There’s a thunderstorm happening now. The sky went from bright and almost cloudless to dark and ominous in less than a couple of hours. I can’t remember a Spring as rainy as this, and so very different from last year’s near-drought conditions.
I love the rain, especially when I can sit on our porch and listen to the rhythm of it on our roof. The ratty-tat-tat. Somehow it’s soothing, not unlike listening to the crashing of ocean waves or watching dancing flames in our fire pit. Simply nature at its best.
I have had these photos uploaded for a few weeks now. Time has slipped away at lightening speed, and so many other things have taken precedence it seems.
On our way home from Asheville, we had the pleasure of driving through the Shenandoah Valley. Such a bucolic part of this country!
This first one was actually from our campsite, but the rest were taken while I was a passenger in BAM , zipping along at 60 miles an hour. I’m actually pleasantly surprised they came out at all, but I used a fairly fast shutter speed which helped.
Once we arrived home, I saw these swans by one of the beaches on the lake. I was surprised since in the twelve years we have owned the cabin, I’ve never seen any, but…
they’re not real. They were placed on each beach to ward off geese that have grown into somewhat of a nuisance. Had me fooled!
In other news…
Our Title V passed! When we purchased the cabin 12 years ago, it passed ‘conditionally’. It apparently needed a new distribution box, and we didn’t know if it had been replaced or not. Of course, it had, or the sellers wouldn’t have been able to sell it, but we didn’t know that until now so it was a little stressful for a bit.
Our house was listed on the 25th, and no showings yet, but it’s been rainy and I’m sure things will pick up. There is also a bit of a glitch with Zillow and it’s not on there yet, but hopefully will be soon.
Everyone who has seen our cabin is convinced we will sell it to the first couple who sees it! I have to admit, I fell in love with it when I first saw it, and of course, that was before we did all the updates. Like the listing says, it’s a cozy but spacious cabin, perfect for entertaining or relaxing at the lake. What’s not to like?
I’ve gotten the sewing bug lately. I went through my entire fabric stash and organized everything into piles of outer and lining fabric, coordinating thread, zippers and a few ribbons and am making several cosmetic bags like these. I’ve also been perusing YouTube for some ‘how-to’ videos for other types of bags that I’ll add to the mix. I had a major fail with a pleated bag today that took four hours and ended up in the trash, but that’s what I get for not downloading the pattern and trying to make a go of it without one. My goal is to be able to make basic zippered cosmetic bags without a tutorial. I guess I’m a pretty slow learner, as I’ve done a couple already but am still not confident to try it completely on my own. But I’m getting there :). Meanwhile, my Serger went kaput and I’m having it repaired to the tune of $120. This time, I’ve been assured it will be fine for at least 5 years. We’ll see!
Some of you are familiar with Penny over at Enjoying The Simple Things, but what you don’t know is one of the houses our realtor wanted to show us was her former house in Hendersonville, NC. I didn’t know it had been her’s until this week, when she sent me the link to her old post featuring the house and I thought it looked VERY familiar. Sure enough, it’s one that we were sent but we didn’t look at as it’s on a rather hilly (but lovely), lot. Small world, yes? The facade is similar to this one, which I showed you in this post.
How are the flowers and shrubs doing in your neck of the woods? With all the rain we’ve been having, ours are looking pretty darn good! I don’t know if it’s because of the rain, or because I deadheaded some last year, or both, but this rhododendron has never looked this pretty in all the years we’ve owned the cabin. It looks even nicer since this photo was taken last week, as all the buds are now open.
Maybe it’s saying a final farewell in style? 😉
Tomorrow the 3rd is Mikey’s 14th birthday, and last week was Maddox’s. They’re growing up at warp speed! We’ll be seeing them in Manhattan this weekend for a small family dinner. What are your plans this weekend?
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Hi Doreen…. nice photos of the valley… I had to sing that song as I looked at them! And that rhododendron is stunning! wow…. I had some up in SW Washington but they don’t seem to grow here in dry Madras.. hot and dry and the hot winds are what I think do them in. Sorry about no views yet on your house…. still a little early I think as kids just getting out of school. I had one for sale in eastern Washington state once and took about 6 months to sell it! Boy was that hard… to keep it nice and pretty and clean and neat and trimmed (with 5 boys living there at the time!). Yikes. You never know.. the first person who does come to view it, may be the one who wants it! My weekend is puttering in the yard probably as it won’t be so hot. May go to the local nursery and see what they have for perennials to fill in my flower beds and maybe even buy some. I’m still being a “lazy gardener” and haven’t planted anything, even the flower seeds I bought! Sigh… I’d rather sew so am setting up my machine today! hugs… Marilyn
Dewena says
I never get decent pics out of a moving vehicle, good job of beautiful scenery. Decades ago RH and I drove through part of the Shenandoah Valley, spent a couple of nights in the Peaks of Otter and then went on to Williamsburg. Really beautiful country.
I bet your own gardens are looking lovely now. That rhododendron is prettier than any I’ve seen on the Blue Ridge. I didn’t know you should deadhead them. I’m glad you had some good news and I do hope you get the Zillow problem worked out. I know I spent hours on it every day when we were wanting to move back and it did seem like one day there would be a new listing on it and two days later it would have a pending contract. I feel sure that school letting out will be a game changer there for you.
Happy birthday to the grandsons and enjoy your time in the city,
Dewena
Stacey says
Hang in there!! Your house will sell it just might not happen immediately. It took us 10 weeks to sell our last house which was a shocker to us. That’s so cool that you almost saw Penny’s house. 😉
Judy says
Hi Doreen. What a beautiful place. Our country certainly has some beautiful places. If your realtor gets the website straightened out I’m sure you will start getting offers. Your rhododendron is gorgeous. My neighbor has a huge red one and it was gorgeous this year. Must be all the water it got. Hope you get some bites soon..Happy Weekend..Judy
Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things says
I am sure your house will sell quickly! Thank you so much for mentioning me and my previous home. It is a small world for sure. I love the area of our country that you traveled through. So pretty! Sending you home selling vibes!
Emily says
Doreen it is always stressful and a lot of hard work getting ready to list.It’s always disappointing when our realtor is not constantly knocking on the door to show. I’m sure you will find a buyer. Lovely photos in such a lovely part of the country. My MIL had such beautiful rhododendron, wish I had planted those. Your is going to be beautiful in full bloom. Don’t work to hard and hope you have a wonderful weekend……….
Mary says
Doreen happy birthday to your little grandson. He is absolutely adorable. You are one step closer to your new location. I know you’ll be able to sell the cabin in no time at all. I personally don’t want to live in the city anymore and I’m sure there are lots of folks like me who want to get away from it all. Your cabin is the perfect getaway! Lovely photos of the valley.
Rita C at Panoply says
Congrats on the passing of your inspection! I know that must be a HUGE relief!
It shouldn’t, but it always surprises me when our small worlds collide such as with Penny’s cottage – how about that! And those swans – lol – we have a terrible geese issue on our riverfront property. I’ll show those to my husband. He’s like a human decoy, and goes out to the riverbank numerous times each day to ward off any potential of the geese coming to the street level or anywhere on our bank out of the water. They’ve all had their babies now, and our most recent count of newbies is 27. We see over 100 adults right here in the city limits along the riverbanks each year (and obviously growing). Somehow officials don’t see it as an issue yet, and our state capitol is directly across the river!
Getting together with family today for a retirement (sister), graduation (grand nephew, that sister’s grandson), and birthday (mine!), then some gardening. It’s been a great spring most everywhere for gardens, I think!
Have a great weekend, Doreen!
Donna says
great photos. LOL Swans…. xo to you both. Enjoy the kiddies.
tammy j says
oh good grief! always where to start.
your posts are like a really cool smorgasbord! LOL
Maddox for starters. is he not totally adorable?
I love little boys at that age. there is not a single hidden agenda with them!
what you see is totally what you get! and what you get is fun and charm and cuteness.
and the thing that’s great… they’re still unaware that they’re so cute!!!
and I agree. that cabin will sell quickly to anyone seriously in the market for it. it’s perfect.
and I didn’t know you could sew like that! good grief charlie brown. i’d be making all my own clothes.
something in linen I think. simple. clean lines. easy. you know. a little shift. with a v neck maybe. WOW.
yes.
sometimes it’s startling how small this world can be! large or small. i’m glad you’re in it! XO♥
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Good Morning. The Valley pic is beautiful. I hope your sweet cabin home sells quickly. You just need the right person. Love those sweet makeup bags they are adorable. Have fun making new ones. Happy Weekend.
Kris
Jane says
These are gorgeous pictures, Doreen. The rolling hills and blue skies make for a paradise.
We visited Penny at this house on our first trip to Asheville. So pretty top to bottom. I loved her backyard and garden, too.
I’ll pray your home sells quickly. Stay positive!!! And Happy Birthday to your grandkids!
Jane x
AnnMarie says
Shenandoah Valley is gorgeous! What great pictures at 60 miles an hour! I hope your cabin sells quickly for you! It has been so wet and cold here that I am still trying to get things planted and mulched. Still wearing sweatshirts and socks! How fun to use all your material to make cute makeup bags. They look great!
Cecilia says
Gorgeous photos of a gorgeous area. Makes me want to go see it! Glad you got your cabin listed…hope it sells quickly for you. We’ve had quite a bit of rain too. My flowerbeds at the farm are doing very well. It’s so nice to have them looking groomed instead of overgrown and weedy! Goodness your bush looks beautiful!
Good luck with your sewing. I still enjoy the ones you sent me. I use them all the time!
So where will you all eat in Manhatten? Sounds like a fun way to celebrate the boys’ birthdays!
My twin sis and I went to Canton yesterday and had fun shopping. Now I’m back in the city and not doing much. It’s kind of nice after all we did last weekend. 🙂
Melanie says
I’ve never been to the Shenandoah Valley area, so I really enjoyed seeing your photos. The swan decoys had me fooled at first, too! How do you feel about selling your house – bittersweet? That’s too funny that the one house you looked at used to be Penny’s. Now that I look at it again, I do recognize it!
Vicky Hunt says
Such a beautiful place to travel through! Your pictures are fantastic…I would have never known you took them from a moving vehicle! Your rhododendren is just gorgeous! I don’t think those grow here. Been trying to catch up on your posts and am happy to hear you chose a place to move to. NC is a beautiful state and I am sure you will love living there. I hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend.
Hugs, Vicky
Amy says
Thanks for the tour of the Shenandoah Valley – I’ve never been, so enjoyed your photos! Some of my best pictures have been zipping down the road from the passenger seat, lol! Good luck with the house sale – hope it goes quickly for you! That’s a funny small world story. Both my rhododendrons and azaleas are looking amazing this year, after looking half dead last year. Hope you had a great weekend in the city!
Poppy says
A very pretty and pastoral place, The Shenandoah Valley is. I can imagine driving through it, all those wonderful rolling hills, kind of like an easy going roller coaster ride with plenty of eye candy to make a lady’s heart race!
Your cabin is beautiful, Doreen; be ready, because it will sell fast!
Happy Birthday to Mikey and Maddox!
xxx
Poppy
Debbie - MountainMama says
Wow, I’ve been busy so I guess I missed the post where you decided where you are moving to, and that you are selling your home! Wishing you a quick and easy transition, and can’t wait to see where you end up!
Kim says
It was fun to catch up with you, Doreen! I love your photos. My daughter and I were looking at the swans before we read your text and were trying to decide if they were real. They look good, tricky birds! Hope you had an awesome time in NYC and you caught the sunny part of the weekend! Lots of rain here…boo…
redrosealley says
Oh my gosh, I thought those swan were real hahaha! This is beautiful countryside, Doreen. So glad you got some rain. We had a day of it here also, and I loved it. Oh, I wish you would continue to sew. It’s such a talent, and I’d love to see some of the things you make sometime.
Enjoy the days of June, Doreen.
~Sheri
Karen says
Hope all goes well with the cabin sale, Doreen – I am sure it will sell right away! Love the photos of the valley – have never been to that part of the country – so beautiful! It really is a small world and how fun to see a listing of your friend’s former home. Your little bags are darling, by the way. Too funny about the pleats, though! Frustrating…..The rhody is so pretty. I just bought some to plant – never grew them- don’t know if they will like it here, but I hope they are someday as pretty as yours. Makes it hard to say goodbye for you, but now you are on a new adventure and happy chapter of your life! Enjoy those grandsons! xx Karen
Julie says
Hi Doreen, I hope everything is going good with the selling of your house and the moving plans. I loved looking at the beautiful photos of the farms and barns. It’s so pretty there. I have been very late with my planting of veggies and flowers in my yard due to the cold weather. I plan to do more planting this weekend.
I hope you have a fun time in NYC. Take care and have a nice weekend.
Julie xo
Jemma says
Good Morning Doreen!
Just returned from visiting the kiddos in North Carolina on Tuesday. It was great being with them.
Now I am back to my gardening (as you know)
Waiting for a house to sell is painful. But your property is so well maintained, and really a specialty property that I have no doubt that it well sell quickly and it is the perfect time of the year to have it on the market.
Your photos of the valley are gorgeous, I have never ever been there.
So neat that you have the sewing bug, I sort of do too…as the heat settles in here I tend to be inside in the afternoons.
xo
Jemma
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Hey Sweetie! Sorry I missed this post back when. Gorgeous photos!! And I”m so happy your title stuff passed. I just know you’re going to sell that beautiful home in no time. 😉
We have had some rain – and lots of beautiful growing and greenery here in June. All of the flowering trees are in bloom or just getting past their prime. Most lilacs in full splendor right now. Loving every minute!
And look at you crafty girl with the sewing bug. There’s nothing you can’t do, is there? Do you have an S on your chest under your shirt?
And what a small world looking at your blogging buddies house. That’s so cool! Can’t wait to hear any other news you’ve got coming our way!
Blessings Dearest. xoxo
susan says
Beautiful photos, Doreen – S Valley and rhododendrons are spectacular!
I wish you the very best with the sale of your cabin – it’s a beautiful home, with your special touches and I know
it will sell in no time flat!
It’s such an exciting time in your life and I wish you the very best! xo
Carla TePaske says
It is on my list of places to visit S.Valley. Wow, beautiful!
I know of a couple flower farmers in the Valley, I would love to visit.
I am sure your home will sell quick, from everything I have seen, it is lovely.
Have a great weekend!
Carla