First of all, I know that I'm a bit behind with August and will get that updated after this post...I just want to share our visit to Tennessee while it's fresh!
We flew into Nashville last Thursday evening and were picked up by Michael and Allison Swift who we stayed with that night. Mike and Allie are our great friends, Allen and Brenda's son and daughter in-law. We had a "surprise" planned for Brenda as her birthday was on Monday. Friday morning we headed over to Allen and Brenda's house...Brenda was at work and Allen had taken the day off...despite "going" to work earlier so Brenda wouldn't suspect anything! Shortly before noon, we showed up at Brenda's work...and it was obvious by her look that we'd pulled it off...she was shocked...it was great! We "kidnapped" her from work (Allie had gotten that approved before!) and we all went to lunch at Miss Mary Bobo's and enjoyed a delicious Southern "dinner!" The afternoon was relaxing and we did a lot of catching up on what's been going on. Some wine was consumed that evening...along with some good old Tennessee barbecue for dinner. After dinner we played a game FIVE CROWNS (lots of fun!) and were in stitches a good part of the evening...their son, Michael, is a hoot...such a great sense of humor...we always know we'll laughing when he's around! Good thing Allie puts up with him...haha! Oh...BTW...they are expecting their first child, the middle of March 2010...CONGRATS!!!!
Yum...this is what I dished up on my plate...everything was wonderful, even the turnip greens...and of course, the fried okra! And...the dessert...it was chess pie....ummmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Saturday we headed south, towards their cabin outside of Chattanooga, near the Occee River. Cracker Barrel for breakfast (yum!!) was our first stop, and then three wineries along the way! What fun to try some new wines and check out what competition TN has for Washington wines! One of the wineries, Strikers, has the most beautiful little stream running through, surrounded by trees...and it was absolutely beautiful. While we were tasting the wines, one of the south's heavy rains let loose, so that just meant we had to taste a few more wines...oh, too bad! :~) Between the second and third wineries, we stopped for a cute little restaurant for another (late) southern dinner...which was smart before more wine sample! We ended up at the cabin and spent the evening drinking wine (hehe), talking, taking a few photos (okay, that was just me!) and playing Yahtzee...a perfect evening! We also got to experience another one of the big downpours...it was a perfect place to be...to listen to the hard downpour hit the tin room and look outside and see a blur from rain...and the smell afterwards...ahhh, it was great!
Self Portrait!
The grounds at Striker's Winery...beautiful!
Where we had dinner on Saturday afternoon.
I loved the countryside...all the old farms, barns, houses...I could spend WEEKS and WEEKS there photographing!
View from the porch at the cabin...during the downpour!
Not sure why Rick doesn't look happy...maybe it's because he lost the last round or Yahtzee...or he was out of wine...
Sunday morning, after coffee and some relaxing on the porch, we headed back to their home (Tullahoma) and got ready for their kids to come over. Michael and Allie came and then their daughter, Michelle, her husband and kids (Alex and Carly) also came over...and we enjoyed a wonderful meal with all of them...it was great to see their whole family...it had been two years since Michael and Allie's wedding when we last saw all of them. Oh...almost forgot...Rick helped Allen make some wine on Sunday afternoon...Allen has been making wine for about a year and we've had the pleasure of enjoying some of his "work" and now Rick got to partake in the process! Now, we'll wait till it's ready and bottled to try it out!
Alex and Carly are adorable...only wish we lived closer to watch them grow up (and photograph!)
Brenda...our birthday girl!
"Uncle Mike" had the magic touch with Carly...though he did throw in a bit of humor with the feeding!
Alex with his Nana and Papa...so sweet!
The kids and grandkids....Chris, Carly, Michael; Michelle, Alex & Allison
Monday morning we packed up and Allie (thank you, Ali!!!!)drove us to the airport - sad to leave, but having had a wonderful visit...we hate that there are so many miles between us, but that has never affected our friendship...we stay in touch and always manage to find ways to get together! Just three more years till we both (couple) celebrate our 30th anniversaries...and we'll again be off on a cruise together...not sure where though!
Enjoy the photos...it was beautiful out there, especially green after an exceptionally wet summer.
Beautiful sunset on our last night there.
Some wonderful Tennessee (close to Georgia!) peaches from a local fruit stand.
The inside of the cabin...it's just perfect!
The "winemakers" and their process!
Terri and Jayden spent a couple of hours at the fair this past week...and of course, checked out the animals (pigs, goats, horses, cows, dogs, baby chicks, birds, and turkeys...which she didn't like so much!) and Jayden went on a few rides (of course, the swing, her favorite, was one of them). It was a great day, perfect weather, not too busy and just the right amout of time for a visit...enough to wear "Mimi" out. Of course, Jayden got to ride in the stroller when she didn't want to walk...no fair! Always fun when at the fair with little ones...their excitment is so much fun to watch!
