Meredith Hill East

Hick'ry Nuts Everywhere!

2010-10-11T17:41:00.007-04:00

A very nice weekend at Meredith Hill East started with a Smoky Mountain morning.

Jacey's starting to get a move on...

and she modeled her Halloween outfit (or one of them).

They're all growing fast.

It was a beautiful day for picking up Hick'ry nuts:

Abbott favored us with a new song:

It was a successful nut hunt. Here are a couple of them:

July 4, Part II

2010-07-06T21:34:00.008-04:00

I don't know all the details of acquisition, but Ryan was the recipient of a large pig at the Frothy Monkey just before the holiday weekend, and asked if I'd like to participate in a bacon-smoking ceremony. After answering with some referral to where a bear relieves himself, I stocked up on lump hardwood charcoal and began soaking a couple of fallen hickory limbs from the back hillside.

Ryan had pre-cured the slab with his own secret recipe (which, in the interest of intellectual property rights, I will not divulge), then we added more kosher salt, black pepper, raw sugar and crushed homegrown red peppers. It rested overnight. Thanks to George the cat, I did not.

We started the fire about 8:00am, loaded the slab at 8:30 and about an hour in took our first peek:

six hours later, we had a beautifully smoked pork belly, which, after some sampling accompanied by ooohs and aaaahs, cooled in the refrigerator to become...

Monday morning bacon with multi-grain waffles.

This is the best bacon ever to pass my lips, but because this is not something we should eat every day, the last slices are now in the freezer, safely awaiting the next occasion. Oh, and there are a few small chunks saved for limited use in seasoning vegetables, soups, pastas, salads, and anything else where you might say "you know what would be perfect in this?"

Thanks, Ryan, for sharing.

July 4, Part I

2010-07-06T21:14:00.009-04:00

Happy Independence Day!

What a great weekend we had! After an initial delay because of Abbott's fever, everyone arrived Saturday and stayed until Monday. There was much fun on the new swing set,

(Thanks, MomaJo!)

on the patio

and on the new Slip n' Slide and pool

(Thanks, Jami!).

There was much healthy grillin' and many healthy meals including Healthy Chocolate and Healthy Energy drinks...

(we count the pound cake and low-fat ice cream because as healthy because we added fresh strawberries).

And we discovered the joy of home-smoked bacon (see Part II).

2010 Garden

2010-05-15T21:49:00.007-04:00

After less-than-satisfying results the past couple of years, we've downsized the garden, going with a small raised bed to produce just the essentials.
Step 1: Stack the frame Step 2: Screw it together

Step 3: Add some dirt

Step 4: Install plants.

Step 5: Water, weed and wait.

Long Time No Blog

2010-05-02T22:33:00.008-04:00

Forgive the delay. All my fault. No excuses except laziness.

Here's our beautiful new granddaughter, in case you haven't seen Jacey Rose:

The master bath remodel is finished! Before:

and after:

new tile, toilet, cabinet & vanities, and no more wire shelves!

Jingle Bell Jack

2010-01-01T11:56:00.002-05:00

I've been delinquent in my blogging, but here's one from the holidays. I promise there will be more!

First Fire of the Season

2009-10-16T19:50:00.005-04:00

After a hectic week of visiting and travel, we returned home today to weather cool enough for the first fire. I had one large log, which was just enough to split for a good long fire. Nice.

Labor Day Fireworks

2009-09-07T18:28:00.004-04:00

Jami covered most of the weekend in pictures, so here's a video of the highlights from Knoxville's Boomsday. Enjoy!

Sunday in the Smokies

2009-09-01T11:11:00.002-04:00

We enjoyed a nice picnic and a short hike in the mountains...

Garden Update/Jami's Request

2009-05-29T16:16:00.004-04:00

It's Broccoli!

And Tomatoes!

And, per Jami's request, more photos from the weekend in Athens (see her blog for details).

Joy, Rapture!

2009-05-17T13:40:00.004-04:00

The first blooms on the tomato plants. We can almost taste 'em already!

The expanded garden, l-r: tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, zucchini, jalapenos and room for okra.

Abbott on the Move

2009-05-10T20:51:00.003-04:00

We had a great Mother's Day weekend with almost all the kids visiting; only Ryan was missing (and was missed). We were thankful for Jami and Jack's safety after the hit and run (see Jami's blog), and enjoyed a little rain, a little sun and a lot of fun. Of course Jack's going as fast as can be, but we'll devote this video to Abbott, who has been getting his feet under him for a few weeks now. He started out the weekend with some tentative steps, but by Sunday, was cruising pretty good trying to keep up with Jack. Here's some progress...

Nashville Weekend

2009-04-19T19:22:00.007-04:00

A nice visit with Kelly, Abbott and briefly, Ryan. We went to Centennial Park for Earth Day festivities Saturday, then stayed inside and visited during the rainy Sunday. K & R prepared a delicious lunch of roast beef, spinach and sun-dried tomato risotto and roasted zucchini and Abbott entertained:

If there's music, this boy's dancin'!

A little horesback riding makes for a good laugh...

We discovered Brenda's sideline business:

And he's just cute, that's all there is to it...

more, please...

Dogwood Winter

2009-04-07T22:42:00.002-04:00

Ketchup!

2009-04-04T22:17:00.006-04:00

We've been spending way too much time on Facebook, and not nearly enough time blogging, so we have some ketchuping to do. So how about a few videos?

First, here's Abbott sadly/happily enjoying what few toys he has. This was before his birthday, where Christmas arrived again, except Santa's entire bag was just for him.

He's almost ready to take off and run, and when he does, look out, Kel & Ryan!

And here's Jack helping me plant grass. This is one of his favorite things to do; it keeps him busy all day.

Peek-A-Boo!

2009-01-04T21:36:00.002-05:00

Jack entertains Abbott...

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T19:41:00.001-05:00

Jack Gets Down

2008-12-17T17:11:00.003-05:00

Jack learns the fine art of Steve Martin impressions...

Giving Thanks

2008-12-04T17:56:00.008-05:00

It was a great day to celebrate! These are some of the things we're thankful for...

Sweet faces,

Cooperation,

Boys that love their Momo Jo,

and being together.

Leaves

2008-11-10T21:02:00.004-05:00

Does Jack like playing in the leaves...

...or does he like watching himself playing in the leaves more?

Fall in East Tennessee

2008-11-09T21:33:00.005-05:00

Just a few... above, on the road between Knoxville and Nashville, below from our front porch and the back yard.

How Many Snowflakes in a Flurry?

2008-10-28T20:15:00.005-04:00

This morning on the way to Nashville, we drove through about 5 flakes and a few miles of snow on the ground.As you can see, the leaves are changing nicely. And as you can see below, Abbott was very cute today (yes, Aunt Lissa, that's his new guitar he's playing with).

A Movie for Aunt Lissa

2008-10-27T16:31:00.007-04:00

First Signs of Fall

2008-10-12T20:35:00.010-04:00

The equinox has come and gone. The temperature may not show it yet, but when our dogwoods go red and the maples in the neighbor's yard begin to turn, that's the real beginning of fall here.
Enjoy these before...

...we subject you to more grandson photos and videos.

Oh, and of course, it's football time in Tennessee.

We've got spirit, yes we do;

we've got spirit, how 'bout you!?

I don't like Ike

2008-09-13T15:25:00.008-04:00

An old soldier bites the dust...

a fine old oak tree south of Wannie & Poppa's house downed by Ike.

7am

2008-09-12T09:37:00.003-04:00

Good morning from our front porch
at around 7:00am over the past week.

A Dark and Stormy Night

2008-09-10T17:41:00.002-04:00

Monday night, September 8

No damage, we were just without cable, internet and phone for about 12 hours. It was nice.

Boys Gotta Dance

2008-08-29T22:31:00.010-04:00

Just one of the highlights of our Smoky Mountains vacation...

Jack's Back!

2008-07-16T20:40:00.005-04:00

OK, he wasn't speaking French when he returned, but Jami was right: we did have to come up with alot of answers to the question "doing?"

Jack brought over his new bubble lawn mower, a birthday present from Aunt Lissa.

Filling up with gas (bubbles).

We now have the most well-manicured, and possibly the cleanest (thanks to the bubbles) carpet in the county.

King Tut

2008-07-16T20:28:00.006-04:00

On the advice of our new friend Ron Emery (owner of Emery 5 & 10, possibly the coolest place to shop east of the Mississippi), we had lunch at King Tut. Mo (the owner) was most gracious and showed us a few magic tricks, and the food was memorable (good memories). Our visit was documented when our old friend Phil snapped this photo.

If you're ever in south Knoxville, give it a try.

A Walk in the Park

2008-07-16T20:11:00.010-04:00

We decided hiking would be a good thing, so to get started, we drove over to GSMNP last weekend for a short hike to Laurel Falls.

And we were right...hiking was a good thing. We think we'll do it again.

Quote of the day

2008-07-14T13:02:00.003-04:00

Popo said "We haven't seen Jack in so long he might be speaking French by now!"

Elusive Criminal Held in Hoosegow

2008-07-11T21:48:00.010-04:00

The varmint played right into the trap, had even left evidence nearby (a half-eaten green tomato) and he's now being held in custody. The critter sheriff is expected to ride in and haul him off up the river (or at least across the river so he can't find his way back) in the mornin'.

As seen below, once in jail, he was pretty contrite.

We hope he was workin' alone so our neighborhood gardens can now grow in peace.

"I don't know what it is, but I LOVE IT!"

2008-07-07T17:24:00.003-04:00

George has a new favorite thing.

E G A D

2008-06-29T21:59:00.003-04:00

Groundhog, Woodchuck, Whistle-Pig; Call it what you like, but we call it an Evil Garden Attackin' Demon! He's eaten all the tops off the okra and most of the peas, and is working on the squash. Yesterday I caught him eating a green tomato.

So not being the poisoning or shooting type, tomorrow I call the trappers.

Pie R Squared

2008-06-29T21:55:00.002-04:00

Yes, I know pie are round.

Pie

2008-06-29T21:52:00.001-04:00

'nuff said.

My Candidate For President

2008-06-24T15:27:00.003-04:00

I have put off this blog as long as possible, but have decided that now is the time for me to declare my support in the upcoming election. I hope you'll join me at this critical time in our nation's history to help elect the one person who can bring real change to our country. To see my choice, please click to view the video.

Another Spring on the Hillside

2008-04-21T14:58:00.011-04:00

Can this really be our third spring in East Tennessee?
Have we been gone from Texas for 13 years?
I have several dozen unfinished songs in a folder, one of them called "Time Flies"

"When you don’t know what you’re doing
And don’t know what to do
Time flies so much faster than you."

Okay, it's not Lennon/McCartney, but it's true. At any rate, while we have missed Texas, we've enjoyed this local version of life coming back into bloom.

On this hillside, we're surrounded by flowering trees and shrubs (and weeds)...

if we could only get them all blooming at once! The confounded clover is always first, followed by flowering pear, red and white dogwoods, azaleas, columbine (thanks, Susan) and dandelion.

With the arrival of spring, we have started getting our garden in. This year we're going with tomatoes, peppers (jalapenos for salsa; poblanos, green and red bells), cucumbers, okra and squash. Herbs are dill, chives, parsley (what, no sage?), rosemary and thyme. Our blueberry is also in bloom and we're hoping for fruit.

So now begins again the growing and mowing season. No respite until November. This steep grassy slope quickly becomes a love/hate thing, but the flowering and planting is pure joy.

First Post

2008-04-16T10:15:00.005-04:00

What a crazy, fantastic two weeks it has been! When you work for yourselves like we do, and in our "feast or famine" line of business, you have the mixed blessing of sometimes being able to take off for several days. With just a few work projects to occupy our time, we've spent the past couple of weeks since Abbott's arrival living on the road back and forth to Nashville (many thanks to our good client West Chevrolet for the loaner van, which made the family travel with Wannie & Poppa, Jami & Jack more comfortable).

With the thousands (well, nearly) of photos posted on Jami's and Kelly's blogs, we won't try to post too many here, but we do have a few...

Us Too!

2008-03-16T17:42:00.002-04:00

With all the bloggin' going on, we had to get in on the fun, too!