NANA NOTES

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!!

SPRING ARRIVING

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

 

 

 

 

 

 















 

 















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

 

 

 

    

 

 

A VERY NICE DAY!!

Melody invited me to attend a meeting of the Garden Club of Jackson to see Sharon McGukin of Carrollton,GA.  She was doing a design program based on her book Flowers of the Heart (a bride's guide to choosing flowers for her wedding). Since we're having a wedding this summer and I love flower design I was delighted to be invited.  I saw several garden club friends and others that I knew.  We enjoyed a delightful lunch and then went to Fresh Market for a few purchases. Here are some pictures of the program.

 

 Lovely yellow lilies, orange roses and pussy willow in a silver container.

 

 

 

  

Roses and orchids with fern.

 

 This arrangement was done on the OUTSIDE of the container. Just a few pieces of greenery were inside.  Very interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The yellow roses, purple iris, English dogwood and phlox are in a simple container and were picked from the "yard"--very simple and beautiful. 

This is the finished product with the orange roses and pussy willow. She used bells of Ireland, pink stock and white orchids.  The pussy willow formed a cage of sorts in the middle.

 

 









Limbs with yellow lilies, roses and ealyagnus--simple yet pretty.

























White lilies, orange gerbers, flowered branches in the coolest container.  A little "messy" for me but I love the container!

                                                                                                      

This is the finished design using the pussy willow and orange roses. She added yellow lilies and protea. 

The flower show judge came out in me because I thought some of her designs were too large for her containers--but I had to remember that I was there as an observer and it was for entertainment and for home use!!

The program was delightful and I thank Melody for inviting me.  You can never get too much of God's beauty!!

 





 

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.

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!! :)

 

 

WHEN NANA'S AWAY THE BOYS WILL PLAY!

One afternoon recently I was gone somewhere and when I returned Ed said he had something to show me.  He handed me his phone.  This is what I saw. 

He and Sam had built another bluebird house and it looked so good. 

 
Sam even used the cordless drill to hang it on the fence post.  He loves the bluebirds just like we do and loves the power tools just as much.  Thanks guys, for building another house for our birds! 

BLUEBERRY JELLY

Thanks to a breaker blowing today in the freezer room in our barn, we almost lost a lot of fruit and veggies.  Thanks to Linda and the boys who found it and called the electrician who came and fixed it. The blueberries in the door of a freezer had thawed so Linda brought them to the house and cooked them (not realizing that I would rather make jam than jelly).  When I got downstairs I had blueberry juice for days!!!  I strained it all and started making jelly.  There were only eight boxes of Surejell so I knew I would have to stop when I got through with that.  By 9:30 PM I was worn out and had 44 half pints of beautiful and delicious blueberry jelly made.  I still have three HUGE bowls of juice to finish.  As I posted on my Twitter--there will be CB Blueberry Jelly at the Toad House tomorrow.

 

I'm already thinking biscuits and butter with blueberry jelly!! Or the popovers in the new issue of MS Magazine with Blueberry butter!!  Company's coming--they'll be getting it! 
 

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.

    

 

JENNIFER SAYS "YOU NEED TO BLOG!"

Gosh, I didn't realize I hadn't blogged in so long.  I usually have something to say even if it's just a little bit.  I have to say that I've been busy with "stuff" and the time has slipped away.  My Toad House adventure has been fun.  My things are selling which really surprises me.  I have to make some room in my booth for some things I am working on.  The sign may have to be made smaller! :)                                      

  This is a "door knob accent" made from beads. It has a beaded cross on it with a note that reminds you whenever you pass that door to pray for your family and friends.  It's not an original idea--I borrowed it from someone.
 
These little dresses are so cute. I have made several. 

 The pillowcases are fun to make and are very pretty. 

 

The heart door decorations for Valentine's Day were made from burlap. I have some more ideas that haven't come out yet. There aren't enough hours in the day for me.

I knew I had another dress! I have one with cats on it but I don't think I took a picture of it.  I also made one with bees but sold it before it got there. The sizes are from 2 to 6.

 

 

 

My first "Bulldog Bag" sold so I made another one--not quite like the first--so each one is unique. It's for the State and GA Bulldog fans!!

So--I guess you see why I've not been blogging--I've been crafting!! 

It's just too bad that I've waited so long to find my creative side!!  The days are too short and I've learned that I really like Sunday afternoon naps!!

 

The baby bibs are sweet. These two are for Easter.  Got to love those rabbits!!   

I have no idea why this is so mixed up. I typed the descriptions with the pictures!!

 

SURPRISES THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY

One of the joys I get each day is looking out the kitchen window. A friend made us a bird feeder and put it where we could watch it. Ed keeps it full of black sunflower seed and we enjoy our birds all the time.  We even have a book and mark the ones we see on the feeder.  I found some millet in the fridge left over from our parakeet days but the birds didn't like it. Ed put it on the ground after this picture was made.  Waking up to everything frozen is a beautiful sight! We haven't had the snow we had last year (only about 1/2" on Friday) but we had a couple of days of ice. I love the way the trees look like crystals but we don't need the icy roads for the vehicles.  It's nice when God surprises you with special beauty on a wintry day!
 

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!!

 

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!!
 

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!

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 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!! 
 
 

 

THE TIME IT IS A FLYIN' AND I AM GETTIN' BEHIND! CATCHIN' UP!

Ed and Ben left on their hunting trip (you saw the picture of them when they left) and Libby and I decided to treat a friend to dinner out.  Deb needed some "girl time" so we went to Natchez and ate supper, looked around Walmart and came home.  So much for a night on the town!!

On Wednesday afternoon the Elementary School held a painting class to raise money for the Relay for Life.  Jennifer, Libby and I took the class.  I should have carried my camera but I didn't.  I did however take a picture of the "picture" I painted.  We had a good time and plan to do it again soon.

It wasn't the hardest thing I've ever done, but it wasn't the easiest either. But it sure was fun.  I found out that things don't have to be perfect to be pretty!

Now for the exciting stuff!  Ben and Ed had a wonderful hunting trip.  The first day Ben killed a 14 point mule deer.  The second day he killed a 9 point mule deer.  The third day he killed a havalena. To get Ben to be excited is like melting ice so I'm guessing he had a good time. He said he did!! 

 
This is the 14 point and the guy with him is the guide Randall. Randall has been Ed's guide since he first started going to Longfellow many years ago.  He knows three of our grandsons. I hope he gets to take the other three on hunts as well.

All this and getting the house ready for Christmas, doing a little shopping and starting to bake and make candy for trays to deliver, along with hours and hours of choir practice have filled the days and nights for me.  It's a blessing to be able to sit here and tell you about our little adventures and thank God for them.  Love to you all.
 
 

 
 

EMILY'S BUCK!!

 
No girl on Cotton Branch will let the boys beat them!  Emily was out for horns today and she got them.  It was serious business!  Way to go Emily--just wish I had been here to see you and hear the story. Guess I'll have to get it later.