Visit to Tennessee

We just got back from the pretty state of Tennessee. We got to visit with our son and his family. I brought them their Christmas gifts as they will be bombarded when they come home for Christmas by other family members (particularly Kaylee).

The night before leaving VA, my daughter and I ate dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant. I ate a calzone...it was huge (and very good).

Kaylee got this cute dollhouse as an early Christmas gift from her parents. I would've loved this when I was little. And yes, I even sat down and played with it for a bit.

Here is Kaylee opening up the Minnie Mouse "pillow pet" we bought her. She loves Mickey Mouse and his friends, especially Minnie.

Son is wore out after work. Poor guy.

Here is the ridiculously big hamburger my son got at Shoney's in Nashville. Too much of a good thing?

The nearly always happy Kaylee...She is such a good-tempered child.

We visited the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Here are some of the beautiful stained-glass windows inside.

It almost has a church-like feel inside.

Here we are in front of the Ryman.

On the way home, we stopped by the home of President Andrew Jackson, The Hermitage. I absolutely loved this house. It was so cozy inside.

In stark contrast, here is the tiny slave cabin on the property.

Inside the slave's cabin at The Hermitage. I realize it was another era, and hindsight is 20/20, but I have a hard time wrapping my mind around how highly-intelligent men and women of that time could possibly be able to justify slave ownership.

Gravesite of Andrew Jackson and his family at The Hermitage. He had a most interesting life, including being orphaned by age 14, killing another man in a dual, and himself having a bullet lodged in his chest for more than 30 years. He and his wife, Rachel, had no biological children of their own, but adopted one child and they had many foster children.

Here is a beautiful carriage Jackson purchased. It's amazing how far we've come in such a short time.

In the museum at The Hermitage.

This was behind the house. I assume it was the dinner bell.

Here is my daughter with one of the house guides, dressed in period clothes.

I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to The Hermitage. I only wish it had not been so rainy and overcast while we were there.

Remembering those soldiers who perished and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, 70 years ago today.

In His Love and Always In His Care,

Lorrie