Picking the Perfect Pumpkin

Last Saturday we set out in search for the perfect pumpkins for carving.

The autumn weather was cool and crisp. It was a great day to spend together outdoors.

We visited a farm not too far from my parent's house.We had a great time roaming around the muddy pumpkin field dotted with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes in search of our favorite ones.

Hope you enjoy the pictures that I snapped during our visit.

This one is my favorite!








Our baby girl had so much fun!

My youngest son couldn't decide which one he liked best.

Our Oldest

Making our way out of the muddy pumpkin field.

I think we did pretty well.

Our new pumpkins looked great sitting on my parent's front porch.

Our Day at Fort Pillow

Our most recent civil war adventure took us west to Fort Pillow located in Lauderdale, County Tennessee. The fort is known for a horrific massacre that took place there. It is named after General Gideon J. Pillow.

Ten of us went on this trip including my sister who had been unable to join us on previous trips. We were all so glad she was able to join us.

All the "girls" decided to pile in one car and the guys took another. I can't speak for the guys, but us "girls" had a great time gabbing away and singing together as we drove along behind the fellows. The snowy fields of cotton growing along the roadsides were a sight to see.

On our way we stopped by the Casey Jones Restaurant located in Jackson ,Tennessee for lunch. We enjoyed the food and a chance to stretch our legs a bit before we continued on our way.

After arriving at the park we had about an hour to tour the museum before closing. We watched a short documentary then toured the museum. The kids were excited to spend some of their money in the gift shop. My boys bought several new replica toy cannons. My daughter proving herself not only a princess but a practical one chose a pretty bracelet and a tin cup.

Before we left the museum we asked the lady working there for directions to the fort. She told us to follow the hiking trail outside the museum about a mile where we would find the fort. We followed it, but we all agreed she was WAY OFF on the mile part. It felt like TEN to some of us, and two of us walk a rather brisk four miles five days a week. It was quite a hike for sure!

Check out the link below to learn more about Fort Pillow.

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/FortPillow/index.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Pillow

My father poses with his "grandtroops" in front of Fort Pillow.





My Nephew and Oldest

My son takes aim.

The Girls

Waiting to hike to the Fort

The kids really get into our civil war adventures!

My husband had just warned the children that the fort was an ideal place for snakes when a few minutes later my son heard the warning sound of a rattlesnake and quickly backed away.

We all kept a safe distance but were very curious to know where this rattler was headed.

I called the park service to let them know we had seen a rattlesnake at the fort, and to my surprise the ranger said they had a big problem at this park and the fort area in particular. They relocate them on a weekly basis.

He said they had a warning sign posted at the visitor's center.

We did not see it and still wonder why they don't post signs along the trail and at the fort itself. Thank goodness my oldest heard and heeded the snake's warning!

Fort Pillow

Our Family

My Sister and Her Children

My Oldest

Our Sweetie!

Posing in a west Tennessee cotton field.

I love the way the sunlight is laying on her curls.

Hmmm....... sure is pretty. Reminds me of where I grew up in Alabama.

Fun at Fort Negley

Hope you enjoy our photos below from our recent trip to Fort Negley.

We have been taking trips to famous civil war sites in Tennessee in the order in which the battles occured. Since we live close by and they had an actor portraying a Union soldier who had been garrisoned at Fort Negley we strayed from our plans and decided it would be a great time to visit.

My children and niece and nephew seemed quite impressed with the fort that sits atop a hill in downtown Nashville.

I'm sure they would have loved to run freely for hours throughout the ruins of this interesting site pretending to be in battle.

Before we took off on our hike around the fort the children were given a scavenger hunt by a park guide. We enjoyed finding all the points of interest as we made our way to the top.

If you are interested in learning more about Fort Negley check out the links below.

http://www.nashville.org/parks/historic/fortnegley/index.htm

Papaw and the grandchildren smile for a picture at the top of Fort Negley.










The boys enjoyed looking up their names to see if they could find any possible relatives who fought in the Civil War.

My daughter exploring the fort.

Checking out the view of Nashville from the fort.

After exploring and completing a scavenger hunt we enjoyed an actor who brought to life Sgt. John Hill Ferguson, a Union soldier garrisoned at Fort Negley.
He read from his personal journal.

Posing with "Sgt. John Hill Ferguson"

My dad capured this shot of me and the kids at the entrance of Fort Negley.

We stopped for one more picture before heading over to the Elliston Soda Shop for lunch.

Calling All Crows

We sure had fun creating this fall harvest scene that sits near the entrance of my parents' home.

I purchased the crows at a Michaels store and was pleased to see my design become reality.

Autumn Days

Bejeweled fairies spin around me

Twirling, dancing to the ground

Looking lovely all dressed up in God's gift of bright new autumn gowns.

Soft, brown creatures creep and chatter

looking for treasure in shades of brown.

Cool crisp breezes

Wake my senses

Smoky scents linger 'round.

Wheat fields golden, crunchy cornstalks,

Pumpkins marching in a row

Cozy blankets, bumpy hayrides

A sweetheart's warm hand to hold.

Sweet taste of apple on my lips

Soft and gentle fall's first kiss

autumn days are made of this.

By: Alana T.

copyrighted 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

Alana T. © 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?