NANA NOTES

ANNUAL DOVE HUNT 2010

The Saturday before Labor Day is always the opening of dove season. This year the crowd is slim--well, not really, but the kill was awesome.  Over 500 birds!!  Wonder how many cases of shells that took?? I had all the fixings ready and all they had to do was put the shish kabobs together.  Breakfast was on the table when they came in.

This was the "killer crowd" that cleaned and readied the birds.  The guys in process of putting the shish kabobs together. We had quite a kitchen crew.  The girls went to town to The Toad House and supported the local economy while they did their work.

This guy was the "hunt master"!  I'm sure he did a great job putting people on good spots and having the area policed after the hunt!  Now we're just waiting for the cooking and eating!! 
 

 Can you believe this grill?  Almost 100 "dove kabobs"!!  The cooking crew did an awesome job!

It was actually cool under the trees while the doves cooked. Vivian and I put the finishing touches on the rest of the meal while the afternoon hunters finished up and the others gathered in.  The Lord blessed us with a beautiful day and a house full of friends and family to share the day.
 
 
 

SADIE GETS A BURGER!

After having spent a relaxing weekend at the beach Ed, Libby, Sadie and I were traveling home today. We had a very good "beach breakfast" and left the beautiful beach headed home.  I drove while Ed and Sadie held down the back seats. Libby sat up front with me and finished her book.  We usually stop in Hattiesburg at Back Yard Burger cause we're ready for "junk food" (and I really love BYB's!). We walked Sadie and watered her.  We all went in for our food and as we finished Ed said he thought he would get Sadie a burger. She has strange travel habits--she doesn't eat or drink much when she travels.  We went on to the car (which had been left running and locked so she wouldn't get overheated!!)and out Ed comes with her bag. He starts breaking off pieces of burger feeding it to her piece at a time.  My camera was in the back of the car but my phone would work.  Here is Sadie with her burger!! 

She loved her burger and slept all the way home.  And for the record--BYB is NOT "junk food"!!

BEACH SCENES 2010

Well, I can honestly say that we've done very little while at the beach-or should I say condo. The most sand I've seen has been between here and Cobalt where we've had dinner twice. If I had a job to go back to, I would be so rested and ready to get back to it!!  These pictures are just some I've taken without a reason really.  Ed and I have a game of making up stories.  There was a beautiful HUGE motor home parked at the condo.  As the people were leaving I snapped some shots--there was a driver, a man with two boys, a man and a woman with a baby.  Here's my version--the guy in the blue plaid shirt is a rock star and the woman with the baby is his wife.  The other guy plays backup and the guy with the two boys was the busy driver. The fact that he's the busy driver is real.

 
 
  Ok, we have bus, backup, wife and child, bus driver and now rock star! 

 As hard as I tried I could not get a shot of his face.  That was my story; Ed just said "megabucks"!!

Breakfast for Papa and me--our favoritebeach thing--bagles, bacon, fresh fruit, and homemade blackberry jam and homemade peach jam! 

 
Have to get Papa walking Sadie for one of her "daily's"!!  She really just likes to ride the elevator!!

  Always weddings on the beach. This was one of three this afternoon.  Gotta go take Sadie out. It's about time to come back to good ole Franklin County too!

 

 

FUN AT THE BEACH!!

 This is what greeted us as we crossed the bridge on Monday afternoon.  It's anchored at the GS airport.  Don't know what it's doing here. A fun sight to see though.

Didn't make it to the beach today but it was a beautiful day! Looking forward to going tomorrow.

Vin and Cathleen are here visiting and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Gulf Shores Steamer at San Roc. Tiffany will flip when she sees this!!  We loved it!  A freezer of Nadene's Homemade Lemon Ice Cream was waiting on us when we got back to the condo. We had a great day in heaven!! 



  
 
  

 

MY "HONEY" WITH HIS HONEY!!

 And I'm not talking about Exal!!  Today they extracted the hives and got lots of honey.  They still have more to do and we have to bottle it all.  I get to help with that part.  Doesn't that look wonderful?  The combs were so full.

Ed's using a warm "decapping" knife to remove the honey from the frame. I don't know how many frames he did but there were boxes full.  Seems his "hobby" has turned into a JOB!!  We will enjoy the fruits of his labors though. The bottling process should be fun. :)   "I can't stand it when it's sticky!"

 

81 FULL QUARTS plus two meals!!

In casual conversation I ask someone if they sold some of the corn they raised. The answer was "yes" and I got 1000+ ears on Wednesday and Thursday.  We worked hard both days and ended up with 81 full quarts plus corn on the cob one day and creamed corn today. It  was delicious!!  We're thankful for the family that raised it and sold it to us and to the ones that helped us put it up.

It just doesn't get any better than this!

 
Now we just have to do the butterbeans and peas!  When did you say they would be arriving???  Hopefully not this week!! 
 

GOOD FRIDAY GARDEN!!

Every good country gardener knows that Good Friday is the day to plant the garden. Ed had this uncontrollable urge to "get it done" yesterday. He got the raised beds cleaned out and prepared. I helped him tack down the "garden paper" and he was off. Exal helped him plant and they somehow had more space than plants.  This morning he got me up to go get more plants.  We now have tomatoes, squash, peppers, eggplant and cucumbers standing upright and healthy in our raised beds. We even said a prayer over our garden knowing that God would bless our efforts.  We only lost a couple of fruit trees during the very cold weather this year. Ed's already replaced those.  They are blooming and smelling so good.

Tomatoes and cucumbers. I love the wire fence for the cucumbers--I'm hoping they will be easier to pick--less hidden cukes!!

 
Eggplant, peppers and squash.

 

 
 Eggplant and squash.  We should have lots of good veggies in the summer.

We keep thinking we've forgotten something!  What would that be???

Maybe more eggplant!!!

 

Ed's orange tree looks great and smells soooo good!  Hope it produces lots of oranges!

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.

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!
 
 

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!
 

 
 
 

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!!

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!

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!! 

175th CELEBRATION at MUMC

After months of work the day is finally arriving--the 175th anniversary of our church--Meadville United Methodist.  The committee has spent countless hours working and planning for this day.  Although I wasn't on the committee, I got to work on a couple of projects for the event. I designed and sold tshirts. So far that has gone well.  We've sold almost 100.  I also got to put together four bulletin boards for the church--this let me put all my scrapbooking equipment to good use!! 

I picked up a couple of fall wreaths for the doors and Beverly added the bows. It made the front look so inviting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This board is in the front foyer. I wanted a border but couldn't find one I liked. My theory is "when in doubt-don't" so I left it plain.  The emblem in the middle is on the back of the tshirt.  The Military board has to be one  of my favorites.  It has the sons and friends of our members in the military on it that we are praying for.  Be sure to check it out.

This is really a good one--and I can't take full credit for the idea. But--I did do it with my own creative additions. It's on the board going into the Fellowship Hall. Check it out!    Downstairs in the Sunday School foyer is this board.  I thought it turned out well.

Today when I carried my food to the church there were beautiful flowers everywhere and the video with pictures was tremendous. I know the music is going to be good and the sermon and other speakers should be wonderful as well.  I hope I can take my camera tomorrow and get some shots of the day. This will be too good to miss.  Muffins and coffee at 9:30 AM with church to begin at 10:30 AM.  Come if you can.  You won't be disappointed.

A COMBINATION OF EVENTS THIS WEEKEND

Ed is having some dental work done by a friend of his who is a dentist in South Florida. He somehow talked me into going along to see if I wanted to be checked out. Sounds good--a little beach trip with some friends and good food.  We called Josh and Cagney got us a room at the St. James Hotel. We went down on Wednesday night and had dinner with them at a lovely place called Irene's. Talk about awesome food. 

Of course I pulled out the camera--you can see our desserts: bread pudding, strawberry cheese cake, creme brule and tiramisu for me. That's after we had eaten some tremendous entrees!

  My salad was sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil and red onions with balsamic vinegar dressing.  And for someone who doesn't eat pork chops, this was terrific!!  It was a double cut pork chop filled with granny smith apples slices and walnuts with a sweet potato and apple gratin on top of the most delicious turnip greens I have ever had.

Cagney, Josh and Ed had a beautiful steak. I tasted Ed's and it was delicious too.  We were stuffed when we finished. They took us to see their house and then we went to the hotel.  We had an early flight.

 

 

After an uneventful flight to St. Myers, FL we visited with friends and went out to dinner at the "Temptations Restaurant" in Boca Grande. The movie Deja Vu was filmed there with Denzel Washington.  Another awesome meal and an early bedtime because of Ed's all day dental appointment.  This picture was made with my Blackberry because I forgot my camera.

 

 Dennis and Ed relaxing at their indoor pool while Alma, Naomi and I rode around on the golf cart taking flower pictures.

This is Naomi--Ed's little honey.  She will be three soon and she really took to Ed. She calls me Nana and that's just fine too.

We look forward to going back soon.

 

A flight for Ed and me wouldn't be complete without an hour on the runway without A/C and a return to the terminal for a change of planes.  Better safe than sorry and I am not a great fan of flying anyway.  We made it to New Orleans only two hours late but still in time for a great dinner at Middendorf's.  We met a nice couple who knew some people we knew and had a nice visit.  Every day we find out that the world is getting smaller.

After proofing this post I guess I should have called it "How We Ate Our Way To Florida and Back"!

MISSION TEAM TREAT

There are about 100 teens and adults here from three churches in Texas doing local mission work in Franklin County.  They are sleeping in MUMC and using the school field house for showers.  Someone said they were a well oiled machine. Their leadership is awesome.  Ed and I had the priviledge of having them for a cookout and swim party tonight and we all had a grand time.  Ed cooked the best hamburgers with all the trimmings and Susan (or Bubba) and Dale made brownies.  Everyone ate until everything was gone and their were smiles on all of the faces. Ed said they broke the record for the largest number of people in the pool so far.  I also found out that they are doing work on some homes of people I know--deserving people and that made me happy. 

Steve [the guy with the glasses] is the leader of the team. He was here in May checking everything out and getting things ready for the team. This is only part of the kids. 

All of the people were very nice and seemed happy to be in Meadville.  They were very pleased with the help they were getting from Tyson's and folks around town.  Sheila is even going to keep the Snoball Stand open until late on Thursday night just for them.    Thanks, Sheila!

 

The burger line was as popular as the pool--especially the brownies. Thanks to Linda and Janice for all their help.  The team was actually upset that they didn't get to help.  

 

 There are about a dozen vans like this driving around Franklin County full of hard working teens and adults.  If you see one of them--give them a hug and say "thanks" for what they are doing.

And thanks guys for letting us serve you tonight.  We had a great time. God bless you all on this trip and others that you make.  Have a safe journey home and don't forget the Snocones on Thursday!!

A BLUEBERRY DAY!

I decided last night that I wanted to pick blueberries this morning.  I invited Haleigh to go with me but she opted not to go so Ya Ya went and we had a really fun time and spent a couple of hours picking the most awesome blueberries.  The sign directed us where to go even though we'd been there before. 

 

 

The bushes were loaded and we found our favorite spot.

 

You can see that the berries are huge and it didn't take long to pick all we could use. I'm sure we weighed more when we left cause you have to taste every bush!!

 

We did the right thing and put our money in the box for the berries and the grounds keeper who does a great job of making the area a clean place to pick. We told him that too!

I didn't want my picture made because I was very dirty. YaYa had changed clothes.  Aren't our berries beautiful?  We are blessed to have such a wonderful place to go (Thanks, Barry!) and I'm blessed to have YaYa who loves to go with me to pick anything that's fun!!

ANOTHER PIZZA HUT ADVENTURE

Ed and I took the boys [all four] plus Haleigh to Pizza Hut tonight while Jennifer and Shelly were at the funeral home.  The boys didn't want to stay there the whole time so we "occupied" them for a while.  You can always keep them busy eating!!  Ryan and Haleigh decided to go along and we were glad.  It's nice to have teenagers want to be with you.  They put a movie in and laughed the whole way there.  I think we ordered some of everything on the menu--even a new item which not everyone liked!  It didn't make the carry home box.  Ben and I always get a salad. We love our greens.  Sam tried the Pizza Rolls and did eat one, but said to leave them there.  Haleigh tried one but said "no thanks" to any more.  Haleigh will kill me when she sees this picture--she was tickled and saying "don't take my picture".  Ryan dodged out of the way.    The boys put money in the "junk" machines and got some really tacky toys.  Graham got "tracks" for his teeth and a "mood ring".  He said it was really hard to smile with his tracks on.  Sam got "floam" and had fun playing with it.  We're not sure what he had made here but he loved it.  Ben got a "Squidward" and he wasn't thrilled.  Some days you get it and some days you don't.  This wasn't Ben's day!!

Just for the record--this was the best service we've ever gotten at the Pizza Hut--our waitress didn't write down one single thing and she got everything right and it was FAST!  We had a fun time making memories.

WHAT I NEED TODAY!!

I've never been one to eat much chococlate--certainly not chocolate cake, ice cream or candy. Every now and then I would but not as a rule.  I'd rather have lemon or any other flavor of dessert.  When I got sick last year one of the crazy things that happened to me was my craving for chocolate.  I still don't like chocolate cake, ice cream or cookies but I LOVE chocolate candy--good candy--the expensive kind and M & M's especially with nuts!!  Yesterday when I went to get the DIET Dr. Peppers I picked up a couple of large bags of M & M's [peanut and almond]. Today I am in heaven.  Tomorrow I may have a headache but today it's a good thing!  [Oh, and I don't like the new mouse--I'm taking it back!]