Monday, October 18, 2010

~ Braided Rug & Searching for Fall Foliage ~

Yesterday hubs and I went on a search for the colors of autumn. We do get the colors right here in central Virginia but not until the first part of November and I'm always anxious to see them so every year at this time we take a drive. I read online that the peak colors were occurring in the higher elevations here in Virginia so we decided to follow one of the fall foliage routes layed out by the Department of Forestry. It began way up in the north west area of the state which took us about 3 hours to get to, then we followed the route and while it was an area of our state that we hadn't yet traveled, and the route was indeed picturesque, there wasn't much color at all, pooey!
At least I got to see a bit of the Shenandoah River, I've always wanted to lay eyes on it for some reason, maybe because of the John Denver song, I don't know! but the route took us across the north fork and I had to get a picture so we stopped the car as soon as possible after crossing so I could walk back to snap a couple of pics. This is from one side of the road:
...and this is from the other side of the road:
...it's not like me at all to do anything risky or dangerous so for me to walk along a highway and even cross it on foot, you know I wanted pics of the river pretty bad! LOL There you see my little white SUV in the distance, I took that pic while walking back from the river crossing.
...this picture was taken right by where we stopped the car too, it's someone's driveway, must be nice!...just look at those manicured weeping willow trees that line their property!
So back on the road, we entered the town of Strasburg and shared a Subway sammich (we always say sammich! LOL) While eating our sammich, a really super LOUD siren started going off and it was an air raid siren like you hear in the war movies!! We were like, WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!!!! No one around us was panicking but we couldn't believe what we were hearing and had to ask! Turns out that is the town's fire alarm! GOOD GRIEF! So after that bit of excitement, we started on our journey back in the direction of home. Once we got back to familiar territory, we just couldn't pass the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway without taking a quick jaunt on it and I'm so glad we did because we saw more color there than on our adventure! Every year at this time we usually just drive up and down the Blue Ridge for our fall foliage but wanted to do something different this year...figures!...the Blue Ridge is only an hour and a half away from our house and that's where the color was! It's still not peak just yet so I'm still feeling color deprived, LOL, but I did get a few pretty pictures.



Originally, we were planning a drive to New England to see their fall foliage but several folks who live up there were saying that the color may not be at its best this year due to the long, hot, dry summer we had here on the east coast and I did not want to waste my only opportunity to get up there if the colors were not at their best! It's like pulling teeth to get hubs to go on drives with me because he does so much driving in his contracting work and has trouble sitting for long periods of time. So we are shelving our New England drive until next year and he knows that, even though he's off the hook this year, it's going to happen at some point in time! LOL

One other thing I wanted to share with you today is some pics of my new braided rug that came on Friday! It's made from wool braided yarn and I got it at Capel Rugs here in Richmond, their rugs are made in North Carolina. The colors in this are sage, brown, black, beige, rusty barn red, and creme.
Katie sure misses the carpet and is glad to have the new rug!
I think it adds a much needed softness to the room.

Well that about does it for this time...have a great week!

17 comments:

Robyn ♥ said...

The rug looks great! It really does add just the right amount of softness and color to your room! Beautiful!
Love the pics from your drive! The hubs and I love to take little 1 tank trips every weekend!

Carmen and the Primcats said...

The rug looks great!

Carmen and the Primcats

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

I love the colors in the rug--very prim and perfect to me!
We take what we call 'day'cations--places we can go, see or do something and get home from in 12 hours. Our little dogs are good in their pet taxis for about 15-16 hours but we hate to leave them for so long too often.
It was an odd year all around this year for plant life. Our maples don't have as much red color--mostly yellow and brown--lots of falling leaves. I took lots of pictures anyway! lol
★Linda★

basketsnprims said...

Janet,
such beautiful pics from your drive, the river is breathtaking. I love, love your rug, it adds the perfect touch to your room and that gorgeous new flooring.
Pam

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

You were very wise to wait until another year for the foliage. It is so hit or miss this year - not worth the long drive.

Your rug looks great. The whole room looks great - all the changes have made such a nice difference. I hope you are enjoying it after all the work!!

hugs!

Rock River Stitches said...

Love your fall pictures!! I've been to the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of times when visiting my daughter and son in law. They live in Waynesville, NC. Beautiful area isn't it! And your braided rug is just gorgeous!

Tammy

Dana~HomespunTreasures said...

Janet your new wood floors look so good....I know you are so glad all that is behind you now. You now have years of enjoying them. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your new rug, the colors go perfect in your home.

Fall Blessings,
Dana

Wanda/Ridge Farm Nesting Place said...

Janet everything looks so nice....love, love, love the rug, the colors are perfect!!

Love the pic's of your road trip...beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

Your rug looks great!

Love the photos of the river!! The trees are not as pretty here in Ohio this year either. We are just now starting to see some color, but a lot of the leaves have already fallen off the trees or they just look dried up and ugly on the trees.

~Cindy~

ohiofarmgirl said...

Your room is looking so wonderful...all you need is a soft comfy throw on the sofa and you are ready for an evening with a good book. enjoy. Dianntha

ctlogcabin said...

Janet your foliage pictures are Beautiful, and the river pics breathtaking, Thanks for sharing.
Last time I stood in the road and took a few shots ...Paul had a fit told me he was never stopping again for me. Told me he'd be hard pressed to come home and tell the boys I got killed taking photos for my Blog. lol
I'm with Linda ..... glad you didn't make the trip North .... we are loosing lots of leaves before they even color. Your rug looks great, and perfect right in front of the sofa.
Hugs ~~ Connie xox

Karen ~ Life In A Primitive English Cottage said...

The rug is perfect! Love the colours, it has tied everything together in your newly decorated room and your right, it has added a touch of softness.

Loved the pics of your drive, such a shame you have had to postpone your trip to New England until next year, but before you know it next year will be here!

Rabbit Hill ~ Handmades by Jenn Tavoletti said...

Oh sweet Katie...she's a pretty kitty. Love your new rug. It makes the room look warmer and even more welcoming (especially with Katie hanging out there :)

I've been wanting to take a drive also but every weekend has been bad or busy so far. I enjoyed the pics from yours ~ beautiful!! Wouldn't mind having that weeping willow driveway either.

Jenn xo

Lee Hill Primitives said...

Your rug looks great and your floor is amazing. Enjoy them. Beautiful!!!

Loretta said...

Hi Janet! I loved the tour but wish you had more color to see. It hasn't been exceptionaly colorful here either. Your pictures are beautiful though! I love the rug and it looks like someone else does too! So glad your kitty has something soft underfoot again. I think I see her smiling ;)Hugs, Loretta

The Bean House said...

Hi Janet! The rug looks fantastic on those beautiful new floors! Love the pics of your trip. My husband and I always call them "sammiches" too! Cracked me up! Enjoy the foliage when it comes your way.

Karen =)

Janean said...

i adore braided rugs....had one for years and years. they never wear out. your rug is so pretty.

adore the autumn drive too. we've been on the blue ridge parkway many, many times.