My good friend Dolly Hulin invited Les and I to her beautiful home a piece of heaven tucked in-between the mountains in Jackson Creek …last evening.
It was a beautiful perfect Fall evening. The birds were singing” O Fall ” all day! There was a slight pleasant breeze cool but not cold with a hint of what is to come…on a beautiful sunny day! As we turned into the driveway to Dolly’s farm we were greeted by her sweet precious aunt Wanna. She directed us to the barbecue area. I could see Dolly had been busy! Mowing and cleaning out old fence lines…Weed eating and the decorations driving in were perfect! Just enough (and they marked the turns) a lovely touch!
As we drove up the base of an old mountain I could feel the presence of the past…this is how it must have been 100 plus years ago when neighbors visited neighbors and kin were all around! Ole Steep Rock Mountain was already casting a shadow and we came out into the most lovely, level meadow! There were tables and chairs and the Hulin kin were picking a sweet song…we unloaded potato salad (my contribution ) to the meal and we found plenty of good folk to talk with.
What a fine time we had! The soft string music and mountain voices singing in the distance made the perfect backdrop for all kinds of lively conversation ! Not one stranger here!
Dolly was a beautiful hostess and just beamed with happiness! Friends, family and loved ones all round her enjoying each other and her lovely setting. It was the most perfect spot for such an event as this. I was honored to be part of this occasion.
We said grace and then dug into the barbecued chicken that Jamie (Dolly’s brother )had prepared.. and it was some kinda fine eating! Then the side dishes …always my favorite…cabbage casserole, sweet potato casserole, home grown corn (stewed), cornbread the made from scratch kind, pintos, fruit, and Wanna’s famous Coconut Cake! oh and the Pickles! Yes ALL homemade! YUM YUM!
As the shadows got longer and darker we put on sweatshirts and knew that sadly we would have to head home soon…I could almost hear the sound of horses hooves and the soft jingle of the sweet smelling harness, as the wagons creaked that waited to take us home…ah it was but my imagination and yet…I was almost “there”…
We said our good byes to old and new friends and know that we will meet again soon!
Thank you Dolly for the beyond words beautiful perfect country barbecue! What a fine hostess you are…and a beautiful farm you have with that lovely meadow and view…Thank you for sharing!
