Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, June 1, 2009

Our North Carolina Visit


If you have read the past two posts, you know that George and I visited our friends, Judy and Charlie, in the glorious mountains of North Carolina this past Thursday through Saturday. Besides checking out all of the Mountain Laurel (yesterday's post), we also took time to EAT, TALK, SLEEP, EAT, TALK, SLEEP---etc. (You get the picture, don't you????)


Here are some pictures of our special time together with great friends. Above is Charlie, Judy and George --as we took a walk aroung the neighborhood, checking out all of the beautiful, flowering Mountain Laurel. Below are more pictures from our time with these friends. Be sure and click on the pictures for a bigger view.





This is the beautiful porch/deck ---where we sat and chatted for hours and hours.







Here we are (Betsy and Judy) doing what we did most of the time we were there... We TALKED and TALKED. I'm not sure we ever caught up---but we put a dent in our 'catching up'!!!!! ha







Even after dark, when we were getting COLD in the mountains, we STILL sat out there talking!!!! (By the way, the guys sat inside 'reading'.... Wish I had gotten a picture of them!!!!)







The next morning, when the temperatures had dipped into the 40's, Charlie and Judy built a blazing fire in the fireplace ---which we enjoyed while drinking some delicious coffee... (If you knew Judy and me, you would know how much both of us love wood-burning fireplaces and also coffee!!!! Life was good!!)







What a shot!!!! Thanks, George!!! This is the old woman--in her bathrobe, drinking her coffee and enjoying the roaring fire in the fireplace.... We also enjoyed some of Charlie's famous pancakes!!!! Life can't get any better!!!!







That next morning, we were back out on the porch--------- but this time, besides talking, guess what we were doing????????????







We were watching all of the birds coming to the feeder... See that precious Tufted Titmouse???







Finally, here's a picture of two friends!!! We were out walking and George snapped this picture.


Tomorrow I'll show you some more from this wonderful North Carolina visit.. I hope that all of you have friends as special as Judy and Charlie are to us!


Hugs,

UPDATE: I was a little sad yesterday when I found out that my Bluebirds have fledged. I wasn't expecting them to fledge until the middle of this upcoming week. Guess my timing was off!!!!! I didn't see Bluebirds all day yesterday ---and we finally checked the nest. EMPTY!!!! All I can hope is that they all four made it---and are doing fine (wherever they are).... I hope Mom and Dad Bluebird come back and do it again soon!!!!

48 comments:

Michele said...

Oh wow, what a fantastic porch. That is my dream is to own a home that has a wrap around porch where I think I would spend the majority of my time out there! A lovely time you all have had, indeed!

Sorry you missed the fledgling of the birds but you really did catch some beautiful moments of the birds nonetheless and I am sure they will return!!

Hugs♥

Kelly said...

...looks like you had a fantastic time with your friends! I agree with Michele--beautiful porch! Hopefully you'll see the fledglings around the neighborhood somewhere!

Kim said...

Great porch Betsy. It sounds as if you had a great time while visiting your friends.

Sad to hear the Bluebirds have fledged but I bet they are doing great!

Tina said...

Betsy,
Sure looked like a great time was had by all...those pancakes sounded pretty good and that fire in the morning sounded neat too! So glad you had a good time visiting your friend!

Rose said...

What fun you must have had! I so love a fire--even if it is in a stove, there is just something about the smell of woodsmoke! I would love to be able to bottle it and smell it any time I wanted.

Harriet said...

It sure looks like you had a great time! Some day I would love to have a porch with a view. I love my porch but the only view is the neighbor's yard. We have tried to block that by putting up trees and bushes. They are growing and it is a much better view than the back of someone's house.

Busy Bee Suz said...

You just had MY perfect idea for a weekend away!!!
Love the pictures. Back to work now...I mean back to gardening and bird watching at HOME. :)

PCovi said...

For me that would be the most wonderful trip...friends, coffee and a fire! And you say you talked??? Hehe. I'm glad you made a dent in the conversation!

Beth said...

Sounds like a blissful time, Betsy. Your friends have such a lovely place---I do so love a good porch. We spend a lot of time out on ours this time of year. I alos love a good fireplace. It's so nice to be able to light a fire when it's a bit nippy out.

By the way, you look very nice in your pink bathrobe. :-)

Shelley said...

I like your friends porch and home too! It's nice to have a friend that you can talk to forever and never run out of things to say!
I hope you find your bluebird fledgings in your yard like Bird Girl mentioned!

Small City Scenes said...

Oh Betsy, what a lovely time you all had. Nothing better than friends, coffee and lots of TALKING. Great pics too. The smiles on the faces tell the best story. MB

Small City Scenes said...

PS: I wanted to add that "kids grow up so fast these days". sorry your missed the bluebirds. LOL MB

Arkansas Patti said...

I can only thing one thing could have made your visit more perfect. A fireplace on the porch.
What a lovely, lovely place and what terrific friends.
Sorry about your bluebirds, I missed my first batch of fledglings but Mom and Pop have 4 new eggs going. Maybe this time.

Cedar ... said...

I'm so glad you had a nice visit. Aren't good friends precious? I hope you see your bluebirds soon!

T said...

That porch just made the Southern girl in me sigh with envy (for me) and happiness (for you)!

Great friends, great porch - what a way to visit.

Pigeon said...

I'm a big fan of wrap around porches. I have one too! Your friend has a lovely porch with an amazing view.

Unknown said...

Sounds like you had a fantastic time.Good for you!How can one not have a good time,when they are surrounded by that beauty and sharing it with good friends?
Hopefully,the babies have flown on and will return with their own babies,next year.

Dorothy said...

Looks like fun to me! Love the porch! I know you had a relaxing visit.
I'm convinced that Bluebirds fledge in the middle of the night!

NCmountainwoman said...

Everyone needs a great friend and a relaxing weekend like that. I'm sure you will find the baby blues nearby.

Joy said...

A porch, some good books, and good friends and lots of catching up.
I know that was a great weekend. What a beautiful place to escape to and relax.

Joy

Dianne said...

North Carolina is so beautiful. Your pictures are wonderful (and cute!).

What I remember about our trip there were the "no-see-ums" bugs that bit me through my clothes! For such tiny insects, they sure can bite!

Unknown said...

Love, love this special time you enjoyed with your friends!!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: It does look like an excellant time was spent with a friend.

Judy said...

The mountain flowers below are just awesome they are so pretty.
I could tell by the photos that you and Judy were having a great time visiting and catching up on things. What a wonderful vacation in the mountains.

Dirt Princess said...

What a wonderful trip! I love your bathrobe photos!!! If you got it, you got it...and you've got it!!! Glad ya'll had such a great time catching up

Betty said...

I love that porch.I am glad you adn your friend had such a nice visit.

Betty said...

I love that porch.I am glad you adn your friend had such a nice visit.

Diane AZ said...

Talking with your friend and watching birds from that beautiful deck and then coffee by the fire... sounds like you had a great time. Love all the pictures, looking forward to more from your visit.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Your descriptions of your time with friends made me smile.Glad you had a great time.
Blessings,Ruth

Rebecca said...

What a special time with your friends. Looks like y'all really got to spend some great time together. That deck looks awesome. Wishing you a happy week. I hope the birdies made it too.

Hugs and Blessings,
Rebecca

Diane said...

It's amazing to have such a wonderful friend that you can just enjoy talking like that. Glad you had such a great time.

SmilingSally said...

Great friends are treasures.

Jane said...

Pictures are great - there is nothing better than cool nights and cool mornings!

Jane

Mandy said...

Looks like you had fun with your friends!

Hope the bluebirds are alright out there somewhere!

Mandy

Mark Kreider said...

Wonderful friends keep life worthwhile. It's nice to have something extra along with family.

I heard an NPR show the other day and did you know?....... birds have TWO voice boxes, amazing, and their hearing is superior to humans (that wouldn't be too difficult, not compared to me anyway). Some birds have twenty songs or more but the wood thrush has over two thousand! (hope I remembered the right bird).

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hey Betsy,

Thanks for stopping by to see me! I bet the bluebirds all made it..but am like you..would be sorry I missed it!

I have Indigo Buntings, three of them so far....they come to the nuts and seeds I have sprinkled on the porch railings..they seem to like to land there better than in the hanging feeder.

I hung a couple of the corncob in the wire holders out two days ago and today a squirrel finally noticed it..I've got pictures to post on my blog..and I've got pictures of the Indigo Bunting eating from a little wooden rocker where I scatter nuts and seeds.

So glad you had a nice visit with your friends..Life for me in the mountains is GRAND!!! I have to make myself leave to go run errands..LOL

I have a total of 17 feet worth of new windows being installed in our greatroom the middle of this month to bring in the great view..the guy that built this place must not have card about this view considering the small windows he installed..so we will definitely feel like we are living in a treehouse once all these windows go in..it'll be 10 feet on one wall and 7 feet on another. All of them will be 6 feet tall.

Have a great day,
Stephanie

Wendy said...

Hi Betsy, you have the ability to turn a visit with friends into something sensational! And you look so comfortable in your bathrobe sipping coffee in front of the fire. I think we're all envious! At least I am. What a nice trip. Thanks for sharing your special time with us.

Too bad about the bluebirds. But at least we got to see pics of them growing.
Hugs

Anonymous said...

Looks like a wonderful trip to visit friends. What a lovely place to talk, enjoy the flowers and birds, read and drink coffee by the fire. It just looks so relaxing Betsy.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

You looked like you were having a grand ole time Betsy.
Nothing finer than friends, a good cup of coffee (or tea), and a big roaring fire.....
They have a special home up there in the mountains, how very fortunate they are, and also extremely kind of them share that beauty with friends.
Sorry your little birds have flew, it leaves an empty place in your heart doesn't it ?
Hugs,
Jo

Unknown said...

That looks like a good time. And it was fun to read your memories about the places you've been: funny how all those big storms didn't strike to after you left.

Cassie said...

Easy to see you had a fab time. Gabbing 'til you were hoarse?? You sure look cute!
Now, fledged is a term I have never heard b4. Is that a southern term or is it a real word? he he. Sure wish I'd see a blue bird here.It's the state bird, and I have yet to see one in all the (9) years we've been coming up here.

penny said...

So the baby blue bird flew the coop, did he. I'm sure he will return some day to visit with you again.
It looks like you and George had a wonderful time with your friends. What a beautiful area for a vacation.

Hugs back at ya! Be well, be happy...

Mary said...

Wonderful to have good friends and such a great place to visit. Sorry you missed the baby bluebirds...hope they are still in the area.

RA said...

Wow, that looks like a very cozy and relaxing vacation! It's great to have good friends like that. Too bad that the birds had fledged, I was waiting for their first fly out. But I'm sure that Mom and Dad Bluebird will come again to your lovely place. I do like your country music as well, Betsy. Kenny Rogers is one of my favorites. Have a wonderful day. Hugs and love from Indonesia :).

Rambling Woods said...

Love that deck..I am so sorry that you missed the bluebirds..but you had fun and shared that with us...
Michelle From Rambling Woods

Janie said...

I love your friends' porch! It's such a wonderful place to sit and visit.
Sorry you missed the bluebird babies fledging. I'll be the parents come back to raise another batch.

Anonymous said...

What a great visit! A spectacular view, the roaring fireplace on a cool morning, a mug of delicious coffee....life is good.
Donna

Connie said...

Isn't it wonderful to be able to just spend time catching up with old friends. I'm glad to hear you had such a nice visit, Betsy. :)