Search This Blog

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

More Sewanee

Here is the beautiful All Saint's Chapel at Sewanee. After Chris told us to take no pictures, I wasted no time snapping away.
 
 
It was gorgeous from end to end. I felt that this was such a holy space.

 
Candy and I just sat there weeping with emotion. You see, this honor that Christ received, The Order of the Gownsman, had also been given to his father and grandfather. I wish Bill could have been there to see it.

 
Loved this pin one of his fellow Angels was wearing. It says "This is what feminism looks like". Angels are like ambassadors and guides for events. We enjoyed seeing Chris filling his role.

 
Here he is pre event.

 
His mentor (and incidentally Bill's mentor) could not be there to give him his gown. One of the Deans stepped in to help. Smith (his mentor) gave Chris the gown he wore. It was very old and worn which is actually an honor .

 
Once they earn the gown, they can wear them to class. Proud Mom.

 
Also that day some people were given honorary degrees. Judy Woodruff, political correspondent, gave the address from this podium. I was sitting right there. I couldn't take a picture during the ceremony. She was great. Also honored was the professor on whom the book and movie, Dead Poets Society was based on.
 
 
Plaque on the wall in memorial to Chris' ancestor who was a founder of the college.

 
It was a beautiful day. That is Chris in the doorway of the chapel.

 
Check out the gown.

 
Very nice. A little piece came off of it and I tied it on my necklace as a rememberance.

 
And this was our view for the rest of the day. We struggled to keep up with him as he showed us around. More later and get ready for the cool cemetery.

Sewanee

After much struggling with my newly installed IOS10 or was it 9?, I'm back in blog business. These Sewanee images had to be painstakingly downloaded through email. Ugh, what is this , the dark ages? Anyway I'm busy so you will have to be satisfied with installments.
 
 
We arrived after getting lost just in time to see Chris for a few minutes before he had to head  to a formal dinner. He took us to a favorite spot looking off the mountain.

 
Here we are at the base of this huge cross.

 
He was right, the view is beautiful.

 
We had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, The Blue Chair.
 
 
 


Sunday, October 18, 2015

The Weewagon tour

Met Jan last Saturday for a walk with Brody. We took what he calls his weewagon to the Summertree Lake. He was quite impressed by all the big rocks, not to mention "duck poop". We have a flock of Canada geese that come to the lake and Brody discovered their hangout. He could not get past stepping over droppings and had Jan carry him out of harm's way.
 
 
On the way home, we discovered a street filled with scarecrows.

 
I think they were a little daunting up close.

 
The next miraculous thing is his new swingset at Nana and T's house.

 
A big wavy slide. 

 
He went right up the ramp. So fun the see him discovering new things.
 
Come back to see Sewanee weekend. It is going to take me a bit to compose.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

more fall stuff

 
Mary Grace got a craving for Smokey Oats. Those are the chocolate peanut butter oat cookies that you cook on the stove.
 
 
Sophie and I came over to "help".

 
Yum.

 
I came home inspired by the cooler weather.

 
Put up all my Halloween stuff.

 
This little rat used to frighten Sophie. I sent her this close up. He's got his eye on you.
 
 
Halloween is on Saturday this year. Hope we will have lots of trick or treaters.
 
 
And then this happened!! Ed made a small fire.

 
Here is what I did with the horse appples.

 
They looked good on the altar.

 
Missing Mom for church :(  We went to Saltine for lunch. It is very loud there, so it is not as great for her. We, even had trouble hearing. I got the Brunch oysters. That is a little poached quail egg atop the oyster with bacon.

 
MG got mussel stew and made quite the pile of shells!

 
Ed got a new high powered BB gun. I guess the squirrels are getting on his nerves. I took a turn shooting it. And yes that is one of my shots right there in the middle of our home made target. I have to admit some didn't make it in as well.

Friday, October 9, 2015

it's not fair...oh wait ...it is!

Why don't they make these packages easier to open? I had to get the scissors out ...oh wait...
 
 
Found a great new faux painter...I mean she is a REAL painter just faux finishes.

 
Guess what was for lunch today!!

 
 Ryan and I busted Mary Grace out of the office. We split a corn dog, chicken on a stick, catfish and fries. After that we looked at animals.

 
Zebra

 
2 friendly goats

 
Toby was there!

 
And Dupree
 
 
Daphne was there too.


 
even Truffles!
 

 
2 super cute cows

 
These goats were trying to even eat Ryan's fingers.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Camping October 2015

Since I consider this a companion blog to Mom's Dot Spot, I will start off with breakfast with Brody. They were enjoying pancakes.
 
 
We set off for Roosevelt State Park armed with memories of past visits and mostly summer clothes. Most everyone had a jacket or else they borrowed one. It was cold and windy. Luckily there was an indoor fireplace.

 
That is Mom warming her toes.

 
Hugball continued indoors. Sorry for that shot Tommy.

 
Paul and David sharing creative thoughts on David's 30th birthday.

 
Sophie brought a blankie.

 
Mary Grace and Ed always working the fire.

 
Jan made sure something special greeted David at each meal.

 
Perfect s'more
 
 
Brody had gotten a new wagon and he really used it this weekend. He really enjoyed helping "T" build a fire.

 
Waiting on dinner.

 
The grill needed a little help. Very ingenious , Pooky.

 
Ryan rigged the other side.

 
The feast

 
Obviously the grill worked.

 
Just how we like them...

 
My plate

 
More celebratiing.

 
Cary made peach cobbler for him.

 
Red vine hollow licorice. As a beer straw???

 
S&P (next 4 photos by Paul)

 
Fire maker was even better the second time.
 
 
Nature walks. All the kids used to love this pipeline.

 
Discovering the playground. More camping to come in May.