All of my great-grandmother's (mema's mom) family is from Franklin. Some of the family, the Fouts, still own Grandpa Roland Rickman's (my granny's dad) old farm and homestead. For many, many years (maybe generations?), they have grown sugar cane on the land. In the fall, it is harvested and made into cane syrup.
The event takes place over two weekends and has evolved into a bit of a minor family reunion. People come, bring a dish, and hang out by the creek. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the pledge to the Fouts Family flag is recited - with hand on belly, and eating commences.
Even thought we don't get any of the syrup (it's all distributed to the many more direct Fouts decedents), it's a really fun time. As the girls get older, it will be fun for them to play in the creek and chase the other kids. This year, though, they busied themselves by trying to eat leaves and laughing at the little dog.
Abby - the leaf collector
Natalie and Mema
the girls and Grammy by the big vat of syrup
on the bridge over Grandpa's creek (see the little waterfall)
Other than our big afternoon at Syrup Making, we also had the opportunity to have lunch with Grammy and some of her co-workers. We also visited with cousins Zena Pearl and Ed and saw Aunt Joyce when she came over to visit. Mostly, though, we just hung out at home and played. Mema even got down with the girls on the floor!
Mema and NatalieOur trip was fun, but Daddy really missed us and was happy to have us back. I'm told I'm not allowed to take them away any more! All the grandparents may beg to differ:-)
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