Welcome Home!

I'm Home!

Got home late afternoon on Tuesday.... however just before we arrived back within shouting distance of my home, I had an attack of what I think is diverticitus. Had it before but this one was very painful and remained so for over 24 hours. and in the meantime, I began having brief periods of vertigo! Then the following day my hitial heria started acting up. Talk about a welcome home!! 

So, soon as I begin feeling up to it I will be back on here in full force! 
 

Just sailing along

 Sunday was a perfect day. I mean, how could it not be! The sun was bright, the sky was blue and my son Michael and I sailed along on the blue waters of Wheeler Lake (north Alabama). 

I took the wheel at one point, sort of a bucket list thing for me.

 And there were a zillion pictures made. Daughter Shirley, back in Virginia, was constantly texting her brother... You gotta get a shot of this..or that..or something else. But, sadly, we never got one of me and Michael together.

I am not a sun lover and can't remember when if ever I got a sunburn. But, now I have both arms a nice shade of red!

Sunday certainly will go down as one of my most memorable times. So glad I got to spend it with Michael. He's a superb sailor and son.

A Pleasant Surprise

 When friends, the Browns, invited Michael and me out for lunch and said they were taking us to the Black Bear Brewery, well, I did start wondering what we had gotten in to. None of us had ever been! Lunchtime in a tavern....hmm.

It turned out to be a really delightful time. The restaurant part was huge. 

this is only a portion of the place. Photo from their Facebook page.

We got a nice table with a view. One of my huge pet peeves is the loud music being played in every place you go to eat now. You can't even have a conversation with the people at your table, for gosh sakes. But, it was very conversation friendly!

I like to try new foods so I chose a Fried green tomato BLT on marbled rye bread...with fries.

 It did not disappoint! And I believe the fries were the best I had ever had. My plate was so loaded with food that I had 3 meals out of that food. It just kept on giving.

You just never know how trying a new restaurant will turn out but this one we rated a 10.

A Fascinating Place

 As I was saying, Mooresville, Alabama was very tiny but totally fascinating to me.

We ran across the Old Brick Church. Greek Revival style constructed in 1839 of handmade brick. I would have loved to have gone inside but there was no one around. We saw one person doing her daily walk...no cars, no stores, no traffic light. Who do you ask permission from? So we snapped some pictures and drove on.

The post office was nearby, another place I would have loved to explore...

Alas...it is only open from 8 til 10 each morning. It is the oldest operating p.o. in Alabama. The call boxes inside date before the Civil War and some have been used by the same family since that time. Can you imagine that?

Other things fascinating me about Mooresville:

Our 17th president, Andrew Johnson, lived in Mooresville as a young man while he an apprentice to a tailor.

During the Civil War Union General James Garfield delivered a sermon at one of the churches here. His troops were camped nearby. He became our 20th president.

In 1995 the movie, "Tom and Hank," was filmed largely in Mooresville.

So, yes, this place has it's history! Just wish they made it easier for the public to enjoy.

Finding the Elusive 1818 Farm

 Last week Michael and drove to Mooresville, an enchanting very small historic village not far from where he lives. We thoroughly enjoyed it and want to go back.      

  

I had seen the 1818 Farm on facebook, so that was what drew me to the place. But it doesn't open to the public except for special events and I was so disappointed.

These are Babydoll Southdown sheep which was the driving force to open up the farm to begin with. They have a wide range of skin care products which they have become quite famous for.. Guess they've outgrown catering to a couple wandering souls just wanting to check them out.

1818 Farms has won some awards for their products, won Amazon's best small business award. And had a 5 page spread in Southern Living magazine. Yes, I wanted to see it but looks like that isn't going to happen. Oh well, you roll with the punches! Right!

We did find some other treasures in that tiny town but more on that later. Just want to keep you intrigued so you'll have to come back and check things out.

A trip to Isom Farm Market.

   Whenever I am visiting Michael in Athens, Alabama we make a trip to Isom's!  

 They have the most gorgeous purple onions!

Look at this head of cabbage!

Green plums, anyone? What do people do with green plums, anyway? Anyone know

We bought peaches, too but they weren't ripe so guess we will wait a few days on those.

We got some summer squash and zucchini which we roasted for dinner last night. 

Love being here with my son and love enjoying fresh veggies.

I said I'd post about my trip after I got home. I do so hate using my cellphone for anything!

However, the smart button finally clicked in my brain. I did this on my Kindle. Duh....

Hope you all are fine and dandy!

Love you

Michael certainly was dubivous!

 

More Travel - More Flowers

 I'm off again....

Tomorrow I will head to Michael's in Alabama for a couple week/longer visit. He has been here in Virginia for a week just waiting for Memorial day traffic to thin out and we will take off south. It should be warmer down there. I think it will fit me better since we are having some cooler temps these last few days. The older I get, the colder my body temp is. I look forward to temps that are above 60s.  

Then, I am going to come home and keep myself put for awhile. Don't you think that is a good idea? I do!

I hope all of you had a good Memorial Day weekend.  I don't have anyone in my close family that we lost in war but I do know so many families that have. 

I will leave you with some random photos of flowers. 

I have always loved this plant. It's a watermelon Pepperonia. I had one many years ago, just don't see them for purchase much any more. 

Sweet Shrub is another plant that you don't see much anymore. I remember the sweet aroma of the blossoms. The ones I have seen more recently just didn't have that smell. Too sad. 

A Cat's Ear dandelion. Just growing along the side of the road. 

There's not a lot of Grancy Greybeard Trees around either. I love how feathery they look. 

This one is a Mexican Bush Sage. One the residents here at the Commons has this one. It is so pretty when it blooms every year. 

This is a Moon Vine that I had before I moved here. 

Guess I have bored you enough. Take care. I'll be back on blogger when I return. 

Jiving To The Glenn Miller Band

I used to post on my YouTube channel. Got tired of doing it, took a break. Here is one I posted a couple, three years ago. I am going to start sharing some posts on there once again. I certainly hope you'll check it out and subscribe so you wont miss a thing. Thanks!

A New York Adventure!

                     Wow! What a delightful trip. 

Two weeks ago (tomorrow) I left for my daughter's in New York. We celebrated her birthday, Mother's day, attended a Southern Women's Club luncheon, bought some new clothes, began a search for a wedding gown (My grandson and his sweetie are getting married next May but it's never too early to start planning), Susan hosted a get-together in their backyard for Tighe and his friends and their parents. An end of school tradition.  and so much more. 

I did far better than I thought I would. Tried to sneak in rest periods here and there and I slept very well at night. Then Susan drove me back to Virginia. We got to my apartment Monday night and I can tell you, that traveling, although so much fun, is hard on these old bones! I am sooooo tired. I ache, I feel like somebody threw my body against a brick wall.

And.... 

My son is taking me back with him next week for a visit at his home in Alabama. Talk about being a bit on the crazy side. I wonder if I will be rested enough by then to head out again. I'm going to have to see to it, that's what! 

Here are just a FEW pictures from my trip.... When you get tired of scrolling down the page just hop off here and say 'That's enough!' 

Susan and I at the Southern Women's Club at Susan's friends home. 

Susan celebrating her birthday (late) at a Turkish restaurant. 

Our Mother's Day lunch at Appawamus Country Club

flowers from the yard for the get-together for Tighe's friends

My 'welcome' bouquet

A combination bouquet from oldest daughter and granddaughter, Marie and Yvonne, for Mother's day 

A potted hydrangea for me from grandson Owen

Too soon,  it was time to leave. Tighe was in school, Owen not up yet, so Grffin and Kelsey bid Susan and I a goodbye and safe journey. 

On the road again.............

heading to Virginia with a smile on our face and food at hand. Perfect vacation.

This and That!

 Well, darn!

I have another abcessed tooth! When will it stop? I am so ready. 

I'm on antibotics ... again.... wish they'd just stay in your body to help with the next infection that comes along. It would save a lot of time and money. Guess it doesn't work that way! 

So, on to other more exciting things.

We have the Kentucky Derby Party coming up Saturday here at Centerbrooke. It was tons of fun last year so I expect to have just as much this year. Maybe my tooth will stop hurting by then! 

And, that tooth about mislaid my plans for a visit to New York. My daughter was hours from making my reservations to fly there when I called and said, 'better wait to see what the dentist says'. He said I could go. So, next Wednesday I will fly off into the wild, blue yonder.  It's just over an hour for the 800+ miles. Imagine that! But, I really don't like flying anymore. Too much weird going on in the sky these days. 

We (Susan and me) have some nifty plans for my stay with her but I won't be posting while I am there. I am one of those 'oldies' who does her tech stuff on the computer not her phone or ipad. And, of course, my computer won't be accompanying me on my trip! hehe. 

It's hard enough at this age to just get myself there! 

But, I promise I will share my trip with you when I get back.

I'm not leaving for another week so I will check in with you all before I go. 

A New Breakfast Restaurant in Town!!

A lot of time I try to eat healthier.... (as I sit here typing away with a big chunk of fudge in my mouth)

I didn't say I was PERFECT! 

And, my son-in-law makes yummy fudge that they sell at their Easter Good Friday Bake sale so yes, I had to have some of it.. I mean, I wouldn't want to hurt his feeling! Hehe

I saw a question post on one of our 'neighborhood facebook pages' the other day asking what was being built just up the street from me. 

A couple people responded, First Watch.

Didn't have a clue what First Watch is! So, I do what everyone else does... I googled it.

First Watch is a breakfast/lunch restaurant that has a more healthier menu than we have ever had here in Suffolk. I mean, I just let out a 'whoop-dee-do' when I read that! 

They are weeks, maybe months from opening but I am already making plans.... a trip to First Watch at least twice a week! I noticed that they have avocado toast listed. I make my own but avocadoes ripen so fast it's hard for me to keep them handy often enough so now I can just pop over to the new restaurant whenever I get a hankering for that. I couldn't be happier. 

Here's my recipe if you are at all interested in making your own avocado toast. Or just grab your car keys and meet me at First Watch (after they are open). 

A Different Easter

 

My Easter was definately different this year!

No egg hunt, no family gathered around a table ladened with ham, deviled eggs, sweet potatoes. 

The kids (that's great-grands for me) have grown past all that I guess. 

Everyone was scattered doing their own thing.

So, my grandson who was available along with his two young 'men' joined Shirley, John and I at a local restaurant. Some had burgers, Shirley had a salad and I had a brisket plate.

So far-fetched from past Easters but we all were so happy to get to spend some time together. 

Then we spent some time visiting at my apartment.

A good day for sure! 

Great-grandsons

Grandson and his Dad 

Shirley and me (her Mama)

My orchid which does not know how to stop blooming!

Have a great week! 

Hugs