NANA NOTES

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?? 
 

2011 CROP CELEBRATION IN HAMMOND

This past weekend nine of our "Scrapping Sisters" group traveled to Hammond, LA to a Scrapbook event to benefit the Restoration House--sort of a Crisis Pregnancy Center.  We started out by donating diapers, formula and baby outfits for this cause. It felt good to be having fun and all the proceeds to go a worthy cause!!  Every penny made this weekend went to the Restoration House. We left early on Friday (Pat, Libby and me) with the Scrapping Sisters trailer and after a stop at PJ's coffee headed south to Hammond.  Immanuel Baptist Church was the host for the crop and we had lots of space and good lighting--real pluses for croppers!!  Regina (one of the girls putting on the crop) had her mother and father in law there preparing the meals.  Talk about awesome!!  For a nominal fee we were fed like queens and didn't have to leave the building!!  Most of our group won a door prize and two of us won raffle prizes.  Several won auction items and everyone came away pleased.  Everyone worked on their own projects and we all took classes and "make and takes" at our leisure.  It was a wonderful weekend.  Here are some pictures of our group.  
Beth, Susan, Debbie, Sharon, Tammy on the back row.  Libby, Melanie, Pat and Barbara on the front row.   
Our sweet friends from Alabama--Gina and Lenore from GiGi's Scrapbooking.  We've been friends for several years and always enjoy seeing them.  

 

Another sweet friend Melanie with her daughter Bailey and one of the girls (I'm sorry I don't have her name.) who helped "put on" the event.

Laura and Ginger who were "Stampin Up" ladies. We did "make and takes" and took a class with them.  Love the 8 x 8 class!!

 

Several of us took the "Close to my Heart" make and take with Connie Arceneaux.  The picture frame was cute and easy to do.     

 

The project I'm most proud of is one that I've been wanting to do since January.  It was for a friend's birthday. I found just the right paper and embellishments thanks to Pat and Gigi.  I hope you like it Charlotte!

 I painted letters for my booth most of the weekend and we laughed that I would paint a letter and take a class; paint a letter and do a make and take; paint a letter--well you get the idea.  Anyway, it worked and I enjoyed myself.  It's always fun to be with the "sisters" and laugh and talk.  We can't wait till we can get together again.

    

 

TUESDAY NIGHT PAINT CLASS

A group of us went to Paintin' Sisters tonight for a class. Click on the name to see pictures of what we did. This group of girls always has a good time. We missed some of our group and hope they get well soon and can go next time.  I always take goodies and didn't have any tonight. The girls were disappointed. It won't happen again!!  Ms Debbie cranks up the music and the fun begins.  Till next time. . . 

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!!
 

GUYS DON'T DO WHAT???

Ed has had company for the past couple of days and they've been trapping, hunting and talking business.  Every time they come in and it gets quiet I look up and this is what I see.  I don't think they can say that a woman is always on her Blackberry any more!!  This was funny!  So engrossed in their messages!!  A full belly, a warm fire and the Blackberry and iPhone! Who could ask for more!!

NEW YEARS DAY 2011

Today is one of my favorite days and I think it's because of the food!  I love the traditional black eyed peas, cabbage, cornbread meal with all the extras.  Today I fixed roast and chicken with rice and gravy, frozen salads, stuffed eggs and dessert to go with the peas.  Jennifer brought her wonderful guacamole and chips and cauliflower with cheese.  We have many funny stories that always surface on New Years Day that will never fade away. It's tradition!!  Some people wish they would just go away!  Here are some pics of the day.           

 

Peas cooked with Maw's silver dollar.           

Jennifer's favorite frozen salads. We finally remembered to get them out of the freezer.

 

Lemon Blueberry Bars--these were pretty good, but the Carrot Cupcakes were awful! Something I bought at Handworks that I won't be buying again!!                                       

 

           

 Josh and Victoria





Ryan and Haleigh--they'd already eaten one NY'sD lunch at MiMi's.

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 Bryden is as tall as I am and can just about take me down with a hug. He's the lovable one--you have to grab Hayden to get a hug!

 





 The gang getting ready to fix their plates.

 Jody and Ed

We wish everyone a wonderful, prosperous and healthy new year! Our year is going to be an exciting one with the addition of a new granddaughter-in-law and things we don't even know yet. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us!

 Nana and Papa--either before or after a wonderful lunch!   Tiffany and the girls were MIA and Jennifer never slowed up enough for me to catch her. She took pictures so I hope she posts them.

PAINTIN' SISTERS PAINTING PARTY

For the second time I've had a post almost complete and the computer cut off. Sam's favorite word is coming to my mind! Last night a group from Meadville went to the "Paintin' Sisters" to paint a canvas. Several of us scrapbook together and others we've known forever.  We laughed, painted, talked, painted and had a wonderful time. Thanks Jennifer, Debbie and Ashton for all your help and encouragement.  Here are a few pictures of our outing.  Thanks Sharon for including me in your group!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had so much fun and can't wait to go again. This makes me feel like an "artist"!!  And now you know I'm kidding! But it is FUN!

RYAN AND SAM DO IT AGAIN!!!

It took Sam a while to decide he wanted to pull the trigger on a gun. But, boy when he did----the gun powder is smokin'! Today it was freezing cold and all the guys went hunting after lunch.  My brother and his family came and we ate and had Christmas with them. Then it was off to the deer stands.  After discussions of "where are you going?" they headed out while the girls bedded down by the fire to watch a movie.  We got a call to get the camera ready that Ryan had killed a deer.  Then another call--Sam had one down.  They showed up at the house for pictures and I fed them homemade soup to warm them up.  Here are the pictures:   Ryan's deer weighed 230 pounds and had a beautiful rack.   Josh guessed the weight exactly! 

Sam's deer was a nice 8 point rack and weighed 165. This was his second nice rack.  Once he decided he could do it he hasn't let up.

Their Uncle Jody is a little upset! He's the "Great White Hunter" and the boys are beating him.  Pressure is on!!  He's taught them his tricks--Outwit, Outsmart, Outplay!!  Way to go, Ryan and Sam! 
 
Christmas pictures will come later! The boys came first.

STOCKING PAINTIN' PARTY 2010

Several of us from Meadville went over to Brookhaven to the "Paintin' Sisters" and had a wonderful time last night. Jennifer carried Sam with her. Sharon and Libby rode with me. Libby and I had done one of the paintings at the Elementary School and enjoyed it. I hope to go back next week for another class. Here are some pictures of our efforts--and a couple of some sweet people.

On arrival we paid our money and got our supplies. Jennifer wanted Sam to paint and he was ready!

Libby, Leigha, Allan and Chonda were hard at work painting their backgrounds.

Sam had no problem painting his background. He's ready to move on.

Sam was so excited about getting to paint that he gave his Mom a big hug. He loves to do crafts and has his own "drawer" of craft things at my house.

One of the assistants helped Sam with his outlining but other than that he did it all by himself.

We all enjoyed the class and it was fun to see what the different designs we used with the same pattern. The colors were creative and we have this cute little painting to remind us so such a fun night!Libby, Leigha, Sharon and Me! 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

A HUNTING THEY DID GO!

I started this last night and lost it! Computers have minds of their own. Everyone went hunting yesterday afternoon.  There were boys and girls all over the farm.  I was running errands and cooking soup and brownies just in case they came in starving (what are the chances??). I kept getting calls that "so and so has a deer down", "this one has a deer down", "bring Sadie so she can track the deer" and on and on.  Finally I got the call that they were all at the barn and to bring the camera.  I wasn't prepared for what I saw or heard.  It would take the boys to tell the story but I can show you the pictures.  Gotta love deer season on a farm with grandchildren!!

Graham telling the story!  Ryan's deer literally charged Shelly, Ben, Sam and Graham. He swam a pond and ran out at them.

When Sadie can't find the deer they usually call in David Rushing with his hound dog.  His dogs are great and David is a good friend. He has gotten to be a regular around here and we enjoy having him.  He's had Christmas Day supper with us for the last several years.  It's almost a tradition!

Hayden and Shelby waiting on the others to get there. They weren't in on the kill this time.

  

Jennifer and Sam were excited for all of the guys and Emily.

 

 

Here they are:  Ryan with his 11 point;  Bryden with his 8 point; Emily with her 8 point and Ben with his 8 point that had a 17 1/2 inside spread.  (I was told that was important to say!) They were all proud of their deer.

We don't kill these deer just for fun. Just so you know, the meat from the deer was carried to families that need it. We were all taught to share what we have and not waste God's resources.

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A LITTLE CHRISTMAS BAKING

How many guys do you know that would come in and help you bake Christmas cookies?  Sunday afternoon after the Bude Christmas program I was baking cookies. Ryan and Haleigh came over and helped me. Haleigh picked up my camera and took a few shots.  Gotta love those two. They are so precious and will do most anything for me. Haleigh decorated some too. Memories, yes and I love it!

He's doing pretty good with his sprinkles!

Now if we can just hide them until we get our trays made for our friends!

Merry Christmas!!