NANA NOTES

2012 "Furniture Styles" Flower Show

Pine Burr Garden Club had its annual flower show yesterday at the historic building that housed the Franklin Furniture Store for as long as I've lived here.  The girls did an amazing job on getting the building ready.  Since I haven't been able to attend any of the meetings this year I felt a little bit like a fish out of water for a little bit. After a while at the desk, it all came back!!  Wilma Holland wrote the schedule and was chairman of the show. She did an wonderful job!!  She gave us a challenging show to do and as usual the girls rose to the occasion!!  Class 1: Cottage Style-- The blue ribbon winner which happens to be mine. I really lucked out with this one!!  As you can see I had some serious competition!  The other ladies did a great job!!

Class 2: A Collage featuring Modern Styles

Beverly Gabbert's collage won the blue and Dorothy McGehee Award. 

Class 3: Retro-- A very proud moment for our Chairman and Schedule writer!!  Not her first blue ribbon but her first "big" award.  She won the Designer's Choice Award and the Barbara Herring Design Award.  A very happy lady!!  She did a great job on her very first schedule writing and was highly complimented by the judges.  Congratulations, Wilma.

We had 91 pieces of horticulture.  That was nice since we'd had a big rain a few days before.  Carole May won the very first Grower's Choice Award given by our club with her lovely begonia. Congrats to Carole for that award. 

 

Awards of Merit went to Carole May and me

 

And the winners are!!  Great day for these four ladies and all the rest too!  Congratulations to all on the beautiful flower show.

MISSED A WHOLE MONTH OF BLOGGING!!

I can't believe that it's been a month since I blogged. So much has happened yet nothing has been accomplished really.  The end of trapping season for Ed meant the start of him doing training rides for a 500 mile "Ride the Rockies" in June.  He and Josh will be doing this together along with 1998 other people!!  I'll post pictures this summer.

As for me, I finished up with my chemo and was planning on some rest until I started my "maintenance" treatment.  I got to attend a couple of Scrapbook events.  This one in Mandeville started out on a fun note!!  The event hostesses were wearing pink wigs and I fell right into that!!  Ed said, "get it"!

Spring brings the arrival of new babies on the farm.  Here are the four that have been born so far.

Last week one day I was coming home from town and saw something at the Elementary School.  Being the "interested" person I am, I stopped to check it out.  This is what I found.  Jennifer was taking Bunny pictures for the school. She had a dress up bunny and real ones. I was lucky enough to have my picture made with Sam (but I haven't seen it yet!).

A few days after that I spent five days in the hospital with staph infection in my port.  It was removed and now I'm undergoing open wound therapy until it heals.  So far it is doing well but I'm sort of stuck close to home!!

Ryan and Haleigh dropped by and left me a happy.  Cupcakes and cookies~~I love them both.  Here are the cookies. 
So sweet of my grownup grandchildren to do this!!

Update:  Saw the Dr. today; said I was doing well.  See him in two weeks.  Prayers for wound healing are ongoing. I know God hears them.

Happy Easter to everyone!!

SPRING ARRIVING

This time of year is one of my favorite times. The flowers begin to bloom and I get very enthused about gardening.  I usually "overbuy" and have to spend a lot of time planting.  I love container plants but not necessarily the watering process they require. Sunday morning I was ready early for church and I walked around snapping some pictures of the things blooming in our yard. Love the colors!!

 

 

 

 

 

 















 

 















Hope things are this pretty when it's time for the wedding!!

 

 

 

    

 

 

A VERY NICE DAY!!

Melody invited me to attend a meeting of the Garden Club of Jackson to see Sharon McGukin of Carrollton,GA.  She was doing a design program based on her book Flowers of the Heart (a bride's guide to choosing flowers for her wedding). Since we're having a wedding this summer and I love flower design I was delighted to be invited.  I saw several garden club friends and others that I knew.  We enjoyed a delightful lunch and then went to Fresh Market for a few purchases. Here are some pictures of the program.

 

 Lovely yellow lilies, orange roses and pussy willow in a silver container.

 

 

 

  

Roses and orchids with fern.

 

 This arrangement was done on the OUTSIDE of the container. Just a few pieces of greenery were inside.  Very interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The yellow roses, purple iris, English dogwood and phlox are in a simple container and were picked from the "yard"--very simple and beautiful. 

This is the finished product with the orange roses and pussy willow. She used bells of Ireland, pink stock and white orchids.  The pussy willow formed a cage of sorts in the middle.

 

 









Limbs with yellow lilies, roses and ealyagnus--simple yet pretty.

























White lilies, orange gerbers, flowered branches in the coolest container.  A little "messy" for me but I love the container!

                                                                                                      

This is the finished design using the pussy willow and orange roses. She added yellow lilies and protea. 

The flower show judge came out in me because I thought some of her designs were too large for her containers--but I had to remember that I was there as an observer and it was for entertainment and for home use!!

The program was delightful and I thank Melody for inviting me.  You can never get too much of God's beauty!!

 





 

ANNUAL FRANKLIN COUNTY FAIR (Pine Burr Garden Club Booth)

It seems like we just put the Christmas tree up and here it is fair time again.  After many years of "doing the fair booth" I put out a call to members for help. Evelyn mentioned using our "hypertufa pots" that we made in May at our meeting. A quick project board with scrapbooking supplies, a few "how to" handouts, a call for member's pots and this was the result.  Jennifer called a little while ago to say we got a blue ribbon (and $30.00 in our bank account!).

 

Thanks to everyone who showed up to help and brought their pots.
 

NATCHEZ TRACE DISTRICT MEETING 2010

The spring Natchez Trace District Workshop meeting was held in Brandon on Wednesday of this week.  Carol May and I went together. The Brandon Garden Club did an excellent job of putting on the meeting.  The church was decorated beautifully and everything went smoothly.

These are the beautiful ladies of Brandon Garden Club. Many of them have become friends over the years and I hope they are friends for many years to come.

I loved the center pieces! They were silver paint cans with "bling" and black furry stuff  attached and fresh ferns with daisies in all colors. This was sitting on a square of black and white animal fabric.

When we returned to our tables after the workshops these lovely boxes were sitting at our places.  Lunch!  Cute, huh?

 

There were door prizes for EVERYONE!!  I got a gardening/cookbook. I can't remember what Carol got.  We sat with a friend from Vicksburg and two ladies from Fayette.  The Brandon members were supposed to "fill in" and my friend of over forty years sat with us. Karen retired several years ago and has become an avid garden club member.  She would make an awesome Board member!!

 

Carol and I had a fun day. I especially enjoyed hearing her tell stories of all the places she has lived and things she has done.  We're lucky to have her in the garden club. She is a talented lady.  Thanks, Carol for going with me.
 
 
 

A WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY

I don't ask for "things"-I love a call that's just a call or a hug for no reason. My family really surprised me this Mother's Day. One day recently I told Ed that I wanted my flowers now, not when they go in an urn on my headstone. :) He must have taken that to heart because he sent me the most beautiful red rose arrangement.  He sent lots of flowers when I was going through treatment but these really surprised me!   
Ed called me outside this morning when he went to get the paper. This is what we saw.  Cagney and Josh had painted the driveway with sidewalk chalk and it was beautiful!! I loved it. I wish it would stay forever!

 

 

 

They gave me this beautiful door mat to replace the Christmas one. I guess they thought it had been there long enough and that I needed a new one! :) Isn't this one pretty?    Jennifer had given me some Bulldog flipflops earlier that were an early Mother's Day gift. On Friday she gave me a pink ribbon plant stake for the flower bed.
  


This morning Jody's family minus Bryden and Hayden (who I missed very much!!) were at church and they gave me something I almost bought the other day at the Toad House.  A cool little bench that I put on the side porch that will have a plant shortly!  Now if this wasn't enough--Ed took me fishing this afternoon. It was a beautiful day and I loved it because--- 

It might not be as big as Sam's but it was a good one for me!

Thank you Lord, for my family that loves me. Thank you for letting me be a Mom. Please watch over my family and keep them safe. Amen. 

 

THE FOUNTAIN FROM HEAVEN!!

The fountain from @#$% is now distributed to several parts of the garden being used as "yard art" and the wonderful new fountain is in place and running. The new flower bed is finished with the exception of the breaker for the lights on the fountain.  I absolutely love it. Nothing soothes me like the sound of running water and this is certainly peaceful. It's so much fun to watch the birds dip into the water.  The fountain is now an "integrated" part of the garden instead of a stand alone object. Thanks to Ed for letting me have this done.  The fountain is now surrounded by a rock garden with roses, gardenias, gold mound spirea and day lilies. 

There's a blue stone path way from one sidewalk to the other and I hung baskets with "blue daze". There are hydrangeas under the crape myrtle trees.  I have a little meditation bench that I'm going to put at the center of the walk by the fountain.    I'm excited to watch this project grow. Now to the watering. I'll have to watch the sprinkler system to make sure it's doing its job!! 

 
 

I CAN DO IT TOO!

Of course the Flower Show is over and I just walked outside for the first time today. Guess what I found?!!  I'd been watching these for days hoping they would bloom.  Now three days after the show----

I rooted this rose from Quent and Jean's rose at their home. Never would I have believed that I could do that. It's full of buds and blooms.

Tiffany brought me a clematis bloom from a plant that I'd planted at the old house. Look Tiffany, mine is blooming too!

 

 

 

My "Fourth of July" rose always is a winner; but not this year. There wasn't a bloom in sight on Friday. Tonight it is full of beautiful blooms.

Does this statement fit? That's why they call it fishing, not catching!!

GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY-PINE BURR GARDEN CLUB FLOWER SHOW

The Pine Burr Garden Club members proved they were "grace under fire" on Friday as they exhibited their annual Standard Flower Show. Due to unforseen circumstances we had to dismantle an hour early but the show was beautiful and those that came were truly appreciated.  The hard work and effort that was put in by the members was never more evident.  There were 24 designs and probably due to our unseasonably cold weather "only" 85 pieces of horticulture. The blue ribbon and big award winners are show here minus Melody Maxey. Go to the photo album entitled "Give My Regards to Broadway" to see pictures from the show.  Thanks to all who participated. 

 
Shown left to right are Paulette Jones, Barbara Herring, Wilma Holland, Beverly Gabbert, Evelyn Lee and Becky Nix.

 

THANKSGIVING SURPRISE

Our home was filled with family for Thanksgiving. We had lots of good food and fellowship.  When we were done and the guys were gone hunting, Becky came out with this beautiful plant--that had no blooms.  This is what welcomed me home today.  Isn't it beautiful?!  Thanks Becky and Hillary for the gorgeous Thanksgiving cactus!  I've never seen a yellow one.   

NOVEMBER GARDEN CLUB

I was lucky enough to get invited to Brandon Garden Club's Tablescapes Luncheon this year.  It was so fantastic that I wanted to share it with my club members. My longtime friend Karen is in the club and I asked her if one of their members would do a program for us. Charla, her mother and Karen came down and not only did the program but had lunch with Ed and me and toured the farm.  We had a wonderful day!  [I shared the Tablescapes pictures with you back in February.]   

 

BAZAAR ITEMS BY NANA

It's almost Saturday and the Meadville UMC Bazaar is going to be a good one.  Here are some of my items and I can't wait to see everyone elses.

 Tacky Yard Art Flowers made from cooking utensils!  They are adorable. Limited quantity--early bird gets the worm!!

Monogrammed towels--have lots of these in lots of colors and patterns and initials. They are adorable and wrapped already!!

Peppermint Mocha Hot Chocolate Mix--so good on a cold night. Makes a perfect Teacher Gift!!

Very limited number of pendant necklaces--another good Teacher Gift.

The Bazaar will also have baked goods (homemade bread, cakes, pies, candy, casseroles)

Breakfast--sausage and biscuits

Lunch-Mr. Mark's hamburgers

Woodworking, Candles, Pot scrubbers, Grandma's Attic and much more.

Saturday, November 7 from 8 until 2 in the Meadville UMC Fellowship Hall.
 

 

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT!

When we got home on Sunday night these were sitting on the cabinet. Didn't even remember it was Grandparent's Day  [since not much fuss is made over it on TV] and they were such a lovely surprise.  Mums always bring the message that Fall is right around the corner and we have much to look forward to with the seasons changing.  Thanks to Ryan, Graham, Ben and Sam [with a little help from their Mom I'm sure] for the beautiful lavender mums!!  My favorite!

EVERYBODY SAW IT BEFORE ME!

People kept asking me if I'd gotten my birthday present from the Cowart Gang last week.  Every where I went--they would ask me!  I sort of left for the beach in a hurry and Jennifer didn't know it.  On Sunday night she, Shelly and the boys came over and gave me a great gift. 

 

This is the back cover of a book of my photographs that I've taken over the last few years.  The book is 12 x 12 and it's like a Little Golden Book.  I can't describe it in a way that you can appreciate it but take my word for it--it's beautiful [not just because I took the pictures]!  The other pictures she took are of me looking at the book and it shows "tmi" of me in the swimsuit! :)  You'll just have to wait to see the book in person.  I love it and I love the Cowart Gang!

I had a great birthday. I had lots of FB messages and calls and cards. All the kids called me and I talked to Ed first thing that morning.  He woke me up and sang to me.  What a wake up!!  Thanks to everyone!

FEAST OR FAMINE--with blog topics (and everything else!!)

There are lots of things going on here--it all comes at one time.  I want to blog it all but time prohibits and the subject matter gets old.  Sunday was a special day at our church and for lots of families in our community (ours included).  We had THREE christenings at our Sunday morning service--they were all cousins less than a year old and it was the sweetest thing ever.  Brother David said he didn't remember ever having that happen since he's been in the ministry.  It hasn't happened at our church.  We had two one time and I think it was Graham and Sally Katherine (cousins again-even if distant!)  Anyway---here are some pictures of the sweet babies and their parents. 

I had to use this picture because little Ms Callie Rivers Sullivan was waving to her public.  She is a doll!  She is the daughter of Stephanie and Chris Sullivan.   

Charles Vern Sullivan or as Jennifer lovingly calls him "Charlie Bug" is the beautiful son of Vista (Sullivan) and Bret Herring.  He was the calmest of the three--laid back like all the Herring's!  :) 

 

This handsome guy--Kale Sullivan Thomas-- is the son of Scott and Summer Thomas. Summer's mom was a Sullivan. This little guy was a chunk!  He enjoyed every minute and tried to help Brother David with the water.  Chris, Vista and Summer are all cousins.

 This was the fun part--trying to get a picture with everyone "acting right".  I can't wait to see Stephenie's pics.  I'm sure she got some good ones. 

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord.  For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord."                             I Samuel 27-28

 

PLANTED IN FRONT OF TYSON'S!

Early in the spring I stopped by Tyson's Hardware to check out their first load of plants.  There was this funny looking plant sprouting out of their flower bed between the sidewalk and the street.  I asked someone what it was and they said it was something that didn't sell last year and they had stuck it in the bed.  I mentioned that it looked like a thistle and he gave me some long botanical name.  I just said "hmmm" and smiled. The leaves were pretty and I made note to watch it as it grew.  Today I rode by there and noticed it was blooming.  Of course I didn't have my camera with me but I had my phone.

Here it is.  The common name is Milk Thistle. Ed said we had them everywhere on the farm and you see them everywhere on the highway. I have to admit--it does look pretty growing in front of Tyson's Hardware.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, ED!

These beautiful flowers were sitting on the cabinet Friday afternoon.  They are "Happy Anniversary" flowers.  Forty one years ago Ed and I got married. 

We've learned a lot. Most couples do.  I gave him two plum trees and two kumquat trees for the orchard. He's really gotten into the garden lately.  Oh, and he got a huge bag of gorilla soil!! [I got dirt one year for my birthday.] We give useful gifts! :)

Here's to 41 more years.  I love you!

GCM Design and Awards Luncheon

As State Flower Show Awards Chairman I get to see some wonderful designers do their work and have a good time at the same time.  Yesterday was one of those times.  After my awards presentation at State Convention Mr. Tony Todesco from Massachusettes designed and bantered with the audience for an hour and a half.  I had a wonderful time.  Here are some of his designs.  I loved this design with white calla lilies, varigated aspidistra and curly willow.  It blended well with the green container.

 

This container is made of a plastic cylinder and pieces of river birch and corrugated plastic. Worth the price I paid for it--only to me--but I loved it!  Before he added the fern to it the design was a mono-botanic design. [Sorry about the speaker but they didn't have backgrounds.]

I really liked this container too but it was a plastic cylinder with a plastic grid wired to it.  I figured I could make that.  The plant material was bear grass, liatris and lavender carnations massed together. It also had fatsia leaves and something else that escapes me right now.

Loved this one. Mr. Tony had wired the palm leaves and trimmed them. He had woven tiny bamboo together to make panels and they were a reddish color. The containers were black and there were two of them.  He used pink protea and red leaves that I can't remember the name of. This was gorgeous!!

This arrangement was prettier than it photographed.  It was lite from the back and you could see the orangey red leaves that were glued to the white corrugated board. The rolled bird of paradise [I think] leaves were very interesting.  I am thinking this is a tapestry design.

The sunflower and placemat design is one of my favorites. And we really got into a discussion over this one.  Mr. Tony asked if you used this in TriColor and the judges mentioned that the placemats were treated material what would you call them. The answer:  placemats.  If it's made into something other than what it is, it's ok. [My understanding.]  He also stapled the varigated leaves into the shape he wanted.  I said, "you didn't just staple that?" He said, "yes, I did."  My reply was, "won't the judges be able to see it?" He told me to look around the room and pulled out his glasses.  The room cracked up with laughter.  Sad but true, our judges are getting older.

Mr. Tony is the creator of the "Tapestry" design so he did several. This one is very pretty and makes me want to try it.  He wove horses' tail to make the green panel and mentioned something about the brown thing being a flower bed border material.  It looked like wicker or rattan. The varigated material was beautiful and the green flowers were hydrangeas and green carnations.

This was his last one--something most anyone could do. Apples, red square containers, roses, copper tubing and budding branches.  It would be beautiful down the center of a dinner table or on a buffet.

 

I thought you might want to know what Mr. Tony looked like. He was a typical Northener with an accent but he did a great job.  If you didn't get a chance to go you missed a treat and if you aren't a flower person, I guess you should have moved on to another blog!

 

EARLY ARRIVALS AND BOARD DINNER AT COTTON BRANCH

For years I've been wondering what my spiritual gift was.  Others have always said it was "hospitality".  I'm beginning to believe it.  Ed and I both are always opening our home to others--we love to share what we have been blessed with.  A year ago I didn't realize that the Pine Burr Garden Club Flower Show and the Garden Clubs of MS State Convention would be the same week and I volunteered to have the Early Arrivals and Board Dinner at our home. We'd done it once before and had a wonderful time. No problem!!  Well---nine years ago I was younger and could maybe move faster! :) AND--stress wasn't in my vocabulary even though I've always overloaded my schedule.  BUT--with the help of Pine Burr members and Linda and Janice and don't forget Ed!!--we pulled it off!  The dinner was beautiful, delicious and wonderful in every way.  Eighty seven people were absolutely delighted with our "Dinner at Cotton Branch Plantation".  Here are a few pics to show you.

These ladies were from New Albany. Doesn't the table look pretty? 

This group is from Brandon and my friend Karen is peeking out from the back right. 

Ed loved this group of ladies-three sisters and their Mom.  They are all sweet and special ladies.

 

Here she is--our new State President as of tonight--Gay Austin and her husband Will with Ed and me.  A group of us started out years ago going to judges' schools and traveling together.  We've been friends a long time and I wish Gay well.  Ed and I were delighted to have the opening even of Gay's special week at our home.

Tomorrow--the terrific Design Luncheon!!