Southern Hospitality

Last night, we drove into Athens, GA from Nashville, TN for some amazing chocolate chili (all their own garden ingredients...except the chocolate...and meat), fun times with kids, great bluegrass music around a bonfire, and encouragement from friends. We stayed with George and Elisha and their two children Amelia (3) and George Wilder (1). George taught at my high school during my senior year and later on bought the twinkie (my first car...a white vw vanagon) which he drove all the way to Georgia! I didn't know it had that...or all the years to follow left in it! pretty incredible!

George and Elisha generously hosted a potluck dinner and invited friends to hear about our trip and hang out together around good food and music. It was such a great time of community and encouragement. Personally, I enjoyed Elisha's homemade cookies...a secret recipe...and listening to George and his friends play the guitar/banjo/mandolin around the fire. It was so relaxing and truly we were treated like royalty! Thank you so much for everything!

This morning we woke up to rain and it hasn't stopped yet...thanks to hurricane Ida. Rumor has it that the rain should slow down by midday tomorrow. Luckily, we are staying with a friend of Philip's in Augusta tonight so the boys should have a chance to dry out!

Tennessee!

Lucky me I met up with Chris and Jennie Damman here in Tennessee for a quick break from the hope tour. It's been nice to be with family and enjoy a break from the day-to-day routine. We are staying with Jennie's cousin Amy and her family here in Franklin. Yesterday, we woke up with waffles and a trip to Starbucks...the red cups are back! and then went and toured the Carnton House which was used as a hospital during the battle of Franklin in the Civil War. The history was interesting and the house fascinating! I really enjoyed the tour and think it would be so fun to do a more expansive tour through the Civil War memorials/battlefields/houses/etc. It is so much more fun learning the history while seeing the sights. Last night after a run through town we went with Dan, Amy and Braxton to Sweet CeCe's a new frozen yogurt place in town. It was delicious...I went for the hershey kiss fudge and cookies and cream with strawberries, blueberries and brownie toppings! yum yum! (I'm scheming of opening my own in Greenlake when I get back! :) )

Today we plan on going into downtown Nashville and checking out some of the sights. I'm still waiting for my first Country singer celebrity sighting...preferably Keith Urban, Faith or Tim...we did see some pretty sweet mansions though belonging to one of the Rascal Flatts singers and Toby Mac (that's right...DC Talk).

Happy Halloween!

The front entrance to the house

Chris and Jennie

Pretty lighting

Love this...first purchase when I get home...a rocking chair

Maddox's paw (Dan and Amy's great dane)