NANA NOTES

TIME TO CLOSE IT UP!

All good things come to an end and I feel this is the time. Each time I try to write my creative juices freeze and the words won't come. Life is crazy and I don't know why. There's never enough time and I get nothing done. There's a song that speaks of this but at this time I can't recall the words. I'm sure Pat could tell me. Who knows, I may decide to start a fresh, new blog about new things. Life changes and mine seems to be trying to. God bless you all and thanks for reading Nananotes for the last eight years. "Eight years"! OMG!!  It is time to stop!!!

2013 CROP CELEBRATION SCRAPPING TRIP

The Scrapping Sisters always look forward to our trip to Hammond for the Crisis Pregnancy Center Crop.  All the money they make goes for a good cause and we have a great time.  The caterers are always wonderful, and we don't have to leave the building except to sleep if we so choose.  This year we had a group of eleven; the Scrapping Sisters were well represented!! We were all laughing at something except Tara who was in another world at the time!! Can you guess who she is??  She's posing but MIA!! Gotta love that Tara!!  These two Pack and Plays are full of items that we carried to donate for the Pregnancy Center.  The more items you donate, the more tickets you get for the grand prize.  I got four tickets.  This year there was only one grand prize.  In the past you've been able to purchase more tickets and scatter them out on several prizes. More later on that!  Susan has a new job at a nursing home.  She has gotten involved with the activities director and was making "kids" for Tacky Day.  She's going to make a wonderful new employee for the nursing home. She loves scrapping!!  Nice to see her work on something besides Disney!! This is a picture of some of the other scrappers.  These just happen to be our friends the Louisiana Scrappin' Sisters. We love these girls. Our sweet vender friends--Melanie from Baton Rouge, Lenore from Foley, AL and Gina from Foley, AL. We're always seated close to them and enjoy visiting with them. Love these girls very much!!  We enjoyed visiting with friends, taking classes and scrapping for three days.  We usually don't get to stay till it's over because we have to get back to get ready for church on Sunday with Pat being choir leader. I gave Susan my tickets to hold "just in case" I should win.  You see, I've won a major door price for the last two years.  There were several to win and I just got lucky!!  Knowing I had no chance to win this year with there being only one, I just asked Susan to hold them for me.  We'd been gone about an hour and a half when I got this picture on my cell phone with a message.  Hmmmmm, looks like you won something!!!   All three of us riding together just started laughing.  We couldn't believe it!!  I called Susan and she said, "yes, you really did win!"  They didn't have room in their car but another friend has it.  I'll get it next weekend when we get together.  I can't wait.  Now do you know why we love that crop so much!!  We're already looking forward to next year!!

AUNT KATHERINE'S SUNSHINE BASKET TRADITION

Ed's Aunt Katherine had a tradition of making Sunshine Baskets filled with small gifts that she carried to friends and family to cheer them up.  Pat (Ed's cousin and my sister in heart and love) called to make sure I would be home and up to a visit by her two sisters and her nieces on March 16th.  I told her that there was nothing that would keep me from feeling like a visit from those sweet, funny girls!!  I couldn't wait!! Now on with the story.  That afternoon Pat, Carolyn, Vana, Diana, Zoe, Sallie Kat and LeighBeth all showed up with a huge green basket all decorated with bows and flowers!!  Now the story is that Aunt Katherine says that you're supposed to open one gift a day so the happiness will last a long time. Carolyn said that was a steadfast rule!! Vana said "open them all at one time if you want to. That's what I'd do! Do what ever you want to do." Pat and the girls were kind of "on the fence".  I chose to "one a day" it--except for one Sunday when I thought I needed more!!  There were 22 gifts and 19 days so that's worked out pretty much right.  You can see that there was a tremendous number of wonderful gifts!! I kept a list of what the gifts were so I could remember in the first place and so I could put the in the blog (cause I knew I would do this!!). Here goes:  Jesus Today book, plant stake letter "H", Sweet Panda gift card, white lace scrapbook border, Joshua magnet, Christian Journal, Jeremiah bag, Burts Bees lip balm, cards, Rejoice notepad in a felt bag with flowers, Rose note pad,  Hope tablet, black and white shopping list, Jelly Bean pills, Rhodan and Fields hand treatment, scripture magnets, travel Scentsy, goats milk soap, gummie bunnies (yum), Gail Pittman Hope bowl, and a beautiful picture of Sallie Kat and LeighBeth. The picture was the only one that made me cry, except when they brought in the basket!!  Isn't that a wonderful thing??  I so loved it and will never forget it!!  I'm already thinking of someone I can do one for.  Thank you my sweet sisters in heart for the wonderful visit and time spent together.  You each will get a note for the tremendous gifts!!  I love you!!

SAM'S SCIENCE PROJECT 2013

 I'm the Nana with all the "stuff"!!  Scrapbooking stuff!  That comes in handy when a project is due and you need letters, cutouts, etc.  I'm so lucky to be able to work on projects with the grandchildren!!  It gives me one on one time with them and I get to fuss at them for waiting till the last minute!! :)  Sam chose "Juice Box Geometry" for his Science project.  He spent the night one Friday night and we decided to go to Waffle House for breakfast on Saturday morning. That was fun in itself.  We took pictures of the different juice boxes. 

We took 7 different juices but only tested 5.

 

We had instructions to follow and even had a program on the computer that helped us measure the amount of packaging and the amount of juice. 

After breakfast we went to Wally World and printed the pictures.  Then it was back home to cut letters, type descriptions and get the board in order.  Paper, glue runners, cricut to cut letters--all the good stuff a scrapbooker has--Sam's favorite is the glue runner!!  He can use some glue!! 

Have you ever seen a cuter kid? Unless it's one of my other grandchildren!!

GOT JUICE--Juice Box Geometry--the finished project!!

 

He made 100 and made it to the gym.  Thanks Sam, for letting me help you.  It was lots of fun.  Let's go to the Waffle House again soon!!

 

CHRISTMAS DABBLINGS

My favorite way to start Christmas is the Hanging of the Greens service at church.  Decorating the church and getting ready for the weeks to come are a blessing to us all.  What a blessed Christmas season we had!  Christmas cooking started way early with cookies, candy and cakes. Trays went out on a regular basis to bless others.  A wonderful surprise one day was opening the door to a beautiful group of carollers.  This group of kids never fails to surprise me. They always remember me in ways I never expect. I love them all.                                             "They got JOY".

Another favorite service at church is the Christmas Eve Communion. The warm glow of the church with candles, the sweet Christmas music, the communion message--all you need for a perfect CHRISTmas.

Having all the children and grandchildren for lunch and gifts is always fun.  The grandchildren are older but they still love to open gifts and enjoy heckling each other.

Have never given my kids a framed portrait picture. Now it's done!!

I love tools!!

Ready for duck hunting!! Now Jennifer has a vacuum cleaner!
Haleigh got her camera strap!!

Bryden likes his "Orvis fishing watch".

About as excited as Josh gets!!

Sam's going to "rip it up"!!

Shelly and Ryan got new vests.
The girls wanted cash!!

A knife with his name on it!!
Jennifer finally has her girl!! Couldn't resist doing this. A trip to Babyland General back in October produced this little cowgirl!!

Now Tiffany can bake for ME!!!

No more emails from Under Armour. Made Graham happy, happy, happy!

 
Papa loved his knife sharpener!

Can't leave Shelby out!!

Jody will be making a trip to Bass Pro in the future!!

Piper wasn't happy that she didn't get a present. She was promised the prettiest collar in Pet Smart when we went that way!!

The Lord has blessed us with so much. We are grateful to have each other and to be able to be together. We should never take our family for granted. To quote Tiny Tim, "God bless us, every one."

BLESSED!

It's not everyday that you get the chance to host a beautiful party and have fun! Lately it seems that we've been doing a lot of that though. Ed and I were blessed to have Anna Grace and Nate's rehearsal dinner here on Friday night. People from all over the US were here and we had a wonderful time. Nothing goes better with friends, food and music that nice chilly weather, warm propane heaters and a fire pit!!  After a delicious meal and nice toasts from family and friends and (as Nate said) everyone put on their "ankle braces" and got the party started. I was off my camera game and didn't get many pictures but someone took my camera and got a few shots.  I did, however, enjoy the dancing!! Thanks, AG and Nate for trusting us to have your dinner at our home. We loved doing it.                                               Shots of the lower deck. Four of the six Hollinger siblings--Jean, Bruce, Joni and Mark (seated). And, yes, I danced till I couldn't any more!! Here I'm doing some kind of something with Chris and Cosima from California!! I loved it!! And I love these kids!!  The wedding was beautiful and I didn't take my camera. I knew Jen would take plenty and maybe I could see those later.  We were blessed by Anna Grace and Nate when they came by the house to change into their traveling clothes so I got a picture after all.  It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission so I'm posting it. (thanks, Susie.)     Ready to leave and yes, she's still going to know me when she's famous !

We love you Anna Grace and Nate!!

 

TRIP TO SEE AUNT NET--GOING TO ATLANTA

This trip was bittersweet. My cousin Clifford died on Labor Day weekend and we had a housefull of company. I couldn't get there and I told Aunt Net that I would come later and spend some time just with her. That pleased her and Libby was sweet enough to go with me. We had a great time traveling together--laughing and talking all the way. Ed says he sees the family resemblance (my dads side). This is Aunt Net and me.  She's the only sibling of my Dads that's still living.  My cousin Kathy was off that week so we got to spend time together as well.  We did something everyday--from going out to eat to driving to the mountains to get apples.  It was a real treat to get to spend time with them.  Kathy, me and Libby.  There are only four cousins left on dads side-two girls and two boys. The two you see here are the best looking, right Kathy?? :)    Kathy's husband has retired and he was with us to go out to eat. He was a Black Hawk helicopter pilot.  Since Jeff retired he bought a motorcycle. He's known to just get up in the morning and take off for a ride.  Watch for "yellow" !! :)

             
This was our lunch on our trip to the mountains.  We visited apple barns and saw beautiful mountains.  I don't know who got the most out of our trip--Aunt Net or me and Libby--but we all had a great time.  I look forward to another trip to "Lanta" soon.  Thanks, Aunt Net for letting us come and hang out!!

HUMMINGBIRDS

We've always put out hummingbird feeders; we've always supplied all our birds with plenty of sunflower seeds.  Everything gets fed at Cotton Branch!! I've heard about people using pounds and pounds of sugar filling their feeders and we're experiencing that now.  We've never had as many hummingbirds as we have this year!  Some days we fill them up four times.  There are as many as thirty birds flitting around the two feeders. Fascinating to watch; amazing really! How on earth do those little birds that weigh less than a ball point pen fly from Canada to Costa Rica? 
This is just a small portion of what we see each day. I'm going to try to video them tomorrow. The little things are so precious!! Loving our hummingbirds and wishing them a safe journey to their winter home.

Annual Dove Hunt

Opening Day--camo everywhere--guns everywhere--people everywhere--food everywhere!! That's what makes up opening day of dove season.  This year was no exception. Hurricane Isaac threatened to ruin it all but even he left in time for the guys to have a nice hunt.  While they hunted, the girls fixed up a big breakfast (french toast casserole, 6#s of bacon, 3 dozen eggs, orange coffee cake, lots of fresh fruit and Haleigh's cinnamon rolls.  It was gone in a flash when the guys came in.

The prep and cooking crew!  Of course, the girls had everything ready for them to assemble.  We're good like that!!  
These cooked up to be delicious! They went great with Bill's Beans, Garlic Green Beans, Jambalaya, Mac and Cheese and Hot Rolls. Desserts--I won't even go there!!  Opening day of dove season!! One of our favorite days of the year!

SECOND RIDE THE ROCKIES

I'm skipping several posts to start giving you updates on Ed and Josh. They are riding the 500 mile "Ride the Rockies" this week while I'm at soggy OB.  It rained 4 inches yesterday and is still raining. Hopefully they are having better weather.  Their flight left NO at 6:30 AM on Friday and was direct to Denver where they picked up a gorgeous motor home that sleeps 10.  There are eight guys going together.  I'm supposed to get updates from them regularly.  Today was the first ride. Last night they stayed at the Palisades Senior Citizens RV Park.  They let Josh in because he had three senior citizens with him!  When Ed called he said they were going out to eat.  I told him to be sure and ask for the senior citizen discount!! :)  

The guys survived the ride and had a great time. They all finished and made it home safely.  I made a scrapbook for Ed commemorating his trip and he loved it.

SCRAPPING SISTERS RETREAT

 

It's always fun when the "Scrapping Sisters" get together.  We usually go to an organized crop and meet up to scrapbook for a weekend.  This particular trip was organized by one of our own at a beautiful lodge on a lake deep in the woods.  We had eight of the "sisters" and three guests. From the look of the room you would have thought it was a huge event. The only thing lacking was venders!! :) BUT--I'm sure any of us could have come up with enough stuff to cover that!!  In this picture everyone wasn't even set up!! Scrapbookers do love their stuff!!  We carried our food and took turns fixing meals. That wasn't a problem for any of us and the food was wonderful. Another thing scrappers love to do is eat!!  This particular night Pat fixed tomato bisque, tomato tarts and homemade bread.  There were several cakes and goodies to share as well. Let's just say that no one went hungry.  We had no agenda, no directions and no bedtime.  Some people stayed up late and some went to bed early. It was so laid back.  Saturday we took time to have pictures made.  For scrapbookers, pictures are always important!!
This is one of the cabins where a few of the girls stayed and the right is the lodge. We had bunk beds upstairs and the big room downstairs, a great kitchen and serving area with plenty of room---and quiet!!!  Three of the original Scrapping Sisters--me, Pat, and Libby (in purple) with our guest Charlotte.  We are all four cancer survivors!!  Some of us got a little crazy with our polish and flip flops!! How fun!! 

It's amazing how different Libby and I look now that we've lost our hair and gotten it back.  We used to look like twins and our hair came back so different.  Hers is black and mine is totally white. What a sense of humor God has.  But he loves us enough to let us survive!!  The girls in the other picture are going to kill me!!  When I saw the picture my first thought was, "does walking up this hill make my butt look big?" I love you girls!! This reminds me of a verse I used on the calendar for this year from the book of Matthew.  "Sit here while I go over there and pray."  I'm sure in our own time and in our own way, we each had our time with God on this trip.  We were in the perfect place to share God's blessings.  Thanks, Susan and Debbie for arranging this weekend for us.

Saturday Ride on Cotton Branch

Taking a ride on Cotton Branch is a normal activity. Seeing two Cowart boys on tractors is not.  Today we saw Ryan and Ben fluffing and baling hay. That was a good sight.  Both boys worked hard today. The fields with hay bales always look good to me. 

This is Ryan on the baler. He knows just how to do it right.  Ben on the fluffer. He can really drive that tractor and keep those rows straight!  The two of them working together warms my heart!!  Gotta love those hard working guys!!

ALWAYS EXCITEMENT AT COTTON BRANCH!!

There's a website here called "You know you live in Franklin County if".  This is one of those things!!  Ed has had a friend from Virginia here riding bicycles with him getting ready for the Ride the Rockies ride in June.  They have ridden every day and left to go on their ride on Tuesday.  Not to long after they left the phone rang.  Ed said, "we just met this guy at Fenn's riding a bicycle. I'm sending him to the house to take a shower and we're feeding him steaks for supper."  You know the next words out of my mouth!!  He convinced me it was ok and Ryan was here with me so we went to the barn and sure enough, there stood a nice looking young man with a bicycle.  His first words were, "you husband didn't call you."  I said that he did and we introduced ourselves.  We brought him up to the house, he took a shower and came down to visit with Ryan and me.  I asked him how he got here. He was riding from Chicago to Mobile.  My response was, "obviously no wife and no job!" He said, "understanding girlfriend and between jobs." Lawyer by profession he was changing firms and had talked them into a couple of months break. He usually hikes but decided to ride his bike to see if he could do it.  I can't remember his specific route but he had left Nashville and ridden the entire Natchez Trace to Natchez. What a beautiful ride that must have been!!!  He rode by day and camped out by night. He's ridden 50-60 miles a day except for Easter Sunday and one day that it rained all day.  I wonder what he thought when Ed and Jim turned around and asked him if he wanted to come here? He did say that it was an invitation too good to refuse. Matthew John McDonald, lawyer from Chicago and new friend of Cotton Branch!!  Linda got here before Matt left. She is never surprised at what goes on at the "Branch". She watched him pack his gear.  He had a sleeping bag, books, a small cook stove and clothes. He bought food and drinks as he rode. After gearing up Matt was ready to take off. I said my goodbyes and left for wound care. I couldn't watch him leave. He had been fed a great steak dinner, chocolate pie and homemade ice cream, a full Southern breakfast and given a Cotton Branch tshirt to remember us.  His next stop was Bogalusa, LA and then on to Fairhope, AL to see his Godchild that he'd never seen.  Our prayers go with you Matt McDonald!!  Without a step of faith we'd never had you in our life.  What a blessing we would have missed!!  God speed and safe travel!!  I hope we hear from you some day!!

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.

 

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!!

FIRST OF THE SEASON!!

Youth season opened with a bang for Ben. He got a big bodied eight point.  He was in the stand way back behind the house and called to check with Ed if he should shoot. Papa gave the ''go ahead'' and I told him to open his bathroom window that we might could hear the shot.  A few seconds later "boom"!! Then the cell phone rings!!  Deer down.  That meant that we had tenderloin on Monday night with rice and gravy and biscuits!! A great early birthday supper for Ben!  Way to go, Ben!

SAM'S READING FAIR

 

I got to do something fun today. Sam had his Reading Fair Project and I was part of it. His book was Red Riding Hood and I was the grandmother. Imagine that!!!  He worked hard on his project board and it looked great.  I sat there while he told the judges about the book and answered what they asked him.  He used his "big bad wolf" mask he made while he talked.  He did a great job and called me this afternoon to tell me that he won 1st place in the third grade in the family category (where a family member comes to participate in the project).  He thanked me for coming to the school.  So sweet!!  Congratulations Sam!!

FED US PHEASANT!!

Ed and Jody went to South Dakota several weeks ago on a pheasant hunt.  You can see that they did well.  Jody had cooked some before and told us how to cook them.  Ed went shopping for all the supplies and fixed them for the Herring Bicycle Team.  Being prepped for the grill.  Peppers, onions, tomatoes, bacon, pheasant, pepperjack cheese and Italian dressing. Finished dish!!  They were "Phabulous"!!  None left to snack on the next day!!

Footnote:

Dr's visit went well.  Counts were up a little and CAT scan is planned for Monday. Dr. visit on Tuesday.  He considers me to be "stable". When we see the results of the CAT scan, he will decide on treatment changes if any.  I get next week off--yea!!

Please pray for Libby's mom, Eunice Norton.  She will be having hip replacement surgery on Wednesday of next week.  She is one of my "other mothers".  :)

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.