A Great Saturday--"Q", Fall Fling and Farm Fest

It was up early and off to St. Luke's to work on "Q". It had been started last night and the three chefs cooked through the night and we were the crew for the last batch. There had been crews from 6-10:30; 10:30-2; 2-6 and we came in shortly after 6.

We were greeted with this lovely, fragrant sight! Yum!

Then it was chop, chop, chop for John...

John Hodges-Coople, coordinator for "Q" and
Bob Atwell, coordinator for Fall Fling touching bases.

Men slinging cleavers who have been
awake for hours and hours...watch yourself!

Bob and Ginny Atwell enjoying a little calm before the storm!

The calm over and the rush began...and
was pretty steady most of the morning.

Meanwhile, the choppers are done....no injuries!!

But the packers, weigher and topper are still at work.

The packers finished up and the kitchen got cleaned--all by about 9:00! Great job "Q" Team! Meanwhile, the sale progressed very well. At about 11:30 Bob announced that everything was 1/2 price and that helped clear tables
and then at 11:45 it was a Buck a Bag (plastic grocery size) and the tables really cleaned off then! The doors closed at noon and we helped with the pack-up.

The last of it going into boxes to be taken to Salvation Army.

Tables back and everything cleaned out by 1:00!

John drove this load to Salvation Army and returned for one more load. He and 2 other vans took all there was except the books and some "premium" items that we'll try to sell tomorrow. It was a GREAT job! Initial count of funds already in was $2500 and more to come in :-) A very fun morning with good friends!

We headed home and cleaned up and had some lunch and then headed to Berea and the Hall's Sassafrass Fork Farm Festival about 3:00. We were armed with "Q" that Roxanne, Mitzy and one other guy had purchased for the event. I brought cole slaw to go with it also.

We got there are were introduced to the newest member of the herd, a 2 day old calf who had been rejected by her Mother. They are bottle-feeding her. Very cute!
They also have a lot of new baby chicks for egg laying. They have just recently purchased a different breed for meat chickens.

We weren't there very long and it was time for the

calf to be fed. J.Ed had a lot of helpers!

Many folks came, a lot of farmers and sellers at the Roxboro Market, old friends from Chapel Hill, a wonderful cross section of folks. Very interesting group. It was potluck and the food was marvelous!
Tate, Roxanne's husband, had made a special brew - Sassafrass Octoberfest that was wonderful! Very smooth and great flavor! After most of us finished eating the two piece band started up and the caller began.
There was a small group of dancers, young and old as we left. It had been a very long day and we had a fair piece to drive home. It was nice to hit the hay tonight! What a great day!

Chillin'

Another beautiful day on the James River!

Meanwhile, ingenuis campers are making the brew!

and Grandpa is finding heat in those ashes!
Warmer this morning so not so bundled up!
Let's try out the stick and rope I found at the Landing.
fishing!
Gorgeous river this morning!!
Good find Ryan!
Grandma starting the scramble - yum!
Great time for bonding!
and some assisting with the fire.
Even the dogs were chillin'

Grandpa, Colin and Ryan went for a short walk and came back saying they had done some of Nature's rock climbing!

Let's see if the fishing here is better.
Mason checking out the fishermen.
No fish, but running is good...what a good finish line!
Colin next!
No, it's can't be time to pack up!
One last run with his bud, Mason!

Jill and Dave headed out first as he had a flight to catch to Tennessee. Ryan's last comment to Gretchen was a very loud "I love my blanket!" She had made a quilt for him and gave it to him Friday night and he slept with it both nights and continually said, "I love my blanket!" I didn't get a picture though :-(

Gretchen, Grandma and Grandpa chilled a little longer and then broke camp. Had lunch and then checked out the other campground at the Pond. Then we all headed home. It was a WONDERFUL weekend! One of the BEST!

Hike and Festival

It's another beautiful day in the neighborhood! Little nippy this morning...mitten weather at least until the sun gets higher.
Ryan, Jill and Riley went for an early morning walk and found great huge leaves and some horses in the meadow.

Their owner came out of his trailer and we got to pet the horses.
Back at the campground, Gretchen and Mason
returned from picture taking.

Ah, the new mittens fit just fine...I'd like to keep them on!

and Ryan got busy stacking firewood for tonight.
Everybody up with something warm to drink...

and Grandpa is steaming...at least his chair is :-)

and it's warmer with three!

After breakfast and cleanup (can't let that warm water go
to waste!) we headed out on a hike.

Nice view of the James from the Canoe Landing

Interesting footprints on the path.

The cabins to rent looked really nice!

Ah, hands free hiking for Gretchen.
Great shelf fungus!
Anybody know what this is???
More footprints...tiny ones this time.

Tickle time with a grass head...

Lots of berries..blue berries...not blueberries!

Ah a brief nature's music lesson...on acorn caps...

Colin almost got it...he took a stock home to practice.

Lovely pond but no wildlife..not even a turtle :-(

A snack stop at the amphitheater...

and a little map reading practice...
it's great to be able to read!

Meanwhile Ryan was practicing his gymnastics.

Time for a ride, Dad.

One tired Ryan..burned too much energy at the beginning.

A beautiful butterfly at the end of the trail.

Back home for some lunch.

Colin got his wood chopping lesson...note eye protection for him.

Then we headed down to the James River Festival they were holding today. It was GREAT!

There were some volunteers there in period dress cooking
stew for dinner and apple pies to die for in a dutch oven.
On to the apple press..easy to begin with, but got harder!
Then the corn shucker.
That is tough!

Now making corn shuck dolls...
on to hand dipped candles...

Mason got alot of attention most of the afternoon.

Let's make some butter from cream...yum!
A little face painting...
Colin's turn.

We headed back to see if the apple pies had gone in
the dutch oven yet...not quite time yet. The volunteers
showed us their digs while they're here! Very Cool!
Dad's turn...he throws an accurate axe! We never knew!

A little more wandering, some great Brunswick Stew cooked over the fire and then we headed back to the campground for some dinner.

John and Dave build a mean fire! It was great for the Somores...needed to use up the supplies :-) Had our own bonfire! When it got dark Gretchen and Mom headed down to the Canoe Landing to do some more star pictures. Check out www.me-and-mason.blogspot.com for Gretchen's great pictures. Very cool Milky Way! Came back and talked around the campfire and then one by one we headed to bed...all by about 9:30. What a GREAT day!!! Camping Rocks!