LUNCH AT CHURCH

Another cool wonderful morning as I did my chores even the animals seemed to have more energy.
After I ate a quick breakfast I took my morning walk even with all the things on my list to do today. This walk seems to improve my energy level throughout the day.
I noticed the Queen of the Meadow has started to bloom along the creek bank.I also noticed the Hazelnut trees are loaded with nuts this year .Could mother nature be announcing a bitter winter season !!I think these are a little early this year.
Our weather has been so crazy I think it has a lot of things confused. All the apples are at least a week ahead of schedule this year.
After my walk I hung out a load of towels ,started another laundry load and iced 6 caramel cakes.
Housecleaning is going to take a hit today because of the benevolence lunch I'm helping host at church today.
I fixed the food and headed up there at noon. The funeral is in town at 11:00 and then the burial is on the other side of town, so we are thinking we'll be serving around 1:00.
We think between 25-30 people in this family and we have plenty of food.
At 1:15 the Pastor was asking the blessing so we were close with our time prediction.
The family ate and visited and had a nice fellowship with each other.
I got home around 3:00 after everything was cleaned and put away.
Daughter was here baking ,she said our Congressman's office had contacted HUD this morning and all of a sudden this afternoon they were ready to close on the house. She still has to wait on her re-application for her grant money so they gave her a free extension until Sept.15. Hopefully everything will come together before that.
It is a shame that it actually takes an act of congress to get things moving sometimes.
I did more laundry and cleaned the bathrooms this afternoon as that was it for my housework today.
After chores this evening Hubbie and I sat outside on the patio enjoying the cool fresh air. It feels so good he said maybe we should move our bed outside to sleep tonight.
Yea, we would definitely need a bug net over it for sure !!
I iced 6 more caramel cakes tonight. This way of doing things is making it easier on me .
After I get all the cakes baked I have 2 days to get everything iced. Icing takes longer than baking them actually so doing it in 4 parts makes it easier on my back.
I'm finished again tonight at 10:30 and waiting for the news as I type this.
Hubbie fried some potato slices with onions for supper tonight and the pains in my chest are telling me I shouldn't have eaten those greasy potatoes,but they were good !!
I've had a couple hand fulls of almonds and I'm hoping that will take care of my heart burn so I can sleep.

God has blessed me so faithfully,I love him so much.
Good Night and God Bless.