2026

Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to SEPTEMBER. My header photo this month shows a gorgeous picture showing the Great Smoky Mountains from the Foothills Parkway. God's Blessings to YOU for an awesome month.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Welcome to September: Pretty Fall Leaves and FOOTBALL

 

Dear Blog Friends,   Can you believe that September is here??????  As I said in my title,  September is the month of cooler weather,   beautiful colored leaves,  and of course for me,  it's FOOTBALL!!!

 My post this month is from a fabulous August this year.    It was my BIRTHDAY month ---and it was a great one.   My pictures this month  show some beautiful pictures from my little Birthday Trip with my Sweetheart.    AND---some of my Birthday Celebration with the Family....  I loved every minute.

Hope you enjoy celebrating my month with me!!!   Much Love,

BETSY and GEORGE 

  

In the Smokies watching a beautiful Sky!

 


Taken from the Foothills Parkway looking down toward Townsend!

 


Check out the beautiful skies!  What do you see?

 


My HUGE Birthday Dinner at the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant in Sevierville, TN. (It was so good and we brought a bunch home for more delicious dinners.)

 


HA HA HA... What a picture!!!  BUT---that Cades Cove Ice Cream is always delicious.

 


A picture of my Sweetie and me---taken at Cades Cove!!!

 


Another picture from the Foothills Parkway...  Again,  check out the amazing skies!!!  There was no rain that day although it looked like it could!!!!

 
 

 

My Wonderful Family:  Robin in front;  Mark, George,  the Old Woman, Dawn, Jeff ;



My wonderful family brought me a Birthday Cake...   I'm glad there weren't 84 candles on it.  I could have burned down the house!!!!! HA HA

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Saturday, August 1, 2026

August Lilies in our Yard 2026

Pearl Lorraine


Rosella' Dream 


Lollipop 


Casa Blenca

 


Stargazer

 


Garden Party

Dear Blog Friends,    Welcome to AUGUST (my favorite month)!!!   Hope you enjoy seeing some of the Lilies blooming on the deck this year.... You might ask:  "Why is it my favorite month?"   I'm tell you that on AUGUST 5,  I'll be 84 years young.    Last month wasn't my best month since I fell twice.  My OLD BODY says "Don't do that again!"    I'll try to do better this month!!!    Have a great August!!!

Love to all,

BETSY
 

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

25th ANNIVERSARY TRIP

Dear Blog Friends,    Our 25th wedding anniversary was on June 23rd.     SO we spent a few days at one of our Favorite places,  Mt. Pisgah Inn,  along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.   I'm sharing a few pictures today from our trip.  Hope you enjoy them!!!! 

Love,  Betsy and George 

 

View from our Room at Pisgah Inn


Sitting on our Porch enjoying the View


Two Lovers --still happy after 25 years


Blue Ridge Parkway

 


Rhododendron on  the Blue Ridge Parkway

 


Blue Ridge Parkway

 


Blue Ridge Parkway

 


Blue Ridge Parkway

 


Blue Ridge Parkway

 


Anniversary Pork Loin Dinner--Pisgah Inn

 


 Happy Man on our Anniversary

 


YUMMY DINNER on our Anniversary

 


Beautiful Sunrise from our Room

 


Beautiful Morning at Pisgah Inn

 


One more view from our room at Pisgah Inn

 

 


 

 

 


Monday, June 1, 2026

 Dear Blog Friends,   Welcome to June!!!!   (Where did May go?????  The older I get,  the faster time flies!). June is a month of ROSES.    Hope you enjoy seeing some of our 'beauties'.    Have a great month.

Mother of Pearl


Full Sail (a new rose in our yard this year)


Double Delight 


Love and Peace (beautiful rose blooming on our deck now)


Daring Spirit (a beauty)


Strike It Rich (always a beauty)


Pink Peace


Anna's Promise (named after Anna in Downton Abbey)


Radiant Perfume (always smiling)



Finally,   Meet Raspberry Cupcake,  another new rose in our yard this year.


Have an awesome month, my Friends.


 Much Love,
BETSY and GEORGE




 

Friday, May 1, 2026

Certainly Certainly

 


Concertina

 


Halloween Halo

 


Garden Grace

 


Lady Essex


Blatant

 


Orange Harvest

 


Iceland

 


Slapstick

 


Victorian Falls

 


Autumn Circus

 


Eggnog

 


 Dear Blog Friends,  Can you believe it is MAY?????   Time flies when we're having fun,  doesn't it?   George and I are doing as good as possible so far this year.  George turned 84 in March and I'll turn 84 in August. AND---we are both still 'kicking'!!!! ha ha

Last month I shared some of our Tulips,  and this month,  I'm sharing some of my favorite IRISES. We probably have over 100 different varieties.   Today I'll share a few for you to enjoy. 

I hope all of you are well and happy.   Have a wonderful MAY!!!!

BETSY and GEORGE