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...

Friday, January 4, 2013

Family Visits

Before Christmas,  George and I made three separate trips to visit some of the family.  On Dec. 20,  we drove to Tullahoma to visit George's 100 yr. old Dad.  We took him to lunch ---and he woofed down some fried chicken,  onion rings,  slaw and a big brownie topped with ice cream.....   Gee---that man still can EAT.... Awesome,  isn't it????  The picture above is of  George and his Dad..  I love that picture,  don't you?




Then on Dec. 22,  we drove down to Dalton, GA to have dinner and spend some time with son Jeff and his bride, Dawn.  Those two are SO happy ---and enjoying their first Christmas together as man and wife.  We gave them a "First Christmas" ornament... They fixed some delicious Gumbo for dinner.... YUM... We had a wonderful time with them.  The picture above is their gorgeous Christmas tree --which they picked out together at a tree farm.  Isn't it pretty?




Here is a picture of the newlyweds which I took while we visited.   Jeff inherited 3 doggies.... Dawn is holding Henry.  The other two are bigger dogs which stay outside most of the time.  Henry is ADORABLE---but it has taken him awhile to share his Mama with Jeff.... ha




THEN--on Dec. 23, we drove to Nashville to have dinner and do some photography with George's beautiful daughter, Kelly, and her hubby, Chuck.  They live in Buffalo --so we don't get to see them often.  BUT-since they were in Nashville attending an event,  we took the opportunity to meet with them for some time together...

After dinner,  we drove to an interesting old cemetery to do some walking and take some pictures.  The cemetery,  Mount Olivet  Cemetery,  is really interesting.  The weather was TERRIBLE (cold and drizzly) --so we didn't stay long.  BUT--we did get some good pictures while we were there.  The picture of Kelly and Chuck above was taken at the cemetery.  They were standing next to a HUGE Magnolia tree (which I have pictured in the next photo below).  NOTE:  Chuck is really taller than Kelly---but she was standing on a large tree root.




The cemetery (250 acres) was established in 1856---so it is very old with some interesting sculptures.  Besides these sculptures,  there were some AWESOME old trees on the property.   The picture above was one of the largest MAGNOLIA trees I have ever seen.   Note the trunk of this huge tree in the photo above of Kelly/Chuck.




Besides the Magnolia tree,   I also saw the largest HOLLY TREE I have ever seen.  In fact, there were several Holly trees in this area ---and probably more Magnolias.  The picture above shows one of these gorgeous Holly trees.  They are LOADED with berries.... So pretty!




And here is a close-up picture of some of the beautiful Holly berries.

Finally,  I'll close with some photos of some of the gorgeous sculptures in that cemetery. 


 As you can imagine,  we had a wonderful three days with family.  That made our Christmas very very special this year.

We drove to Tullahoma yesterday to see Dad.  (We go down there about every other week.)  He is fine ---and kept talking about someone selling all of the horses... HA HA ---he has never had any horses!!!! Bless his heart.

Hope you have a great weekend.  I will see you on Monday.   HAPPY 2013 to YOU.

Hugs,

52 comments:

Ms. A said...

These are all great shots and I'm a sucker for beautiful trees!

Neal said...

Very nice Betsy. You really lead a busy life.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Wonderful to be able to visit relatives, at this dear time of the year. :-)

Elizabeth Edwards said...

love the holly berries. beautiful. i love family get togethers ... so special. great pics. (:

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I, too, love the first pic. So glad you had quality visits w/ family!

Shug said...

Looks like a lot of good times with family. That is a beautiful Holly tree, full of berries.
Isn't it so sweet seeing a couple share their first Christmas together? Hope y'all enjoy your Friday!! Stay warm...

MadSnapper said...

that picture of George and his dad is totally awesome! i would love to visit that cemetery. glad you got to see both couples... yet another great trip or make that trips

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos! Wishing you a nice weekend; stay warm!

Small Kucing said...

Hi Betsy,

Happy New Year once again

Gosh George and his dad looks like brothers. Cant believe his dad is 100 years old. Looks very young

Lynda said...

George and his dad look a lot alike! What a wonderful Christmas you had with family. Praise God you have the memories saved in pictures, too.
Wouldn't it be nice to be in the area of that Magnolia when it blooms? Think of the scent and picture the sight!

Jeanne said...

Great pictures and enjoyed reading about your get togethers with family. That must be a beautiful old cemetery - very interesting!!
Happy New Year!!

MTWaggin said...

What lovely family you have and I too enjoy wandering through the old cemeteries.

TexWisGirl said...

glad you got to spend time with each. loved the big trees.

Lady Di Tn said...

Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas with family. The Lindsley side of the family help start the cemetery, Mt. Olivet and most of our relatives are buried there. One of our cousins use to just go out there and sit because it is so peaceful. I have been planning to head out there to take photos of headstones to add to Ancestery.com. Peace

Jeevan said...

The cemetery looks fascinating with wonderful sculptures and holly berries trees! Glad u got to meet your family members and taking the wise man to lunch. Lovely photos Betsy. I liked their Christmas tree :)

Have a blissful year. My best wishes to you all.

Small City Scenes said...

What a great time you all had. I am happy to see Dad Adams still spunky. Bless him!
I do love old cemetaries. Interesting stuff there. Love the pic of your son and bride. For that matter all the pics are excellent. MB

Ginny Hartzler said...

Betsy, it has been wonderful looking at all your Christmas goings on!! I am so glad to hear that George's dad is still such a big eater!! And the picture of them is wonderful!!! They look so very alike!!! Jeff's tree is beautiful!! And the little dog looks like a yorkie? What better weather for cemetery viewing than dark and drizzly? I LOVE the photos, and scrolled back to look at the tree trunk better. You would LOVE Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, it is famous for the trees and graves and they even give tours. We have driven there three times. There are many stories that go with it and I have the stories and my pictures to post. The place is so huge you get lost and the streets are named after the very old trees. Many famous people are buried there. Next time you are near there, stop and look, but first check it out on line, that was my mistake the first time. I missed the good stuff because I had not researched it before going. These are beautiful tree pictures, somehow trees with graves nearby makes photos so very poignant.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Amazing pictures.The best in my mind is the one of George and his Dad.To have someone who is 100 still have a good appetite is a blessing.

Sharon said...

You two had a very full year and I suspect, 2013 will be no different. I also hope this is the year in which we are able to meet!!

Sylvia K said...

What a great holiday you both had with your families!! I love your photos and those smiling happy faces!! Hope your new year is off to a great start -- it does look like it is! Have a fun weekend!!

HolleyGarden said...

I'm so glad you got to see so much family over the holidays. I know they loved seeing you as much as you did them. I have seen some big magnolias before, but nothing like that!!! Wow! Wouldn't it be gorgeous in full bloom!?

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

At age 100, Dad Adams is allowed a little confusion over horses. That's truly a great picture of father and son. Oh, how I'd love to see that huge magnolia tree in full blossom! Cemeteries are such interesting places. I'll bet there were a lot of Civil War-related deaths represented among the graves.

Hootin Anni said...

You and me both...I've never seen such a humongous Magnolia tree. I bet in person it was breathtaking.

I so enjoyed the views of the cemetery sculptures and the history. And your family photos are fantastic Betsy. Wow...George's father...100 that is outstanding!!!

Grandma Bonnie said...

Your back yard is so beautiful. I love the feeling of cold crisp snow. The picts remind me I need to get out and play in the snow with my grandchildren. I hope you have a great weekend.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Sounds like you had an extra-special Christmas, Betsy! Love the picture of George and his dad who certainly doesn't look 100. Great looking family you both have.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Anonymous said...

Nothing is better than Christmas with family, right Betsy.
Georges Dad is looking well and boy can can he eat.

Happy New Year I hope its the best ever.
Hugs :)

PS, Love your winter layout. i tried to comment earlier but the page kept jumping.

joy said...

LOve hearing updates from you. And both you and your hubby has a beautiful family. And I loved dad who is 100 years old:)

Carletta said...

Your busy days sounds like mine the past two weeks. :)
It's always good to be with family and it sounds like you and George had a wonderful time.
Dad Adams is looking very good!

Connie said...

Great photos, Betsy! You were busy for the holidays. Sounds like you had a great time visiting family.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Christmas is all about family and you both got that taken care of. Kudos to you all. That graveyard is cool and creepy.....and the magnolia tree is amazing! :)

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Nice to know we're not the only couple who enjoys exploring old cemeteries! So good that you found a place to meet.

eileeninmd said...

Hi Betsy, sounds like a wonderful time visiting with all the family. The photo of George and his Dad is wonderful. Wonderful photos, have a happy weekend!

Ann said...

What a great picture of George and his dad. Jeff and Dawn picked out fabulous tree.
That holly tree is gorgeous.

Beatriz said...

Hello Betsy!
You're always very busy taking wonderful pictures, hã! I loved all of them.....and your family look like lovely and kind, congratulations!!!
Happy 2013 and all the following others!
A big, big hug!!!
Bia
www.biaviagemambiental.blogspot.com

Donna said...

Such a grand time and many sweet photos. And gosh, that cemetery is lovely! You're right about the size of those trees. Those things have to be ancient!

happyone said...

That is a nice picture of George and his Dad!!
It was nice you got to spend time with your family. : )

Miss Debbie said...

So glad you had a nice Christmas and sweet visits with family.

carolina nana said...

I love those old cemeterys and their interesting old tombstones. We have one here in town and it also has some huge trees in it. Guess that's one place the trees are left alone,ha!
Nice picture of George and his dad. he really looks good for 100 !!
Blessings
Marilyn

Chatty Crone said...

You celebrated a lot of different Christmases there! George and his dad look so much alike - and his dad sure has a good appetite. And your son and his wife look happy as does George's daughter and hubby. You sure did a lot of celebrations there!

SquirrelQueen said...

You two were busy with all the family visits but I'm glad you got to see everyone. George's dad is looking good, glad to hear he has an healthy appetite.
The cemetery looks so interesting. I love to walk through the old ones too.
Happy Weekend!

Anonymous said...

Time with family is best and that magnolia tree is magnificent.

I did watch that amazing film of the small child and the dog -- so touching.

Beth said...

Such wonderful familiy pics! I love it when I get good ones of family members.
So happy that you too are seeing your son happy--I can't be completely happy when one of my children or grandchildren is hurting.
'Chip off the ol' block'--George's daughter with a camera looped around her neck! I love her hat---I would love to have one similar to it---I might actually wear it! Ha!
I don't have any experience with magnolias, but I have never seen a holly tree that big---wow, it's huge!
Thanks for the lovely update. btw your header is awesome!:>)

Terry and Linda said...

I love old cemeteries. I make Terry stop if and when I see one. When Evan lived in Alabama and then Georgia I was in heaven...they are at every church which is on every corner of the south. And old...why back where you live is where history started for the USA!!!

I'm so excited for you!

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

camp and cottage living said...

Betsy
Blessings to your dear, sweet FIL!
It's wonderful you and you DH got to share the holidays with your family. And I love your wintry back yard photo!

Linda G. said...

I hadn't seen the photographs of George's daughter and her husband on Facebook. I'm glad that you were able to get together with them.

Marie said...

His dad is 100, how wonderful!!! I do love that photo of the two of them. :) Seems like you had some quality time with the family. :) We have three dogs as well and love them so much and they love us so much!
Those Holly trees are so pretty! I never see any here.
Happy Sunday!
Hugs,
Marie

diane b said...

Looks like george has a long future if he takes after his dad. The Magnolia tree is beautiful and huge. I never knew that Holly grew on such big trees, It must have been great to spend time with your families.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

So glad you and George got to visit with so many of your family over the holidays. You have a lovely family. Great photos of the cemetery- and those holly trees are fantastic..I would like to see one that large.

Wendy said...

Nice to see that pic of George and his Dad. There is longevity in his family. Yippeee!

How fortunate that you were able to visit so many family members in such a short space of time. Makes for a truly happy and blessed Christmas.
Hugs

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Glad you got to spend time with lots of family. The trees are very beautiful.

A Colorful World said...

Thank you SO much Betsy for your sweet birthday wishes! LOVED seeing George with his Dad! What a blessing! And how sweet you got to spend some time with other family members too over the holidays. More wonderful blessings! And, the cemetery is lovely, with all those wonderful old trees! Wow!

I am so happy you two had a very special time over the past few weeks, and I pray God blesses you both in the coming year! Thanks for being my blogger friends!

Rohrerbot said...

Love your pics of the tree and family. It really sounds like a nice time with everyone. I imagine each experience to be fun and different. Congrats to the newlyweds! Especially love the shot of George and his pops! That is really awesome:)