Back to work

We have had two wonderful weeks with family here at the house, but they are gone (boo-hoo) now, and it is time to get back to work.  I have the last set of pictures to use for the rest of the book character quilt blocks, so I will get started on them next week.  As for "Lucy" the bear?  We decided to just go with a "bear" color even though it doesn't match her exactly!  I think I will save her for last and IF her color turns up, I will count it as a gift.  Another character will see you soon.

In the meantime, here are a couple of pics of playing we did here and there....

Our first outing was Cherokee

Beautiful, colorful weavings

weapons

 The family with a friend we made while there

After learning about Cherokee life, we went to Harrah's buffet for dinner.  They had so many food stations, it was hard to decide, so we tried a little of everything.....Italian, Asian, Mexican, Dessert, Salad, Seafood, Comfort (southern mostly), BBQ, and breads.  Some stations even cooked "to order" pastas and desserts, etc. 

 

 Dinner at Harrah's

Oh, yes, forgot to mention how HOT it was.  After the Indian Village, we went to the museum (so interesting!) and then played in the river to cool off before dinner.  Wish we had taken some tubes....we'll know next time!

 Gem mining to look for treasures

 A 3-gallon bucket is HEAVY

 Not for me...I'm a strong man

Mom and Dad wanted treasures, too!

We then had a great family 4th cook-out with friends joining us!  It was a great time with great food shared by all.

 H and GG made the deviled eggs

H kept watch over the boiled peanuts

Handing down the legacy......

of the Master Cook!!

Senior members of the family

Mom and Dad

 Good friends......Mr. and....

Mrs. Washburn

Unfortunately, by the time our sister and father-in-law w/ wife came, dinner was coming together so the camera had to be put away and I missed the opportunity to get one last picture!

The next day, it was time to go cool off on the Nantahala River in a raft.  What fun we had, and how refreshing the 54 degree water was on such a hot day!!  It was a first for me, and I loved every minute of it (AFTER I realized I was still alive when it was over!)

 

 Starting into the last rapid "Nantahala Falls"

Everyone's still paddling

I've given up the paddling and am holding the side rope as I view the class III rapid  (heart's beating a little faster now)

I have decided this is where I may die

HANG ON TIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No one died, but the two front crew members popped out and landed back in the laps of the middle crew members. (Notice how my granddaughter and son-in-law are saving me from "leaving"; my grandson is expressing sheer joy, and my daughter is hanging on to her Dad's leg too)  WHEW, we made it, and  as I looked up to make sure I was still alive, I saw the gallery of on-lookers laughing and cheering loudly for us!  Apparently, we were quite the entertainment....LOL