Stefanie was the perfect beautiful blushing bride - her dress was gorgeous, hair perfect, and the six bridesmaids were attentive and beautifully dressed as well. The ceremony was held in a very quaint circa 1867 chapel that looked like a picture postcard on the side of a hill covered in vibrant autumn foliage.
As the recessional music soared and we all exited the chapel to congratulate the newly weds, the expected cold front arrived. Big time. The sky turned dark as midnight, lightening streaked through the lowering and threatening clouds, thunder roared and the wind picked up. A lot. Like it blew really really hard. All those vibrantly colored leaves were now literally whirling wildly around us as everyone gauged how far away their cars were.
One of my sisters asked us to take her daughter and two grandchildren with us as our car was quite close. She, another sister, and a couple of the chapel ladies had to "pick up" before they could go.
We made a dash to the car, hoping to get to the reception location only a couple miles away before the storm hit - and it was coming fast.
Well, we got to I65 and the rain started. Again, really hard. After a few hundred yards or so of creeping along, with my husband struggling to keep the SUV upright as the winds were super strong and seemingly coming from all directions, we noticed all the brake lights ahead. And the wind picked up yet even more.
At the risk of sounding like a bad novel - the lightening was bright and continuous and the thunder literally rattled the windows.
Because a tornado was crossing I65 not 100 feet in front of us.
That was a conversation stopper.
Once it passed, we did uneventfully proceed to the hotel for the reception, which was held in the ballroom. Very pretty. My husband let us out under the canopy at the front doors, and went off to park the car in the pouring rain. At least it was a little less windy by then.
Why do men not use umbrellas? I had told him of the two umbrellas in a most convenient cubbie at his fingertips, but no. They remained dry and he did not.
Eventually everyone else did arrive, some with tales of escaping the storm as well. Those who sheltered in the chapel remarked at the awful noise of the wind and rain against the little 145 year old wooden structure.
We told them why.
But, all is well that ends well. Everyone got to the reception undamaged, we had the kind of mini family reunion that occurs at occasions such as this, and Stefanie was launched into wedded bliss in a most memorable way.
Sunday morning dawned with partly cloudy skies and much cooler temperatures, so we decided to spend the day being tourists.
After breakfast, read: after Myles recovered from yet another bacon orgy courtesy of Embassy Suites' complimentary breakfast, we decided to visit a few of the plantation and house museums as we both love history and the fabulous architecture of the period. First on the list was Carnton Plantation as it was so near.
For those not familiar with Civil War history, the Battle of Franklin was fought around the Carnton plantation home on November 30, 1864. Carnton became a field hospital, sheltering hundreds of wounded and dying soldiers in and around the house. In 1866, the family donated two acres of land for a cemetery and oversaw the reburial of nearly 1,500 soldiers from their hasty battlefield graves. Robert Hicks immortalized Carrie McGavock, mistress of Carnton, in the bestseller The Widow of the South.
Carnton Plantation
The house is set in a stunning location and is beautiful, though not as large as expected. However, the knowledge of what happened there truly weighed on the atmosphere - the tragedy could literally still be felt all these decades later.
We decided one plantation house was enough.
Needing a more upbeat experience, we decided to explore historic downtown Franklin. So many shops, boutiques and little restaurants, all in exquisitely restored buildings, beckoned us in from the cold November air. Such fun we had exploring and admiring the hand made crafts and art, antiques and a couple of really cute herb shops, not to mention the late 1800's architecture, all surrounding the old town square.
And then...
We came upon a single, empty storefront.
I think I really did hear my husband, Myles, groan as I rushed up to the dusty entrance and peered inside.
OH MY GOSH!!!! This is what I saw:
An 1890's building just waiting for me! The floors appear to be original and are GORGEOUS. Plenty of space for a gift shop featuring, of course, my aprons, handbags, and more, all cleverly and artfully arranged. Lots of room for racks and shelves for the many other gift items. Maybe I could even have a cooperative and bring in other crafters and artists. And look at those retro lights!
Bright, airy displays begged to be created in the twin windows flanking the entrance:
Probably would have to start with Valentine's Day - couldn't accomplish the renovation in time for Christmas, but that's ok - that's why there are so many holidays. Plans flashed and swirled in my mind like the twinkling lights I would use ... oh the possibilities!
I wondered aloud if we could raise the dropped ceiling and expose the heating ducts like so many of the other shops we visited had done - that alone added such volume to the space and really enhanced the 1890's look.
Best of all - look at the back of the store - stairs leading up to a spacious mezzanine where my so organized sewing space complete with a large cutting table, sewing table, shelves for fabric, and where, of course, my mannequin, Betsy Madelyn, would be prominently displayed wearing one of my latest creations! So perfect!
Excitedly I explained all that to Myles and how he didn't have to build a long sales counter as there was a beautiful one already in place at the back of the store. All I needed was a display for gift bags, plus shelving, racks....
I did note at that moment a certain lock of response from my beloved. When I turned back to find out why, he had actually retreated to the curb and was shaking his head.
What?!? This is Franklin, TN - not Panama City like the last time!!! What could the issue be??? There isn't anything like this in Marietta!!!
In his most pragmatic voice, he replied - that's exactly right. This is not Marietta. But - there are living quarters above ...that's about all we'd be able to have after all you're talking about.
Upstairs living?
Oh.
Myles may have won this little skirmish, but the war isn't over yet.
Wish me luck!
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