Fall Festival Time in Tennessee!

Welcome!

"My Take on Fall"

"Tell stories around the fire...
Jump in leaves
Wrap your hands around a hot mug
Eat a caramel apple
Be outdoors...
Roast marshmallows
Carve a pumpkin
Go on a hayride...
Wear a scarf
Bake cookies and pies
Take a drive just to look at leaves."
-www.diariesfromthedirtroad.blogspot.com

Go to a fall festival in Tennessee!

This is such a beautiful time of year in Tennessee, and the weather is warm with a slight breeze. It's just a perfect time to attend one of the many fall festivals in Tennessee during the month of October.

"Autumn paints in colors that summer has never seen."
- From www.picturescafe.com

Here are some of the best fall festivals in Tennessee that I have either personally attended or that I know of-

-Unicoi Apple Festival, Erwin

Although I've never attended this festival, I know it's very popular. A friend of mine from Erwin told me that it's fantastic, and that she thought I'd really enjoy the arts and crafts, the wonderful food including apple dishes, and the entertainment. Greg and I decided that we're finally going next year, so we're putting it on our 2018 calendar!

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 6 & 7, 2017
www.unicoicounty.org

-National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough

We have been to historic Jonesborough many times, but we have never been to this festival either. The stories are told by professional storytellers, and I have heard that the event is quite good and well-attended. This is its 45th year, so you know they're doing something right! You can see examples of the Storytelling Festival on Youtube.

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 2017
www.storytellingcenter.net

-Robert A. Tino Smoky Mountain Homcoming, Sevierville

For those of you who like art, you will love this one! Greg and I once stopped by Robert A. Tino's art gallery on our way to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Robert Tino is an excellent landscape artist who paints scenes of the beautiful Smoky Mountains in acrylics and in watercolor. Besides the artist's work, this festival also features Southern food, mountain music, crafts, and activities for children.

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 2017
www.RobertATinoSmokyMountainHomecoming.com

-National Banana Pudding Festival, Centerville

Greg and I have attended this festival which we really enjoyed, especially the banana pudding! (It's flavor brings back fond memories of back home, and of the wonderful banana pudding Mama used to make.) The pudding made at this festival should be good since this is a competition to determine the best banana pudding in our nation! Besides puddin,' there are crafts, entertainment, and children's activities.

Bananas on Display at the National Banana Pudding Festival in Centerville, Tennessee

F.Y.I:
Dates: Oct. 7 & 8, 2017
www.bananapuddingfest.org

-Heritage Days, Rogersville

Not only have Greg and I attended this festival in the past, but we have also had our own booth in the arts and crafts area where we did portraits of people. It was a great festival, a lot of fun, and we did really well there. Besides the arts and crafts, they have a lot of other things going on-traditional Appalachian Mountain music, dancers, food, storytelling, pioneer demonstrations, antique cars and quilts, etc.!

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 13-15, 2017
www.rogersvilleheritage.org

-Webb Art and Craft Show, Bell Buckle

We have been to Bell Buckle many times since it's such a unique, quaint little town (with a population of only 500!). According to "Thrill List" which rates the best small town to visit in each state, Bell Buckle is the best small town to visit in Tennessee! We have to agree that it's a fantastic place to visit for its charming little shops and tasty food. I've written blog posts about it several times, including the last one that I wrote on 8/21/16, "A Bell Buckle Celebration."

Greg and Me at a Festival in Bell Buckle

A good time to visit Bell Buckle might be this month for the Webb Art & Craft Show where there will be over 100 artists with their pottery, plants, jewelry, paintings, photography, and many other delightful things.

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 21 & 22, 2017
www.bellbucklechamber.com

-Henry Horton Spirits of the Past, Chapel Hill

Lastly, no October celebration would be complete without doing something kinda scary, so how about going on a paranormal Halloween investigation at Henry Horton State Park! We have been to this nice park before, but not during October, and certainly not on a paranormal investigation. A friend emailed me about this event, and Greg and I are thinking about going. It would make a great "Spirit Photographs" blog post!

FYI:
Date: Oct. 28, 2017
http://tnstateparks.com/events/details/#/?event=henry-horton-spirits-of-the-past

So, the different above-mentioned festivals and events offer something for just about everyone, and hopefully you'll find something here that you might enjoy. Have fun!

If you like the paranormal, check out my other blog, "Spirit Photographs."
www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

Also, especially since Halloween is coming soon, might I recommend my book on the paranormal, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind" which is available now, either in paperback or as a kindle download,
http://amzn.to/2usXWIO

Happy Halloween!

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, November 5, 2017, Becky
Positive thought: "One way to make the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure."
-William Feather

Time to Celebrate!

Although we're now in the month of September, I wanted to look back to last month, to August.

The month of August has no formal holidays here in the United States, but that doesn't mean that you can't take the time to celebrate during this month!

In fact, August is always a big month for Greg and me since both our wedding anniversary and Greg's birthday are in August. Each year, our celebrations are a little different; no two years are exactly alike.

This year, for our anniversary, we went to our favorite park for a romantic picnic...

and we exchanged gifts.

"Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day."
-Gene Perret

Then came Greg's birthday...

We celebrated at home on his real birthday,

and at Puckett's Boat House in Franklin, Tennessee two days later.

The main part of the meal was super good...

as was the generous serving of free birthday dessert!

Next on the calendar was something very special for many of us to enjoy, the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse-

Although we had solar eclipse glasses, we decided just to keep them as souvenirs.

Instead, we made our own pinhole projector to view the eclipse-

Also, Greg noticed that we could see several eclipse shapes in this shadow of a plant on the sidewalk as the sun shone through the plant's leaves-

Finally, at the end of the month, I attended a birthday party for talented graphic designer and friend, Lynn.

A delightful luncheon was given for Lynn by her mother, Carole.

The food was simply gourmet,

and the meal was complete with a tasty birthday cake. (Guess what kind it was?)

"Cakes are special. Every birthday, every celebration ends with something sweet, a cake, and people remember. It's all about memories."
-Buddy Valastro

When I got back home, our Mitzi inspected take-home goodies from the party.

And, that's not all! Just because August is over, that sure doesn't mean that the celebrating is over.

In September, fall arrives in a few weeks; and, of course, there's Labor Day! Let the celebrations continue!

HAPPY LABOR DAY and HAPPY SEPTEMBER!

If you enjoy the paranormal, check out my other blog, "Spirit Photographs."

www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

For much more about the paranormal, be sure to check out my book, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind," available now, either in paperback or as a kindle download on Amazon.

http://amzn.to/2usXWIO

Positive thought: "Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated."-Gene Perret
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, October 8, 2017, Becky

L & R Soda Bar, a Step Back in Time

In today's world, many people are looking to the past, to a simpler, less complicated time.

Well, if this concept appeals to you, I've found the perfect place, L & R Soda Bar, in Elkton, Kentucky which is like a step back in time! It's a family style restaurant and an ice cream shop.

L & R Soda Bar

A few weeks ago, Greg and I were visiting in Kentucky, and we just happened upon this fantastic little place which we loved.

Next door was an old drugstore-

(This brought back fond memories for me because my parents used to own a drugstore with a soda fountain in Virginia when I was growing up.)

Let's step inside the L & R Soda Bar-

Pull up a chair...

and be transported back in time with authentic decor...

and great food...

including a delicious ice cream dessert, of course...

topped with a cherry!

You can even accompany your meal with a tune from an old jukebox.

So, if you're nostalgic for the 50's and early 60's, L & R Soda Bar might just be the perfect place for you!

In a nutshell-
-Great food
-Reasonable prices
-Attractive decor
-Friendly staff
-Atmosphere!

FYI
L & R Soda Bar
44 Public Square
Elkton, KY 42220
Phone: 270-265-7221

You might also enjoy my other blog (about the paranormal) www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

Positive thought: (from the L & R Soda Bar)

If you enjoy reading my blogs, then be sure to check out my book, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind," available now, either in paperback or as a kindle download, http://amzn.to/2usXWIO

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, September 3, 2017, Becky

Fantastic Tennessee Parks

Welcome!

"And the adventure begins..."

Especially during this time of year, Greg and I love going to some of the fantastic parks right here in Tennessee.

There are so many interesting places to explore in our Tennessee parks-

and fun things to do-

picnicking

swimming, boating, hiking, etc.

Some parks have restaurants-

with delicious food! Yum!

Some have bridges with water features.

All have gorgeous scenery-

and wildlife-

Recently, Greg and I, along with several of our family members, enjoyed visiting a pretty park in Knoxville-

"We are living our adventure."

Also, we're planning to return to a park which we visited several years ago, Fall Creek Falls, during the next few weeks. It's one of the best parks in Tennessee with its beautiful waterfalls.                                                                                                                                                      

Tennessee State Parks is celebrating 80 years this year so for this reason the parks are being featured in several publications, including the current issue of the AAA magazine, "AAA Living."

A great site to check out not only for Tennessee and its parks, but for any state that you'd like to visit is www.onlyinyourstate.com. This is our favorite go-to website to look up places that we might like to visit. (Thank you, Lynn, for telling us about this wonderful website!)

Later this month, we'll be traveling outside of Tennessee to visit a park in another state, Kentucky, which I might feature in an upcoming blog post.

Have a happy, safe Fourth of July!

Be sure to check out my latest "Spirit Photographs" blog post at- www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

Positive thought: "In nature one receives far more than he seeks."-John Muir

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, August 6, 2017, Becky

Old School Cafe, Spring Hill, Tennessee

Welcome!

On this blog post, I'd like to let you know about a very unique restaurant in Spring Hill, Tennessee...

The Old School Cafe is in an old school building that is no longer a school, but, instead, it houses several different types of businesses as well as the cafe.

The interior of the cafe is charming, full of atmosphere.

 

Lesson for today-

By the way, the food is good, and reasonably priced!

School food was never like this!

Have to leave room for dessert...

because they each got an A+!

So, if you're looking for something a bit different, head back to school at the Old School Cafe in Spring Hill, Tennessee for a bit of nostalgia, and a really good meal!

Your table is waiting!

FYI:

Interesting facts about Old School Cafe:
-It has been both a grade school and a high school.
-It was built in 1927.
-The last graduating class was in 1992.
-It was opened as a restaurant by Bill and Maude Corbett in 2002.
-Maude and a friend decorated the interior.
-People still bring in pieces of school memorabilia occasionally to add to the collection.
-It is open for both breakfast and lunch.

Old School Cafe
1220 School Street
Spring Hill, Tennessee 37174
(931) 486-2745

Positive thought: "The adventure of life is to learn."-"Very Best Quotes"
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, July 2, 2017, Becky

Visit to a Tennessee Resort

Welcome!

Just recently several of us visited a really beautiful resort in the "Great Smoky Mountains" of East Tennessee, Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa in Pigeon Forge, near Gatlinburg.

The resort is very spacious with a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, two restaurants, and more. It even received a "Certificate of Excellence" from "TripAdvisor."

It is beautifully decorated with many unique touches.

This is not a view of the outside, but a fascinating, ever-changing landscape on the wall!

We thoroughly enjoyed touring the resort-

This was a really interesting area featuring pictures of  Dolly Parton.

Bird's-eye View of the Outdoor Swimming Pool

Sittin' pretty-

Photo by Bruce

Some of us were having way too much fun!

Our main objective besides touring the resort was to dine at the resort's "Song & Hearth: A Southern Eatery."

We really enjoyed the all-you-can-eat dinner buffet. It was in a word, delicious!

(Photo by our personable waiter, and courtesy of Nick from his photo collection.)

We left happy and planned to return, to maybe spend the night, and certainly to again enjoy the wonderful culinary delights of this fabulous "southern eatery."

FYI:
www.dollywood.com/Resort

Positive thought: "We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."-Quote painted on the wall at DreamMore Resort
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, June 4, 2017, Becky
(Also, you might enjoy my paranormal blog, "Spirit Photographs." www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com.)