New Year's Day 2019 -

Morning has broken and a new year is here.

This morning the Eastern bluebird - bringing happiness - was the first bird

 I saw when I opened the dining room blinds!  What more could I ask for!

The country drive. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . on Sunday afternoon was perfect.

Our first day of cooler temperatures after such a long hot Summer.

Autumn definitely now in the air. In fact this morning it was so cool 

I decided the heavier duvet needed to be dug out from storage.

Of course with the sun out it's now warming, and by noon it will be hot, 

but the thought of cooler nights from now on is wonderful. 

Anyway, on Sunday a brilliant 'Carolina Blue' sky beckoned and we headed 

south through the city in search of these. . . . . . . . . 

Perhaps a wee bit early to be thinking pumpkin decor however I just don't want 

them all gone by the time I return from Europe in October. 

The above pic shows some of the pumpkins I bought on Sunday.

The green-gold pumpkin on the left has already been enjoyed - oh my, roasted 

with fresh sage and olive oil, it was SO tasty. I will be making a delicious

pumpkin soup today with the leftovers. . . . . and will roast the seeds.

Driving through the ever burgeoning downtown area - Raleigh just continues expanding, 

upward and outward. . . . . . but if you keep going it's just 30 miles south to the country.

I love looking at the homes along the country roads, wondering who is enjoying

 life away from the hustle and bustle of the city. . . . . .hanging out in a red painted barn, 

mowing all that grass!

Our destination of course. . . . . . the Johnson's farm where we come each year 

for pumpkins. This is just a corner of their front yard. Freda, who plants each

 seed by hand, is already bringing in the beauties from her huge pumpkin patch

 in the surrounding fields.

 Sadly we missed seeing farmer Doug this visit - he was out searching for a lost cow.

  We plan to go back in late October to visit the Johnson family again, always enjoy the

 lovely chats and catching up on country news.

Here are links to our visits in the past years where you can see the incredible 

selection of pumpkins, gourds and veggies offered at the Johnson's farm between

 the small towns of Angier and Coats in Harnett County, North Carolina.

Johnson Farm Pumpkins in 2013

Johnson Farm Pumpkins in 2014

As always, homemade country ice cream is a treat and this is one of the best.

We stopped, along with the motor cyclists, pick up trucks, big families

 with cute kids, texting teenagers, and a good excuse for 

two scoops as we'd not eaten since breakfast. . . . . .  

 black cherry and butter pecan for Bob, tiramisu and coffee for me - it was really good.

Later I'll share more of the pumpkins and gourds I bought for decorating - they are

 in the cool of the cottage where hopefully they'll stay fresh until I return home from

 France and can decorate for Fall/Halloween.

Happy pumpkin hunting - I hope you get out into the country soon - nothing

 more pleasant and exhilarating on a sunny almost Autumn day.

Wertheim, a fairytale place. . . . . . . .

More lovely countryside as our ship sailed toward Wertheim, known as a medieval 

 'fairytale town'. 

Paintings on the houses - I think this one perhaps advertised the owner as being a stone mason or builder.

The prior evening, after dinner, there was a fantastic glassblowing 

demonstration by Hans Ittig, the seventh generation in his family to become 
accomplished in both flame working and off hand glassblowing on the furnace. 
Beside being able to purchase smaller pieces such as ornaments, birds etc. on 
board, the following day we were able to visit the glass blower's studio and 
museum/shop in the town of Wertheim.  
Hans and his father Karl's larger pieces were really beautiful - their traditional 
glassmaking techniques are even taught at the Pilchuck Glass School co-founded
by well known American glass artist Dale Chihuly.
The Ittigs frequently visit the USA and are founders of the Eugene Glass School

in Oregon, established in 1999.

Being Saturday, Wertheim was very quiet, although I had the feeling perhaps 

it's that way every day in this tiny town!

Next day we reached the Middle Rhine Valley, sailing past castles in various states 

of repair, small towns, churches and vineyards. Come back for more of Germany's

beautiful River Rhine.