Folkmoot International Festival

Haywood County is home to Folkmoot, North Carolina's International Festival.  Each July, we receive dancers from across the world.  The Folkmoot Festival involves the Parade of Nations, International Festival Day and performances across Western NC.  I caught some of the parade on my lunch break yesterday.  Enjoy!!

 

Poland

 

 

 

Thailand

 

 

Poland

Slovakia

 

Thailand

 

Thailand

 

Thailand

 

Art After Dark

Art After Dark is an event in Downtown Waynesville on the first Friday of each month.  It's held May through November.  This month was my first time checking it out.  The art galleries stay open later.  It definitely draws a crowd.  There was also live music in a few spots.  I loved seeing artwork that featured waterfalls.  It made me curious about the names of the falls and their locations.  I'd love to visit more of them.  I also enjoyed the pictures of the elk, which I've been fortunate to see in person.  One of the galleries is an artist's co-op.  A guy from my church was selling his work there.  I visited Gallery 86 as well, which is our local arts council space.  One of the artists is an ECU grad.  I look forward to going back and checking out more galleries. 

A sculpture made from recycled materials

 

Rainbow Ridge Farms- Soap making class

I recently attended an event that Rainbow Ridge Farms participated in.  After ''liking'' their Facebook page, I learned about a soapmaking class they'd be holding.  It sounded like fun.  For the class, I needed to buy coconut oil, olive oil, Crisco (not an off-brand) and an essential oil (lavender).  The farm provided warm distilled water and lye.  Mixing water and lye was the first step.  Then, we began working wih the other ingredients.  The coconut oil gets solid at certain temps, so it had to be melted.  After also melting the Crisco, olive oil was added.  After it reached the right temperature, the lavender was added and all of it was blended.  Then, we poured it into the molds (I used plastic food containers).  It was wrapped in a fleece blanket and placed in a box.  It is cooling in my closet and will remain there for a month.  After that, it will be cut into bars and can be used.  I also got to see some of the farm.  FYI- Compost bins with worms don't stink.  Janet also talked to me about their bees and honey. 

Lye and water after mixing

 

Waiting for the right temperature

 

Another lady's mixture with herbs

 

The soap mixure is in molds

 

Compost with worms

 

Compost bins

 

Worms!

Raised beds

 

Tennessee Day Trip- Mission Serve!

I made a quick trip to Tennessee to visit the Bethlehem Mission Serve group.  I had planned to go this year, but got a new job.  I look forward to making the trip next year.  I was excited that BBC would be nearby, so I went on the first night.  Knoxville is only about an an hour and 40 minutes away.  They are staying at Central Baptist, Fountain City.  They have a small, but really good group.  I never worry about BBC, which has a reputation for working really hard.  I joined them for dinner, worship and a little hang-out time.  Some of the youth (Bailey and Wyatt ;) tried to con me into getting them dinner at a restaurant (I picked up dinner, since I wasn't a participant). 

I knew that a group from Mission Serve Wetumpka would be there.  When one of them approached me, I knew who he was (since I'd expected to see him), but didn't really recognize him (teenagers have a way of changing).  His dad was also there and it was great to talk to him.  In Wetumpka, we had two crews working together, so I got to work with both of those guys.  Glad to see you both, Aaron and Steve!   

The first worship service focused on the theme: denial.  The speaker preached about how Peter denied Jesus.  If we don't share, as we're called to do, then we're denying Christ.  We don't have to openly denounce him to make it denial.  Also, our calling as Christians isn't just to go to heaven.  If that were the case, we'd go to Heaven right away.  Before worship ended, each youth group had some time together.  Group members shared things such as: making a positive impact on anyone they come into contact with and focusing more on ministry (less on just getting the job done). 

If any of the youth group reads this, drink LOTS of water and PLEASE wear sunscreen.  Love y'all!

Getting set up

 

And they're letting her work on a house?

 

I can always count on Clayton

 

Managed to get ''smiles'' from the other two

 

Bailey, who once spilled paint on me

 

First worship service

 

Band

Group shot (adult leaders had left the room)

Little Sam Hike

Little Sam is a section of the Mountains to Sea (MST) trail.  The trailhead is a few miles from Lake Logan.  This was a very rainy hike.  It was also very muddy and swampy, due to so much rain.  We made the best of it, I like to think.  I slipped a few times, but have no crazy bruises to show off.  ;) After a few days, my boots dried off.  There was a section of the trail where we just walked through forest, not really on a path.  It was a nice break, much drier than other parts.  We turned around early, as the water was high and moving very quickly.  That day, a creek crossing was not something we wanted to undertake.  My camera batteries got wet, so no pictures.  One of the members took one, so I'll post it if he shares it. 

Happy Birthday, America!

Our church hosted a concert as part of Downtown Waynesville's celebration.  The Trantham family and a few other performers played/sang beautiful music.  It's been a pretty rainy holiday, so we moved the concert indoors.  Great music and free ice cream, what's not to like.  :) Enjoy the pictures!

Playing the hammer dulcimer

 

The Trantham Family

 

 

Andrew...being still for a couple of seconds :)

 

Daniel

Ben and Daniel

 

 

I'll Fly Away

Road Trip to Fuge :)

When I learned that my home church would be nearby, I knew this called for a little trip.  They are at North Greenville University this week for Centrifuge (only the most awesome youth camp ever!).  I went to Fuge for years at Carson-Newman College (now University).  Loved it! NGU is only a little over an hour from here.  I had the blessing of joining the Bethlehem Baptist youth for worship and youth group time.  The message was from Genesis 2.  While discussing Adam and Eve's sin, Pastor Matt kept going back to ''but God pursued them.''  Yes, they sinned, got kicked out of the garden and continued to have consequences.  But God kept going after them.  Matt also talked about how God is not like people in these bad relationships we may have.  He's not like the guy who doesn't treat you right or the parent that is abusive.  Adam was naked and felt shame, so God provided clothes. 

I'd like to thank them for indulging me with a group picture.  Youth group time was worth the trip over.  It was hysterical...and wonderful.  Michael chose several students, one at a time, to sit on a chair in the middle of the room.  The students and adults encouraged that person. 

It is always good for the heart to visit with the folks from ''back home.''  Bethlehem: see you again soon! I'm coming to visit at Mission Serve! Knoxville is just under two hours away.  I will miss being a participant this year, but look forward to fellowshipping with the group.  :)