NANA NOTES

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.   

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.]   

 

ANNUAL DOVE HUNT 2009

The only day we dove hunt is opening day.  It turns into an event very quickly.  It's usually family and a few close friends from out of town.  Having nine grandchildren that love to hunt already makes a crowd!  The week before opening day is like the day before Christmas!  Everyone is hustling around getting shells, looking for just the right hunting clothes and making sure their guns are ready.  I'm usually making trips to the grocery store and more trips to the grocery store and cooking for several days getting things ready for the big "dove cooking".  I can only remember one year that I had to make a run to the grocery store for CHICKEN!! 

                 Top picture Jody 3rd from R; bottom, Sam B. 3rd from R.

Jody and Sam B. took turns taking pictures so that's the only difference in these two pictures.  I didn't want to leave anyone out.  There were five other hunters but they were gone when this was made.  Quite a motley looking crew!!  They came through with the product though.  Ed said it looked like "restaurant quality" and I agree.  After being on the grill for a while cooked by expert cooks they were delicious. Nobody does it better!! 

A BEAUTIFUL GIFT

I had to take a picture of the towel because I obviously couldn't put it on here and then I decided to "scrap" the picture.  The butterfly was an embellishment we made at Scrapfest.  The button ribbon was the "bow" on the package.  Don't you just love it??  Thanks, Cagney for the beautiful towel and the wonderful opportunity to scrap something.

THE BEST EASTER DAY!

This is what greeted us at church this morning--a beautiful fresh flower cross made by the Jolly Elders of our church--a beautiful sign that Jesus died on the cross for US!

The choir sang two very good specials that we'd been working on for a while.

I got to do the children's sermon--something I've just recently learned that I really like to do. I read the children The Parable of the Lily and they look like they enjoyed it.

The rustic wooden cross inside the church was decorated with beautiful fresh flowers.  The church was alive with beauty this morning.

 

A former member of our church sends flowers every holiday. There's a long story there and he's never forgotten us. We won't ever forget him either.  

 

The flowers were beautiful and so much appreciated by our congregation.

After church it was home to lunch and the Easter Baskets.  Lunch was delicious and we all enjoyed it-lots of family and some friends.  Cagney baked

a beautiful carrot cake in the shape of a bunny. Even though we hated to cut it, Jeanne and I did and it was delicious. Cagney makes the best desserts!

 

Then it was on to the egg hunt.  Even though the kids said they didn't want to do it, after the eggs were hidden they all got really into it.

 It was a totally great Easter Day!

ANOTHER CRAZY DAY AT COTTON BRANCH

Why is it that I go from nothing to blog about to everything?? Yesterday was a full house day! I think we counted 18 at our lunch table and that was tremendous.  Ed had some gas people; Ryan had forestry people; the grandchildren were here [some of them] and Madgeandahalf's family came and ate lunch and spent part of the afternoon!  What fun we had.

Madgette was all dressed up in her cowboy clothes and wanted to see the farm animals.  You don't say no to a beauty like that!! We loaded up in the Ranger and off we went.  The first thing we saw was a brand new baby calf.  If we'd gotten there just a few minutes sooner we'd seen more than we needed to see.

The mama cow was very sweet and was "mooing" to her baby trying to get it up.  We waited but it didn't get up till later.  As we drove on up to the barn to look for the peacocks we saw another mother

cow that looked like she had  just had a baby--guess what??  Two brand new   babies!                                    

 

 

 

 

We were in the pasture by this time and this mama let us get right up to her. She was still cleaning her baby.

Like Madge said, "Spring on a farm means new life." I love it!!

Off to find the peacocks!!

I wanted to get all six of them together but they kept scattering. In the sun their colors are just beautiful.  I couldn't get them to spread their feathers for the girls. Madgette would have loved that!!

We saw the bees, and the horses--she loved all the babies--and we even saw a wild turkey coming to the house.  Copper played with her and she didn't want to leave.  How I wish they lived closer so we could spend more time together!  She had on PINK boots--you know we'd get along fine!!

2009 - A GREAT NEW YEAR BEGINNING

Ed and I have never been much for going out on New Year's Eve. We can't stay awake that long and we're really not rowdy people.  We went to bed early and woke up about 4:00 AM to someone knocking on our door. A young man from Vicksburg had wrecked his vehicle in front of our home and came for help.  We carried him to the hospital.  After looking at his vehicle we realized he was a very lucky guy.  There wasn't anything about it that was recognizable. He had angels surrounding him.

We had plans for about 24 people for lunch--the usual New Year's fare-roast pork, baked chicken, black eyed peas, cole slaw, potato salad, green beans, sweet potato pone, cabbage, mexican cornbread, pecan pie, blueberry cake--just the normal little lunch!! :)

After lunch we all settled in to listen to Anna Grace and Sarah [High Road] do a little playing and singing.  When we looked at the clock it was nearly 5:00 PM.  The guys didn't even miss the football games; they enjoyed the music so much.  We all did.  Jennifer is hoping that John Robert playing her new guitar rubbed off on the guitar and she will be able to get some of the sounds out of it. :)

These girls have great talent--some of which I will keep a great secret-unless I'm bribed to tell !! :)  Only a few shall know!!

By now Jennifer probably has a video on her blog that you can see. Please check it out.  And--buy their CD; you'll love it!!

Thanks everyone for a great New Year's Day celebration.

PS:  The young man checked out fine at the hospital; when I talked to the nurse at noon he was waiting for someone in his family to come and get him.  They said he had a "reality check".  I'm sure he did.  He will be very grateful for 2009.

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!!

WE CELEBRATED HANUKKAH

Because Ed's sister's husband is Jewish we consider his religion on holidays just as we do ours.  At Thanksgiving Barry and Hillary said a Jewish blessing for our meal.  Hillary and Becky attended our Christmas Eve Communion Service and when we got home we celebrated Hannukkah with Barry and Hillary.  Barry read prayers from the book he used in Hebrew class as we all lit the candles of the menorrah.

 

Hillary really likes celebrating the eight days of Hanukkah because you get a gift each night and she loves presents!  That night she got the recently re-released "Thriller" DVD and you should see her dance to it.

Thanks, Barry, for sharing with us.  It doesn't get any better than that!

THE CHRISTMAS COMPETITION

The Jolly Elders at MUMC had their annual Christmas production on Sunday night.  If you weren't there, you missed a delightful [and hilarious] evening.  If you've seen the movie-Deck the Halls-that should give you some idea of what the play was about.  The scenery was well appointed with furniture and Christmas lighting. The stage hands did a great job!!  [Inez Manning and Delores Martin]

This is the full cast [almost]; aren't they wonderful looking?

  This is "Inflate-a-Santa" 2008 version, better known as Katherine Jones. Doc even had to blow her up!!

Bernie, Flora and Marcy (their teenage daughter) are better known to us as Ed Youngblood, Nancy Corley and Beverly Gabbert.  They were the party hosts and were in the lighting "competition".

Harriet, Arthur, Rob and Junior were the neighbors who were competing in the lighting. To us they are Madelene Carter, Doc Gabbert, Betty Wilkinson and Jean Peterson.  You should see Rob and Junior play video games ! :)

Evelyn, Walter and Gerry Matthews were played by Margaret Chatham, Bill Manning and Sarah Halford. They did a great job too.

The "elderly" neighbors were Mr. Carson (Quent Peterson) and Ms. Phillips (Doris Jean Hollinger.  Doc begrudgingly blew the snow from their driveways in a loving way!   :)

 

 

I missed Delores Martin, Betty Youngblood, Esther Spring and Joddie Spring and I'm sorry. Ms Inez Manning was in the group picture.  Joddie Spring is the "proud stage Mom" to this group and does a wonderful job as their faithful leader.  She's like the Energizer Rabbit: always moving, always helping, always giving.  Thanks, Joddie, for a wonderful production.

 

EXTENDED HERRING FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Ed's cousin Melody invited us to the Herring Christmas at Ridge Point on Saturday.  Bret and Vista have recently moved into Aunt Pauline's side of the house and have it beautifully decorated with their furnishings. A house full of Herring's is loaded with food and laughter.  After eating a delicious lunch we gathered in Melody's "side" of the house and had "Pirate Christmas".  Did I mention that the Herring's can get rowdy too? :)  Here are some random pictures from the day.

The mantle is beautifully decorated with gold angels and greenery.

     

Merry Pickenpaugh and Esther Herring say "hello".

 

Chuck, Mark and Tommy are patiently waiting for lunch to be called.  Having some interesting conversation-you know it!

 

 

 

 

Peyton Anna sent a video of the Herring siblings when they were young. Everyone gathered around to watch. Aunt Pauline especially enjoyed it. There were some tears along with the smiles.

 

Look at sweet, pregnant Vista! We can't wait to see that precious baby boy.

Everyone was into the tasting before lunch!

 

Ed and Karen were "hamming it up" for the camera!

 

 

 

 

  Chase, Jody, Dixie and Tommy watching the video.

 

 

 

 

Cynthia and Andrew are taking it all in.  Andrew is the sweetest little boy--just like his brother Jack.

 

 

 

 

 

Did McRae really like those tools? [As Bryden, Hayden and Jody look on!]

Melody supervises the toy table.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know who ended up with it but the Pickenpaugh spoon holder and spoons were a much sought after and stolen item during the package swap.  Here's John guarding it!  [Jett and Esther are behind him.]

I missed a lot of folks but we all had a great time.  Thanks, Melody for including us in the Merry Christmas Day!

HERRING GAS COMPANY OPEN HOUSE

We woke up today with a beautiful snow "storm".  What a way to begin the day for our official "Open House" for the new Herring Gas Company Corporate Headquarters building!!  You would have thought God opened the heavens just for us and let the snow fall!!   The offices were spic and span and the tree was ready.  The file room served as the refreshment room with coffee, punch, toasted pecans (shelled by Papa) and Janie's petit fours.  The beautiful table arrangements were done with Christmas greenery with browns and gold--our theme colors. Lots of our friends came--even one from Hattiesburg and two from Brookhaven.  We have the best friends and employees ever.  Thanks to everyone who helped make the Open House a success. 

Of course I couldn't let the opportunity get away to have a picture made with my favorite guy. I'm always the one making the pictures. Thanks, Melanie for getting this one.

ARE YOU SURE THIS IS MISSISSIPPI??

This is what we woke up to this morning!!  I have been jealous of my "twitter" friends talking about snow in the north.  Now I can brag too! 

 

  

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas---and all my dreams have come true!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!! 

HGC Christmas Tree

My good fortune--shopping for the HGC Christmas tree and ornaments!!  We're having an Open House on Thursday, December 11 and the tree we had been using got lost in the move to the new building.  Spending OPM [other people's money] is always fun for me and this was no exception!!  Two of my good friends and I went shopping and we had a blast looking for the tree and spreading out boxes of ornaments all over the floor matching coordinating colors.  The girls at the office put up the tree and decorated it.  This picture may not do it justice but it's done in brown and gold with cream.  Not exactly my Christmas colors but wonderful for the office.  Come by to see us between 3:00 and 5:00 PM on Thursday.

QUICK UPDATE FOR EXTENDED FAMILY

I haven't posted an update lately on the "health" situation so I guess I should.  I'm not good at calling or writing and most of my cousins are electronic!  I have had 15 radiation treatments with 13 left to go. The way I counted it--IF the doctor is open on Christmas Eve [and I pray he is] that will be my last day! What a gift that would be!  Other than the first reaction to the marking pen [permanent cross on my left side!-not bad to be marked with a cross!] and a little nausea every now and then I am doing well.  Radiation is not a "friendship bonding" place. I get there at 7:45 AM, change into a gown, get zapped, and am usually out by 8:10 AM at the latest. At least with chemotherapy, I made friendships and had conversations.  But I'm not complaining.  I have used the drive back and forth to Natchez to memorize the Christmas contata for church [I've been out of choir since February] and have some quiet time with God.  These are trying times and this is a learning experience, right? I'm looking forward to a wonderful Christmas with the children and grandchildren.  And---2009---we're praying for a wonderful year!

WE SURVIVED THANKSGIVING!

The crowd gathered slowly but by lunch time we had a full house.  Food was abundant and Ed said it was the best Thanksgiving food we ever had.  It was good and we were all "overstuffed turkeys" after lunch.  The majority of the group went deer hunting and Becky, Hillary, Cookie and I watched "Home Alone". Hillary knows every word. It was fun to watch her and we enjoyed the movie.

Back to the deer hunting---Chris and Taylor each got a doe. They were meat hunting.  Abbey had to call in reinforcements to help track her kill. She was one proud little girl when they found it. Congrats, Abbey. 

This was her second buck and a nice 7 point.  Her two cousins also killed bucks so she had to go compare.

 

Oh, after lunch and before the hunt, the grandchildren and our nieces decorated the tree.  I have never let anyone help with the tree--my ornaments are super special to me. Is mellowing a sign of age? They did a great job. All that's missing are the candy canes.

                        

Now all that's left is to finish the decorating and wrapping and cooking and-----does it ever get finished?

We had a great day!