Monthly Archives: March 2011

Rustic Throw Rug Curtains

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Rustic Throw Rug Curtains

We live in a log cabin and it is a lot of fun trying to come up with new decorating ideas that enhance the rustic charm of the cabin.  Here is an idea for curtains that do not overwhelm a small room.

This could not be more simple, as it does not require sewing.  Just hang a simple curtain rod and drape a throw rug over it!  These rugs remind me of navajo blankets.  I found them at IKEA of all places for $3.99 each.  Here’s the link where you can  purchase them online.

Flat Woven Throw Rugs from IKEA

Some variations could include draping a light bedspread or some colorful sheets over the rod — you might keep this in mind as you determine the size of your rod and how much of an extension you allow past the window.

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Trash Drop Off Site in Sharps Chapel

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Sharps Chapel Dump

Free Trash Disposal in Sharps Chapel

Sharps Chapel Convenience Center
865-278-4007
HOURS
Mon. Wed. Fri.: 9 am – 5 pm
Sat: 9 am – 1 pm

You CAN get something for nothing and in Sharps Chapel, that is free trash disposal.  Officially named the “Sharps Chapel Convenience Center”, this household waste disposal facility is run by the Union County Solid Waste District.

How It Works

Sharps Chapel Trash Disposal Site

Transport your trash to the one drop-off facility located on the same road as the Sharps Chapel Post Office.  When you drive in, pull your vehicle up to the central dumpster.

You’ll be greeted by “Pete” who will help you deposit your trash, but his primary purpose is probably to make sure you don’t dump anything you are not supposed to.  Pete has been there 5 years.  He’ll help you with any questions you might have.  We were curious whether they would take an old tire we had and he said no.  They do not take tires or paint (unless the paint is dried in the can).  Nor do they take anything flammable.

All trash goes in the one dumpster. Pete said they used to separate the trash, but that stopped once the price of gas got too high to support the multiple trips required to empty multiple containers.

Great Way to Meet Your Neighbors

The first time we dropped off our trash, Pete already knew who we were.  The people we bought our house from gave him the news.  I keep forgetting this is a small town.  The second time we went (see truck on the left in the photo) my eye caught a beautiful 1965 Ford truck driven by two locals.  I really wanted to know who they were and what they did, but that will come with time.  I want to hear everyone’s story.

Sharps Chapel Post Office

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Sharps Chapel Post Office

800  Deliveries a Day

HOURS:
Monday – Friday: 6:30 am – 3:15 pm (closed 11-noon for lunch)
Saturday: 6:30 am – 10:00 am

On most days when you go to the Sharps Chapel Post Office, you’re bound to see Cheryl, the postmaster.  She has been there 16 years and was quite knowledgable  about the goings on in the area.

I had heard about possible Post Office closings nationwide and was curious if she had heard if Sharps Chapel would be affected.  She said that the closings would most likely affect post offices that were within 10 miles of one another and the closest post offices to Sharps Chapel are Maynardville and Tazwell – both about 15 miles away.  Couple that with the fact that Sharps Chapel Post Office makes 800 deliveries a day and that this will only continue to grow with new home development at Sunset Bay and Norris Shores, then it seemed pretty unlikely that Sharps Chapel Post Office would be affected.

Post Office Hours

 

 

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High Speed Internet Expands in Sharps Chapel

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(I'm So) Happy Happy (You're Mine)

Image via Wikipedia

Many communities in Sharps Chapel already have high speed internet — Sunset Bay, a community of over 800 homesites,  was the first to have it and parts of Norris Shores got it a couple years ago.

I just got confirmation from Don Smith, manager at CenturyLink, that high speed internet (6MB) is approved to be expanded to the front part of Tanglewood Rd. (from Old Valley Rd.),  including Hummingbird Lane, to join with the existing high speed in Norris Shores.

CenturyLink

Image via Wikipedia

This area includes 10 residences or so, who previously could only get 512 kb.

Thanks to Don Smith for helping to make this happen!  You’ve made a lot of people very happy.

Coltsfoot – Early Spring Yellow Wildflower

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Coltsfoot Early Spring Yellow Wildflower

Coltsfoot Early Spring Yellow Wildflower

Dandelion Look-Alike

I spotted these dandelion look-alikes along a gravel road in Norris Shores in Sharps Chapel on March 5.  My first thought was dandelions, but dandelions do not sprout up in groupings like this and it was too early for dandelions.

Common dandelion, a weed;

Common dandelion

What are they?  Coltsfoot.  I took this picture of the Coltsfoot, to the left, with my iPhone. Click on the photo to see a larger, more crisp photo.  I love how they are pushing their way up through a pile of leaves.  These are not fully open yet.  In my research, I learned that they will open fully (see photo below)  to truly resemble dandelions, kinda sorta, but not exactly.  Compare the bloom to the dandelion to the right.

According to Wikipedia:

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), Chemnitz, Germany

Image via Wikipedia

Coltsfoot is a perennial herbaceous plant that spreads by seeds and rhizomes. Tussilago farfara is often found in colonies of dozens of plants. The flowers, which superficially resemble dandelions, appear in early spring before dandelions appear. The leaves, which resemble a colt’s foot in cross section, do not appear usually until after the seeds are set. Thus, the flowers appear on stems with no apparent leaves, and the later appearing leaves then wither and die during the season without seeming to set flowers. The plant is typically between 10 – 30 cm in height.