Just Sailin' Along

The places we have visited so far have all been places we had never been, so naturally we wanted to experience all that we could while in port. There are travelers who choose not to leave the ship. Some have been to a particular port many times before, or just don't care about seeing it. Cruise lines even offer 'Cruises to nowhere' for people who just love being on the ship.

We love the days at sea, reading on the deck, enjoying the sun and sea breeze. We watch for flying fish, and we have seen them every time we have cruised. This time, we saw many dolphins riding the waves created by the ship while we were in the Gulf of Mexico. When we get tired of the deck, there are many things to do inside.

This is Aaron, who led progressive trivia every night. It was much harder than Jeopardy, and I did not win the fabulous key chain.

This couple, Arvin and Emily, are singers who entertained us every night except one.

They are not only awesome singers, but awesome people as well. I hope we get to see them again.

Arvin and Emily were finishing their sixth year on the Spirit and left the ship in New Orleans to go home for three months. After their break, they will be on the NCL Jewel from Seattle to Alaska.

We love the towel animals that are waiting for us when we return to our room for bed. This night, it was a tiny mouse made from a wash cloth, peeping out from under the sheets. Cute, cute!

Y'all ready to go to Cozumel?

Comments

Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie. It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house. After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there. I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then. I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important. It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things. We call it Holy Smoke. Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan. It helps to use your hands (o...

Out of the Dirt: Bragg-ing

Like every reader, I have my favorite writers. There have been so many that have stirred my emotions and made me a part of their world, and I'm thankful for that. The one is love the best, the one I cherish , is Rick Bragg. Yesterday, Rick was in our area. We were privileged to see a newly released documentary about his life called Out of the Dirt . Afterwards, he talked to us about family and roots. His first book, All over but the Shoutin' , was recommended to me years ago. Very early in the book, I was thinking, "Who is this? He is writing about me, about my family." I have never actually met anyone in the book, but they are all my neighbors and kinfolks. His other books are just as well-written. In his book, Writing for the Soul , Christian author Jerry Jenkins had this to say about Rick Bragg: I read other writers and strive to be like them. I read others, like Rick Bragg, the Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist, and simply surrender, knowing I will ...

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

Search This Blog