~ Our Transformation Begins................. ~

Long side of yard, ready for fencing.

 

Now that we're finally situated and functioning in our lil' cottage on the creek, we're buckling down to necessary changes on the place.  As much as I dislike the idea of fencing our pretty, lil' piece of property, I know its out of necessity.  We have two very loved and special dogs that need our protection.  It's also a secure boundary for the two cats that have now been allowed to venture into the yard.

 

We had two very special friends over for lunch this past Tuesday.  As a housewarming gift, we were greeted with a trunk full of plants.  Mac & Kate brought us 2 flowering Jasmine plants (fast growing & fragrant), 2 Gerbera daisies (colorful & country), and if that wasn't beyond special, Mac (a wood-worker at the Folk school), made me a drop spindle from poplar & walnut!

 

 

 

They are a very "special" couple indeed, interesting to listen to and very kind.  We're both thankful we met the two of them while back here last September.  It's nice to have friends in our new town.

 

This lovely gift of Jasmine had me thinking that I would plant vining, flowering, fragrant, "yummies" along the new fence.  Everything grows here, almost mutant, plants grow here!  Rick suggested I plant thorn less raspberries, blackberries, muscadine, scuppernong, & grapes along the fence.  I like that idea a lot, it would give me plenty of berries to freeze, can, juice, and perhaps sell.  I'm reserving the two Jasmine vines for an arbor we intend to build at the end of our walkway. Mountain Laurel is a knobby, crooked, high growing tree in our forest floor.  It's leaves are similar to Rhododendron, but thinner and smaller.  Locals make amazingly cool stuff from this tree. 

 

Two days later, I made a run up to our local nursery, Hillside Nursery, and found a Gardenia bush!  Gardenia's are my favorite flower, once I looked at the hardiness of the plant and zone, it was bought, and now awaits it's perfect spot.

 

Mac (at my suggestion) took Rick on Tuesday to meet the local owner of a sawmill here in Andrews......who knew?  It's owned and operated by a Mr. Newel Wooten---Wooten's Sawmill, guess where it's located?  Up a deep, long, dark holler, off the main road some ways, nestled in the old growth, hardwood forest.  WOW!  It's like stepping back in time, literally.  This mill is more awesome than any theme park attraction!  Mr. Newel uses a small Lamborghini engine for his sawmill, and, if you can decipher Mr. Newel's slow, thick, syrupy NC accent, he's one of the neatest people I've ever met.  He showed me photo albums of wood he has cut over the past 50 some years.  He even has an lil' stash of American Chestnut he saved from the blight.  He cut us about 7-8 slabs of Birds Eye Maple that day, we are using it for counter tops in the new kitchen renovation.  The pictures here do it NO justice, the final result will be in the detail of the project.........the movement in the wood had me from the get go!

 

Mr. Newel is reserving me a large 45-inch wide slab of Sweet gum for my new counter top for the island in the renovation project.  Mix n' match the woods, he has a plethora of it to indulge in.  The sweet gum and magnolia slabs are incredible.  I have to say, I've never met a woodworker that doesn't have at least one finger missin', both our new friends, Mac & Newel are missin' a digit.

 

A crew arrives this coming Tuesday to tear down our old carport, trim the Privet hedge, bring in loads of crushed granite for the new shop and driveway.  Rick will have a 12x24 foot shop in place before too long.

 

Last but not the least.........our quote for a new wood stove insert came in..............sweet price with a substantial 10% discount, because we're friends with a friend! The new quote included two pipes going up our existing chimney, because in time, I get to have a wood cook stove installed in my new kitchen renovation!!!  I have always wanted one, I learned to can on an old wood cook stove, so I'm thrilled beyond thrilled that the chimney will be able to house the two pipes. 

 

As our new financial advisor told us yesterday while in her place of business, "the stars align over Andrews.........welcome!"  We feel more welcome than anywhere we have lived............ these are very kind, gracious, & fair people, whom do NOT hurry through anything they do.  Besides, I love that slow, syrupy, southern speech!