Enjoying the Wilderness in Tennessee.....

As many of you already know because you know me or have read past blogs, two of my favorite things in the world are
1. My Family...and
2. Tennessee Outdoors

These pictures were taken on a ridiculously humid day and now that the weather is getting cooler i think it may be time to go back and finish the hike we had started and never finished back in July.  It was however spectacularly beautiful as always and i am filled with joy each time i take a look around me and breathe in the goodness that Tennessee has to offer.

The children likewise enjoy being out and even Sarah was able to overcome the feeling of mud in between her toes as the hike was spontaneous and she was only in her flip flops.  :-)

 Jack purposely posed like this as he pushed his Green Lantern ring and asked me to take a picture of him.  I love this guy!

Sarah turns 6! (a while ago)

Yes, yes, Sarah's birthday was in July, but like i said i'm playing catch up.

We decided to go all out for her this year and we had quite a crowd attend the festivities.  We went with water fun and had a slip and slide.  Sarah of course wanted a different rendition of a monkey cake and so i once again had to get creative with my very limited skills, especially seen as she cannot have any food coloring.  Anyway she had a fabulous time and we are very grateful to all that came and showed their love and helped celebrate.

The Barn Blog.....

These past few months have been difficult to make the time to blog like i once used to and it is my intention to get back into it.  Part of my hold up is that my computer crashed and although i have some pictures still stored on my camera, many are on that computer and i have yet to transfer them over to our new computer.  I like to do things chronologically, but alas i have conceded to just pick back up where i left off for now.

For a few weeks now i have been wanting to do a blog about barns.  That's right, you heard me, barns, good ole farm barns containing who knows what....

I'm not sure why, but there is just something about barns that brings a smile to my face.  I think they are beautiful.  To me they represent hard work, safety, determination, and endless possibilities.

Endless Possibilities perhaps because my first real experience living on a farm was one in which you could find just about anything in the barn.  It might take a little while to find it, but it was a vast treasure chest waiting to help complete the task you were working on.....

Determination because despite all the hardships and weathering they get, they still seem to hold up and do their job.  You will view several barns below that are worse for wear, and yet they are not worthy to be discarded, they still serve their purpose even if they become ugly through the years.....

Safety because they often protect and house livestock and other valuables.....

Hard Work because to me a barn is a staple of a farming life.  It often holds hay that has laboriously been harvested, tools to keep up the farm with, machinery, and food with which to sustain farm life. Truly the symbol of "the sweat of thy brow."  Anyone who has lived on a farm or is indeed a farmer knows that it is not a life for the weenies.  ;-)

We often take for granted the significance of farmers and the foundation they lay for the country, but i do not forget, i am reminded each and every time i look, at a barn.  :-)

 I love how this one above is busting at the seems with hay.

 On my drive to work...