NSRA Car Show Louisville, Kentucky

We left at 7:00 this morning - pulling the trailer with our car - Frank driving his car and Donnie and Gail Powell driving their car.  
Missing Leslie - everything was more fun with her - she amazed us with her ability to really enjoy life when she was so very sick.  She made everything better for us.  I know it must be extremely hard for Frank.

A good trip - rained the last hour.  We really like coming to this car show because they have sites for Motorhomes - really nice to stay there and not have to fight the traffic.

This is such a huge place with over 12,000 cars registered for the show.  Don't think we saw all of them?  Thursday we all had dinner at Joe's Crab Shack on the river - we were there last year with Leslie.  The food was not as good this year.

Friday - we spent the day at the car show - Gail and I took a bus trip to a small town for shopping - not a very interesting trip.  We drove across the river to Indiana and had dinner at Buckhead - we were disappointed in the ribs - guess that's not their specialty.  We drove around Old Town - very interesting - magnificent old houses and churches.

Saturday - I spent the day in the Motorhome - just relaxing - didn't feel so great so it was nice to have a quiet day.  We went out to dinner across the river again - nice evening.

We left at 8:00 AM.  Frank's car had a minor problem - had to make a short stop.  We were ahead of them when they called to let us know they stopped.  We lost phone reception - not unusual in the mountains - so somehow they got in front of us while we were waiting on them!  We backtracked looking for them - what a day!
But we all got home safely - just a long trip - home about 6:00.

Good to go - Good to come home.

NSRA - Street Rod Nationals South Plus - Knoxville, Tennessee

On the road Thursday morning at 7:30 - white truck pulling big trailer hauling our '48 Chevy.  Frank following us in his beautiful blue '57 Chevy.  Cloudy day but no rain.  These guys do not like rain on their cars.  We ate breakfast at Bob Evans in Hickory - that was Leslie's favorite breakfast spot.  I still haven't written about Leslie's death - haven't been able to yet.  We all miss her so much - we share so many good memories of her.  The blue '57 Chevy will always be Leslie's car.
We are staying at the same Hampton Inn East that we stayed in last year - really nice - they have freshly baked cookies in the lobby every evening. 

We had dinner at Puleo's Grille in Strawberry Plains.  We ate dinner there last year and it was just as good this year - exceptional service and food.  Leslie always knew where the good food could be found.

Friday I decided to spend the day doing as I pleased while the guys were at the car show.  I spent most of the day lost in Knoxville - even with a GPS!  Dinner at Aubrey's with the guys and several hundred other Car Show people.  Great food - and of course cookies for dessert.

Saturday we all spent the day at the Car Show at Chilhowee Park - a beautiful park.  This is one of our favorite car shows.  The weather was perfect all weekend.  We all agreed that we had to go back to Puleo's for dinner - it is our favorite place in the Knoxville area.

Ken enjoyed driving our '48 Chevy (Neal) all the way home Sunday while Frank's 

'57 Chevy rode in our trailer.  The reason why is not good -  the '57 decided not to run - not at all - wouldn't even start.  It has a Corvette LS3 motor so Frank decided it would be best to get it home and find a knowledgeable mechanic to check it out.  Hopefully it is something minor.

Good time with good friends - sharing memories and making new ones. 

A Few Days on the Carolina Coast

Anyone know what these fields of yellow blossoms are?

The Clam Chowder Festival at Carolina Beach was really fun - music, beautiful weather and delicious clam chowder to sample.  Just a nice relaxing afternoon.  We drove from there through Georgetown and on toward Charleston.  We drove through 

Isle of Palms because we had not been there - just another pretty beach town.  I keep looking for those small beach towns from the past.  Tell me if you know of some.

When we are in the area we always go to Calabash - a little shopping and dinner in one of the many seafood restaurants.  

Charleston was beautiful with all the spring flowers and trees.  We found a parking space for Elsewhere on the street!  and enjoyed walking for a couple of hours.  There were three outdoor weddings taking place - two in Battery Park. 

Charleston Tea Plantation

Patriots Point is always a great place if you're patriotic or interested in military history.  

The drive to Wadmalaw Island was nice - like a step back in time.  The Charleston Tea Plantation is really interesting - we took the trolley tour.  It is the only place in the country where tea is commercially grown.  Met some nice people from England who insisted I should try milk in my tea - I did - don't think I like it.

Charleston Tea Plantation

I really wanted to go to Firefly Distillery - they make Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka - Southerners really like their sweet tea.  We were in the area on Monday and they were closed.  My two Seestahs and I were there a couple of years ago - a fun place to visit even if you don't buy their Vodka.

Life is good.

These were in our yard when we got home.

  

Dawsonville Moonshine Festival & Car Show

Sittin' in the shade

"Neal" - our '48 Chevy parked at The Pool Room in Dawsonville

Moonshine Jugs as Trophies! 

We recently spent several days in Dawsonville Georgia at the Moonshine Festival and Car Show. 

Friendliest people you can imagine! This little town knows how to put on a festival. 

City Hall, a race car museum and a moonshine still ALL in the same building! 

"Neal" (our '48 Chevy won  a trophy - the trophy is a pottery moonshine jug! 

All kinds of vendors - great southern food.
Beautiful weather.

This town loves Bill Elliott - Awesome Bill from Dawsonville.    

Really nice to have space to stay in our motorhome at the car show. Great time spent with wonderful friends in an amazing town.

Shades of the Past Rod Run - Pigeon Forge

Thursday morning, September 4 - on the way to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to the Shades of the Past Rod Run.  Driving Elsewhere (motorhome) but not taking a car this time.  We love Pigeon Forge - been there many, many times.  We found a great RV Campground - Foothills RV Park - very nice, extremely clean.  Yep, that is Elsewhere sitting up on the hilltop.

We rode the Trolley - enjoying all the cars lining the street and in the parking lots and the people sitting in lawn chairs watching the cars go by.  Amazing to see that many cars and people.

Friday - spent the day at the Car Show - really good show and lots of vendors.  Hot - but I did manage to find a shade tree.  Had I been the judge this Black 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible would have been the winner.  So beautifully restored and not like all the others - guess I just like something different.  Who is the dude with the cowboy hat??

I really, really like this 56 Ford - wouldn't it be fun to just drive this one everywhere?

My brother #3 arrived Friday night about 8:30 - he had a few choice words about the traffic!  He and Ken spent all day Saturday at the Car Show - I spent most of the day riding the Trolleys around town looking at the cars and people.  Pigeon Forge has grown so much in the past few years.

We went to Shoney's for dinner - really good ribs.  And best of all Brother #3 bought a whole Shoney's strawberry pie to go.  We had a late night dessert before he decided to drive home about 9:30 PM!  He didn't take the pie but I had to promise to bring it home on Sunday.

Drove through Gatlinburg and on through the mountains and home.  A very, very good trip indeed.

Good to go - good to get home.  Where to next? 

Storm At Sea Quilt

AngelinaMaria, this picture is for you!  Thanks for liking my quilt enough to request a larger picture.

It was my first and so far only Storm at Sea quilt.  A little challenging but lots of fun to make. I spent more time rearranging it on my design wall than in making it!  There are so many possibilities.  This picture was made before it was quilted - Gina quilted it on a long arm quilting machine - did a beautiful job.  

One Memory Quilt for One Mom Remembering Her Special Angel

I recently finished making a memory quilt for a wonderful Mom whose beautiful little girl is no longer here with us.  I felt honored to be trusted with Kaylee's clothes and pictures to make the quilt.
It was emotional for me - just looking at that beautiful face - and knowing I cannot even imagine the pain of losing my child.  I did not have the privilege of knowing this beautiful little girl - but I feel like I know her now.  Her mom loves the quilt - I hope it brings here some comfort.  Just seeing her when I gave her the quilt was priceless.  

Mocksville Cruise In

"Lou" (1949 Chevy) and "Neal" (1948 Chevy) took us to the Mocksville Cruise In a couple of weeks ago.  Beautiful evening spent looking at lots of great cars - visiting with some old friends - and relaxing in the shade.  All this and barbecue from Deano's - doesn't get much better than that.  The Mocksville Cruise Ins are the 1st and 3rd Monday evening - next one is Monday, June 16.  Come see all the great cars.

NSRA Show in Knoxville

We had a great time at the NSRA Car Show in Knoxville - with two of our best friends (and family). Perfect weather, beautiful cars, a little shopping and some of the best ever food. Puleo's Grille was our favorite - their fried green tomatoes were indescribably delicious.  Lou's (our '49 Chevy) first really big show.

We had the privilege of using a good friend's beautiful trailer to take Lou on this trip.  It is normally used to haul a Mustang Seleen - it has Seleen on the side in really big letters.  It was parked in our hotel parking lot for four days.  I'm sure lots of people were looking really hard for a Mustang Seleen.  We wouldn't mind having one!

We took a nice Sunday drive to downtown Knoxville to the 1982 World's Fair site - then drove through one of the beautiful river areas.  Beautiful area.

A first for us - just baked chocolate chip cookies at the check in desk of the hotel.  Guess that's southern hospitality.

daviequiltguild.bogspot.com

Saturday, December 14, 2013

MONDAY - December 16 - Christmas Dinner - 6:00 PM

MONDAY - December 16 - 6:00 PM

Christmas Dinner 

We will begin our evening with a covered dish meal. 

Ham will be provided by the guild along with beverages and paper products. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share, or another meat if you would like to. 

After a brief business meeting we will show our "Ugly Fabric Challenge"projects (finished top...doesn't have to be quilted).  The members will vote for the winners and prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. 

Show and Tell - always fun - we love seeing what others have been working on.

Gift exchange - bring a $10 gift if you want to participate in the gift exchange. 

In the spirit of Christmas - bring canned food to share with the less fortunate.

Davie Quilt Guild Meeting

Our Davie County Quilt Guild meeting is this Monday, November 18.  Our snack/social time is at 6:30 and our meeting starts at 7:00.  We have a special guest speaker this month - Lee Monroe.  She makes beautiful quilts and teaches quilting at numerous places.  Her blog is maychappell.com

If you are a quilter or are interested in quilting - come join us.  We meet at Davie County Sen ior Services (278 Meroney; Mocksville, NC 27028) which is next to Davie Hospital. The meeting starts at 7. Hope to see you there!  

Chicago, Windmills, Classic Car Shopping

Navy Pier - Chicago

We are home from a trip to Chicago.  Lakeshore Drive is such a beautiful part of the city - and the traffic was not bad when we were there.  Big cities fascinate me - but I sure don't want to live in one.  Lake Michigan is beautiful - are we really sure it's not an ocean?  Sure looks like one.

Fowler Ridge Wind Farm is  Benton County, Indiana. Spread over 50,000 acres, it is one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world.  We drove for about 30 minutes alongside the windmills - yeah I know they're called turbines.  They are huge.  

We bought a Classic Car!  The one Ken had been hoping to find for a long time.  He's a happy man.

Loaded that beauty on an auto transport trailer and headed home.  Lots of fun driving home - people would pass and give us a thumbs up or beep the horn.  After passing us, one truck slowed until we got beside it and held a note in the window asking what year our car was. 

Home safely - Life is good. 

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Three Quilts Came Home with Us...

Elsewhere (the Motorhome) didn't get much rest!  We just got home from a few days in the beautiful Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.  One of the most beautiful areas of our country - and the Mennonite people are so very nice.  But...we may have to put a stop to going to their annual sale since we can't resist buying beautiful quilts!!!  Only three came home with us - we justify this extravagance by knowing that all the quilts, furniture and other items are made and donated by the Mennonite people and all proceeds go to charities.

Making Ice Cream by riding a bicycle

If you ever get a chance - you should go to one of these events - delicious food, all kinds of beautiful handmade things...and some great music.  Apple Butter, Pies, Cakes, Ice Cream. They churn the ice cream by riding a bicycle hooked up to the ice cream maker!

There are numerous sales all over the US and some in Canada.

We spent some time in Harrisonburg - beautiful town - home of James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University --- and the Virginia Quilt Museum.  Yep we did go to the Quilt Museum - how in the world did they make those wonderful quilts back then without all our nice tools?  Guess it took a long time.

Ken went to the tractor pull Saturday night since it was conveniently located at the same location as the Auction Sale - and we were enjoying one of their campsites - even had wi-fi.

Apple Fest at some small town on the way home - bought several varieties - some I have not seen before.  I only took a short nap - accidentally fell asleep while reading on the sofa - what a way to travel!

One Road Trip that I Didn't Take

Ken recently returned home from a 16 day Road Trip.  Hard to believe - I stayed home!  Usually I am the one on the Road Trips.  He and a friend (cousin) drove Elsewhere (the motorhome) to a family reunion in Trenton, Nebraska.  They spent a few days getting to know cousins and other kinfolk and eating lots of good food.

They left Nebraska and headed north and west - even to Sturgis, Crater Lake, California and Las Vegas (of all places!).  Took lots and lots of pictures.

Sturgis, South Dakota

Of course I had given them a list of places "not to miss" and they agreed they were all great places.  I just forgot to mention that some of those places were a little difficult to get to.  I think they probably wanted to wring my neck by the time they got to Crater Lake (but it was worth it).  The road is more than a little steep and very narrow - even in a car - but Elsewhere hung in there and they made it.

Crater Lake

All of us who know Ken made sure he would be home in 7 days.  Guess he fooled us.  Thought I might have to go find him.

They had a great trip - but I'm ready for the next one.  

That is a Cow in the Door of the Store!

We just had to drive into the parking lot of this store in Dillard, Georgia - who can resist taking a picture of a huge cow standing in the door of a store?  The little boy in this picture seemed a little unsure about walking by the cow - I think he finally ran in.   When you go to the Cupboard Cafe in Dillard for a great dinner you can stop by here to visit the cow.

After a week of beautiful weather, yesterday was a "rainy day in Georgia" - made it a little easier to leave the beautiful mountains.  

Ya just gotta love your GPS sometimes.  After my trip through one of the curviest, most isolated roads in the country on my trip down - I realized that my GPS was set to find the shortest route - think twice before you do that!  I was beginning to think I was going to be walking a log across a creek to get there.  Seestah George called me about 30 minutes after we left to say, "These things don't work so good in the mountains".  She drove in a circle and ended up back where she started!  What fun!  

Don't know which is better - going?  Or coming home?  Life is good.

Life in the Mountains is Good

View from our deck

Life can't get much more relaxing than today.  Watching the mountains light up with morning, hearing the birds, drinking tea.  Perfect way to start my day.

Only tv we've watched is all the episodes of "House of Cards".  I don't watch much television but I really liked this series.  It was nominated for 10 Primetime Emmys.   I do admit to watching "NCIS" all the time - doesn't matter how many times I've seen it - do love that show and all the characters.

We went to Dillard this afternoon for a late lunch at Cupboard Cafe - a surprise in this small mountain town.  The food was delicious - all kinds of entrees, sandwiches - huge selection of vegetables and desserts. Everything we ate was great - although I didn't like the Peanut Butter Pie that we shared - guess I just prefer my peanut butter on crackers.  They also have a nice gift shop, a fudge and jelly bean shop.  Nice afternoon.


Across the street from the cafe is a "Metal Folk Art" place - that's the only way I know to describe it.  Everything from an old VW Bug to metal horses and all kinds of metal thing a ma jigs. 

I think we were the only people in Dillard today without jackets or sweaters!  It was really cool - I wonder if this is typical weather for August in the North Georgia mountains. 

Tonight the raccoons came to visit - they stayed on the deck for hours eating all the bird seed.  They ran all over the deck and even had a couple of fights.  Sure hope they don't bring bears with them next time.

High on the Mountain in Georgia

Rain Chain at Tiger Mountain Vineyards - I want one.

Yesterday - great weather - we drove to Helen - stopping at several interesting places along the way.  Helen is really a touristy town - fun to visit but don't care about going back.  We did have a delicious german lunch in Hofer's German Restaurant.  Good food and good service.  The red cabbage was delicious and Seestah really made the waitresses day when she asked, "What makes the cabbage red?"  It was even funnier since Seestah is a great cook and knows all about vegetables - guess it was just one of those momentary brain freezes.

Crane Creek Vineyards in Young Harris is on an old farm - as so many vineyards are.  The tasting room is in the old farmhouse - very nice people.  I don't know much about wine but I did buy one bottle of blush - need to support small businesses you know.

We stopped at Hightower Vineyards on the way back.  We had a frozen peach belini - wonderful!
I sat on the back porch and chatted with a young lady - Professor of Medieval Art at Young Harris College.  Really interesting to talk to her.  The vineyard owner invited us to come back Friday evening for "Swine and Wine" - barbecue sandwich, slaw and first glass of wine - sounds like fun.

We saw a zip line - Seestah wanted very badly to  zip down the line - but since her foot is still healing, we decided to skip the zip.  I didn't want to go zipping without her - that would not have been good.  Maybe next time.

This morning - 60 degrees - high this afternoon - 72.  Absolutely perfect weather - perfect day.  There are so many birds eating from the feeders on the decks - I think they come just to visit with us.  Leisurely morning watching the birds, playing Scrabble.  We headed down the mountain about 11:00 - drove to Clayton - really nice little town.

There is a store in Clayton that sells restored stoves and refrigerators made from the 1800's through the 1970's.  They are completely restored and ready to use.  The older ones have the original porcelain and chrome finish.  One stove was made from copper.  They are beautiful.  He ships them all over the world - does a lot of custom work for people.

There are several nice shops along the streets of Clayton.  We had a great lunch at Clayton Cafe - fried chicken breast that was huge - can't imagine a chicken that big.  Field peas, greens, cornbread squash casserole and lots of other vegetables on the menu.

All kinds of stuff to look at.  RC Cola and Mini Moon Pie for $2.50.  We did NOT get one.

Stopped in Tiger, Georgia at Linda's Sweet Treats and Antiques - just happened to see it.  Yes, there is a town called Tiger.  I got just one piece of Blackberry Wine Cake - delicious.  Guess what kind of cake Seestah got??Chocolate on Chocolate!  Just a mile or two down the road we stopped at Tiger Mountain Vineyards.  Very nice - Seestah said the wine was the best yet - maybe she just liked the handsome young man from Australia who works there.

We are watching "House of Cards" on Netflix - evil people.  But we can't stop watching...

Seestah brought home a couple of left over cornbread muffins to try to bait a bear into coming to the cabin.  I tried to stop her - a man at the Cafe told her it really wasn't safe to feed the bears so she told him it was for the birds.

Girls Week in the Mountains!!!

One whole, complete week in the mountains with nothing to do except what we want to do.  Wish you could hear the wonderful night sounds.  We are high on the mountain overlooking a lake  in Georgia.  Such a beautiful place.

We got here yesterday afternoon - one of our bff's couldn't make it - we sure miss her.  So it's the two of us - been way too long since our last trip together - the three of us were in Charleston, 

Christmas 2011.

We have friends - good friends - but some of us are lucky enough to have "forever friends" who know us better than we know ourselves.  If we're really lucky - they are also great travel friends.  What fun.

We have all these places to see and things to do on our list - the nice thing is we don't have to do any of them unless we want to.  Today we didn't want to do any of them.  Stayed here all day - sat on the deck - talked - ate, read - cooked a simple, delicious dinner.  Talked, ate, read, watched some Netflix. 

A really good day.

This cabin has three levels with three beautiful decks with a swing, rockers, table and chairs and bird feeders.  Lots of birds - although the flying squirrels eat most of the bird seed.

I have friends who own a beautiful house in the North Carolina mountains that I've visited many times.  I thought it had the steepest possible driveway - Not!  I stopped and took a long look before I started up this driveway - will be interesting to go down tomorrow!

Day One of National Street Rod Show

Thursday, August 1 - Riding down the street in Louisville is a like car show!  I never imagined this many old cars - beautiful cars.  There are over 10,000 cars registered for the show and thousands more just cruising (I think).  

Beautiful weather - not too hot and not humid - how nice.  There are hundreds of vendors here selling all kinds of things.  One huge building is "Woman's World".  Can't wait to check that out.

First thing - they come get us - we go to Papa John Stadium - hook the truck to the trailer (I wondered why - since Frank and Leslie were going to drive it to the show).  Duh!  so the trailer wouldn't tilt when the car was backed off on the ramp.  I wouldn't have thought of that until it happened.  They drive the car - we drive the truck, then go in to find them - cell phones are good when there are over 10,000 show cars.

We had a perfect location for the car - in the lot next to the street so we could watch cars cruising by all day.  The street is on the Expo property since it covers 300 acres and it is all full of cars.  Lawn chairs, umbrellas, cold drinks - meeting great people and hearing about their cars.  

Nancy - drove her beautiful street rod truck from Wisconsin by herself.  Said her husband showed their cars for years while she stayed home with four kids.  Kids are grown - hubby is tired of going - so she goes all over the country showing their cars - they have several.  In fact, they have several Woodies.  She was such a fun person - enjoying life to the fullest.  And guess what - she sold her street rod!  She went into the vendor area to shop for parts for the next one.  Wish I had a picture of her bright yellow street rod. 

Car back and locked in trailer - time for dinner on the Louisville Riverfront.  Joe's Crab Shack - delicious seafood - great service and a beautiful setting.  A walk in the riverfront park - perfect end to a great - if tiring - day.  Glad to get back to Elsewhere and relax.

Sunday, August 4 - Time to Go Home

Sort of sad to see it end.  It's been a wonderful few days with two of our favorite people.  Sure hope we can do it all again.  Maybe we'll have a street rod next time.  Ken has one in the works.  Found one he thought he might buy - someone bought it before he had a chance.  Maybe next time.

On the road - all is well until we get to Charleston, West Virginia.  Remember this is where the truck trouble started on the way to Louisville.  Truck started losing power again - slow, slower then speed up.  I know it had to be so frustrating for Frank.  Took us longer but the important thing is we got home safely and the beautiful '57 Chevy is back home and all tucked in until next time.

A semi truck caught on fire and completely burned on I 64.  We sat in traffic for a while so we made sandwiches and delivered them to Frank and Leslie (in the truck in front of us).  A lady asked if we made milkshakes.  Think we could've made a little money if we had been there a little longer.

Good to be home - until next time.

Hope you have good travels and better homecomings!

Flowers at the Expo Center in Louisville