I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend. We’ve been enjoying our lovely mountain views on drives with our car clubs. A recent drive took us through Pisgah Forest up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and west to Maggie Valley. Heading up from the ranger station, the street has trees over the road most of the way up into the mountains.
Up on the parkway, it is green everywhere. This part of summer has some rhododendrons in bloom, but I didn’t get any photos of them on the drive.
We stopped at Waterrock Knob for pictures of the mountains.
The views here are stunning on both sides of the overlook. It was cool this day, and the clouds were low. Looking west, low clouds obscure the horizon, clinging to the top of a distant mountain.
Looking east, this really interesting scene has a low cloud hanging in the valley between the mountains. Wildflowers bloom profusely on the edge of the grass next to the parking lot.
Back home, the clouds were hanging low in the valley, too.
Here’s a closer look. Although the rain is welcome to help with our drought conditions, it made the air even more humid. It is miserable to be outside this weekend.
On a happier note, tomorrow is National Fried Chicken Day! See my post for some fun stories and memories of one of my favorite foods.
Plans are underway for another Fall Fortnight! Mark your calendars for this one as we sew with fall themes and make a special Thanksgiving charity project. More on that in September. I am currently recruiting bloggers for two special blog hops, one sewing and one tablescapes. If you are interested in participating, let me know.
Back at the house, I managed to get a photo of the wren sitting on her nest. I think she was asleep. It is very dark inside the nest, but you can just make her out at the bottom of the opening. As soon as the camera clicked, she bolted off. We should have little ones any day now!
In the back, the gladiolas are beginning to bloom. These are a soft apricot color.
They usually bloom at the same time as the hostas. The hosta bed between the back of the garage and the retaining wall is doing well, mainly because the deer can’t get to it.
Pretty purple flowers bloom on long stalks.
They look great in a vase with the gladiolas, but I won’t be able to do that this year. The gladiolas are not as numerous as before, and I cannot get to them behind the fence. There is only one blooming in the front flower bed now. Plus the hosta bed out front has been eaten down to the nubs by the deer. All the flowers and most of the leaves are gone. This photo is from a few years ago.
I’ll have some sewing time this week, and I have two other projects underway before I can get back to Fleur Lumineuse. Lunch tomorrow with friends will be a treat. What are your plans for the week?
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From My Carolina Home 
What fabulous views on your ride…thanks for taking us along. So fun to see the beautiful flowers and watch and wait with you for the birds to hatch. I would love to blog with you on your fall hop…sewing is my thing.
I love the mountain views, even with the clouds. Autumn Jubilee is always something fun and look forward to it each year. Thank you for all the behind the scenes work you do to make it something for everyone.
I’m excited about your baby birds and the flowers are gorgeous. What a beautiful ride you had. That’s glorious territory. I hope the humidity clears soon. That’s so much rougher than the heat.
Love all your pictures! We’ll be down in the Smokies next weekend – the Scottish Highland Games at Grandfather Mt. (McRae Meadows) start this Thursday. We head down Saturday and will attend the Games Sunday, then head to Maggie Valley, where we have a motel for the next 5 days. My sister lives in Waynesville, and her family is spread all over the area and into SC. There are 2 new babies in the family since last year when we visited, so we have some catching up to do!! 🙂 I can hardly wait!!! 🙂
I used to live in Pisgah Forest so these photos, all of yours actually, bring back many memories. They’re so very well framed.
Your vase of flowers looks like inspiration for a midsummer quilt. Such a pretty color combination. It’s always fun to watch clouds. I was admiring the layers as I crested a hill this morning. It’ts humid here too, but the temps have dropped so it just feels like a beautiful summer day vs heat wave purgatory.
You do have the most beautiful views there, Carole! No wonder you enjoy the drives with your car club so much. It will be fun to watch the baby birds hatch and grow up. Your flowers are pretty, too. We don’t get deer eating our plants here, but the rabbits have sure been after my flowers this year. I finally had to give up and just hope the things that are still growing will fill in the empty spaces in the garden! I don’t have much on the calendar for this week, but I’m sure it will fill up as it goes along!
I read your post about fried chicken and I agree with you – fried chicken and sushi are the best! My grandmother and my mom made great fried chicken but sadly I never got the recipe. My grandmother also raised her own chickens, although by the time I came around she bought them at the grocery store, but I heard her talk about wringing their necks. I did grow up with a bacon grease container on the stove and used as a seasoning for everything. Mom even popped popcorn in it, so good! I do make oven-fried chicken but I don’t always get it crispy, I need to try your recipe. Thanks for the post!
Thanks for sharing the mountain photos. Also do you have more info on the blogger projects. I don’t think I blog, but might if I knew what to do.
Beverly
the flowers and the scenery really look pretty. I love mountain drives
I love seeing your home scenery and going out for drives with you through the glorious mountain views.
Always enjoy your mountain drives, the scenery is beautiful. Flower bed is lovely and the Fried Chicken, what can one say!!
Mary :))
your chicken does indeed look delish…beautiful flower photos…