What we did on my birthday

I couldn't figure out why my uncle kept wanting to take my mom to the Incline other than she's never been there. Its a historic place now.

We rode a car to the top of the mtn.



View as you ride up the mtn backwards.





The views from the top of Lookout Mtn are beautiful. You are supposed to be able to see 6 states.




Liv checking out where we had been




Yes we do have to go back down




This is why they wanted to go on that day, it's near my daughter's home and she cooked a Birthday dinner for me.

Thank you family

After the Storm

There were trees down in our yard and near us.




Parts of the roof flew off and a bit of siding. Our well house lost its roof.




Some of the neighbors lost roofs to barns and storage buildings.

It was freaky and scary with the high windows trying to blow everything down.

But we are safe and no one was hurt around here.

When the storms were over the sun came out and it was a beautiful afternoon.

My roses are still blooming.




And so is the sweet pea vine.




I'm trying a new to me recipe today. Found it on another bloggers blog. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Skillet Apple Brownies

Warning-if you are afraid of butter don't try this recipe.

Preheat oven to 350. Put an 8 or 9 in. cast iron skillet in the oven to preheat.

Whisk together:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves


Beat together
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup melted butter

Toss 2 cups peeled, cored and chopped apples and 1/2 cup chopped pecans together.
Add to flour mixture, then add egg mixture.

Put 1 tablespoon butter in the hot pan and swirl to coat the pan.

Add apple mixture.

Bake about 40 minutes.

Cool 20 minutes (if you can) before slicing.

Halloween party

We've been waiting for you




There are ghost lights in the window to help you find your way

Wouldn't want you wandering around in a strange neighborhood late at night.

The ghost band will play all night




Prudence, Matilda, and Estelle are ready to cast their spells



Careful what you wish for cause you just might get it all.

What is Halloween without a black cat, spiders and things that go bump in the night?









We have pumpkins










Glad you could drop in




happily taking part in Vanessa's Blogger Halloween Party. I still haven't figured out how to post a button that works but this is a link to her site.

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/

WHERE WERE MY MANNERS last night?

I meant to offer you a seat in my favorite chair.




Would you like a book to read? I have horror if that is your thing. King, McCammon, Simmons, Koontz, or my newest book THE STRAIN.





Not enough time for a book maybe a short story or two from SKELETON CREW or NIGHT SHIFT. (There are more books upstairs).




Or perhaps we could have our own horror movie marathon. Nothing we like on TV I have DVDs. One of my favorites the original The Fog or Rosemary's Baby. Maybe a little Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs or Red Dragon. Perhaps The Myst is more to your liking.





What's that wonderful smell you say. I baked some apple brownies-they are full of apples, pecans, cinnamon, a bit of clove and nutmeg. Or maybe you'd like a chocolate chip cookie? I had to make those for my granddaughter.




Thank you all for dropping in. I will make it to everyone's party. It may take me a couple days:)

Just random

Thats how I feel this morning. Way too much stuff going on in the lives of people in my life.

I'm the oldest child in my family so you know what that means. I'm the one that tries to take care of everyone else and tries to fix what's broken.

We've been having cooler temps. But days like yesterday heater on in the car in the morning and the air conditioner on by afternoon.

So here are some random pictures.



This was my granddaughter's spring piano recital. I take her to piano lessons once a week. She loves to play.


I want iris to stay in bloom all year




I collect (well a very small collection) luncheon plates. Aren't they sweet? Makes me think of ladies with dresses, gloves, etc visiting one another for afternoon tea. I can't see these ladies sitting there drinking their tea from a Starbuck's cup. Don't get my wrong I love Starbuck's tea.