What do you call a small donkey?

Take the above poll before you read any further!

The bunnies at the Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis, NC  are friends of the little donkey.

There were lots of bunnies.

Yesterday, I wrote a post about kettle korn and the burros or burrows from our recent trip to the mountains. I know that a burrow is a hole in the ground and a burro is a small donkey. But most people don’t know that either spelling is accepted for the small donkey. Depends on where you live. It’s kind of like that post I did on Crepe Myrtle, Crape Myrtle, or Crapemyrtle and even Crepemyrtle. I’ve noticed that people are passionate about their take on a word.

I received emails asking me to correct the word burrow and correctly call it a burro. I did change it but now I’m thinking why. Did I cave being fearful someone would think me crazy? No–I’m not ever afraid of that. I changed it cause I think most of you probably use burro. So, what do you use? Burro or burrow for the small donkey? The poll should give us an answer!

Do you know what a borough is?

Kraving Kettle Korn Kan Kause Konfusion

To be a burro must be bliss. What a happy little guy who seems oblivious to the camera in his face. He had a buddy.

The little guy was a bit hyper and seemed to be real interested in what his horse buddy was up to. Burro was sure that Horse had a better grazing area. Looks to me like all the grass is good grazing but then I don’t eat grass. They made it look so good that I was beginning to think of trying some.

I was wondering what he’d do with a cheeseburger. There weren’t any cheeseburgers around or any fast food places—but there was…………..

A master Kettle Korn maker with a kettle full of corn. Me and kettle korn are like kin. I love it and we are on a first name basis!

Oh man–can you smell it? He was a good Kettle Korn Maker! He stirred really fast and knew the technique. The korn was light and hardly any uncooked kernals to break your teeth. I know kause I ate to the bottom of the kontainer.

After it’s dumped, the secret sweet ingredients are added while it’s still hot. It taste like a very light carmel corn cooked over an open fire. Kettle Korn has a unique flavor you can’t get on your stove top.

I wrote a funny post about another Kettle Korn experience HERE. It’s funny so read it!

Yummy, Yummy–Me and MrD went to Valle Crucis, North Carolina this weekend and this little stand was set up out front of the Mast General Store. I would show you the bag but it didn’t make the trip home. MrD ate most of it right? We didn’t feed any to the burro or horse and we didn’t eat any of their grass. So there was no konfusion on who was to eat the kettle korn.

Valle Crucis North Carolina and The Mast Farm Inn

I love North Carolina more than there are apple trees in one seed. Which means, it’s endless. As far back as my memory will take me, I’ve come to these mountains to celebrate the beauty in every season. You can see from the picture above that The Smoky Mountains are named appropriately. I’ve rarely seen my mountains on a clear day but rather it is the norm to see them cloaked in this magical misty presence. The picture was taken today about about 3pm. MrD and I drove up to Valle Crucis, Vale of the Cross, for the day. My destination was

The Mast General Store and The Mast Farm Inn.

MrD and I like to stay at quaint country inns and this is one of the best. The farm was established in the 1700s and has been completely renovated with all the comforts of today. The restaurant is called Simplicity and serves food from the garden you see above. Those are little bunny houses in the middle of the garden.

There are hives to assure the gardens are pollinated and of course delicious honey is the byproduct.

Lovingly maintained raised beds!

Stay a night in one of the rooms. I like them all.

The bathrooms are just as lovely.

Long wide hallways with period art and a sleeping porch on the far end. This is the second floor.

Beautiful quilts and comfy plush beds. I love the seating by the window—and look what else this room has to offer—–>

The perfect place to sit and absorb all the days treasures you purchased from the surrounding areas rich cultural events. Valle Crucis is a charming town with several antique stores, The Mast General Store and Annex, Boone and Blowing Rock are with a 30 minute drive, and you can go fly fishing or tubing down the river. In the winter, you can ski.

Enjoy the front parlor on the first level.

The dining room is quaint and inviting. They aren’t open every evening so make sure you check and get reservations before you go. There are two indoor dining areas and a pretty side yard area as well.

This is where you check in. Look at the old keys on the wall. The downstairs also has two rooms filled with local gourmet items and cooking mixes. Just look at all they have to offer!

Loved looking at all the goodies and it will make you want to take one of everything home with you. Our mountain folks are truly gifted and talented.

And maybe perhaps my favorite part was the porch!

If you prefer, you can stay in one of their fully furbished cottages and guest quarters.

Cozy and comfy inside.

A loft bedroom.

I can see myself enjoying this spot!

Things look so good weathered.

Please click on the link to read the history on the Mast family and this general store. This is the second of two stores in Valle Crucis. The one above has a huge candy section. You fill your bucket to overflowing and don’t worry above cavities. The Mast family tried to carry everything from candy to caskets for those who lived in this remote area.

Thanks for joining me and MrD in the Smoky Mountains today.

Desktop Pictures Just For You

Sometimes I visit The Briar Patch and take some cool pictures that I thought you might like to use for whatever. I use them for cards, desktop backgrounds, posters, and other various crafts. Feel free to copy and use as you wish.

Worked all day on cleaning the back deck, weeding the flower beds, and cooking up a mess of fresh vegetables. We had corn on the cob, new potatoes, green beans, and I made a big old fruit salad. Summer is just too good to be true. MrD worked on Copper Top Cottage quite a bit. Soon I’ll be painting it and adding the finishing touches. Of course you’ll get to see it when it’s done. This hasn’t been a hurried project and so we’ve enjoyed the process more.

I just thought I’d talk to you about random stuff while the pictures upload

One of my goals over the next couple of days is to take a video of the fireflies out whoop-t-doing it up. They are so lively this week. Seems like they really like this hot weather. They almost light up the night with the numbers this year. I’ve never seen so many at once.

I do love a good mater samich. These are Better Boys

I’ve suddenly been bitten by the nesting bug. I would fear I’m pregnant but that would have to be a miracle/curse. So I think it’s a feeling I get every year about this time. Summer hits and the days start to get shorter. Sorry–but I start thinking about Autumn. It’s my favorite time of year when the pumpkins are harvested and there is a chill in the air. You would think as a gardener that summers would be my favorite—nope–it’s Autumn.

Candy did this arrangement above. It’s so pretty. She is a bubbly person that you love immediately. Talk about someone who loves flowers—-she is very talented and knows her perennials and annuals. Hi Candy!!!

Click on the pictures and make them larger if you like.

The little flower above is called Beth’s Blue Laurentia. I love it!

Here is a funny story for you that actually happened. A man where my son works is having to retire due to a bout of cancer. He’s well thought of and everyone took up money to give him a nice going away gift. They ask the secretary to buy a card for the occasion. She got one and assumed it was for his retirement. She didn’t know he had cancer. The card she purchased simply said—Goodbye. Needless to say–they purchased another card for him.

Love this color blue-Lobelia.

coleus

hibiscus

The photos below are from Sweet Pea’s Fresh Market which is inside The Briar Patch in Winston Salem, NC. I think they did a great job of making the food look fresh and healthy. I took these photos for their website or perhaps to use in the next commercial.

Watermelons look good anywhere don’t they?

Try not to drool. I love the strawberry cake. Bought two pieces–one for me and the other for MrD.

Drooling yet?

You know how hard it was to get this shot!!!! Well very! Speaks for itself though huh? Ok, so this is what I was up to most of yesterday. I stop by quite often to get new pics for their site and to buy my own yummy organic veges. The cantaloupe was awesome.

My Cottage Garden Today

I’ve been working hard over the last year since we moved. The beds have good composted soil and beneficial microorganisms. There is a good worm ratio and it’s all organic. The bees and butterflies are in heaven. I had imagined more beds being complete and more plant material in by this point but when you do it properly it’s slow going right?

Normally, I plant in masses of color and I will. But the perennials aren’t big enough to divide yet. Next Spring I’ll divide and start my masses of color by the same plant. I like tall plants like phlox, rudbekias, daisies, bee balm, salvia, along with roses, peonies, and ornamental shrubs.

One of my favorite annuals is this Senorita Rosalita Cleome by Proven Winners. I wanted more but could only find one this year. I’ll get out early and buy several next year. It blooms like this all summer right to frost.

And you can’t have a cottage garden without lots of rudbekia of different varieties and daisies of course. Got to have my phlox too.

I’m waiting on the new red to bloom. I also have quite a few coneflowers.

The bed above is the newest. It was a vegetable garden last year but was so messy that we dug that up. I never plan my beds so this will evolve with plants that strike my fancy.

The back beds are full of sunflowers, hollyhocks, cleome, and so much more!

Malva Mystic Merlin by Thompson and Morgan

Hollyhock , this is a mix that a friend gave me and she didn’t know the name. I sure love it.

Cosmos

another hollyhock and my blacks haven’t bloomed yet.

Geraniums, caladiums, cockscomb, cosmos, hydrangeas, portulaca, Spirea, Lily of the Valley–and how can they all grow together–because this bed gets beautiful morning sun and afternoon shade.

Love this cockscomb. It’s getting so big. Goodness, how tall does it get? My seeds are a mix so I have orange, pink, red, and peach.

Told you that nerembergia rocks!

That’s a little Pine Tree succulent in bloom. It’s cute huh?

Thanks for stopping by the garden today.

Nierembergia

I’m growing Nierembergia this year and love it. You can start it indoors from seeds six weeks before frost. Needs to be kept moist until it is established and then can be kept on the dry side. It’s a low growing plant and looks good in pots, borders, and rock gardens. The above picture was taken in my garden.

White Nierembergia can cool off a hot day. This plant is also called Cupflower.

I have my Nieremberia paired with this verbena.

Cleome or not to Cleome?

I love Cleome but not everyone does. It’s a reseed nightmare if you hate it. I don’t mind pulling out what I don’t want. It’s wispy and fun don’t you think. If you don’t like growing it then just leave the growing to me. I can handle it. There are hollyhocks growing with them but they aren’t blooming yet. Soon as they start, I’ll post the whole bed. Oh wait—Irish Eyes are watching the cleome.

I planted the Irish Eyes from seed so you know I’m excited about that. Well I planted the cleome from seed too but anyone with half a brain can plant cleome and get it to live—right!?

Mr D is being just as artsy fartsy right now. He’s practicing his fly fish ties. He looks so manly over there tying knots. He’s in his jammies or I’d show ya.

I like the smell of cleome but I bet that is a reason some don’t grow it. I call it a scent but some call it an odor.

The cleome above is in my back beds and those below are in the front.

They look delicate and sweet but they are powerful and strong too. Just like most good women. Some have thorns–ouch. Most of my varieties grow more than 5 feet tall so they are planted toward the back of the beds. I have some really pretty perennials and some very interesting Cockscomb out front. It’s almost ready to reveal.

It’s also called Spider Flower. Way too much fun huh?

There is so much more coming in to bloom and I’ll get a better picture of this bed in about a week. I’m pleased as punch. So rewarding and what a joy when someone stops to visit.

These Two Should Be Married

Just look at how they carry on together. They need to get a room don’t you think. In the Spring, I paired Victoria Blue Slavia and Coreopsis “Sweet Dreams” together on a hunch they would make a lovely couple. I looked out my kitchen window today and the light seemed just right for picture taking. Look how I found these two behaving.

Looks like they were made to be a couple in total and complete love. The purple in the coreopsis has the right touch of blueish purple and the salvia has the right amount of purple. It works and makes me so proud.

If they could have children, the whole world would sing.

The Painted Daisies encouraged the relationship.

They are the talk of the garden right now and I can see why.

I guess there will be a repeat of this next year because I like it.

Sweet Dreams and may all your flowers live happily every after.

Just A Little Nuts About Malva Zebrina

I grew my Malva sylvestris Zebrina from seed this year. I couldn’t be more pleased with it. My seeds came from Thompson and Morgan. It will grow to 3 feet tall and bloom all summer. This is one plant I recommend for beginner gardeners because it is so easy. Sure is pretty and gives a lot of bang for the buck. I probably have about 10 plants in all.

I like the delicate look but it’s not delicate at all. It takes the heat and dry days without skipping a beat.

Official flip flop season!

Summer is here and so begins my search for the best flip flops on the market. Found some I’m nuts about so I need to know if any of you have tried them. The company is called Havaianas. Really cute sandals! The claim is they don’t smell and the bands won’t stretch out like less expensive brands. I love the selections. Take a look.

Yes, I like themed shoes like these cuties with the charms looking so stylish and unique. If you click on the site, be sure and visit the About Us page. Watch what your cursor does–it was fun! I played with it for quite awhile. You know me—amused by such things and all.

Pefect, these are called Garden. All my shoes should be called garden cause they will end up in there at some point in their life. I ruin every pair of shoes I own walking in black mulch. You know what I mean. I would suspect so. You reach to deadhead and pinch–then you’ve done it. I know!

Ok, this is just saucy!

Little Birds is right up our alley.

I love stars! Who doesn’t want them? Your piggies would look cute painted silver in these sweet shoesies.

And lastly but there is more on their site! You need to check out Havaianas! I’m going to order a pair and make my flip flop loving feet very happy. Can you resist?

Let me know if you own a pair!

I’ve had a bad cold you all and add to that a sinus infection and soon as I’m back up to speed, I’ll be around to visit. Mean time, I’ve been looking for flops.