First Annual Jefferson Oktoberfest

We took a short trip to Jefferson, NC on Saturday to check out the first annual Oktoberfest.  This was quite a big deal, since Ashe County did not even sell beer, wine, or liquor not very long ago.  For them to allow a biergarten was a big change.  It was held at the J&J Chophouse.  I've got to say, they have a long way to go to make this a destination for beer lovers.  I have been to many Oktoberfests, since my husband used to play trombone in the Little German Band of Raleigh.  They did have a German Band, and they did sell beer.  You had to go inside the restaurant for beer, and could only drink it inside the restaurant or on their tiny porch, or WITHIN THE YELLOW CRIME TAPE for Pete's sake!  I think they should have roped off an area and put out picnic tables and all the food vendors in one place.

The weather was perfect.  They had several things set up for children. My grandkids enjoyed the Bounce House.

We went inside the old Ashe County Courthouse, which is now a beautifully restored museum.  I enjoyed many of the exhibits.  Here is a cradle, baby doll, and quilt of the type I call a "biscuit" quilt.  You stuff little squares of fabric and sew them together for a puffy bed cover.

Here is a nicely carved wooden bed, a Trip Around the World Quilt, and loom-woven blanket.

They also had a loom, spinning wheel, and spun fibers outside.

There was a beautiful World War II bridal gown on display, 

as well as a beaded tea dress.  I thought the design was candlewick embroidery until I read the sign.

I liked this old doll whose head is made from a dried apple.  Hard to believe it is still preserved.

There were two pieces of furniture that were not antique pieces, but a special display of an artist's hand carved furniture.  This one is a remarkable 13-drawer chest of very original design.

The same artist, Cliff Little, created the Flame Chair, which they say is actually very comfortable.  

It reminds me of something from Game of Thrones.

After leaving the old courthouse, we wandered up and down the street.  There were some craft exhibits and other items for sale. 

I had to laugh at the "Antique" car show, which featured many cars from when I was in high school and college.  Camaros, Roadrunners, Dodge Chargers, even an old Corvair, which was our first car.

Lily was partial to this pink Dodge Dart.

One car was actually a rusty old truck that had a still on the back of it and a bullet-shattered window.

One fun vehicle was this old "woody" all ready for Halloween.

 Look who's in the back seat!

It was a fun afternoon, and we will look forward to visiting again next year.

A Week of Family Time

Last Thursday, we went to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, for a family birthday weekend.  What a great time, with good weather and lots of good food!  Charlie and I were the first to arrive, and this is how the beach appeared.  Just the way I like it!

The water was cold, but that did not keep the grandkids out.

Although they were tired puppies after braving the chill.

The beach lived up to its name each night.

On Saturday, it started out rainy, but it let up enough for us to go back out on the beach.  There were some storm clouds inland, but they stayed offshore.

On Sunday, Charlie and I loaded up the three kids and brought them home with us, since it was their spring break.  On Monday, I took the kids to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science.  They loved all the exhibits.  I had not been since they renovated the museum, and really liked the improvements.

I tried to take them to Pullen Park in Raleigh, which just re-opened after extensive renovations.  We could not find a parking place, so we went to Shelley Lake in north Raleigh and enjoyed a picnic at the park.

We vowed to get up early the next day and try Pullen Park again.  We got there eight minutes after it opened, and there were only a few parking places left.  We took advantage of the great weather and stayed all day.  The newly painted carousel looks amazing.  It is shiny and all the paint has been freshened up.

The horses and other animals look beautiful.

We even went on the paddle boats, and the two oldest kids did the paddling around the lake.  Lily had to practically lie down to reach the pedals.  Avery was the chief crew member.  Caden's job was to sit still and not fall out.

What a great day at this beautiful jewel of a park in Raleigh.  Even with long lines for almost everything, these three had a wonderful day.

Today I met the parents halfway, and transferred the kids to them.  My house is quiet and I am tired, but I loved this special family time.

Happy Halloween!

Last year I participated in the 21 Secrets online journaling class.  One of the workshops was Doodlicious Daybook, with Tracie Hanson.  We made funky journals out of painted brown paper, old calendar pages, duct tape, zig zag stitching, and other fun stuff.  On one of my painted pages, I took the paint blobs and made them into ghosties and goblins.

Then I got this card from my dad a couple of days ago.  He likes to make color photocopies of his artwork and make note cards.  This painting from Sunset Beach came with his version of ghosties and ghoulies!

Great minds think alike.

We have not had a trick-or-treater at our house in about six years, probably because of our long driveway.  But I hope that you have a safe and happy Halloween!  It is a very cold one here in central North Carolina.  My grandkids live in South Carolina, where you can usually count on it being in the 80's on Halloween.  Avery and Lily did not look too pleased to be wearing their fur monkey suits on this Halloween a few years ago, but they would be perfect for tonight!

Fun Family Weekend

From the wintry cold of Boone to a warm, summery weekend at home with our oldest son Bryson and his two children...and two frisky dogs to keep things interesting!  My husband's birthday was Saturday, and we had a grand time.  Mostly we sat in the yard and enjoyed the beautiful weather.  The Yoshino cherries along the driveway decided to blossom out just in time.

I have big red, pink, and white camellias in the back.  They still had a lot of blooms even after Lily picked armfuls of them.

We brought our Gator home from the mountains after Thanksgiving, so the kids were able to have fun with it in the yard.  We'll take it back up there next weekend.

Our living room quickly fills up with puzzles and toys when the kids are here.  I got Lily this flower barrette for her hair in Hawaii.  She looks like a little Hawaiian girl in her sundress.

There was barely room for the dogs to lie on the rug.  Kasey had never, ever wanted to chew a rawhide stick until I gave one to our grand-dog, Roo.

The dogs had a great time running around the yard, until they disgraced themselves this morning.  They both wallowed in the mud in the creek, and then ran off down the creek, getting all the dogs in the neighborhood barking. 

Here is Kasey before:

and After:

Roo was no better.  He is much easier to wash, however!

So, Bryson and the kids have gone back to South Carolina.  We should see them again in the mountains in two weeks for opening day of trout fishing season.

The dogs are washed and all that's left outside are a few Lily-tracks.

We did some artwork.  I painted Lily's portrait

and Lily painted mine.

Now Mack-Mack is asleep in the recliner and I think I may also sneak in a little nap!