NANA NOTES

"CHRISTMAS CHAOS AT THE NURSING HOME"

The MUMC Jolly Elders did their annual Christmas play tonight. "Christmas Chaos at the Nursing Home" was written by the Jolly Elders and portrayed what they thought they would be like many years from now.  The "Front Door Sitters" were Quent, Doc, Beverly and Madelene.  They were so friendly and it took me a few minutes to realize what they were doing. 

If you've visited the nursing home you know what I'm talking about.  Joddie did a great job of playing the Activities Director [who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent!].  
One of the activities was to decorate the tree.  The "residents" brought out Easter, Halloween, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day and Christmas decorations to put on the tree.  Madelene kept looking for "Leroy" who was going to marry her. Doc kept insisting he was a doctor and "had to make rounds".  Ed Y. was flipping light switches and wondering why the lights kept going on and off.  Margaret lost her false teeth and insisted on singing. Beverly insisted that everyone (including the audience) take pills to get their "yearly cleanout" that her mother always gave her and her siblings.  Nancy was the Administrator and gave a lovely talk. Joddie read a book about what God wants for Christmas.   
 
 

Madelene's flower holder was of particular interest!!  She was ready for her wedding!

Katherine Jones had been an "Inflatable Santa" last year.  She heard they were putting on a play and thought she was supposed to be Santa! [Joddie said, "Katherine, that was ten years ago!"]

Quent was building a bicycle and going to "ride to Alasker" to see Sarah Palin.  He tried to ride out the front door which is a no no!!

 

Joddie explaining to Margaret that she had to give Betty back her teeth!!

 

The top of the Jolly Elders Chaotic Tree!

The entire Jolly Elder group.  During Nancy's talk Ms Inez picked up Baby Jesus out of the basket.  Beverly walked over to her and put the baby back in the basket.  Seems like I saw Stephenie Sullivan do that once.  We're all destined for the same scene!!  I love it!  Merry CHRISTmas Jolly Elders; thanks for sharing your time and talents with us!!  And thank you Joddie for all that you do!

A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE!!!

Cotton Branch has a new family member!  We seem to be the home for everything that comes along and couldn't resist the challenge to raise this creature.  If you go any further in reading this blog, it comes with a warning--what you're about to see is something only a mother could love!! :) When we got him he was about half this size. If you think he's naked, think again.  He was less covered than he is now!!  His eyes weren't open and his mouth was bigger than his head.  He has outgrown his home and been put in a bigger box.  When we first heard about him, he lived in the styrofoam cup!  Are you getting curious yet???  We feed him every four hours with a special syringe that is inserted into his throat or "crop" with stuff that looks like "throw up"!!  Ed says after he's fed he looks like an old woman with droopy boobs.  Now you just have to be getting curious!!  :)   

 

Hopefully this is what he will look like soon.  
You've probably noticed I keep saying "He".  We are looking for a name. Do you have any ideas?  We need some help.  Send me your suggestions. The ones coming from folks around Cotton Branch aren't very acceptible!!

See Joann, I told you it would be a doozie!!  This one should really make your day!!  Thanks for encouraging me to keep telling the stories!

 

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS TOUR

Last year I missed the deadline for the Christmas Tour of Homes sponsored by "Boo Mama". Nesting Place is hosting this year and I'm going to make it (if I can figure out how to get it online!!).  I haven't done as much this year but we will enjoy the lights and knowing the Reason for the Season is enough anyway.  Family will be around and love will abound. 

As you come up the front walk this little fellow welcomes you to the front door which is lit up with garland and miniature trees.  The wreath is red and green.   

 

The "theme" for this year's decorations is "JOY" (quite a coincidence that our church contata is "Jesus is Joy"!)  Hence, the front door mat!!

The Library mantle is lit with lights and a magnolia wreath. The Mary and Joseph were a gift from a friend.  The "thing" on the left is a container I purchased at a flower show and have left it there since.  I just like it.

Last year I hung the red velvet Christmas tree that my mother made from costume jewelry over fifty years ago. I did not take it down after Christmas. I love it too much to put it away. 

The kitchen sitting room is always the place for the snowmen.  Snowmen rule! 

 The tree in the family room is always covered in my favorite Hallmark collection of ornaments started when my children were small.  Each year I add several. Our tree is so full I'm trying to wean myself from buying them. :)  

The angel on the top is the one Josh made when he was a small child. Ryan put it on the tree for me.    The mantle in the living room just got some lights and angels and "joy" added to what was already there.  I think it turned out beautifully.    

The Santas and Nativity are always out as are the angels.  I never tire of looking at them.
   

The tree in the sunroom has all the glass ornaments with the farm "stuff"-tractors, peacocks, bees, chickens, ducks, sunflowers, cows, etc.  "Olivia" is the dressform tree in our bedroom! She's actually a lamp!  

These little trees were a gift from Ed one Christmas.  They look very cute on this little table and have been used in many different ways.

We also have a tree upstairs that I never seem to take a picture of.  At least we get it out and dress up the upstairs!! 

I love the lights and wreath on the barn.  You can see it from the highway coming down the hill.  A very welcome sight!  

 Last year I had a friend paint this sign for me--it's four feet by eight feet and says what we all should say--Merry CHRISTmas!!
 

COTTON BRANCH IS A WINTER WONDERLAND---AGAIN!

"They" said it was coming but should we believe it?  We watched the weather all day long.  At dark, the call came.  "It's snowing outside!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The flakes were big as quarters and were falling fast!  It looks like we got about three inches on the deck.

What a beautiful gift this was!  I walked outside several times expecting to hear Christmas Carols being sung by the angels.

   Christmas came early and I'm sure the children will have a cold, wet, fun morning in the snow. 

Thank you Lord for this beautiful covering for our little world on Highway 98.

GRAND MARSHALL OF THE PARADE

Ed got home last night late from his hunting trip and today he's been gone since I got up.   He went to the office for a while and then went to the Parade Luncheon.  He was asked to be the Grand Marshall of the Bude Parade.  I really hate I couldn't be there to cheer him on but I feel like some of the grandchildren and friends will be cheering for me.  Jennifer took this picture and said that Sam was riding with MeMe who was right behind him in the parade.

Go Papa--looking good!!  Merry Christmas!!
  
 
  

EMILY GETS HER A DEER!

Cotton Branch is not gender biased!!  The girls here can do whatever the guys do!  Emily proved that with her seven point kill on Sunday afternoon. This is her first buck.  Way to go Emily!    
Jody took the picture with his phone because I was at choir practice and could get there with the camera.  The picture would be HUGE if I'd been there, Em!!  :)  

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.   

GRAHAM'S TURN!

Sort of a "right of passage" when the boys turn 12 Papa takes them to West Texas to Longfellow Ranch to mule deer hunt.  Ryan and I have been and they closed down last year.  Graham was much disappointed that he didn't get to go. They opened back up and this is his year!  Ever since he found out he was going he has been so excited.  Getting clothes together, planning, anticipating--that's part of the excitement and fun of the trip.  Making memories!  Today he and Papa left for New Orleans to spend the night so they wouldn't have to get up so early to catch the plane.  They felt it necessary to call and tell me that they ate supper at Middendorfs--one of my favorite places.  Graham had fried shrimp.  Sadie and I had frozen pizza and sugar free cookies!

 Jennifer saying goodbye to her #2 baby boy. He will always remember this.

 Sadie was less than excited for Papa to leave.  She's been sitting by the door listening for him to come home.  She's stuck with me however.  Maybe I can win my dog back!  I'll keep you posted on how Graham does with his hunting.  The chances of a big "kill" are good.  Ed has one of the best guides out there and the weather is supposed to be very cold!!
 

THE SEASON IS HERE!

You know how in the South people say we have four seasons--Football, Baseball, Basketball and Hunting!!  Well, the "hunting" one is here!  For the next month or so we will wade through a pile of smelly clothes and go running off to see the "kill" and take pictures.  The conversation always goes to "what did you see?" at the table after hunting.  Ben, Papa and Olivia Cox are the victors so far.  She was excited but didn't care much for the cleaning process.  She didn't like the "initiation process" either-even though David and Ed went light on her!!

 Congratulations, Olivia!  You're a real hunter now!
 
 

AM I JEALOUS OR NOT???

Ok, Sadie is supposed to be "MY" dog!  She goes with Papa almost everywhere he goes.  She is covered with orange paint [like most everything else around here these days!] and pouts when he leaves her!  Now this!!   Ok, yes, I'm jealous!!  This has gone too far!  She loves him!

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.]   

 

BIKE TEAM HAS A REDNECK TIME!

The Herring Gas Bike Team finishes the season with a dinner at Cotton Branch each year.  This is a time when they all get together to "relive" the season and eat and visit.  It's a time when the wives and families come and enjoy being together.  Ed and I have a good time feeding our "family" and listening to the stories.  This year we decided to have a pig roast.  After all, we do have a pig cooker!!  I don't think they believed we were really going to do it but it happened. 

 Frank and Kenny came over to help Ed cook.  They did more riding around on the Ranger than cooking but they had fun.  

 As the crowd gathered the pig cooked.  I had a board cut to put him on and we didn't think about getting it through the door. That was a trip! But--the guys figured it out and got him in. 

 
 Candy couldn't resist getting a picture of the carrot tail; I choose the apple in the mouth!! :)   

 
  Kenny and Frank clowning around doing a parody of David and Laura (some of the other sponsors).   

 The most fun is talking and waiting for the food; Taylor is carrying the next generation of HGC bikers!!   

 Just as we were getting ready to eat someone noticed the sunset.  We went outside and watched it.  Nothing could have made the afternoon more perfect than seeing what God had created for us.  We went back in for the blessing and a delicious meal.  

 Bill's beans, cole slaw, hash brown casserole, pork and rolls.  Finished off by one of Sue Sullivan's cheese cakes and Gooey Chocolate Brownies.

I have a picture of what the pig looked like when we finished but I just can't show it.  There was nothing left but head and bones.  Frank took the head.  I don't even want to know what he did with it.

 Even Sadie got into the act--Cagney put the wig on her and she posed!!

We're already looking forward to next year but I don't think we can measure up to this one!  :)  Congratulations guys on a good season.  You're the best!
 

 
 
 

MY MAN CAN FISH!!

Ed and Jody are in the Florida Keys getting to do some awesome fishing. Yesterday they caught "bonefish"; today they each caught a marlin.  It's fun to hear from Ed and listen to the excitement in his voice when he talks about the men and the boats, etc.  I told him not to tell me about the wonderful food!!  :)   We miss him but Sadie and I are holding down the fort.

MUMC BAZAAR WAS GREAT!!!

The MUMC Bazaar was tremendous.  Not a huge crowd but enough to have a wonderful day.  Here are a few pictures to show you what was there.  For those of you who will be at church on Sunday, you still have a chance to purchase the items that are left.  Thanks to everyone who helped make the day such a great one!!

Cakes, pies and peanut brittle!

 

Chocolate cashew clusters that even had samples!!  Yummy!

 

 

 

Treat filled decorated paint cans for special occasions. Very cute!

 
  

 

 

Beautiful homemade aprons!!  I thought of that last year after the bazaar but forgot about it.  I'm glad Suzie did them. They were gorgeous!! 

 

Heritage Candles--smell good! Sold well!

 

MUMC Coffee Mugs--perfect for my Peppermint Mocha Hot Chocolate Mix!!

 

Ms June and Mr. Mark did a  wonderful job with biscuits and sausage and the awesome "West Burger" for lunch.

 

Those wonderful "Pot Scrubbers" are back!!  Cute blankets and burp pads too.   

Grandma's attic was in the pavillion.  What a wonderful place for that.  Barbie did a great job.  Maybe we should move the whole Bazaar out there if next year is as beautiful as today was!

 

Thanks again to everyone for making the Annual Fall Bazaar a good one!

And Doc, you took my Diet Dr. Pepper!!

**The report at church today was that we made over $4000.00 for the Building Fund.  AWESOME!!

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.
 

 

VOTE FOR ZOE

Stephanien Sullivan sent out an email telling us about this.  We helped Batson's win a gameroom makeover--let's help Zoe get into the Cherrios box!!

The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School is one of 13 books competing in the Spoonful of Stories campaign, sponsored by General Mills and Simon & Schuster. The top 5 winning books will win a spot inside of Cheerios boxes everywhere! 

The illustrator of this book is our own Bentonville Dad—Ard Hoyt.

He has daughters in kindergarten and third grade at Central Park, one in seventh grade at Washington and one at Bentonville High.

Vote Daily until the end of October. 

This is all you have to do.....  

1 -- Go to: http://promo.simonandschuster.com/cheerios-poll/poll.php 

2 -- Click on "more books" (bottom right hand corner-twice) till you get to Zoe. It's the last book on a page by itself.  I tried to put a copy of the cover but couldn't.

3 -- Click on VOTE. I voted more than once.

4 -- Tell everyone you know.  

Please help Zoe win her special place inside a million Cheerios boxes!

HERE COMES THE BRIDE~~

The rehearsal was yesterday and today was a gorgeous day for a wedding.  The air was crisp and cool and the sun was shining.  As the day progressed things around here became more beautiful and more "hectic". People appeared out of nowhere with food, flowers, and more food! :) A huge cake was put together in the kitchen and decorated.  The atmosphere was one of love and family.  Two big families were about to become one huge one!  Angela Moak-daughter of our friend Wanda Moak and sister of Brad Moak became the bride of Glen "Boo" Mire today at 2:00 pm out by the pool.  The ceremony was beautiful.  Gorgeous music, flowers and people.  Here are a few of the pictures that I took.  I can only imagine what the "real" photographer captured.  She was a fun person as was the wedding coordinator!

 Wanda, Angela, Boo, and Mr. Doug

Aren't they all very nice looking?

 

Angela's family-her two brothers and her grandmother along with part of the children. Tim's son Mason was taken to the hospital yesterday and his wife was with him. We pray he is getting better.

 
  

Braedon [and I hope I spelled that correctly] Moak. Have you ever seen a sweeter face?  She needs to meet Sam Cowart!!!

 

The beautiful brides cake! It was enough to feed an army!

 

 

 

The grooms table--do you think he likes LSU???  There were FIVE kinds of cheesecake on this table!!  I didn't eat a bite! Now I wish I had some.

They did the "Sand Blending" instead of the Unity Candle. LSU colors and I loved it!!  The story Brad read about the sand was very sweet.

 

Sweet couple who looks very happy.   

 

Angela's grandmother is a beautiful, fun lady. She's welcome at our home anytime--especially if she brings fudge!!  :)

I was in charge of the truck keys but I couldn't keep Wanda away from the back of the truck!!

(Just kidding, she was just holding the cans up for the picture!)

 

And out they come and off they go--or so we thought!  In the middle of cleaning up we looked up and there they were.  All comfortable and happy!  Best wishes to you both.

 

Thanks to all of you for letting Ed and me share in this wonderful day.

I'll add an album to the blog of more pictures--just click on "Angela's Wedding" on the sidebar.

THERE'S A WEDDING TOMORROW!

We offered our home [actually our pool area] to a friend for the wedding of their daughter who wanted to get married outside.  Today they started setting up and had the rehearsal late this afternoon.  This was as "low key and easy" as any wedding we've had here.  I know tomorrow will be a beautiful day for Angela and her groom.

 

Lots of pretty white chairs are surrounding the pool and the reception will be on the deck.

 A sneak peak at the rehearsal without giving away too much detail.

The bride's bouquet is gorgeous. Her mother-in-law to be did the flowers. How lucky am I to have a cooler! It's full of beautiful flowers! Stay tuned--tomorrow I'll post wedding pictures!! And tell you who it is!

I WAS ASKED TO POST THIS AGAIN--PLEASE VOTE!!

Tomorrow is the last day!!  Please, please vote!!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO VOTE EACH DAY. WE HAVE DROPPED TO #4 AND NEED YOUR VOTES TO PICK US BACK UP. YOU KNOW YOU WANT OUR KIDS TO GET THE GAMEROOM MAKEOVER!!

Gameroom Giveaway

Source: xbox.childrensmiraclenetwork.org

Microsoft has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network to provide three Children’s Miracle Network pediatric hospitals an Ultimate Gameroom experience - YOU could win an Xbox 360 as well!

LATE BIRTHDAY DINNER W/ FRIENDS

For the last few years Ed and Jimmie Lou have been having a birthday dinner together. His birthday is on the first of October and hers is on the second.  This year we went to The Caboose and Libby and Josh and Cagney went with us.

 

We all enjoyed our food and conversation.  We didn't have dessert at the restaurant.  Jimmie Lou loves "Walmart" birthday cake!! 
We stopped and got one and came home for cake and homemade ice cream.  Another fun birthday for two great folks!!  Happy Birthday, guys!