MERCIER APPLES

While we were up in north Georgia for a wedding, we took a detour the next morning, going north to Blue Ridge, so we could pick up some apples at Mercier's Apple House.

Inside, an old truck met us, loaded with apples.

We'd gotten up early (they open at 7 am) so we could eat breakfast in their cafe. My guy had a waffle but I had one of their fried peach pies. It wasn't crowded. Then.

Afterward, we ambled toward the apple room:

There we tasted apples before deciding which ones to buy. They were all good, some sweet, some tart, some just right! And no, I don't know these people.

After we picked up a bag to take home, we wandered around some more. They keep knocking out walls and putting stuff in. They have a honey section, a section of canned stuff, a section for jams and jellies, a section for different juices--not just apple but things like muscadine--and ciders--not just apple but other fruits like cherry--and all kinds of things like soaps and candles. There is also, I noticed, a place for tasting hard cider. But at eight o'clock in the morning, and a three hour drive in the rain ahead of us, we decided to forego that treat.

I don't remember what part this was, but you can see the hanging sign listing different departments:

Besides the apples, we also got a jar of chow chow and a bag of stone ground grits. And some more fried pies to take with us. Apple and peach, although they have a bunch of flavors. I found out recently that Mercier's supplies fried pies to places like The Varsity. (If you're not from Georgia, you won't know what that is but it's a famous fast-food place started by a Georgia Tech drop-out that has now spread over the state.)

Mercier's has muffins and banana bread and other things, too, but the fried pies are a specialty. Here's the bakery case: kind of empty since it was so early but stuff was coming from the kitchen. The pies we bought were still warm!

By the time we left about eight thirty, even with rain putting a damper on pick-it-yourself apple buyers, people were flocking in. There wasn't a single parking place left in the closest parking lot. Good thing we came early.

We ate the last apple yesterday and it was still good. I just love Mercier's! If you're ever in North Georgia, this is the place to go.

GEORGIA BOTANICAL GARDEN

Now that we are settling in, my guy is looking for places to photograph. We went this past week to the nearby Botanical Garden. Just a few pix:

At the entrance were several clusters of gardens including this water garden:

We went inside to a gift shop, then went through this greenhouse area before entering the actual garden:

Then once we were outside, there were acres of flowers. Here is a statue--called Peace--from one of the small area gardens:

Walking on up the path, we came to this vista where we could look down on all the plants:

And turning around, could look up:

So this gives you an idea of the place. These are not-so-great pictures from my phone, but the garden is extensive and we stayed maybe an hour. My guy is eager to get back with his good camera and tripod and spend the day.

It appears there will be lots of photo opportunities in our new home.

ANOTHER FUNERAL

Well, another beloved relative died this past week, one day before her 98th birthday. Aunt Sara was soft-spoken, kind, and the kind of woman who's easy to be around. We're leaving tomorrow, going up to Atlanta for her funeral where she'll be laid beside her daughter who died way too young.

This has been a really bad year for deaths of people close to us. I hope next year will be better. Otherwise, people may start lopping us off the friends list!

And of course, the cats have spotted the suitcases and are beginning to show signs of displeasure. They'll be expecting extra wet food to make up for our absence. We'll have to leave the heat turned up for them, too, because they hate cold, and the temperature today didn't break fifty. A big change from the seventies we were enjoying two days ago.

But it always happens when we have to travel. At least snow isn't predicted where we're heading.

Now I'll finish packing. If I can get this clingy cat off my foot...

UPDATED REVISION for 99 Cents

My romantic suspense TREACHEROUS BEAUTIES was published years ago--and used as the basis for a TV movie--but I recently got the rights back. After updating and (since I can't resist fiddling with words) revising it, I am self-publishing it for $.99. Right now, it's up on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Treacherous-Beauties-ebook/dp/B007P5461C/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332979452&sr=1-2

Also on Smashwords at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/145317

I imagine it'll take longer for Barnes and Noble, and the iTunes store to pick it up but it'll eventually be there, too.

So anyone who's read it: Don't buy it again! Anyone interested in checking out my style: This is a cheap intro.

Calista Taylor did the new cover art, and I really like it.