Wrightsville Beach N.C. Vacation

Hello friends, It feels strange being back here. It has only been a couple of weeks but it feels like forever. I have really missed being here with all of you. This is a special space to me. Forgive me for not getting to your blog posts I am catching up.

A lot has been going on. Last week my husband and I took a much needed vacation to our favorite beach in North Carolina, Wrightsville Beach. Wrightsville Beach is very near Wilmington NC. We try to go almost every year.

A week before the vacation we hosted my nephew Chris, and a lot of my family, for Chris’ Birthday. It was a very special one, the big 50. And of course if you have read any of my posts you know I get a little crazy when I have people at my house. I want everything to be perfect. Probably to the point my husband is about to divorce me over it. I come up with a huge to-do list that borders on impossible. All the while I know in the back of my mind that all of these things are not going to get done. Well you know what?? a lot of those things didn’t get done. I was planning the party and planning the vacation and I knew I had to let some things slide, so I did. And you know what else? we had a great time even though I felt like some things in my house could have been a little neater. I doubt anyone even noticed.

Just after the party I started planning for our vacation. Me and hubs both worked up until almost the day before the vacation. And of course planning means someone coming in to take care of the kitties and checking on the house and etc etc.

We left out last Sunday morning at 5:00 AM. It is about a nine hour drive for us and of course add in food and fuel stops it makes it about ten hours. We like to get an early start and get ahead of traffic. I love driving for a couple of hours and finally getting to see the sun start to peep out.

***The weather was beautiful all week. This was the sunrise the morning we left for vacation***.

North Carolina has the most beautiful
Day Lillies planted in the medians of the interstate. They are so beautiful.

Every morning while we are on vacation we walk into town. It is almost three miles round trip. It is great exercise. We go early before the heat gets too bad. I just love this little town. The walk takes us on a back street full of walkers, runners and bike riders. Both sides of the street is a gallery of beach homes. I love them all. They are so unique. I always enjoy seeing the different ways people have planned their gardens and porches and decks.

***Many people walk their dogs into town. There is a watering station for thirsty babies.***

I loved this little book exchange library. I did finish a book while we were there and was going to swap it for a book here. We didn’t get to walk the last morning of our trip. We had to leave a little unexpectedly. More on that in a minute.

As I said the weather was perfect all week long. Lots of surfers hit the waves early in the morning. They have until 10:00 AM and then only sectioned areas can be used by surfers.

We ate at Poe’s Tavern again this year. This restaurant has a few locations in the U.S. North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. They specialize in burgers, fish tacos, sandwiches and salads. The restaurant and menu features all things Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar’s Drunken Chili, Beef Raven, Beef Tell-Tale Heart and Beef Rue Morgue are a few of the menu selections. Posters line the walls with movie clips and quotes. It really is a fun place.

***Poe’s Tavern. We had some amazing blackened sword fish tacos.***

We spent a lot of time just relaxing and enjoying the beach and some down time. I read a couple of books and of course brought knitting with me.

***The hot crab dip at the Oceanic is one of our favorites***.

On Thursday morning the nursing facility, where my mother in law is staying, called and said she had taken a turn for the worse. We decided to leave the next day. When we got to her she didn’t appear to be any worse than she had been when we left. But you never know at her age. I am sure the nurses and doctors were being cautious and wanted us near if anything happened. We were glad we decided to cut the trip a little short and get back home.

Several weeks ago we called a local tree cutting service to get a quote on cutting some trees near our lake bank. While we were gone the tree cutters came and took out many of the trees near the lake. Through the years the growth had gotten out of hand. That’s one thing that happens when you live in the woods. HA!! Our view of the lake was almost gone. It was a costly investment but so worth it when we got back home and had our view of the lake again.

We were so happy to get back home to all the babies. And they were so glad to see us. Kitty Kitty has slept with me every night.

I hope all is well with you? Do you like the beach? What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Always remember

Love your day your way!!!!

Friday Favorites

Happy Happy Friday!!! I have a few favorites to share with you.

First of all let me say. I love Dunkin coffee. I don’t get Dunkin a lot so when I do I savor it. I love Iced Caramel Macchiatos. Today when I went to Dunkin they told me it was National Donut Day so I got a free donut. I chose blueberry it’s my favorite.

***Iced Caramel Macchiato. My favorite.***

I baked bread last week. It has been awhile since I baked bread. I was afraid it wouldn’t rise because of the humidity or barometric pressure, but it did. It turned out great!!! I always take two loaves to work with me, I have to get it out of the house so I won’t eat all of it.

I have been enjoying this sewing box that a friend from work gave me. It belonged to his mother in law. After she passed away he nor his wife had a use for it. He knows how much I love to sew and embroider. He brought it to me. I have had so much fun combing through it. It is full of everything!!!

Lavender Ice cream. This is a locally made ice cream. The lady who makes this is a good friend of mine. She owns a little ice cream shop downtown in Sweetwater. Everything there is hand made even the waffle cones. This is some of the best ice cream I have ever had. My favorite right now is Lavender.

Last week we celebrated my niece, Michelle, with a small family gathering at our favorite local Mexican Restaurant. We had so much fun!! They did the traditional cake smashing.

I made the Birthday cake. She loves yellow cake with chocolate icing. We did not smash this one. We ate all of it and gave some to friends who were in the restaurant. We also gave our waiter a large piece. He said the chocolate frosting reminded him of his grandmother’s frosting. AHHHHH!!

We had some yummy drinks.

Several of my orchids are blooming!!!

And I leave you with one of my all time favorites. My happy place with my big boy Gus. He loves sleeping on my lap in the mornings while I drink coffee.

What are some favorites you have had this week? Don’t forget that tomorrow is National Knit in Public Day. Will you be knitting ? I think I will.

Always remember

Love your day your way!!!!!

The Little Loomhouse in Louisville Kentucky

Several weeks ago I visited Louisville Kentucky. I had to go there for a work meeting. Because I work in tourism a lot of our meeting time is spent attending other tourism attractions. I was so excited when I heard we were going to the Little Loomhouse.

If you missed my recent posts about Louisville you can check them out here: A few days in Louisville Kentucky and Visiting Churchill Downs

The Little Loomhouse is a nonprofit, community based, fiber arts education center and historic site. This site offers both tours and weaving lessons and a fiber and spinning tour. The site is actually home to three cabins and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This entire place came to be because of a woman named Lou Tate. Lou Tate was a master weaver and she invented the Table Loom also known as the Little Loom. This loom makes it possible to teach weaving anywhere because you can take the loom just about anywhere.

Lou Tate was born In Bowling Green Kentucky. Her interest in weaving began when she received five generations of weaving patterns from an elderly weaver, Nan Owen.

In the 1940’s, Tate started an experimental weaving group. This weaving business led her to her first love, teaching.

The Lou Tate Foundation took over the property in 1979 shortly after Tate’s death. A grant from the City of Louisville in 1983 enabled much needed restoration for the cabin, Tophouse.

For more information and facts about this fantastic place visit the website www.littleloomhouse.org

Our group arrived at the Little Loomhouse on a rainy morning. We were taken there by bus. We had to walk up a very steep hill to get to the cabin at the top, Top House, where we would have a weaving lesson. I was beyond excited.

We walked into the cabin and even though it was fairly small it was packed with tables and tabletop looms, beautiful bolts of thread and finished works that would take your breath away. We were told to pick a loom and have a seat. A lot of our crew looked around nervously like this was not their “cup of tea”. Although in the end I think everyone enjoyed it.

Our guide gave us a quick lesson and we were soon on our way to making a mug rug. I could quickly see how the rhythmic movements could be so soothing and relaxing.

We also went to one of the other cabins. A lot of spinning wheels and looms were on display. This was more of a museum with so much history.

And of course I just had to have one of the hand woven bags that were for sale.

I think their mission statement sums up everything Lou Tate would have wanted The Little Loomhouse to be:

We are a Louisville, Kentucky Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. Our mission is to continue the legacy of founder Lou Tate, by educating students of all ages about the history of weaving and textile arts through diverse programs, residencies, and community partnerships and ensuring the preservation of our landmark cabins. The Foundation serves students of all ages and cultures who want to learn about the history and practice of weaving, textile, fiber, and folk arts.

I hope you enjoyed this visit to the Little Loomhouse in Louisville Kentucky.

Always remember

Love your day your way!!!