NANA NOTES

PLAYING CATCH UP!!

This blogging thing seems to get harder and harder--I guess because Facebook and Instagram have taken over the blogging world. Oh, and don't forget Twitter and ---! :) Really, it's just laziness or busyness on my part.  Here is a little bit of "catch up" to let you see what's going on at the farm.

 

Some of the jam made from berries from the farm.

I spend a lot of time upstairs running my embroidery machine. These are some of the things that I donated to the bazaar.

One of the biggest happenings was Josh and Victoria getting married. Not the big wedding we had planned but a beautiful one nonetheless. A lovely ceremony and a trip to Canada then back to real life. Hope to have a party after Christmas for them. 
The Herring Gas Bicycle Team years have been great ones. Each year we've had a get together and fellowshipped with each other. This year was the last HGC sponsored year.  We had a grand party and will watch the guys ride under a new name next year. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hunting was good to the kids this year! They all got big deer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other pictures must be on my ipad and I'll have to switch devices. I'm frustrated to say the least!!  To be continued--sooner or later--sooner, I hope!!

PAT'S "MEDICARE" SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY

 Today is Pat's birthday and from the title you should be able to guess which one!!  I had asked her to go to lunch with me to celebrate.  I just failed to tell her that four of our "sisters" were going with us. She was totally surprised. Charlotte, Deb, me, Sharon, Libby and Pat--six sisters that love each other.  We have so much fun when we're together.  

The menu board at the Topisaw General Store--a lovely place with handmade gifts and goodies to purchase.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homemade focaccia bread and I was lucky enough to get a loaf before they were gone.  They had Orange Cream Cookies but they sold before we got any!!

Sharon and Pat smelling the homemade soap. There was beautiful pottery and colorful yarn too. The courtyard was beautiful;  A small cozy place with wonderful atmosphere.

David Varnado, the owner of the store, taking Deb's order.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful lunch and enjoyed the company of each other. They went with me to get my new glasses and then it was time for dessert!! 
Everyone was happy and full.  No one wanted to go shopping so we just visited a little while and went home.  We all decided that we should do that more often, birthday or not.  Happy Birthday, Pat!!

2013 CROP CELEBRATION SCRAPPING TRIP

The Scrapping Sisters always look forward to our trip to Hammond for the Crisis Pregnancy Center Crop.  All the money they make goes for a good cause and we have a great time.  The caterers are always wonderful, and we don't have to leave the building except to sleep if we so choose.  This year we had a group of eleven; the Scrapping Sisters were well represented!! We were all laughing at something except Tara who was in another world at the time!! Can you guess who she is??  She's posing but MIA!! Gotta love that Tara!!  These two Pack and Plays are full of items that we carried to donate for the Pregnancy Center.  The more items you donate, the more tickets you get for the grand prize.  I got four tickets.  This year there was only one grand prize.  In the past you've been able to purchase more tickets and scatter them out on several prizes. More later on that!  Susan has a new job at a nursing home.  She has gotten involved with the activities director and was making "kids" for Tacky Day.  She's going to make a wonderful new employee for the nursing home. She loves scrapping!!  Nice to see her work on something besides Disney!! This is a picture of some of the other scrappers.  These just happen to be our friends the Louisiana Scrappin' Sisters. We love these girls. Our sweet vender friends--Melanie from Baton Rouge, Lenore from Foley, AL and Gina from Foley, AL. We're always seated close to them and enjoy visiting with them. Love these girls very much!!  We enjoyed visiting with friends, taking classes and scrapping for three days.  We usually don't get to stay till it's over because we have to get back to get ready for church on Sunday with Pat being choir leader. I gave Susan my tickets to hold "just in case" I should win.  You see, I've won a major door price for the last two years.  There were several to win and I just got lucky!!  Knowing I had no chance to win this year with there being only one, I just asked Susan to hold them for me.  We'd been gone about an hour and a half when I got this picture on my cell phone with a message.  Hmmmmm, looks like you won something!!!   All three of us riding together just started laughing.  We couldn't believe it!!  I called Susan and she said, "yes, you really did win!"  They didn't have room in their car but another friend has it.  I'll get it next weekend when we get together.  I can't wait.  Now do you know why we love that crop so much!!  We're already looking forward to next year!!

"Let's go to the Movies"

Pine Burr Garden Club's Spring Flower Show was held on April 12, 2013 at the Meadville Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. The theme was "Let's go to the Movies" and had 12 designs and 53 pieces of horticulture.  The lack of horticulture was due to a major rain storm two days before and the fact that I am out of commission due to illness!!  I'm proud of the members for showing up and showing out with their horticulture.  There were some major pieces of beauty in this show!!
The designs were equally beautiful. Due to club size we only had twelve designs--but the quality is there.  The Pine Burr girls can do designs!!  Take

 a look.  Class 1 Musicals



Class 2 Drama 


Class 3 Westerns

The winner of the Designer's Choice Award and the Barbara Herring Award (best design in the show) was Carol May.  She had the arrangement that was the second picture.  The judges said it was an absolutely perfect traditional arrangement.  There were no requirements for the arrangements. The designers could do anything they wanted to do. They picked their own movie titles and did what they wanted to do arrangement wise. The diversity was amazing.  My personal favorite was the "2001, Space Odessy". It's blue and peach colored with a wonderful background that is perfect for the flowers.  The arrangement looks like a spaceship about to take off. It captured the blue ribbon and the Dorothy McGehee Award for the design that best depicts the theme of the show.  We had lots of visitors and had a fun day. Lugenia Scarbrough won Sweepstakes Award and the Pauline Herring Award for the most blue ribbons in Horticulture.  Good for you, Lugenia!!  I'm proud of you. Everyone did an exceptional job on the show!! Rest up, next year will be here before you know it!! :)

10 Most Invasive Plants

Franklin County Natives in the Movies

Couldn't forget the Special Exhibits.  They were wonderful!!

I did forget to take a picture of the entry!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUNT KATHERINE'S SUNSHINE BASKET TRADITION

Ed's Aunt Katherine had a tradition of making Sunshine Baskets filled with small gifts that she carried to friends and family to cheer them up.  Pat (Ed's cousin and my sister in heart and love) called to make sure I would be home and up to a visit by her two sisters and her nieces on March 16th.  I told her that there was nothing that would keep me from feeling like a visit from those sweet, funny girls!!  I couldn't wait!! Now on with the story.  That afternoon Pat, Carolyn, Vana, Diana, Zoe, Sallie Kat and LeighBeth all showed up with a huge green basket all decorated with bows and flowers!!  Now the story is that Aunt Katherine says that you're supposed to open one gift a day so the happiness will last a long time. Carolyn said that was a steadfast rule!! Vana said "open them all at one time if you want to. That's what I'd do! Do what ever you want to do." Pat and the girls were kind of "on the fence".  I chose to "one a day" it--except for one Sunday when I thought I needed more!!  There were 22 gifts and 19 days so that's worked out pretty much right.  You can see that there was a tremendous number of wonderful gifts!! I kept a list of what the gifts were so I could remember in the first place and so I could put the in the blog (cause I knew I would do this!!). Here goes:  Jesus Today book, plant stake letter "H", Sweet Panda gift card, white lace scrapbook border, Joshua magnet, Christian Journal, Jeremiah bag, Burts Bees lip balm, cards, Rejoice notepad in a felt bag with flowers, Rose note pad,  Hope tablet, black and white shopping list, Jelly Bean pills, Rhodan and Fields hand treatment, scripture magnets, travel Scentsy, goats milk soap, gummie bunnies (yum), Gail Pittman Hope bowl, and a beautiful picture of Sallie Kat and LeighBeth. The picture was the only one that made me cry, except when they brought in the basket!!  Isn't that a wonderful thing??  I so loved it and will never forget it!!  I'm already thinking of someone I can do one for.  Thank you my sweet sisters in heart for the wonderful visit and time spent together.  You each will get a note for the tremendous gifts!!  I love you!!

TWO IN ONE NIGHT!!

A few days of R & R at the condo before treatment--this is what I did. 

Plumbing!!

 
Cleaning and Organizing the Pantry!!

Cleaning and Organizing the Laundry Room!!

Of course there was shopping, movie going, eating out, sleeping late, shopping and ice cream--but I didn't take pictures of that!!

SAM'S SCIENCE PROJECT 2013

 I'm the Nana with all the "stuff"!!  Scrapbooking stuff!  That comes in handy when a project is due and you need letters, cutouts, etc.  I'm so lucky to be able to work on projects with the grandchildren!!  It gives me one on one time with them and I get to fuss at them for waiting till the last minute!! :)  Sam chose "Juice Box Geometry" for his Science project.  He spent the night one Friday night and we decided to go to Waffle House for breakfast on Saturday morning. That was fun in itself.  We took pictures of the different juice boxes. 

We took 7 different juices but only tested 5.

 

We had instructions to follow and even had a program on the computer that helped us measure the amount of packaging and the amount of juice. 

After breakfast we went to Wally World and printed the pictures.  Then it was back home to cut letters, type descriptions and get the board in order.  Paper, glue runners, cricut to cut letters--all the good stuff a scrapbooker has--Sam's favorite is the glue runner!!  He can use some glue!! 

Have you ever seen a cuter kid? Unless it's one of my other grandchildren!!

GOT JUICE--Juice Box Geometry--the finished project!!

 

He made 100 and made it to the gym.  Thanks Sam, for letting me help you.  It was lots of fun.  Let's go to the Waffle House again soon!!

 

2012 Girls Trip

We finally made it to October!! That means Gatlinburg!! Libby, Deb and I took off and made it in two days!! Lots of laughter on the way.  That was the first color we saw. A man from a car dealership saw us taking pictures and came over and took this one.  We did lots of walking before the rain set in. Then we drove and walked in the rain!! The traditional pancake breakfast and trip to the outlet mall.  On Halloween afternoon there were all sorts of folks out trick or treating.  This was a couple I ran into.   Meet Shrek and Fiona!!   And don't forget the Good Witch!! That's her with the hat on (in case you have a problem with identification!). As if by magic, the next day most of the fall decorations were down and Christmas was up.   During our drive one afternoon we saw a drove of wild turkeys.  I realize that's pretty normal for us that live in the country, but I never tire of seeing animals in the woods. I get excited just like I'd never seen them before.  On that same drive we saw beautiful leaf color.  And YES! We saw SNOW!!  We rounded a curve and it was snowing! We were like children.  That night it snowed over 10 inches.  When we left this is what it looked like at the Tennessee/North Carolina State Line.

  

 

 

On our way to Atlanta, we stopped at Babyland General Hospital--home of the Cabbage Patch Kids. That's all I can say about that!!  Well, it was an awesome adventure too!  I've always wanted to go there.  We spent a couple of nights with my Aunt Net and came home.  It's always fun to travel but coming home was good too!! Thanks Deb, for inviting me!!

Annual Dove Hunt

Opening Day--camo everywhere--guns everywhere--people everywhere--food everywhere!! That's what makes up opening day of dove season.  This year was no exception. Hurricane Isaac threatened to ruin it all but even he left in time for the guys to have a nice hunt.  While they hunted, the girls fixed up a big breakfast (french toast casserole, 6#s of bacon, 3 dozen eggs, orange coffee cake, lots of fresh fruit and Haleigh's cinnamon rolls.  It was gone in a flash when the guys came in.

The prep and cooking crew!  Of course, the girls had everything ready for them to assemble.  We're good like that!!  
These cooked up to be delicious! They went great with Bill's Beans, Garlic Green Beans, Jambalaya, Mac and Cheese and Hot Rolls. Desserts--I won't even go there!!  Opening day of dove season!! One of our favorite days of the year!

CROP CONNECTION 2012 "CHRISTMAS IN JULY"

 

This summer's Crop Connection was no let down!!  It was everything we wanted it to be and more.  "Jingles" was there and Santa came.  The lovely Crop Connection ladies were very giving and we received many gifts and wonderful snacks. Did I mention how good the homemade cookies were??  And Santa brought us a great pink duffle bag!!  We had two full sections of tables and had a great time. My entertainment for the weekend!!  Pat and I had our pictures made with Jingles.  He was a ready participant in the scrapping group!!

Deanna, Nadene and Andrea--the sweetest three ladies on the face of the earth.  They work for six months getting this event ready for us. I love them all.  Thank you so much for what you do!!

This is part of our Scrapping Sisters group.  Feel free to tag yourselves. I love my SS's. We share a bond of many things.  We can't wait till September!!

2012 "Furniture Styles" Flower Show

Pine Burr Garden Club had its annual flower show yesterday at the historic building that housed the Franklin Furniture Store for as long as I've lived here.  The girls did an amazing job on getting the building ready.  Since I haven't been able to attend any of the meetings this year I felt a little bit like a fish out of water for a little bit. After a while at the desk, it all came back!!  Wilma Holland wrote the schedule and was chairman of the show. She did an wonderful job!!  She gave us a challenging show to do and as usual the girls rose to the occasion!!  Class 1: Cottage Style-- The blue ribbon winner which happens to be mine. I really lucked out with this one!!  As you can see I had some serious competition!  The other ladies did a great job!!

Class 2: A Collage featuring Modern Styles

Beverly Gabbert's collage won the blue and Dorothy McGehee Award. 

Class 3: Retro-- A very proud moment for our Chairman and Schedule writer!!  Not her first blue ribbon but her first "big" award.  She won the Designer's Choice Award and the Barbara Herring Design Award.  A very happy lady!!  She did a great job on her very first schedule writing and was highly complimented by the judges.  Congratulations, Wilma.

We had 91 pieces of horticulture.  That was nice since we'd had a big rain a few days before.  Carole May won the very first Grower's Choice Award given by our club with her lovely begonia. Congrats to Carole for that award. 

 

Awards of Merit went to Carole May and me

 

And the winners are!!  Great day for these four ladies and all the rest too!  Congratulations to all on the beautiful flower show.

END OF TRAPPING SEASON 2012

 

For the last five months Ed has been getting up before the sun and leaving to go set and check his traps. His lifelong friend, Buddy Ruff started trapping with him and they got in cahoots with Elton who was trapping on his own.  The UPS and FedEx people now know us by our first names and are probably missing us at this point. Ed ordered more trapping stuff than I have scrapbooking stuff (joke here!!).  My entertainment was hearing about the day and seeing the pictures.  The part I liked best was that Ed was having so much fun. I don't think I've ever seen him with a hobby that provided him with the excitement and fun that he's had during these months.  I could post lots of pictures of his catches and I think I have put some but here is the final day before taking the furs to the fur trader.  These guys did a good job. The traps are now cleaned and ready for next year and he's ridden off on the bike!! 

Girlfriends Week!

Three weeks ago five of us escaped to the beach. There were three conditions for going--you could only take pajamas and movies and one outfit to wear out to eat for a celebration! The weather kept changing so we didn't know what to take anyway. Piper went with us an we loaded up to go. We left at 10:00 AM and got there in time for the AL/LSU game! Did I mention stopping at every Michaels and Hobby Lobby on the way? It rained all day Tuesday--very hard and then the cold came in. Not a problem for us--remember--pjs and movies! We had wonderful homemade bread, soups and salads--every meal a gourmets delight. In all we watched 12 movies, stayed up late, laughed until we cried and celebrated a birthday. Four of the five are cancer survivors, two have lost their husbands and we are all Christian ladies. Three of us go to the same church and are related (by marriage or by blood); the other two go to church together. Two of us have the same mother--we just don't know which one (figure that one out!!) we are all sisters in love and have a great time together. Until I find my camera I can't show you the girls but I can show you some of the food.  We bought cupcakes on the way down to have for dessert that night for the game.  I will entice you with the names--top to bottom, left to right:  lemon cream, strawberry, red velvet with vanilla buttercream, chocolate with salted caramel, carrot with cream cheese, and pound cake with vanilla buttercream. Good doesn't even begin to describe them!!     This is the wonderful tomato bisque that Pat makes.  The salad is my baby greens with pears, caramalized nuts and sweet tea vinagrette.  We enjoyed turnip green soup and corn bread one night. On Charlotte's birthday we went out to eat and I had Fried Green Tomatoes with crawfish sauce!!   They were better than delicious.  The movie "Joyful Noise" followed that meal and we ended with salad and baked potatoes for dinner.  I will not mention the Black Jack Cherry Frozen Yogurt we had several times during the week!!  Piper took good care of us during the week.  She loved posing in her new PINK halter.  She loves the beach because she gets to ride the elevator.  I still haven't found my camera.  I haven't been back to the beach and have attended two weekend scrapbook events. Talk about moaning!  I really hope it's at the condo!!

The girls had a great time and look forward to going back again soon. I look forward to blogging about my LAST weekly chemo treatment tomorrow!!  Talk to you soon.

 

attitudes

I found this in a knitting package I bought in a store in Gatlinburg. I have been wanting to put it on the blog for several days. Today I read the first devotional in a new book given to me by one of my "sisters".  What a God thing.  It's about the same subject.

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, that what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearances, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company..a church..a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our ATTITUDES. 

Author of "Attitude"; Chuck Swindoll 

I;ve always tried to be cheerful to checkers at a store. You never know their story and some of them are not friendly. I have rarely left one that doesn't eventually laugh or smile after some off the wall comment I make.  I tell them that a long time ago I chose to be happy on this day and that's the way it's going to be. I am the one who makes me happy and no one can take that away.  I've seen the coldest hearts melt and have made friends.  I've prayed out loud right there in the store. I refuse to let a day go by that someone doesn't smile. A day without laughter is wasted. That's my attitude!!  What's yours??

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 2011

What better way to start the Christmas weekend than a beautiful communion service!!  Josh, Ed and I attended along with our MUMC family (and some extended Herring family that came from out of town). I love that service. Then it was home to a wonderful gumbo supper prepared for us by a friend who has done that for several years. (Thanks, George!! It was wonderful!!) Josh wasn't going to be with us today so he opened his gifts.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found what I think will be his favorite gift under the tree when all the gifts had been opened!!  Sure hope he comes by here soon.

Church today was very good. We had Jody, Tiffany, and all the Cowarts. What better place to be on Christmas Day!!  Then off to the homestead to finish up lunch for 2:00 pm.  It was delicious even if I did cook it!!

We have a tradition that the kids move the table back when they finish eating and arrange the chairs in a semi-circle. I was finishing my dessert and Tiffany told me that they had moved the table and gotten ready.  She said I'd better hurry up or they were starting without me!  You can't start without Nana--she's Mrs. Santa!!!  :)  We sang "Happy Birthday Jesus" and began opening the gifts. They are older now and actually held off wanting to rip everything apart!!  We did it one person at a time. 

Sam got the hoodie he wanted!!

 

 

 

 

Everybody got a set of 1500 threadcount sheets.  I don't know who was the most excited!!

Boots and More gift certificates. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jody and Tiffany are going to have to take a trip to Jackson!!  The girls got "Mall" cards!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graham and Ryan picked out hunting clothes and Haleigh picked out dishes. All were happy!!

 

 

Ben had chosen boots and I actually could find his size. He loved them. I told him if I ever saw them in his yard, Papa and I would buy no more!!

 

 

 

Tiffany asked for Tervis Tumblers and threatened anyone who removed them from the house!!  As in, she better not find them at the office!! :)

Shelby wouldn't ever tell me what she wanted. Tiffany knew she wanted some Oakleys and she knew there was a website where you could design your own.  We designed her glasses and she was sooooo surprised.  They even have her name etched in the lens.  No one will get these!!

This was my favorite gift!!  Sam didn't know he was getting these.  He asked for a specific hoodie and pants. I saw these when I was ordering something for Ed and we both said "yes" the minute we saw them!!  Sam said, "I look like an old man." But he loved them.  They are insulated so he can hunt in them too.  Just so darn cute!! 

 

We gave Abby (our niece) luggage. She liked it!!

 

 

 

 

 

We gave Tom and Shirlee a Keurig Coffee Pot. I don't even drink coffee and I love that thing!!

 

 

Jody got a custom made Dopp Kit with his initials debossed on it. He said he needed it. Hope he likes it.

I guess Shelly can go to Boots and More with the Herrings.

 

 

 

 

 

The Cowarts knew just what I wanted--a Shark Steam Mop!! Now I can clean up after the dogs!!  Somehow we missed Jennifer opening her SECOND Kindle Fire!! 

Papa got a wonderful Pen and Pencil set. 

With his crayon maker. I think I want to do this with him.

Everyone was much too good to me. Papa was so sweet and gave me beautiful things. The children gave me loving gifts; some of them were handmade which I love.  We enjoyed the day with family. It's sad not to have little ones but it's fun with older kids too!  Merry Christmas Cotton Branch Gang!!

THANKFUL THANKSGIVING

I'm going to have to steal Victoria's pictures because I didn't even have my camera on Thanksgiving day!!  We had a wonderful day with family and friends all day long.  The food was delicious and bountiful!  The guys hunted in the afternoon and four of us girls went to the "Meadville Mall" for a little retail therapy--our idea of Black Friday Eve shopping!!  What a blessed day we had and so thankful for everything!!

For the last few days we've been driving in the mountains sightseeing and enjoying the wonderful colors of the leaves.  All of a sudden we've gone from short sleeves and flip flops to sweaters, coats and uggs!! Rain and cold weather moved in fast. We wished for a fire place and some wood!  Of course that was the day we chose to shop.  We drove to a lovely little shopping area in Pigeon Forge.  The most interesting shop for me was one with a 30 year old embroidery machine that a man used to do monograms by hand.  It was amazing to stand there and watch him form the letters freehand since I just program my machine and it creates the letters for me.  It doesn't take much to entertain me I guess. In this picture he was monogramming "Nana" on my watermelon colored sweatshirt. I love it!  We came back to the Apple Barn and had a late lunch and went to find apples.  We met a very sweet man on the side of the road who was selling apples out of the back of his truck. He said they were picked that morning. The apples are delicious and we bought a lot!! He grew the apples in his orchard. They still had leaves on them.  Don't these just look delicious??? I'm thinking fried apple pies!!  This was made the morning before we left for home.  We made one more round of shopping to see if we needed anything else to fill the car! Notice that I did not mention how many times we stopped for fudge or show pictures of dessert.  In the whole time we were gone we only had dessert twice--because we had fudge everyday!!  Ask us if we like the pumpkin!! Three crazy ladies turned loose in the Smokies; we had a wonderful, memorable, terrific time together. I am so blessed to have sweet friends.

2011 GATLINBURG TRIP CONTINUED

 

We left off at Cades Cove and I don't think we went to be any night before midnight.  I had to watch an episode of "Chopped" in order to get to sleep!! :)  The following day we drove up to Clingmans Dome. The colors were just as beautiful or maybe more so.  I haven't enhanced these photos either!!

The mountains were beautiful but I loved driving through the roads looking at the trees and streams.  We still had short sleeve weather on this day. The rain was supposed to come in the next day. I saw evidence of bears but because of some people's sensitivity I will refrain from putting that picture up!! :) Yes, I took a picture!  During one of our outings we were "sort of" lost in the mountains. We rounded a curve and at least 20 turkeys were feeding on the side of the road.  I started screaming, "stop, stop, I've got to take a picture." People were honking for us to move so we did, but I got one on my phone so I could send it to Ed and a couple with my camera.  You know how I love my turkeys!! 





Every time we drove through Pigeon Forge I kept telling Ed I saw the Titanic. He'd say, "Barbara, the Titanic can't be there, it sank." (That's a joke with us--when the movie came out--long story.) Finally, I got pictures.

Tomorrow--rain and cold weather moves in. To be continued---

2011 TRIP TO GATLINBURG WITH THE GIRLS

I don't think I've ever been away from home for ten days without family!!  Deb invited Libby and me to go to Gatlinburg to stay in her family's timeshare there.  I think it was even before I got sick--I immediately said "yes"!!  It's been a very long time since I've been to the mountains.  We left last Thursday and just got back tonight.  We all took our computers but something was wrong with the internet connections there and we couldn't get online. Did I mention withdrawals??  I mostly wanted to blog each day since I hadn't been doing any blogs lately.  I finally had something to blog about and couldn't.  Ed took our picture the afternoon we left. He bought us these hats in Orange Beach. We truly are the "Joyful ladies".  We drove to Tuscaloosa and spent the night. Then on to Gatlinburg. This was the front of the building and by the entrance to our room.   

 

 

                The next morning we walked down the street and had pancakes!! 
The pancakes were wonderful.  We ate in the "SEC" section!! 

My black walnut pancakes were delicious. I have to say that I ate every bite!! I am not ashamed!! I have now confessed!!  After breakfast it was off to the Craft Fair at the convention center.  We enjoyed that.  The next day it was off to Cades Cove where the leaves were beautiful.  We visited the Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church where the tombstones in the cemetery dated back to the late 1700's. Neither Libby nor I got a picture of the church.  I sent Ed a picture made with my phone of me sitting on a boulder in the middle of a beautiful stream like this. Glad I didn't fall in.  Libby was so sweet to drive most of the time. Ed had told them not to let me drive and make me rest. This is where I spent my time in the car.  I have to say that I could get used to it--I actually let someone help me.
This is going on way too long--so I'll write some more tomorrow.  You can't do a ten day trip in one blog!  to be continued.....................................

2011 ANNUAL DOVE HUNT WEEKEND

Our family has gotten so large that we pretty much keep our dove hunt weekend for family. Ed's cousin and his wife from Texas, our friends from TN, Ed's brother from TN and my brother and his wife from Petal along with our children and grandchildren and in-laws began arriving on Friday.  Even with having such a big house, it sure filled up fast!!  There was constant chatter and laughter and of course plenty of food.  Some of us went out on Friday night and had Mexican. That was a treat. On Saturday morning it was up early and out to the dove field for the men. Never mind that it was raining.  "Some of our best hunts have been in the rain." Famous saying!!  About 10:00 am when the hunters came in soaking wet and hungry this was waiting for them--a pile of bacon, hot grits, homemade cinnamon rolls, orange coffee cake and fresh fruit with juice, milk and coffee.  They needed some nutrition because after all, they had more work to do. The shishkabobs had to be prepared!

Since the beans, potato salad, desserts and appetizers had been prepared earlier, the ladies got to sit and visit!!  We certainly enjoyed that.  Of course, there was some ballgame watching!

    

We signed Kelsey's cast.  To bad she's getting it off soon. She won't be able to carry around Ed's art very long!

 

Sam spent the night with us and we went to church.  We filled a whole pew.

Vin and Cathleen from Houston, Texas.

  Vivian and Sam from Riceville, TN.

Ed and me--our first picture together in a while.
After a wonderful church service with communion, a delicious Sunday lunch and a short last visit, our house emptied and Ed and I took a nap.  A great Labor Day Dove Hunt weekend with friends and loved ones--family--all of them.  And what a welcomed addition--soft, sweet rain!!