NANA NOTES

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 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!!

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.

SPRING ARRIVING

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

 

 

 

 

 

 















 

 















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

 

 

 

    

 

 

2011 CROP CONNECTION

This past weekend was Crop Connection with the sisters!  We loaded the "Scrapping Sisters" trailer on Thursday afternoon and headed to Jackson for a fun filled weekend to visit with friends and scrapbook.  There's just so much to do at a scrap event! Seeing friends from all over is part of the fun.  We had a large group of 13 "Scrapping Sisters" and it couldn't have been better.  

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=259105&id=576241373&l=03f98d072a

I posted some photos on Facebook and now can't find them on my camera.  You'll have to look at them here.

Two of the BIG winners came from Franklin County.  Vana Hurst won the $100 CC bucks and Judy Holland won a trip to the CC for the summer or next winter crop.  Yea, girls. 
On Saturday one of our sisters came to visit.  She didn't get to scrap with us. We were glad to see her.  Sharon, we're looking forward to you going in the spring. 
 Thanks Nadene, Andrea and Deanna for giving us the best weekend around!!
 

WHAT MY GUYS ARE DOING!

While I have been working on the MUMC bazaar "stuff" two of my guys have been in North Dakota pheasant hunting. They left home with 80 something degree weather only to be greeted by 28 degrees and three feet of snow!!  How awesome is that???

Each time I've heard from them they've reported reaching the limit for the day and having a wonderful time. Jody's the "real" hunter of the family but I believe Ed is having a great time as well.  They had pheasant the other night for dinner but Ed wasn't terribly impressed with it.  I think they are bringing some home so we'll cook some and see how we like it.  Here are some pictures they sent me.   

   

I have a couple of just Ed and Jody but for some reason I can't get them to save in my file. Maybe I can work on that and you can see them soon.

Looks like they had a pretty good time and made lots of memories!! 
 

 

THE HERRING GIRLS

 
 Some friends hosted a reception/shower for Cookie's daughter Stephanie (far right) last night.  We had a huge group of "Herring Girls" but this is the only picture I've been able to hack.  That's Cookie in the middle with her daughters on the front row and that me in the middle in the back with Jennifer and Tiffany.  It was a lovely party with good food and fellowship and everyone enjoyed meeting Steph's new husband.  We wish them all the best!

CROP CONNECTION JULY 2010

The first ever Summer Crop Connection was held this weekend. Four of us from here and two from Hattiesburg got to attend.  There was lots of talking, scrapping, shopping, laughing, a little eating--very little sleeping, talking and did I say shopping!!  We had a wonderful time. The three ladies that put on the event are masters of hospitality and graciousness!  Here are a few pictures.

Pat giving Vana some tips on her pages.  We entered them in the double page layout contest.

Robbie and Tammy shopping the "sale" table.  Robbie has Franklin County connections.

My friends Lenore and  Gina from Foley, AL. Gina has an awesome scrapbook store called GiGi's.

My scrapbook hero, Anna Bess.

The three lovely ladies who organize this event: Andrea, mom Nadene and Deanna.

Our scrapping group: Susan, me, Vana, Debbie, Pat, and Tammy.  We missed Libby, Sharon and Beth.  AND we're looking forward to a September event in Mandeville with a new scrapper!!  Be getting ready girls!!

 
 
 
 
 

CROP CONNECTION SCRAPPING RETREAT WITH FRIENDS

We've waited a year for this weekend and it finally came. Even the snow didn't keep us from going and having a good time.  There were eight of us from the Meadville area and six others that we met up with from other towns.  Thirty six or more hours of continuous scrapbooking with a little sleep thrown in, lots of laughing and talking, a little shopping for supplies with the venders and some eating thrown in.  The ladies that put on the event surprised us with a "Bops Ice Cream Party" on Saturday night.  Talk about good!!  Here are some pictures of the event.  

 We didn't have anyone to take a picture of the six of us so I took this one. Pat, Beth, Sharon, Cookie and Libby.  Sharon made the sign for us to display.

 Look at all the "stuff"!!  A room full of happy "scrapping" women! And we loaded and unloaded it all!   

Silent auction to benefit the Ronald McDonald House--everybody got a door prize but there was some fierce bidding on the auction items.

 Aren't we a good looking bunch of "scrappers"?  I wish I had a count of all the pages that we all did while we were there.  We all donated items to the Ronald McDonald House and some of us made cards for the military. The scraps of paper we had left over were left for the school students to use in their art projects.  Nothing was wasted this weekend.    

Anna Bess Simmons is a wonderful scrapbooker and sweet friend. She taught a quick "make and take" class on Sunday afternoon and several of us took it.    

 Cute little Valentine embellishment--I made one for Tammy. I didn't have any change and she loaned me a dollar!  :)  I think that's the story!!
   

ROAD TRIP!!

Libby and I left today to travel to Alabama to pick up my new toy. I'll share more about that when I get it but for now I want to share something we saw today going through North Jackson.  I grew up in North Jackson and you just didn't see things like this when I lived there.  We seemed to be more "refined". These scenes were more for country living--like Franklin County--my home now!  I was actually talking to Ed on the phone when we spotted it and he laughed at us trying to catch up with the truck to see the size.  It's a "country thing"!! 

 The funniest part was Libby trying to get the pictures as I was speeding along catching up with him.  We'd make good "paparazzi"!

Tomorrow we're going to pick up my new toy and go to the "Coon Dog Cemetary" outside of Florence, AL.  It's supposed to be a popular place for top notch deceased coon dogs.  I'll let you know. :)
 

RIDGE POINT CHRISTMAS 2009

I've spent the last four hours downloading and labeling the pictures from the "Pirate Christmas" at Ridge Point today.  The pictures will have to speak for themselves because I am exhausted!!  We had a great day and enjoyed every minute of being with family and eating and playing games with gifts.  There was lots of laughter and hugging.  If you don't have family, you miss out on a lot. Thank you Lord for giving us such a big extended family!!  Check out the Ridge Point Christmas 2009 photo album on the left sidebar!!  You can also [maybe] see it on my Facebook page.

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!!
 

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!

PHOTO SHOOT [sort of]

                              

                             

 

Leigha got her hair cut a week or so ago.  Libby didn't have her camera and I jumped in the car and took off to the beauty shop to catch some photos.  We ended up at the drug store and had an impromptu photo shoot.  She is eight years old and this was her very first "real" hair cut.  After the photos we went and got snow cones.  It was a fun afternoon for three "girls"!

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

 

BEING A GOOD PARENT

I've been watching a pair of bluebirds that have built a nest in one of the houses on the workbench by the pool house.  I actually don't use it as a workbench, I put flower pots and birdhouses on it.  Every day I say that I wish I had my camera to capture them as they go in and out feeding their babies. [I am assuming that; I have not peeped!] Both the Mom and Dad fly off and bring back food all during the day and patiently feed their young.  There is no arguing or bickering--just constant care and love for the little ones.  I hope I'm outside when they come out to learn to fly. I want to wish them good luck and God bless.

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.

FRUITS OF THE "SPIRIT" [GARDEN]

Walking around in the garden with my camera often gives me ideas.  [Wish I'd had it today when we went to Natchez to eat with friends!! Long story there--will save it for later!]  I started snapping pictures of all the "edibles" in our garden-mostly fruit-that honestly just grow. I'm not a good fruit grower. I should be; I've had classes on it. I just don't do what I've been taught.  Here are a few of the things we'll be enjoying later this summer. 

Meyer Lemons that will make great lemonade!

Satsumas that are Ed's favorite!

 

 

 

Figs on a tree that Ed said would never make it!  Maybe this year we'll have more than enough to snack on.

Apples-I guess it's time to make more apple jelly. It's been a few years since I did that.

 

Blueberries-if the birds don't get to them first.  Every year we have more and more.

 

 

I love peaches more than I love strawberries and I can't grow strawberries. I wish my peaches would grow better-I should do more for them.

 

We have an abundance of pears and always share them with the deer.  The tree got trimmed this year and it looks much better.

 

There are two types of persimmons--I wish I had some good recipes to use them. They are so beautiful in the fall. I love the orange color.

The veggies are doing ok.  Ed has helped push me to keep the grass out of the beds.  Tomatoes, peppers, squash, eggplant (his favorite :) and cucumbers.

 

 

Our tomatoes compared to Jennifer's aren't too good. Maybe soon!

Squash are in abundance. We have three kinds-yellow, zuchinni and butternut.  We've even put some in the freezer. 

After the rain we had on Friday it will be "pull more grass" but it will be worth it.

I can remember my grandmothers gardening. I guess that's where I get my love for it.  They saved seeds and planted and preserved.  My mother canned and put things in the freezer. I am grateful for those lessons learned.