Doors. doors. doors!

As my Dh and I travelled around different states I was always looking at homes we would past by.
The first is a door on an old building that is used as a Community Theatre in Savannah or Charleston.

This is the door for the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas

This door is in Maryland

The old homes were my favorite along with those that people restored.  No telling how many people past through these doors and when.  There is always a story.  I have seen some marvelous old doors on other blogs so I thought I would also show mine from time to time.  Maybe I should do another blog with just photos as is done in a blog called Picayune Photos by Barbara.  Her photos are really fantastic to look at and what I say is "she certainly has the eye".  Gave me the incentive to look.
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I Just Love A Red Fire Truck

A month or so ago we went on an RV trip to Georgia.  Fort Mountain there is a lovely place.  We
had a site right on the lake.  I may have added that to my blog before.  Well, on one of our picnicing
trips we went on this bumpy, one car road where I thought it would land us to nowhere.  However, through the dirt roads that were narrow and through woods of trees we came across this old, old, fire truck.  It was parked on the side of the road and a homestead just a few steps behind it. Sure needed a wash.

It seems that cars, trains and firetrucks back in the days of yore (thats how I call it) things of transportation were made to last.  We do see many of that in the car shows and some museums with big trains in them, but a firetruck I never saw one this old before.  Well,  maybe in a local parade along with old tractors.  That will be another photo I will take of a lineup of old tractors rusting away.  To be continued......

Fall Visit to Asheville, N.C.

Even though N.C. and especially Asheville is just a drive over the mountains, I only get to go there twice a year, but after this past week I might make it more like once a month.

Besides the beautiful weather and the fall color it has so much talent there.  Artist are presenting their
wares in all the shops.  I stayed at Black Mountain and their little shopping area is so cool.  I did manage to buy a couple of things and being with my daughter I was a recepient of a few more items via her
generousity.  We  went to the Farmers Market which is open every day and it was amazing to see
all the fruits, vegggies and handmade items for sale.  I even commented to one of the suppliers there how beautiful and fresh everything looked.  Prices were not bad at all either and I managed to purchase a few items.  Then we went to Wayneville, N.C. just a 10 minute drive and walked their little town.  Once again amazed at all the talent there.  I bought a beautiful necklace (yes, for me).

We took our little boston terrier Katie with us and since she was a little cold we put on h er sweater. I noticed though that you can tell dog lovers from non-dog lovers.  How?  Well those that looked and
smiled at Katie in her kelly green sweater and did a few ah!'s to those who just walked on by, nose in
air.

                                                Farmers Market - Asheville, N.C.

                                                    Miss Katie with her master.

                                              Sun Flowers of course.
                                                           
  I think I will put a picture of her with my dear husband for you who are dog people.  Ah!!!

Taking Time for a Visit

April 21st went to North Potomac, Md. to daughters' home to take care of grandson while parents went to a conference. Always nice to get away but even nicer to get back home.
Walking around her place I took a couple of shots of flowers just beginning to bloom. One of which was Lilly of the Valley. This along with daisies are my favorite as they remind me a lot of my Mom and my backyard in New Jersey where I was raised. I also took a picture of the flower and its shadow cast upon a watercolor paper I was painting on. The other flowers are vincas and the first bloom of an white azalea.

Hunter Museum in Chattanooga

Lovely museum. Nice to walk through and take your time. Not a lot of people there so we could stand there and just admire it all. I took a picture of a painting I liked partly becAuse I would love to paint vases that look like glass. Amazing work. Also this horse looked like it was made out of drift wood but it was steel. They had a little cafe for us to take a break and have a cup of joe there. Also, there were rooms for children to learn and hear about the museum and where they could draw and post their pictures. Attached is an old 1700-1800 mansion that was also housing paintings of landscapes and a room (bedroom) that had been turned over to a reading room for adults with books and paintings to peruse. Look area in Chattannooga, an Art Area.

Savannah, Georgia

On way home to Tennessee from Florida I just had to stop for a couple of days in Savannah.
It is just filled with mystery and local history. Because I love art and sculpturing along with my other favorites, I wanted to go to the Boneventure Cemetery that I have heard of from brochures and locals there. I know it may sound wierd but I do appreciate the headstones people put up for their loved ones. Some have stories to tell, some are just enormous and most are well done pieces of art. The one I am showing is a child of 5 or 6 that died many, many years ago and I have put on this blog a picture of her and the story behind it. I consider art work like this is more a tribute to the departed than a tombstone.

Trip to Florida

This just had to be.....I love winter, but DH loves summer type weather and I had them both. Worst freeze they had seen in years here in "sunny" Florida and now that we will be heading up to Tennessee with a stop in Savannah, Georgia,DH will get his Florida warm weather. However, I will have my real winter up in my favorite place, Smokie Mountains. I hope it will snow but waits until I get there. In winter it seems the type clothes you wear (layered) can hide a multitude of "fat" and I do need to hide that while in the Summer you are totally exposed. Now I can either hide in the house all summer or loose some weight and exercise.....guess which one I will be doing.... At least I have a few months to decide. :)
However, the trip to Tampa was well worth it as I got to see our grandson Matthew who is the youngest of the 9 we have. Reading to him was a joy as was the puppet theater I made for him as he is full of imagination. This is a picture of one I made out of fabric. The child's face is the other grandson who is 13.

Happy New Year - Welcome 2010

This is a picture of my rv buddies. We usually meet in Florida each year but this year we decided on an added get to gether in the mountains of Tennessee. This is a picture insdide the cabin where 11 of us stayed in the city of Gatlinburg(Smoky Mtns of Tennessee). We were there for four days, had a blast and celebrated New Years Eve together watching fireworks from our balcony.

They all got home safely after 11 hours of travel whereas it took us 1/2 hr. to get home. They are good friends, indeed.

Also, the main attraction seemed to be a puzzle I brought with me not thinking everyone would be so interested in it.

Day 3 in Nashville

On the third day we decided to go to downtown Nashville. You know, where the country singers congregate to become famous. I took a picture of one of the streets where open doors begged you to come in and listen to some non-famous singers of country music. Then we ate at a wonderful resturant, that was plush but reasonable in price. After which we took a drive to the park that had a replica of the Parthenon which houses are very big statue of Athena. The architecture of this building was amazing being done in the recent years.

Day four was a day of rest for this old lady. Enjoy!

Day 2 of Trip

Next day we took a look at the mansion Called The Heritag which was the home of Pres. A. Jackson, not one of my favorite residents but interesting enough. It was interesting to see that their beds had layers of white cotton spreads and mosquito netting. This was a must since no a/c or screens for windows were there and they kept their windows openned most of the time. The kitchen was outside in a building by itself to reduce the noise and and heat. He is buried as is his wife and other relatives in the garden surrounded by beautiful flowers.

Pictures show the home which is under reconstruction and the garden area now in repose.

Trip to Nashville Tennessee November 2009

Nashville is only about 2 1/2 hrs. away from us but this is the first time we travelled there with our camper for a four day stay. Since I heard that the Gaylord Grand Ole Opry Hotel was beautiful and decorated with 2 million lights for Christmas I just had to see it. It didn't dissapoint me as it was glorious to see and really put you in the mood for Christmas season.

There are over 1000 hotel rooms and suites, many resturants of all kinds and small boutique type stores. I am putting on two pictures of the inside and outside view

What a Trip, What a Party!

It was the 50th birthday of my son in Louisiana. The theme being the 60's-70's. All five of my children, two grandchildren were there. We all live in different states so this was grand.

We tried to dress in that time of the 60's 70's and I am posting a photo of myself, my grandaughter and my two daughters. We took a horse and buggy ride along the river and to our destination which was a very nice cafe style for dinner. Fifty people attended and we ate and danced and laughed a great deal. The next day we had a barbecue at sons home which attended about 25 people and that was great. Staying at my sons hotel, all five and Dave and I and even Katie, our Boston had memorable gatherings there for the labor day weekend. But getting home was wonderful, it just wore me out. But so well worth the fun.

Picture: Daughter Valerie, Me, Grandaughter Jessi and Daughter Cindi