Rain, Rain---Go Away

Yesterday, George and I drove to Hendersonville (north of Nashville) to check on George's elderly parents. We knew that 'storms' were coming ---but didn't realize at the time just how BAD they were going to be. We ran through a little rain heading to Hendersonville ---but when we got there, the wind was picking up and the temperature had risen to 81 degrees. We KNEW that something was brewing!!!!


We spent the morning working on Mom and Dad's financial work and going through the mail. They made their grocery list --so we headed out for lunch. At that time (around noon), it was still breezy but no rain. We had lunch and got all of their errands run --and got back to their house BEFORE the rains began.



We finished all of the other things in order to help the folks ---and headed home about 3 p.m. There were tornado warnings and even tornado touchdowns in several areas of Tennessee. The skies were black-black-black... Once we got on I-40 heading east--- the rains began to pick up. Once we got near Cookeville, the heavy rains came. We kept on plugging --and George drove us through some of the hardest rain we have been in in a VERY long time. The interstate traffic was heavy ---and we all just prayed and crept along. We saw at least THREE cars which had hydroplaned and lost control of their cars. BUT--there were no accidents (other than those three), praise God.


We finally made it to Crossville, picked up my cousin who was waiting for us, and went to dinner. The rains finally headed east ---and left our area. We made it home safe and sound, only to find no damage here, other than some rain. BUT--we are hoping that there hasn't been too much damage in Tennessee due to the storms yesterday. We heard on TV that Kentucky suffered damage.

AND---we hope that there is no rain today or Sunday ---so that we can show my cousins (and their families) all around our area. I had to laugh when I picked one of the cousins up last night in the pouring rain---and said, "Welcome to Tennessee"...

The good news is that Mom and Dad Adams are still doing GREAT. They are two amazing people!!!

Hope you have a great weekend and don't have storms and tornadoes in your area.


Hugs,

All of the pictures came from the internet in today's post.

What's Your Favorite Eating Apple?

While growing up, I only knew that apples were red, yellow and green. We had an apple tree in our yard --and I loved those green apples (even though I had no idea what they were --and still don't). After becoming an adult, I began to learn that some apples just didn't taste very good --yet they were good for cooking. I loved Granny Smith apples --and still do, although they are not my favorite eating apple now.

There were other apples we ate on occasion: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious , Fuji, Gala, and Braeburn to name a few. All of these were available in the areas where I had lived. When we moved to the Cumberland Plateau, we visited an apple orchard near here --and found a new apple, Mutsu. That became my favorite for awhile.

Then, last year about this time, we visited George's daughter and hubby in Buffalo, NY. One place they took us was to an Orchard and Apple Picking Farm... That was the first time I realized just how many different apples there are... I was introduced to Jonagold, Crispin, and Honeycrisp. Both George and I fell in love with HONEYCRISP (pictured above). We even ordered some from LynOaken Farms after getting back to Tennessee. Honeycrisp (pictured below also) is definitely my favorite eating apple!!!

This year, we started looking at local produce markets and grocery stores around here, and guess what???? We found HONEYCRISP here. We are two happy campers. If you have never tried a Honeycrisp, try one. They say it's a cross between a Macoun and a Honeygold (although I've never had either of those).

Honeycrisp is an extraordinarily CRISP and JUICY apple with sweet flavor. I haven't tried this yet--but they say it is a good cooking apple also. I love them because they are so crisp --and have a SWEET-TART (yes, both) flavors. In my mind, there's nothing WORSE than a 'mealy' apple ---and several red apples fall into that category to me. Honeycrisp is not mealy at all.

I know there are lots and lots of other apples ---so tell me what your favorite eating apples are. Apples are SO good for us---and George and I try to eat 1/2 an apple most every day or so.




+++++++++++++
On another subject, our lives are going to be terribly busy the next 2-3 weeks. This weekend we have company --and then we have THREE trips almost back to back. The middle trip of these three is to Jacksonville, Florida to attend my brother's Memorial Service. I will have my laptop with me--so hopefully, I can check with you part of the time. I don't know how much posting I'll get done---but I promise to catch back up after October 26.
Have a great October! Now tell me what your favorite eating apples are!!!!


Hugs,