NANA NOTES

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!!

"LET FREEDOM RING" FLOWER SHOW

Third Friday in April means Pine Burr Garden Club Flower Show! And this year was no different.  The Franklin County Courthouse was the background for our Patriotic show "Let Freedom Ring".  There was the usual mumbling and grumbling before the show but as the day went on things got better. It wouldn't be "the girls" if we didn't gripe about doing it.  The front of the Courthouse was the entry to the show. The special exhibits were placed on each side of the door.  One was on bluebirds and their houses.

Melody's was on Container Gardening and I loved it. She does the best special exhibits. I coveted her blue table.  Her containers were awesome. She has her mother's touch with flowers.  I entered three designs due to the fact that we have only 13 members. [Several of us did three!]

"Freedom of Speech"

This was my only blue winner.  The others didn't fare so well.  But---you can't be a winner all the time.  And---my horticulture kicked butt!!

My green leaf Japanese maple won a blue, Horticulture Excellence and the Arboreal Award. I also won the Sweepstakes Award (most blue ribbons) and the Pauline Herring Award (most blue ribbons in horticulture).

For such a rocky start I'd say I ended up pretty well.

Beverly won the TriColor Award with this beautiful design.  She is a wonderful designer and usually does very creative things. This is no exception.

Lugenia does lovely mass designs. We're going to get her to do a program next year on teaching us how to do them.  This was "Freedom of the Press".

 

 
"Freedom of Religion" by Judy was beautiful. Both Lugenia and I wondered why the purple fabric and flowers photographed blue. This was another blue ribbon winner.

Paulette's arrangement was outstanding. Her flowers were tremendous and she deserved the Designer's Choice and the Barbara Herring Award for design as well as the blue. She was very happy.

Becky's fountain for "Freedom of Justice" was interesting and she was proud of her blue.  Lugenia won the Dorothy McGehee Award for her design in this class.  That Award is for the design that best depicts the theme of the show.

With the help of Becky's husband a beautiful magnolia tree got planted on the courthouse lawn. The tree was donated by Growin' Green Landscape and it was our gift to the courthouse.   Melody and I ended up with the Horticulture Awards. 

I sort of did a "sneaky pete" and entered one of Quent Peterson's roses under "Guest Exhibitor" without his knowing it.  He won a blue ribbon and to top it off he won an Award of Merit.  I phoned them to make sure they were coming to the show. You can see that he was pleased.  That was a feel good moment knowing I had made him happy.  If you get the chance, drive by their home and see his roses.  They're beautiful.  He says he doesn't do a thing to them. 

At the end of the day there were lots of happy winners.  These ladies won blue ribbons for their designs.  Those that didn't get blues were still winners just for showing up and working as hard as they did for making the show a success.  Pine Burr Garden Club is a National Award winning club.  Why don't you join us?  We have fun--but we work at it!!

I'll get an album on the website as soon as I can and you can see all the arrangements.  Just click on "Let Freedom Ring" 2009 Flower Show. It may take me a day or two. Keep checking my blog.

A VERY FUN DAY!

My friend Karen is a member of the Brandon Garden Club. Their major fund raiser is a Tablescapes Luncheon and Fashion Show. I was lucky enough to get a prized seat this year.  She says there is always a waiting list. Now I know why. It was beautiful, delicious and FUN!!  They sold a cookbook with all the wonderful recipes from their Tasting Teas and Luncheons--I will enjoy using that.  They sold raffle tickets for a beautiful table full of china and accessories [that I didn't win!] and had 25 outfits modeled by lovely ladies.    [To see the tables better remember that you can click on the picture to make it bigger.]

 

This table was where I sat with Karen.  It had a beach theme. The chairs had flipflops tied to them and our names were in buckets of sand with shells.

 

 

 

This table was all about aprons. The table cover and chair covers were made to resemble aprons and each place setting had the history of aprons printed out for them.  The pink and white was very femine and old fashioned.

 

This table was set for some of the officers of the GCM.  They were guests of the Brandon GC. One of the founding members of BGC is a past president of GCM.

 

 

 

Crystals, gold and candles made this table very beautiful. I can see this being used for Christmas too.

 

 

 

 

Halloween! This table was really fun. Love the cone hats and moss.

 

Sunflowers and black and white. Beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know the theme of this table. I guess if I had a complaint of the day it would be that there was no "program" with an explanation of the tables.  I'm getting a CD later so maybe I will know more.

 

This table had a Safari theme and my friend Karen worked on it.  I loved the colors and the uniqueness of it.

 

 

 

 

This table seemed to have a Western theme but there was a tricycle in the middle of the table. It was one of my favorites!

 

The pheasant in the center of this table was beautiful. The dried hydrangeas and green napkins with the burgandy china made the table gorgeous.

 

 

 

The Hummingbird Table was one of my favorites.  You can tell by the woman standing by it that it was very tall.  The structure was a flower pot stand with beautiful flowers and hummingbird feeders attached to it. They had glued hummingbirds to the feeders.  Although it was gorgeous, you couldn't see across the table to talk to your tablemate.

 

 

 

I must have really liked this table because I took about three pictures of it.  I call it the Topiary Table. The ribbons from the topiary were attached to the chair.  It was very feminine--a wonderful bridesmaids luncheon table.

 

"Save the Date"--a very chic table with black and silver.

 

 

 

Another example of "wish I had a script"--This table had glass blocks with silver chargers and a lace table cloth. On top of the glass blocks was a Santa.  It had to have something to do with snow and Christmas! :) 

As far as I know this was the only table that used silk flowers--a no, no in garden club flower shows--but this wasn't a flower show. It was done just for the beauty and as a fundraiser. The colors were "delicious"!

 

At first I didn't see the "old timey" bicycle on this table. It was done sort of like a May Pole. The napkins had bicycles stamped on them.

 

This table was done in the "French" style of Provence-fruit, wine, cheese, bread and flowers. LOVE the colors!!

A beautiful table with a cherub and ivy. The china was very delicate.

 

 

Loved the bird feeder table-they even got a cookie bird house as a happy! The chaircovers on each table setting at every table were amazing.

 

One of the most colorful and interesting tables. Getting daffodils to cooperate isn't easy!

 

Oriental red and black with chopsticks. Very simple and it really stands out.

 

Had to be a party theme with the presents. Very elegant looking.

 

 

What can I say, Peacock feathers!!

 

"Shellseekers" was one of my favorites. Under the glass plate there was sand--I wish I had taken close up pictures of all the elements. It was beautiful.        

 

This table was just perfect for a ladies luncheon.  The yellow and white roses and napkins were perfectly matched.

This was the table of china and all the accessories that was put in the raffle--beautiful.  I guess I really didn't need it after all.

 

My place card at our table--wasn't it cute?

 

The table topper was so cute on our table that the girl that sat next to me and I inspected it closely.  We decided that we could definitely make some.

Thanks to my friend Karen for the lovely morning of beautiful flowers and fun. We didn't coordinate our outfits either!! :)

IS IT SPRING YET?

This is the wreath on our door now. It went up right after the Valentine Heart came down. Somehow we feel that we have to be decorated for all seasons.  The Christmas trees are still by each side of the door [red lights off and Easter egg lights on!]. 

I have been bemoaning that I didn't have any blog subject and today we had a new baby born on the farm. I took pictures and while looking through the shots I found several things I could blog.

 Last Friday my friend Sandra Deaton Matthews came and did a program for us at Garden Club.  She has written a book about her bassett hound, Boomer and Friends, Adventure #1.  His real name is Bullit but she didn't think that would sound very good for children.  She illustrated the book herself and published it.  She even had "beanie baby" size bassett hounds made to sell with the books.  She will do programs for schools if you're interested.  She's written two more books and will get them published soon.

 I was walking in the front yard a day or two ago and saw this tiny little daffodil. The flower is smaller than a dime and so beautiful. I took a close up and realized you wouldn't be able to see how tiny it was unless I took a "whole picture". Amazing. 

 

All the blooms together wouldn't make a whole bloom of a regular daffodil.   

 

This is a picture of a creamy white "regular" daffodil. See what I'm talking about?

And if you want to talk "tiny"--there's the Bluette--the small match head size flower that's a beautiful blue color-one of the few blue flowers in God's rainbow.

See how tiny it is? So perfect and so small.  I guess the horse babies will have to wait till another day.  There may be some more winter out there for us but today it was certainly spring on Cotton Branch.  Why don't you get out and enjoy the beautiful world the Lord has created for us!

CHRISTMAS TOUR [better late than never!]

   

Welcome to the front door! I decided to go with traditional red and green this year-my favorite!  The "JOY" mat was in honor of my friend Charlotte.

 

 

   

This cute little snowman greeted you as you came up the walk. Can't leave him out!!

As you turned to the right into the library you saw the portrait of our children over the mantle.  Over the baby grand piano hung this beautiful Christmas tree made from antique costume jewelry by my mother almost 50 years ago. It's displayed on red velvet and something I had always wanted.  I had it framed for her when she moved to Meadville.

  Both dining tables were set alike.  Of course, they didn't stay like this the whole time. :)  The cake dome was something I saw in a magazine. Cute!  Coming into the den you see the "little gold trees" with the stockings.   

Over the mantle in the den hangs the beautiful new portrait of our "grands". We finally got one--everyone has hair because the youngest is five years old. They are all gorgeous.  The mantle is covered in funky Santas and Snowmen with candles and greenery and "Merry Christmas" letters given to me by HGC employees a long time ago. I still love them.

 

"My" tree has always been "my" tree and I say that with a smile! :)  The ornaments have been being collected since Hallmark formed the Ornament Club and I am a charter member.  This year was a first-I let the children decorate the tree.  I usually hang each one and relive the memory of why I bought it as I do.  My enjoyment this year was watching them (and praying that none got broken!).  One day I'm going to stop buying them--I don't have room for a bigger tree and we already put up three!  [two I forgot to take pictures of!!]

 

 

 

 

Next to the mantle in the den is a bookcase where some Santas, my "Moni" angels, the Fontanini manger scene and some village pieces sit.  They stay out all year. I never tire of looking at them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The "Santa Cabinet" is running over!  I started collecting Santas when the children were young.  Some were gifts and one was even especially made just for me [Ed had it done!]. No one will ever love them like I do!

 

And it wouldn't be Christmas without a poinsettia!  There were several around the house to brighten the corners.

The next best thing to Santas is Snowmen and we put them right where they are the center of attention!  Some of them sing and dance.  The grandchildren love them! They especially love the reindeer that plays "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer"! 

The side door looks pretty much like the front door except that it has a lighted grapevine cross on it.  This picture isn't very good but you get the idea.  Out the door, down the driveway to the barn--  

I love driving up at night and seeing the lights on the barn (although this picture is made in the daytime). It reminds me of the manger with all the animals watching over Baby Jesus. 

 

 

  Brother David did a children's sermon one Sunday in Advent and gave out buttons and car stickers that said, "It's OK to say Merry Christmas!"  You know I've never been shy about saying what I believe and I decided we should make a statement.  A couple of friends helped me with this 4' by 8' sign that we lite at night.  Since we live on a major highway I think we got our point across!  I love it!! 

Well, it's finally done--Christmas Home Tour--late but none the less done. Thanks to my two dear, sweet friends who urged me to do it anyway. I hope you enjoy it.  Happy New Year!!

FRIDAY GARDEN CLUB

Third Friday is always Pine Burr Garden Club meeting.  This Friday we had a wonderful design program featuring a friend from Hazlehurst-Joanne Newman.  She brought another friend who will do a program later in the year.  We had a great crowd and a guest or two.  Here are some of her designs.  The refreshments were good too!  :)

   

MY CHARIOT TO THE GARDEN TOUR

My college friend Karen came down on Friday to visit for the day.  Our regular Garden Club meeting was a planned garden tour and luncheon at one of the member's homes.  Karen [being newly retired and a new garden club member] was delighted to be involved in this adventure.  This is how we rode to the meeting. She told me she had a red convertible but this thing was gorgeous!  My hair didn't blow at all!! :)

There were ten of us that attended the meeting. [Karen took the picture-#10] Becky and Jim Nix's garden was beautiful--full of color and and statues.  Beverly and Doc have a "green" garden. Beautiful as well--with lots of "yard art".  Melody's garden is a work in progress she says.  Her plans are big (as is her yard) and her time on the property is limited right now.  I see great things coming.  I particularly loved her new potting bench.

Lunch was delicious--salads and dessert brought by the members.  We enjoyed visiting and ended up our year with a fun time.

Karen and I left there and came back to tour Cotton Branch.  She reads my blog and sees the farm pictures.  She wanted to see it for real.  She got the grand tour and then we came back home and talked for hours.  When she got home she emailed me and said it was like we'd never been apart.  The conversation started right where we left off years ago.  I told her that's what a friend means--time doesn't matter.

A little background-we met in college; we don't remember how or why.  She introduced me to my husband and made sure he was going to be good to me.  I was in her wedding.  We had children at the same time.  She had breast cancer.  I had breast cancer.  Her cancer returned.  My cancer returned.  She is active, active, active and really loves God.  See any resemblances there?  I've known her over forty years.

Click on the picture and see what two friends look like in a hot red convertible!  We had fun!!!  Thanks, Karen for coming and spending the day.  It was great.                                              

PRICELESS. . .

I received flowers twice this week.  The one on the left is from my sweet niece Abbey.  She went to a festival last year with the school and bought something to drink in the blue bottle. She saved it.  When she read about my bottle tree blowing over and breaking all my beautiful colored bottles she sent me this one.  How sweet is that?!  Her mother put some of the jasmine from our old house in it and brought it to me.  Abbey is also the precious granddaughter who stands in the prayer line at her other grandmother's church to pray for me.

The beautiful bouquet on the right is from my dear sweet husband.  He has been surprising me with lovely flowers off and on since I was diagnosed in February.  They all have been beautiful and had special notes attached.

I'm sure Abbey had to pay for the drink in the bottle.  The jasmine was free. The flowers Ed sent cost as well.  But as the commercial says------------------Flowers---$$$         Delivery---$$$$           Love attached---PRICELESS!!!

UPDATE:   Today was my fourth chemo treatment.  I was blessed to have three friends sit with me for four hours while I received four drips.  Afterwards we went out to lunch and went plant shopping.  Talking nonstop and enjoying each others company was the highlight of my day.

GAME PLAN:  Treatment will change after CAT and PET scans in three weeks.  Depending on what the scans say, we will either do weekly chemo or radiation.  This is the result of a new study that has just come out that shows a much higher survival rate (I'm in favor of that!!!).  I will be taking the Faslodex shot monthly for the rest of my life instead of the Femora pill for five years.  (Same study--same result) The shot is a "kick @#$ shot" that hurts for about three days but I can live with that if it means that I will live longer!!  My life is in the hands of two awesome men--God being the first and Dr. Rod being the second.  God loves me and Dr. Rod eats the cakes that I take to his office. [He doesn't eat sweets!] That's gotta tell you something!

FESTIVAL OF MUSIC GARDEN TOUR

My friend Jimmie Lou invited me to go on the garden tour in Natchez.  I had a shot on Friday morning so that worked out just right.  Rain was threatening but we made it to four homes that morning.

   

The second garden was small and loaded with roses. Everything was neat and groomed and beautiful.  Two gardens actually ran together and were pretty much the same.  The fourth was a very small patio garden that had tons of container plantings.  I loved it!!! She used every inch of space plus some.  I guess my love of "yard art" made me love this garden.

Our first garden was a well groomed lawn with pretty plants that had already bloomed out.  What I really loved was the raised bed vegetable garden that Butch Brown had planted.  He had lettuce, tomatoes, english peas, broccoli, greens, squash, peppers--you name it--all kinds of herbs.  It was beautiful.  We teased him about planting it himself but he promised he did. I love to be there for the harvest.

The rains came after we had lunch with Phil at the Eola with his "lunch bunch".  We rode around to look at some homes and tried to see the last garden but couldn't.  It had huge bronze statues--a family of bears, a lion, and many more.  Maybe we can go back sometime.  There was more history there to whet your appetite for adventure.  Until then, I think I'll plant more pots!!

MORE THAN I EXPECTED

I received a call yesterday from my cousin that his father had slipped peacefully away to heaven in his sleep about 6:00 AM.  When I thought about it I realized that I had waked up before daylight and could not go back to sleep.  I got up at 6:30 AM and put on my walking shoes.  I got both dogs and off we went for a walk.  I found myself praying out loud and I had included my three uncles (the one who had died) and my aunt.  It's getting close to our family reunion and I asked God for health enough for them to make it to our home and strength enough for them to enjoy it. They all have had health problems in the last year or so.  Tom and I made plans to come to Tishomingo for the services and we left early this morning.  I realized after an hour or so on the road that I should order some flowers.  My cousin had mentioned a shop in Burnsville and I called it.  I told the girl that I wanted something "wonderful, awesome and very different from the usual funeral stand--something my uncle would like."  Being an ex-flower shop owner and a master flower show judge, I told her that I would be there to see it (that scares them!).  Our trip was long but we enjoyed it.  Sometimes we talked and sometimes we didn't.  When we walked into the funeral home, this is what we saw when looking at the flowers.  I think you'll be as pleased as we all were.  It stood about four feet tall and looked like a tree in a flower garden.  The pot held a bird's nest fern and there was also a bird house with a blue bird perched on it. The flowers were tulips, gerbers, carnations, iris, daisies and roses with grasses and ferns.  It was a knock-out!!  If you ever need flowers close to Burnsville, MS call the Burnsville Florist!!  She can do the job.

Please pray for Hal Jr. and his family. They will miss Uncle Hal.

There were six--now there are two.

BEGINNING TO LOOK NORMAL AGAIN

I woke up early this morning and went out to feed BJ and Dooley.  It was a beautiful morning after a rain yesterday and I thought I would snap a few shots.  Landscapers are still working; painters are still working; termite people show up on Tuesday; pool pipe broke and flooded the pool house so pool people will show up some time this week; and things are beginning to look normal!!

Adding some spring color will definitely help.

THE END IS NEAR (repair people that is!)

Today I ran away. Four of us were supposed to go for a girl's outing but two couldn't go. Libby and I headed for Hattiesburg.  Spent way too much money and had too much fun.  Was so tired when I came home but I walked around the yard and looked at everything that has been done so far. Let me list it for you:    

1. All wood on the house has been replaced with "hardy board".
2. Most of the doors have been replaced.
3. Ed's shower has been torn out (yet to be fixed!)
4. The painters are repainting the house. They found termites in the shutters which will have to be repaired.
5. During the wood removal, termites were found.  The landscape people have cut down all the shrubs (azaleas, camellias, roses, etc.) and remulched the entire yard.
6. The termite crew is coming on Tuesday.
7. The pool sweep "Skippie" had a leak in the line.  Concrete torn up and line repaired.  Now we need new concrete in one area of the pool. (waiting on that!) Pool concrete will have to be painted since it won't match.
8. The roofers put on a whole NEW roof!!!
9. Had the entire deck replaced last summer.
10. The sewer line for the garbage disposal/washing machine backed up. Had to have it dug up and replaced.
11. I had a fire in the stove and the kitchen has to be repainted. (You can go back to that blog!!)
12. When Ed and I were coming in tonight, the garage doors went crazy. I was standing there trying to work them and some would work and some wouldn't.  A call to the "garage door man" will be on the list tomorrow.
13. Ed mentioned that I might get the elevator checked since we're having the reunion in five weeks.
14. The landscape people have to plant summer color in the front.  I decided none in the back.  Pots will have to do.

When I reread this it sounded like something Kelly wrote after she moved. I fully understand now Kelly how you felt.  "Murphy" is stalking us--if it can happen it will!

I'm going to take some pictures and let you see how pretty things are getting around here.  We're very happy with what's being done.  Hopefully we won't have to do this anymore!!

PINE BURR FLOWER SHOW--"FLORAL THERAPY"

The biggest day of the year for the garden club is "flower show day".  Friday was THE day.  Our members worked hard on Thursday getting ready.  I had treatment so I was MIA.  On Friday everything went smoothly.  We had some dark clouds and rain but the show was beautiful.  We had a luncheon for the judges (most members attended) at Georgeanne's with china and silver. It was both beautiful and delicious. Thanks Judges' committee.   The entry had a sign with "Olivia", boots, a shovel, and a planted container--a welcoming sight. My design was in a category called "Whimsical". I got a blue. I entitled it "Please Don't Eat the Daisies." 

Beverly Gabbert was in the "Tranquil" category.  She won the blue and the Award of Design Excellence.  I fussed at her for winning over me, but it was all in fun.  I am VERY proud for her. The design was great and she deserved it.  I might add that she also won the Barbara Herring Design Award.  That pleased me too.

Paulette Jones won the blue in her category.  I think it was her first.  She was very happy and her design was a gorgeous traditional design.

Judy Holland did a great job. She also got a blue.

Lugenia Scarbrough won the Dorothy McGehee Design Award. That award is for the design that best depicts the theme of the show. The title of the show was "Floral Therapy."  

These girls were all smiles after winning blue ribbons in Design.

The Horticulture "Big Award" winners were smiling too. I guess it's ok for me to tell you that I won the Sweepstakes Award (most blue ribbons overall) and the Pauline Herring Horticulture Award (most blue ribbons in horticulture).  I'm very proud of that one.

We had lots of visitors and the entire show was beautiful.  Thank you Pine Burr Garden Club for making our county proud.