Merriest of Christmases

What is the plural of Christmas?  Christmases, Christmas-i?  This year was a very good year.

I planned to stay close to home this year.  Both of my brothers and their families came to visit. The youngest sibling came from California for the week, and the middle brother from Tennessee for a long weekend.

Mom baked cookies and put up the tree early in an attempt to have a traditional Christmas.  But this was the first time all four of us had been together in probably 6 or 7 years... and we chose some family traditions that aren't usually associated with Christmas.  We fried up dozens of pork tacos from a recipe that was shared with mom back in the late 50's.  We've been making these together as long as any of us can remember.  The feast was accompanied by plenty of cold beer, red wine and ended up in a sing along of 70's rock songs with John on guitar.  What a blast!

The siblings with mom

At the last minute I decided I could not make it through Christmas without seeing my grandkids!  So, I packed up the truck, took the dogs to a good friend for their version of camp and headed to Tennessee for a long weekend.

Along the way, I made a quick stop in Georgia at the Carroll's Sausage Company and Country Store.  If you are ever traveling along I75, it is so worth the stop.  Best sausages ever and a wonderful butcher's counter.  There is plenty of room to park with a trailer attached.  In fact, there is even an RV park for a quick overnight (although I wouldn't recommend it -- right next to I75 and not a tree in sight.  There are much nicer state parks and private RV parks near by.)

Off I75 at exit 82

Jams, jellies, gifts - and they serve breakfast and lunch.

Beautiful selection at their butcher's counter

but the RV park is pretty desolate and right on I75 with no sound barrier

My visit with the kids was great, even if too short.  I got to see everyone and we had a great early Christmas together before I headed back on Monday.  Sorry to all my friends in Tennessee that I didn't get to see... this was a very last minute trip :-)

Meanwhile back in Florida, my sister hosted a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner AND Christmas Day brunch - of which I took not a single picture for some reason.  They were both lovely, and I didn't have to do a thing but enjoy myself... which I did!  Hope your Holidays were meaningful for you and I wish you the best for 2015.

Breezin' and the traveling canines  and I plan to have a spectacular year!

On the Road

Obligatory "big guy, little guy" photo

Wednesday, April 16

Left Florida last Wednesday after all day rain on Tuesday to lots of sunshine and WIND!  We stopped about 80 miles shy of Atlanta at a small RV park off the interstate.  $19 with Passport America.

White caps on the bay - crossing the bridge

Can anyone tell me what type of tree this is?  Lavender blooms...

Thanksgiving in Savannah

Breezin' and I arrived in Savannah on Wednesday to freezing weather -- highs in the 40's and down to  31 at night!  Happily, the furnace in Breezin kept me toasty and the antenna gave us several channels to choose from.  Ava brought me a huge selection of books so I was quite content to read and snuggle in for the night.  Thanksgiving day brought more cold weather and we opted to stay put until time to meet for dinner in Savannah.  Another fellow "tabber" had made dinner reservations for us and joined us at The Olde Pink House in Savannah where we enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner seated by the fireplace.  Good food, good wine, great company.

Breezin' in her campsite at Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah GA

Thanksgiving dessert.  I should have taken a picture of dinner but I was hungry and forgot :-)

The weather finally cleared enough to get in a short hike or two and enjoy a day of sightseeing in Savannah on Friday.

The Mercer house in Savannah.  Built by ancestors of Johnny Mercer (songwriter/singer of Moon River and about 1,400 other songs) but more famous as the house of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame.

 Forsyth Fountain

Cumberland Island National Seashore

After a chilly night, the rain held out long enough for us to take our planned tour of Cumberland Island.  The ranger tour is well worth the money and after a ferry ride to the Island, the tour takes you to the north end of the island with stops at The Plum House, the Settlement and the old pier.  After the tour we had time to take the quick walk to the Dungeness ruins before boarding the ferry back to St. Marys.

Wild horses on Cumberland Island.

The next day was a wash... literally, rained all day so we visited a local bookstore and then went to the movies to see The Hunger Games, Catching fire before moving the next day to Savannah.