Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, October 29, 2012

Life on the Cumberland Plateau

Our little home  during Fall (2012)
As you probably know,  life for us has been VERY busy lately....  First was the big trip out west in September.  That was followed by my son's gorgeous wedding.  THEN---we went to Ohio to do some hiking with our good friends, Neal and Patti...  After coming home from Ohio,  we enjoyed a weekend here visiting with cousins/family/friends who were visiting in the area.

Then,  if all of this hasn't been enough,  we took off to the Smokies last Tuesday to see the Fall colors....   In between all of that ---this is a busy time of year for us in our yard.  We both have spent many hours (with many more to come) blowing/raking/mowing leaves.... Autumn is a pretty season and I love it ---but when those leaves start coming down,  there's alot of work to be done. 

Anyhow---to make a long story short,   I apologize for not visiting your blogs very much lately...  I do try to keep up--but it's not easy.  There just isn't enough hours in the day right now!!!!! Oh Well..... Life moves on no matter what!!!!

Today I will show you a few pictures I took in and around our yard on October 23.    AND--I'll share a few pictures of our visit with  my cousins/family on October 20/21.   Hope you enjoy seeing more of our crazy lives here in Fairfield Glade --on the Cumberland Plateau.  Be sure to click on the photos for enlargements.

I take alot of pictures of our little home --and love to compare them during different seasons of the year.  We had a 'quick' Fall here this year.  Trees seemed to stay green for a long time but turned quickly when they did turn ---and even though there are some reds and yellows around,  the primary colors right now are the browns/golds....  I won't say that we have had a beautiful Fall here ---like we saw in Ohio or the Smokies, but nevertheless,  it is still pretty!!!




Thought you'd enjoy seeing my little Fall decorations up close and personal.   Can you see the big ceramic pumpkin on the porch????  I got that one on a visit to Kroger's one day.  The employee there was setting up a pumpkin display --and accidentally dropped some of them.  We stopped to help him pick up the pieces.  This one only lost its lid ----so he gave it to us FREE of charge.  I bought some Fall flowers and put in it for decorations... Neat, huh?




Here is our pretty Maple in our front yard... I love the colors of the Maples in Fall.




Here is one of the MANY Burning Bushes in our area... This is a very popular bush and there's at least one in most every yard!!!!!   They are gorgeous in Fall.




AND---here's a picture of our front yard looking up the hill/street.  Note that there are a few more ROSES still blooming.  That is our neighbor's big white house in this picture.  Note the leaves on the ground.... That was AFTER we raked and blew them!!!!! Those leaves are really coming down now, just like rain... ha ha




As I said above,  we visited with two of my cousins and their families twice weekend of Oct. 20/21.   This picture shows all eight of us enjoying a meal together at the Cumberland Mountain State Park Restaurant on Sunday, Oct. 21.  We had a wonderful time together.




Here are my two cousins,  Carol (Michigan) and Bonnie (Florida).   Carol and Bonnie are 1st cousins since they have the same grandmother.   I'm a cousin on down the line since their grandmother is my mother's mother's sister.... (Figure that one out!!!!! ha)




Bonnie,  Betsy,  Carol
Finally here is a photo of the three of us cousins...  Since I have so little family left,   I love these gals ---and enjoy being with them so much.  Tennessee is a great place for us to meet since one lives in Michigan and one in Florida!!!!!!




++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Last Blooming Roses from our Yard 2012
LATER:  On Saturday,  October 27,  because VERY cold weather was coming our way,  George cut most of the remaining ROSES which were blooming in our yard --and brought them all inside...  I love having them inside --but hate to see Fall end.  We'll have to wait 'til Spring in order to have more rose blossoms...  Sigh!!!!

Hope you had a great weekend.  After such a warm (almost hot) week last week,  someone opened the freezer door--since it is MUCH colder this week... But--I love it!!!!  They even mentioned the "S" word (SNOW) on our TV weather report Saturday night... YIPES....  BUT--I'll stay warm--all snuggled up next to a big roaring fire in our wood-burning  fireplace!!!!

Have a great day.

Hugs,
Betsy

69 comments:

Christmas-etc... said...

Oh Betsy,
You have a lovely home!!! Makes me remember with such fondness my childhood home above the James River in Richmond, Va...those glorious Fall colors!!
Thanks so much for this!
Blessings!
Ann
PS Please be sure to enter my BOOK GIVE-A-WAY!

Devilish Angel said...

Nice home... Colorful photos...

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, your home and the Autumn leaves are beautiful on your street. I love the cute pumpkin and decorations on your porch. And what a lovely shot of you and your cousins. Wonderful post, have a great week ahead.

Sharon said...

I do love the new color of your home and boy can I relate to the mowing, raking, blowing of the leaves. I can't do that anymore, but Bill and a friend of his enjoy it (to a point)!! This week's predicted wind should about take care of it on our end of the state!

Anonymous said...

I love the big bouquet of roses - bet they smell so sweet.

Big Dude said...

You guys are way too busy for me - sure is looking pretty on the plateau.

Unknown said...

You need to share what energy pills ya'll take! It's 46 right now in Tallahassee....we rarely have an abundance of fall color..just turns brown over night. Enjoy your family every chance you get.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Betsy ~ How lovely are your photos. All of those brilliant colors.

Glad you had such a great time with your cousins.

It was 58 earlier and felt like it was 51 from the wind. Our first chilly night, hurray. Tonight it's supposed to get down to low 50's.

Have a great week ~ FlowerLady

Jo said...

I just love your cute house and decorations. The maple tree and burning bush are spectacular. We have similar shows in autumn (fall) in our part of South Africa. Your roses gave one final beautiful show. Wow. How wonderful to meet with cousins and families. I love reunions like this. Have a great week, Betsy. (((hugs))) Jo

Marcia said...

Your leaves are lovely. Ours are on they're way to the ground for sure with the pummeling rain of Hurricane Sandy. Too dark to know how many inches we have had overnight but expecting 8 at least. Winds will pick up through the day to hurricane force tonight. Just have to wonder when the power will go out not if.

Nellie said...

Great pictures of special times! Yes, our temps have certainly taken a cooler turn! Stay warm! xo Nellie

Unknown said...

Hi Betsy,

you have such beautiful garden, and the colour of the house really goes well with all the beautiful colours. We have to do what we love, life definitely moves on. And we all have different chores to do, so don't worry. I enjoy your pictures very much.
Have a lovely day!

Eva

MadSnapper said...

your trees are so beautiful, love those colors and i have cousins here that we never have figured out, some of them our grandmothers were sisters, some are cousins of our grandmothers, some our mothers were first cousins and then there are the kids of all those, so we just say we are cousins

Faye said...

Love the bold color of your home--a great background for the landscaping--or is it the other way around? :-) The number of roses you have must require quite a bit of work to put them to bed for the winter.

Know what you mean about favorite cousins. I have one who's a month older than I and we enjoy daily "chats" on Facebook. We agree about everything except politics. Isn't that the way of it? :-)

Catherine said...

I hope winter stays away from your beautiful color for a bit longer. Have a terrific week Betsy!
xo Catherine

Dorothy said...

Wonderful post! You and George really HAVE been busy! That keeps you young! No need to just sit at home until you HAVE to. Great pictures!

diane b said...

The colours in your yard are beautiful but I don't envy you the task of clearing the leaves. The roses are delightful, it is a shame they don't last longer. We've heard about your big storm. I hope it doesn't affect you. It is great to catch up with friends and family. I can see a likeness in the three cousins.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Oh my. You HAVE been busy. But it seems to agree with you. The trees behind your house put on quite a show, even if it was shortlived. The roses are gorgeous. You'll just have to refer back to this picture to enjoy them through the winter months and to anticipate their return in the spring.

Chatty Crone said...

IF I had a contemporary home I would paint it the exact color - I love it. Looks GREAT with all your flowers.

Nice to see you and your family. Love the fall colors.

sandie

imac said...

Every one having fun, lovely to see plus fab photos.

Donna said...

The leaves are "raining" on us here too! It's sad to see the growing season end, but it's time to get cozy inside!

Glad you have a lovely visit with your family and friends. Time passes quickly these days.

Shug said...

Brrr...it's cold outside! so happy that the two of you are able to spend so much time going places that make you happy! This is such a wonderful blessing and I for sure love it when you share the photos of these blessings with us...
Have a wonderful day.
Hugs,
shug

I Am Woody said...

Whew! What a busy busy autumn you guys have had! But what a fun one!!!

MTWaggin said...

Absolutely love seeing your cute little house and your wonderful yard. Looks like your visit with family was quite fun - everyone is smiling - a great sign! LOL

Hidden Haven Homestead said...

No raking leaves here for a few days. The wind is bringing them down like rain and the ground is covered. Love your home and yard. Looks like a perfect fall photo. Stay warm and hope you get some snow!

Susannah said...

Hello Betsey, I used to love to bring the last roses of summer into the house. Your bouquet is very pretty. So nice that you were able to get together with your cousins. We do that here about once a year. So fun!

TexWisGirl said...

your area is beautiful. glad you got some family time!

DeniseinVA said...

Another super post, gorgeous pictures and what lovely family photos. Betsy you look great, George too of course. Always fun to see those photos of you both and now with your cousins. You all have such happy smiles.

happyone said...

I love your house!! It looks so inviting.

Sylvia K said...

Great captures, Betsy, of a fun time, love those smiles! Your house and property are beautiful and what terrific Fall captures for the day! Hope you have a great week! Enjoy!

Linda G. said...

I have commented on your home in past blog posts, but I have to say it again. You and George have such a pretty home. Whenever I see photographs of your home, I always think "oh, how pretty!".

Very nice pictures of you, George and the cousins.

Barbara said...

Wow you and your knack for taking great pictures, the colors are just gorgeous up there, down South farther nothing has much changed, few brow or yellow leaves here and there, lol thanks for all the beauty you show.
You look wonderful too you have lost much weight, what is your secret..

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Great pics - your place looks beautiful!

We haven't lit our woodstove yet, but will if we lose power in this storm. Cort's having an asthma flareup though, so it would be best if we didn't have to light it in the near future.

Betty Manousos said...

great photos and what a beautiful home you have!
i love your yard with all those beautiful fall colours...simply amazing!

i am so glad you had a great time with family.

big hugs!

Hootin Anni said...

Your life must be filled with awe and magic. This post is ever so beautiful...the colors and the pure delight I felt when viewing the outdoor images!!!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I LOVE all that colour in your yard.

Neal said...

C'mon Betsy, you've had plenty of time do do a lot of other things. :)

Very nice photos. I know what you mean about being busy. I tell Patti I am going to get a job so I'll have more free time.

Karen said...

Betsy you have a lovely home, and the vase of roses are beautiful. It's nice to be busy with family and friends.

Anni said...

ps....just wanted to stop by again and thank you for visiting my birding blog.

Carletta said...

Your house is framed beautifully in that fall color!
Gorgeous reds!
Your cousins seem as happy as you always do Betsy. I guess it runs in the family. :)
Our temps are down 40 degrees from last week. All park areas of the New River Gorge Natural River closed at noon today until furthur notice. As much as 3 feet of snow could fall in that area. We will no doubt have a rain/snow mix here.

Ms. A said...

Everything sure looks colorful and I'm sure you'll be sorry to see that go! I know I would be.

GreatGranny said...

The house looks so good nestled in all that color. The roses are so lovely. It's supposed to be around 32F down here tonight, love it too.

Beth said...

Those roses are lovely, Betsy---I'll bet your house smells wonderful! I do so love the color of your house, and it looks wonderful amidst the fall colors. It's snowing here as I type and the wind is picking up---hope our electricity holds out! I don't think I'm quite ready for such brutal weather. :-)

Ann said...

Don't you worry about getting all the reading and comments in. You are busy enjoying life and that is much more important. Your yard is gorgeous and I love your fall decorations. I like your free pumpkin, very cute

Rose said...

I can just imagine all the leaves where you are...we no longer have big trees in our yard, but still get quite a few from the neighbor's yard.

I have been decluttering today and am really tired!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Enjoy those roses.
So beautiful where you live. All those leaves are wonderful. Your decorations are too cute!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Love your decorations, and the photos of the pretty trees in your area. My Japanese Maple tree bit the dust during this past summer's extreme heat and drought, so I'm missing a bit of color in my yard. It's chilly here, too, but not yet at the freezing point.

carolina nana said...

Sounds like you have been wonderfully busy with family and friends. At least after all this wind we will only have to rake leaves one time. Right now the wind outside is gusting around 60mph,whew!
Guess we will see snow tomorrow,I just wish this wind would slow down before we loose our electric.
Blessings to you
Marilyn

Rose ~ from Oz said...

The huge tall trees with their fall colours makes a dramatic backdrop to the new paint work on the house Betsy. And isn't it just wonderful to catch up with beloved cousins! I have many and I love 'em all. I'm an only child so I guess that helps :))
Lovely post, beautiful fall colours and the "S" will be arriving soon :)

joy said...

Wow! What a hectic schedule. But really fun. I enjoyed seeing your autum pictures and nice to see your relatives:)

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous house and yard you have. Love those fall colours. They have disappeared all to quickly over here too, but I do like sun on a good frost so have that to look forward to.

SquirrelQueen said...

Betsy, I love your first photo of the house surrounded by fall colors. Autumn is such a beautiful time of the year but we have had so much rain that I haven't had a chance to see much of our color.

I hope you didn't get any of the nasty weather from Sandy.

Anonymous said...

The autumn colors go perfectly with your beautiful home. I always enjoy those gorgeous roses George grows.
You and your cousins look like sisters when standing together.
Hugs,
Pam :)

Fred Alton said...

Lovely Home, Betsy and George. And lovely people who give it vibrancy and life. I thought -planting flowers in a "crippled" pumpkin? Who would have thought of that except Betsy! You're a very creative couple.

eastcoastlife said...

You have a lovely home. Love the autumn colours, it is not possible for me to see the beautiful colours of Fall because I live in a tropical country. Thanks for your lovely photos.

Tanya Breese said...

oh your house looks beautiful in all it's fall decorations and colors! what a fun time with your cousins! keep warm!!

Dee said...

Dear Betsy, your postings always leave me feeling that all is right with the world. Your attitude toward life is uplifting. Thank you. Peace.

Farida said...

I heard about the typhoon hitting your place now. I hope you are doing well. Your fall photos are so pleasant to look at. Take care :)

Busy Bee Suz said...

Mother's Mother's sister? LOL....great great Aunt?
I give up.
Love all the photos....so nice to visit with your cousins!
I love your fall decorations, especially the free one!
XO

Brenda said...

Your house looks so wonderful surrounded by all the beautiful colors! Your porch is very festive and that was very nice of the man at Krogers to help with the setting. Love your maples and burning bushes. LOVE the pumpkin display in the "cousins" picture. Wonderful to meet them and all look to be having a great time. Well, I haven't seen snow in a while, but I do LOVE a good wood fireplace. I REALLY loved my visit with you today.
God Bless you, Betsy.
HUGS!!
Brenda

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy,
You have a lovely home. I love your fall decorations. All of the photos are fantastic. I always enjoy visiting your blog. Glad you had a great visit with your family.

Terry and Linda said...

Everything is so lovely there! Our colors are all gone here!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

A Colorful World said...

What wonderful pictures! I too have been so busy this past month I truly understand about how overwhelmed you've been too. I have missed you, but then I've been so far behind with everyone, I've been missing quite a few people. I know I will get caught up eventually! :-) A lot of my "busy" has been with family and friends, though as yours has, and isn't that incredible! I know how much your time with them meant to you. Love your pictures! Hope you continue to have a great autumn!

Miss Debbie said...

Lovely colors! Nice story about the pumpkin...one of those unexpected blessings from God. The bible says..."we reap what we sow"...you sowed kindness and reaped kindness. That's the way it works! :-)

Grandma Bonnie said...

Your maple tree is beautiful. i have just one burning bush in my yard. I do have intentions of getting a few more burning bushes to put along our walk way. I think they are so beautiful in the fall.

Small Kucing said...

you sure had a busy time.

Oh what lovely decoration you have over there. Very good idea using the ceramic pumpkin though its missing a lid. waste not want not :)

Andrea said...

You got me there Betsy, i had sometime figuring out what is your relationship with the cousins, i even thought there might be a prize for the correct answer! Then you said it in the next paragraph, haha! I am sure that is a lovely and fun time, but i have good time too looking at that first photo of your house and surroundings. Maybe you should also post photos of you and George doing all those leaves, plus a wide angle shot of all the fallen leaves. I will love it too! My dream is to walk on fallen leaves barefoot!

Ashwini said...

Your yard is looking gorgeous with all those vibrant colors around!! Lovely :)

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

You have such a beautiful home and yard, Betsy. It is such a warm and lovely gathering place for those you love. Yes, I think family and friends become even more treasured as time goes by.