Fall Fun

The weather here in Tennessee has been beautiful the last few days.  Highs in the upper 70's and low 80's yet cool enough in the evenings for a light jacket.   The last couple of weeks have been a little crazy around our house.  We almost lost our baby (ankle biter) Chloe to pancreatitis week before last then last week my brother had to have emergency surgery and then about 1/2 dozen other disasters little things came up. Thankfully Chloe and my brother are both recovering nicely and the other stuff has settled down.  Mini and I took advantage of the weather and the calm and visited an annual fall event in Nashville.   

Yesterday we attended the Music and Molasses Festival at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville.  If you are from this area or will be visiting the museum at Ellington is always a fun place to visit.  We got acquainted with Ellington Ag Center several years back when my father became a member of the Ag club and then BDJ went on to work there as a gardener all through high school and Mini has worked the festival in years past.

Music and Molasses offers a little something for everyone.  It is billed as a country celebration of the harvest season.  One of the most popular things to do is taking a ride in a mule wagon.  It seemed a little strange this year since my Grandfather usually brings his team and wagon and spends the weekend giving rides.  He is 89 now and this year finally sold his horses and mules and wasn't able to enjoy the festival.  There are many interesting demonstrations like blacksmithing and sheep shearing.

Blacksmith



Sorghum Mill

  There is also a working sorghum mill and molasses made on site.  Lots of great music and dancers including lots of bluegrass and clogging.  For the wee ones the Farmer for a Day gives kids a great opportunity to try their hand at farm activities.   One of my favorites for the kids is the Apple Snap.  Apples are suspended from a tree and using no hands you have to bite into them!  Kind of like bobbing for apples...kinda.

Apple Snap



Booths with a variety of crafts including jewelry, handmade baskets, jams and jellies and much, much more.

Beautiful Pottery

Handmade Baskets

Love the Wagon Basket!

  Then there is the food.  Mini is definitely Wonder Hubby's child because they believe if you attend any event you simply must eat.  After we made the rounds through most of the booths we met up with my father who has chaired the festival for the past couple of years and was working it this year.

Dad

 Mini and I ate while we chatted with Dad.  We decided on a smoked turkey leg.  It was huge and awesome!  Sorry for the lack of photos but it smelled so good we dove into it immediately.  By the time I thought of taking a photo it was already in this state!

What is left of our Turkey Leg!

Post Turkey Leg - We look much happier.

 What a blessing it was to enjoy this day and event with Mini!