Clover Hill Happenings: September 2008

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Walking With My Father

By Alana T.

For about a month now I have been walking the hills of middle Tennessee with my daddy.We've been keeping at it in hopes of finding a route that is down hill going and coming, but we haven't had any success thus far.

I really enjoy our four mile treks that take us about an hour. The area where my parents live is beautiful. The wooded areas and open fields we walk along side are homes to a variety of wildlife , and picturesque scenes for our eyes to feast upon.

During these walks I have enjoyed the opportunity to talk with my dad. We have talked about current events, memories from the past, and hopes for the future. I have shared my worries, and concerns, he has shared his, and then there are the days we mostly just walk, and let conversation rest. I enjoy that too.

It has been such a blessing to have someone to walk with. Research even suggest that people with exercise partners fare better then those going at it alone.

I can't help but draw a spiritual comparison here. We as Christians also fare better when we don't go it alone. We need brothers and sisters in Christ to walk with. We do much better on the steep hills of life when we have someone with us. Maybe they are ahead, by that I am referring to the patriarchs, the ones who have been in this race we are running longer. They motivate us by their encouraging words, biblical insights and life testimony to keep on keeping on. They in their maturity have the wisdom to walk along side someone if needed or let the younger step up and lead. Then there are the ones that walk behind that encourage the more experienced with their enthusiasm about entering the race.

I know it has truly been a blessing walking with my Father and father. I'm thankful I'm not going it alone.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.

For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Monday, September 22, 2008

"A" Is For Autumn On Clover Hill

"I love fall! Fall is exciting. It's apples and cider. It's an airborne spider. It's pumpkins in bins. It's burrs on dog's chins. It's wind blowing leaves. It's chilly red cheeks. It's nuts on the ground. It's a crisp crunchy sound. It's leaves turning and the smell of them burning. It's clouds in the sky. It's fall. That's why..... I love fall."- Author Unknown

Today was the first official day of fall. I couldn't help but let my mind wonder to the cool, crisp days ahead and all the images that come to mind when I think of my favorite season.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Here are some of my favorite things about fall.

Brilliant and Bold Fall Tones

A Hayride With Friends

Corn Maze Fun

Decorating My Mantle With Indian Corn

Picking Apples

The Smell and Taste of Candy Corn

Roasting Hot Dogs

Football Fun

Warm Apple Cider

The Smell of Burning Leaves

Picking Out the Perfect Pumpkins

Caramel Apples

Sharing a Blanket

Toasting Marshmallows

A New Cozy Sweater

Family Drives in the Mountains

What's your favorite thing about fall?

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Green Bean Grabbers

When I was a girl the mere mention of green bean picking seemed to break me out in an itchy red rash. (THAT'S THE WAY I HAVE ALWAYS REMEMBERED IT ANYWAY! :) It was not a task that I enjoyed to say the least. So when my Uncle Jimmy so generously invited us out to his place to pick, and I was eager to go, I think it was a little surprising to my mom. We were discussing when would be a good time to go pick when my little girl overheard us,and eagerly piped in" I WANT TO GO!" So with another picking buddy we set the time for early the next morning.

We arrived at Uncle Jimmy's place bright and early. Aunt Oneida greeted us with a fresh cup of hot coffee, and a snack for my daughter. We enjoyed a nice chat before we headed over to their lovely garden to help ourselves to the beautiful homegrown pole beans my mom's brother had raised.

It was EASY picking. With one grab you could pick several at a time. My little girl was delighted, and kept at it not once complaining. She is a great little worker and is so enthusiastic about the jobs she takes on. What a blessing this is!

I also truly enjoyed myself. I found myself not wanting to quit. I picked my way out of the garden when it was time to leave. I found it quite addicting. I did however discover that I am allergic to bean plants. My arms began to itch and breakout into red patches by the time we got into the car. IT WAS TRUE! I WAS ALLERGIC TO THE BEAN PATCH!!!! I guess I'll wear long sleeves next time I pick.

We washed and broke the beans after we got home, and added them to mama's freezer. My younger son pitched in with this part. My daughter wanted to prepare hers for the freezer all by herself. She did it! We have already cooked some and all agreed that they were the BEST green beans we have ever tasted!

Once again I would like to thank Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Oneida for inviting us out to pick and make new memories together!

Here are a few pictures I snapped of my little green bean grabber. Enjoy!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

AW SHUCKS!

For years now my mom has bought and put packs of corn away during the summer months. Not just for Dad and herself but for her grown children as well. We all have savored the sweet taste of summer corn during the winter months because Mama was so thoughtful to bring or send a cooler full of corn home with us.

I've heard her say several times, " It's just something I can do for you kids, I don't mind, I'm just glad I'm able to do it."

This year my children and I got to get in on the action, and we really enjoyed ourselves!

We helped my dad shuck, and helped mama wash, cut & scrape, cook and pack the corn into containers for the deep freeze.

We learned a lot and are so glad we got a chance to help out.

So here is what we did.

First we shucked it.

During the shucking process we discovered that some of the ears had grown an extra ear inside!

A close up of the double ear.

My little girl washing the corn with a vegetable brush.

She did a great job!

Making memories with Mamaw

Washing while Mamaw cuts & scrapes.

My niece arrived, and wanted to get in on the fun.

Mama's cutting technique.

She makes sure not to cut too deep on her first pass over the corn.

Once the first layer of corn is cut she scrapes the rest off.

She is amazingly fast at this.

We heated the corn through making sure to stir it often so that it didn't scorch.
When corn changes appearance and texture thickens, it is time to remove it from the stove and let it cool.

Once cooled you can fill freezer storage containers, and add them to your freezer.

Where Were You?

I'll never forget where I was and what I was doing September 11, 2001. I was getting my two boys ready for the day , and had just finished cleaning up after breakfast. The phone rang, and my sister asked if I was watching the news. I wasn't, and I could tell by the tone in her voice something serious was going on. I turned on the television, and was shocked with what I was seeing. She nervously explained what had happened. At that time the word terrorism had not been mentioned. The statement was "a plane had crashed into the world trade center." Then not too much further into our conversation it became clear that we were under attack. My heart went into my throat, because I knew my husband was supposed to be in the air flying home from California. I quickly told my sister I had to go, and began praying , and trying to get a hold of him. I found out several hours later when he was finally able to contact me that he was grounded at the airport. I was so thankful he was safe.

I couldn't bear to be home alone that day. I called a friend that lived close by, and asked if I could come over and spend the day with her.

I will never forget the horrific scenes from that day. The shock and vulnerability that swept over me. I'll never forget the image of the burning body that I saw fall from the world trade center. My mind could hardly register what I had seen.

WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET!

Where Were You

By Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?/Were you in the yard with your wife and children?/Or working on some stage in LA?/Did you stand there in shock/ At the sight of that black smoke/ Rising against that blue sky?/Did you shout out in anger /In fear for your neighbor?/Or did you just sit down and cry?/Did you weep for the children/Who lost their dear loved ones/And pray for the ones who don't know?/Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble/And sob for the ones left below?/Did you burst out with pride/For the Red White and Blue/And the heroes who died /Just doing what they do?/Did you look up to heaven/ For some kind of answer/And look at yourself and what really matters.

I'm just a singer of simple songs/I'm not a real political man/I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you/The difference in Iraq and Iran/But I know Jesus and I talk to God/And I remember this from when I was young/Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us/And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?/Teaching a class full of innocent children?/Or driving down some cold interstate?/Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor?/In a crowded room did you feel alone?/Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?/Did you dust off that Bible at home?/Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened?/Close your eyes and not go to sleep?/Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages?/Speak with some stranger on the street?/Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow?/Go out and buy you a gun?/Did you turn off that violent home movie you're watching/And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?/Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers?/Stand in line and give your own blood?/Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family?/Thank God you had somebody to love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/lists/by-name/index.html

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Birthday Greetings

Today my husband celebrates his 42nd birthday. I hate that this year we will not be together to celebrate the special occasion ,but we all look forward to doing something special this weekend.

I am very blessed to have him as my husband, and am so thankful for the great example and father he is to our children.

Happy birthday baby.

We love and appreciate you so much!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Civil War Adventures at Shiloh

I mentioned in an earlier post that my father had planned trips for the grandchildren to visit civil war sites. He has planned these trips in the order in which these battles took place in Tennessee. Our first trip was to Fort Henry which we discovered is now underwater. On the same trip we visited Fort Donelson which I wrote about a while back. That led us to our recent trip to Shiloh.

We woke up bright and early, and began a beautiful drive down the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway. Along the way we spotted deer, wild turkey, rabbits, and a lone skunk rambling along the roadside.

Our first stop was the Frontier Inn where Meriwether Lewis died and his grave site. It was an opportune time to recall some of what we had learned last year about this explorer. We enjoyed this stop, and the kids welcomed a little time to run and stretch their legs.

We continued along the Trace taking in the beautiful scenery along the way. We stopped for a quick bite to eat, and then finally reached our destination, Shiloh National Military Park.

The kids were excited to arrive, and especially eager to see the reenactors that were there for the weekend.

What a great day we had! We were able to see what a Union camp would have looked like and talk to several reenactors who were eager to answer questions. We saw several demonstrations. The boys especially enjoyed the firing demonstration. The driving tour was very interesting. The kid's especially enjoyed the walk down the "Sunken Road," and have mentioned the "Bloody Pond" several times since our visit. The museum was VERY KID FRIENDLY ,and the gift shop was very nice.

There is nothing like seeing something with your own eyes to make it come alive. I would encourage anyone, but especially those of you who are interested in history or who are teaching youngsters American History to visit Shiloh National Military Park. It is a GREAT park.

If you would like to learn more about the Battle of Shiloh or Shiloh National Military Park click on the following links; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Shiloh

http://www.nps.gov/shil

We topped off our day with a visit to the Casey Jones Old Country Store & Restaurant in Jackson, Tennessee. We enjoyed a bountiful buffet full of southern favorites, and were entertained table side by some of Jackson's local singing talents. It was a treat!

http://www.caseyjones.com/

Hope you enjoy some of our favorite photos from the day.