I couldn't wait to finish my new Hallowe'en bracelet,
but the flu got in the way.

I finally finished it yesterday afternoon
about the time that Ray got home from work.

The Peyote band is made from my special
Indian Corn Blend.
There are several shades and textures of yellow, gold, orange,
red, green, brown, silver, and black.
The blend will be available in my Etsy shop early next year.

A kit for the bracelet may be available if I can find a reliable
supplier of Halloween charms.

The web site for my jewelry kits is
http://www.beadkits.etsy.com

It is sorely lacking in products right now,
but it should fill up soon!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween 2008

October 2008 - Cades Cove

A weekend at Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park is always time well spent.

The leaves have just begun to change colors.
The low is supposed to be in the 20s this week,
so there should be some fantastic color next weekend.

A park director told us to cut through Rich Mountain Road.
This road is gravelled - sort of - is one way,
and is as crooked as a dog's hind leg!

Ray's top speed was 20 miles an hour
and, most of the time,
much slower.

I watched his speed carefully,
while I screamed for him to slow down.

It felt like he was running the Grand Prix!

The views were stunning!

Even for folks like us who live in the mountains.

The handsome Ray taking pictures.

I'm sure his photos are much better than mine,
but I can't find his camera.

We saw quite a few deer,
but were unable to get a close-up picture.

There's bars in them thar woods, too!

When you have the opportunity to visit East Tennessee,
head straight to the Smokies!

Cades Cove is perfect for driving, walking, and cycling.

When spending the night or the week,
stay in Townsend -
'The Quieter Side of the Smokies'.

Stay away from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
They are nothing but tourist traps.

Sevierville (home to Dolly Parton)
used to be to a lovely small town.

Now, you can hardly tell when you leave
Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, or enter Gatlinburg,

What a shame our lovely country side is going commercial!

No place is lovelier than the Smoky Mountains!

White Tail Deer

There were 3 white tail deer playing outside my office window this morning!

What a beautiful site!!!

Jade Flowers - Coming Soon!

These fabulous, hand carved jade flowers are on their way to my new Etsy shop!
http://www.beadkits.etsy.com

I've been looking for these flowers for years and finally found them in a
little shop in Hong Kong.
And they are
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
They are about an inch across and
the colors blend beautifully!
I'm waiting breathlessly by the mail box!

If you are interested in ordering these flowers, please let me know at
beads@bledsoe.net
as soon as possible.
I will have a very limited number of the flowers available and
20 of them are already sold.
The price is only $15.00 per flower.

Tea and Tidings!
Ruth Ann

New Ankle Bracelet from Lori

I have fallen in love with this new ankle bracelet from
Lori Anderson!
OK - It was supposed to be a bracelet,
but I mistakenly told her that my wrist was 8" around.
Poor girl must have thought she was dealing with an elephant!
Anyhow, the bracelet fits my ankle perfectly
and is absolutely stunning!

Thanks, Lori!

Signs of Autumn Are In the Air

I'm quite ready for the autumnal season,
but the weather isn't prepared to cooperate just yet.

Morning temperatures have been in the mid 40s,
but it's 79 degrees right now.

A few leaves have turned because of the dry weather,
but there has been no visit from Jack Frost.

Indian corn has been sighted at the farmers' market
and a few ears followed me home.
I learned my lesson the hard way about decorating inside the house
with these sumptuously colored ears.
Mice come scampering from the fields as the hay is cut
and corn encourages them to linger in the house.
So all corn will stay outside this year.

We plan to go pumpkining this weekend!