Pumpkin Farm

I have a few things to post before I continue my Italy trip but I promise to get back on it soon!

The kids had Monday and Tuesday off school so I decided to take Harrison and Cameron to the pumpkin farm.  This is a new farm for us as the one we used to go to closed.  We loved that farm and it was fairly close.  The one we went to is only about 45 minutes away though.  I asked the boys if they thought they were too old and they both said they still would like to go.  I imagine this will be the last year though.

The GPS sent us on a wild goose chase but along cotton fields full of cotton.  We couldn't help but stop and pick a few stalks.

We finally found the farm.  The boys thought for sure we were lost and we were, but thankfully the GPS finally got us there!

First thing they did was bounce on this big thing.

They did a few tricks.

A ride on the Haytona Speedway.

An old fashioned teeter-totter.

On our way to lunch was another photo op!

We ordered lunch here, hot dogs and BBQ nachos.

And sat at a picnic table under a pavilion.

Then time to get on the hay wagon for a trip to see the animals, corn maze and pumpkin patch.

It wasn't real busy that day.  I'm guessing most people had to work and no school field trips so we were able to hop right on most things.  First stop was to see the animals and pony rides.

They were probably a bit big for the pony ride but they still enjoyed it.

I look like I'm afraid someone is going to steal my purse!  I don't know why I had such a grip on it!  I'm pretty tired by this time.  The heat was getting to me...almost 90 that day!

Next stop was the corn maze.  I didn't go in since I don't like things like that.  The boys went in and thankfully found their way back out!

Then time to pick out a pumpkin.

I told them they could get the biggest one they could carry and they both got a pretty big one.  The one I got was almost too big for me to carry!

I let the boys play for a little while longer, bought them a snow cone and some kettle corn and it was time to go.  I was exhausted.  I still don't have my strength back from being sick.

One last stop.  I can't believe Harrison is 5' tall.  Soon her will be taller than I am!

Cameron is not far behind!

It was a fun day for all of us!

Italy, Day 2

After my last post, I actually got sicker!  So it was back to the doctor, two more shots, more antibiotics and two more prescriptions.  One of the side effects of the antibiotic (Amoxicillin) was "debilitating fatigue" which is exactly what I had.  For about 10 days I could hardly keep my head up and slept a lot.  I finally finished it on Friday and Saturday I felt like I was actually getting better!  I have been sick for almost three weeks and I am so glad to be over it!!

Day 1 was a travel day so day 2 is really our first day in Italy.  Add the 7 hour time difference and it was afternoon on Monday before we were in Italy.  We were picked up at the airport in Rome by a tour bus and our Italian guide, Sandra.  We didn't spend any time in Rome and headed out to Tuscany.  Our first stop was at a winery in Trequanda for a lovely lunch, Fattoria Del Colle.

There were so many beautiful doors in Italy.

Lunch was in this building.

This bulgar salad was probably my favorite thing that I ate in Italy...except for the gelato!

The sautéed spinach was delicious but the beef was suspicious!  Unusual texture and taste.

We had pineapple cake for dessert.  The desserts weren't very sweet but they were good.

This was the view from the winery.

After lunch we were given a little tour of the winery.



We boarded the bus again with our final destination at Casafrassi in the Chianti region of Tuscany for four nights.  The drive was beautiful with vineyards and olive trees everywhere.  It was breathtaking!

Another beautiful door.

The hotel was old but really charming.  The room was small and the twin beds were really close together but a very nice room with a gorgeous view of the countryside.  There were elevators in the hotel but barely room for two people and a little luggage.

The bathroom was very modern with everything we needed.  No washcloths are furnished but fortunately we knew to bring some.

We were all pretty tired by this time because we'd had very little sleep.  I dozed on the airplane but didn't actually sleep so I was running on fumes!

Our dinner was provided at the restaurant on the grounds of the hotel.

The first course is usually some sort of pasta.  Italians like their pasta al dente which tastes like it's not quite done to me!  Very little tomato sauce and no meat in the sauce.

The main dish was pork and fried egg plant with apple cake like the one we had at lunch.

It was an early to bed night!

Back from Italy!

I've been back from Italy for almost a week.  Had a wonderful trip but unfortunately came home with a bad cold which turned into an ear infection and bronchitis.  Thankfully I didn't come down with it until the day we were traveling home.  After two shots and an antibiotic, I feel a bit better but not well.  I mostly slept last week.  Doug was gone to Indianapolis for a race with his friend so I didn't do a thing!  I hardly left the house except to go to the doctor.

I did go to Huntsville on Saturday to the bridal shower of the bride of my great nephew Alex.  Alex is Carolyn's grandson.  I didn't take too many pictures but got a few of the beautiful bride Robin.

She got some really pretty and practical things. 

Looking forward to the wedding on November 18th.

Day 1 of my trip to Italy consisted of traveling.  We met at Walmart at 8:00 on Sunday, September 10th.  Doug was out of town so Ben and Cameron dropped me off.  My friend Jane was my travel companion.  Her husband is D.W. that Doug races with.

We made a new friend whose traveling companion had to cancel her trip a week before we left because she fell and broke a rib.  Wouldn't that be a disappointment?

We flew from Memphis to Chicago.  I had to have some Garrett popcorn!

It's a long, long flight to Italy!  We flew overnight but I didn't get much sleep.  So hard to sleep on an airplane!  I caught this view of the Alps from my window seat.

We finally arrived in Rome.

I got my first passport stamp!

International travel is a hassle!  Going through security and customs is no fun.  There were long lines and we had to manage our own luggage.  I had to get the pat down because my underwire bra set the security alarm off.  I was very glad when all of that was finished!

Doug got home from his trip to Indianapolis last night.  I just had to get a picture of the race car he drives.

I never thought I'd see the day that he would race a Ford!!  He came home with a cold and went to the doctor this morning.  Hoping both of us feel better soon!

I will post more tomorrow.  Still dealing with ear issues so I may have to go back to the doctor.

Off to Italy!

I've had a busy week getting ready and beautified for my trip to Italy.  I leave tomorrow morning.

It will be the first time I've traveled to Europe and the first stamp in my passport.  They didn't stamp it when we went into Canada.

I'm excited and nervous at the same time!  My bags are packed and I've tried to think of every scenario for things I might need...band aids, Neosporin, cold medicine, upset tummy medicine, etc.  I think between my friend Jane and I we have it all!

Here's my itinerary in case you want to follow along.

We meet a bus at the Walmart in Tupelo which will take us to Memphis.  We fly from Memphis to Chicago, then an overnight flight to Rome.  There's a 7 hour time difference so it will be afternoon when we arrive in Rome.  I'm excited to get there but not the process of getting there!

Prayers for safe travels ALWAYS appreciated!  I'll be posting a full recap when I return!

Weekend stuff!

My heart goes out to those in Houston, those in Florida, and those in the fires out west.  It seems there is so much going on right now and so many people are desperate for help and for prayers.  My prayers are with them.  Makes me so sad for all of them.

I had a great weekend.  First, I got to spend Saturday with this little cutie!

Duncan is 5 months old now.  Karen was keeping him for the weekend while Courtney and Matt were in Atlanta at the Alabama/FSU game.  He is the happiest baby!  That smile and those dimples just melt your heart!

I also got to see this baby again.

Karen was also babysitting Captain while Morgan was at the game.  This guy loves to play!  No matter how many times you throw the ball, he keeps bringing it back for you to throw again!  Such a sweet dog though.

Heather and Randy invited us to dinner Saturday night with his parents and sister.  Ben had asked me to watch Cameron so he could go to a surprise birthday party, so Cameron came with us to dinner.  Randy grilled some delicious steaks and Heather made the delicious sides.  They make a great team!  We really enjoyed it.  It's so nice when your kids cook for you!  We brought Harrison and Cameron home with us to spend the night.

The boys went to early church with us Sunday morning.  We have to get up pretty early to get there by 8:00 but the day is so much longer and it's much less crowded at the early service.  That afternoon we went to Event Zona, a new place made for fun times!

I let them choose three of the activities that were offered.  First they wanted to bowl.

Next was the inflatables for unlimited jumping!

And several games in the arcade.

They had a ball!!  We spent 3 hours there!

They weren't ready to go home, so we came back to our house so they could ride scooters and play for a while.  They also tried to teach Papa D how to play video games.

It was a lost cause!

Monday there was a small car show in Tremont at the Tammy Wynette Museum.

The museum has only been open for a short time and there's not much in it so far, but they plan on adding to it.  There's a restaurant inside and they sold hamburgers and barbecues and the best part was it was air conditioned!

After a fun weekend, today seemed like Monday!  It was cleaning and catching up today so the fun was definitely over!