Another Great Visit with Blog Friends ---8/24/14

Four Bloggers together:  Larry,  Betsy,  David --and George (taking the photo)

Welcome to September 1st, and a Happy Labor Day to YOU and YOURS.... Yeah Rah---Now I'm getting excited that AUTUMN is coming...  It is one of my favorite seasons.... Be sure to check out the new quotes on my right sidebar  this month... I enjoy these quotes and they do speak to me --like I hope they will speak to you also!!!!

This is Larry and Bev's home.  They have the best of all worlds: beautiful home,  gorgeous landscaping,  lots of privacy,  shade provided by many huge trees,  plus another surprise which I will talk about below.

On August 24,  George and I drove to Greenback,  Tennessee (southwest of Knoxville) to visit  Blogger  BIG DUDE and family.   Larry and his wife, Bev,  own a gorgeous home which Larry calls  "Almost Heaven  South".... The reason he calls his home that is because he is originally from the state of West Virginia --which is called "Almost Heaven".... When he moved to Tennessee and bought this beautiful home/property,  he realized that he had found something VERY special... AND now that we have seen that beautiful home,  we agree that Larry and Bev live in HEAVEN for sure!!!!! WOW--what a gorgeous home...

Do you see that green platform on the right side of the photo above?  Do you have any idea what that is????????? WELL---since you said NO,  I will tell you!!!!  That platform contains one of the largest wind-chimes I have ever seen.  I got so excited --but Larry wouldn't give it to me!!!!  Dang!!! ha

Another view of Larry and Bev's home

Larry and Bev---Wonder where they are??????

WELL----here is the OTHER surprise I mentioned above.  NOT only do Larry and Bev own that gorgeous home with all of that privacy,  but their property is also ON the WATER.   Tellico Lake is nearby --and their property is on one of the little inlets which leads to the lake.  SO gorgeous --and again,  very private and beautiful.  Larry has built a large pavilion on the water --which is where we had a delicious dinner.

David, Betsy and Larry

The other blogger who attended our 'party' was BIG DADDY DAVE. David and his wife, Laurie,  live not too far from Larry and Bev.   I have been blog friends with both Larry and David for some time now.  George and I met Larry and Bev a couple of years ago when they came to our area to do some camping with their RV,  which was new then.   BUT--we had never met David and Laurie.  It was such a privilege to be with both of these wonderful couples.

David and Laurie;  I think David is sampling some of Larry's Stuffed Jalapenos.... YUM  (See Larry's blog for this recipe.  There were delicious!)

Larry and Bev are excellent cooks ---and Larry's blog is mostly filled with the sharing of new meals they have planned/eaten--and shared with friends.   I can never check his blog posts without getting HUNGRY.... On this particular day,  Larry and Bev served us a wonderful dinner of Stuffed Jalapenos,   BBQ Pulled Pork and Ribs-too-die-for,  Chipotle Baked Beans, Slaw, Buns/Rolls,  and several fantastic drinks.  David and Laurie brought the dessert, a melt-in-your-mouth Tres Leches Cake (which was very light and complimented the heavier meal).  Can I say YUM to everything I ate?????   WOW!!!!  (As I said above,  you can find recipes for some of these dishes on Larry's blog.)    

Laurie and I were having a nice conversation.

George is talking to Pat (Bev's sister),  Laurie and Bev.

Laurie and Larry;   I think Larry is saying:  "Welcome to Almost Heaven South"

Most of the group---relaxing and telling lots of STORIES;   Notice the four little dogs in some of the pictures.  Larry and Bev have 3 furry babies and Pat has one...  Precious ones--all of them!

Another photo of the group--from another angle!

The water headed out toward the lake from Larry and Bev's pavilion;  Isn't this just SO peaceful?   Maybe the next time we visit Larry and Bev,  they will take us for a ride on their pontoon boat.

The entire group:  1st row,  left to right:  Pat (Bev's sister),  Madison (Bev and Larry's granddaughter),  and Bev;  2nd row: George, David, Laurie, and Larry;  (I was taking the picture)

Same Group --except that  George is taking the picture and I took his place IN the picture.

Two fine Bloggers and Friends:  Larry and David;   Check out their two blogs by clicking on the links listed above in YELLOW.

On our way home after a wonderful time with friends,  look at the sunset we encountered!!!!  WOW!!!

WELL---as you can tell by reading this and looking at the pictures,  we all had a fantastic time together.  The food was phenomenal and the conversation was the BEST.... Thanks to Larry, Bev and their family and furry babies,  AND to David and Laurie for a GREAT afternoon!!!!!

I have mentioned several times how special it is to meet blog friends in person.  George and I have met SEVENTEEN new friends through blogging.  AND--with this group also comes their spouses/family/friends.  If you want to see some of the wonderful people we have met,  go to my sidebar, scroll down to LABELS,  go down to BLOGGERS and click.  There are 19 different posts in that group.   BLOG friends are special... Make a point to meet some of your friends.  You will love it and them!!!!

Hope all of you are having a good LABOR DAY.   To most people,  Labor Day is the beginning of Fall--but what we all need to remember is all of those workers out there in our country --who do so much for us,  each and everyday... Don't forget to thank your garbage collectors,  utility workers,  auto repair people,  etc... Many of these hard working people even have to work on LABOR DAY...   Take a minute and thank them!!!

Have a wonderful day.  AND--don't forget to check out my new QUOTES on my sidebar,  AND click HERE to see a couple of good photos on my other blog,  my Photo Blog.
Hugs,

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