What is Paint Club?

Paint Club is a fun way to connect with friends and a safe way to get out of the house during this time of social distancing. It is proven that getting creative releases endorphins, it's a little boost of pleasure, resulting in a feeling of well-being.

We meet once a week at the Blue Heaven Studio for three hours of painting and socializing. We all wear masks and stay 6 ft away from each other. We all work on the same project taught by a professional artist who takes us through step by step from blank canvas to a work of art. Some projects are completed in one session, others are completed over several weeks. No set schedule dictates how slowly or quickly we complete the project. It's a very relaxed way to learn how to paint.

The Paint Club is best enjoyed with a drink in hand, so we take turns bringing a bottle and snacks.

The photos in this post are projects we have been working on recently. I've learned so much about paining over the last year, our instructor Dee Catallo is fabulous!

Cheers!
Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

My Jewelry Making Class ...

Jewelry. Humans have been adorning themselves with it for thousands of years. In fact, jewelry is one of the oldest types of archaeological artifacts, with 100,000-year-old beads made from Nassarius shells thought to be the oldest known jewelry. But the first signs of established jewelry making didn’t happen until around 3,000-5,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt.

Since then, much has changed, yet much has stayed the same. Whether you call it jewelry in the States, jewellery in the UK or jewelery elsewhere, these accessories make a statement,  and showcase our personal style.

Forget items being cranked out by the thousands (or millions) at a factory. There’s something much more satisfying in creating your own jewelry designs. Hand-made, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces forge style and sentiment into a single, unique DIY accessory that has a story to tell.

Just like any good story, we must start at the beginning: The Fundamentals. My jewelry making for beginners class will show you how to make jewelry that is functionally sound, aesthetically pleasing and professional looking so that you can wear it proudly or happily give it to friends and family.

I give jewelry making classes at Blue Haven Studio in Blue Ridge, GA. I have a wide selection of beads, chain and pendants to create custom, handmade jewelry. Students can choose to make a necklace, earrings or bracelet.  Browse my selection and samples when you arrive, and I’ll be there to help you create something you’ll be proud to wear. We also enjoy adult beverages and bring snacks to share. 

The students from my last class showing off their creations.... Each gal picked the materials and length of the necklace.  They did a wonderful job.

Check-out upcoming classes at:  https://www.blueheavenstudio.org/ 

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge

Afternoon Tea Week August 12 -18....

History of Afternoon Tea Week...

Afternoon Tea Week was established to help preserve a tradition that has graced British afternoons since the 1840’s. In those days, dinner often wasn’t served until 8 pm, and lunch wasn’t actually a thing. So what did Victorian lady's who wanted to lunch do? They created a new mini-meal in the middle of the day. Traditionally this meal includes tiny finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and sweet dainties like cakes and pastries to help lift the spirits, bolster energy, and see you through the rest of the day.

This simple afternoon meal grew into a social event, especially for those who spent their lives in the upper echelons of the day’s society. This became even more prominent once Queen Victoria herself took part in this tradition. At that point the concept of the ‘tea reception’ was born, lavish and fancy afternoon events that could host anywhere from a close collection of friends to a couple hundred of society’s most important people.

As the name suggests, tea was a central part of this meal, a tradition started by Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford. She often found herself feeling weary or worn down in the middle of the day, and a pot of tea with a snack just seemed to be the best way to take care of it. She soon invited friends to join her for walks in the field, and the affair that would become Afternoon Tea began.

How to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week

Celebrating Afternoon Tea Week is simple, for the length of a week take a break for Afternoon Tea as part of your day. Warm tea, a few sweets, and a small refreshment will help lift your spirits and drive you through the rest of your day. If you really want to go all out you can organize a tea party, and even go so far as to wear Victorian Costume to honor the history of this holiday. Even if you just have a cup of tea each day. 

Rumor has it that High Tea is coming to Blue Ridge, GA soon...I'll keep you posted! Remember Afternoon Tea Week and take a few breaths to Keep Calm, and Carry On.

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Rollin' on the river....

Had a great day at the Nantahala Outdoor Center...

We watched rafters go over the rapids and navigate the class III falls. We saw rafts stuck on the rocks, flip on the way down, and many rafts make it over the falls with perfect precision. The river was beautiful today and the weather was perfect.

We shared fabulous nachos at the bar with our friends Dee and Larry Catallo. It's so nice to have friends that love adventures as much as we do! I think the nachos were the best I've ever had, well worth the trip just for the yummy snack!

The Nantahala Outdoor Center is a large complex with many opportunities for fun and relaxation. River rafting and kayaking down the river are the primary activities, zip-lining, mountain biking, tennis, and the Appalachian Hiking Trail winding it's way through the property offer many options for a day of fun.  

  

We ended the day with dinner at the River's End restaurant, and listened to music after dinner at the riverside stage. 

Banjo music, on the rolling river, in North Carolina....hmmmm....imagine the movie Deliverance..LOL.

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Kaboom!

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

What a fabulous night we had on July 4th.  We went with our good friends Dee and Larry to the beautiful Brasstown Valley Resort for a very enjoyable celebration of our nation's independence. 

A tasty barbecue and steak picnic dinner was served in the Sunset Pavilion overlooking the rolling hills with a view of the Appalachian Mountains in the distance. The setting was breathtaking and the weather was perfect, cool with gentle breezes. 

Activities for the kids included face painting, a watermelon seed spitting contest, a pie eating contest, lawn games, and giant sparklers for after dark.

As the sun slipped behind the landscape, the guests gathered on the hilltops and the Sunset terrace in anticipation of the private fireworks display.  We did have a few minutes of rain, but it quickly moved out as dark descended in the valley.  

The fireworks were fabulous! Better than many city displays that I've seen in the past. It was 25 minutes of the really "good" fireworks...you know what I mean, the really large ones that make you go ooh and aah and sit on the edge of your seat.  Here is a little video of my favorite kaboom! - cool white swimming sparkles.  It was magical.

https://www.facebook.com/dee.catallo.92/videos/425310011301515/?t=1

This event was so much fun that we have already decided that it's a must do for next year!

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge. GA 

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 11/16/2016

I’m joining the fun this week…. 

Sitting on the porch and answering random questions about everything under the sun….

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 Click here to join the fun!

1. Let's all think happy thoughts...share one of yours here. 

If plan "A" doesn't work, no worries, there are 25 more letters in the alphabet.  My mantra as a project manager.  😊

2. There's a Chinese proverb that says, "If you want happiness for an hour take a nap, if you want happiness for a day-go fishing...." What say you? If you want happiness for a day GO CAMPING.

I discovered my happy place (camping) late in life. My family did not camp when I was growing up and I traveled extensively for my job after college. When I returned from a business trip, I just wanted to spend time at home, not on the road.  I was in my mid 30's when I was invited to join a camping trip to the Great Smoky Mountains...I loved it! I've been car camping ever since.  I find it relaxing and a great way to recharge. These days we "glamp" (short for glamorous camping), we bring every convenience available to make our campsite comfortable and my Sweetie is a gourmet campfire chef. No hot dogs on a stick for us! I love camping!      

3. Where do you go to decompress from the world around you? 

Same answer as #2...Camping! Some of my favorite places to camp: Cumberland Island, GA; Cloudland Canyon, GA; Big Creek, Great Smoky Mountains, TN; and Kings Canyon, CA.

4. What song never fails to make you happy? 

A new favorite - Can't Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake - I was introduced to this song on a previous Hodgepodge!  Just try to sit still when you hear this tune; I bet you can't. I'm humming it in my head right now -  "I can't stop the feeling, so just dance, dance, dance" - fun!

5. Wednesday is National Fast Food Day. Should that be a thing? Apparently it is, so tell us what's the last 'fast food' you consumed? If you were putting together your own version of a 'happy meal' what would you include? 

I have to ask...just what are we celebrating or honoring?  I'm puzzled on this one.  The last fast food I had was a Dairy Queen chocolate dipped cone...I went through the drive-thru so it was "fast food". My happy meal is a meat and cheese board with complimentary fruits, spreads, warm crusty bread, and a nice bottle of red wine.  

6. In a few sentences tell us why you blog. 

I started blogging to promote my little Etsy jewelry business, but found that I enjoyed writing about life and the world around me much more than I enjoyed marketing my wares. I don't think I'm a very good writer, but I do enjoy it. I also really enjoy reading blogs; I could spend the entire day following links and hopping from one blog to the next.

7. List seven things you're feeling especially grateful for today. 

1. That God gave me another day here on earth with the one I love.
2. That I have a brave cat (Buddy) to hunt down that pesky little mouse in the basement (we live in the mountains, cold weather brings them in)
3. That my Sweetie loves to grocery shop (I don't) and he stocked the cabinets prior to his road trip tomorrow.
4. That a small family of deer has moved into our yard to wait out the fire. They have been here for several days.
5. That my creative juices were flowing today, I completed several handmade ornaments for the Christmas Market.
6. That I opened another moving box and found family photos that I hadn't seen in many, many, years...priceless!
7. And most of all...that I have so many friends and family praying for our safety from the wildfire.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The wildfire in the Cohutta Wilderness (Rough Ridge, GA) is steadily moving toward our home. The fire is now 5 miles away and has been burning for just under a month.  Overall it has consumed 20,000+ acres of the National Forest; 200+ firefighters from across the country have arrived to fight this monster fire. There is no end in sight, the winds and drought are fueling the fire which is only 20% contained as of day. We really need a long

drenching rain ( or even snow ) to stop this monster. Please pray with us or if you are not religious, please keep us in your thoughts. We need a lot of rain, protection for the forest creatures that have been driven out of their sanctuary, and a halt to the fire's advancement. On a personal note, we need prayers to save our home. Thank You for your help with this; here is a photo of our favorite day trip road in the wilderness...so sad...it breaks my heart...

Best Regards,

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Life in the Mountains... Always an Adventure!

The road leading to our home (old hwy 2) looks like this for about 10 miles, it's very pretty...but scary after dark. Tonight driving home it was spooky dark due to the smoke from the wildfire in the Cohutta Wilderness, visibility was very low. I made it home without issue, but my hands are still stiff from gripping the steering wheel. 

On a good day you have a 50/50 chance of stumbling upon something in the road around the next bend. I've narrowly missed dogs of all shapes and sizes, groundhogs, turkeys (the feathered kind), fox, many deer, a queen size mattress set, an Amish style horse and buggy, and my recent favorite...a runaway tire just rolling down the road.

Our home is located on the beautiful Fightingtown Creek, Old Hwy 2 skirts the creek for several miles. Box turtles cross the road frequently on this stretch of the road. I have a soft spot in my heart for turtles so we always stop and help them across to the other side of the road. Life in the mountains is always an adventure!

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet...

 The Toccoa Swinging Bridge in Blue Ridge, GA is suspended over the swift Toccoa River. It is the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River stretching over 265 feet long from one end to the other. If you’re planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains, you won’t want to leave until you’ve had the opportunity to walk this swinging bridge for some thrills and spectacular views. The bridge was constructed in the '70s allowing hikers on the Appalachian Trail to cross the Toccoa River at this spot. 

The bridge offers a scene that is difficult to put into words. Picture a wide river winding through the thick of the forest with towering trees hanging over huge boulders, and imagine small pebbles being whisked away by the force of the river’s current. Imagine you can hear the water talk as it confronts the boulders strong silence in the middle of the river, nature unveils a beautiful masterpiece here.

Your first steps on the bridge might seem a bit shaky, hence the reason it has earned the name “Swinging Bridge”, but have no fear, this bridge is constructed of large timbers and is quite sturdy.  Crossing to the other side offers many places to explore including secluded picnic sites (no facilities, just pull up a log) and areas to wade in the water due to the shallow slope. 

The Toccoa River furthur up stream from the Bridge

Getting to the swinging bridge may be difficult for some.  If your vehicle can handle the 3 mile rough road approach (no low cars; a truck or SUV is recommended), you can get to within 1/4 mile hike to the bridge. It's an easy hike from the parking area, but the path has a lot of roots so wear appropriate shoes and walk carefully.  

You can visit the bridge by taking Highway 60 south from Blue Ridge, continue through Morganton South on 60, all the way to the Old Skeenah Mill and Campground; at .7 miles on the right past the Old Skeenah Mill is the dirt road (3+ bumpy, rough miles on FS 816) to the Swinging Bridge over the Toccoa River. Park at the berm and hike to the bridge on the Benton MacKaye/Duncan Ridge Trail, it will take you about 5 minutes. After you leave the Swinging Bridge, turn left on Highway 60 for approximately 7.5 miles for a side visit to Serenberry Vineyards for a wine tasting in their renovated barn.

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Yummy In My Tummy....

Visiting Blue Ridge, GA? Or maybe you already live in this beautiful town (good move). Did you know that Mesquite Grill on Appalachian Hwy serves Breakfast? What !?!

I admit, I was sceptical about going to a Mexican Restaurant for breakfast... it was great! I had the breakfast burritos and my Sweetie had the breakfast quesadilla. Both were stuffed full of perfectly grilled veggies, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns and my burrito had crispy bacon (you can also get chorizo or sausage). Several sauces are available for dipping if needed. 

And the best thing about this breakfast...our total bill was $18 including coffee, OJ, and tax... Sweet!

Contact information for the Mesquite Grill:

Address: 4860 Appalachian Hwy, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Phone: (706) 632-6911

Hours: Open Today 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Date Night at The Vine....

Last night my Sweetie and I went to dinner at The Vine Wine Bar and Bistro in our hometown of Blue Ridge, GA. I highly recommend this little bistro for a light meal paired with a nice glass of wine. 

The atmosphere is very casual and welcoming, which is refreshing after spending many evenings in the some of the pretentious in-town wine bars in Atlanta.  They have a nice enclosed patio trackside that has an Italian street cafe vibe and live music on the weekends. The weather in Blue Ridge right now is beautiful for dining al fresco. 

The Bistro offers great small plates...flat breads, cheese plates, and several meat and cheese combinations. They even have a wonderful homemade cake of the day for dessert. 

Also, every Friday they have a wine and chocolate pairing starting at 6:00 PM. Reservations are suggested for the pairing because... who doesn't love chocolate and seating is limited!

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Mountain Folks LOVE Tractors....

Since moving to the Mountains of North Georgia, we've enjoyed all kinds of country festivals, craft shows, barn sales, and other events at the local apple orchards....but the most unusual event so far has been the antique tractor show.  My Grandfather would have loved this...I'm sure he was there in spirit!  

Pictured above are some of my favorites from the show.  Overall there were about 30 tractors and many collectors, farmers, and mountain folk milling around shooting the breeze. Seems the weather was the hot topic, but this is probably true whenever farmers gather together.

...and no Mountain Event would be complete without a team of cloggers, 

boiled peanuts, and hot kettle corn....

We love our new life in the Mountains and the friendly Mountain Folks we've met.  

Life is good!

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 07/27/16

I’m joining the fun this week…. 

Sitting on the porch and answering random questions about everything under the sun….

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

 Click here to join the fun!

1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why?

(1=eh and 10=best summer ever)

So far I'll give it a 7 - a good summer; I've had a few health issues this summer so it has been a good summer, not a great summer.  We did have several great moments 4th of July weekend...food, family and a lot of friends...it was a great weekend!

2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).

I have several Aunts and Uncles, but none are especially close; I moved away from home at 17 years old and never really looked back.  I do have two beautiful (inside and out) nieces living in Battle Ground, Indiana.  A favorite memory with my nieces was a trip to Walt Disney World (WDW).  Many years ago I worked at WDW; I was able to share many memories with the girls as we toured the theme parks and use all the tips and tricks I knew about getting around the parks and transportation. It was a wonderful week!

3. What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What's your favorite food dipped in cheese?

My favorite Chocolate treat is the DQ dipped cone...yummy!  My favorite cheese treat is a hot german pretzel dipped in beer cheese, the Blue Ridge Brewery has the best pretzel and beer cheese. 

4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain.

After moving to the mountains, I was astonished by all the stars in the sky on a clear night. Living in the city we could not see many stars, even on a clear night.  The city lights faded the stars.  Now I go out to the back porch and gaze at the millions of bright twinkling stars...it's so awesome!

5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?

Tiny little chalk clip boards - I've been using these little guys to make price signs for my craft sale booth.  I write the price in chalk so I can reuse them.

6. What's your favorite story from scripture? Why that story?

Not really a story, but ....Romans 8:28 is perhaps my favorite verse, as it reminds me that, no matter what happens, God is always there. "He works all things for the good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes."

7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?

The Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan

I've traveled extensively in the US during my corporate career, so my stopovers would be cities that I've never visited... 

#1 -  New York City...I've never been there before, I've been in both Kennedy and Laguardia Airports, but never outside of the terminal. I'll need at least a couple of days there to see all the museums and sights.

#2 - Mackinac Island, MI...I'd stay at the Grand Hotel, it's romantic, magical, and timeless. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the island, bicycles and horse drawn carriages are the only on-island mode of transportation...perfect place to relax after the hustle and bustle of NYC!

#3 - Shipshewana, Indiana...it's an Amish Community with many crafters of handmade goods.  I love items made with love and care, this community is filled with amazing handmade items: quilts, furniture, pottery, baked and canned goods, even holistic remedies.

#4 - Jackson, Wyoming... The Grand Teton National Park, natural wonders at it's best.

#5 - Big Sur, California... Known for stunning views and beautiful sunsets, what better way to end the trip!  Cheers!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Road trip to Cleveland, TN yesterday...the only bad thing about living in the mountains... no Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Costco, or Michael's. The 33 mile drive from Blue Ridge to Cleveland is gorgeous; that eases the pain a bit. The road follows the Ocoee River with jaw dropping scenery along the way....Take a look....beautiful.

Have a great week!

Cheers!

Lori in Blue Ridge, GA