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.

FARMHOUSE WEDDING

More happy stuff to take our minds off hurricanes, fires, massacres and other bad things happening in our country.

A relative got married last weekend in North Georgia. Not at a resort or event location, but at the place she'd chosen as a child.

For years, her grandparents have looked after an old farmhouse for the absent owners, who allow her grandfather to grow hay and cows on the fields. The bride, helping with chores around the farm from her childhood, always said she wanted to be married there one day.

Last Saturday, that day came. Other than a few occasional raindrops, remnants of Hurricane Nate skirted the hilltop house where a crowd of friends and relatives gathered, while the pleasant autumn afternoon was not too warm and not too cold.

Some pix my guy took beginning with the lovely bride escorted down the farmhouse steps...

...to meet her dashing groom and say vows overlooking fields below:

The wedded couple retreating back into the house:

Inside, gathering for photos:

Outside, playing with some of the children. I believe the two older girls are nieces of the groom while the baby is the niece of the bride: (The baby has two older brothers and their hair is red, too. We are taking bets that any children from the newlyweds will have red hair!)

The horse trailer was cleaned up so we could put purses and coats and camera cases inside. Canned drinks are in the low container on the left while a table holds iced tea, lemonade and water.

The dining tent was set up by the barn. To the right is the corner of a smaller tent where the buffet is spread out. You can't see the cows behind the big tent until...

...this picture from inside:

We left at dusk, before the cake was cut and toasts drunk. The younger crowd intended to party into the night, and we were tired. Many of them stayed in the house with its six or eight bedrooms, but we went to a motel to get some sleep before heading up to Mercier's Apple House early the next morning.

Such a picture-perfect wedding and such nice people make things almost seem normal.

Almost.

MOUNTAIN WEDDING

Yesterday my guy and I drove up into the N GA mountains for a wedding. Since we were so close, we stopped by Mercier's Apple House in Blue Ridge and had one of their mouth-watering fried pies.

Then we went on to the business at hand. Gorgeous weather, glowing bride, beaming groom, and a beautiful backdrop. What more can you ask for a wedding?

Some cute attendants, of course! And in case you didn't notice them in the first picture, let's look at them again.

And don't forget the reception. Ah, that fabulous food! Some of us -- forgetting waistlines -- pigged out. The wedding cake was a work of art, but the groom's cake was a trout. And it was either hated or loved, depending on the person viewing. Bet you can guess what the groom does in his spare time.

 

So. Congenial people, happy couple, and good food in beautiful surroundings. A day well spent.

GRANNY's HOUSE

We went up to north Georgia this past week and saw Granny, then went on up to her house and picked up furniture and other things. It was cold, but we always enjoy going through the GA foothills.

The views are fantastic, especially after living in the lowlands for a while.

And Mercier's Apple House in Blue Ridge was crowded as usual. We got chow chow, Gold Rush apples, and a box of the most delicious fried pies! Apple, peach, and other great fillings
Unfortunately, we ate them all. My scale tells the tale.

And here's Granny's house. Not the same without her though.

We love our island, but the GA foothills are awfully nice!