Thursday, July 15, 2010

My Items for Sale

I have started selling some of my handmade items on Etsy again.  I will be adding more items as the weeks pass.  You can find them at this link.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
belovedcreations.etsy.com

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Apples, Peaches, and Nuts Can't Wait







I am so thankful for the people who have lived here before me for the thought that it is a good thing to plant trees.  Here are some pics of the very imature apple trees, a nice peach tree, and I think the nut tree is hickory but not sure.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Rain, Rain, Rain

One thing I have learned here in the mountains, is that you have to cut your grass anytime there is a sunny period of time.  My grass is growing, and growing and I can't find a time between rain to cut it.  Yikes!

So instead of working in the yard, I am doing some needle work.  Here are some pics of crochet flowers and a winter hat I can't wait to wear.

































This spider web is at least 4 feet around.  You could barely see it until it rained, now the moisture has outlined it well.  I'm glad it was on my porch so I could just sweep it away.


Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Time for some new pictures at the cabin

As the evening sun was setting one evening, I saw everything was bathed in this beautiful golden light.  This picture was taken off my porch and you can see some mist in the mountain across from me. 

My neighbor across the street brought me some fresh vegetables.  I plan to make a cucumber salad and stir fry. yumyum

Sunday, July 04, 2010

Diabetes

Wow, it has been a while since I've posted.  I found out that I have diabetes just like the rest of my family.  I don't think anyone -- parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents or my brothers have escaped the diagnoses.  Even though I knew it was a possibility I still did not believe it.  For the first month I didn't take my medicine or check my blood.  Finally after talking to a diabetes educator I started to do what I am supposed to do.  I also found out that I have moderate kidney damage or Stage 3 kidney disease.  This is caused by diabetes and blood pressure problems I have had for years.  

One of things I have learned is that it takes about 3 months after diagnosis to learn what you need to learn if you are actively seeking information and 3 more months to get things under control.  My diabetes educator is really good at making sure I know all about my diabetes. She also told me that just because others in my family have had bad side affects doesn't mean I will.  So I am working at educating my self and keeping my diabetes under control.

I get a lot of info from the Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/
and from the website of my glucose monitor http://www.abbottdiabetescare.com/adc_dotcom/url/home/en_US

There is also a magazine I get called Diabetic Living  http://www.diabeticlivingonline.com/

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

I've Made Friends With My Lawn Tractor

Today I was supposed to go see a friend's studio, but I was itching like crazy from the medication for my shingles to keep me from being itchy and in pain -- go figure -- I had to cancel.  After two doses of antihistamine and a nice nap I wanted something to do so I thought I would finally go out and make nice with my tractor.  Once I realized that I was in control and not the tractor, we got along just fine.  I mowed for just under 2 hours.  The pictures show just some of what I mowed today.


You can see here how high the grass is -- part of the reason it is taking me so long to get it all done.


I was working on crocheting a basket but the yarn didn't work for the pattern so I took most of it out and now have a round dish cloth.
Back a few post, I said I wondered if this was going to bloom -- well it is.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Rain and Hail At The Cabin



Yesterday a storm rolled into Blowing Rock and brought hail with it.  I took a few pics to show.  I know this isn't much hail -- not like the golfball size hail Clarksville TN goot but it was still hail.


There was little bitty hail all over my porch


If I sit on my couch in my living room, this is the view I have.  Dosen't look like I live in a tree house?  I love to sit with a cup of coffee and relax looking out the window.

This is a test pattern but when finished it is supposed to be a basket.  I'm not sure yet that it works.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Lawn Tractor Part 3

OMG -- Why did I think that all I had to do is get on the tractor and drive?  Noooooooooooooo!  You have to make sure the choke is set, the gears are set, the blades engaged and how high.  First of all I am not strong enough to push the lever to engage the blades.  Then I am too scared to drive it and since my yard is not level I am scared I will tip over.  It also doesn't help that the seat keeps letting me slide off.  My neighbor came over and showed me how to use it.  He told me I had a very good and powerful machine but I might want to hire someone to mow the steep parts of my yard.  It's crazy but I am going to learn.  This is what we got done today.



You just can't believe how steep this yard is, especially when you are on a lawn tractor.  My house is just out of sight in the pic above.


I was thinking we could play extreme croquet in this yard.  Wouldn't that be fun.  There is at least 2-3 acres with a creek and a small back yard.

My neighbor told me today that these were apple and peach trees.  I can't wait to taste some fresh peaches.  He said there are also some blueberries bushes behind them too.

Anyway, I am learning to drive the tractor up and down my driveway and across the street to my neighbor's house before I tackle the yard again.

Dumber than Dumb Bugs

My front door has a glass panel and with the living room light on at night, there are some beatles that keep trying to fly into the light.  So every morning I have to go sweep up the dead bugs off my porch that have flown right into the door and cracked their skulls open.  YUCK  Today I think I will hang a lace panel on the door and see if that makes a difference.  Stayed tuned to Bug 2

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Lawn Tractor Part 2

As I said in my last post, I was sick and didn't get a chance to mow my yard.  Well it was a lot more than just the flu I had severe asthma.  I drove myself to the hospital Thursday morning and promptly passed out in the emergency room.  My oxygen was 86.  That is not good.  I finally got out of the hospital on Sunday but I am still to sick to mow the lawn so I hired someone to mow it for me.  It is probably a good thing too because he said that hill is a killer.  You can see how some of the yard is mowed and some not.  But I love this tree.


I found these clogs at a store for almost nothing so I bought them and planted some little flowers in them.



This little flower is growing in my yard.  Not sure what it is but it just stood out in a sea of green.



These are some neighborhood steaks -- I mean cows.  Arn't they cute!  Anyway I would love to have a good steak cooked on the grill.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Why did I ever??????????

I purchased a lawn tractor and when the company delivered it to me they showed me how to use it.  Well I got information overload and couldn't remember what they said.  I have the flu and needed to go to the pharmacy for a prescription and since the tractor was behind my car I had to move it.  I turned it on, put it in gear and nothing happens.  I look around for levers, knobs or what ever to make it go forward but all I see is something that looks like a gas pedal.  So I push on it and nothing.  I am not going anywhere.  So when I lift my foot off the pedal the tractor jumps forward.  I just miss my car -- thank goodness for a tight turning radius.  So I put my foot on the peddle and remove it slowly thinking that is the way to drive forward.  Well no it is not.  I was headed straight for the creek in my yard.  I got it stopped just in time.  So until I can read up on how to use my new tractor, it is parked.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Yadkin Valley

I love somewhere here in this valley.  I took the picture from the Blue Ridge Parkway that is just a mile from my house. 



This bridge is the same bridge I took a picture of the other day when it was raining.  Over it is the Blue Ridge under it is Blackberry Road.

Yard Work

I have been picking up the tree limbs that fell over the winter in my yard.  Seems to me like I have a lot more limbs than trees though.  I have to pick them all up before I mow the yard.  After I pick up the limbs I have to take the yard debris to the dump because I can't burn right now.  I am not complaining though because look at the other pictures posted here of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  These were taken on Monday.



My Front Yard

My Driveway

The Blue Ridge




I think the Blue Ridge is one of America's treasures and for it to look like this is a tragedy.  There are enough unemployed construction workers and workers that can do this work that we should push for it to be fixed.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

It's Raining Today

Every day I look outside I see wonderful sites either in my yard or around the area.  I try to always have my camera with me when I get in my car or go for a walk. I had my camera with me today and finally took a picture of a Blue Ridge Parkway bridge that is near my house. A couple of days ago I also saw 6 Red Tail Hawks taking care of feeding and nesting on some tree tops at the top of a ridge. They were huge and amazing!   Of course that day I forgot my camera.


 It finally cooled off today and we've had a good rain on Blackberry.  Doesn't the rain make everything look washed and clean again? 

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

It Is Spring at Blackberry Cabin

I love Spring so much.  It feels like life renewal.  I want to sing and dance and play and get my hands dirty.  Life is good!  Here are some pictures of my yard and some of the things I have done with the cabin. 



Day 1


These are the pictures of my Cherry Blossom trees in my front yard.
Day 4


This tree is starting to turn green not sure if it is flowering tree or not -- can't wait to see


A nice little spot to ponder life and listen to the creek


Wild flowers and a little water fall


I love African Violets and yes this plant stand is made of thread spools


Instead of curtains in my living room I draped a hand embroidered table topper on a curtain rod.


My dulcimer

Friday, April 02, 2010

Show and Tell Monday


I'm either late or early for Show and Tell Monday at Make Mine Pink http://makeminepink.com/, but here is my blog post.

I have some new spring yarn to work with.  First is a cream dinem yarn -- I plan to make a summer scarf.  The other is a coral cotton that I plan to make some dish cloths with.  When the dish cloths and scarf is finished, I will have them for sale on my web site at http://www.makeminepink.com/boutiques/beloved-blackberry-cabin.aspx?page=1

Enjoy this weather!

Spring has Sprung at Blackberry Cabin

FINALLY!  It is spring here at Blackberry Cabin.  The yard is turning green, all the snow is gone, and there are wild daffodils all over the mountains.  I love yellow daffodils and am trying to press them.  We'll see if it works.  Daffodils seem happy to me -- a happy flower.  I don't know what the other little white flower is but they are growing wild too.  Here is a pic of some flowers in my yard.

I have also had some bad news.  My brother, who is 2 years younger than me, passed away this week.  He lived in Texas and had been sick for a very long time.  He had diabetes and complications from that illness killed him.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Finished Linen and Silk Spring Scarf

I finished the lovely crochet linen and silk scarf in light green.  It reminds me of linen clothes with so much more with the silk.  It is now for sale on my website on Make Mine Pink http://www.makeminepink.com/boutiques/beloved-blackberry-cabin.aspx?page=1

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Show and Tell Monday

Please join all of us at Make Mine Pink on the forum  http://makeminepink.com/ for "Show and Tell Monday."  Here is my "Show and Tell"

1.  This is going to be a summer crochet scarf.  It is made with a silk and linen yarn, so yummy.  Really pretty and will go with many spring and summer outfits.

2.  Here is a bunny standing gaurd over two new house plants that I bought at Lowe's.