Few Autumn buys and a zoo visit

 New Hobby Lobby opened up not too far from me and of course I had to take a drive there. 

Things are 40 to 50 percent off.   

Some pears I plan on doing some crafting with along with the gold colored metal leaf sheets.

If pictures are clicked on once and usually once again, they are enlarged a bit. 

The metal leaf I use for a lot of things.

I purchased this velvet to make a few things and one is sachet bags for my dried lavender and rose buds.

I am going back I think to get the scarecrow.  I can make one but the price is too good.

Dollar tree stuff I may let my granddaughter come up with something. 

I will paint the pumpkins a different color 

Will paint the centers a glittery color on the sunflowers

I usually don't purchase much from Dollar Tree and less now since Hobby lobby is closer.  The grade of materials are much nicer at hobby lobby, but Dollar Tree does have supplies  to use to embellish some items from their stores to make them nicer. 

About two weeks ago we took the grands to Natural Bridge.  They have never been before and an extra for them was the Natural Bridge Zoo.

Taken from the terrace of our hotel room.  The Hi way there is route 11, Lee Highway over the Natural bridge.  

We had dinner here in the Tavern room.  I got a shot of the wallpaper because I do like it. 

There is a room off of the lobby of artifacts and other historical items.

Breakfast in hotel dining room

G.V. waiting for our order of breakfast. 

It was hearty

we have been here before but first time taking grand girls

On top of bridge is route 11, Lee Highway.  We took that highway leaving.  Cannot see below when traveling over it as there are fences for safety blocking views.

Natural bridge, a giant gorge carved out by cedar creek, a tributary of the James River. 

Water looks low. The past few times I have visited here, it was rushing through.

following cedar creek trail under bridge leading to Saltpeter Cave. Once leased out to Thomas Jefferson for the production of saltpeter a major ingredient for early gun powder.  Saltpeter made from this site was used in the war of 1812 and civil war.  Nitrite rich compounds come from droppings of bats and birds.  Compounds were extracted from the cave, boiled to concentrate and crystalize the potassium nitrite into salt peter.

girls at saltpeter cave

Next day was the Natural Bridge Zoo.

Very clean and well taken care of animals.  We enjoyed it very much. 

Girls especially loved the Elephant ride.  

taking a nap

There were many more animals.  Monkeys, donkey, alligator etc..

But the most exciting part for them was the elephant ride.

On our way home we stopped at a roadside look out

Blue Ridge Mountains with that gorgeous sky of billowy clouds

Bye for now.

😊

home and an overlook

August is almost over but not summer.

  No rain for a while. leaves are falling. I walk the yard with a crunch under foot.  It's because dried up brown leaves are falling. 

 Most of the potted flowers as the petunias are gone except in a couple pots on front porch that I water and keep cut back to encourage the flowering.  

I cut back and repotted in the same pot my Rosemary.  It was terribly root bound.  I pulled from pot and cut a little over an inch all around and about the same from the bottom, added more dirt and watered .  Should be good for another three seasons.  I don't think there is any way to kill the herb. 

It was a little hard removing.  The roots grew through drainage holes in bottom, I had to cut them off.

I also cut back the Thyme. With cuttings from both I attached to a grapevine wreath and hung. 

 Rosemay and Thyme. I am thinking about that song now. 

Smells so good.

I dried flowers, hung them upside down.  Some dried upright in containers.  I may use some to decorate a small Christmas tree along with other naturals. 

Some in a container with faux daisies

The red roses really hold their color. 

 I use a few drops of rose oil to the base and it gives them a nice scent.

Two finds at a thrift store.  A mirror I hung in downstairs bathroom that is reflecting a whale I also found while thrifting.  I like a touch of whimsy here and there in my house.  

A few days ago, we had late lunch at the Courthouse Cafe not too far from home.  They haven't been open very long. 

Across the street are the county government buildings.

I like how they named their dishes on the menu.  This one got a little wet at the top. 

Steves smash burgers

Salad was so good. The romaine lettuce was halved.  Topped with bacon, tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles and blue cheese dressing.  

Few weeks ago we took a drive to Wintergreen Va.   Off season and good time to go, not many people on the roads and the mountains are just so pretty to see.  Peaceful.

At Founders vision overlook

Was just so pretty with flowers in bloom.

Coming back down from the mountain with the Blue Ridge in the distance.

Til next time