Because we couldn't get out to Kansas City again this year for Thanksgiving with family,  Mark and Jen flew in to spend the holiday weekend with us on the mountain.  We went to Brother's Thanksgiving buffet and enjoyed our dinner together free of cleaning the kitchen mess that comes with Thanksgiving feasting.  The day was heavily overcast and raw and perfect for an evening fire in the stove.  Before their arrival, we strung white Christmas lights outside on the porch, put the tree up in the house, and set out a few vintage Santas on the mantel.  Friday morning we did our mini-Christmas.

Quilted wine bottle bag from Patty's Quilt that I bought in the summer at the farmers market.

                           New flannel shirts for Cliff.

Mark and Jen in their 'Gator aprons.  I also knit Jen 'Gator colored hand warmers.  Finished them the day before their arrival.  Later in the day we drove to Andrews to Calaboose Cellars, a micro brewery and winery.  Calaboose Cellars was the town's first jail.  It now is the smallest free-standing winery in America.

Mark and Cliff got a warm fire blazing in the pit that afternoon.

We brought out quilts from the house to wrap ourselves in and sat for a couple of hours with wine and cheese until the sun disappeared behind the mountain.

Saturday morning the three of went to the gym for an hour while Cliff visited his mother.

Her feeder right outside her window. She can watch the birds from her bed or roll herself to the window in her wheelchair.  The feeder is so busy during the day that Cliff has to fill it every two days.
After the gym, Cliff met us at the Chop House for lunch, then off to the Christmas Fair in the old Moose Hollow building, and a stop in at Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company before Jen and Mark headed back to Atlanta.  They wanted to do some Atlanta sights before flying home this evening (Sunday).
Such an invigorating and warm Thanksgiving holiday weekend!