Saturday in the Mountains - The Flea Markets...

The road to the flea market. Isn't this just lovely? You turn off the main road to a small country road, then down this dirt road. The trees all have faded signs on them that read books, quilts, chairs, and on and on. It is a small flea market but the people are wonderful.

Retro casseroles and bowls. I find these at Goodwill for a third of the price.

I love these old metal cookie cutters. They are so graphic. My grandmother had several and they bring back memories of making cookies and sipping lemonade.  These were very expensive, almost $20.00 a piece.

Some beautiful bottles. I love bottles. They just fascinate me. Big ones little ones. Soon everything will be plastic and we will not have anymore bottles.

This is a North Carolina face jug.  These were originally made at the end of the day with scraps of clay left over from the days work.  Each potter made their own jug to keep their refreshments in. Now several potters do nothing but face jugs. Each one is unique and different. I have several and think they are really fun.

Saturday I spent the day having meals with my children and taking photographs of the sights.  It was one of those clear and crisp days that told you winter is on the way enjoy this while you can.  I took it to heart and decided to shoot and shop. I went to one of the local flea markets, some antique stores and hit the mountain roads. It was a beautiful day ending with a moutain dinner with people I love. Perfect day.

Digital Photographs - Up in the Mountains...

I have been up in the mountains most of the week looking at houses.  When not looking at houses I have been enjoying the mountain roads. The leaves have started putting on their colors.  The higher elevations have the most color right now. Every morning I get up and it is a new world.  A deeper orange, more red, and  who knew there were so many yellows?  The air is crisp and clear.  Everyone walks with a bit more purpose in their step. Strangers talking to strangers about how nice the weather is. Everyone enjoying the last few weeks of falls.

Renourishing in the Mountains...

A winding mountain road

A very pregnant deer

A mountain stream

Mountain Rhododendron's

Mountain stream on the way to swimming hole

Coming down the mountain into a valley

I am in North Carolina taking care of business, mail, car inspected, plates, house, etc...This past weekend I spent in the mountains with no phone, no email, just a couple of my boys. Talk about peaceful.

The drive through Tennessee was beautiful. However, crossing that state line felt nice. The temperatures in the mountains was so much cooler. I think the forests and all of the streams cool everything down. It was so refreshing.

I thought I would share part of my drive and a few things the boys and I shared. The mountain road is part of the road into my son's mountain community. I love how it runs along this large mountain stream. The sound of the water and birds is so relaxing.

Shortly after I turned into my son's community, I ran into this large pregnant doe and last year's baby. We sort of eyed each other before she sauntered across the road and up into the woods. I have seen as many as five does at that particular turn through the years.

The streams are so much fun to walk in. We take my son's dogs and walk up to the swimming hole. They love to swim and jump off the rocks like kids in the hot of the summer.

The mountain flowers always stick out amongst the various shades of green. This variety of Rhododendron is almost finished blooming for the summer. They grow all along the stream banks. The seeds drop down into the water, when the snow melts they are carried down stream where they find themselves on the rich moist stream banks. There the take root and start the renewal process all over again. Never burn Rhododendron. Their smoke is toxic.

After a few days up in the mountains I always feel like a new woman. When you come down the mountains you find these beautiful meadows and fields of wheat, hay, alfalfa, and corn. The contrast is like a painting.....