Guests Have Come & Gone Along with Michael

Hurricane Michael arrived just hours before my family, but that did not deter them and they made the trip anyway!

Everything was a flooded, muddy mess.

The winds brought down a tree in the courtyard.

Of course, as luck would have it, it came right down on the roof and crushed the original vintage copper gutter.

Even though the outside was a mess, the inside stayed dry and cozy.

A lot of work went into the farmhouse this summer.  The living room, bedroom and bath got painted, ceiling tiles came down, laminate floor came up, the outside was painted.  

All I have left to paint is the kitchen.  The laminate flooring in the bathroom will also be taken up and the wood floor underneath will be sealed.  I would like to start a small garden with mountain laurel outside the kitchen window . . . but for now I rest and wait for next spring!

I liked the white so much in the living room that I decided the kitchen will be painted in a wheat color with bright white trim.

My mom was staying at the farmhouse and George and Patti at the boathouse.  The water was up on the dock, a first for us to see, from the torrential rains that Michael had brought.

Schools of tiny fish were swimming on the dock.

As a surprise for George, the wood stove was installed, but we really didn't think it would happen in time.

The only photo I got of a person!! George getting ready to start a fire in the stove.  I'm pathetic at getting family photos, always busy entertaining, but I'm sure in May we will get some professional shots at the wedding, which will be much better!

The humans leave, the canines come!  This is Ben, a dog left in a coastal shelter when Florence hit.  He stayed at my house for a week and will be headed to Lancaster, PA to my friend's rescue.  Very sweet dog!

Bath time!  One stinky dog from being in a shelter for a month.

Much needed exercise in the pasture.

A few things are still blooming in the garden.