Giving thanks in the mountains.

We spent Thanksgiving at my parent's mountain home in Little Switzerland, North Carolina. It's about as close to heaven as you can get!  Below is a picture I took off the porch the first morning we were there.  The fog looks like a lake!   

We were leaving early Saturday and as we made a curve a donkey and two horses trotted out into the highway.  (Note the Christmas tree farm in the background.  They are everywhere in this area!)

The made their way into an open field and then up to the parking lot of a quaint stone church kicking up their heels with delight to be running free.  They eventually turned up a dead-end road.  We called some of the local folks to let them know we had 2 horses and a donkey on the loose!  It was a treat to see!

We were traveled on to neice's wedding in Waynesville, North Carolina.  The chapel of First Baptist Church is gorgeous!

The bride was even more beautiful! 

 Congratulations to Claire and John!

I was able to run through a couple of shops and galleries in downtown Waynesville.  It's such a great town!  If you have an opportunity to visit, I highly recommend a gallery/shop "Twigs and Leaves"

Twigs and Leaves specializes in remarkably fine crafts created by a host of mountain artisans - all with a theme of nature and the environment. 

Back in Little Switzerland, North Carolina, home of Hatcher Haven, our family mountain home, there are other good spots to check out as well.  Hearthside Homemades is a great little shop.    It's owned by Keith and Darlene Fletcher ...great folks!  They feature local and regional handcrafts including their own "These Blooming Dishes" they create by pressing wildflowers into clay and using a firing and glazing process that makes each piece a custom garden!  I have several pieces and love them!

I also found some good thrift, junk, antique and consignment shops in Spruce Pine, NC.  the closest "big" (?) city to Little Switzerland.  I'll try to shoot some pictures of my treasures for you.  Right now, I'm wiped out and I'm thanking God for a soft bed with an electric blanket and a pile of quilts to keep me warm.

Thanks to God for so many blessings!

My husband who tolerates my creative passions and the resulting clutter.  He's the love of my life and my best friend.  My sons who hold my heart.  I'm so proud of them.  And so, so many other people that I'm blessed to have in my life.  

May you be as blessed~

Lori