Last autumn weekend in mountains

We had one more wonderful mountain weekend before we must stay home, try to put our house back together after remodeling, and get ready for a big client pig-picking at our house on November 1. Oops, that is, if the remodeling is finished. The floors are going to be installed next Thursday and Friday. The tiles are up for the backsplash, but not grouted yet. I asked the installer to put the tiles "on point." He finally figured out that I meant in a diagonal setting. Lots more cutting, as we quilters know, but he was a good sport. It will look great when it is done.

On the way to the mountains, we were about ten minutes away from our cabin when we were stopped by a fireman on a very curvy, rain-slick road. There were rock cliffs on the left and a drop down the mountain on the right. There was a tractor trailer jack-knifed on the curve and a wrecker trying to get it out. After sitting for thirty minutes in the #2 car position, we turned around and headed another way. We passed the activity buses for the West Wilkes football team, trying to make it to their Friday night game. Hope they made it!

Saturday morning, we decided to visit the Ashe County Farmers' Market in West Jefferson. That is Mount Jefferson in the background, where we went to the park on top last weekend. I had been to the market once before with my sister, but Charlie had never been. We purchased two home-made candles in jars. The one we brought home smells like spiced cider, and the one for the cabin is Christmas Memories. It was very crowded...many tourists, what we call the "Leaf Peepers."

Then we went to an antique mall where we have purchased some things for the cabin on previous trips. I was looking for end tables for the living room at home, but ended up getting a nice little pine hutch and china cabinet. Only one part of it would fit in our car, so we drove home with the hutch and went back for the base. Thankfully, it was still sitting out in front of the store.

Then we stopped by the Northwest Trading Post on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I love these stores with local foods and crafts. Here are some quilts for sale:A hand-painted bench with mountain scene...

some country aprons in fun prints...are those skeletons jumping rope?Here are some split oak baskets.And I love the sign for the "necessaries"...Here is a nice display of pumpkins and corn sheaves for sale...

And on the way back to Laurel Springs, we screeched to a stop when we saw this sign for home-made apple butter. We bought six jars that were STILL WARM. Best I ever had!

It was much colder and cloudier this weekend...
But still very pretty. The next time we go up, the trees will probably be bare. Some already are.But most were still in full glory.
Tomorrow I hit the road again, going south this time. Time for a quick "fix" to see my grandkids, take my son to hospital for some minor surgery, and head back on Wednesday. Have to be home for the floor guys. Not sure if I will be able to post until later in the week. Have a good one!