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.

END OF TRAPPING SEASON 2012

 

For the last five months Ed has been getting up before the sun and leaving to go set and check his traps. His lifelong friend, Buddy Ruff started trapping with him and they got in cahoots with Elton who was trapping on his own.  The UPS and FedEx people now know us by our first names and are probably missing us at this point. Ed ordered more trapping stuff than I have scrapbooking stuff (joke here!!).  My entertainment was hearing about the day and seeing the pictures.  The part I liked best was that Ed was having so much fun. I don't think I've ever seen him with a hobby that provided him with the excitement and fun that he's had during these months.  I could post lots of pictures of his catches and I think I have put some but here is the final day before taking the furs to the fur trader.  These guys did a good job. The traps are now cleaned and ready for next year and he's ridden off on the bike!! 

Girlfriends Week!

Three weeks ago five of us escaped to the beach. There were three conditions for going--you could only take pajamas and movies and one outfit to wear out to eat for a celebration! The weather kept changing so we didn't know what to take anyway. Piper went with us an we loaded up to go. We left at 10:00 AM and got there in time for the AL/LSU game! Did I mention stopping at every Michaels and Hobby Lobby on the way? It rained all day Tuesday--very hard and then the cold came in. Not a problem for us--remember--pjs and movies! We had wonderful homemade bread, soups and salads--every meal a gourmets delight. In all we watched 12 movies, stayed up late, laughed until we cried and celebrated a birthday. Four of the five are cancer survivors, two have lost their husbands and we are all Christian ladies. Three of us go to the same church and are related (by marriage or by blood); the other two go to church together. Two of us have the same mother--we just don't know which one (figure that one out!!) we are all sisters in love and have a great time together. Until I find my camera I can't show you the girls but I can show you some of the food.  We bought cupcakes on the way down to have for dessert that night for the game.  I will entice you with the names--top to bottom, left to right:  lemon cream, strawberry, red velvet with vanilla buttercream, chocolate with salted caramel, carrot with cream cheese, and pound cake with vanilla buttercream. Good doesn't even begin to describe them!!     This is the wonderful tomato bisque that Pat makes.  The salad is my baby greens with pears, caramalized nuts and sweet tea vinagrette.  We enjoyed turnip green soup and corn bread one night. On Charlotte's birthday we went out to eat and I had Fried Green Tomatoes with crawfish sauce!!   They were better than delicious.  The movie "Joyful Noise" followed that meal and we ended with salad and baked potatoes for dinner.  I will not mention the Black Jack Cherry Frozen Yogurt we had several times during the week!!  Piper took good care of us during the week.  She loved posing in her new PINK halter.  She loves the beach because she gets to ride the elevator.  I still haven't found my camera.  I haven't been back to the beach and have attended two weekend scrapbook events. Talk about moaning!  I really hope it's at the condo!!

The girls had a great time and look forward to going back again soon. I look forward to blogging about my LAST weekly chemo treatment tomorrow!!  Talk to you soon.

 

attitudes

I found this in a knitting package I bought in a store in Gatlinburg. I have been wanting to put it on the blog for several days. Today I read the first devotional in a new book given to me by one of my "sisters".  What a God thing.  It's about the same subject.

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, that what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearances, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company..a church..a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our ATTITUDES. 

Author of "Attitude"; Chuck Swindoll 

I;ve always tried to be cheerful to checkers at a store. You never know their story and some of them are not friendly. I have rarely left one that doesn't eventually laugh or smile after some off the wall comment I make.  I tell them that a long time ago I chose to be happy on this day and that's the way it's going to be. I am the one who makes me happy and no one can take that away.  I've seen the coldest hearts melt and have made friends.  I've prayed out loud right there in the store. I refuse to let a day go by that someone doesn't smile. A day without laughter is wasted. That's my attitude!!  What's yours??

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 2011

What better way to start the Christmas weekend than a beautiful communion service!!  Josh, Ed and I attended along with our MUMC family (and some extended Herring family that came from out of town). I love that service. Then it was home to a wonderful gumbo supper prepared for us by a friend who has done that for several years. (Thanks, George!! It was wonderful!!) Josh wasn't going to be with us today so he opened his gifts.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found what I think will be his favorite gift under the tree when all the gifts had been opened!!  Sure hope he comes by here soon.

Church today was very good. We had Jody, Tiffany, and all the Cowarts. What better place to be on Christmas Day!!  Then off to the homestead to finish up lunch for 2:00 pm.  It was delicious even if I did cook it!!

We have a tradition that the kids move the table back when they finish eating and arrange the chairs in a semi-circle. I was finishing my dessert and Tiffany told me that they had moved the table and gotten ready.  She said I'd better hurry up or they were starting without me!  You can't start without Nana--she's Mrs. Santa!!!  :)  We sang "Happy Birthday Jesus" and began opening the gifts. They are older now and actually held off wanting to rip everything apart!!  We did it one person at a time. 

Sam got the hoodie he wanted!!

 

 

 

 

Everybody got a set of 1500 threadcount sheets.  I don't know who was the most excited!!

Boots and More gift certificates. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jody and Tiffany are going to have to take a trip to Jackson!!  The girls got "Mall" cards!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graham and Ryan picked out hunting clothes and Haleigh picked out dishes. All were happy!!

 

 

Ben had chosen boots and I actually could find his size. He loved them. I told him if I ever saw them in his yard, Papa and I would buy no more!!

 

 

 

Tiffany asked for Tervis Tumblers and threatened anyone who removed them from the house!!  As in, she better not find them at the office!! :)

Shelby wouldn't ever tell me what she wanted. Tiffany knew she wanted some Oakleys and she knew there was a website where you could design your own.  We designed her glasses and she was sooooo surprised.  They even have her name etched in the lens.  No one will get these!!

This was my favorite gift!!  Sam didn't know he was getting these.  He asked for a specific hoodie and pants. I saw these when I was ordering something for Ed and we both said "yes" the minute we saw them!!  Sam said, "I look like an old man." But he loved them.  They are insulated so he can hunt in them too.  Just so darn cute!! 

 

We gave Abby (our niece) luggage. She liked it!!

 

 

 

 

 

We gave Tom and Shirlee a Keurig Coffee Pot. I don't even drink coffee and I love that thing!!

 

 

Jody got a custom made Dopp Kit with his initials debossed on it. He said he needed it. Hope he likes it.

I guess Shelly can go to Boots and More with the Herrings.

 

 

 

 

 

The Cowarts knew just what I wanted--a Shark Steam Mop!! Now I can clean up after the dogs!!  Somehow we missed Jennifer opening her SECOND Kindle Fire!! 

Papa got a wonderful Pen and Pencil set. 

With his crayon maker. I think I want to do this with him.

Everyone was much too good to me. Papa was so sweet and gave me beautiful things. The children gave me loving gifts; some of them were handmade which I love.  We enjoyed the day with family. It's sad not to have little ones but it's fun with older kids too!  Merry Christmas Cotton Branch Gang!!

THANKFUL THANKSGIVING

I'm going to have to steal Victoria's pictures because I didn't even have my camera on Thanksgiving day!!  We had a wonderful day with family and friends all day long.  The food was delicious and bountiful!  The guys hunted in the afternoon and four of us girls went to the "Meadville Mall" for a little retail therapy--our idea of Black Friday Eve shopping!!  What a blessed day we had and so thankful for everything!!

For the last few days we've been driving in the mountains sightseeing and enjoying the wonderful colors of the leaves.  All of a sudden we've gone from short sleeves and flip flops to sweaters, coats and uggs!! Rain and cold weather moved in fast. We wished for a fire place and some wood!  Of course that was the day we chose to shop.  We drove to a lovely little shopping area in Pigeon Forge.  The most interesting shop for me was one with a 30 year old embroidery machine that a man used to do monograms by hand.  It was amazing to stand there and watch him form the letters freehand since I just program my machine and it creates the letters for me.  It doesn't take much to entertain me I guess. In this picture he was monogramming "Nana" on my watermelon colored sweatshirt. I love it!  We came back to the Apple Barn and had a late lunch and went to find apples.  We met a very sweet man on the side of the road who was selling apples out of the back of his truck. He said they were picked that morning. The apples are delicious and we bought a lot!! He grew the apples in his orchard. They still had leaves on them.  Don't these just look delicious??? I'm thinking fried apple pies!!  This was made the morning before we left for home.  We made one more round of shopping to see if we needed anything else to fill the car! Notice that I did not mention how many times we stopped for fudge or show pictures of dessert.  In the whole time we were gone we only had dessert twice--because we had fudge everyday!!  Ask us if we like the pumpkin!! Three crazy ladies turned loose in the Smokies; we had a wonderful, memorable, terrific time together. I am so blessed to have sweet friends.

2011 GATLINBURG TRIP CONTINUED

 

We left off at Cades Cove and I don't think we went to be any night before midnight.  I had to watch an episode of "Chopped" in order to get to sleep!! :)  The following day we drove up to Clingmans Dome. The colors were just as beautiful or maybe more so.  I haven't enhanced these photos either!!

The mountains were beautiful but I loved driving through the roads looking at the trees and streams.  We still had short sleeve weather on this day. The rain was supposed to come in the next day. I saw evidence of bears but because of some people's sensitivity I will refrain from putting that picture up!! :) Yes, I took a picture!  During one of our outings we were "sort of" lost in the mountains. We rounded a curve and at least 20 turkeys were feeding on the side of the road.  I started screaming, "stop, stop, I've got to take a picture." People were honking for us to move so we did, but I got one on my phone so I could send it to Ed and a couple with my camera.  You know how I love my turkeys!! 





Every time we drove through Pigeon Forge I kept telling Ed I saw the Titanic. He'd say, "Barbara, the Titanic can't be there, it sank." (That's a joke with us--when the movie came out--long story.) Finally, I got pictures.

Tomorrow--rain and cold weather moves in. To be continued---

2011 TRIP TO GATLINBURG WITH THE GIRLS

I don't think I've ever been away from home for ten days without family!!  Deb invited Libby and me to go to Gatlinburg to stay in her family's timeshare there.  I think it was even before I got sick--I immediately said "yes"!!  It's been a very long time since I've been to the mountains.  We left last Thursday and just got back tonight.  We all took our computers but something was wrong with the internet connections there and we couldn't get online. Did I mention withdrawals??  I mostly wanted to blog each day since I hadn't been doing any blogs lately.  I finally had something to blog about and couldn't.  Ed took our picture the afternoon we left. He bought us these hats in Orange Beach. We truly are the "Joyful ladies".  We drove to Tuscaloosa and spent the night. Then on to Gatlinburg. This was the front of the building and by the entrance to our room.   

 

 

                The next morning we walked down the street and had pancakes!! 
The pancakes were wonderful.  We ate in the "SEC" section!! 

My black walnut pancakes were delicious. I have to say that I ate every bite!! I am not ashamed!! I have now confessed!!  After breakfast it was off to the Craft Fair at the convention center.  We enjoyed that.  The next day it was off to Cades Cove where the leaves were beautiful.  We visited the Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church where the tombstones in the cemetery dated back to the late 1700's. Neither Libby nor I got a picture of the church.  I sent Ed a picture made with my phone of me sitting on a boulder in the middle of a beautiful stream like this. Glad I didn't fall in.  Libby was so sweet to drive most of the time. Ed had told them not to let me drive and make me rest. This is where I spent my time in the car.  I have to say that I could get used to it--I actually let someone help me.
This is going on way too long--so I'll write some more tomorrow.  You can't do a ten day trip in one blog!  to be continued.....................................

2011 ANNUAL DOVE HUNT WEEKEND

Our family has gotten so large that we pretty much keep our dove hunt weekend for family. Ed's cousin and his wife from Texas, our friends from TN, Ed's brother from TN and my brother and his wife from Petal along with our children and grandchildren and in-laws began arriving on Friday.  Even with having such a big house, it sure filled up fast!!  There was constant chatter and laughter and of course plenty of food.  Some of us went out on Friday night and had Mexican. That was a treat. On Saturday morning it was up early and out to the dove field for the men. Never mind that it was raining.  "Some of our best hunts have been in the rain." Famous saying!!  About 10:00 am when the hunters came in soaking wet and hungry this was waiting for them--a pile of bacon, hot grits, homemade cinnamon rolls, orange coffee cake and fresh fruit with juice, milk and coffee.  They needed some nutrition because after all, they had more work to do. The shishkabobs had to be prepared!

Since the beans, potato salad, desserts and appetizers had been prepared earlier, the ladies got to sit and visit!!  We certainly enjoyed that.  Of course, there was some ballgame watching!

    

We signed Kelsey's cast.  To bad she's getting it off soon. She won't be able to carry around Ed's art very long!

 

Sam spent the night with us and we went to church.  We filled a whole pew.

Vin and Cathleen from Houston, Texas.

  Vivian and Sam from Riceville, TN.

Ed and me--our first picture together in a while.
After a wonderful church service with communion, a delicious Sunday lunch and a short last visit, our house emptied and Ed and I took a nap.  A great Labor Day Dove Hunt weekend with friends and loved ones--family--all of them.  And what a welcomed addition--soft, sweet rain!!

 

JOLLY JINGLES JOURNEY

 

On Saturday a group of friends wandered down to Gonzales, LA to a shopping market called Jolly Jingles.  It was a very small version of Handworks or Mistletoe and we had a fun time. After shopping we had lunch and made a stop at our next best friend--Hobby Lobby.  It was a nice change of pace to spend time with the girlfriends.  We missed having Libby with us. Maybe next time. Lunch at Mike Andersons was delicious!! Was that a huge crawfish or what???  Always keep your girlfriends close!!  They can lift you up when no one else can! I thank God for my "sister girls"!

A RAINY SUNDAY AFTERNOON

 

I can't remember when it hasn't rained in the afternoon! I'm quite ready for some sunshine!! Papa and Piper were watching tv and I noticed that one of her ears is standing up. She has grown a lot in the 11 days we've had her.  She's got a serious attitude problem. Her favorite past time is fighting. I guess that's due to the face that Papa likes to fight with her toys with her. She thinks she owns us. She's typical.  Boy, it's going to take her a while to train us!! 
See how she has one ear up and one ear down?  She thinks she's something now.  When the other one stands up--watch out world!! 

2011 Summer Crop Connection

 

I can't believe that Summer Crop Connection has come and gone.  We've waited six months for the weekend and it went so fast!!  We had 14 "Scrapping Sisters" (missing two) to attend and we had a great time.  The Crop Connection girls treat us royally and we literally go three days with little or no sleep and have a "scrapping good time"!  There were several "newbies" with us who were awesome scrapbookers.  It was fun seeing friends from other towns and meeting new friends.  We really got noticed in our orange shirts. Michael's gave us a discount and a totebag!! That was because we bought out the store!! 

Birds of a feather crop together!  That was the theme of the weekend. Isn't this arrangement cute?  There were birds everywhere!!  There are four cancer survivors in our group. Three of us were there.  You can see who the clowns are!!  Pat and Sharon with me in our green shirts!!  We're always looking for a photo op!! 
LeighBeth, SallieCat and Jessica-three of our newbies!!

Andrea, Nadine and Deanna are the ladies behind Crop Connection.  They plan and work for months to give us the wonderful weekend we enjoy so much.  Thank you beautiful ladies for the great Summer Crop Connection!!

BIRTHDAY MONTH

A friend of mine told me a long time ago that she no longer has birthdays--she has a "gift month". I've decided now that I've hit the last number before I can "get a check" that I will do the same. The only thing is that I probably won't "get a check"!! :) Usually we have a birthday Sunday lunch but since I'm the one who plans them I didn't do that for me. We had a normal lunch on the 22nd and the usual crew was here. Papa showed up with flowers and a gorilla that sings--he knows I love those animals in the stores that you punch their hands or feet and they do something!! I got cards in the mail and phone calls. My Facebook was overrun with birthday wishes and I was awed by that. Jennifer came by with a wonderful rustic frame (to hold a wedding picture!) and windchime from all the Cowarts. Josh brought chocolates from Laura's in New Orleans. The Smitherrings sent an Amazon gift card which I used right away. Loved it!! A lemon ice box cake also showed up with Jennifer so we had birthday cake! An ordinary day turned into a wonderful one and now I will have great memories of the last birthday. Remember, from now on it's "gift month"!!  

ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY!!

There's not enough time or space to write about the wedding. God blessed us with a beautiful day and wonderful family and friends to share the day. It lasted until the wee hours and on into Sunday. The pictures only tell part of the story!! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=576241373#!/media/set/?set=a.10150212179691374.311067.576241373 Click on the link and then click on the first picture. That will make them bigger and you can move through the arrows to see the pictures. Hope you enjoy them.

A VERY BUSY WEEK

I knew it was going to happen. I would have bet money on it! The corn came in and we did 1050 ears in two days. Thank goodness the boys were around and we had a guest along with the regular faithful helpers. I felt sorry for our guest but that's country life. I was just glad it didn't come next week. I didn't get a picture even though Linda reminded me that we "always have a corn picture". Last week also included two doctor's appointments along with regular errands and wedding "to do's". The sprinkler system had some broken heads and I had to have that seen about; the ice maker at the barn went out and I had to make an "executive" decision about that while Ed was out of town--he did call for me to confirm it though. Ben and Sam both had "last" ballgames and I made both of them. I have signs to finish and legs to glue on the cake stand. Haleigh came with her mother and the wedding director and the kinks were worked out--hopefully. Ryan and Haleigh have been moving into their home and getting ready. I'm waiting on some UPS or FedEx deliveries, flower pickup, and tables and chairs. Enough of the work stuff!! Today we had a "Pink Party" for Charlotte, Ed's cousin who is going through breast cancer. Several of us decided to surprise her and we actually pulled it off!! She didn't have a clue. We had a wonderful morning at her daughter-in-law's home with friends. We surrounded her with prayer and fellowship--and don't leave out the wonderful brunch food!! 

charlotte arriving and being totally surprised!!

 

 

 

 

 

A group of us surrounding her to pray for her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the prayer Charlotte released the balloons. The wind carried them up and away!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the balloon release we all went in for a delicious brunch and the opening of gifts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte's favorite thing is "JOY" so there were several things with joy on them.  She got lots of books, lotions, caps, pj's and things to help her through the next few months of getting over her surgery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte (in the middle! with her daughter in law Kristie (left) and her daughter Christy (right). Three beautiful and sweet ladies!

I took lots of pictures of every one there and will fix an album later.  I just wanted to catch you up on the "week before the week" of the wedding!!  Seven days to go!!

TWO WEEKS LEFT!!

Two weeks from yesterday we are getting a granddaughter-in-law. It's not like something new is about to happen, Haleigh has been around for three or four years and is already a part of our family. The day Ryan told us they were engaged, I was totally shocked. No one knew it was happening except for her Dad. I don't know why we were all so surprised. That was over a year ago and the time has flown by. I've enjoyed helping Haleigh with the planning of the wedding. I've had time to work on things while she went to school and worked. We've spent many hours upstairs on Thursday afternoons. I know Ryan is my grandson and not my son. But---we kept him for four years before he started kindergarden and have seen him practically every day of his life. I haven't missed a day (almost) of talking to him. Our bond is strong. I know the old saying, " a daughter is a daughter all of her life, but a son is a son until he takes a wife". Maybe a grandson is your grandson forever!!  I'm looking forward to June 11, 2011 because I get my fourth granddaughter and a whole new chapter starts at Cotton Branch!!

MUMC SHOWER FOR HALEIGH AND RYAN

Meadville UMC Celebration Committee hosted a lovely shower for Haleigh and Ryan on April 3. Look on the blog albums for the 2011 Shower for Haleigh and Ryan and click on it.  You can see all the pictures. Click on them to see them larger. Thank you wonderful church family for loving our children.

RYAN'S LATEST CATCH!!

Ryan called last night to tell me to get my camera.  If you are "faint of heart" now is the time to "turn her off" and go read somebody elses blog. Since hardly anybody else blogs you might as well just keep on reading and then say, "gross" and move on!! :)  If it can be caught, trapped or killed, Ryan does it.  It's a farm thing and a wildlife management thing.  He doesn't kill for fun. The animals he kills usually kill our turkeys, quail or baby deer or damage the fields. He is very agriculturally trained.  He respects the land.  This is what he brought to show us that he'd caught on Haileigh's grandfather's land-- 

  This 130 pound female hog got caught in a snare around her nose.  The snare was caught between her two huge teeth.  You can see the ring around her nose in the left picture.  Those are the teeth in the right picture.  These animals have no natural predators and will ruin your fields and can hurt you badly.  Some folks down the road will have some "good eatin' " and we won't have to worry about her making it to Cotton Branch!!  Good job, Ryan!!

SPRING BREAK WEEK 2011

This has been an interesting week.  The boys have been power washing and painting the fence around the pasture and house. They've worked very hard and the fence is looking great. I didn't get pictures but take my word for it. They've done a wonderful job. I got to go with Haleigh to get her dress fitted. I did take pictures but I can't show you. I want to live to go to the wedding!!  :) I went trapping with Ed on Thursday morning and we got three coons.  He says I'm his good luck charm.  Nothing would do but Linda take our picture.    We have had company (very long time friends!) from TN here since Thursday.  They've been turkey hunting and we've been visiting every spare minute.  We've shared some good meals and had a wonderful time. 
Sam and Vivian have three grown boys so they were comfortable with our boys hanging out all week.  Having a table full of boys all week long at lunch was fun!  The conversation was always lively.

Graham and Sam showed up Saturday afternoon wanting to show me something "big"!  I had a feeling that it was a camera moment. I took the camera out and this is what we saw. 
Graham will be taking drivers ed this summer and here's his ride!  I hear that Sam was driving it around the farm this afternoon with Shelly!!  Haven't heard what Jennifer thinks about it yet!!  I just started a new prayer chain!!

Finished off the day with a nice dinner in Brookhaven and am looking forward to a good breakfast and church tomorrow. We're blessed beyond measure--and have you seen that moon??