I had so much fun meeting this family. They are beautiful and so sweet! This is Audrey at about 2 weeks.
This just melts my heart. 
And this one too.
This is Dodger who loves to play with that red ball.
Mom and Dad time with baby Audrey.
So sweet....
Getting a smooch from grandma!
Silly face and sweet face. Welcome to the world Audrey!
Sweet little Maggie just six days old napping on the porch in her momma’s arms. Welcome to this earth sweet baby!
Check out more sweet earth babies here!
This past weekend I visited the Cheekwood here in Nashville to check out the Chihuly exhibit. It is beautiful! The afternoon was hot with an okay breeze so I did not see everything. My plan is to return for a Chihuly night to get photos in the late afternoon light and at night when the sculptures are illuminated.
And some lotus flowers and pods.
This past weekend was the Bluegrass Underground extravaganza!!! Two days, 8 acts, 800 people in the cave on Saturday!! It was crazy …. crazy good! I discovered three new acts that I like…. 18 South, Mountain Heart and OMG… Monte Montgomery….can that man play a guitar and his voice and lyrics… I was wowed and Justin Townes Earle!!! A few of my other favorites were there as well: Cherryholmes, Will Hoge and Darrell Scott.
Saturday it was so packed and we were banished to stage right… got alot of interesting images that day. Sunday we got to sit front row!!
18 South
18 South
Mountain Heart
Cherryholmes, tuning up, waiting to take the stage.
Cherryholmes, emerging from the cave depths to take the stage.
Cherryholmes
Cherryholmes
Cherryholmes
Cherryholmes
Cherryholmes
Cherryholmes
Cherryholmes
Cherryholmes
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
Ricky Skaggs
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
Will Hoge
Will Hoge
Will Hoge
Will Hoge
Will Hoge
Will Hoge
Darrell Scott
Darrell Scott
Darrell Scott
Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle
This past Saturday among the threat of inclement weather, Lola and Sid celebrated their marriage with 250 friends and family at Aden Branch Farm in Fairview, Tennessee. The day started out not bad weather wise. I know that here in Old Hickory it was party cloudy skies and as I sat with my friends Seana and Michael at their home Saturday morning for the annual Historic Old Hickory Village home tour, I noticed folks walking in, sweating…. the only thing worse for me than rain is hot, muggy, damp weather! This day also brought challenges of a sick dog and finally storms moving across the area. On my way down to Fairview, about an hour from my house, I traveled through rain, thunder, crazy lightening! But this was good because this was all that the wedding location and folks involved had to deal with. There were other little hitches but in the end those things do not matter, everything works out and the bride and groom get married. I just have to say that these two are so perfect together… both have lovely smiles and their faces just light up when they see each other.
Aden Branch Farm is Lola’s family farm. The hill where Lola and Sid tied the knot overlooks the barn, house, pastures, woods and 200 plus year old cabin. Lola wrote in the wedding program, “At the end of a long day of riding, my mother and I would often ride our horses to this field and let them race up the hill. The horses galloped to the corner where, out of running room, they stopped and turned, as if to survey the expanse of the farm below them. Over the sound of their blowing, my mother would talk to me about our connection with each other and this land, our sanctuary. That sense of spirituality in the outdoors is one that Sid and I share.”
I present the sneak peek for the couple and their family and friends! Also, the doggy is feeling much better!
Lola and Sid after their first kiss as Mr. and Mrs.-- such a great connection!
Lola's present to Sid, a sterling belt buckle. Sid was beside himself!!
The dress and bride's boots.
The ladies wore dress shoes for the ceremony and then changed into their boots. These are real cowgirl boots!
Amazingly simple floral arrangements by the Tulip Tree graced the tables. This is birch bark covering a clear glass vase and filled with not only blooming flowers but also rosemary and I think mint.
So cool!
The lush, green ceremony site. The couple was married by the Rev. Becca Stevens.
The bridal party, well part of the bridal party, on the side of the really old cabin. I say part of as Sid had his brothers and father stand with him but actually had 16 groomsmen sort of like honorary groomsmen.
The reception was in the riding arena. The ceiling and walls are draped with burlap to make the space more intimate.
From inside the barn looking out to the cocktail area.
Lola and Sid walking into their cocktail reception in front of the barn. Guests were greeted with bluegrass music. The flag that graces the barn was flown by Sid's brother, Greer during Operation Iraqi Freedom on Sid's birthday, December 5th of 2006. The flag had not flown until this day, May 15th, 2010 and will be retired and displayed in a case in Sid and Lola's home.
First dance.
The paper lanterns over the dance floor.
The cake by Lealand Riggan. Deep purple climatus, purple spanish lavendar, grape colored lilac, hyacinth, peonies and roses rested on the tables among candlelight on the tables.
Lola and Sid just after the ceremony.
The beauty of the Tennessee county landscape, all natural, beautiful horse farm and the sight of an upcoming special event! Pray that Mother Nature brings us sunshine and clear or at least party cloudy skies.
driveway to the barn
field of yellow wildflowers
sight were a new chapter begins
a lake and tall pines dot the landscape
wide open Tennessee spaces
horse stall
sweet, beautiful yellow wildflowers
up in the barn
one of the barn dogs, Katie
sweet Rue
Because this was the first day that the horses were allowed out of the stalls after the flood, they were going to town in the fields.
View of the barn from the party site.
the horseshoe collection
A little photo album of the robin family on Clarke Street here in Historic Old Hickory Village. April 14-29.
A few days before the babies left the nest.
April 14th.
April 22nd, snug as a bug in a rug!
Dinner time!
Keeping the babies safe and warm.
Feed me!
Dad out gathering worms.
Family Portrait
napping
Always ready to eat!
open wide!
protected and safe
Just before they flew the nest.
the babies free.... the other bird (there were 3) flew out on his own the day before!
This is Molly. She loves a nice pat and chin rub. She is such a lovely pup!!
And then there is Linus. My! How he has grown! He may look menacing but this guy has a heart of gold and is just a big baby. The first photo was taken last summer.
My house in the spring has a new view everyday. From the huge white pine that lives on the corner of the property and can be seen from both bedrooms (it is like living in a treehouse) to the sweet orange that has become the local drinking hole for the birds, my views from my second story really make me happy and present something new to see each day. This morning while I was brushing my teeth I looked out the window into the saucer magnolia and spied a female cardinal primping. I ran to get my camera and even though she did move I was able to catch her hiding in the tree. The saucer magnolia is getting ready to bloom. The buds at the top of the tree are beginning to show signs of the beautiful pinkish purple petals that will soon fill the tree. This for me is a true sign of spring!
So yesterday was such a lovely day of discovery. Mother nature is pushing the beauty of daffodils and crocus through the earth. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!
the daffodil
yellow equals happiness
daffodil details
beauty of the early morning rain
classic daffodil image
more little crocuses
a pretty little white crocus in black and white
purple and yellow/orange: perfect compliments to each other
wild irises
beautiful
double daffodil and new bud
