Sarah Chases A Goose

The Master Gardeners had a little competition during the month of May. It was through an online scavenger hunt called Goose Chase. They gave you missions to complete and you had to go to different places to check them off. It was fun. And kept me going all around the state! Some of the times we had to take videos, so I don't have those to share. But here are a few of the pictures:

Wildflower: Fleabane

Historic Place: Stones River National Battlefield

State Tree: Tulip Tree

 

 

State Park or Natural Area:  Cedar Glades

Regional Challenge: Cedar Glades (Cedar Trees plus limestone rock)

The trip to Tim's Ford State Park gave me several points.

 A picnic (can you even believe that sky????):

 

 
An Animal: 

 A body of water:

And perhaps the most fun part: KAYAKING!
I will admit that I was hesitant about this one. If it hadn't been for the challenge, I would have talked myself out of it. Even as I was renting the kayaks and the guy was putting them in the water I kept thinking, "Can we do this?" None of our kids have ever been a boat that needed paddling before! I had no idea how they would do. I put Amy and Tyler in one and me and Will in the other. But they did GREAT! Like amazing! And can you even believe this sky?? Oh my goodness, it was the most gorgeous day. I didn't want to leave.

Tyler couldn't wait to jump in. I finally let the boys go for it. The water was a little chilly, but they didn't care.

I can't remember what the challenge was for this one. But this was at Barfield Park.

The state flower: Iris

Regional Challenge: A visit to Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Apparently the only picture I took was of wisteria.

Regional Challenge: Me and these 3 other ladies took a 4 hour (one way) trip to west Tennessee to a park names Meeman-Shelby. It was pretty, but it was a long way away!

While in town, we stopped by the Univ of Tennessee gardens nearby. They have trial gardens in west, middle and east Tennessee. It was fun to see them. They are beautiful! My favorite was watching the wheat sway.

Our family trip to Montgomery Bell State Park also completed a Regional Challenge. (There were certain parks across the state that you had to visit.)

Picture of a fungus: I thought this one was cool.

The last Regional Challenge was way out in East Tennessee: Will went with me to this one. Seven Islands Birding Park.

The challenge is over and I have tied for 1st place! That was the goal. All the 1st Place people are from my county, so that's fun. I think the prize is bragging rights- so it seems silly to have done all this. But it was a really fun way to explore the state.

May

Sweet Marty. Always ready to cuddle.

Some strawberries were planted in rain gutters and the apples got covered with plastic bags. (Organic pest control)

and the bread dough overflowed.

Teacher Appreciation gifts this year were buckets with basic essentials like flashlights, candles, granola bars, etc. I couldn't think of anything creative so I went practical.

Eating pizza, a churro and soft pretzel all at once.

We started weekly trips to the library.

I took the kids kayaking. Wasn't this the most gorgeous day?!?!

The Young Women went on a hike.

Our neighbors dog. She loves Amy!

Will was a great cookie hander-outer at church on Mothers Day.

A day visit with Kathy Hight (our old neighbor) and her turtle Shorty.

We had an amazing strawberry harvest this year. Three HUGE bowlfuls. And we ate every single one.

We took a quick trip down to Georgia for the weekend. While there, Will was being crazy about food (as usual.) He refused to eat the dinner that was made, but said he would eat green beans. So MeMe bet him $5 to eat the entire can all by himself. He did it!

Amy's unique snacking position.

She also likes to play Guess Who with the dog. She cracks me up.

Will's school project was a presentation on Theodore Roosevelt. He wanted to dressup and did a great job.

Tyler's project was to build a volcano.

I harvested a HUGE head of elephant garlic.

The had an End of Year night for the Archery 8th graders. It's hard to pick out Amy because they are all wearing masks but she's in there. She did well this year and wants to continue in high school.

My young women who are seniors: Marion Johnson. Elise Forrester and Tyela LoRe. Love them!

At Tyela's graduation party, Amy wanted to hold their chickens. Doesn't this look like a girl in love with livestock!?!

I took the kids to the grocery store to figure out what the heck they would eat for the summer.

The weekend of Memorial Day, the boys went to a kickball game (both boys are on a team) and Amy and I helped place flags out at a Memorial place. It was so cold. It was the craziest thing. For us to be cold in May is highly irregular. It was fun though.

Amy with Kirsten Pike and Caitlyn Olsen.

After we joined back up, we took the kids to Montgomery Bell State Park. This was a beautiful place! We had such a great time! We will be back! (When it's warmer! Again, it was SO cold!) We rode pedalboats, took a short hike, ate at the restaurant, and just explored.

It's officially summer! Let the adventures begin!