The weather has turned cool here at last. The trees are finally wearing their Autumn shades of gold, crimson, deep ruby and russet orange. It is time to drag out the sweaters and place a warmer blanket on the bed. My favorite time of year, Autumn makes me happy. It brings back memories of harvest festivals of years gone by…apple picking…apple dumplings…homemade apple pies.
My daughter purchased two bushels of apples, and tomorrow I will help her turn those apples into delicious apple butter! Years ago, when we lived in Indiana, my sisters and my niece Sharon came for a visit. We traveled to Nashville, Brown County, Indiana. It’s a wonderful little town with quaint shops, resident artists and wonderful food. There, at the Nashville House Dining Room in the historic Brown County Inn, I had some of the best oven baked apple butter I have ever tasted. I came home and tried to duplicate it and actually came close. Now, years later, they actually share the recipe here!
Tonight, I will go with my daughter and her family to “The Great Pumpkin Party” at church…just as we did last year. The large church is equipped all over (indoors) with all sorts of fun events for children – including different “jumping” houses and games. There are also pony rides outside. They love it and it is so much fun!
My thanks to those of you who’ve stuck with me through this “postless” last month. Excuses? I’ve been traveling and spending time with precious grandchildren – both near and far. These days, I am also traveling back in time as I spend hours working, once again, on my family history. Yesterday, I found myself missing Dot, my late oldest sister and the one who dreamed of being able to trace our ancestors as far back as possible. We were actually “stuck” on Mama’s maternal grandmother, Mary Frances Cooper. I wrote for her death certicate. Fifteen years ago – that was how you had to do it. There were a few clues but also the wrong first initial of her father. The information about her was being given over the telephones of yesteryear. Her father’s first name was Vincent. My Dad was listed as the informant and gave the individual asking for the information the letter “V”. Over the phone, “V” can sound like “B” and that’s what they wrote down! In the old days, they used a lot of initials for first names and that can throw a curve.
Yesterday, I finally traced Mary Frances Cooper’s family all the way back to her immigrant ancestor and my 6th great-grandfather, William Cooper, who was born in 1669 in Warwickshire, England! He immigrated to America and arrived in Virginia with his wife Elizabeth Lawrence in 1718! The find was so bittersweet…for I wanted to share it with Dot. I hope she knows. There are more branches of this family tree to complete now.
I’m rather surprised to say that THIS is my one-hundredth post! I’m looking forward to sharing more of my Sweet Journey Home and I thank you for following along with me…
10 Comments
Lillian
We used to live on the Ohio/Indiana border and got to Nashville, Indiana, quite a bit. I have their fried biscuit recipe but did not have the apple butter recipe and thank you for that link. I’ll have to make at least a small batch.
Lillian
Janet
I love this time of year, too! I’m enjoying the cooler weather and being able to break out the sweaters and jackets. Today we traveled to my home town for a funeral (my sister-in-law’s mother), and it actually spit a little snow!
Linda Albea Pludra
What a beautiful blog. I enjoyed reading, looking at the pretty fall pictures and reminiscing about the past. Thanks, this is truly a great time of the year!!!!
Karen
So glad you are back, Dianne! I missed you! Lovely thoughts on fall and family. How exciting to finally find the path to your ancestor’s history! I know your sister would be so happy. Thank you for the recipe link – I love apple butter. Hope you have a lovely weekend! Hugs xoxo Karen
Sunny
Beautiful!!! I know you are loving spending time with family and making so many precious memories!!! I LOVE the blog!!! Happy Hundredth!!! xxx
mimacat
If only autumn in KY could last right through til March!
I think of the hours devoted to family research in the last dozen or so years–and the delight of finding one or two answers along the way. We could wish that legible handwriting had been a necessary qualification for census enumerators and town clerks. Don’t you love how women were so often referred to only as ‘Mrs______”–with husband’s initials?
grace
congrats on 100 posts! this is without a doubt my favorite time of year–it’s not too cold, the colors outside are BEAUTIFUL, and the food and drink options seem particularly fantastic. 🙂
Christine
Hi Dianne,
I am very behind-wards in reading blogs, sorry to be so late in congratulating you on 100 posts! I have enjoyed them so much. I love how Nature gives us this last hoorah of warming colours before she pulls up the covers and turns out the lights for a few months.
Kathleen
How fantastic to trace your ancestors back so far! It must be so rewarding to find your family routes back through so many generations. I too love autumn, I can’t imagine why anybody would not love it.
Bye for now, Kathleen.
tanna
Beautiful leaves!! So glad you’ve been enjoying family time (I know we share our appreciation of those precious times) and have been making success on your genealogy… things have been hectic around here, so I haven’t been around blogging much either. Keep enjoying your precious family… blessings ~ tanna