A Very Old Christmas Tree

                            This white bottle brush Christmas tree was free at a Habitat for Humanity store.  I asked why, only because the top knot was missing.  In my mind, that was perfect, so much easier to place a tree topper!
 

                           Pure white, still wearing some tinsel, looks as if it has been packed away for quite some time. Going to take some work fluffing these branches, straightening them, but when done, will look very pretty at the farmhouse.

            I have never seen one that was made like this. Each branch looks like a giant candy cane and you slip the hook into a hole on the main pole.  Very heavy and well built.

                            The branches just hang and sway. I think it will be easy to put lights on this one.

       I wasn't planning on having a decorated tree inside, I was planning on cutting a lot of trees that are growing where they shouldn't be and decorating the porch so that it's all lit up, but now I guess we'll have one inside, too!

    Next weekend the decorating will begin!

The Kitchen

                       So pleased with the light over the sink, it adds so much light to the room.  When I bought it, I never thought I would be keeping it, especially without a globe. When I found the globe, I knew it was meant to be.
 

    The more I oil this vintage butcherblock, the better it gets! So glad I have two other large pieces to be used somewhere in the future.

                               This range works for now, but oh how I would like to buy the one below (it would be better than the one in the main house), so not an option right now.  

                              This ILVE range at only 30 inches would be a perfect fit.  Mindy bought the double oven in black for the flip house, I fell in love. She sold that house in one day $10,000 over asking, I didn't even get to see it staged, but did see it online. A bit more modern than I would have done, but someone really liked it.  You can see it here:

                      A vintage floral print above the stove in an old frame. I can't wait to decorate for Christmas. I found the perfect tree for the farmhouse!

Local Hiking - Chimney Rock - Outcroppings Trail

One of the wonderful attractions for those who come to this area are the local hiking trails. New ones are always in the works.  Great attraction to Airbnb guests.

 We picked Sunday to finally go for a hike to view the leaves.  It was supposed to rain all day, but we took the chance, it never rained and the fog made the leaves even more dramatic. It was perfect.
 

We did the outcroppings trail up to 2300 feet.  That was all the time we had allotted for hiking.  The next portion is the Exclamation Trail and Skyline Trail that will go to 2700 feet and will take about three hours.  We hope to do that Thanksgiving weekend.

                          As the name implies, there was a lot of rock to climb and my calves were definitely feeling it the following days. 

                      Going through some of these tight passageways reminded me of 127 Hours, not a good thing!

                   Bob bought my hiking tights from Anthropologie and I love them!  His taste is getting better with age!

              Had to get Bob in here.  

      Chimney Rock is a beautiful place. We are so lucky to live here!

Autumn Decor & Outside Chores

                     One of three pumpkins from my big pumpkin crop this year. No one had a good year here because of a heat blast that came in spring.  

                         Sitting on an old milk can that my mother had outside her shed.  Think of her every time I look at it.
 

Down to Earth's pumpkin crop, much better than mine!

                          Only at $25 for a pumpkin (see that tiny 25 on there?) I think I'll pass.  Fun to look, though!

     Autumn afghans.

     A few autumnal touches inside the farmhouse.

    Mr. Ayers came and cut and split the downed tree! Only took six months! He said he believes it's been down about 20 years.  I would say it is ready for the fireplace.

                              He left a jar of chutney with peppers, onions and the pears from his pear trees.  We had it on Cajun beans and rice and have enough for another round.  Very tasty!

                   Front path laid to the parking area.  Gravel coming soon or so I'm told.  Tomorrow my bushhogger will be here, I think he grades and gravels, so going to be talking to him. Tired of the cat and mouse game with Dennis, I don't think he's ever coming.

               Painted the ugly propane tank off the kitchen.

                                  I'm pleased.

                         Another stone path will be laid where Timber is with ferns, hellebores, white bleeding hearts, tiny iris and hostas being planted along the sides.

             Food crops were awful this year, but oh the camellias!!

                           Local antiques shops decorated for fall.  One of the local attractions to this area.

                      The fields have patriotic hay wraps.  Love it!

              I've followed a blog named The Grower's Daughter for years.  She now has an instagram page, had renovated a cottage much like our farmhouse for airbnb and is getting a lot of attention from the instagram posts.  I decided to do the same, but my page name was taken.  The name I chose is "Tiny Foothills Farmhouse", and I kind of like it.  That will also be the name when listed on Airbnb.  We'll see what comes of it!