There are a lot of reasons I love where I grew up. While leaving Birmingham was/is a heartache, there are joys I find here that are different. I love our Birmingham “mountains,” and restaurants, and shopping, and friends…But there is something about the atmosphere three hours south that feels like home. I love to see a horse trailer being pulled by a muddy truck, the familiar streets I’ve watched whizz past me as long as I can remember, the people who know more about my past than I do that I bump into in the grocery store. And while the absence of really good restaurants is grievous :), a weekend like the one I just spent makes the loss seem petty:

My baby sister, Kendall, has been dating Watson for seven years
DSC_0295

Watson’s family has a cattle…farm…business…not sure exactly what you call it…and it spreads across a whole lot of acres just south of town.

DSC_0371

As you wind back through the fields of Southern Cattle Company there is a lot of beauty to take in

DSC_0365

DSC_0368

DSC_0369

BUT, in the last pasture there is a hidden treasure. It’s one of the few places I’ve been to that stirs an awe within me that I can only describe as–magical.

DSC_0347

I guess it’s the shock of the unexpected. The cypress trees that you expect to be growing out of murky water, are towering over a pristine blue oasis.

DSC_0288

And if you look closely you can see that there are caves–stretching almost a mile deep in that cold water. It’s eery and beautiful, and when encountered alone, could inspire a man to write poetry he didn’t even know he could write.

DSC_0292

When encountered with family,

DSC_0354

It can inspire a whole lot of fun 🙂

DSC_0297

DSC_0299

DSC_0301

DSC_0304

DSC_0307

DSC_0345

DSC_0314

DSC_0349

DSC_0358

After all that fun, everybody had quite an appetite. So, we moved the party back into the pasture for a picnic and some football.

DSC_0287

DSC_0265

DSC_0269

DSC_0270

DSC_0262

As we drove home I said, “Do you feel like we just experienced the kind of joy God created us for?” Family, food, and glorious creation…
DSC_0397
and rest 🙂

13 Responses to “Back Home Again”

  1. Kellie says:

    oh Abby, what a wonderful time that must have been!!!! I long for a time when I can go back to Dothan and just "wander" around, remembering the times I once had… not that these times are bad, they are wonderful and full of much more joy and suprises that I could ever ask for. But since my parents have moved, I NEVER get back and I'm afraid I will one day forget!!!

  2. Blueprint Bliss says:

    This may be one of my favorite posts. Love what you wrote and the photos that told a story. Oh my gosh- heavenly!

    Makes me excited about us moving back to my hometown after residency!

    And yes, we will mourn the loss of the fabulous restaurants that Bham has to offer! 🙂

  3. The Rigoloso's says:

    beautiful, abby. love the sweet sisters in bed!

  4. Konie says:

    Beautiful Abby!! Hate I missed the beauty, fun, and fellowship 🙂 Thankful you all had the "perfect" weekend together:))

  5. kendall Boggs says:

    What a FABULOUSA blog! Abby, your pictures have just become amazing!!! you are doing a wonderful job darlin! So enjoyed seeing this!
    kendall

  6. Gail says:

    Dear Abby, You sure said it ALL!!!! I feel the same way about Dothan, and leaving her behind. If PIC's could talk…yours would shout the…joy, love, and peace to be found on the farm! I wish you much joy and peace while traveling for the next yr. or so. It's going to be very different, but thrilling, too! Enjoy the ride and embrace home, too! Love, G

  7. Sarah says:

    I have never posted before but came across your blog through a friend of mine and yours, Jenny Sollie. Your posts are always so wonderful to read and this one was even more special. I have never been to Dothan (grew up in SC and live in bham now) but that post makes me want to visit!

    I also wanted to tell you that I believe I saw your sisters and daughters eating at El Cazador awhile back 🙂 I was there with my daughter and husband and you could not mistake those beautiful blond girls of yours….they are even cuter in person!

    Thanks for letting us read!

  8. Darby says:

    Abby, Can I come next time?! 🙂 I won't whoop on you… promise! That water looks divine!

  9. Abby Euten says:

    Great pictures and great post…WOW!! And, that rest is the best kind:)

  10. Anonymous says:

    FYI -Your oriental follower has inappropriate material on their comment/blog. I know you would find it very offensive. I would delete or block them so others do not discover what I did.

  11. Anonymous says:

    ABBY, please, delete the oriental commenter! Their comments are not appropriate for a Christian family blog. I believe you would find the website it leads to be very unaccepting. I clicked to see if they had an interesting blog. Disappointed that it opens to a very offensive site!!!

  12. Lindsay Nicholls says:

    I want to be there now! the water looks amazing!

Leave a Comment