Here are some permanent sunflowers at Meeks Park.  They always look great:  spring, summer, fall, and winter.  

 

They always make me smile.  Thought you would like a little smile today too.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

This is what we saw yesterday while we were having lunch on the porch.  Gorgeous fall color in the mountains.

 

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!

 

Here is an update on Mark and Renee's view from the top of Stonebriar.  The trees in the middle ground are showing more and more color.

 

We love this view of the mountains.  Almost as much as ours.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

The maple trees on Clifford's hill are so pretty right now.  Having this to distract us actually makes the trudge up the hill a little easier.

 

I hope your world is beautiful too, now that fall is here.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

This is what our road looked like yesterday when we started out on our walk.  So pretty!!!

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

The Gingko trees at the Methodist church in Blairsville are changing color right now.  There are three big trees in the flower bed outside the MAC (the activity center next to the church,) and they are about 25 feet tall.  I love to stand under them and look up into the blue sky.  

 

I'm telling you, if you live within 20 miles of Blairsville, it is worth the trip to go see these trees.  But do it this week, because without warning, they are gorgeous one day and drop their leaves the next.  Then all you get to see is puddles of golden leaves on the ground.  They are much prettier looking up.

 

I have some very fond memories of Ginkgo trees  in Norfolk.  There are two huge ones in front of Northside Junior High School, and several in the median strip on Granby Street near the cemetery, and some big, beautiful ones inside the cemetery.  Oh yeah, and Bolling Ave is lined with Gingko trees.  Both sides of the street!!  What a glorious sight that is in the fall.  

 

I hope you get to see some Gingko trees in your travels.  Just look for brilliant gold leaves against the sky.

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

 

 

I took this picture when we walked the loop on Friday.  The view changes every day.  I'll show you again later this week.  

 

I love this time of year!

 

HAPPY FALL!!!

 

We went to the Ocoee over the weekend, and saw thousands of folks, rafting down the river.  

 

I'm not sure how long the season lasts,  but it's only watered on the weekends.  It is great fun to watch all the activity.  We park in the first big rafting area you come to, pay our $3 parking fee, and stay as long as we like.  There are picnic grounds, hiking trails, lots of people, and lots of water.  

 

The Ocoee was the site for the canoe slalom for the 1996 Summer Olympics. You can go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocoee_Whitewater_Center?wprov=sfti1 and read more about it.  Very interesting, and right in our backyard.

 

Or if you'd just like to take a day trip to the Ocoee, go to Ranger and turn left.  It's about an hour away.  

 

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!!

 

 

How bout this for pretty?  

 

We made this quiche using onions, chanterelle mushrooms and roasted peppers from the garden.  

 

Jon loves making pie crusts, and he's gotten really good at it.  And the rest of the recipe is from Nanny Barb.  You can find it in the recipe section under main dishes:  Nanny Barb's Onion Pie.  It's a great recipe, and easy.

 

This quiche will make 4 meals for the two of us.  So there's dinner for this week.  

 

HAPPY COOKING!!!

 

 

I don't know if you have seen this map, but it is quite interesting.  I just found it when I was searching the site for something else.  Mark posted it years ago, but it's still accurate for the most part.  The big lot that was annexed isn't numbered, but the rest is pretty accurate.

 

Here's a bit of fun:  Orient yourself to the map, and then find your lot by its number.  

 

Looks different in 2D doesn't it?  If you go to Googlemaps you can see a satellite picture of our mountain. That's fun too.

 

HAPPY SUMMER!!!