God’s Surprises… and a Country Ride…

God is always leaving me surprises…

I had walked out to put some trash in the can… and these beauties were waiting for me…

but, the Blue Morning Glory was “the surprise”… had come up without me noticing…

from seeds… of years past… but, one of my favorites!

  

Then… I looked up to see the neighbor’s puppies greeting me…

They are up on the deck across the fence…

So cute!… and really nosey!…

 

We had decided to take a ride in the country… going across the river up into Indiana…

We took the long way to view the countryside… and small towns…

We saw pumpkins/mums for sale  … letting us know Fall was here whether we were ready or not…

 

We were looking for a small restaurant to eat breakfast but, to no avail…

so…

we waited until we were in French Lick, Indiana… to eat breakfast at Denny’s… always good… always a good alternative…

I had Strawberry Cream Pancakes…- eggs-bacon- hash browns…

SO good!…

Bobby opted for a Belgium Waffle– eggs- sausage links…

I caught his picture outside…

a quaint little town that is growing due to the Casino that draws visitors in…

A beautiful place…

We went back home another way… and passed Patoka Lake…

The water so blue and people fishing…

   

A train passed under the road we were on… as I caught a picture of the Goldenrod…

Goldenrod being our state flower…

It was in full bloom everywhere!

 

We usually stop for an ice cream from Dairy Queen…

Reeses Blizzard was my weakness…

and Bobby had a burger and Vanilla Shake…

He seems to keep an appetite with the Chemo he is on…

 

As we crossed the bridge over the Ohio River into Kentucky…

we were detoured downtown…

Grabbed a few pictures of the city…

I could spend days taking pictures of the old buildings mixed with the new…

   

A very nice day…

Hoping to have many more!

Sunday Gratefuls: November 24, 2013-Turkey Roasting Pan

We frequent Horseshoe Casino in Indiana across the River… playing penny slots every now and then… or eating lunch or dinner…

So, sometimes we get FREE OFFERS from them…

Like a gift card for a turkey two weeks ago…

A gas card last week…

and today a Roasting Pan to bake the turkey in…

I didn’t have a Roasting Pan… and was grateful to be able to go and get this one…

I remember Mom having her big pan… but, then she had a lot of “mouths to feed”… as was said…

The smell of baking turkey  wafting upstairs to my bedroom… was the best smell… and I knew she was getting everything ready for all of the company we were going to have…

Family… relatives and friends…

She made most everything herself… for a long time…

as we set the table with the white and lace tablecloth… “good” dishes… silverware and napkins…

Turkey / Gravy

Dressing… ( Stuffing )- 3 kinds… Regular bread/ Cornbread /Oyster

Slaw

Mashed Potatoes

Cranberry Sauce

Sweet potatoes ( Candied Yams) …

Fordhook Lima Beans

Green Beans

Corn

Hot Rolls / butter

Cranberry Relish

Stuffed Celery – Pickles

5 – cup salad

Pies…Cakes…Cookies…Cobblers

As she aged we all pitched in to bring the sides and desserts…  but, she still made the Turkey – Dressing – Gravy…

Although she passed in 2007 at the age of 98… the smell of the house remains with me… and her devotion of cooking all of us that wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner…

Thanks Mom…

and although I have been invited out to eat Thanksgiving Dinner for so many years…

sometime I’ll have to put my Roasting Pan 

  to use and make a big dinner… and see if my house smells as good!

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My Sunday Grateful: October 20, 2013

We had a lovely day!…

My husband and I enjoying an outing to Bethlehem, Indiana… for their Fall Festival… appropriately called “Autumn On the River”…

( Highway 62 … heading to New Washington turn off that leads to Bethlehem)

I just love the name… pictures automatically come to mind…

(Home grown gourds and pumpkins for sale)

fall leaves in color… the Ohio River running along side this quaint little town

(The Ohio River meanders by as we walked around the small town)

People traveling from other towns to enjoy a beautiful day of music, crafts, foods, and sights…

(The young man singing on stage sounded a lot like “Randy Travis” … and added to the atmosphere as we sat and ate… some sitting at tables and others on bales of hay)

(The pulled pork BBQ sandwich was wonderful… and a Funnel Cake later… that was my husband’s choice… I usually opt for the Persimmon Pudding)

(Abe Lincoln showed up… and rose from his rocking chair to shake my hand)

A room dedicated to some of the history of Bethlehem…

(A Pre-historic Mammoth’s tooth and tusk… found in Bethlehem)

(History is so important to these folks… ancestors photos and memorabilia filled a couple of rooms of the old school-house that has been refurbished)

A small town for sure… winding road leading to it… around curvy roads… deep valleys…

Cars were starting to line up as we neared our destination…

and fields that have turned brown…

The small white church

… and the people who have lived there all of their lives

… new owners who have come for the peace and quiet that only small towns seem to offer after they entered retirement years…

Homes above the road leading down to the River…

Mingling together on warm summer days… and now in the cooler days of Autumn…

There were around 100+ vendors set up with their items for sale…

I’m a simple shopper…

A homemade pink baby quilt and pillow…

( Jill had to check it out! )

a jar of homemade Pepper Jelly in a golden color for Autumn

A University of Louisville Bracelet and Ring set for my youngest Granddaughter…

 which Jill found interesting too!

… and a book that I thought I would enjoy reading sometime…

I was just grateful for the time I spent in this little town tucked into the hills and valley of Indiana!

Sunday Grateful- September 22, 2013

I am certainly grateful this Sunday…

My sister called and asked, “Do you want to go to the boat?”…

Actually the “boat” is a casino in Indiana…

 

I had Jury Duty the next day… which I had dreaded for some reason…

Just didn’t want to do it!…

But, I had postponed it during July due to vacation… so I felt obligated not to make any more excuses and get it done!…

I told my sis, “We’ll have to get home earlier than usual… I have Jury Duty in the morning”…

“OK, no problem”, she said…

“We’ll just eat and play a little while”…

We said we would pick her up…

It was a beautiful evening… a little cooler… we’re laughing and talking…

Only a couple of miles from the boat… but, in a dark secluded area of the winding road that leads there…

It is out in the middle of farming country and runs along the Ohio River…

All of a sudden you just felt and knew something was wrong…

And that’s when I saw the deer‘s face… neck… and then body in our headlights… as it jumped right into the path of our car!…

It hit so hard… I knew the car was damaged pretty bad!…

My husband kept the car on the road and then made his way to the side of the road…

We were in awe!… to say the least… and my sister is wondering from the back seat what has just happened…

“We’ve hit a deer!”, I said… as we climbed out to access the damage…

By then steam is rising… the car is dead!

In the dark we could tell this was not good!…

and that’s when a car pulled up behind us…

This young couple had been coming the opposite way and saw our lights go out and then debris from the deer hit their car!…

They knew what had happened!…

Then an off duty fire fighter… drove up and put on his flashing lights for our safety…

They stayed with us until I called the police … the car was towed… and my son had been called to pick us up at the casino…

This young couple drove us up to the casino… but, not after asking the police for the deer…

She had passed away as we watched…

He was a hunter and knew how to dress the deer when he got her home…

Papers were signed for him to take the deer…

My husband helps him pick her up… she was quite heavy and put her in the trunk of the couple’s car…

Now, to see if our car will be fixed or totaled…

It’s in the repair shop being gone over…

If this had to happen… I’m grateful that things worked out for the best…

Bobby kept his head and steered the car correctly…

We had help…

The deer was removed from the road…

Police took care of paperwork and towing…

I got out of Jury Duty due to no transportation and…

we are safe!

4th of JULY Plans…

I have company this 4th of July… A cousin and her husband from Tennessee…

It’s raining here… so our plans for a cook out might not happen… but, that won’t keep us from doing a few things…

We will be going to Forest Edge Winery for a wine tasting… Never been… So new to us as well as them…

 

We hope to catch the new Lone Ranger Movie tonight… after dinner out somewhere…

The Derby Museum probably will be our next stop… It’s located at Churchill Downs where the Kentucky Derby is held…

 

It is a wonderful museum with a panorama video of Derby Day… in full circle of the room…

Quite nostalgic… bringing a little quiver to my heart and pride of living in this wonderful state…

If weather permits… a trip to Huber’s Farm in Indiana… known for an abundance of fresh produce…

a petting zoo… ponds… cheese/wine store… homemade breads/pies/ice/cream… craft items

and a wonderful restaurant serving home-style portions of all of their items grown on the farm…

Now, if we do all of this… that we have planned…we will be in need of a rest day for sure…

talking , laughing and reminiscing of our childhood days…

My 4th of July Centerpiece…

 

Our beautiful USA Flag…”Star Spangled Banner“

Happy Fourth of July to all of my Friends and Family…

A time to remember our Independence and be grateful to all who have served our country in times of Peace and War!

Weekly Photo Challenge: The sign says

We went over the bridge to Indiana …

We cross over to get to Horseshoe Casino… in Elizabeth, Indiana… about a 20-25 minute drive from Louisville… where we live…

We had 2 free meals coupons from Paula Deen‘s Restaurant… food is very good…

and I hate to waste them…

Also, they were giving away a Cuisinart Grill… small but, nice… Also a freebie I got in the mail… just have to cross the river to pick up…

The line wasn’t very long… and since we were there… went down to the boat to play some penny slots…

We played and had fun today… Went to a different floor…

There are four levels on the boat…

We played quite a while and left with what we came with… Not a bad way to have a good time!… (not always the case)

As we were leaving… I noticed purses for $10.00 and they had one I really liked… Small, but big enough for all my stuff… Summery print and when I went to pay for it… they gave me a discount of two dollars since I have a Players Card…

Another good deal!

We always grab a bottle of water when we leave… more habit than need sometimes… but, today the tickle in my throat is back… so it came in handy…

We start across the river going south…

This is the “sign” that we always see as we cross over the Ohio River…

It’s then… that I know I’m home…

 

KENTUCKY… the Bluegrass State…

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Belterra Casino… Short Road Trip…

The day looked so good as I looked out my front door…

Pretty blue sky… white whispy clouds…  No rain in the forecast and around 80 degrees expected…

A day for a short road trip…

We decided to drive up to Belterra Casino in Indiana … It’s about an hour drive from Louisville… just long enough…

The scenery was pretty, but I prefer side roads to interstate…

There’s green grass now… pretty Redbud Trees blooming…

Fields are getting plowed…

We headed to Highway 71 N. that goes toward Carrollton, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio…

We would go this way to Butler State Park when I was young…

Sometimes we stop there for a small break… but, nothing like the park I remember…

We pass so many big trucks… I imagine over 100 easily… Some day I’ll count just to see…

We pass LOVE”S…   It’s just a truck stop, with a BBQ place , Subway and McDonald’s … besides anything a truck driver needs… at the turn off going towards Belterra…

We usually stop for a burger or sub to eat on the way home when we are leaving…

The Kentucky Speedway is passed going this direction too…

We cross over the Ohio River near Markland Dam…

and then we are in Indiana…

We arrive at the Casino…

It was nice to get out for the day… and the weather was beautiful…

No, we didn’t win playing our penny slots… but, it was fun!

Daily Prompt: Unknown Caller

You receive a call from an unexpected person. Who is it, and what is the conversation about? Go!

Unexpected caller…

It’s usually a Holiday…. Christmas… Easter… Thanksgiving… etc. …

This young lady used to be a cousin by marriage…

She loved my Mom and Dad…

After my Dad passed… she would call my Mom on every Holiday… to wish her well…

My Mom was so happy to hear from her…

It was such a treat!…

They reminisced about my Dad… and exchange news briefly in each other’s lives…

Not… a long conversation… just a “keep-in-touch” phone call…

Linda would say she had a list of names that she called … and Mom was a priority…

I loved her for that!…

This went on for many years until Mom passed… at 98 years…

Linda said she just loved them… “my parents”…

It seems that they showed her love and care…

Linda said her list was growing short… so I suggested she add some new names… and I would love it if one of them could be me…

So… now… unexpectedly… unknowing… the phone rings… and I’m blessed by a sweet voice on the other end… saying, “Just thought I would say hi… and see how you and yours are doing”…

We exchange a few words … update our lives…

Her… about her husband and their son/family…

and me, about my husband, kids, grandkids and others that she knew from the family…

Our last exchange was about a month ago… and I’ve promised to meet them at one of the last drive-in theatres  that is still in use in Georgetown, Indiana…

I can’t wait!

Do I hear the phone ringing???

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Painting a “pear”…

Went downtown the other night…

Actually went over the Ohio River Bridge to Indiana to attend an art class….

It’s called “Downtown Canvas and Cocktails”…

I imagine these events have hit your town as well…

This one was my first…

and loved it because my nephew was holding it… He’s an excellent artist… but, this is just a side-line from his pastoral job…

He’s fun… energetic… and has the talent to help us “wannabes”…

They provide the easels, canvas, paints, aprons, instruction with  wine and snacks of cheeses, crackers and fruit…

Great combo!

I admit… I do paint… but, self-taught… Just comes natural… but, could probably use some lessons to perfect my God -given talent…

I forgot to mention every night the classes are held… there is a different subject… This night it was a “PEAR”… and you interpret it any way you want… Such talent comes out… all good in my eyes!…

A niece, Whitney… her “green pear“…on a blue/purple background…

Carol Ann (another niece) chose more of a “red pear” on a variegated background of bright green, yellows and rosy pinks…

Phyllis… Carol Ann’s mother-in-law chose a more abstract style…

I really liked this!….

with a “pair” of “pears”…

Similar colors of her daughter-in-law…

 

Molly (niece) made a lovely “yellow pear” on a background of purple, orange, yellow…

She’s signing her masterpiece…

If you can keep from looking at Lindsey’s (niece) beautiful smile…

This was her first attempt at painting… and I loved her different color combo…

and finally mine…

I took a piece of my wallpaper border to match my painting…

 

a few touch ups and it will be hung in my kitchen soon…

I forgot to tell you…

The cost is minimal in thoughts…

All supplies as mentioned with instruction… a night out with some friends…

a “nice” drink/snacks… $35.00…

I hope to return another night… wondering what subject might be offered…

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Weekly Photo Challenge: BEYOND

Beyond the iron railings of the bridge… smokestacks… cities… Ohio River… Indiana…???

Beyond the Viking Youth Football team… their rivals… teammates on the field… energetic parents… coaches???

Beyond the tree… rubber rafts… vacationers… Gatlinburg TN… Pigeon River???

Beyond the Santa covered windows of this house passed on our way home from Indiana… happiness… sadness… “Christmas Spirit”…???

Beyond this street we were driving on, in New Albany, Indiana… the bridge over the Ohio River that carries us back home to Louisville…???

Beyond the entrance to the bridge crossing over into Indiana… a visit with a blogging friend who lives in Warsaw, Indiana…???

Beyond the tents… flags… booths… people… more booths… food… crafts at the Bell Buckle Craft Fair in Tennessee…???

Beyond the origami blue bird mobile… a window… and more craft shops at the Loveless Cafe‘ in Tennessee…???

Beyond my Great-niece and her little boy… Blow-up play bouncers… craft booths… at the Bardstown, Ky Craft Fair…???

Beyond the Tire Parrot… Good summertime fun…???

Beyond Taylor posing for High School Senior pictures… College… possibly a train???

Beyond the window shade that Jill is peeking under… a bird… a squirrel…???

Beyond the Pretty Hibiscus in my little vase… a window that views our backyard and deck…???

Beyond the gate… a bridge built to go across the water… a path…???

Beyond… a look into the future and the unknown…

Do we take baby steps??? or giant leaps??? Your choice!

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