While I was scrolling through my blog, I had to stop to reflect... and... I would like to re-post one of my favorite blogs from this time last year. Thanks for allowing me to reminisce...

We all will enjoy the cooler days of Fall that is certain, but I will miss the hot days of summer. I enjoy all that summer can bring.

I will miss the thunder showers and the dew covered mornings. I will miss the yellow squash and the fresh tomatoes hanging on the vines. I will miss the smell of hay that is newly mowed and the cool nights after the sun sets with sheet lightning in the distance. I will miss fireflies lighting my sky.


I will miss the frogs groaning in the pond, and the I will miss the barefoot opportunities that exist to wander about my yard. I will just miss the whole season.

But Fall is in the air, and so the farm, grass, and animals are welcoming the cooler evening temps. And, I guess that I am too.

'Fall' conjures up visions of gourds, pumpkins, fodder shocks, and colorful leaves. The local farmers market is still being stocked with fresh veggies, herbs, and flowers each week, but I suspect it won't be long before those wonderful Fall colors will splash through the market and give everyone Fall Fever.

Yes, it has been a while, but what better time to post a new blog when telling about a fabulous trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina!

We rented a newly constructed beach house in the 4-wheel drive section of Corolla. Letting air out of your tires to drive the beach was fabulous.... and the scenery was breathtaking!

I woke up and walked out onto my balcony from my master suite to this view every morning. Sheer bliss!

Of course, this gorgeous new home was just as inviting in the evenings spent watching the wild horses, the sunsets, listening to the ocean, and dining from our spacious kitchen/dining area.

Everyone had the chance to cook each evening and we enjoyed everything from crab legs to Daniel English's "world's best fried chicken." Local pizza and Miranda's famous "caribbean shrimp" were also favorites!



The Outer Banks of North Carolina is one of very few places in America where wild mustangs still roam free, stubbornly surviving in this once remote coastal environment. Descended from Spanish Mustangs which arrived close to 500 years ago, these hardy, tenacious wild horses have lived here since the earliest explorers and shipwrecks.













We saw Mama and baby roam the beaches and dunes around our house everyday... what a treat!










...and of course this is the happy photographer, hanging out truck windows, and lurking in the dunes to get these gorgeous photos each day. Yes, I am a very proud mom!






We had one unbelievably nasty day when we could not only leave our house, but could not even find the beach road due to squalls (bad storms), but no one was too upset. We holed up in our beautiful beach house, played games, took photos, ate scrumptious food, watched funny movies in out theatre room, and enjoyed great company!!!








The hot tub and the pool was also a big "hit" during the week! Of course enjoying the trip with good friends and family made it all the better. Thank you Lisa, Daniel, Miranda, Trey, and "hubby" Kent for such a fabulous and fun vacation!










...I think they forgot about me!


ZZZzzzzz...









One of Miranda's beautiful captions right off our balcony. WOW...














Enjoying one of the last mornings with good company at OBX! I could not have asked for anything better.

Someone told me that "bloody marys" were the breakfast of champions! hahahaha! It proved for a nice and relaxing trip.










Anyone interested in a very relaxing, educational, and fun time at the beach... I highly recommend the 4-wheel drive section of the Outer Banks, North Carolina. It will capture your heart and bring back the kid in you!

Yes, you read that correctly.... I titled this 'hodgepodge'. Not a word I use a lot or one that I have heard in many, many years, but I thought it appropriate for this particular blog.







We have had so many nasty storms come through the valley these past few weeks, I wanted to share some of the fabulous photos that my (daughter, Miranda) own little prof. photographer captured as well as some mobile pics I have. There were numerous reports of funnel clouds, sighted tornadoes, and rotations in clouds in our area during this time. It just amazes me, because for many years, this was not something we were accustomed to ever experiencing. I have been in awe!




My daughter (Miranda) and I really enjoy taking photos of this old farm, but it's even more exciting when something captures your attention..... and makes you realize how "great the powers that be"!



In this photo, you can actually see something dropping down in what will actually become a funnel cloud. Pretty amazing!



















And this, of course, is our backyard, being belted with heavy winds and rain!!!



And with all of this in mind... we decided that we needed something to look forward to ---- a vacation!!! Wheeee! Since Kent and I have been married, we honestly have not been on a vacation together other than our 'honeymoon'. Granted.... that was pretty special! So we perused over a gazillion different beach houses all over the Outer Banks, NC. (We love the Outer Banks ---- so romantic!) And voila! We found the perfect get-away!

Yes, it might seem a bit over the top.... and with 8 bedrooms, it is a bit large for us, but by the time we found everything we wanted in a beach house, this was what was left. Plus!!! We fell in love!
It is not only in the 4x4 section of Corolla... which means 4-wheel drive only vehicles, but it is pet friendly (you all know how much we love our animals!), and has a heated pool and hot tub. And with all of that... there are wild mustangs that roam the beach. Oh wow! We are so very excited... and it is always nice in life to have something to look forward to, isn't it? Like a little light at the end of one's tunnel, so to speak.

As you can see, the view is spectacular!


















And since we will be miles and miles away from restaurants, stores, etc.... we will be taking advantage of this beautifully equipped kitchen and dining area. I have already contacted a family owned business back in Alaska that is going to ship Alaskan King Crab for a dinner on the beach! Oh yum! Something else to look forward to....











Besides Kent and I, my daughter, her boyfriend, a couple friends of theirs, and some wonderful new friends we have made over the course of a few months will be enjoying this fabulous beach retreat around the first of September, 2009. I will be sure to update and share photos after the big event.


Until next time....

Phew! I've done it again, haven't I? Neglected my blog and stayed away too long. But I've taken care of the farm, garden, house, cabin, etc. enough that I should be able to get back into the swing of things again.


This particular blog is "all" about my dad, a.k.a. "Buddy" or Larry Carty. I got to spend quite a bit of time with him this past weekend due to the Powell Valley High School 1960-1969 class reunion held here in Big Stone Gap, VA. He and my mom were the first graduating class at Powell Valley in 1960. I think that it is pretty cool... as well as the fact that I graduated from PVHS, myself, only 20 years later in 1980.






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My dad also made a big announcement on his visit here with friends and family. He brought along his lady friend and fiance, Wanda. She was a delight! We got to spend a lot of time with both of them at our cabin up at Huff Rock the Sunday/ Monday after the reunion

















Toward the end of the visit, we retreated back to the old farm house and dad took Wanda on a tour of the area. And my daughter (the photographer), Miranda, got to spend some quality time shooting their engagement photos on and around the farm. Lots of good food, laughter, and memories shared that weekend. I'm glad I got to share it with my "blog" friends.






Until next time...

"Miranda is my cabin bunny!"


It's been a while since my last post, but I do like to keep everyone up on our cabin adventures. We enjoy our trips up on the mountain at our cabin. The last trip that my husband, myself, my daughter and her boyfriend took was especially fun.





We tilled up a huge area in the field above our cabin for corn and clover for deer, but we also spent a lot of family time together... cooking, grilling, mowing, sitting around the pit fire outside and enjoying each others' company.






We also rode 4-wheelers out on the trails and played with the dogs. I love spending time with family.

Kent and I spent most of the weekend doing yard work. Cleared the rocks, sticks, and large branches from around the trees and hauled in mulch, mulch, and more mulch.









After several hours taking care of the three large trees in the front yard and replacing the stone border, it was time to take care of the ugly patches around the house. We're going to add the stone border next and do some reseeding.




Sheesh! The grass took a beating this winter, huh?


...and look at my famous "mulching outfit". Ha!

Filling in holes, raking it smooth, whistling a tune, and dancing in clogs. Wheeee!


Yes, I'm a yard-workin' fashionista.










We finished the weekend tilling the garden and mulching our little fire pit sitting-area.

It's small, but so nice for hanging out in the evening.

Note: the grill is close by. Ah yes. Nothing better than grilling fresh meat and veggies and then sitting by the fire with a cold one. It won't be long now.







Mister Bunny is back where he belongs, now all that is left is to fill the garden with lots of beautiful flowering plants and veggies.

I can't wait!


More yard work is on the way, along with repainting the large wrap around porch, flower pots, and rockers.















Yessss, I love Spring!

Phew!

Felt like an eternity, but I'm back in the blogging world with my new laptop. Just in time for lots of spring photos of farm life, preparing the garden, grown puppies, cabin adventures, wildlife, and my crazy day to day life.

I never knew how much I could miss my little blogging world and I'm so looking forward to posting my hum drum albeit silly life adventures again.

Just for grins and giggles; I must first include a photo of my big baby...... Buddy. yes, he is one of the adorable little puppies that we decided we had to keep. He also is one that survived the ugliness of parvo.

If you notice his lip, you will discover some missing fur and skin... all due to his discovery of super glue. Yes, my big baby is a doofus! But we still love him. After taking care of the glued lips, he is feeling much better.

He's usually found near the dining room table, scarfing for crumbs.


It's good to be back! Look for lots more posting soon. Hope you're enjoying some nice warm weather.