"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

God is known in her palaces for a refuge."

Psalm 48:1-3

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The day finally came for our annual fall tradition....a trip to the Asheville Farmer's Market!

This picture is for our South Dakota friends....the true definition of mountains and trees. : )

The leaves aren't turning the beautiful shades this year ~ it hasn't rained enough.  But the mountains were still beautiful.  Nothing can change that!

 As usual, there were plenty of vendors vying for our business.  It's fun walking along the rows just to see the brightly colored displays....and then comparing prices and buying the best looking produce for the best prices.

 Can you find Allison's peppers?

 Here's a hint ~ Purple is her favorite color!! : )

 There were pumpkins galore in the bottom buildings.

 And mums.....PLENTY of mums!

 We wanted to get some for the pots on our front porch, but we couldn't figure out a way to transport them all the way down the mountain with a load of potentially hoarse, sneezing, wheezing passengers.

 After all that walking, it was time for a snack, but if you don't work, you don't eat. : )

Of course, the variety wanted was on the bottom!

 Ray's Loot

 Jalapenos anyone?

There was a deal made ~ he bought them, he fixes them.  Fair enough? : )

 Preparations...

 What could taste better than a crisp, juicy apple that gushes with flavor with each bite?!?

 Hmmmm....I see someone doesn't like the peelings.

 The lower buildings

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After gathering all the "goodies" outside, we got to enjoy our favorite part ~ the inside booths!

 "This is what I want for my birthday!"

"Uhhh...it's already past, dear."

(mimicking a pout) "I know." : )

 We found plenty of fun gadgets and decorations ~ some we could easily reproduce...

 ...and some that would take a little more work.

 It's hard to pass up things that look this good, but we did.....with a few giving in to a sample.  It was only a teeny weeny bit. : )

Another van ornament....

This time we wanted to see how far it would get down the road before it fell off.  Surprisingly, the apple made it all the way home!  But not without sideways glances as if to say, "What is that!?!"

Only smart people know that this is a natural fruit dehydrator....with an extra source of protein. : )

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And we couldn't rightfully end the post without showing Ray's masterpiece.

Stuffed Jalapenos!

Wrap a piece of bacon around them, stick a toothpick all the way through, and they're ready for the oven!

But be careful....one's not enough!

Annapolis Harbor

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Psalm 1:1-3
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 Have you ever been to the Annapolis Harbor?  We hadn't until this past September at the end of our month-long stay in Maryland.  It sure was a busy place!  Hustling and bustling with all the shops, restaurants, and, of course, boats.  But along with all of this came a beauty you can't find any other place besides an old, quaint, busy hub of a city.

And just how busy is Annapolis Harbor?  Well....on a warm Friday evening it took us a little while to even find a parking place.  But we finally got parked and unloaded, ready to take in the sights and sounds of this unique place.

 There were shops galore, and our first mission was to figure out just which one we wanted to explore first.

 Hmmmmm...big decision. : )

 Lots of souvenirs

 We enjoy reading all the sayings.

 "This is the one I want! (hint! hint!)"

 

Story time with Mr......uh.....Whats-his-name

It was a chore getting Ray and Sara to even acknowledge they were related, but we finally convinced them to get close just long enough for a picture. : )

The harbor was absolutely beautiful in the evening light.   It was relaxing to sit and watch the ducks and feel the breeze coming off the water.  This is how we spent the rest of the evening until our parking meter ran out.

Then, we thought, after such an evening, what would be better than to indulge in some homemade cheesecake?

"My Favorite..."

 Out of all the different work they do, sanding sheetrock is not on the list of favorites...and it certainly isn't the cleanest either!

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.....but Allison thinks she has a favorite. : )

Unscripted Moments...

Today after lunch, we had a little "photo shoot" ~ getting some much-needed individual shots. Here are some of the not-so-planned...

Heave Ho!

"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."

Isaiah 64:4

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This past Tuesday, we made a trip out to our land.  There were a few things we needed to accomplish, but the main reason for the trip was sortof postponed for a short while.  But while we're there, why not get to work?

By the way of announcements...

our perk test passed!!!!

This was a great blessing and encouragement.  One hurdle down and about 5 million to go. : )  Nah, it's not that bad.  The next thing on our long list is to get rid of the huge piles of brush.  The wreck in June delayed our progress on this project.  Tuesday, some of us worked on hauling one pile little by little away from the trees so we can burn it, while Dad and Ray, on the other hand, surveyed the property lines where a timber company had crossed the line onto our property.

We got a lot accomplished considering the short time we were there.

 

I think it's attached.

So they huffed...

 

 ...and they puffed...

...and they pulled the whole pile down! ...we wish. : )

It takes a good deal of time when it comes only a bit at a time.

But the burn pile slowly grew.

We hope the vegetables grow as fast as the weeds when we plant a garden!  Sara took care of some of the weeds with her machete.  You wouldn't want to be a weed with her around....it's dangerous enough to be a bystander. : )

Walking the line...no pun intended : )

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, right?  Well, Ray thought this trip wouldn't be worthwhile unless he got to try out his kayak.  And we were in a good spot ~ camping right on Jones Lake.  Wednesday morning after breakfast, everyone loaded up in the truck, and we headed to the boat ramp.

Patiently waiting...

Ready to go!

Ray had quite a group of spectators to cheer him on.  A company was having a picnic that day as well, so he even got a few extra onlookers to boot! : )

Coming in was the hardest part because the currents wanted to just spin them in circles.

The next adventurer

Sara wasn't too sure about a kayak, but there wasn't any way she was going to pass it up.

Enjoying the water...

Watch out!

And last, but not the least, of the first-timers was Daddy.

He was probably the best show of all.

You see, he's not as relaxed as some so the kayak kept rocking from side to side to the point we thought he was going to flip!

But he soon got the knack of kayaking without the jerky motions that threatened to tip him over.  We all watched with anticipation for the moment he might accidentally do an Eskimo roll. : )

Back on shore...and not too wet. : )

Since the adventurous ones had each had a turn, the foursome decided to take another round.

It was amusing to watch Ray stuff himself in. : )

Whack!!  Welcome back!

 (No, she didn't really hit him, but it did make a funny picture!!)

Sara is convinced that this is the life!!  Just give her a kayak and a body of water.

 

But all too soon, it was time to pack up and head back to the camper, but plans are already in the making for another kayak expedition in the near future.