Why is it?

Why is it that when you have to work the time drags on, but when you are on vacation,
the time flies?

Why?

We spent a whole week at the river last week, believe it or not in ten years, it's the first time we stayed a whole week, and after doing it, I don't know why we didn't do it sooner?

So, of course I took lots of pictures.

We had the whole family down for 7 glorious days, and after the rain stopped, it was great.

We took the boat out for a little fishing.

As you can see I literally mean "little fishing."

This year we even took our dog, and he loved it!

He was so spoiled, by the time we got home he stunk!!!

We went tubing,

and admired the scenery.

There is something so relaxing about being on the water.

This little spot is one of my favorites.

Then we hit the closest beach to see what we could find.

As it so happens we came across some driftwood.

Well, it was really a bunch of leftover wood and other stuff from the hurricane a few years ago, but I managed to get Mr. Wonderful to load some up in the boat for me.

He did it but very reluctantly.

I think they are talking about me.

Happy Holiday Weekend!!!!

Hopefully everyone will enjoy a nice long relaxing weekend.  


I certainly hope yours will be safe and very relaxing, I know that's how I want mine to be.

Have a good one!

Tree Trip

This past weekend, we set out to get our Christmas tree, and this year we decided to go somewhere different.


We headed to Lake Lure.


It was amazing, we had perfect weather, and we hiked, and we just had a ball!!


And while the whole purpose of the trip was to get our Christmas tree, we got that on the way home.  We picked out a really nice tree, it was about 8 feet tall and it cost us all of $36.


Yes, I said $36.


That's one of the reasons we get our trees from a choose and cut farm.  


It is fresher, and it is usually cheaper.   Now, I do remember buying a tree for $25, but it was bought sight unseen, and it ended up being about 4 foot tall.


No kidding!


So we don't do that any more.

Here are some pics!

 

And finally, the tree.

 

Thoughts on Thankfulness

This weekend we ended the summer with one last hoorah at the river.


We were very fortunate in the fact that while we had tree's down, no major structural damage, and we didn't have any water damage.  


We saw so much water damage.  Sooo much, people had to replace duct work, flooring, and much of their furniture.  All of which was sitting in the streets.  


We didn't get power until Sunday night, but again we were fortunate.


I am thankful.


Thankful, for generators, so that we were able to clean up in some minimal comfort.


Unfortunately, there are counties down east that don't have a lot of income, and therefore, they will need a lot of help getting things back to the way they were.  While we were outside the Red Cross van came by offering us food and drinks.  While we didn't need any, I know there are people in our area that do.


There is a man who comes by our house and always asks for our cans.  (He collects them for money.)  While he was there he was telling us about the damage to his house from the hurricane. 


He asked my husband if we knew the neighbor across the street.  He said "Yes, I know Luke."


He said "He must be rich, he lets me go through his trash."


When he came in and told us that, I almost cried.  


We are blessed.  


So, he got our cans and anything else we could find around the house.  

This was a community playground with a bathhouse.


All that's left is a pile of rubble where the bathhouse was and the basketball goal.   The bird house actually made it too.

There were lots of picnic tables for enjoying the view, but they were washed away.


But we did manage to find time to have some fun.

The water was amazing on Sunday, AMAZING!!!!


So we took the boat to Oriental, and did a little fishing.

We weren't the only ones who decided to go fishing.


But I bet they weren't trying to get one of these.

Look at that!!!


It's a drum, and they put up quite a fight getting them in.  They were kind of pretty too.  They make a drum noise when you take them out of the water.


Don't worry, it was a catch and release.  We were fishing for a citation size drum, and we got it!!!!

Well, I didn't really care about the fishing part, I just like being on the boat and enjoying the views.


It was a good way to end the summer.


Thankful for everything!

We caught one!!!!

We made it back, and we actually caught a catfish when we went noodling.

You start out with a yellow (or color noodle of choice) noodle and you bait the hook and just throw it in the water.

You know there is something on the hook because the noodle will bob around.  They have something  in them to keep them on top of the water.  These have PVC pipe I think.

Anyway, you leave them a while then go back and hope you have something.



Look at Mr. Wonderful, he was having so much fun, he couldn't wait to see what was on the hook.

And if you are lucky, you will have a catfish on the hook.  This one was about 3-4 lbs.  And it was also the only one we caught out of 9 noodles.  But when we were fishing, Mr. Wonderful caught a really nice one.

All in all, it was a good weekend.

Hope yours was too!

Good Times!

Things we've been doing.

Enjoyed the water!

Great views!

A little fishing!

Family!

Hope your holiday was just as good!!

Getting in the Christmas spirit!

It's been a while since I've posted, unfortunately my mom is in the hospital and it has been quite the ordeal, but I'll save that for another time.

But we were able to make our annual trip to Linville falls to get our Christmas tree.

Once again we stayed at Linville Falls Lodge, we've stayed here for  about 5 years now and we absolutely love it.

And no trip is complete without eating at Famous Louise's Rockhouse.

Mmmmmm, Mmmmm, Good!!!!

The best jelly EVER!!!!

Then we made our way to Sugar Plum Tree Farms. 

How about this view?  And we aren't even close to the top yet.  This was about 1/4 of the way up and I said just pick one in this area, the hike was worse than you may think.

The tree's look a lot smaller on the side of a mountain than they do at home in your living room so we had to carefully select the perfect tree.

After much consideration, Mr. Wonderful is pretty picky about his tree, we made a choice!

Now we get to start cutting!!!

Baby boy did the cutting then we got to carry her down the hill.

Remember how steep that hill was, just take a look at that first picture.

Steep isn't it?

So we waited on the side of the hill for a tractor, so my boys wouldn't work themselves too hard.

Handsome, isn't he? 

After getting it home and getting it put up, here's how she looks now!

Now all we need are presents!

Secrets to a Happy Marriage

Start off with your own Mr. Wonderful.

 
Combine that with a great Tennessee get away.

A nice cottage, and a great view.

 Beautiful, scenery!

All the elements you need for a nice relaxing get-a-way!

The driveway was unpaved, a single lane, and super super steep!!

I think we were pretty much at the top of the mountain.

And last but certainly not least, the highlight of the trip.

The Bear!



If that doesn't make you snuggle up with your hubby, nothing will!