There Goes Connie

Biblical History Center in LaGrange GA: A Glimpse of Life in Bible Times

01/19/2018 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Who would guess that The Louvre in Paris, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and a 3-acre archaeological museum in the small city of LaGrange GA would have something truly significant in common? The Israel Antiquities Authority has entrusted only seven museums in the world to house some of its ancient artifacts, and the three mentioned above are among those seven.

Dr. Jim Fleming is the CEO and Founder of the Biblical History Center. He has lived and worked in Israel since 1973. He has coordinated 12 archeological excursions in Israel, has been a Professor of Geography and Archeology, has taught both Jewish and Arab tour guides about Christianity for the Israeli and Palestinian tourism representatives in Jerusalem, and Dr. Fleming established Biblical Resources specifically for developing teaching materials about the history, geography and archaeology of the Bible. Dr. Fleming KNOWS what he’s talking about, and he’s passionate about making the Bible and its setting come alive to others.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

The stated goal of the Biblical History Center in LaGrange is “to help people understand the Bible and the ancient world in its historical and cultural context. We do this by providing exact replicas of ancient life settings coupled with cutting-edge teaching based on the most up-to-date evidence and information in the fields of archaeology and biblical scholarship.”

The Center is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. but is closed for normal U.S. holidays. There are guided tours of the Archaeological Replica Garden and self-guided tours of 250 rare artifacts in the gallery. Special emphasis tours occur during Easter and Christmas seasons. Reservations can be made to partake in a Biblical meal, a shepherd’s bread making activity, a kid’s archaeological dig or for certain conferences and lectures. Check the website for the event calendar and pricing.

And there is a very nice gift shop with books and many items from countries of the Middle East.

Nativity set in the Gift Shop.

Jewish items in the Gift Shop.

On a recent visit to LaGrange, I was introduced to this wonderful place and enjoyed a tour and a Passover meal. I LOVED it! The tour guide said several times during the presentation, “Doesn’t that just make the Bible passage come to life for you?” He was right. It did. The guides wear biblical costumes and are very well-trained. I cannot recommend this highly enough. It was a complete surprise to me. I had never heard of it, but now I want to go back and take others with me. It reminded me so much of the song, “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked” by Geoffrey O’Hara.

Sharing the Passover Meal.

Passover Meal.

I have never visited the Holy Land. Perhaps someday I will. In the meantime, this is a great alternative.

BIBLICAL HISTORY CENTER “An Archaeological Museum Exploring Daily Life in Ancient Times”

130 Gordon Commercial Drive, LaGrange, GA 30240

706-885-0363

Let’s Eat in LaGrange GA

01/15/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Listen up, folks in Montgomery, Auburn, or Phenix City AL or those near the middle of the state line between Alabama and Georgia — LaGrange has some wonderful restaurants that are worth the drive. I’ve sampled some of them recently and give these three two thumbs WAY up.

A TASTE OF LEMON

204 Morgan Street

This is comfort food of the most delicious kind in an old Methodist church building built in 1892, no less. Owner Betty Daniel and her daughter Donna Close welcome their hungry guests for lunch every day except Sunday from 11:00 – 2:00. No doubt the lines on Sunday would snake all the way around the building, and everyone needs a day of rest at least once a week.

Taste of Lemon, a restaurant in an 1889 Methodist church building.

Diners can actually order a vegetable plate with all 10 of the days’ veggie choices or an entree with 3 veggies, or better yet, an entree, 2 veggies plus their famous pineapple casserole — which was my choice. That pineapple casserole made a mighty tasty dessert, too.

Entree, 2 veggies and pineapple casserole.

Take a minute to check out the art on display around the walls created by Donna’s husband Steve who taught art at LaGrange High School. The floors in the restaurant are original, and many “church touches” are visible throughout. The lemon-colored walls made me smile.

Taste of Lemon with church touches everywhere.

Donna Close, daughter of owner Betty Daniel. Donna is the hostess and makes all the salads.

Art on the walls at Taste of Lemon, much of which is by Steve Close, son-in-law of the owner.

LaGrange locals flock to Taste of Lemon, and I believe you’ll enjoy it thoroughly.

MARE SOL

124 Main Street

First, a little background: I’m sure you’ve heard of Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. Well, those roots go back to LaGrange. Fuller and Ida Cason Callaway lived in LaGrange (see my post about Hills and Dales here) and had two sons, Fuller Jr. and Cason. Fuller Sr. died in 1928 and Ida died in 1936. At that point, it was decided that Fuller Jr. would stay in LaGrange, and Cason moved to some other family property in nearby Blue Springs, GA and later founded Ida Cason Callaway Gardens in 1952. This entire area of Georgia has reaped tremendous benefits from the generosity of the Fuller E. Callaway Foundation.

Meanwhile, back to this post about restaurants — Mare Sol and its sister restaurant C’sons next door are both owned by Charles Hudson Jr. (who is the grandson of Fuller Callaway) and HIS son, Chase. All minds clear?

Mare Sol has an amazing menu. There were items on it that I have rarely seen elsewhere: BBQ Glazed Hog Wing and Lamb Ribs to name a couple. I chose Crispy Georgia Quail with teriyaki glaze, fried wild rice, kale cabbage and mushrooms. It was wonderful!

Tender Georgia Quail

My table of friends and I shared some appetizers before our entrees arrived and several desserts afterwards. The Strawberry Swiss Roll and Strawberry Boston Cream Pie were unique and delicious, but my favorite was the over-the-top, 4-layer German Chocolate Cake. Worth every calorie!

Whole Fried Okra, Fried Green Tomatoes and Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Strawberry Swiss Roll

Strawberry Boston Cream Pie

German Chocolate Cake

VENUCCI

129 Main Street

Venucci is a small Italian eatery that will keep you riveted in place the moment you open the door and take in the tantalizing aroma. What could be better than herbs, spices and fresh bread? Venucci is open for lunch Monday through Friday and for dinner Monday through Saturday. Be aware that the dinner portions are LARGE, certainly shareable. I saw many diners leave with carry-out boxes, getting two meals for the price of one.

Take a look at this crisp, fresh salad and some of the entrees enjoyed by those at my table. All received rave reviews.

These are just a few places I sampled, but I heard of others that will make my list during a future visit. The motto of LaGrange’s Chamber of Commerce is “Be Surprised.” I was, and you will be, too.

A Microphone for Jesus

01/12/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

We all saw it. Well, let me clarify that. “We” all saw it, if you join me in the segment of the population avidly following SEC football in the United States. In this case, I’m referring to the National Championship game that took place in Atlanta on January 8th between the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Those were the two teams who emerged to the top at the end of the 2017 college football season. (And just to be 100% clear and transparent, I am a graduate of Auburn University, and my Auburn Tigers handed BOTH teams their only loss during the regular season. So there). But, I digress.

Georgia handily won the first half. At the beginning of the second half, Alabama starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was replaced by a virtually-unknown freshman from Hawaii named Tua Tagovailoa. With his running and passing accuracy, Alabama battled back to tie the score at 20-20. But, a last-second field goal attempt, to win the game for Alabama, failed, putting the game into overtime. Georgia scored first, so we were at 23-20. On Alabama’s first play on offense in overtime, the quarterback was sacked WAY back from the line of scrimmage. It looked very bad for the Tide. But, on the next play, Tua Tagovailoa threw a perfectly-placed missile to the goal line, and it was caught for the winning score. Alabama instantly became the National Champions 26-23. Pandemonium reigned. Confetti poured from the rafters. Coach Saban, generally restrained after victories, was jubilant. Reporters swarmed the field. That’s when it happened. Since Tagovailoa was the undeniable hero of the game, the microphones were immediately in his face.

Without hesitation, he gave glory to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He thanked God for being with him. He quoted Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And, the black crosses painted on his face were there for millions to see. Soon after, he raced to the stands to hug his parents and family members who had transplanted themselves from Hawaii to Alabama to support him in pursuing his dreams. It was a beautiful, tear-producing sight.

In subsequent interviews back in the press room, he continued to start out his remarks by praising God and referring to Jesus as his Lord and Savior. In one clip, he was asked how he felt about moving from Hawaii to Alabama. “Do you miss Hawaii?” His response (at least the way I remember it) was “The people in Alabama are nice. There’s religion here. And there’s football. What more could you ask?” Ha! What a great kid!

I’ve thought so much about those moments after the game. I don’t know about Jalen Hurts’ spiritual condition, but if he had been the game-winning quarterback, would he have witnessed for Christ? I don’t know about the spiritual condition of the placekicker who missed the kick, but if his kick had gone through the uprights, HE would have been the hero. Would he have spoken out for Jesus? Maybe so. I don’t know. But, I DO know that the young man from Hawaii had a microphone thrust into his face, and he used that pivotal moment to tell thousands that he belonged to Jesus.

Would I have been that vocal?

In that moment of overwhelming excitement and joy, would my FIRST thoughts have been about sharing my faith and letting the whole world know I was a Christian?

Would I have been humble enough to take the focus off of myself and my accomplishments and put them on my Savior?

I don’t expect to ever be on a stage of that magnitude, but I would so like to think I would use the opportunity to speak out for Jesus.

I’m not a Florida fan, but I AM a Tim Tebow fan because of his consistent Christian witness.

I’ll never be an Alabama fan, but I AM a Tua fan, and I hope he continues to have opportunities to speak boldly. I expect he’s going to have a huge impact on his teammates, coaches, fellow students at the university and thousands of grateful fans.

Isaiah 42:12 – “Let them give glory to the LORD And declare His praise in the coastlands.”

Psalm 115:1 – “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.”

Psalm 34:3 – “O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.”

Psalm 86:12 – “I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.”

P.S. A friend just shared with me that on the losing sideline the Georgia quarterback was ALSO praising God. Here’s the clip. No blaming. No excuses. Just “God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.” Wow.

Insights to Share From a Trip That Never Got Off the Ground :(

01/08/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

We got up at 3:30 a.m. in order to arrive at the Huntsville airport by 5:00 a.m. Only a long-awaited holiday trip could entice me to do such a thing with a smile. This was a Bucket List item for me, to which Steve agreed unbegrudgingly. Bless him. We were going to New York City at Christmastime. We had tickets to a Broadway musical, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir was presenting their Christmas Celebration that weekend, holiday markets scattered throughout the city were on our itinerary, along with seeing the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, the store windows on 5th Avenue and the 9-11 Memorial. Favorite New York delicatessens, cafes and diners were mapped out, and I was even hoping to get a glimpse of the World’s Largest Menorah while we were in Brooklyn. I had subway and street maps marked and ready. We had reservations at a hotel in Midtown only a couple of blocks from Times Square. We both packed extra-warm gloves, socks, hoods, comfortable shoes and plenty of layers. We were ready. In earlier years, we explored NYC in late May of 2000 for my 50th birthday, and we stood on the second row among the throngs to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2008, enjoyed Thanksgiving Dinner at Tavern on the Green in Central Park and shopped for the grandchildren at F.A.O. Schwartz. This time our plans were looser. We just wanted to take it all in.

The trip began to run off the rails when our Huntsville flight was canceled. I wasn’t too worried. If the agent could find us two seats, we’d drive to Birmingham or Nashville to catch another one. We got an hour toward Nashville when the 2nd flight was canceled, and we were booked on yet another one that would leave another hour later. About the time we arrived at the Nashville airport, we got a notice that the 3rd flight was delayed by about a half hour. I still wasn’t too worried. Beginning to fret a little, but not too worried. We parked, caught the shuttle from the lot to the terminal and strolled in with our bags. Then came the words, “I’m sorry, but I’ve just been notified that Flight #____ has been canceled.” Now, I was worried.

The agent tried and tried to find another way for us to get to New York City, but we could tell she was very doubtful. Do you remember hearing on the news about American Airlines mistakenly giving too many of their pilots vacation days during the busiest flying period of the year? Well, the “official” reason we received was “mechanical issues,” but I am 99.9% convinced that we were victims of the pilot shortage on that particular day. Really, what are the chances that THREE flights going to the same place would be canceled WITHOUT any kind of weather situation?

Then, you have to factor in the sense we had that God was trying to protect us from something. It just didn’t feel right to keep on and on pushing to make this trip happen when the deck appeared to be stacked against it. We left the airport, went out for a nice consolation lunch at Maggiano’s and drove back home. Steve, although he hated to see me so disappointed, was probably a little bit relieved. He wasn’t looking forward to being cold for 5 days. I, however, was lower than a snake’s belly.

“It was one of those times you feel a sense of loss, even though you didn’t have something in the first place. I guess that’s what disappointment is — a sense of loss for something you never had.” Deb Caletti in The Nature of Jade.

There were a few good things that happened and a couple of suggestions I’d like to share that might help you if a similar scenario happens for a trip you plan in the future.

The AMERICAN AIRLINES representatives were very quick in refunding all of the money on airfare and checked bags. I’m sure Delta, Southwest and Frontier would also have reacted similarly, but, in this case, I will have to give props to American. Let me add that I just needed to be “heard” by someone about my disappointment. I wrote a polite but pointed letter to their Complaint Department and got an equally polite, non-automated, response. It helped to know they were sorry.
The agent for EXPEDIA was a very able advocate on my behalf to get all of the hotel money refunded, as well as the trip insurance money I had paid. I fully expected to have to forfeit the first night’s hotel charge, but Expedia argued on my behalf for a full refund. Whew! 2 thumbs up, Expedia.
I was sure I’d just have to absorb the money I’d spent on two Broadway show tickets, but I didn’t. TICKETMASTER has a link on their website where you can go and list your tickets if you find you are not going to be able to make the performance. You can set your own price for your tickets, not just the amount you paid for them. I learned that often, especially during the holidays, ticket prices will go up as showtimes grow closer. So, some ticketholders have actually gotten MORE for their tickets than they paid for them. In my mind, this was no time to be greedy. I listed ours low enough to simply recoup my money, and a couple of hours before the show, I got a notice saying my tickets had been purchased. Woohoo!!! Thank you, Ticketmaster!

In my letter to American Airlines, I mentioned several items that the trip cancellation had cost me. No, I didn’t expect a refund on any of them, I just needed to type it all out.

PARKING AT AIRPORTS — We first parked in the Huntsville Airport lot. Because a lot of rain was predicted, we opted for a covered space — $10 per day. Then, we parked in the Nashville Airport lot, where we took a shuttle to the check-in counter. That would have been $18 per day. We ended up paying $4 in Huntsville and $12 in Nashville, even though our time in both airports was short. I just mention this to be sure you factor in this expense when you’re figuring your vacation/trip budget.

SUPER-ECONOMY AIRFARES HAVE HIDDEN COSTS. Beware. There is a new category of airfares that SEEM really good until you realize that you can’t carry on more than a normal backpack size without incurring baggage fees. Steve and I like to travel with only carry-ons whenever possible. But, with these fares, we were going to have to check even our carry-ons. Bummer. When you add $50 just by stepping up to the counter, you have to question what seems like a bait-and-switch deal.

PACK SNACKS, both for the airport as well as for the actual flight. First of all, airport food is notoriously expensive. Second of all, even if you get a small cup of Coke and a pack of pretzels on your flight, you are still likely to have to wait more than an hour for it to reach you. You’ll need to buy bottled waters or liquids after you go through security, but for other snacks, just have them in your allowed space to go with you on the plane. As hunger pangs hit, you’ll thank me for this reminder.

You will NOT be reimbursed for the hours you spend researching and planning nor for the books and maps you might buy in the process. I’m a planner. I’m sure that comes as a shock to you. 🙂 Nevertheless, before I go on a trip, I enjoy learning about what I’m going to see and do, how I will reach the attractions, where to eat, how much the costs will be, which shops are going to be the most unique, etc. etc. When a trip is canceled, those hours you spend on such things will NOT be added back to your life. They’re just gone, or in the best case scenario, they are delayed for a future trip.

New York City tickets, books and maps

You are also never going to be reimbursed for clothing you buy specifically for cold temperatures in New York City that are used very little in North Alabama. But, again, if I am able to go next year, I’ll be ready. Right?

Never fear. I am undeterred in my desire to travel and explore the world. We have another flight booked in a few weeks, this time in the opposite direction. I trust that Expedia will come through for me once again, and I plan to take my own advice regarding baggage, parking and snacks. Maybe some of these tips will help in your own planning.

Beginning 2018 with a Clean Heart

01/05/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

In 1995, Steve and I went to Kenya with a small team to do some discipleship and teaching among the Christians there. My assignment was to teach various groups of women several lessons about the biblical doctrine of SIN. While I was preparing for those lessons, I spent a lot of time pondering Psalm 51.

I discovered several words for sin in this passage and dug into the nuances of each one. SIN, TRANSGRESSION, INIQUITY, EVIL. I had been taught throughout my life in Sunday School and church that sin was “anything that separated me from God.” The dictionary describes it as: “breaking a divine law,” “a willful or deliberate violation of a religious or moral principle,” “any reprehensible or regrettable action.” The word “transgression” brings up similar phrases, but “iniquity” gets a little more forceful by using the phrase “gross injustice or wickedness.” And then “evil” is defined as “the force in nature that governs and gives rise to wickedness.”

We all know what these terms mean in our own lives. In our heart of hearts we know exactly which sins are causing our relationship with God to be damaged. We know which ones we need to get rid of, which ones are causing harm to ourselves and to others. That’s the bad news. The good news, however, is the wonderful focus Psalm 51 has on asking for forgiveness and how amazing it feels to experience spiritual cleansing.

V. 1 – Blot out transgressions.

V.2 – Wash me; cleanse me.

V.7 – Purify me; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.

V.10 – Create in me a clean heart; renew a steadfast spirit with me.

V. 12 – Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation.

V. 14 – Deliver me from blood guiltiness.

Isn’t that the way we all want to end 2017 and begin 2018? Forgiven, cleansed, purified, delivered, restored.

Verses 16-17 remind us that God doesn’t want burnt offerings from us. He wants to see a “broken and contrite heart.” In other words, He’s looking to see if we are genuinely sorry for our sins.

I believe that will ultimately be a far superior way to begin a new year, better than resolutions. Don’t you think? Something to ponder in the next few days.

Here is Psalm 51 in the Living Bible paraphrase. Take time to study it in your own Bible.

51 Written after Nathan the prophet had come to inform David of God’s judgment against him because of his adultery with Bathsheba, and his murder of Uriah, her husband.

O loving and kind God, have mercy. Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions. ²Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. ³For I admit my shameful deed—it haunts me day and night. ⁴It is against you and you alone I sinned and did this terrible thing. You saw it all, and your sentence against me is just. ⁵But I was born a sinner, yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. ⁶You deserve honesty from the heart; yes, utter sincerity and truthfulness. Oh, give me this wisdom.

⁷Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood and I shall be clean again. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. ⁸And after you have punished me, give me back my joy again. ⁹Don’t keep looking at my sins—erase them from your sight. ¹⁰Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. ¹¹Don’t toss me aside, banished forever from your presence. Don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. ¹²Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. ¹³Then I will teach your ways to other sinners, and they—guilty like me—will repent and return to you. ^14-15Don’t sentence me to death. O my God, you alone can rescue me. Then I will sing of your forgiveness, for my lips will be unsealed—oh, how I will praise you.

¹⁶You don’t want penance; if you did, how gladly I would do it! You aren’t interested in offerings burned before you on the altar. ¹⁷It is a broken spirit you want—remorse and penitence. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not ignore.

¹⁸And Lord, don’t punish Israel for my sins—help your people and protect Jerusalem.

¹⁹And when my heart is right, then you will rejoice in the good that I do and in the bullocks I bring to sacrifice upon your altar.

Most Popular Posts and Favorite Articles from 2017

01/01/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Happy New Year, Everyone!

I’ve been looking back over my 104 blog posts from 2017 and thought you might enjoy revisiting some of the most popular ones. Here are the six that received more than 1000 viewers. The first one on this list was seen by 3470 people — a record for me, but not surprising considering the subject. Click on each line to read the post.

Also, in 2017, I had 54 articles published outside my blog about destinations we visited and enjoyed. I’m pretty proud of that fact, considering that it occurred WHILE life was happening at a fast and furious pace — major surgery, selling our home/packing/moving/starting construction on a new house, welcoming a new grandchild, etc.

Places we saw this year were primarily in the Southeast with the notable exceptions of Alaska and Port Townsend, Washington. Here are 10 main places we visited during the year and at least one article about each one. Just click on the links to read them.

Auburn, AL, “Loveliest Village on the Plains.” We were there for Steve’s 45th veterinary school reunion and for a football game showcasing our beloved Auburn Tigers. Here is an article about the Hotel at Auburn University published in Trip101.com.
Cincinnati, Ohio. “Four Ingredients for a Memorial Weekend in Cincinnati” in ShortWeeks-LongWeekends.com.
Shaker Village near Harrodsburg, KY. “Abundant History in the Heart of Kentucky – Harrodsburg/Mercer County” in ShortWeeks-LongWeekends.com.
Lexington, KY. “Lexington KY: Horses, History and Hot Browns” in MilesGeek.com.
Charleston, SC. “Slightly North of Broad – S.N.O.B. – Excellent Charleston Restaurant Without a Hint of Arrogance” in MilesGeek.com.
Alaska – Anchorage, Denali National Park and a cruise from Whittier to Vancouver. “Hotel Captain Cook in the Heart of Anchorage, Alaska” in Trip101.com.
Port Townsend, WA (a couple of hours and a ferry ride from Seattle). “Old Consulate Inn and Port Townsend WA: A Perfect Match” in MilesGeek.com.
Maggie Valley and Waynesville, N.C. “Frogs Leap Public House: Upscale Farm to Fork in North Carolina” in TheYums.com.
Orange Beach, AL for the 2017 World Food Championships. “World Food Championships Bring Food Fight to Orange Beach” in EdibleLowerAlabama.com.
LaGrange, GA. I just returned in mid-December, so I haven’t had my articles published yet, but here’s the blog post that appeared on Christmas Day. “Hills and Dales Estate in LaGrange GA: All Dressed Up for Christmas“

Now 2018 is here, and my travel schedule is quickly filling up. I can’t wait to share many more destinations with you in the coming months.

When You Suddenly Find That You Are THAT Generation

12/29/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

“Generations pass like leaves fall from our family tree. Each season new life blossoms and grows benefiting from the strength and experience of those who went before.” Heidi Swapp.

You know the generation I’m talking about. The one you find yourself in when your parents are gone. When you are now the matriarch or patriarch of the family. If the natural order of life works out, you’ll be the next ones to go to heaven. It seems to have happened so quickly to Steve and me, and it’s been especially telling as this holiday season rolled around.

I can remember when my brother, sister and I were the ones waking up before daylight on Christmas morning, clamoring to see what Santa brought. One that stands out in my mind is the time when Santa left me a small record player and included only ONE record. I wonder just how many times the group heard “Johnny Had an Apple on a Stick” that morning. 🙂 And it seemed we always had sacks full of tangerines, nuts and orange slice candies – a tradition my mother (a.k.a. Santa) perpetuated. Then, there was the year I got my bicycle. Unforgettable times, full of wonder and presents galore. From my earliest memories, Christmas night was spent gathered with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents — what we referred to as Rose Christmas because my mother’s maiden name was Rose. My Grandmother Rose’s dressing and her coconut cakes were eagerly anticipated, and I loved getting a bright shiny silver dollar from my Granddaddy Rose. It was a musical bunch of people, and once I became proficient enough at the piano, I was the one who played the carols while everyone sang.

“In every conceivable manner, family is the link to our past, bridge to our future.” Alex Haley

Then in the blink of an eye Steve and I were the parents making Christmas magic for our own three children. He often hid their presents at his veterinary clinic and made the trip to retrieve them after they went to bed on Christmas Eve night. We’d get busy assembling, wrapping, arranging under the tree and barely be able to grab a few hours of sleep before we heard the “pitter-patter of little feet” whispering excitedly and making enough noise to arouse anyone who was still napping. We had our own family rituals: we all went into the den to see the Christmas tree together and opened the presents in an order — some years youngest to oldest, other years oldest to youngest. And, since we wanted to include the grandparents in the merriment, we started the habit of Christmas morning brunch, complete with recipes we came to enjoy and expect. Still, we gathered for Rose Christmas on Christmas night as the group grew larger and larger, and our kids had a passel of their own cousins with whom to play and exchange gifts.

The Original Pearson 5

Now, with the passage of time that still leaves me mystified and almost unbelieving, our CHILDREN are the ones creating the Christmas atmosphere for their own children, and we are the ones invited in for a peek at presents and a chance to share a meal with the giddy grands. At this stage of our lives, we generally have a relaxed, restful Christmas Eve getting plenty of sleep — something that makes me happy and sad simultaneously. The Roses continue to gather on Christmas Night where I have uncles still living who are 85 and 82, and I retain my status as oldest grandchild, although I am also a grandmother to 13 little people. Ebb and flow. The Cycle of Life. Generation to Generation.

All but one of us gathered for Steve’s 70th birthday.

Do I wish I could go back to my childhood? No. Do I wish my three children were still living at home under my roof? No. But, do I wish I had relished each stage more completely? Absolutely yes. As I find myself in the matriarch position of the Steve Pearson Family, I believe my job is to pass on the important lessons of my life to this present generation. And, just maybe, they will take the best of those lessons to pass on down the line. I hope you hear both my sigh, my feeling of responsibility and my sense of gratitude.

Steve and his beloved host of grandchildren.

Deuteronomy 4:9 “Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your children’s children.”

Deuteronomy 32:7 “Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Hills and Dales Estate in LaGrange GA: All Dressed Up for Christmas

12/25/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

Hills and Dales Estate, “A Historic Property of Fuller E. Callaway Foundation,” in LaGrange, GA is an amazing place to visit any time of the year, but at Christmas time, the immaculate house and grounds take on an extra magic. David Brown and his team create all of the arrangements out of live greenery and plants in an effort to showcase the home as it would have looked when Fuller Callaway Jr. and his wife Alice Hand Callaway decorated it.

Hills and Dales encompasses Ferrell Gardens, property originally owned by Sarah Ferrell, and the home designed by Neel Reid and architect Hal Hentz which sits on 35 acres. Sarah Ferrell spent 61 years (1841-1901) ambitiously developing her garden, even incorporating a small garden plot that her own mother had begun in 1832. The Callaway mansion was completed in June of 1916, just in time for the original owners, Fuller and Ida Cason Callaway, to celebrate their 25th anniversary. There are 30 rooms in the 3-story mansion, and the greenhouse and walkways through the gardens are designed to have plants in bloom every month of the year. July through February visitors may tour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. March through June the hours are extended — Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Visitors Center has a beautiful gift shop, and guests can enjoy an introductory video to give an overview and history of the grounds. A tram is available to take you up the hill to the mansion.

Here are some photos made recently of several rooms bedecked for the holidays.

I highly recommend a visit to LaGrange, GA. Stay tuned for more blogs about other attractions plus some great accommodations and restaurants.

Merry Christmas, Neighbors!

12/22/2017 By: CCPearson3 Comments

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”

And Gilbert Chesterton was quoted as saying, “We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next door neighbor.”

As of five months ago, we have new neighbors. Already they are having to endure us and hopefully forgive us as we get a new house built — construction noise, a muddy road from trucks going in and out, traffic slowed down often to allow big trucks to back in and out of the driveway, etc. They have been gracious and friendly. The ones in front of us and beside us have introduced themselves and invited us to church. Great folks. Since we hope to stay in this location for a LONG time to come, we feel it is important to start building good relationships with them and hope they feel the same about us.

Truthfully, Steve and I have learned from our daughters as we’ve watched them be good neighbors. Firstborn Laura and her husband David moved 13 times in the first 15 years of their marriage. They figured out that taking the initiative was the best way to get started. Brownies became their special calling cards. Nothing fancy, even a box mix, but it has served them well. Who’s going to turn down a plate of fresh brownies delivered on their front doorstep by smiling people? And, our younger daughter Julie has hosted open house gatherings and chili suppers for her neighbors and recently went around with her husband Brian and their seven children caroling and delivering loaves of homemade pumpkin bread. They’ve set the bar high.

So here we are at the last weekend of this year’s Christmas season. Steve requested that I make goodies to share with all the neighbors within sight of our front porch. I made four different ones — Chocolate Chip Cloud Cookies, Fruitcake Bar Cookies, Easiest Red Velvet Cookies all found on one of my favorite websites www.SouthernPlate.com hosted by Christy Jordan from Alabama and Holiday Crack Candy found on Pinterest from www.delish.com. Feel free to follow the links and use any of them that sound good to you. We noticed the construction workers on our house taking a lunch break and shared some with them. We’re going around later to deliver tins to our neighbors, and Steve’ll take a big plate for the employees where he works tomorrow. Hopefully, these sweets will brighten days and deepen relationships.

Christmas goodies for neighbors.

You are likely WAY ahead of me on your holiday baking and sharing. Bravo!! If not, there’s still time. Go be a good neighbor. I believe it’s a very biblical endeavor.

Galatians 5:14 “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 15:2 “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”

Romans 13:10 “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

2 More Orange Beach Recommendations: Turquoise Place and SALT Restaurant

12/18/2017 By: CCPearson2 Comments

A woman who is building a new house and planning her kitchen probably shouldn’t stay at Turquoise Place in Orange Beach, AL. Not if she even HOPES to stay within the budget her husband and contractor have agreed upon. Gulp! That SubZero refrigerator/freezer always has me salivating, and the rest of the appliances are made by Wolf — top of the line all the way.

Turquoise Place SubZero refrigerator/freezer.

Turquoise Place upscale kitchen.

The condos at Turquoise Place are stunning. 2400 square feet of opulence. The rooms are large and spacious. The ceilings are high. The balconies overlooking the Gulf are wide and inviting. The beds are made with plush, comfortable sheets, pillows and blankets. The master bathroom is large enough to be a skating rink! The shower is set up to suit anyone’s preferences. The whirlpool tub inside and the hot tub outside beg to be enjoyed.

Turquoise Place living room.

Turquoise Place master bedroom.

Turquoise Place master bathroom shower and whirlpool tub.

Sunrise on the balcony at Turquoise Place overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

The location is great — only a couple of minutes from San Roc Cay for shopping and dining, and about a 10-minute drive to The Wharf for movies, shopping, recreation, and eating.

The rates are much more affordable in the winter when the crowds are back home shivering. So, maybe you can plan a luxurious getaway before the Spring Breakers head south.

Chef Chris Sherrill was at the helm of the Flora-Bama Yacht Club until just a few months ago. Now he’s the owner and Executive Chef of SALT at San Roc Cay, just a stone’s throw from Turquoise Place. SALT is a place where you can get truly fresh seafood prepared in creative and delicious ways. The building was formerly an Italian eatery, so you will notice some Italian pasta terms on the upholstery while Chef Sherrill transitions the decor to a more nautical theme.

SALT at San Roc Cay front exterior.

When Steve and I ate there recently, it had only been SALT for 8 or 9 weeks. We especially enjoyed the fact that you can pretty much create your own entree plate from an interesting selection of fish and meat choices alongside some upscale side dishes. Steve decided to be adventurous and ordered seared lion fish with tomato salsa and wild mushroom risotto. I chose sesame crusted scamp grouper with a citrus Buerre Blanc sauce and smashed sweet potatoes. This is a great dining option for those who want something out of the ordinary. The menu will change often to reflect seasonal produce brought in from nearby farms to the restaurant. It should also be noted that fish served at SALT has been caught within 100 miles of the Alabama coast. Fresh, fresh, fresh. Give it a try. I’ll definitely be going back.

Sesame crusted grouped with mashed sweet potatoes.

Lion fish with wild mushroom risotto.

Chef Sherrill is a genuinely nice guy, and I know he’ll do well. As a side note — I watched him clean and filet a large red grouper in less than 5 minutes when he and two other chefs held a demonstration for the media team. It’s fascinating to watch someone who knows exactly what to do.

Chef Chris Sherrill prepares a large red grouper.

Red grouper filets and other ingredients for the demonstration.

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