Author: Spence's Girl

Retired and exploring things that interest me as well as falling in love again with books, extreme gardening, gourmet cooking & dining, travel and photography.

Scenes from Tennessee

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Driving into Cades Cove, what a thrill
Look closely, a momma bear and two cubs
Momma bear and one cub moved along then realize this one is lagging behind
Momma bear calls and he takes off running
Old Mill
Old Mill
Roses
I had to take this photo
Local wine
My nightly routine, wine at sunset from my deck
I love this photo, my view of peaceful Wears Valley with the little white church in the foreground.

Sunrise, Sunset Repeat

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There is something magical about Tennessee that draws me back year after year. With the Great Smoky Mountains as a backdrop and overlooking Wears Valley, the view from my cabin is ever-changing. Rising early to watch the sunrise – this year with a rooster cock-a-doodle-doing in the valley and enjoying a glass of wine while witnessing every sunset is a priority for me. It’s a perfect way to bookend a day in Tennessee and never disappoints.

Tennessee Travels

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Road trip 2021, arrived on Memorial Day hours early for my Wears Valley cabin check-in. Already in nearby Townsend it was time to let my vacation begin, starting with an impromptu wine tasting at Cades Cove Cellars, stocking up on wine…. since I was there anyway. Next on to drive Cades Cove Loop, 11 miles, one lane/one way road. The 11 miles is leisurely and slow-moving easily 2-3 hours which lined up with my check-in and a perfect choice as this place is everything I love about Tennessee. My #1 Tennessee trip goal is to see a black bear every trip – hopefully more than one. Photos never truly capture the majestic mountains, abundant meadows and that sky above… what I’d imagine heaven looks like. 

And on this first vacay day, I had my first bear sighting, check!

First 2021 black bear sighting, grazing (at some distance) you can see his head is up and make out his ears. Every time I see them it’s a thrill.  Every single time. 

 

 

Painting on a gloomy Sunday

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Today has been a mix of light rain, cloudy with infrequent bursts of sunshine and hovering in the 60’s.  Add to that a grueling day of yard work yesterday and I decided to give my back and shoulders a much needed break…. and paint.

While I completed my first wine bottle tree in recent weeks, I’ve purchased another and have been drinking wines in clear bottles so I could complete and display it in Summer 2021. I admit to making sacrifices for my artistic endeavors.

That said, I also had several garden items that desperately needed a facelift as well as a set of canisters that I’ve been dying to paint.  Here are the results of a fun, albeit messy day of painting.

 

In the garden on the last day of April

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A walkabout in my garden on the last day of April, finds signs of life everywhere, from bulbs to perennials to sprouting cilantro from last years wind-blown seeds. 

 

In the garden

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Today was sunny, a perfect day to spend outdoors working in the yard. I noticed these blooms and grabbed my phone to capture these beautiful images. Then I picked a bouquet….

  • Bluebells over oregano
  • Hyacinths
  • Tulips
  • Daffodils
  • Ruffled Daffodil
  • Grape Hyacinth
  • Tulip
  • Daffodils
  • Ruffled Daffodil
  • From my garden oasis

 

Reo, life as the little sister in my own words

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I got adopted and met my brother Biscotti.
Biscotti shows me how to play with the Cat’s Meow and shares his toys. I love to play with his tail and our boxing matches are fun.
I love to snuggle with my brother after I’ve chased him around….and around the house.
Biscotti doesn’t have to stand on his tiptoes
to see outside because he’s so tall.
We’re a couple of cool cats
Proof that even though my crazy kitten energy gets on his nerves, Biscotti does love me.

My name is Reo and my mom helped me with this blog post, she’s best kitten mom ever.