🌧️ The rain is tapping on the tin roof, the fog is settling into the hollers, and supper is as Appalachian as it gets: homemade dumplings swimming in creamy gravy. Simple and comforting.

Some folks chase fancy meals but those have never impressed me or tempted me. Around here, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southern Appalachia, comfort comes in a bowl, served hot after a long day and shared with the #BabySharks (Yorkie puppies). It's the kind of meal that slows time down and makes a rainy mountain evening feel just right.

Reminds me of my beloved grandmother who I always loved to cook with.

In Appalachia, food isn't just food. It's tradition, memory, and a little bit of home in every bite. #Yum

#Appalachia #MountainLife #RainyNight #ComfortFood #Food #Dinner #Dumplings #SouthernCooking #AppalachianCooking #MountainMeals #TinRoofRain #BlueRidgeMountains #FoodTraditions #TasteOfHome #SmallTownLiving #AppalachianCulture
Peak bloom on #MountRogers and the #Virgina #GraysonHighlands #hiking along the #AppalachianTrail for rhododendron, mountain laurel and flame azaleas. #Blooms #BlueRidgeMountains
Long day, but always worth #hiking up #MountRogers in the #GraysonHighlands of #Virginia. Lots of wild pony foals this spring. Beautiful views of the #BlueRidgeMountains.

Cut out early this afternoon for a little hike up to Roaring Run.

#BlueRidgeMountains #Waterfalls #Roanoke

Porch Patrol Report 🐾

The Appalachian Yorkie Neighborhood Watch is officially on duty and today the lawn guy is on surveillance.

Trust me when I say that the three of them so still and focused never ever happens! It is usually non stop activity with the #BabySharks.

From their favorite window perch in our mountain bungalow, Gracie, Buzz, and their supervisor, Auggie Doggie, are keeping a close eye on that lawnmower.

Honestly, there's no better way to spend an #Appalachian afternoon than watching the world go by with the #sunshine beams coming in through the window and watching the world go by one wag at a time.

❀️ Life is slower here. And that's exactly the point.

#AncestryRoads #AppalachianStories #YorkiesOfMastodon #PorchPatrol #MountainLife #Appalachia #DogsofMastodon #Yorkies #Dogs #YorkshireTerrier #BlueRidgeMountains #CountryLiving #SmallTownLife #AppalachianMountainBungalow #DocumentingAppalachiaOneStoryAtATime πŸΎπŸƒπŸ‘

Kind of a slog up Tinker Mountain today with temps in the 90s.

#Roanoke #BlueRidgeMountains #TrailRunning #AT

After almost a year from buying a place in the #BlueRidgeMountains, we finally had a #datenight. I promise you that there is nothing like living in a small town and supporting small business owners. 🏑

Living slow, dining local, and drinking something strong (yes, #moonshine) under #Appalachian skies. Around here, the sunsets stop traffic, everybody knows your name, and the stories get better after dark. Small town life may not move fast but it sure knows how to live. I am so fortunate. The sunsets are pretty fabulous too!

Also, how cool is it that I'm standing in the middle of the road to take this picture. 😁

#Appalachia #Sunsets #SmallTown #Georgia

Mountain laurel hike on a beautiful spring day in #Roanoke

#BlueRidgeMountains #BloomScrolling

Took Mom and Dad up on the Blue Ridge Parkway today. ItΒ΄s hard for them to do a lot of walking, but they loved the trillium, wild geraniums, dogwoods, and native pink azaleas all blooming at different elevations along the road and overlook paths.

#brp #BlueRidgeParkway #BlueRidgeMountains