Labor Day weekend

- Labor Day weekend in the United States:  "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."  This fact comes from the US Department of Labor website.

- I'm just happy to have the holiday, in which I'll wake up to this view on Monday, although I think I have contributed plenty.  :)  No matter the case - I love this long weekend.

- The river bank was eroding at the front of my sister and brother-in-law's property in the Nantahala Forest of western North Carolina, so they had this rip rap put in to stop it.  Photo taken on my last visit.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, wherever you live, my friends!

Weekend of the 4th, feet up and fingerprint

- Having the opportunity for a long weekend, via the 4th of July holiday in the US, I decided to spend it at my sister's vacation home in the North Carolina mountains.  I arrived in the rain on Thursday night and left in the rain on Sunday afternoon.  It rained the whole time, except for a few breaks here and there.  I slogged around in the wet grass on Sunday morning and got this photo.

- Feet up, with book in hand, and looking as if I didn't mind that rain on Friday morning.  (I didn't.)  The river was up the whole time, which was good for the kayakers, who didn't seem to mind getting rained on.

- These blooming Hosta plants were planted many years ago by my sister's late mother-in-law.  I love that her fingerprint is still around - inside the house and outdoors.  If you click to enlarge, you can barely see some bees enjoying the nectar of the flowers.

- A fourth photo today:  I love visiting the local shops and contributing a bit to the local economy.  Sweetpea at Green Willow Gifts welcomed me (sort of) at the front porch of the shop.  I  imagine her thinking:  "Yes - I know I am beautiful.  You may pet me.  Now move along."  Sweetpea was rescued by the sisters who own the place - I always enjoy seeing her.  And I am delighted with one of my shop purchases!  Fodder for another post.

Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim, Sunday morning grits and just heavenly

- My Pilgrim salt and pepper shakers stay in the kitchen cabinet where the plates and bowls are housed, all year, except in November.  I like how they peek out at me when they are in the cabinet, but even more when they are on top of the microwave in the kitchen.  They make me smile every time I look at them.  And the lady Pilgrim gets to be the pepper shaker!

- No one will ever want me to be a food stylist, I guess.  :)  The Sunday morning hominy grits when they were almost ready.  This batch was perfect - with just the right amount of thickness. 

- Friend Barb gave me two bars of this soap about 10 years ago, when I admired the scent of it in a shop.  French soap from Provence in my kitchen.  Just heavenly.  The first bar lasted all this time and was down to a sliver, so I dug out this one.  It's almost too pretty to use.

Things in my kitchen that make me happy.  :)  It's almost Thanksgiving here in the US, so out came the Pilgrims!  Happy Tuesday!

Latest bunch, yellow maple and giving thanks

- My latest bunch of grocery store flowers.  So much beauty for only $5.99.  I pulled those outer leaves from the last bouquet and it made it prettier, I think. 

- The yellow maple (not sure what it is actually called) at the group mailboxes at the condos.  So beautiful and perfectly bare this morning due to all the rain the last couple of days.  I'm so glad I snapped it when I could.

- A friend from church sent this Thanksgiving card.  I like that the turkey is wearing a pilgrim hat.  :)  I always enjoy Thanksgiving, a day we set aside in the United States to give thanks for what we have.  I am thankful for the family I am heading to visit, for having Friday off, too, and thankful for your friendship!

Have a wonderful holiday if you celebrate it.  And have a wonderful rest of the week, friends outside the US.  I will post next Monday, since I often have trouble getting my internet service when down at the farm.  Have a great next few days!

Seaside, rooftop view and the excuse for going

- This trip began with a discussion several months ago during one of our Saturday walks, about a doing a 5K Run (in which we would walk) to benefit the school above.  And then this tidbit:  It would be at the beach and one of my weekend walking group has a house there (that is for rent all the time, except we could get it that weekend.)  I was in!

- I loved Seaside, Florida, with its brightly painted houses, just a few steps to the beach.  (This is not the house we stayed in, just one that caught my fancy.)

- Here's a rooftop view, across other rooftops, of the ocean.

- And we did that walk on Sunday.  I came in 783 out of 945.  OK with me.  :)  It was a lovely day and a lovely venue.

- This photo was borrowed from facebook - all others are mine - of the walk / run along scenic highway 30A.

- The best part - just being with friends, getting away and seeing lovely, lovely sights like this.

Off I go, awesome bag and holiday

Nieces Abby and Amanda gave me this awesome bag for Christmas a couple of years ago.  Abby monograms anything not moving.  :)  I'm off on a holiday and will catch up with you on Monday!  Have a great weekend and stay warm!