Bella Rustica/Pulaski, TN

I have been eyeing this weekend on my calendar for almost a year! Last year, the Bella Rustica Barn Sale was in Franklin, TN.  I missed it, somehow. But I was determined to make it this year.

My buddy Beth wasn't able to go; that gal has her hands full. So, the hub, once again, was my knight in shining armor.  The things he does for me. But it was a lovely drive and we had some catching up to do since I was gone for two weeks. In fact, we were so enthralled in our conversation during the drive, we made it to the Alabama line before realizing that we had passed our exit--waaaaay baaaaaack! ha.

The sale took place at Milky Way Farms, named by its owner Frank Mars--famous for his Milky Way candy bars. What a gorgeous property. One of the horse barns was used for the sale and it was amazing. I think we need to go back (and not get lost) and get a tour of the property. 

After a nice day out, we checked Roadfood.com to see if there was a great little country restaurant for dinner on our way home. Of course, there was. Stan's the country man! (What did we do without smartphones????)

Me + Hub

Labels: Hub, TN, Restaurants

Here, There and Everywhere

There are places I remember . . . .  

Oooofy, seems I've been gone since forever! I had work to do back "home" and have spent the past two weeks gettn'er done. TCB. Checking it off the list. One day, as I always say, I'm going home and having nothing on my agenda other than visiting friends and family. Period. As usual, I had little time to see anyone.

Made a ten-hour dash to DC so I could drop off the rest of the teenager's belongings. Then it was off to Northern Jersey the next day to help with  some family stuff there. I got to see my SIL MJ and have dinner with my brother and his family in DC. By the time I made it further north, I could definitely feel some autumn in the air--just not enough to ward off my hot flashes! Awkward. See what you have to look forward to Mz. C!

While I missed my niece's Sweet 16 party, I was there for her actual birthday. I haven't been with any  of my niece's for their birthday for a very long time. Too long. And I have, soon-to-be, NINE nieces! That's not right. And thus why we are planning to move back to the NE at some point. We have been too far from family for way too long. I know, I know, it keeps changing! ha!! So, this week, it's New England! It was nice spending time with my teenage nieces and hearing about their lives. Where has the time gone? It boggles the mind.

Then it was back to DC (are you tired yet? I WAS!!!). My brother, Jim, surprised me with a glass of home-made sangria (not allergic, go figure), apples and cheese, and dinner outside waiting for me upon my arrival from NY.  We sat by the fire pit all night--ending with s'mores. I even had a little time with my girl, Jacq which was wonderful. Really missed seeing her this summer. 

Ok, moving along to the teenager's new flat. It definitely needed a mother's/woman's touch--aka a good cleaning. Sorted, cleaned and "detailed" the place as best I could. He loves it. A big ol' thank you to my brother, Jim! Hat's off to him also because he is the one who found all of these kooky and wonderful things for the place. I played with each and every piece!

Even stayed in the old hood in S. Arlington, VA. The area has turned into a rather busy little city. Such changes every time I go back. Truth is, I don't believe I could live around that many people again. ha. Little ol' Nashvul has spoiled us. I think the hustle and bustle of city life are behind the hub and I. If we were younger? In a heartbeat! But, who knows?

One afternoon, I met my brother at the Capitol  before he had a photo shoot; and we were able to walk through the U.S.  Botanical Gardens for a bit. I hadn't been in there for many, many years. I think my brothers and I practically grew up in here when we went to work with our father. He'd be shooting photographs and we would wander over to the Botanical Gardens and walk around (my brothers would sleep in there--pre-planking!). Once I wandered into the Capitol and got lost down in the bowels of the building until I finally came upon a security guard who directed me out. I was a wee little thing! I don't think my father ever missed me! lol I'm sure things have changed, just a tad, these days. No wanderers allowed!

I was able to meet up with my girlies, Kelly and Amy--on different nights. I wish we could have all gotten together at the same time. Oy. Thankful to have been able to see them, period. My only wish is to be able to see all my friends when I visit. Impossible. I have never been able to do it!  There's always stuff to do that keeps me from seeing everyone. No matter how much I try and plan. Drives me kooky.

Kell had gone to see the Dweez and got us a cd signed! Thanks, Kell! Great CD! Wow, yep, Dweezil has channeled his father, somehow.

And, before I knew it, it's time to head back. Two weeks, come and gone. And all I could think of was getting back home to my hubby and animules. Loved driving through those Blue Ridge Mountains, both coming and going.

Bye bye ol' Virginny. See ya next time! And hopefully, more friends.

Labels: Amy, Arlington, Brother Jim, DC, Family, Jacq, Kell, Maryland, Music, NJ, Virginia, Zappa

The Colors of Fall

The weather has been cooling down a bit here in the mid-south. I can never wait patiently for autumn to arrive; It can never come fast enough for me. To bide my time, I've been working on some papier mache pine cones that I picked up way back when we were in Berkeley. 

I was finally satisfied with a few of them after six or seven layers (I kid you not) of various mediums. I'm driving myself crazy--must be the ENS kicking in (Empty Nest Syndrome). Ugh.

C'mon autumn.

C'mon autumn.

C'mon autumn.

Labels:  Autumn, Berkeley

i Heart

 A very sweet thank-you surprise, indeed.

Our nephew visited a few weeks' back; and we received the sweeetest thank you notes and drawings and chocolates and ivy and love and . . . .

He simply makes my heart swell.

I've just about lost my boys as they begin to fly the coop. Sniffle.

But they're never far. The teenager is here for a long weekend visit from DC. Needless to say, we've been figuring out ways to get ALL that yummy chocolate into our growing bellies.

It's been wonderful having him home with us. 

I have to admit, I miss the sound of rambunctious boys tearing through the house.

Miss ya, Big D. All the dinosaurs have been MIA since you left. It's too quiet. 

Labels: Ann, Daniel, Teenager

L O V E

Yay! The kid was home from university for the long weekend. So proud of that kid. He's adjusting so well to college life. Hmmmm, it's always the ones you worry about that surprise you the most. Am I right?

I've been delving into old photographs, organizing and trying to get the boys' baby books together. I have all of the teenager's photos sorted and ready to journal. I am obsessed with getting everything perfect in their books which hinders my progress, of course. A tad OCD, perhaps?

Let it go, Ro. 

Hop to it, gurl, and giterdone.

Labels: Kid, Teenager

A Spoonful of Honey

Makes the 'algies go away. It's that time of year again in Middle Tennessee. I woke up Monday with horrid allergies.

Back to a tablespoon of local honey once a day. Fingers' crossed.

Happy Labor Day weekend, y'all!

Ooooh, ooooh, photo was shot with an effect setting on my little Sony, "Miniature." 

Labels: Cameras, Health, Tennessee

Ninety-Eight

Dad would have been 98 years old today.

Happy Birthday, Blue.

Labels: Dad

Pretty in Pink

I ordered these lilies from Flowerbud.com last week, and I've already had to make two bouquets out of all of the buds! You should smell the house!

I'm loving that magenta.

In other news . . . I'm officially ready for summer to be over.

Labels: Flowers

Sing Me a Song, Steve Earle, Steve Earle

Thank goodness, I was paying attention. If I had blinked, we woulda missed it. We only had three-days' notice!

Horrid photos--haven't quite figured out the new Sony for live-music shots. 

Obviously.

Despite the faux pas with my little camera, I'm feeling pretty good about hearing and seeing the man play live. I think Jack White has something when he says to leave your cameras and phones at home. Fiddling about with technology definitely takes away from the show. Oh well. Will continue to bring my camera if I'm allowed. It's in the blood. Still, it irks me that I didn't get one good shot. 

 I'm not so happy about seeing this guy showing up at Riverside's front door either. 

Ugh.

Labels: Alabama, Cameras, Hurricanes, Music, Riverside

All That Remains

Miss ya, Big D!

Labels: Ann, Daniel, Family

Testing, One-Two-Three

 Brother and I testing out a new Sony Cybershot in the store.

 You know I'm all about the macro, baby.

 My old Cybershot's screen started getting wonky. Too wonky to take a photo.

My new TINY DSC-TX55! I am LOVING it.

Labels: Brother Jim, Cameras

Summer Love

Family arriving tomorrow! End-of-summer love.

Labels: Ann, Daniel, Summer, Flowers, Fairhope

My Baby

The kid begins college in less than a week. Where has the time gone?

Labels:  Kid, Teenager

Sunshine

I used to sing this to the kid each and every morning when he was a mere babe.

Labels: Kid

Food for Thought

Lantana

Ahhhhh, summatime.

Labels: Alabama, Flowers, Riverside

Return to Your Beloved Sea

During his visit, my brother and I were able to release our father's ashes into the waters that reach into the Gulf of Mexico and beyond.

 The hub took us out on a beautiful morn.

 It was absolutely breathtaking.

We brought hydrangea from the yard which I think fascinated the dolphin. It all made my heart dance.

He would have been 98 this month. 

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

--John Masefield

Labels: Brother Jim, Hub, Dad, Mobile Bay

Skrrwimpn'

For brother, Jim. 

Labels: Brother Jim, Pensacola, Florida, Summer

Blue

Well hello there, Blue.

Labels:  Darlene, Riverside

From NYC, with love

Sharing a rainbow cookie.

Labels: NYC