tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39151130697238459952012-01-28T20:00:09.917-06:00Life is all about choices and attitude. Make the right choices, keep a positive attitude-- and you will find JOY through all of your ups and downs. Hope you enjoy my thoughts!Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.comBlogger7701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-85930567232616104172012-01-27T04:00:00.000-06:002012-01-27T04:00:03.219-06:00

As most of you know,  George and I have season's tickets  to the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina.   If you are new to my blog and want more information about Biltmore,  click HERE.  We made SEVERAL trips there during 2011---at different seasons of the year.  Today I will share with you just a FEW of my favorite pictures from Biltmore in 2011. Above is one of my definite

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-21627352640083085892012-01-25T04:00:00.000-06:002012-01-25T04:00:11.602-06:00

This is my last post from our Thanksgiving Trip of 2011... (No applause please!!!! ha ha)... If you are new to my blog (and I have had several new folks since 2012 began),  and IF you want to see any of those other posts,  you can click HERE.  There are 10 posts total --including this one.  OR---if you want information on the Skyland Resort where we stayed,  you can click HERE for more

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-81523366709289316212012-01-23T04:00:00.000-06:002012-01-23T04:00:07.890-06:00

Downy Woodpecker We have had a very mild winter overall here on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee.  However,  a cold front came through our area on January 11-12 which brought us about 2 inches of snow plus some very very cold temperatures for a few days. During that cold spell,  my sweet little backyard birds FLOCKED to the feeders all day long.  They ate so much I had to refill the

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-52181919667161280232012-01-20T04:00:00.000-06:002012-01-20T04:00:09.648-06:00

Summer of Love--taken 5/13/11 If you are new to my blog,  you may not know that we grow beautiful ROSES in our yard.  Actually,  George grows them and I just enjoy them.  We have about 55 different varieties.  SO--it was fun going through all of my 2011 blog posts searching for my favorite 2011 Roses...  Again,  it's hard to choose only a few --but I did it!!!!  Hope you enjoy our beautiful

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-19545324897942796932012-01-18T04:00:00.000-06:002012-01-18T04:00:09.464-06:00

I got so involved sharing Christmas pictures in December  that I didn't finish sharing our Thanksgiving Trip with you.  On Thanksgiving Week,  George and I drove  on the Blue Ridge Parkway  from Asheville, North Carolina,  all the way to the end of the parkway.  For those of you who do not know,  the Blue Ridge Parkway ends ---and Skyline Drive continues north... We were on our way almost to

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-16631893404085419822012-01-16T04:00:00.000-06:002012-01-16T04:00:08.307-06:00

Besides visiting with special friends in Gatlinburg in December and seeing all of the gorgeous Christmas lights and decorations,  George and I also took time while we were in the Smoky Mountains to make a quick trip to one of our favorite places,  Cades Cove. I love Cades Cove during all seasons ---and one of these days,  I need to share different photos from each season for you in one blog

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-60496401975590132912012-01-13T04:00:00.000-06:002012-01-22T20:02:42.526-06:00

Two Pileated Woodpeckers playing Peek-a-boo around the tree--taken 1/13 Most of you know how much I love our Backyard Birds... Even though I haven't taken many photos lately,  I still love to watch the birds as they come to the feeders on our deck... Today I'll show you seven of my favorite bird photos from 2011...  Hope you enjoy seeing them --and I promise I'll start taking some new

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com71tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-64112370807699430612012-01-11T04:00:00.000-06:002012-01-11T04:00:05.661-06:00

I have talked quite a bit about our little trip to Gatlinburg in December with good friends, Judy and Charlie.  Today I will share some more pictures from this trip.  We truly had a wonderful time together.  The four of us share a love of nature and traveling.  This little getaway gave us some time just to be together and enjoy each other for awhile. Judy and I either are emailing each other

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com71tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-10128487778821494582012-01-09T04:00:00.000-06:002012-01-09T04:00:04.842-06:00

If you missed the last post showing our trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway on Thanksgiving Week,  please click HERE.   Today I'll share one more group of photos from our stops at the overlooks along our way.   Above is a picture of Price Lake.   Seeing this beautiful lake along the parkway was neat!!!   I think you get a taste of everything  when you stop at the overlooks along the Parkway.

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-58539113505552718072012-01-06T04:00:00.001-06:002012-01-06T04:00:09.402-06:00

Each year in late December and early January,   I take time to go through all of my blog posts of that year ---picking out some favorite moments/photos... For the next several Fridays,  I will post some of my "Best of..."  pictures/moments. Today I'll share some of our 2011 Waterfall pictures and experiences with you...  We love waterfalls---whether they are little ones or HUGE ones... We

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-57190217588904343862012-01-04T04:00:00.001-06:002012-01-04T04:00:03.523-06:00

Well----I guess you are tired of seeing everyone's Christmas pictures --but today,  I'm giving you some more pictures!!!!!!  I just 'have' to share Christmas morning at our home.  Above is our Christmas tree --and below are a few more.  Be sure and click on the pictures to see some larger views. Here's a picture of my Santa ---checking out the presents under the tree. George and I

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com79tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-27878178404999587652012-01-02T04:00:00.000-06:002012-01-02T04:00:02.270-06:00

The first known publication of a collection of Nursery Rhymes was in 1744,  and the first confirmed collection of Nursery Rhymes using the term,  "Mother Goose" was published in 1780.  Isaiah Thomas published the first authorized AMERICAN edition of  "Mother Goose's Melody".   The book I remember as a child was published in 1916.  Rand McNally and Company re-published the collection of Mother

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-33893812514157214682011-12-23T04:00:00.000-06:002011-12-29T19:15:14.964-06:00

From our home (pictured above) to yours,  I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas.  George and I are taking next week off from blogging so that we can celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with family and friends, and with each other.  I went through some of my recent photos looking for some to share with you today.  It was hard only choosing a few 'favorites' since I have so many

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com101tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-78855665180556212392011-12-21T04:00:00.000-06:002011-12-21T07:08:37.876-06:00

Pigeon Forge, TN  does a creative job when it comes to Christmas lights.  If you have ever been to Pigeon Forge,  you will know that there's one LONG main road going through the town..  The road is divided with a big median between.   This year, inside the median, along the way, the song,  "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was depicted using light displays.  We couldn't stop to get photos ---but

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-30239080394768952202011-12-19T04:00:00.000-06:002011-12-19T08:18:12.463-06:00

After seeing the lights in Gatlinburg (this past Friday's post),  we drove to the nearby area of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee,  to park and walk around Patriot Park.   We had been to this park before a few years ago (with Judy and Charlie)---but there were some different light displays this year... They usually keep some 'old favorites' at the park--but they add new displays each year... Here are

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-12784372245932415242011-12-16T04:00:00.001-06:002011-12-16T15:09:25.651-06:00

As I mentioned in my last blog post,   George and I spent a few days in the beautiful Smoky Mountains with good friends, Judy and Charlie.  We went just to be together and enjoy each other's company at the Rocky Waters Motor Inn---but we also went to see the gorgeous Christmas lights in  Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  (Those city leaders go ALL out in those 'resort' towns, and George and I

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-36566521817968709222011-12-14T04:00:00.000-06:002011-12-14T04:00:08.255-06:00

You may have noticed that we have been missing from Blog World and Facebook recently.. We took a quick 2-day trip to Gatlinburg, TN (Smokies) with our really good friends,  Judy and Charlie.   This was our Christmas trip together ---so that we could see the gorgeous Christmas lights,  eat at a wonderful restaurant,  and talk-talk-talk.... We had rooms at the Rocky Waters Inn (where we enjoyed

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-10445232444595379002011-12-12T04:00:00.000-06:002011-12-12T04:00:07.460-06:00

If you missed the last post showing the gorgeous ORCHIDS at the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina,  click HERE.   Today I'll show you a few more photos of those beautiful orchids.   Above is a favorite of mine... Love that color!!!  Be sure to enlarge the photos for some bigger pictures. This little white one is simple ---but oh, how gorgeous... Orchids are hard to

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-86947605448124312662011-12-09T04:00:00.001-06:002011-12-09T04:00:06.974-06:00

I didn't think I would do this post since I had another one ready to publish.  BUT--after seeing the pictures and getting comments from my Facebook Friends,  I decided to publish them for you today (with apologies to my FB friends who have seen them already).  BUT--I know that many of you who blog don't 'do' Facebook---so hopefully you will enjoy them.  If you click on them,  they will enlarge

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-35197923477676919462011-12-07T04:00:00.001-06:002011-12-07T04:00:10.849-06:00

Today I want you to meet some of my Christmas babies --which guard the Christmas tree and live in our home during the Christmas season.  Above is Frisky Snowman.... Frisky is a a great grandson of Frosty...  I have to keep the house VERY COLD ---so that he won't melt....  (NOT!!!! ha ha ) Here is one of Santa's helpers named  Santa Simon Edgar---after my Daddy... Daddy was my Santa ---and

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-64498541933464003522011-12-05T04:00:00.000-06:002011-12-05T04:00:09.431-06:00

Here are a few more photos of the gorgeous Peaks of Otter,  on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Roanoke, VA.  George took the picture above when he was wandering around in front of our lodge room. That is Sharp Top ---which we visited the last time we were here (August, 2010).   On that trip,  we took the Sharp Top bus up the mountain part of the way and then hiked to the top.  What a great view we

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-53387057855036299552011-12-02T04:00:00.000-06:002011-12-02T04:00:10.174-06:00

As we continued our drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway,  we finally got to our destination,  the Peaks of Otter... We had stopped so much during the drive that we didn't get to the Peaks of Otter until WAY after dark.... NOTE for anyone driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway after DARK:  ALL of the deer come out after dark---so we had to drive very slowly so that we wouldn't hit them .  We also

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-12273516834383486222011-12-01T04:00:00.000-06:002011-12-01T04:00:04.747-06:00

Our favorite spot at the Biltmore House and Gardens is when we drive to the Lagoon...  This is a wonderful (and not highly publicized) area of the estate.   We drive down a gravel road ---and love it here, since we can see both the back of the house (mansion),  and we can enjoy a picnic along the water while watching a 'ton' of Canada Geese making lots of noise.  We can also continue driving in

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-70079378468705860062011-11-30T04:00:00.000-06:002011-11-30T04:00:06.257-06:00

After leaving Biltmore and spending the night in Asheville,  we then traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway --heading north...  Here are some of the things we encountered along the way that day.  I love seeing all of the layers of mountains (above) ---in addition to the clouds...  Below are more pictures... Enlarge the photos for some larger pictures. Here is a photo of Linville Falls.  We had

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-53935607525944927912011-11-29T04:00:00.000-06:002011-11-29T04:00:02.826-06:00

The Orchids in the Conservatory at Biltmore House and Gardens are some of the prettiest I have ever seen... Today I will show you some of those gorgeous Orchids... Be sure and enlarge the photos for a better look! Aren't these just gorgeous?   I truly don't know much about Orchids ---but I do love seeing them.  There are just so many varieties... Hope you have

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-59718093236496892832011-11-28T04:00:00.000-06:002011-11-28T04:00:03.843-06:00

George and I took a  Thanksgiving Trip this year...  After all that I (both of us) have been through the past 6 weeks,  we NEEDED some time to get away with our cameras... It was not a strenuous trip for me ---and other than a stinkin' stiff neck,   I did GREAT.... Our first stop was one of our favorite places,  the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina.   I love Biltmore

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-20016312570644448522011-11-18T04:00:00.000-06:002011-11-18T04:00:08.060-06:00

" George and I are taking next week off from blogging.   Thanksgiving is next Thursday and we want to spend time with each other,   visit family and friends,  and just spend the week being very thankful for all of our many blessings. " Thanksgiving is a special time for me... I remember,  when I was a little girl,  waiting for my two brothers to come 'home' for

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com84tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-90502789656813447662011-11-16T04:00:00.000-06:002011-11-16T04:00:00.788-06:00

When we took a ride a couple of weeks ago,  we got some great Autumn photos right here in Fairfield Glade...  Today all of those colors are gone ---and the leaves are ALL on the ground.  We had rain yesterday all day ---and expect more today... But---as George would say,  "At least it's not SNOW!!!" I showed some Autumn photos on November 7 (click HERE if you missed  that post)...  Since I had

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-44869418952894282512011-11-14T04:00:00.000-06:002011-11-14T04:00:05.503-06:00

Those of you who have been visiting my blog regularly for several years  know what our favorite winter flower is here in Fairfield Glade, TN....  It's our little PANSIES.   We can plant them in late Fall---and unless we have a horribly cold winter (which we usually do not),  they will last until it gets really hot here (usually July).  They start small (as in today's pictures) ---but will grow

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-72358821522449378002011-11-11T04:00:00.000-06:002011-11-11T04:00:08.388-06:00

Both George and I have talked about our RE-blooming Irises...   We have several ---and have enjoyed their blooms (not only in the spring/summer ---but especially in the FALL).   Tonight I'll share with you a few pictures of our FALL Irises...  Since I have been sick,   all of these are George's pictures... Thanks, Honey, for letting me share them!!!!!   Above is a 'group' picture of some of

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-62437146207784491592011-11-09T04:00:00.000-06:002011-11-09T04:00:04.619-06:00

Every year, in our local paper,  one of the 'old-timers' in our area (Melinda Lane Hedgecoth) predicts what our winter will be here on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee.  Melinda is actually the daughter of the woman who used to make these predictions.. Melinda's mother is no longer alive,  so Melinda has carried on the tradition.  Melinda (and other Crab Orchard Old-Timers around this area)

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-29112834544603184982011-11-07T04:00:00.000-06:002011-11-07T04:00:04.139-06:00

There's something uniquely special about LATE Fall...  I love all of the REDS and RUSTS this time of year... All of the Fall colors are special---but right now, ALL of the leaves left on the trees are showing off their end-of-the-year color!!!!! George took me for a short ride on Saturday afternoon late. The sun was going down ---so the colors were magnificent... I want to share some pictures

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com78tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-22469691778112286142011-11-04T04:00:00.000-05:002011-11-04T04:00:07.054-05:00

Thank ALL of you for the notes, cards, calls, ecards, texts, Facebook notes,  and emails... I have been a sick little kitty---having been in the hospital 2 different times for the total of 9 days!!!!!  Even though I published 7 blogs after getting sick (since they were in the 'hopper' ready to post),  I think I have been sick for about 16-17 days.  I have never been this sick before. First, 

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-32722733051782406762011-10-26T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-26T11:07:56.703-05:00

Many of you have been asking and wondering where I've been... WELL---I've been sick.... I won't go into any of the nitty gritty details ---but it's an intestional thing ---and I've been pretty miserable.... Please remember me in your prayers and thoughts---and hopefully,  I'll be back to blogging,  emailing,  Facebook,  calls,  etc.  SOON...  Please give me some time ---and I WILL be back...

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-28398289854884856642011-10-25T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-25T04:00:05.222-05:00

Hope you saw my photos from our latest trip to the Smokies... If you missed it,  scroll down to the labels on my sidebar and click on Fall 2011.  We went to the Smokies on Friday,  Oct. 14,  and the colors were marvelous once you got up to the mid and upper levels of the mountains...  There are just some times in our lives when we go some place at the correct time... WELL---that was it for us

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-41681698232486829962011-10-24T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-24T04:00:08.171-05:00

One place we visited on our West VA trip in April of 2010 was to the southern end of the New River Gorge National River area.  That is when we saw Sandstone Falls (click HERE).   SO, because of that beauty, we knew we wanted to go back and see more of the New River Gorge area. On our trip last month,  we did go back and visit two other areas of that scenic river...  Today I will feature my

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-67954331179233933382011-10-21T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-21T04:00:04.407-05:00

I don't think I will ever finish doing blog posts from our June trip out west...   Counting this one,  I have done 25 different posts from that trip ---and there's still more to come!!!!!  What a fabulous trip that was... That is one trip we'll be talking about for years and years to come. Today,  we're going back to the gorgeous Rocky Mountain National Park.  As I think I mentioned in a

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-33406594504030807512011-10-20T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-20T04:00:10.662-05:00

Last week,  I posted about our experience attending my grandson, Landon's band play at the football game on October 6.   If you missed that post,  click HERE. Today,  I'll show you more of what was going on at that game ---besides the band... As you can imagine,  I'm a people -watcher... SO---both George and I (mostly George) captured a bunch of good pictures of the game.  Hope you enjoy this

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-11429582697103947602011-10-19T04:00:00.001-05:002011-10-19T04:00:01.532-05:00

SO --this is my big surprise...  When we left Biltmore on Oct. 4,   we decided to drive to Cataloochie Valley to see the ELK.... (You know how much I loved that!!!!)  Since it was late afternoon,  we thought we'd see some ---and hopefully hear them BUGLE....  It is rutting season ---so we got lucky!!!!!!!   Not only did we see some elk --but we also heard them bugling...  That was SO awesome...

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-62597199236818529192011-10-18T04:00:00.001-05:002011-10-18T04:00:07.050-05:00

Today,  I'll show you more pictures from our visit to the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville,  NC on October 4.   If you have not ever been to Biltmore --you may not know that this is a HUGE estate... Not only can you visit that gorgeous home,  or all of the many gardens,  but there's also a winery, several nice restaurants,  a huge inn,  many shops for 'shop-til-you-drop' shopping,  and

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-41758731335659160942011-10-17T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-17T04:00:07.522-05:00

This past Friday,  George and I went to the Smokies to check out the Fall colors there.... WOW---is what we found!!!!!!  We left home VERY early ---to see some good sky/sun/fog pictures in addition to the gorgeous Fall colors... AND--we weren't disappointed AT ALL. The day before had brought rain to our area... But --this day was supposed to clear up and be a gorgeous, clear day.   As you'll

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-85003359877677618152011-10-14T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-14T04:00:02.187-05:00

During our three week trip out west in June,   our last stop in Utah (as we headed to the Rocky Mountains) was the ARCHES National Park.  We left home on June 10---and when we got to the Arches,  it was June 23... We were both tired and VERY hot by then...  SO--because of this,  our experience at the Arches was not as good as most other places we visited on this trip. I guess that is why I've

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-45072289115928356622011-10-13T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-13T04:00:06.766-05:00

Unless you are new to my blog,  you will know that George and I bought season's tickets to the gorgeous Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville,  North Carolina this year.  (This will be my 19th blog post about Biltmore!!!!)  We love that place and try to get there every couple of months... What we love the most are all of their gorgeous flowers. BUT--this month's visit was 'different'..

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-14623773189267062492011-10-12T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-12T08:42:33.656-05:00

George and I drove to Knoxville on October 6, 2011 (along with Proud Papa, Jeff, and sister Avery) to watch Grandson Landon play in his band during their high school football game.  Landon is a sophomore at Bearden High School --and is a member of the drum line. Can you imagine carrying FIVE drums????  I asked Landon if that was hard on his back --and he said it was NOT... Oh---to be young!!!!

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-86600154047293231682011-10-11T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-11T04:00:00.081-05:00

When we were visiting George's daughter and hubby in the Buffalo area recently,  they took us to Whirlpool State Park so that we could see the gorgeous Niagara River.  We have visited Niagara Falls twice before --so didn't go there on this trip... But we certainly did enjoy seeing the whirlpool and the Niagara River. The picture above shows you this wild and raging river from our overlook

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-53341469368174673152011-10-10T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-10T04:00:04.725-05:00

There's not too much Fall Color in our area yet --but we do have color right here in our yard!!!!  I took these photos the end of Sept/first of Oct ---so today,  I'll share some of our 'color' to you.  Above is one of our Reblooming Irises.  This one's name is Blatant --and we love seeing Irises blooming in the FALL of the year!!!!!  Isn't this one pretty? This 'color' is one of our

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-38018612540526706542011-10-07T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-07T04:00:02.625-05:00

Looking down into the canyon;  Believe it or not,  there is a trail all of the way down there!!! Of everywhere we visited in June of 2011 (on our 3 week western trip),  our VERY favorite place of all was BRYCE CANYON...  We first went there on Sunday,  June 19...  Since it was cloudy, foggy and rainy-- even some snow that day (even though we still loved it),  we decided to go back.  SO---on

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-26845861329789791882011-10-06T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-06T04:00:06.980-05:00

This is our guide.. The deer obviously know him.  He is taking them a 'goodie'! On September 16, 2011,  George and I were in Cass, West Virginia riding an old steam engine train up to Bald Knob (elevation 4700+ feet).  IF you missed my post on this ride,  click HERE to read about it.   As I mentioned in that post,  when we got to Bald Knob,  we enjoyed watching some deer coming for some snacks

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-3913091188852025472011-10-05T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-05T04:00:06.237-05:00

Our Fall weather has been awesome recently (even though a cold front came thought this past weekend).   Last Wednesday,  George and I headed to one of the state parks near us,  Cumberland Mountain,  to do some walking and take some photos.  We went late in the afternoon --and were able to get some great Fall pictures.   The temperatures were in the 70's and the sky was a deep blue...  Just

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-82179852760019947422011-10-04T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-04T04:00:06.870-05:00

After we left Buffalo (visiting George's daughter and hubby),  we stopped  south of Cleveland on Sept. 12,  to see a waterfall which we had read about previously but had never seen.   BRANDYWINE FALLS is in the Cuyahoga National Park.  What a gorgeous waterfall.  Even the hike to the falls was nice.  Hope you enjoy seeing that area with us through our photos.  Above is a picture of George ---as

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-19785274185058733112011-10-03T04:00:00.000-05:002011-10-03T08:33:51.362-05:00

George's daughter and hubby took us to the Niagara County Peach Festival  in historic Lewiston,  New York,  when we were visiting them on Sept. 10, 2011.  The Peach Festival is a weekend annual event which has been going on every year since 1958.  The idea was developed as a means of honoring the Niagara County farmer and the bountiful crops,  which are harvested each Fall.  Obviously,  the

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-238910248921787212011-09-30T04:00:00.000-05:002011-09-30T04:00:01.657-05:00

Out of all of the posts I have done on our 3 week trip out west this past June (this will be the 22nd post),  I realized that I haven't done any posts on the Grand Canyon  (other than the sunset ones).  AND--the Grand Canyon was one of the main reasons we took that long trip... SO---today I will share a group of photos taken on June 14,  our FIRST views of this amazing place.  We entered the

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-50474249409385052011-09-29T04:00:00.000-05:002011-09-29T04:00:06.715-05:00

Thanks to BETH  (blog friend from Ohio),  we decided to check out one of her favorite places,  the Hocking Hills State Park,  near Logan, Ohio...  What a fabulous place!!!! Wow!!!!  I'm glad that the state has preserved this area.  There are fabulous caves,  hiking trails, hollows and yes,  WATERFALLS.   We spent two days there ---and took in as much of the park as possible.  The most popular

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-48172841265759179662011-09-28T04:00:00.001-05:002011-09-28T04:00:07.553-05:00

Since taking a Blog Break from Sept. 9-25,   George and I have had the advantage  of being with some family and also meeting some more fabulous blog friends... First we went to Buffalo, NY, to visit George's daughter, Kelly and hubby Chuck...  We had a fabulous time with them, and they took us to some really GREAT places --including some of their favorite restaurants...Above is a picture of

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-86696886147736007902011-09-27T04:00:00.000-05:002011-09-27T07:36:35.640-05:00

On Sept, 16, 2011,  we had a wonderful day taking a  4 1/2 hour train ride  WAY up the mountain to Bald Knob, at over 4700 feet in elevation.  The Cass Scenic Railroad is a member of the West Virginia Tourist Train Association. I love steam engines ---and seeing them (and riding on them) brought back so many memories of my childhood.  My Daddy worked for the railroad all of his life --and when

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-19720137442681652682011-09-26T04:00:00.000-05:002011-09-26T04:00:06.848-05:00

Blackwater Falls, West Virginia As you know,  we took some time off from Blogging recently... We did get some much-needed yardwork done,  visited George's father,  and finished some other projects which were on our lists...  BUT--we also decided to take a short trip to Buffalo, New York,  to visit George's daughter,  Kelly, and hubby Chuck.   We enjoyed seeing them --and on our way home,  we

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-47440510196676538092011-09-08T02:00:00.000-05:002011-09-08T02:00:10.389-05:00

On June 25th,  after we visited a very HOT Arches in Utah,  we drove to the Rocky Mountain National Park  in Colorado.  What a wonderful change in climate!!!!  Wow---I love cool weather and SNOW---and got the joy of seeing both of them while we were there. I have a 'scrillion' pictures from that ONE day...  We saw as much as we could possibly see in one day --but want to go back again.  It was

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-19560876658651548662011-09-07T04:00:00.000-05:002011-09-07T04:00:01.374-05:00

 I hope you are not getting tired of my photos from Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, NC.  This will be my 18th post from there...  I'm not obsessed,  am I?  ha ha ....  IF you happen to miss any of the other 17 posts,  you can go to my sidebar,  scroll down to Labels, and click on Biltmore.  It is truly an awesome place!  This trip was on August 5, my birthday!   Today I'm sharing a

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-78892937383349224272011-09-06T04:00:00.000-05:002011-09-06T08:42:14.565-05:00

Thanks be to God for bringing us some much-needed rain this week.  Tropical Storm Lee came our way!!!!  Yeah Rah!!!!  We have had a very very dry couple of months (with no rain since the end of June),  but believe it or not,  we still have a few things blooming in our yard. However,  if you could see the yard,  you would think that it's the middle of October --with one exception:  the extreme

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-708840356515619602011-09-02T02:00:00.000-05:002011-09-02T02:00:02.190-05:00

Headed up Boulder Mtn;  See the snow?  (Enlarge all photos for larger pictures!) Continuing our journey north on Scenic Highway 12 in Utah  (note map above),   after we left the town of Boulder (which the locals call Boulder Town),  we had no idea we were headed up a STEEP mountain...  The name Boulder Mountain is commonly used to refer to the high plateau area between Boulder and Torrey, 

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-34258137774390684012011-09-01T02:00:00.000-05:002011-09-05T13:31:58.981-05:00

I am trying to show at least one bloom of all of the different varieties of Hybrid Tea and Grandiflora Roses in our yard this Spring/Summer/Fall.  We had about 55 different varieties, and as of today,  I have shown you 43 different ones.  If you missed some of my other Rose posts,  go to my sidebar,  scroll down to labels and click on Roses 2011. Today,  I will show you 7 more.  Above is one

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-70173650326898400282011-08-31T02:00:00.000-05:002011-08-31T08:25:36.672-05:00

If you ever want to take a beautiful drive in Summer (also in Spring and Fall),  there's just no place better than the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The parkway follows the tops of mountains from NC all the way to VA...  Then --if you want to go farther into northern VA,  take the Skyline Drive (which is a continuation of the Blue Ridge Parkway).  George and I have (at various times) been on the entire

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-58148860015549110902011-08-30T02:00:00.000-05:002011-08-30T02:00:06.482-05:00

Scenic Highway 9;  Views were awesome! On our trip out west in June,  we drove on many scenic roads.   The one I'm talking about today (Highway 9 in Utah) is another one.   Hope you enjoy reading more about this road (especially the building of the tunnels) ---and enjoy our photos.   Be sure to enlarge the photos for a much larger picture. Look at our fabulous views from this scenic byway.

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-44622976218738506112011-08-29T02:00:00.002-05:002011-08-29T02:00:09.255-05:00

John Adams --on his 97th birthday,  two years ago Today I celebrate two family members... First,  let me say a huge Happy Birthday to my wonderful father-in-law, John Adams.  Dad is NINETY-NINE today!!!!!  Isn't that just awesome?   All of his children (and spouses) will celebrate with him as we will take him out to dinner on Wednesday night. John E. Adams Most of you know that Dad and Mom

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-1257805899908627022011-08-26T02:00:00.000-05:002011-08-26T02:00:06.639-05:00

See all of the petrified logs dotting the area? Please enjoy a little of the history of petrified wood while looking at our photos.  All of these photos were taken in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona on June 13.  We were hiking on the Giant Logs Trail behind the Rainbow Forest Museum.  Be sure and enlarge the photos for much larger pictures. The Petrified Forest National Park

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-52096986344210364872011-08-25T02:00:00.000-05:002011-08-25T08:36:29.417-05:00

Last week I showed you some pictures from the Italian Water Garden  (chick HERE),  so today I'll share with you some of the beautiful flowers in the Walled Garden.  Above is a picture of one part of the Walled Garden.   I've shown this garden many times before--but they add new flowers and plants every season.   (Please click on these photos to see a MUCH larger picture.) Look at this

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-12970750109641459862011-08-24T02:00:00.000-05:002011-08-24T02:00:00.727-05:00

Here are some new pictures I took recently of some of our cute little backyard birds.  The picture above is a little dark (since they are in the shadows) but this is a frequent happening on our deck during the summer... Daddy Birds (usually the Daddy's are the ones who teach them to eat) come and feed their babies ---and teach them how to feed themselves.   The picture above shows a Daddy

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-51473057576689623922011-08-23T02:00:00.000-05:002011-08-27T21:39:25.939-05:00

I am trying to show at least one bloom of all of the different varieties of Hybrid Tea and Grandiflora Roses in our yard this Spring/Summer/Fall.  We had about 55 different varieties, and as of today,  I have shown you 36 different ones.  If you missed some of my other Rose posts,  go to my sidebar,  scroll down to labels and click on Roses 2011. The Rose above is RONALD REAGAN,  a

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-24882748201022580212011-08-22T02:00:00.000-05:002011-08-22T02:00:04.486-05:00

Even though we spent almost 3 weeks traveling out west,  we only had ONE evening to visit Las Vegas.  Neither of us had been there ---so we really didn't know what to do.  My son and family lived there for awhile, and we should have visited then.. But--we didn't!!  BUT--he talked about the good buffet restaurants in most of the casinos/hotels. SO--we just got a map and picked a pretty one, 

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-64127503961434674292011-08-19T04:00:00.009-05:002011-08-27T23:01:59.861-05:00

Continuing along Scenic Highway 12 in Utah (see map above) on our western trip in June,  we passed through the northern part of the Grand Staircase of Escalante National Monument (on June 22).  This monument is 1.9 million acres of preserved land for us to enjoy.  The Staircase where we were consists of a series of massive geological steps which descends toward the Grand Canyon in Arizona. 

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-88636921692135595662011-08-18T04:00:00.038-05:002011-08-18T04:00:02.194-05:00

In all of my life,  I have never seen THIS many Sunflowers in the same place...When George took me on my birthday trip on August 4-6,   one of the places we stopped was a favorite of ours,  the Biltmore House and Gardens... When we were in the car,  getting ready to leave,  we spotted rows and rows and rows of beautiful Sunflowers in bloom.  Of course,  we had to stop and take some pictures. 

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-38700297650657157822011-08-17T04:00:00.089-05:002011-08-17T04:00:01.594-05:00

"Take some pictures quickly--we are about to be fogged in!!!" Another place George took me on this year's Birthday Trip was to Mt. Mitchell State Park,  off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Burnsville, North Carolina.  There are a few places in the world that still stand apart from the ordinary.  Rising more than a mile high,  surrounded by the gentle mist of low-hanging clouds,  Mount Mitchell

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-63781450522335932712011-08-16T09:05:00.001-05:002011-08-16T09:05:24.994-05:00

The Road to the Wild Basin Trailhead We only had ONE day to see as much of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado as we could.  AND--we certainly saw as much as possible that day!!!!!!  This was during our trip out west in June,  and this date was June 25.  If you want to see more posts from this wonderful 3 week trip,  go to my side bar and scroll down to labels.  Click on Western Trip

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-60585461719979008782011-08-15T04:00:00.065-05:002011-08-15T04:00:06.620-05:00

A picture from the side of Biltmore House.. Isn't that porch wonderful? One of the places George took me during my Birthday Trip was to one of our all-time favorite places,  the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville,  NC.  Each time we go,  we try to see something new and different... As you know by now,  if you have followed my blog for awhile,  there are many different gardens to visit

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-17480903282506905802011-08-12T04:00:00.073-05:002011-08-12T04:00:02.725-05:00

Cute Little Visitor Center--surrounded by Snow Cedar Breaks National Monument (north of Zion) is not far from Cedar City, Utah.  This park had only been opened for a few days before we visited there on June 20,  due to the heavy snow this past winter.  We took Scenic Road 14 in order to get there.  It was a beautiful day --and we (me especially since I LOVE snow) were thrilled to get there to

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-74740325088022045232011-08-11T04:00:00.059-05:002011-08-11T04:00:03.114-05:00

If you have missed any of my previous Rose blog posts this year,  go to my sidebar,  scroll down to Roses 2011 and click.  There are more posts there showing off our beauties!!!! Today I will show you 7 more of our gorgeous Hybrid Tea and Grandafloura Roses.  Above is one named  STRIKE IT RICH. MEDALLION PARADISE MOONSTONE SEDONA SHEER MAGIC

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-33951984180382186372011-08-10T04:00:00.024-05:002011-08-13T13:22:36.052-05:00

The picture above is of my three sons, and it was taken in late 1971.  Bert (who goes by Tre now--since he is a III) is about 8.   Jeff (the baby) is about 4-5 months. And Mark is almost 2.  I had Bert in July, 1963, lost a child between Bert and Mark,  had Mark in Jan. 1970, and had Jeff in May of 1971.  There's only 16 months difference between Mark and Jeff.  Bert was a great 'older' brother

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-36122528411747306132011-08-09T04:00:00.044-05:002011-08-09T04:00:02.911-05:00

Trips and vacations are nice,  but it's also nice to get home to see all of the precious little backyard birds which are eagerly awaiting me to get home and fill their feeders!!!!  Here are some recent photos of some of my little sweeties.  Above is one of our MANY Hummingbirds this year... For the past couple of years,  we hadn't seen very many here,  but we have a big group of them this

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-30689975955752036512011-08-08T04:00:00.169-05:002011-08-08T04:00:07.980-05:00

George did it again!!!!!  He gave me another fabulous birthday celebration!  Since we had taken a big trip in June,  my request to George this year was that we not go too far from home and that we only take a 3 day/2 night trip.   SO---he took my request and planned a terrific 'getaway'. We left Thursday --and headed east toward Maggie Valley... Since the trip was a surprise,  I was never

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-15338865009796649582011-08-04T04:00:00.098-05:002011-08-04T04:00:08.094-05:00

I cannot believe that it's THAT time again ----time for this old woman to celebrate another birthday (tomorrow, August 5)....  Doesn't seem like a year has passed since I wrote THIS post.... (Click on 'this'.) Goodness Gracious---where does time go??????  YES----tomorrow,  this old lady will turn SIXTY NINE.....  (Next year,  when I turn 70,  all of you bloggers can throw me a big party!!!!

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com106tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-7956930173588159052011-08-03T04:00:00.002-05:002011-08-03T04:00:10.251-05:00

Virgin River You will seldom ever see me promoting any drive on our Interstate Highway System (unless you are in a hurry).  We enjoy seeing America on the back roads.  However,  when we left Las Vegas on June 17 headed to  Zion National Park,  the best way to get there was to drive part of the way northeast on Interstate 15,  from Nevada, through a tiny portion of Arizona (top northwest corner

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-40988466107757224062011-08-02T04:00:00.086-05:002011-08-02T04:00:02.720-05:00

I have been talking about many of our other gorgeous flowers (lilies, day lilies, etc. ) in our yard  this summer ---but have neglected to talk about more of our beautiful Hybrid Tea and Grandiflora Roses blooming in our yard this summer. If you missed seeing the other Rose posts so far,  click HERE.  There are 3 other posts besides this one for you to see (which were published before our June

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-38631030605869978442011-08-01T04:00:00.085-05:002011-08-01T06:51:54.339-05:00

Hoover Dam (once called Boulder Dam) spans the Colorado River in Black Canyon between Arizona and Nevada,  about 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas.  Hoover Dam's construction began in 1931 and was completed in five years.  There were about 16,000 total men and women who worked on that project,  with about 3,500 employed at a specific time. Our First Views from above ---after driving across

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-80685915431279734642011-07-29T04:00:00.237-05:002011-07-29T04:00:00.728-05:00

JO SUSAN HOLLIFIELD DAUGHERTY  June 2, 1942- July 28, 2011 It is with much sorrow that I have to write this blog post.  Yesterday morning, one of my very best childhood friends,  JO SUSAN HOLLIFIELD DAUGHERTY (Susan or SuSu to me) passed away peacefully--after a long battle with Breast Cancer.  You may remember that I wrote a blog the first of June on "Perseverance" about Susan.  Click HERE

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com88tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-52620705171850297022011-07-28T04:00:00.052-05:002011-07-28T04:00:05.080-05:00

Are you tired of seeing the Day Lilies and Lilies in our yard????  I hope not---because here comes another post!!!!!!  Even though we were gone for 3 weeks in June,  we have been fortunate to have so many different Lilies and Day Lilies blooming off and on for these past couple of months.  Altogether,  we have had 20 different varieties of Lilies and 19 different varieties of  Day Lilies.   AND

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-48180203004959726052011-07-27T04:00:00.164-05:002011-07-27T06:07:04.017-05:00

As most of you know,  I love Genealogy.  I have been working on my family's history off and on for several years.  Most of this time has been spent putting names and dates on my software program ---trying to get accurate information on births, marriages, deaths,  etc. On Saturday night,  July 16,   I pulled out a packet of my Family History notes.  I got to reading --and while reading,  I

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-19717208151161053672011-07-26T04:00:00.069-05:002011-07-26T04:00:10.284-05:00

On June 12,  on our way out west,  we spent the night at Albuquerque, New Mexico (took me about a month to learn to spell that city).... While we were there,  we wanted to visit the 'old town' area (another upcoming blog post),  and we wanted to drive a little on Route 66..  WELL---while driving on Route 66,  we were also looking for a neat little place to have some dinner... And we found it!!!

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-34512942018622150412011-07-25T04:00:00.053-05:002011-07-25T04:00:07.327-05:00

This past Thursday,  during our horrible heatwave,  we finally did get a little rain here in Fairfield Glade.  And what happens after the rain??????????   The birdies come to the feeder to get a bite to eat!!!!!!  It happens every time we get some rain!! I stood there watching them for only about 15 minutes ... And of course,  I just HAD to take some pictures to show YOU!!!! (Aren't I so sweet

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-17703863502676106812011-07-22T04:00:00.164-05:002011-07-22T04:00:03.106-05:00

On Monday, June 20 (as part of our 3 week trip out west),  George and I drove first on Scenic Highway 14 to Cedar Breaks.  (I will blog much more on Cedar Breaks at another time).  Anyhow--after leaving Cedar Breaks,  we drove through Cedar City and headed south on I-15 to KOLOB CANYONS. Kolob Canyons is a lesser-known section of Zion National Park --but is in a fabulous location (just off of

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-88306043482598225522011-07-21T04:00:00.002-05:002011-07-21T04:00:09.838-05:00

As I told you in my Lily post recently,  we missed alot of our blooming Lilies and Day Lilies this year due to our 3 week trip.  However,  we did/do have 14 different varieties blooming --so today,  I will share with you 7 of them.  Above is BAMA BOUND  (for all of your Alabama fans).  Below are more. CUSTARD CANDY BRIGHT SUNSET ELEGANT CANDY FOOLED ME  (a new Day

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-79381097288140280722011-07-20T04:00:00.040-05:002011-07-20T04:00:17.411-05:00

On our May daytrip to the Smokies,  we just HAD to stop and take a few pictures of gorgeous Cades Cove.   There's just not a more beautiful place on earth I don't think!!!! Relax and enjoy! We loved seeing the yellow wildflowers in the field --and also the horses.  Neat, huh? Everything was so green and lush in the 'cove'.  See that black bear in this picture?  I captured

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-79972226855159463222011-07-19T04:00:00.008-05:002011-07-19T04:00:08.165-05:00

While we were on YET another scenic road during our western trip in June (Scenic Highway 7, Colorado),  we passed by one of the neatest little churches ---and of course,  I shreaked--and made George turn around to get some pictures!!!  Isn't he nice??????? (He'd say 'hen-pecked'--ha) We were south of Estes Park --on our way toward Boulder, and came to a little town  (hole in the road) named

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com74tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-456655209992219232011-07-18T04:00:00.127-05:002011-07-18T04:00:12.921-05:00

When we left Holbrook, Arizona on June 14th,   we decided to take another back road to the Grand Canyon.  So--we drove to Flagstaff and then headed north on Highway 89 and then west on Highway 64 to the eastern entrance of the canyon. Anyhow--like we always do,  we found a neat place to stop that morning.  That whole drive is gorgeous and the land in that area belongs to the Navajo and Hopi

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-12772978594248051682011-07-15T04:00:00.072-05:002011-07-15T04:00:12.379-05:00

We spent three days at the Grand Canyon.  One thing which we didn't want to miss was the SUNSET.   SO---we went to the canyon two different nights to see it... The first night (June 15) --we went to Mather Point (near the  center area of the canyon, close to the Visitor Center).   The sunset was gorgeous that night ---but our vantage point was not the best.   Then--the next night (June 16),  we

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com85tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-90024247140169683162011-07-14T04:00:00.108-05:002011-07-14T22:32:48.373-05:00

I've been home from our trip since June 28 -----and I'm just now doing a "Bird Blog"....  What's up with that??????  ha ha..... WELL, first of all,  I put all of my bird seed and feeders AWAY for the 3 weeks we were gone...(I knew that the raccoons would get them the first day or two anyhow!)  SO---when we got home,  I had a little fear that the birds would forget me and NOT come back.  Many

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-38624501762276504162011-07-13T04:00:00.066-05:002011-07-13T04:00:08.595-05:00

Now---take off your cowboy boots and let's leave the 'west' for today.... I'm taking you back to my area and one of my favorite places,  Cades Cove--in the Smoky Mountains. On May 23, 2011,  George and I took a day-trip to the Smokies.  We went through Cades Cove and then rode across Parson's Branch Road.   You probably remember my June blogs talking about our 'crazy' trip on that rough road.

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-52396470743995552422011-07-12T04:00:00.069-05:002011-07-12T04:00:06.217-05:00

As photographers (even though we are far from professional),  George and I see alot more around us these days than we used to.... We just NOTICE life.... Isn't that just fabulous???? AND--there is beauty everywhere we look!!!! Today's post contains some pictures we took while in the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado on June 25.   You have seen pictures of the snow on the mountain

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-30592354973160188522011-07-11T04:00:00.129-05:002011-08-27T23:04:06.897-05:00

As most of you know,  George and I prefer to drive on the 'back-roads' in this country when we can.  On our recent trip out west,  we did take the interstate much of the way---mainly because of time constraints...  BUT--we were able to get on some back-roads on occasion, especially in Utah. Today,  I will share with you a teeny tiny part of Scenic Highway 12 (which runs between  Highway 89

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-53170613953664517322011-07-08T04:00:00.118-05:002011-07-08T13:44:15.489-05:00

Several of you mentioned the Painted Desert in THIS blog post.   SO---I thought I'd show you a little more of it today.  The Painted Desert is a 146-square-mile area of badlands located in Northern Arizona (north of Cameron) in the United States.  This area stretches from the Grand Canyon National Park into the Petrified Forest National Park --and runs just north of the Little Colorado and the

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com73Unknown location.34.88593094075317 -110.9179687521.98766994075317 -131.13281275 47.78419194075317 -90.70312475tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915113069723845995.post-79429222505118188802011-07-07T04:00:00.086-05:002011-07-07T04:00:08.651-05:00

One of the greatest joys on our recent trip out west was getting to meet BLOG friends for the first time... We met Becky (and hubby Mike) on June 10 at Jackson, TN at Logan's for lunch.  Then,  on June 12,  we met Vadarae (pronounced Vada Rae) at Cheddar's in Amarillo,  Texas for lunch.  AND--on June 24,  we met Linda (and hubby Terry) at Grand Junction, CO for lunch at the Golden Corral. All

Betsy from Tennesseehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223591156634767330noreply@blogger.com58