Another week of exhausting heat, and I am ready for summer to be over. The humidity is stifling these days, and it rains almost every afternoon because of it. I admit a certain amount of nervousness as the weather people mention hurricanes in the ocean, and the news keeps going over what to put in emergency kits. But, I cannot imagine that the particular set of circumstances of three days of heavy rain prior to a hurricane hitting us will happen again. At least I hope not. So, I live each day, grateful for our home and the beautiful land in which we live. I feed my little woodland friends when I can, and breathe in the early light of dawn.
In the sewing room, I finished the pot holders with the Cluck It embroidery. So two more items done for the Fiber Fair.
Saturday was a really fun day, with a drive with our MINI club. We met in a parking lot in Candler, and were thrilled to have 16 MINIs joining the fun!
Lots of new members came with us this time. As you might imagine, our club is pretty popular in the summer months. Off we went, enjoying the back roads heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
We just love living here. The mountains feed my soul in a way I cannot explain. Just seeing them everyday connects me to nature.
We traveled up Hwy 151, a lovely twisty road with gorgeous views.
Lush green lined the road and arbored overhead. It is the Japanese concept of shinrinyoku (a forest bath) while driving, that feeling of being connected to the world, and the restorative effect of being in the dappled light.
Up on the parkway, there were three tunnels to go through.
All three have the same stone work, one short and two longer ones.
We stopped at Pink Beds overlook to get photos of the cars and the mountains.
It was such fun to see so many MINIs all together. And we had the overlook all to ourselves.
The day was overcast a bit, but on the parkway the humidity was much lower, and the temperature was in the mid 70s. Heaven.
Gorgeous views. We are so lucky to live so close to these vistas.
Layers of mountains stretch to the horizon in all directions.
So back to the cars, and down the other side of the ridge, we motored to the restaurant and had a nice meal.
Then, we headed home, just barely beating a downpour of rain.
At home on Friday, I finished the pieced border for Lemon Twist, and now need to add the final borders. Then I’ll quilt it with a pantograph. It is coming out bigger than I originally intended, so it can go into the bed quilts category at the fair. I have a couple of days I can sew this week, then I will be at my local quilt shop, Beginnings, for the shop hop on Thursday. I am working the raffle quilt sale table in the afternoon, and I’m taking some kits to make Christmas stars to keep my hands busy during slow times. More about all this next week.
What are your plans for the week?
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From My Carolina Home 
I love your pictures. What beautiful scenery — since I live in Illinois we don’t see many mountains.
Aren’t we all ready for cooler and dryer weather..Goodness..it been very hot and very wet .Fall surely will be a release from this pattern. The car clubs look like fun and we all need fun days..Good for you.. I finished the Raggy doll but it’s too hot do do any thing outside.
My parents bought 60 acres on Hwy 276 just off of the Blue Ridge Pkwy near the hamlet of Cruso, NC. I was 12-13 yrs old (will be 84 in Sept.) and that is where we spent our summer vacations. There was a small cabin on the property and we called it “Booger Bear” because of the bear that hung around at times. It would come up on the porch and we would beat on a dishpan to scare it away. We lived in a small town north of Miami. Mom and Dad eventually sold the property and built a new home near Waynesville, NC. They are buried in a small cemetery at Bethel Methodist Church in Cruso. So many good memories for my family. Enjoy the mountains, Fall, as you know, is glorious. The quietness of the early evening and the early morning is what keeps the world in some kind of perspective. Carolyn Howard
I hope all the flooding is done soon there has been so much this year between that and fires and tornadoes one never knows what or when we will get it. I’m ready for it to be done as well.
Happy Sunday, Carole. It looks like it has been a lovely week. And that mini-trip looks like such fun. I love the word “shinrinyoku” — new to me but it sums up my favorite spot on my walk up north. Next week will be a little calmer. No guests. My cousin will be down the road with friends and while busy there, we’ll get together, along with an old pal I’ve not seen for 50 years staying down there too. And Tuesday is Rick’s birthday. We’re talking about an afternoon canoe trip, so that should be fun. Then I’ll take him to dinner! I have to go home Friday. Alas.
We just hit high 80s this week & it didn’t rise above 75 on Friday – but it was humid! The kind of humid where you stick to everything. No a/c at my house, this is summer in all its glory & I’m rolling with it. Next week is a binding marathon for me, 5 quilts quilted & waiting patiently for their edging. Thanks for the beautiful vistas-nothing better than forest bathing to bring inner peace.
You definitely do live in some gorgeous country! Thanks for sharing it with us through your photos.
I always love your car club rides Carole, and 16 minis wow! Lovely photos of your beautiful montain location. I know what you mean about hurricane season, it took us 4 years to get our beach house back to normal after Hurricane Sally. Plus if a storm hits the Gulf Coast, it continues north and hits us again in Birmingham. Fingers crossed we will have a quiet season…
Jenna
I enjoyed the Mini club drive.
This week I’m starting physical therapy for help with posture and balance. It should be interesting and hopefully, helpful.
When we’re feeling stressed and worried about things, the best thing to do is just stop and breathe for a bit – I know that helps me. I’m hoping the hurricane season is not so awful this year. Your mini drive in the mountains looks like it was lots of fun and so enjoyable. I feel the same way about being up in the mountains, although our views are not quite so lush and green as yours – the Rocky Mountains are much more about the rocks! Not this coming week, but the following one we are having a short getaway up in the mountains and I am sure looking forward to it!
Beautiful Sunday chat! I love the mountains too! When we had young children, the annual trip to Gatlinburg was everybody’s favorite. They still go and take their families but I’ve decided the long 6-7 hr drive is just too much for me now. Besides, they won’t let me st
At our previous home we had an acre of trees, and it was always so peaceful to walk there, summer or winter. Your mountain views are outstanding, and to have them not too far away is so welcome.
Carole, what beautiful pictures you gave us today. I’ve never been to your part of the United States and it’s so nice that you share these excursions on your blog. I always enjoy hearing your stories and seeing your many projects. Thank you.
Stunning mountain views! I can see why you feel at peace when you’re on those roads surrounded by nature. Hazy, hot & humid here in Delaware with the same afternoon storms. I’m going to a quilt bee tomorrow, but I’m not sure what I’ll work on. 🙂
The heat and humidity has made gardening especially tough for me. The mountains look so refreshing and our preferred spot to vacation in the summer! Thanks for sharing your lovely photos, Carole!
I really liked the cloud formation in the last vista view. You really are fortunate to live in the mountains.
Enjoy your week,
Alexandria
I do enjoy when your drive takes you to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is so beautiful to drive through. I imagine just driving in the trees makes you feel so cool and relaxed. Nothing like lovely surroundings and a bunch of friends to make you feel renewed.
Your pot holders do give me a smile. I wouldn’t be able to resist if I was near your sale table 😃
This morning we woke to a heavy frost – no humidity here!!
Mary :))
What a glorious day. So glad you were able to enjoy it. The views are definitely breathtaking. Attended a Christmas in July at my local fabric shop. So many exciting ideas and gorgeous fabrics for the holidays. There were some cute make and takes. They always go all out for this day. We are lucky to have it available.
Driving with your fellow Mini club friends must be such fun, and I love the gorgeous views.
The brick work on the tunnel entrances is stunning! Thanks for sharing the views from your ride.
Grateful for days when the sun shines and the humidity is low. I’ve been basking in the air conditioning to escape the heat and humidity.
Hi Carole,
You are having a typical summer from our place, except ours is almost 3 months! And much hotter. More like 95F than 70F for days on end and never much cooler at night.
Love your mountain views. We have a lovely view of Brisbane Water, a large body of water that flows out to the sea, via the Hawkesbury River. The best views are from my 2 kithcen windows, which as you can imagine is a bit distracting when you are trying to wash up or cook. It facs west, so we often have stunning views of sunsets over the water, and through the trees. As you say, it feeds my soul.
Take care
Dasha
the drive looks amazing! Funny how our quilts sometimes grow bigger than we planned.
Traveling on the parkway is really a connection to the outdoors, love all the pictures you shared. We took numerous drives when we lived closer and each time we enjoyed something new, a vista, wildflowers etc. You live in a pretty part of the country. My parents are from a tiny town in Iowa and the county fairgrounds got so much rain they had to send the pumper trucks to remove the water or cancel the fair! it was just crazy. Enjoy the shop hop. I try not to add anymore textiles to my vast collection. Will make some Molasses cookies today to share with both kids.
I am just now reading this, and what beautiful views! Thank you for sharing those!