Sedona and Red Rock State Park

If you take Highway 89A South from Flagstaff, Arizona, you will soon find yourself in Oak Creek Canyon, which is part of the Coconino National Forest. It was twisty, curvy road with a series of switchbacks that take you down to the breathtakingly beautiful canyon floor.

The road levels out and continues to Sedona and the Red Rock State Park.

The Red Rock State Park was completed in 1981, after the Arizona governor and others saw the need to preserve the area and make it accessible to everyone.

Our volunteer tour guide led us down to the Oak Creek River, and told us about the flora and fauna that live in the riparian area. No one there is allowed to use the water; because of laws made when there were few inhabitants of Arizona, all the water belongs to Phoenix, over a hundred miles south.

All the water used in this area and Sedona comes from deep wells.

We were there on June 18, and at that time, they had received 1.5 inches of rainfall in 2014. In comparison, the week before we left home in Alabama, we got over 7 inches of rain. The weather channel reported that the area had seen some rainfall this week; up to two inches in some areas. We have had approximately 6-7 inches of rain since Monday. It is a different world.

We so appreciate getting to spend some time here and soaking in all this natural beauty.

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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 (or hand, if you have t

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier in Europe. Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life. Some Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars. My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

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