Surprise from DH

My DH took a week of vacation last week to go deer hunting at our cabin.  He has wanted to do this for several years and has never been able to.  I think the anticipation was just too much for him.  The deer hunting was not successful, however; I did get a wonderful surprise out of it.  A few months ago, he made an arbor for his mom out of grapevine and parts of trees from her property.  I told him that someday I would like to have one, and in his spare time last week he made me one. I was so surprised.  It still needs just a little bit of work but I love it.  I can't wait to plant some flowers around it in the spring, and I already have plans to decorate it for Christmas. 

Treat jar

My version of the treat jar from the Fall-o-ween blog shop hop last week.  This was my first project using wool and I really enjoyed it.    I guess this  means that I now need to have a wool stash!  Oh, my!!  I filled the jar with candy corn and peanuts and brought it in to school for the office staff. 

A Year of Small Projects

 A couple of weeks ago, I discovered  A Year of Small Projects on my friend Becky's blog.  I checked it out and was hooked.  The first project was an ironing board cover, I have to admit that is something I never thought that I would make.  Why would I?  You can go to Wal-Mart or Target and get one cheap enough.  Yes, they are cheaper than making one, but how creative you can get.  I don't think that I will ever buy another one.   Below you will see my cheap blue and white stripe ironing board cover from Wal-Mart that is about two years old. 

Look at the new and improved version!!!  I love it.  I have had this fabric for years and couldn't decide what to do with it.  It was the perfect length for the ironing board cover.  I actually even enjoyed ironing last night!!!  Can't wait for the next small project. 

Out and about in Blue Ridge, GA

On Saturday while DH was out in the woods I was in the town of Blue Ridge having a wonderful time.  My first stop was Mercier's Orchards, I wanted to get there as close to the time as they opened as possible, that place is really crowed in the fall.  It was definitely a smart move, I got one of the last parking places about 15 minutes after they opened.  Look at the cute pumpkins piled up outside the door!!  I managed to get past the pumpkins and into the store for some apples, they have the best apples.  I bought, two different kinds, Granny Smith and Gala along with some fried apple pies, some candles and some Christmas ornaments.  Not for me for Christmas presents. 

After leaving Mercier's I headed into town to check out some of the antique shops.  Most of the shops in Blue Ridge really go all out for decorating.  Almost every store had a fall display outside their door, just enticing you to come in and spend your money.  I managed to contain myself and only bought things for other people, although I did seriously consider the framed quilt block below.  It was beautiful, but I am trying to be good.  If you are ever in the North Georgia area check out some of the fabulous shops.

Fall in the Mountains

Fall is definitely making its way to North Georgia.  DH and I headed up over the weekend.  I t is amazing how the  leaves have changed in just the last week.  I had been looking forward to having a long weekend, (although it would have been nice if Monday were just a regular day off and not a furlough day).   I enjoyed several long walks, just looking at all of the signs of fall.  I went in to the town of Blue Ridge on Saturday and did some Christmas shopping, there are several really neat little shops.  I always try to do some of my shopping up there and support the local merchants.  DH was excited for another reason, Saturday was the first day of muzzle loader season. oh boy.  He was out the door at 6:00 am on Saturday morning to go sit in the woods to try to kill Bambi.  Luckily I saw more deer around the cabin than he did in the woods.  He has even taken the week off and is still up there hunting away, with little luck I must add.

I never realized just how big acorns could get, or how colorful they could be.

Leaves on the dogwood trees.

Fall Festival

 Saturday was the Fall Festival at the John C. Campbell Folk School. We have been for the last several years and it is one of the better festivals around, I think. The arts and crafts are wonderful, there is music, dancing along with great food and buggy rides.



You can't get any fresher than this.



One of the quilts on display.

Blue grass music.



I met the lama that I bought yarn from.



Fall Into Fall Give Away

Today is the first day of the Fall into Fall Blog give away.  I am so excited about all of the wonderful blogs that I am discovering for the first time and for the great giveaways that you have a chance to win.  This is my first year to participate in the give away.  I first thought about doing a Halloween give away, but realized that maybe not everyone is as crazy about that holiday as I am.  I finally decided on a bundle of six fat quarters from Henry Glass, In the Pink and two one yard pieces of coordinating fabric.  These goodies came from one of my favorite local quilt shops, Little Quilts.The  colors are fall , even if one of the fabrics has flowers, it still reminded me of fall.  To enter leave a comment and if you want to be entered more than once become a follower of my blog.  ( I have had some problems with the followers showing up on my blog roll, but I can see who  you are on my dashboard, trying to get that problem fixed.)

I am so ready for fall, here in Atlanta we have had a very hot summer.  We have had about 80 days in a row of temperatures over 90 degrees, it was even in the 90's last week.  That just isn't right!  Finally in the last few days we have had some cooler weather, it was 58 this morning.  My DH and I are headed up to our cabin in North Georgia this weekend and going to the Fall Festival at the John C. Campbell Folk School.  We really enjoy it and have only missed it a couple of times in the last 10 years.  The arts and crafts are wonderful, all locally made and you can meet the artist.  Usually on the way up we stop at a pumpkin farm to check out the pumpkin crop.  I love watching all of the little kids trying to pick up really huge pumpkins.  I also hope to find some fresh molasses at the festival or the pumpkin patch.  One of my favorite fall things is to make Molasses cookies, they are my DH's favorite and for some reason I only make them in the fall.  I don't usually have foods that I only make at certain times of the year, these cookies are about the only ones.  Do you have a food that you only make during a certain season?