Christmas decorations

Jennie Whitsell said she wanted to see postings of Christmas decorations, so here is our humble version of Christmas. Partly because we had to get rid of some becuase of the move, partly because we are going back to CA for Christmas, and partly because we are just cheap and have a hard time buying decorations that will be up for one month of the year.

I have always wanted a door wreath, so this year we bought one (Home Depot, $6.88-- can't beat that!)

This is my favorite-- a nativity scene that Bob's grandmother brought to him from Bethlehem. As you can see, Mary, Joseph and the baby aren't there yet because it's not time. However, they are either going to have to be early or late at our house this year because we won't be home during that time.

A beautiful table cloth Bob's mom made for us.

Stockings made by my brother last year. Our kitchen bar serves as our mantle apparently.

And our very simple Christmas tree. It does have one ornament, though!

Beautiful Tennessee

This is a cotton field in Jackson. It was the first time I've ever seen cotton being grown. You can't help but think of slavery and what our world must have been like back then. It was very humbling.

Nashville baby

Downtown Nashville

This is one of the three breakfast courses!

After visiting Bob's aunt and uncle in Jackson, we decided to go to a bed and breakfast in Brentwood, which is a suburb near Nashville. We went into Nashville that night just to see what it was like. There was live country music playing in every bar and people were wearing cowboy hats and boots. Fun to see and I have to tell you that a little part of me felt like I fit in. Even though you wouldn't know it on the outside...

We went to dinner at Spaghetti factory and back early to our bed and breakfast to enjoy the cute room and chocolate chip cookies. The next day we went to see downtown Franklin which has an old town feel that reminded me of the Orange Circle. We got frozen yogurt that we got to put the toppings on, which isn't as big out here as it is in California so it was a real treat, and shopped around in tea shops and used book stores. It was one of those days where you just don't feel the need to look at the clock.

Thanksgiving in Tennessee

Bob's aunt and uncle live in Jackson, Tennessee so we decided to take a road trip when they graciously invited us out for Thanksgiving. We decided to stop at Trader Joes on the way to grab them a bottle of wine and some chocolate as a thank you. Some people decide to tour the US to see different stadiums, etc. Bob and I have decided we are going to do this with different Trader's--so fun. However, we neglected to check out Tennessee alcohol laws, instead making ourselves look like goofs when we asked the worker why we couldn't find any wine in the store. Apparently normal grocery stores only sell beverages with a certain percentage of alcohol and wine doesn't make the cut so it has to be sold at the liquor store. Therefore, we gave his aunt and uncle chocolate as a thank you. Just chocolate.

We thoroughly enjoyed the route to Tennessee as well as their beautiful home and all the wonderful food Sheri always cooks. We spent a lot of our time playing pool (loosing at pool for me) and just relaxing. It was nice to spend time with them and see a new place.

Who needs kids as an excuse to have fun

On our way to Tennessee for Thanksgiving, Bob and I stopped in Chattanooga, a quaint little town near the Georgia Tennessee border. We had lunch and walked around and found ourselves in a cute park that had a merry-go-round. I immediately wanted to go but needed to be convinced that we didn't have to have kids as an excuse to enjoy. Bob did a good job convincing me of this, and here we are. I think we started a trend because once we got on a bunch of other adults came in and got on sans kids. The only complaint I have is that it wasn't long enough!