NANA NOTES

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!!

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.

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"!

2011 Honey Harvest Part 2

I left you yesterday saying that we have new plastic bottles with new labels. Sam and Ed finished them up today.  They look great and will be much easier to use--less messy and a little cheaper too! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New label !!

New bottle!!

Awesome honey!!

OH MY, OH ME!

Where this you see there used to be, a beautiful big green oak tree!  I'm not a "tree hugger", I'm just not a fan of cutting trees. This big old oak tree has been here for longer than most of us.  It should have been cut when we built the house but no one wanted to do it.  Then, along came the garden and the orchard and they began to flourish.  The poor blueberries were leaning to the north for sun because the tree was shading them out.  I finally caved--my head knew it had to go but my heart was fighting it.

This is the view from the upstairs window this morning.   
 
The sun can now get to the garden and the blueberries and raspberries will be happy and all is well on Cotton Branch!!
 
 

TOAD HOUSE GRAND OPENING/OPEN HOUSE

April 1 is not just April Fools Day! It's the Grand Opening of the Toad House! There have really been some changes going on around there lately. I went in today and lots of new booths have opened and the place is looking good!  We're fortunate to have a "neat" place like the Toad House to share our hobbies and our "stuff"!  As you come in the door Belle's Bliss greets you with this beautiful display.  Sweet Chondabelle can do everything!!  She bakes cakes and does this beautiful work!! The list is way longer and we love her.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The burp pads are two of the new ones I've added to my booth. I love the "little birdie"! 
Every girl needs a Towel Wrap!  This cute one has a smiley face sun appliqued on it with ribbons.  They can be appliqued with initials or monogrammed. The pink one has a daisy with ribbons. I've used so many ribbons I need to visit the Ribbon Jar.

What's the old saying, "be there or be square". I'm just saying~~be there or miss Nana's homemade million dollar chocolate chip cookies!!

And Rhonda doesn't pay me a thing for all this free advertising!! :)

 

 

BEN'S FIRST TURKEY!!

Thanks to a friend of ours who loves to hunt and fish with the boys Ben got to go hunting for the Youth Turkey Hunt weekend.  It was raining like crazy but they went anyway.  I got a call early (for me on a Saturday) and he told me he'd killed a turkey.  Naturally I had to take pictures.  After all, that's a proud moment in a kids life!!   
The gobbler had about a nine inch beard and some pretty good looking spurs.  Casey was going to do a tail mount for him.  Looks like we have another "hunting addict" in the family!!  Awesome Ben! 

 

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. . . 

MY NEW ADVENTURE!

It started out as a joke but the more I talked about it the more I began to get excited.  There's a vender's market and resale shop here called the "Toad House" and when I went there the first time I knew I could do it. I started out talking about getting a small space and when I began to make things, Ed encouraged me to get the whole space.  Then I had him out looking for "old" things to use as display items!!  I've been sewing and beading and have woodworking to be done.  I've got so many ideas that I can't get it all done.  Libby has even gotten involved.  She's made some beautiful knitted scarves.  My beaded crosses and Ed's honey are selling well. I can't wait to try some of the other items I have in my head.  Here are some pictures of "Straight from the Heart" at the Toad House.               

These are "Everything" Bags. Can't wait till one sells. I have an Ole Miss one ready to sew up.  They make good book bags for college students or diaper bags.

Being "retired" is fun.  I get to play a lot--doing things I love to do!!

 

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!!

 
 
 
 
 

THINGS FROM THE PAST

Mr. Charles Buckels worked for Ed's dad and Ed at Herring Gas for a very long time. I don't remember when he retired but it was a long time ago.  He was one of those men who was quiet and worked hard.  He drove this 1964 Ford pickup.  Clay has "had a thing" for this truck for a while and he finally acquired it.  Saturday he came by to show it to Ed and gave us a couple of ball point pen cartridges he found in it that were imprinted with Herring Gas Co. and the address.  His dream is to restore it. We wish him well with his endeavors!!

The truck was purchased at Scarbrough Motors in Meadville.  You can still see part of the sticker.

 

 

 

Ford F-100--rust and all--stylish in its day!

I HAVE AT LEAST ONE FAN!!

This afternoon after lunch Sam and I went to get haircuts. As we were getting out of the car I snapped this picture. 
We both had let our hair get too long and "Aunt Sharon" even washed his hair after she cut it.  That was his first time to have it washed at the beauty shop and he liked it.  He told Ben "don't mess with the do"!  It's hard to believe he's seven and will be going into the 2nd grade.  To me he's still the little "red circle hair boy"!! I love you, Sam.

As I was coming in from the pool, Josh drove up. I was thinking he was staying in New Orleans tonight since he had two meetings there--one today and one tomorrow.  I asked him what he was doing here and he replied, "I live here." I said, "yes, but aren't you supposed to be in New Orleans tomorrow?"  He threw his hands up and laughed. He said, "it's ok, Mama, I don't have to be there until 9:00 in the morning. I can handle it."  After we came back from feeding the fish (and Josh scrounged around for his supper!) he came in to see if his Dad would be up in the morning to help with his tie.  Ed decided to hold class in how to tie a tie!  That's when Josh said, "get your camera, you haven't blogged in a month!"  How could I miss an opportunity to catch this!!? 

First pull the fat side. . .

Then loop around and pull through . . .

 

 

Then push the knot and pull the short piece . . .  Josh rarely wears a coat and tie. Tomorrow is his big interview and he needs to look nice.  Plus every guy needs to know how to tie a tie. As far as that goes, I guess women should know too!  After watching this class I think I could do it but I don't know how it would look.  Papa said he would be available in the morning to check him out!  Good luck, Josh!

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!! 
 

THE VIEW FROM MY PERSPECTIVE!!

The Franklin County Bicentennial Celebration was this past weekend. I got to do the Fun Run/Walk and see the parade and listen to some of the music.  This was what I saw of the race!!  And I did not finish last. It wasn't a timed race; it was done just for fun.  We laughed and walked and had a good time.

The parade took forever [can you believe a parade in Meadville took forever???]! This is my sweet friend Mary Bryan riding with my other sweet friend Jimmy in his favorite car!!

I stayed and heard the CoLin Stage Band and High Road! Couldn't miss my girls.  They played again at 6:00 but didn't get to go back and hear that. I'll soon have to have another "private concert" cause they have a new CD coming out!!  Stay tuned for that.

I hope to post my pictures to an album but if you are impatient and can't wait check out the Facebook walls of Mandy Wilson, Pat Jones, Cookie Stroud and of course mine.  We all have Bicentennial Albums on there.
 

Thursday's Meme --A Day Late

Thursday's Meme

Thrown at me by Cindy...

Three physical things you like about yourself
1) my eyes
2) my teeth
3) my feet  (go ahead and laugh!)

Three physical things you don’t
1) my belly
2) my arms (yes, I got them from my mother!)
3) my hands

Three things that scare you
1) something happening to one of my children or grandchildren
2) drowning or dying in water

3) fire

Three of your everyday essentials
1) my cellphone
2) mascara
3) diet dr. pepper

Three things you are wearing now
1) t-shirt
2) sweat pants
3) gray socks

Three of your favorite bands or musical artists
1) High Road
2) Sugarland
3) Lady Antebellum

Three things you want in a relationship
1) honesty
2) sense of humor
3) trust

Two truths and a lie (which is a lie?)
1) I plan to publish a book
2) I love to drive fast
3) I love to watch football

Three of your favorite hobbies
1) gardening
2) scrapbooking
3) crafts/woodworking/anything with my hands

Three things you want to do really badly right now
1) get well and stay that way
2) get settled and find a project to work on
3) be really content

Three careers you are considering or have had
1) secretary
2) flower/gift shop owner
3) wife/mother

Three places you want to go on vacation
1) Italy
2) Italy
3) always Orange Beach, AL

Three things you want to do before you die
1) see my grandchildren grow up
2) travel up the east coast to see the leaf color
3) go to Italy

Three people you are throwing this to next
1) Sharon
2) Libby
3) Pat

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!!
   

I'M GETTING BETTER AND LOVING IT!

I took on the attitude that I would not be defeated trying to learn my new embroidery machine.  Well, I almost caved but I pulled it out! I've even downloaded some patterns from the web and loaded them to the thumb drive onto the machine. Oh, yes, I'm excited!  Ryan is excited that I can now do the CB logo on his shirts.  He has a thing about those shirts!  Take a look at what I did today.  One is a gift for a friend (who hopefully won't read the blog!!). I totally ignored her birthday but hopefully this will make up for it! 

 This is the Cotton Branch logo.  I put it on a hoodie for Sam. 

I have more projects lined up and lots to do before next weekend.  Can't wait to show you!!

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE---

you can always talk about the weather! That's what we've been doing since we saw this forecast this afternoon.  It's not that we're bored it's just that when you're in the gas business you like to stay informed. I know I won't be getting out much for the next couple of weeks!!   Planning is key to the business and a forecast like this definitely needs planning.  Lots of folks will be working hard and will be on the road.  I'll be praying for the safety of all those who will be working so diligently to get the job done.  Please pray for your "gas man".  While you're doing that check out this forecast for the next fifteen days.  You might want to do some planning of your own.

Download Weather for blog

and I know Sunday is on there twice but it's LATE!!

BAZAAR ITEMS BY NANA

It's almost Saturday and the Meadville UMC Bazaar is going to be a good one.  Here are some of my items and I can't wait to see everyone elses.

 Tacky Yard Art Flowers made from cooking utensils!  They are adorable. Limited quantity--early bird gets the worm!!

Monogrammed towels--have lots of these in lots of colors and patterns and initials. They are adorable and wrapped already!!

Peppermint Mocha Hot Chocolate Mix--so good on a cold night. Makes a perfect Teacher Gift!!

Very limited number of pendant necklaces--another good Teacher Gift.

The Bazaar will also have baked goods (homemade bread, cakes, pies, candy, casseroles)

Breakfast--sausage and biscuits

Lunch-Mr. Mark's hamburgers

Woodworking, Candles, Pot scrubbers, Grandma's Attic and much more.

Saturday, November 7 from 8 until 2 in the Meadville UMC Fellowship Hall.