Blessings In The South

The Eve of Christmas Eve

2011-12-23T04:07:00.001-08:00

A Little Christmas Cookie Baking

2011-12-20T02:44:00.001-08:00

What a Pretty Color

2011-11-18T06:18:00.001-08:00

I love the color of brown eggs! My husband even agreed that it is just gorgeous.

So last week we had a double yoker, well what about this tiny Rhode Island Red egg? Cute huh?

Beautiful Morning

2011-11-12T04:40:00.001-08:00

Up early this morning. I think my cold is about licked. The fire chases away the chill from last night.

And can you believe a DOUBLE YOKER!! My granddaughter was thrilled.

Gotta get busy now. Pecans to harvest!

Home Grown

2011-11-11T12:01:00.001-08:00

The mustard greens are a few weeks ahead of the turnips but that's ok with me. I had a ball digging up our sweet potatoes with my bare hands. Nothing like a good Southern meal.

Now if I could only kick this cold that's lingering.....if only.

All Work and No Play?

2011-11-03T12:53:00.001-07:00

Not at this house!

Farm girl doesn't mind doing her share of picking up pecans. Then it's fun with Play-Doh.

What a life!

Oh and to explain the sticker....a new Piggly Wiggly just opened near us. Our excitement for the day was to check out the new store!

Gotta get your kicks some way huh?! Lol!

Harvest

2011-10-25T06:30:00.001-07:00

It's what we've worked for all year. Now is the time to bring in the harvest, to reap the benefits of my husbands labor, the graciousness of God.

It's all grown right here on our little farm.

Perfect Fall Weather

2011-10-06T15:09:00.001-07:00

Just a few more grapes are left on the vine. The mustard greens are taking off. It's beautiful here.

Content

2011-10-02T10:47:00.001-07:00

That's how I feel today. The weather is perfect. Blue bird sky, cool temps. The young humming birds are still here and are very playful. With the windows up I can here them buzzing around outside. I have been putting up apple pies today. I may try making some apple butter. An apple cobbler is on the menu for supper!

Danny and my granddaughter brought me these beautiful flowers! I love them!

What A Fall Day.......

2011-10-02T07:55:00.001-07:00

Need I say more?

A Fall Evening

2011-09-30T16:33:00.001-07:00

The temperature is going to drop tonight. I'm thankful. Tomorrow's high is expected to be 75! I will take it! We are shaking pecan trees this weekend so it's going to be great harvesting weather.

In the meantime we are enjoying some front porch sitting with lantern light.

So what Fall inspired plans do you have for the weekend?

God Inspired

2011-09-26T15:47:00.001-07:00

This afternoon's rain brought a magnificent view from our front porch. Double rainbows over the pecan orchard! Just prior to that, we were eating supper. Danny had made the comment that he was blessed way more than he had ever prayed for.

How profound! How true!

And then we find Double Rainbows over our home.

Why is that? I'm just sayin......

Ahhhhh......

2011-09-24T16:13:00.001-07:00

I love mums! All kinds, any kind!

Welcome FALL!

2011-09-23T10:51:00.001-07:00

We made a trip to North Georgia the first of the week to get some fresh apples. We couldn't resist a visit to a few others places. Burt's Pumpkin Farms was beautiful! Hope you're having a great Autumn beginning.

A new blogger app on my iphone?!

2011-09-21T13:41:00.001-07:00

I am beside myself! TEST!

Burts Pumpkin Patch

2011-09-21T10:29:00.001-07:00

Attempting to post via iphone. Not sure how this is going to work but I'm going to give it a shot.

2010-11-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

ELECTION DAY

I really did not want to vote....but I did. There is a very large....king....super-size soap box I could get on...but I wont.

I have done my "DUTY" as many call it. (I do not feel it is a duty....another soap box).

Did you vote today? Why or why not....no judgement here....just wondering.

P.S.
I am holding the "I'm a Georgia Voter" sticker that they give out at the polls...just in case yall thought I had lost it and became a camera hog...LOL!

2010-10-31T05:17:00.000-07:00

THINGS PONDERED ON HALLOWEEN..........

Moon lit rides through the Haunted Pecan Orchard.......

Sightings of a WITCH flying near a Full Moon!!

Pumpkins and cauldrons........

And kids.....lots of kids.....preferably in the form of trick-or-treaters......

Last night our little town had trick-or-treating and a church Fall Festival. We never get trick-or-treaters at my house (to far in the country) so I went to help my Mom at her house. It was fun sitting out on the porch, talking with neighbors and seeing all the kids. So cute!!!!

So how did your Halloween go?

2010-10-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

LOVING FALL

It has been very hot here....I don't like it at all! BUT....for whatever reason, it has been very beautiful here at our place. I took these pictures on October the 17th and I think this is one of the prettiest years ever.

The leaves have started changing here this week on our farm. Everything looks very different from when I took these pictures. Fall in South Georgia is hard to find unless you are a trained eye to these parts.

What does Fall look like in your neck of the woods?

2010-10-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

FARMING, HARVEST, OCTOBER!!!!!!

Can I just say.....everything has been beautiful around here! Harvest seems to be just a few weeks early here. Cotton, peanuts, and pecans....early by my memory. The grapes and sweet potatoes were the only thing that seemed to be right on time. We harvested one varitey of pecans this weekend...NEVER have we done this in October!!

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

2010-09-21T05:45:00.000-07:00

SO LONG SUMMER.......

See ya next year!

2010-09-21T05:26:00.000-07:00

THOMAS & LUCY CARNEGIE'S DUNGENESS MANSION

This Summer while fishing around Cumberland Island, Danny & I decided to walk up to the ruins of the Old Dungeness Mansion. I have been here several times but it was Danny's first.

The place is still beautiful. But oh I wonder what this home was like back in it's day? After visiting there this Summer, I read a book called Strong Women, Wild Horses by Charles Seabrook. Current residents of the island are not fond of the book but I found it very interesting. It really took me back in time.

2010-09-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

CARNEGIE LIVING

Blogger has been a pain, not allowing me to download photos. But finally...I can show you some Summer pictures.

We spent a week down at the coast fishing, mostly around Cumberland Island. When the tide was bad we would take little walking trips on the island.

This is George Carnegie's home as seen from the bank of the water.

After docking, this is the path you walk to get to the home. Those are some of Cumberland's famous wild horses.

You get a better glimpse of the home as you are walking up to it. Just beautiful!

This is the very back of the home.

This is the front of the home. No way to get a really good picture of it because it is sooo big. That is me on the front porch.

The National Park Service owns the house now. Money has been set aside to renovate it. Danny & I received an unofficial tour by a couple of really nice volunteers that are living there. They are helping with the renovations also.

I have a few pictures of the inside but to tell you the truth...they are poor quality. I was so awe struck and really did not try to capture the inside. If you want to know more about the home, it's previous owners and history, you can go to this nice fellas site. Mr. Lindsey does a fabulous job.

2010-09-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

15 DAYS OF SUMMER LEFT?!

So where has the time gone? 2010 Is almost over? Can somebody please explain to me what the french toast is going on?

We've had some pretty fun times this past Summer. Since I didn't blog much (or at all), I think I will share a few memories over the next 2 weeks. So the count down is on.....15 days of Summer left....or is that 15 days til FALL!!! Win/Win in my book!

These are pictures from Little Package's first fishing trip to the Ohoopee river.

2010-09-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

LABOR DAY 2010

I have worked many a Labor Day....thanks to nursing. BUT NOT TODAY!!

There will be none of this.........

And more of this........

None of this........

And a lot of this.......

I hope you have a great day off!!

2010-09-03T05:08:00.000-07:00

It is a cool, crisp 65 degrees on my porch this morning! I am so feeling Fall weather and all the wonderful things that come with it.
What is it like at your house today? Are you feeling Fall yet?
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

2010-09-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

Rainbows

For a camera phone...I guess this picture I took last weekend aint too bad.

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

2010-09-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

I took this while fishing out from Sapelo Sound near Blackbeard Island.

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

2010-09-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

Since I am again without a camera...these poor shots were the best I could do when I tried to capture the pretty rainbow we saw last weekend.

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

2010-09-01T05:50:00.000-07:00

68 Degrees!

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

For the past several mornings...Mother Nature has been teasing me with a hint of Fall weather.
Blogging...it seems many of my old blogging friends have cut back to bare minimum or have stopped all together.
Is it a phase?
I really like to blog..I love to look at other's blogs most of all. With my job, my granddaughter, and no working camera for months....I have just let it slide.
So what to do...what to do?

IMG00034-20100708-0640.jpg

2010-07-10T16:58:00.000-07:00

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

2010-03-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

Just a little Spring cleaning going on around here.

2010-03-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

NIGHT SHIFT!

This is the ICU nurses station where I work.

Deserted looking huh? YEP!

We have been so busy! Last night our hospital had to go on diversion....which means any patient that needed to be admitted had to be routed to another hospital! That's 70 full beds! Now you may have much bigger hospitals where you live but a full hospital aint nothin to sneeze about no matter how large!!

This is why the nurses station is empty.

Nurses are either doing patient care or sitting outside the room charting & monitoring their patient.

Now pass the coffee please!

2010-03-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

SPRING HAS SPRUNG HERE!

2010-02-20T12:07:00.000-08:00

SPRING....WHERE ARE YOU?

My Paper Whites wasted NO time.

Three weeks after planting the bulbs they looked like this!

Can you smell them?

2010-02-09T13:05:00.000-08:00

SCONES & CLOTTED CREAM

Last week I told you about the scones & cream I had last summer. Well after a little experimenting and research I found a cream recipe that I liked and made some scones from scratch.

Making scones is very much like making a southern biscuit. Of a matter of fact, if I didn't know any different, I would call a scone a biscuit.

The difference between the two, I found, is that a biscuit is SUPPOSE to be a lighter, more flaky type bread in comparison to a scone. The only real difference I can see is that a scone can have fruit or herbs added to its dough.

(In the South everyone makes their biscuits different. I use to make big thick flaky biscuits but my neighbor made flatter biscuits. It is just a matter of preference & how you were taught to make them. Both are good.).

The recipe I was given from the Mad Hatter Teashop for the cream was NOT RIGHT. Either the boy who waited on me told me wrong or they just didn't want me to have it.
So I looked on the Internet & found a recipe that tastes like what I remembered.

We ate the scones with cream & mayhaw preserves that Danny made last year.

My results paid off...everyone loved them.

Recipe from: Great Party Recipes.com

Basic Scone Recipe:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup milk (approx.) I used butter milk.

Mix the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles course crumbs. Stir in the egg. (If you are using one of the variations below, this is a good point to add nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, cheese, etc.)

Gradually add the milk until a thick dough is formed. (It may take more or less than 3/4 cup.)

Turn out the mixture onto a floured board and knead lightly. Roll out the dough to 3/4" thickness and cut into rounds with a 2" cookie cutter. Gather the trimmings and lightly knead, roll, and cut them as well.

Place the rounds about 1" apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush the tops with a little beaten egg or milk. Bake in a preheated 450° oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm.

Makes 12 to 16 scones, depending on the recipe version used.

I brushed the hot scones with a little butter & then dusted them with powdered sugar.

Recipe from: Big Oven
Mock Devonshire Clotted Cream

1 pk (3 oz) cream cheese
1 c Heavy or whipping cream
1 ts Powdered sugar (I sweetened it to my taste, so I used a little more)
1/2 ts Vanilla

Blend all ingredients until thick and fluffy.
Keep refrigerated.

2010-02-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!

It is old news to most of you now...Ole Phil & his shadow has given us 6 more weeks of Winter!

It is 52 degrees and drizzling rain here today. Makes for a cold damp day!

My husband requested a "Tater Sandwich" for his lunch so I was up & in the kitchen early this morning. After making his lunch I started tonight's supper....Taco soup. The recipe is a little different from what I've cooked before & I think it will be a keeper.

I want to thank Susanne for the "HAPPY 101 AWARD"! That was mighty nice of ya!

So here are 10 things that make me happy.
1. A good meal, especially if I cooked it. (that sense of accomplishment I guess).
2. A fire in the fireplace.
3. Daisys!!!
4. My grand daughter!!
5. CHOCOLATE...OF ANY KIND!!!
6. Sunrises.
7. Like Susanne....a good cup of coffee!
8. DVR or Tvo or what ever you call that thingy that lets me record my shows & then watch WITHOUT commercials!
9. Peanut butter...anyway you spread it or cook it or dip it.
10. Blogging! I love it! I can stay at home & go so many places, visit many friends, & learn so much with out ever leaving the house!!!

I would feel wayyyy to guilty trying to give this award out to a select few because the truth is....if I go to your blog...you make me HAPPY & you deserve the HAPPY 101 AWARD....other wise I would not waste my time!! So you know who you are!

Steal the button if you like & list 10 things that MAKE YOU HAPPY! Don't we all need this in our life!!

2010-02-01T01:55:00.000-08:00

A SPOT OF TEA?

Last year when we went to stay at the Coast, Little Package and I went roaming. We stopped in at the Mad Hatter Teashop in St. Mary's for a snack. One of the items that caught my sweet tooth was the "cream" they served with the scones. That stuff was GOOD!!

I asked for the recipe and tried to replicate it without success. Simple ingredients of heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla. What I think I did wrong was NOT whipping it.

I have been researching it on the Internet. Of course this "cream" that I like is suppose to be a substitute for Devonshire Cream or Clotted Cream which we CAN NOT get in my neck of the woods AT ALL!

I am going to try again to whip up some of this heavenly spread. Can I say...I am craving it!!!

I've never made scones from scratch but I feel like that will be pretty simple.....we will see.

Did yall have a good weekend?

It was cold and wet Saturday and just plain cold yesterday but clear skies.

2010-01-28T07:04:00.000-08:00

GOOD MORNING!

Thanks to The Good LORD...I am feeling better! I called in Tuesday night and was on call last night and I have not left the house...hardly left my bed! So I have rested. No more fever...just the remnants of the cold.

I did not watch YOUR president give his State of the Delusion speech last night but I have been visiting a blog of a very smart young lady. The Parisienne Farmgirl did a fabulous job summing up his address & had me laughing out of my chair! So I thought I should share her post with you...I hope she want mind!

I hope there are things in your home that warm you & make you feel good. I have always loved this spare room in front of the house.

The room is full of Little Package's toys & all of her clothes and things. I dont know if she will ever claim this room as hers or not but it sure has her name on it.

This is a Winter sunrise view out the windows of this room.

Surprisingly, I have been able to grow something successfully for more than a season. This old trunk in front of the window has provided a perfect growing area for these Violets.

This new pot is full of Paper White bulbs. I cant get over how fast they are growing.

Well my throat is still scratchy so I am off to fix a cup of hot King Cole (strait from Canada!) tea! cough-cough!

2010-01-25T12:34:00.000-08:00

BLAH!!!!!!!!

So I was suppose to go to the Golden Isles shopping with my Mama today but yesterday afternoon I started getting a little bit of a sore throat. During the night I acquired the body aches & a low grade temperature.......so my day has been spent in bed.

We got more rain last night bringing the total to 5 inches in the past week. Way too much water here at one time.

However, the sun is shining and the wind is blowing ferociously. Maybe it will help dry some of this wet mess up!

So I am going to have another cup of hot tea and watch something sorely stupid...like reruns of Desperate Housewives!

A winter morning.

2010-01-21T13:57:00.000-08:00

AND THEN IT RAINED........

Over 2 1/2 inches today! The pond is running out into the woods, the yard is full, and the roads are a mess. It makes for great sleeping weather...glad I'm on night shift!!

The birds are hitting the feeders pretty good.

We are planning a fishing trip to Florida for next month. I am ready to go!!

I planted a pot of Paper Whites that I hope will bring a touch of early Spring to these dreary Winter days.

So what is going on in your neck of the woods?

2010-01-18T11:51:00.000-08:00

COMFORT FOODS

So this Winter I tried my first SMORE! Yep...first time ever.

I have been trying to start some traditions to involve Little Package and our family. Smores night, I thought would be a good start.

It starts with a nice fire in the fireplace.

Chad, Little Package's Daddy, is the maker of all Smores.
Little Package has the duty of passing them out to everyone. This job she obtained all on her own, I might add.

Now I have become ADDICTED to them!!! Who would have thought that 3 little ingredients would be soooooo good!!

But when you dont have a fire........

..........these little suckers fill the gap very well!

Nope.....never had had any of these either until my Mama told me they were the next best things to Smores!!!!!! What cave have I been living in!

Thank You LORD for such good tasting traditions...and getting me out of that cave!

So what's your secret comfort food?

2010-01-17T16:01:00.000-08:00

WHY DID I SUBSCRIBE TO YOU VERA??!!

So the Christmas tree is packed away for another year! Whew...glad it's done!

Had to make a day trip to Atlanta and back to take care of some business. Whew...glad that is done!!

Now there is this little matter to attend.....this VERA that comes to me via my home PC, my work laptop....and via my BLACKBERRY for Heaven's sake!!

So what would you do??!!!

2010-01-11T04:58:00.000-08:00

BURRRRRRR!!!!!!!

art.com

It has been consistently cold here for 3 weeks! I have enjoyed it though.

I have a confession to make.

My Christmas tree is still up!

Yep!

I hate myself!

2010-01-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!!??!!

I cant believe it is the year 2010! Doesn't that seem crazy? While most folks were ringing in the New Year in some festive fashion, I worked the night shift in ICU where the combination of a Blue Full Moon & New Year's eve parties brought all the crazies & non-compliant folks out to the hospital! Half of them ended up in my department.

Any who...I made it through the night and home for a few hours sleep. We had a traditional Southern New Year's Day dinner....Baked ham, black eye peas, mustard greens & cornbread. Desert was baked apple pie & ice cream & mama made a FANTABULOUS chocolate cake.

So now we have our good luck & prosperity for the new year. What about yall?

2009-12-18T01:35:00.000-08:00

TIME PASSES!

So where have I been? How about between Alltel and Verizon's battle of the towers! I have not had internet service because of their wonderful merger! The service I have now is far & few between working.....the price you pay for living in the country huh!

While I have NOT been blogging, I have been doing plenty of other things. Pecan season produced over 30 thousand pounds of pecans for us this year. The quantity was great but the quality was not as good. The weather this year has been hard on all of our local farmers.

My new position in ICU has been great! I am learning plenty & enjoying it at the same time. I have been working night shift a good bit and though I am not a night person, I am adjusting.

Despite the slow economy, all of my family members are working but one of my sons. I think things will pick up for him soon.

Little Package is growing and has an unbelievable vocabulary. She has learned the ABC song & numerous others. She can count to 15 most of the time. We love her more and more everyday and realize how much of a blessing she is.

Little Package quotes......
"Poppa, what-cha-doing? Can we go clean da pecans Poppa?"
"Meme, I want a couple bags of tater chips pees."
"I wake up, I give you good morning sugar!"
And last but not least,
"Poppa we go make a sess-mint!"
When Danny goes out to look at the trees he always says he is going to make "an assessment".
So now the Little Package picks up on everything!

So if "The Two Towers" that be, will let me get online, maybe I can blog again!!

Poppa & Little Package talking in front of a warm fire.

Little Package, her Daddy, and Uncle Nick working on a Ginger Bread house.

Little Package totally amazed with the "Kiss-mas twee"

2009-09-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

MULLED CIDER SCENTED CANDLES, FALL, AND BLOGGING

So Fall has officially arrived by calendar! I am seeing early signs of It's approaching here in the South. Leaves are turning and falling much earlier than usual. The temperatures have been better here too. I am thankful for it all.

Wal-Mart is carrying a nice line of Fall scented candles. I love the Mulled Cider!

My Mama came to visit me for about a week. I had to work some of the time but it was nice having her here.

Danny & I picked out a new tractor yesterday! I am so excited! I have been trying to get him to buy one since the first of the year. It's as cool as Blue Bell ice cream! Cant wait to get it here!

Blogging........now I know that I am not a regular blogger, I wish I could be, but what is up with E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y!??!!

Now that I have a Blackberry, I get to check blogs regularly. (I still cant get my phone to allow me to comment on others blogs, darn it!)

The point is....it seems like everyone has just about quit blogging!

HEY I MISS YOU GUYS! GET YOUR BUTTS IN GEAR OK!!!!!

So that's about all I have to say!

2009-09-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

Does anyone do Mobile Blogging? I am able to look at everyones blog on my BlackBerry but it will not allow me to comment using my phone. I am signed in so I just don't know what the problem is. Does anyone have any suggestions?

2009-08-31T05:47:00.000-07:00

WILDLIFE AT CROOKED RIVER AND THE STONE'S HOUSE

Well it has been kinda crazy here. Sickness....Danny's mom was hospitalized last week for pneumonia, Danny's brother had to go to the hospital last week for extensive testing (he has cardiac issues going on), Danny's oldest granddaughter started a type of chemo last week for an illness she has, Nick my oldest son has been very sick with some type of respiratory infection, and Little Package ran a high temp from Wednesday until Friday with no other symptoms to go with it. She has been drinking good but her appetite is poor.

I started my first days as a full time ICU nurse and loving it. I will be working some nights (not looking forward to that) for a little while but will be off the weekends for a while. This will allow me to get to church on Sundays (I have been on weekends only for almost two years) and I soooooo miss my church family, Sunday school and worship service.

The pictures are from our weekend at Crooked River. Love that place!

Hope everyone has a great week!
WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY! CARRY HAND SANITIZER FOR WHEN YOU GO TO THE STORE ETC. , COVER YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU COUGH OR SNEEZE AND AVOID BEING IN THE LINE OF FIRE OF THOSE THAT ARE NOT COVERING THEIR MOUTH! H1N1 is on the rise!!!!!

2009-08-18T05:59:00.000-07:00

WEEKEND GET-A-WAY

We spent last weekend on the Coast at Crooked River State Park. We had a great time.

The cottage we stayed in was great. Very clean, plenty of room, and had EVERYTHING we needed. As you can see it has a screened in porch with rocking chairs. Each cottage has a picnic table, grill, and a fire pit.

A wonderful view from inside over looking the river & grass marsh.

A full kitchen with dishes, pots, dishwasher....everything you would need. I loved this big round table too. The living room had an electric fireplace and a TV with cable.

There is a boat ramp and a nice dock.

I did not want to leave this place and cant wait to go back!

There's more.

2009-08-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

TODAY IS SANDRA'S BIRTHDAY!
For more Happy Homemaker Monday, visit Sandra & give her birthday wishes!

THE WEATHER IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS:
97 degrees with a heat index of 104! I hate this heat!

ONE OF MY SIMPLE PLEASURES:
When Little Package comes over she always sleeps (All critics keep your comments to yourself, lol) with Meme & Poppa and has since she was 1 month old. I love this. The time we spend together right before she goes to sleep has always been a bonding time for us. Also seeing that sweet little face in the mornings is better than a life time of free chocolate!

ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE:
Victoria magazine's new September/October issue. I love this magazine & read it from front to back. This issue is full of everything FALL....just what I need to get through the remaining Dog Days of Summer!

ON MY TV:
Nothing. Watched the season finale of Burn Notice yesterday. Got the DVR set to record The Closer tonight.

ON THE MENU FOR TONIGHT:
Beef stew & rice. Biscuits. Maybe some purple hulls.

ON MY TO DO LIST:
Bring the laundry in from the clothes line.
Pack clothes for weekend getaway.
Get a wedding gift for my cousin.
Try to keep the house clean. (I cant stand to leave the house in a mess when we go away)

NEW RECIPE I TRIED LAST WEEK:
Sandra's Spicy Bacon Chicken....I think that was last week. Good stuff!

IN THE CRAFT BASKET:
What basket? lol!

LOOKING FORWARD TO:
This weekend at the Coast,
My cousin's wedding,
Being with Family,
Working in ICU full time soon.

HOMEMAKING TIP FOR THIS WEEK:
My Aunt E use to make her sweet tea very strong in a 1/2 gallon picture, not diluting it with water until you wanted a glass. She would fill your glass with ice and about 1/4 to 1/2 full with the tea & then filled your glass the rest of the way with water. That way the tea lasted longer and you didn't have a huge jug of it in your frig taking up space.

FAVORITE BLOG POST OF THE WEEK:
I didn't really have one...it seems everyone has been on vacation!

FAVORITE PHOTO LAST WEEK:

LESSON LEARNED THE PAST FEW DAYS:
I don't care what you do, how much the A/C runs, or how much it rains....it is HOT here & nothing is going to change that but time! Hurry up Fall!

ON MY PRAYER LIST:
Always my family...we have so much to be thankful for but much to pray about!

DEVOTIONALS,SCRIPTURE READING,KEY VERSES:
When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. John 11:16

2009-08-05T05:08:00.000-07:00

GREEN TEA IS A HOOT!

I love owls...we have many around here. There's nothing like the sound of a "WHO-WHO-WHOALLLLLL" at night or in the early morning. My son spotted this one in a pine tree on the edge of the pond. That is where we see a lot of owls. This one is a Barred Owl.

So what has that got to do with green tea? Not a Cotton-pickin thing....except that I had a cup of hot green tea last night! I guess it has been about 10 years since I've had any....I didn't like it then but now I do. It was Danny's idea actually. He requested it...so I bought some yesterday.

And that's all I have to say about that!

2009-07-30T05:22:00.000-07:00

THIS MORNING.

We got a nice little rain yesterday evening. Things are growing. It all makes for a nice morning here at my house.

2009-07-28T06:10:00.000-07:00

OH VERA!!!!!!

How can you not love those colors?

2009-07-27T05:52:00.000-07:00

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - July 27 }

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Sunny hot & humid.

One of my simple pleasures:
After supper when it's cooler outside, Danny takes a ride all over the property. He has to check the irrigation to the trees and looks for bugs or signs of disease. He calls this "Making an Assessment". I especially like to do this on the golf cart vs. the Rhino because the golf cart is quiet. It's a nice way to spend the last hours of the day together.

On my bedside table:
"The Believer's Guide to Spiritual Warfare" by Thomas B. White. I've had this book for over 10 years. It is underlined, dog eared, & highlighted. It is a book that I have referred to a lot. If you are a Christian, I recommend you adding this book to your library. It is scripturaly sound and truthfully written.

On my TV:
Nothing. It is quiet in this house this morning.

On the menu for tonight:
Country fried steak with gravy & onions, mashed potatoes, field peas, cream corn, and sliced tomatoes.

On my To Do List:
Wash and hang out a few loads of laundry.
Vacuum the kitchen. We have been on a glass breaking spree for some reason & we are finding little shards of glass on the floor!
Clean my front porch. The porches have to be wiped down every so often.

New Recipe I tried last week:
Tomato Dip with chips....hot!

In the craft basket:
I don't have one....sorry!

Looking forward to:
A weekend coming up at a cabin on Crooked River on the Georgia coast! We are going to do some saltwater fishing and lounging. We will also be attending a cousin's wedding that is near where we will be staying.

Homemaking Tip for this week:
We usually have venison & a home grown cow in the freezer but we missed last years meat because of Danny being sick. My local grocer had a good sale on meat this past week so I bought several pounds of pork chops, steak, and a big chuck roast. I divided up the meat into servings and wrapped them in freezer paper. It didn't take 15 minutes. This will get us through until we harvest some more meat.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I really enjoyed Sandra's post from the KITCHEN last week. She always makes you feel at home and like you are in her presence when she blogs.

Favorite photo from last week:

Little Package got a new baby doll last week. At bedtime she couldn't give the doll up nor her favorite place with Poppa.

Lesson learned the past few days:
Patience...keep your cool and wait it out.

On my Prayer List:
My family.
A little girl with an unknown illness.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

I continue to use the daily devotional from Streams in the Desert. Awesome!

For more Homemaker Monday's, visit Sandra!

2009-07-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

SOMETHING GOOD

I love breakfast for supper (in South Georgia, supper is the last meal of the day). I found that Jimmy Dean has a new product called "Skillets" located in the frozen food section. They are quick & easy. You could make this with your own products from home but IF you are looking for something quick, easy & tasty....try these "Skillets".

I liked them enough to tell you about them soooooooo, trust me, they are worth trying.

2009-07-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

WHICH ONE?

I'm in the market for a new Vera Bradley. Many of them are on sale right now. I have received several promotionals by email. The question is.....which one?

2009-07-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

I could really use some of this.

I took this picture from my parents-in-law's condo on Tybee Island.

2009-07-07T05:55:00.000-07:00

NO WIND, NO RAIN? What the heck?

Last week at 4:15 a.m. my phone rang one short ring....just enough to wake me up. The electricity was off. We have a generator that comes on in one minute so I waited...but it didn't kick on....so I woke Danny.

He went out to start the generator. It was as calm out side as the moment Jesus said "Peace be still.". Once the generator was running I checked the weather channel to see if we missed something. No bad weather at all.

I called the hospital to see if there was some big wreck in my area that knocked the power out....nope. So I called the light company & reported the outage. The electricity was restored at daybreak and we were informed there was a limb down on the edge of our property.

As you can see one of the 100+ year old pecan trees split off. (I wouldn't call that a limb down!) Thank God it didn't land on my neighbor's home. It was a big mess but once Danny got the limbs off it didn't look as bad.

We will use it for firewood.

2009-07-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

The weather in my neck of the woods:
It was cloudy this morning but the air was crisp & cooler. The sun is shinning now and the temperature is 89 degrees!

One of my simple pleasures:
Listening to the wind chimes. What a peaceful sound!

On my bedside table:
"Reposition Yourself" by T.D.Jakes

On my TV:
Several old episodes of "Burn Notice". I love this show!

On the menu for tonight:
Lemon Pepper Chicken, cream corn, and fresh sliced tomatoes. Not sure what else..I will have to feel the rest of it out as I go along.

On my To Do List:
Vacuuming
Picking up.
Weed pulling.

New Recipe I tried last week:
Lemon Blueberry Pound cake

In the craft basket:
I just dont have one of these!

Looking forward to:
I have been granted a transfer to work in ICU full time! I love this area & have worked there often. It will be a nice change & a great learning environment.

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Summertime meal planning is a whole lot easier when there are fresh veggies and things in season. I let Summer's produce tell me what to cook.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I love how so many bloggers posted about what the 4th of July means to them, the family celebrations, the patriotic pictures! There wasn't a single favorite as all of them were great! I love being able to step into every ones home & see their traditions & celebration's!

Favorite photo from last week:
Little Package loves a fresh tomato!

Lesson learned the past few days:
Just let GOD handle it!

On my Prayer List:
Many family members and some friends.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Streams in The Desert....this is one of the best devotionals I have ever used!

Visit Sandra for more Homemaking Monday!

2009-06-25T06:24:00.000-07:00

TV

I have discovered some entertaining TV shows this summer. I AM NOT A FAN OF ANY REALITY SHOWS AT ALL and neither is Danny. Even though it seems to be the "Craze" these days....well I have never been one to want to do what the "Jone's" do.

Any who......I am loving the new series on USA called ROYAL PAINS. I just love Hank!
HawthoRNe on TNT is another new series...I've only watched one episode and so far, I like it. So the DVR is set to catch more. Both of these series revolve around the medical field. Since I am a nurse....I guess that is some of the attraction for me.

Not a new series but new to me watching is BURN NOTICE. I love spy shows & movies so this is right up my alley....and funny too!!! Michael Weston, Sam & Fi are slick as oil!

THE CLEANER on A&E seems pretty good too. Again I have only watched one episode and have the DVR set to catch more. Benjamin Bratt is the star here. It is based on a true story about a guy with a drug addiction. He is rehabed and sets out to help others kick their habit.

THE CLOSER on TNT with Kyra Sedgwick has been one of my favorite shows since it started. She is girly but smart, not super woman tough but will use a gun if she needs too. A good drama.

So if your looking for a little entertainment....here's what my DVR is set to catch this summer.

So what's your favorite shows this year?

2009-06-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

The weather in my neck of the woods:
Hot & Sunny. It was 96 yesterday. Should be about the same today.

One of my simple pleasures:
Mornings on the porch with Danny drinking coffee together.

On my bedside table:
The last few pages of Gone With the Wind. What a classic! I cant wait to see the movie again.

On my TV:
"Gidget", the first season. I love those old shows. Clean & funny. (I love Netflix!)I have also recorded some old classic movies from TCM. One is "Bringing Up Baby" with Kathrine Hepburn & Cary Grant. It is soooo funny!

On the menu for tonight:
We will be eating out at one of our favorite restaurants this evening. Chinese from "Wongs".

On my To Do List:
Buying some new furniture for a spare bedroom.
Looking at paint. Getting the necessary supplies for various paint projects.
A doctor's appointment.
Father's Day gift buying.

New Recipe I tried last week:
I made hash using cube steak from Venison. I usually use stew meat but I have a good bit of cubed meat that I need to use up. It turned out good.

In the craft basket:
I just dont have one!

Looking forward to:
Eating out again with my husband today. We had a day out sight seeing yesterday & ate out. Today we get to hang out together & eat out again. Danny has not felt like doing anything for a a year so it's nice to get out.

Homemaking Tip for this week:
I cant think of a thing!

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Despite her pain & suffering, my friend Miss. Mavee is still able to be humorous in it all. I love her courage.

Favorite photo from last week:
There is a huge wall of black berries growing on the edge of the woods here. The deer & rabbits come to it every day.

Lesson learned the past few days:
Getting out of the house with no known agenda, even for an afternoon, can give you a new perspective on things.

On my Prayer List:
Many Family members that are sick.
Many unspoken burdens.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
I continue to read from "Streams in the Desert". It is a daily encouragement to me.

Go over to Sandra's for more Happy Homemaker Mondays.

2009-06-01T18:08:00.003-07:00

A Delicacy?

My boys decided to go frog giggin in our pond several nights ago. They gigged 8 all together. Danny fried them up along with some shrimp. I Could not bring myself to eat any despite their raves on how good it was. The legs fried up with the prettiest golden brown crust. Looking much like chicken....But I just couldn't do it!

2009-05-29T05:20:00.000-07:00

For more favorite things go over to Suzanne's Living To Tell The Story

1. FAMILY! You know there is really nothing quite like family. I enjoyed cousins coming even if it was for the death of a loved one. My Mama is always here at just the right time helping me with all the preparations. Nick my oldest son, I couldn't have done it all without him. I miss drinking coffee with him on the porch in the mornings.

2. A GOOD CUP OF COFFEE! Nothing Like it! BUT, I am just about out of my Dunkin Donut coffee. I use whole bean and I cant find it anymore at my local stores. Of a matter of fact, I'm having trouble finding ANY WHOLE BEAN COFFEE!

3. SUNRISES ON MY FRONT PORCH! The weather has been so ugly here for so long. I did get one great sunrise this week! Thank you Lord!

4. A GOOD DEVOTIONAL. I have been reading "Streams in the Desert" this year and recently was loaned a book called "Walking With God" that is great as a devotional too.

5. A HEALTHY HUSBAND! Danny has been sickly for a year but has finished his treatment (something I want to post about sometime but need his permission first). The most important thing is he is much better now. I see him doing things that he hasn't been able to do for a year. God is good! All the time! God is good!!!

This is my first Friday Fav Five but I have always enjoyed Jen. I found a new blog in the process!

2009-05-27T05:46:00.000-07:00

LIFE & DEATH

It seems our life around here as been in a whirl wind. Danny lost a dear uncle and just a few days later, I lost a precious aunt. That is life and death. The loss of these two wonderful people have left Danny and I with holes.

Going to viewings and funerals...well you just have to do it. Having two deaths in a week is just too much though.

Danny's oldest granddaughter graduated from high school Friday night and his niece graduates Saturday. Boy we have kept the roads hot!!! But that is life...good life!

We celebrated Memorial Day weekend with a service for my aunt. Everyone came here for a nice big gathering. The food was unreal!! I hope this doesn't sound disrespectful but you know it is a Southern thing to eat and eat good when there is a death. We had a wonderful time socializing with family that lives far off. We had folks come from Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, and from here in good old Georgia. My aunt would have been proud. Death is life.

I am hoping for some normalcy. Danny & I are desperate for some!

I'm leaving you with a picture of the Little Package and my friend Dr. Jones. Poor girl keeps getting ear infections. Life!

2009-05-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

Spring is fading into the HOT GEORGIA SUMMER!

Life is busy. Full of all kinds of things. Somethings I enjoy and some I do not...but life is full. I have been to two family reunions recently. Both full of good food, fun and family.

Things are growing here like crazy. I noticed this morning that the field was full of yellow dandelions.

I have spent some beautiful mornings out on my front porch. The air is still cool in the mornings. I am so thankful for my home place. It is a true sanctuary for me. I see God every where I look.

It is well with my soul!

2009-04-22T06:11:00.000-07:00

After I came in from drinking coffee on the front porch...I noticed how pretty it was in the dinning room. Just thought I would show yall.

2009-04-21T04:44:00.000-07:00

It is a glorious day here! When Danny & I first got up we observed some beautiful new birds visiting around the feeders. I wish I had a picture but they were so small I couldn't have ever gotten close enough for a shot. According to my bird book they were Inigo Buntings.

As we opened the door to the front porch we were greeted with a brilliant sunrise and the sweet smell of honey suckle.

I am sitting on the porch now. I wish you all could be here with me drinking a cup of fresh ground coffee and enjoying the show GOD has put on for me this morning.

The doves are who-whoing and cooing. I am watching a red tail hawk playing in the orchard. He is dipping from tree to tree occasionally chasing another bird.

A humming bird is coming back and to to the feeder here close to me.

The pecan trees have budded out all through the orchard. They are gorgeous!

The dew is dripping off the house in the most relaxing way. Now a wood pecker is drumming in a tree to my right.

I see a squirrel off in the orchard scurrying on the ground. Fun to watch the little fella but my advice to him is "pack up an move before Danny sees ya"!!

The air is crisp and cool, just right for porch sitting.

"Two things I ask of you O LORD, do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say Who is the LORD? Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my GOD."

I feel rich this morning but these riches have HIS name all over them! I could not disown HIM for if I did I would disown these riches before me this morning!

2009-04-13T10:12:00.000-07:00

EASTER 2009
I had to work this past weekend so we hunted eggs with Little Package on Thursday and Friday. This was her first time hunting eggs & she had a ball!

After hunting eggs Poppa put some candy in the eggs and showed Little Package how to get her prize.

I was tickled to find out that Little Package went to church with family members yesterday. This is the dress she wore. Since I couldn't see her Easter Sunday, I dressed her up and took a few pictures before she went back home.

I dont know how I did it, but I was able to catch the Easter Bunny on a practice run.

Easter is my favorite celebration. After all it is a celebration of what Jesus Christ did for us.

2009-04-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

Holy Week

A Smile......

My Faithful friend in the hospital this week....

What the Farmer's Almanac calls a "Pink Moon"....

And a beautiful visitor!

Just another busy week. Thankful for Spring weather, rain, and my Risen Savior!

2009-04-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

RAINY DAY
We have already received over 6 inches of rain since Saturday. The way it's pouring right now....I'm betting another 4 inches at least. Too much at one time.

This is what it look like out my front door.

And this is what it looks like out my back door. The pond is full.

This is how it looks on the dirt road I live on. It is horrible when it rains.

The water backs up into the field. It is bad on the pecan trees. For years now, we have been trying to get the county to spend some of our tax dollars on cutting a ditch on the opposite side of the road.......to no avail!

So what about yall? Are ya wet yet?

2009-03-30T01:01:00.000-07:00

AND TWO WEEKS AFTER MY LAST POST......THERE WAS UNCLE SAM AND SAVANNAH!!

Time sure goes by quickly. I had to stop and think, what the french toast I had done over the past two weeks. (My mama had to call and ask me what did I mean when I said "What the French Toast". You know, it's an expression I got off of the Orbitz gum commercial....made me laugh!) Doctors appointments...we cant seem to go to terribly long without having to hit one up. I counted two in the past 2 weeks.

Then my husband had to threaten me within an inch of my life to get our taxes done. It took me a day and a half.....like 12 hours of Uncle Sam junk! I hate it!

My Mama came this past week and we had a good time. Spring had hit here in full bloom! Dogwoods an Azaleas galore.

We loaded up the Little Package and went to Savannah for a tour of the Historic District. The weather was perfect! Mama snapped a picture of Little Package and me on River Street.

All the old Squares and Parks were so beautiful with Spring flowers. Here is a picture taken in one of the many beautiful squares of Old Savannah.

If you've never been to Savannah....go in the Spring, do a Trolley tour ($10-$20, depending on the tour group you pick and the package you select). The tour is way worth the money. They give some really good history lessons! Or you could just call me & I'll meet you there! We'll go eat!!!

So that is what's been going on here. I'll be catching up with all of you this week!

2009-03-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!!

Not much going on here today. I've been watching the St. Patrick's Day festivities in Savannah since 5:00 this morning. All kinds of good things going on there....but I have the best seat in the house....on my couch! I watched Mass held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. It was a very nice ceremony. The parade is on now. The weather is cool right now & it is still overcast here & in Savannah. Luckily (the luck of the Irish you know) it is not raining.

So how are you celebrating St. Patty's Day?

2009-03-10T05:38:00.000-07:00

TRUTH

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931-2005

2009-03-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

I published my last post without my picture and some errors in my links....sorry! Debbi, I'm an RN at our hospital where I live.

2009-03-09T01:28:00.000-07:00

ON MY BEDSIDE TABLE:
The Message (a fresh way to read Scripture), Theadora's Diary. By:Penny Culliford. This is an easy read but I have not had the opportunity to finish it yet.

ON MY TV:
Not a whole lot of anything. There wasn't much on last week to catch on DVR.

ON THE MENU TONIGHT:
Shrimp and baked potatoes.....not sure if the shrimp will be fried or grilled. Danny cooks the shrimp in this house!

ON MY TO DO LIST:
1.My father-n-law's birthday is today. Danny, Little Package & I are delivering him his favorite breakfast this morning along with a goody bag of oatmeal cookies I baked.
2. Got a couple doctors appointments this week.
3. Plant a few flower seeds.

NEW RECIPE I TRIED LAST WEEK:
Grilled Steak Kabobs
I cut two nice size steaks into chunks. Marinated the meat in Italian & Parmesan dressing for 1 1/2 hours.
Alternated on the skewer: meat, sliced bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Grilled for about 10 minutes (we like the meat cooked medium). Served with yellow rice. We really enjoyed these. It was easy & tasty!

IN THE CRAFT BASKET:
Same thing as last week....nothing!

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Spring!!!! I think it has arrived here! Also looking forward to computerized charting at work. I think it will make things a lot easier in the nursing world.

HOMEMAKING TIP FOR THIS WEEK: Get out of DEBT! Get on a budget! Crown Financial has a wonderful Christian based guide to money management. I went through this class years ago at my church. It was awesome. They also have a website & host a radio show with really sound advice about everything to do with your money. DO IT!! It's the best thing you can do as a homemaker!

FAVORITE BLOG POST OF THE WEEK:
Sandra's last post, her vigilance in encouraging us all to be praying women, to be good wives, supporters of our husbands at THE MERCY SEAT. Thanks Sandra for the 31 days of prayer for our husbands!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM LAST WEEK:
My Mama takes some really good pictures & she has a good sense of humor to add along with it. I liked this post she did last week. It made me laugh.

LESSON LEARNED THE PAST FEW DAYS:
There is no correct "Stimulus Package"! When money gets tight in this house, we don't go spend more & we sure as heck don't go and charge more. We buckle down! It is amazing to see how much "LESS" you can live with.

ON MY PRAYER LIST:
My Family.
A request from a friend at work.
Our Country.

DEVOTIONALS, SCRIPTURE READING, KEY VERSES:
"Dont run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code--dont sleep with another person's spouse, dont take someone's life, dont take what isn't yours, dont always be wanting what you dont have, and any other "dont" you can think of---finally adds up to this:Love other people as well as you do yourself. You cant go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is LOVE." Romans 13:8-10 The Message

For more Happy Homemaker Monday.....go to Sandra's.

2009-03-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

NEED A GOOD READ......

OK...you have heard me talk about Beth Moore's blog. Well she posted this week asking everyone to list their most favorite book ever with a short description. Well there are over a thousand comments of favorite books. I was tickled to find that the very first post listed was one of the two of my favorite books ever...that is Lonesome Dove. So if your looking for something good to read check out this post at Beth Moore's Blog

2009-03-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY WITH SANDRA

On my bedside table:
THEODORA'S DIARY. BY:PENNY CULLIFORD

On my TV:
CATCHING UP ON PAST EPISODES OF "HOUSE".

On the menu for tonight:
BLACK EYE PEAS, SWEET POTATOES, FRIED FRESH BACON, AND CORNBREAD MUFFINS.

On my To Do List:
PUT OUT STRAW ON THE FLOWERBEDS THIS WEEK.
HAIRCUT AND HIGHLIGHTS.
GOING TO VISIT MY BRAND NEW NEPHEW, JAXON!

New Recipe I tried last week:
PENNE PASTA CASSEROLE

1 POUND LEAN GROUND BEEF
1 LG. ONION CHOPPED
1 CAN DICED TOMATOES WITH BASIL, GARLIC, & OREGANO
1 CAN (6 oz) TOMATO PASTE
12 oz COOKED PENNE PASTA
3 CUPS SHREDDED MOZZARELLA CHEESE, DIVIDED

COOK CRUMBLED BEEF & ONIONS IN A SKILLET UNTIL DONE. DRAIN. STIR IN DICED TOMATOES, PASTE, AND 1/2 CUP PF WATER. MIX IN COOKED PASTA & 2 CUPS OF CHEESE. POUR INTO A SPRAYED 13X9X2 BAKING DISH. SPRINKLE REMAINING CHEESE ON TOP. BAKE @ 350 FOR 20 MINUTES OR UNTIL HEATED THROUGH & CHEESE IS MELTED.

In the craft basket:
CANT SAY I HAVE ANYTHING THERE! SAD BUT TRUE!

Looking forward to:
HOLDING A NEW BABY! WARMER WEATHER.

Homemaking Tip for this week:
NOT SURE WHAT YALL USE IN THE WAY OF CLEANING SUPPLIES BUT I LOVE "TILEX MOLD & MILDEW" FOR CLEANING MY TOILETS & MY PORCELAIN SINK! ITS BLEACHY...KILLS EVERYTHING & WHITENS WITH MINIMAL SCRUBBING! I SPRAY MY TOILETS...LEAVE THEM & COME BACK LATER...THEY ARE WHITE & CLEAN.

Favorite Blog Post of the week:
BETH MOORE'S BLOG FROM LIVING PROOF MINISTRIES ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING GOOD. IF SHE ISN'T WRITING IT, ONE OF HER DAUGHTER'S TAKES A TURN. THIS ONE I LIKED ESPECIALLY. LPM BLOG

Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:
THE CRUMBLING ECONOMY IS CATCHING UP WITH US HERE & NO ONE WILL BE LEFT UNAFFECTED BY IT.

On my Prayer List:
MY HUSBAND OF COURSE.
MY BOYS.
MY LITTLE PACKAGE & HER MAMA.
MANY UNSPOKENS!

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
STREAMS IN THE DESERT.
"MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE." 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9

For more Happy Homemakers Monday's, go to Sandra's blog at Diary of a Stay At Home Mom.

2009-02-24T05:26:00.001-08:00

TROUBLE......

Have you ever just felt you were in a tight spot?

No animals were hurt in the making of this blog post! LOL

2009-02-19T06:13:00.000-08:00

IT'S A FINE DAY HERE!

Thought I would first share with you a new author and one of her books I just read.
Denise Hildreth. A good Southern book with humor and good morals. It made me laugh and it made me cry. It has some very profound statements in it. I cant wait to read some more of her books!

There is a bluebird sky here today! Not too cold and no wind yet. I think I'm going to venture out and paint a few tree trunks. Gotta protect those young trees from the bugs you know!

Oh my friend Jen has a really nice post today....it's worth reading.

2009-02-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

CAYLEE ANTHONY'S GRANDPARENTS

I know you all are familiar with the Caylee Anthony missing/murder story.

Last night on Nancy Grace, she aired the recorded visit of George & Cindy Anthony with their daughter Casey, a visit at the jail. This story hits a nerve with me. I think it is because of us having Little Package in our lives.

Danny & I have watched this story together & we both get very emotional about it. Folks, you never know what is gonna happen in your life! This could be one of us going through this.

These grandparents are mourning the loss of their granddaughter & dealing with the fact that their own child may have murdered their grand baby! Things like this happens all the time. Your kids screw up...even murder!

What I am trying to say is......my heart is broken for the Anthony's. You can see they are descent folks and are completely broken! I am broken for them.

I woke up this morning with them on my mind. Every time I hear anything about this story I find myself praying for them but since last night...after watching them visit their daughter....I just feel more of a burden to pray for them.

Will yall do the same, when ever you think of it, if you see something on TV about them, will you pray for those folks. I feel there is nothing more anyone else could do that would help them more than to lift them up to God.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but THE SPIRIT HIMSELF MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US WITH GROANINGS WHICH CAN NOT BE UTTERED. Romans 8:26

picture copyright from OrlandoSentinel.com

2009-02-14T19:05:00.000-08:00

VALENTINE'S DAY 2009

Our Strawberry Valentine's Day cake

M&M cookies for my son's birthday and to share with my neighbor.

A sweet Valentine Card to go with the cookies for my neighbor.

And last but not least...The Little Package holding her box of chocolates & bear from Pop-pa & Meme.

Hope you all had a good day!

2009-02-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

SIGNS OF LOVE............

I've had a good week! Little Package has been here & we have had a great time! The weather(which is sooo crazy here) has been nice enough to go outside & enjoy. Package & I went to the park & had a picnic. I think Spring Fever has attacked because there were piles of women & children at the park!

Valentine's Day is this weekend and my oldest son's birthday. I am making him some cookies. I am making Danny & I a strawberry cake. Nothing fancy...just a box recipe (but we love it!). Package gets a little box of candy & a small Teddy Bear.

Have any of you looked at the Victoria Magazine? I really like it and have decided to subscribe to it.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

2009-01-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

WEIRD WEATHER!!

It has already rained this morning. The sun is out now & the temperature is suppose to get in the 70's today....and then more rain.

The wind is blowing like crazy! I am thankful for any rain or sunshine. Tomorrow it is suppose to be cold again. Hummmm.....if Mother Nature was a real woman...I would say she is having hot flashes....no, no,....I would say she was Bi-polar! Can you see how hard it is for the ducks to swim against the wind this morning.

Here are the beginning shoots of my Daffodils! I cant wait...I love them!

I had to share this picture of Package with you....you think she likes a Little Debbie cake? I wonder who bought those for her?!!

So what's going on with your weather right now?

2009-01-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

BUSY-I-NESS!!!

OK I am tired of having too much to do.
Monday...Danny had more tests at the hospital.

Tuesday...Package & I went to visit my parents-n-law because they haven't seen Package in a few weeks.

Wednesday...I had to take Package to the doctor...she had a ruptured ear drum. An all day thing!

TODAY...I AM TRYING TO GET CAUGHT UP ON THE MESS AROUND HERE...plus I have to go back to town to pick up the rest of Package's medicine (It took me 3&1/2 hours to get SOME of her medicine yesterday.)

I have to work tomorrow, Saturday, & Sunday, of course. THEN...
Monday... Danny has another doctors appointment.
And that is all on the agenda for next week...except to get this stinking house cleaned. Danny's oldest granddaughter has 3 days worth of doctors appointments the 1st week of February so there it goes again.

AND THE TREES NEED PRUNING...500 of them!!
Does anybody want to give a friend a hand?!!!
Hope all is well with yall!!

2009-01-15T03:17:00.000-08:00

THE STOMACH FLU!!

With no warning I awoke at 12:45 Friday night (Saturday morning) with some type of stomach bug. No nausea & vomiting just the...well you know...don't even want to write the word! Saturday afternoon the fever & body-aches-like-you-wouldn't-believe came on. This is some bad stuff....I haven't been this sick since July 4th, 2004! Yes I remember the date...I still have my prescriptions for Phenergan & Imodium from then! Hello!

But I am much better...I am hoping to have a really good day so that I can go back to work tomorrow. We will see.

Say a prayer for Danny & Little Package that this mess will skip them. Danny's immune system is very weak & Package IS JUST A BABY!

I leave you with a picture of Little Package fast asleep on the Rhino. Pop-pa & her were out pruning trees Saturday. I guess she was all tuckered out. Danny drove her back to the house & told me I needed to see the poor little thing. That is a hard working-future pecan farming-Pop-pa-loving little girl!

2009-01-08T04:55:00.000-08:00

NEW YEAR'S, BIRTHDAY'S & ANNIVERSARY'S...OH MY!

I'm glad it is all over & behind me. Now I can get back to a routine. Danny has been terribly sick since right before Christmas. He was prescribed a very strong antibiotic & it is finally working. Sickness can make you become very thankful. Thankful for insurance, doctors you can call your friends, friends of all kinds that are employed at the hospital, good medicine, a job you can leave if you need to (that goes for me & Danny). The list goes on & on. So during this I had a birthday & Danny & I celebrated 19 years together! Two more things to be thankful for. We didn't celebrate as in going out or anything (Danny is still under the weather) but we were able to reminisce & talk about how blessed we are to have each other. I am so BLESSED!!

So here is a picture of my mother-n-law & aunt. They came to see me on my birthday at work. They delivered a cream cake that my aunt made JUST FOR ME (of course I shared). That is the best darn cake & has now become my f-a-v-o-r-i-t-e! Now how blessed is that?!!!!

2009-01-06T04:41:00.000-08:00

WANNA-BE-WINE-DRINKER

So I had this idea to try drinking wine. Danny & I don't drink at all & this was not something he was endorsing for me to try. Soooo... my Mama was here visiting for Thanksgiving. We went shopping at Wal-mart and went by the wine racks. As I was standing there in front of that huge display of every-wine-known-to-man, one of the pharmacist I work with happened by.....So she recommend some wine & I bought it.

The next morning as Mama & I were cooking some things we decided to open some wine & try it. Now my Mama doesn't drink either but who safer to drink with then your Mama! So I take out bottle number one (of two bottles). I remove the paper from the top & find a cotton-picking-cork! Hey it was an $8.00 bottle, I didn't think there would be a cork! I DON'T HAVE A CORK REMOVER EITHER, but hey, I'm resourceful....how hard can it be to remove a cork! Hummmmm.

So I start with the big fork thingy you use to turn your pot roast with. After working the prongs in I attempt to twist & pull at the cork to no avail. Hummm. So me & this bottle of wine go down to the shop with Danny's tools. I put a drill bit on the drill & drill......right through the cork....Making plenty of cork shavings to litter my bottle of wine! The cork is still tight & I cant get whats left of the cork out. So I took a big Flathead screw driver and hammered the cork INTO THE DARN BOTTLE! Free at last! So I go back to the house with the cork tainted wine ready to drink. My Mama says...."You have to strain it now". Hummm. "Cheese cloth" my Mama says! I have some...so we proceed in the straining of the wine....get our wine glasses out...pour it up...& smell & taste & pour the rest of it DOWN THE SINK!! It was horrible!

But this redneck is determined to be a wine drinker. So I go get the other bottle. I still don't have a cork remover but I am much wiser this go around! I take that bottle of wine right back down to the shop. I placed the correct size screw into the drill....drill it in halfway into the cork. I place the bottle of wine in Danny's vice on his work bench & tighten it up. I then use the claw hammer to remove the cork. "POP" goes the cork! I go back to the house....pour up Mama & I a nice clean glass of wine....we smell....we taste...and we POUR THE REST DOWN THE SINK! Wine looks, smells, and tastes a lot like Robitussin to me! So I'll just wait till I'm sick again & pour me up a good shot of Robitussin in my wine glass & call it a day!

Cheers to you wine drinkers our there!! LOL!

2008-12-31T15:33:00.000-08:00

2009!!!!

I hope everyone is having a safe and happy New Year!

2008-12-30T05:19:00.000-08:00

NEW DRIVER'S LICENSE = NEW PHOTO....ARGHH!!

So I have a birthday coming up this week...I'm not scared to admit I will be 38! Proud of it! However....I have to renew my drivers license. The NOW photo is way over 10 years old. So I am going to buck up & go get a new one today! BUT first things first....I'm going to get my hair done...then I will go get a new picture ID. I will wear a white t-shirt (it makes for a good non-fat back ground) and I will make sure my make-up is just so. I will leave with the best darn picture ID in America! Every cop that pulls me over will wonder "Who is this girl trying to fool?"....every time I am carded for NOT buying an alcoholic drink (this is another story I will tell later), the sales person will think I had a model pose for my photo ID! Yes sir! I am going with determination today to get a GREAT PICTURE ON MY DRIVERS LICENSE!!!
TO BE CONTINUED.......

2008-12-29T03:53:00.000-08:00

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...The trees in the pecan orchard are bare. You can now see my home from the road. I don't like that!

I am thinking..."How could I have ate soooo much in such a short time!".

I am thankful for...extra time off with my husband!

From the learning rooms...I am starting a Bible study called "A Woman of Moderation".

From the kitchen...just a few more Christmas dinner left overs.

I am wearing...a white t-shirt and pink jogging pants.

I am creating...entries in my 2009 agenda.

I am going...to my sister-n-law's for New Year's day..black eye peas & mustard greens=lots of good luck and money for the new year!

I am reading...Nothing....going to the library this week.

I am hoping...for a healthy-uneventful new year for my family and I.

I am hearing...Danny coughing more. I don't like it. A call to the doctor is looming.

Around the house...getting the Christmas decor put away.

One of my favorite things...the laptop my Mama gave me!

A few plans for the rest of the week:An appointment with the beautician, drivers license renewal (that means a new Cotton-pickin-picture!),and errands in town.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

To see more Day Books go to The Simple Woman's Daybook.

2008-12-28T02:43:00.000-08:00

SMART CAR OR TRICYCLE?

Yes I am glad the holiday season is coming to a close! LOL! We have had a good time around here but lets have some NORMALCY PLEASE AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
My mother-n-law celebrated her 70th birthday with a nice surprise party a couple weeks ago. My father-n-law took her on a tour of Europe 2 years ago and it was there that she fell in love with the Smart Car. So he bought her one for her birthday!

I got to go with them to the dealership in Charleston South Carolina where he bought the car. I even got to drive it half way home. It drives really well, it is very comfortable and roomy & I feel very safe in it. At the dealership, I told the salesman that I thought it was smaller than our Rhino and sure enough....it is. When they came for Christmas dinner I pulled the Rhino up beside it to see! Cute huh!

Little Package got her a new ride for Christmas too, however, she cant reach the pedals yet! LOL!

Well we have the New Year's celebration this week, then my birthday, then our anniversary.....and then a DIET PLAN!!

Hope all is well with everyone and that you have a Blessed New Year!

2008-12-08T05:14:00.000-08:00

SO I HAVEN'T POSTED IN A WHILE....

We've had Halloween......

Package and I put up the Christmas Tree......

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving and great Fall weather.....

Got the slim crop of pecans Harvested and sold.....

And took a trip to my Mama's in North Georgia.....

It has been very busy around here and December doesn't appear to be any less slack! The majority of the craziness is over here....now just the hustle and bustle of the holidays (Holy Days). I am being intentional on making this year Christ focused. I really want it to be a time for me to remember my Savior.

2008-10-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

For Today...

Outside my Window...a cold wind rustling through the orchard. Pecans are falling all over.

I am thinking...I cant believe its time to harvest pecans again. This time last year we had a 4 1/2 pound premi here. (Little Package)

From the learning rooms...helping Little Package's Mama with English homework.

I am thankful for...cool weather and Christian friends.

From the kitchen...fried chicken, black eye peas and hoe cake.

I am wearing...Liberty Overalls and a lavender long sleeve shirt.

I am reading...Pecan South Magazine....trying to get an idea on the price of pecans this year.

I am hoping...Little Package's Mama's car is not needing expensive repair work. Danny has to go see what is wrong with her car that wont crank today!

I am creating...a cleaned out area on the porch for fire wood. The temperature is expected to fall into the 30's this week.

I am hearing...gun shots. Danny is out squirrel hunting.You wouldn't believe the damage they do to a crop of pecans.

Around the house...Regular Monday housekeeping chores. Helping Danny get equipment ready for harvest. Blocking off the driveway so pecans don't get crushed. Shaking a few trees near the building so those pecans wont get crushed with all the activity out there.

One of my favorite things...a fire in the fireplace and seeing Fall related posts at all my blogger friends.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...another meeting at the hospital. Keeping the pecans picked up on and near the roads. Baking some sweets to put in the freezer. Enjoying the cold weather and the fireplace.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...nothing like the smell and taste of warm bread!

For more of the Simple Woman's Daybook....visit Peggy.

2008-10-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

THE SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK

For Today...

Outside my Window....the sun is shining, the air is cool and crisp. Pecan husks are opening and nuts are falling here and there.

I am thinking...what warm and Fall like supper can I cook today.

From the learning rooms...what we are learning around here is how to add another conveyor to the pecan cleaner. It will allow us to use the Super Sack bags instead of 100 pound croaker sacks. The change will cut down on back breaking labor during the pecan harvest!

I am thankful for...cool days, time with my husband and time with Little Package.

From the kitchen...that's a good question. Supper is still up in the air. Breakfast was warm Cinnamon rolls and 8 O'clock Coffee.

I am wearing...pink cropped jogging pants, a white t-shirt and a grey jacket

I am reading..."Get Out of that Pit" by Beth Moore. I love her books and Bible studies.

I am hoping...I'm not coming down with a cold...I feel achy. I want to get out in the cool air and frolic!

I am creating...a clean an organized work area with Danny. We are getting things ready at the building for the harvest.

I am hearing...the Grandfather clock ticking and Danny cranking the old Dodge pecan shaker.

Around the house...cleaning up from the weekend, washing clothes.

One of my favorite things...warm comfort foods, a good cup of coffee.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...a couple meetings at work, a trip to the Library, a trip to the court house to re-new some tags and get my early vote in.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This was a snapshot I took when I stopped at an apple orchard in North Carolina...Fall 2006.

For more daybook head over to Peggy's and join in.

2008-10-15T17:32:00.000-07:00

A FALL MORNING WALK

The temperature was 59 degrees this morning. Package and I felt frisky and decided to go for a walk.

The sun was just coming up.

And the Full Moon was going down. Can you see it in the upper right corner?

I love the Fall.

2008-10-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 13
The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window...an overcast sky. We have had a nice rain all weekend.

I am thinking...I really need a basic computer class!

From the learning rooms..."Teaching Kids about God" a book by several authors from Focus on the Family.

I am thankful for...having a steady income, for good health, Monday's with Danny, and being able to keep the Little Package while her mama is in school.

From the kitchen...Chili and oatmeal cookies.

I am wearing...grey running shorts and a pink "Alabama" football t-shirt..bare feet.

I am reading..."Eyes on the Prize"...Tales from Grace Chapel Inn by Sunni Jeffers...it's a series of fiction Christian books.

I am hoping...for Fall like weather this week.

I am creating...a notebook with easy menu ideas for when we are harvesting pecans. I'm trying to make the grocery list along with it. This is a busy time for us and planning ahead is the only way we can keep from eating out and eating junk during this busy time.

I am hearing...a train from 8 miles away, a rooster crowing, and the wind in the wind chimes.

Around the house...not much...napping with husband and Little Package, watching some movies...this is "OUR DAY" together.

One of my favorite things...watching Pop-pa and Little Package napping and hearing Little Package call me "ME-ME" (today is the first time she has ever said it!).

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...no plans at all...Little Package is here this week so we will do regular housekeeping chores and not much else for a change. I will get my kitchen ready that is in the building where we do our harvesting...that's about it.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Looking down our driveway, Fall 2006.

This is the first time I have participated in Peggy's Day Book. She has started a wonderful thing.

2008-10-07T02:49:00.000-07:00

TWO BABIES...

Little Package was born just a few hours before my youngest son's birthday. Kevin is now 21 years old to Package's 1 year. This is Kevin holding his neice when she was just a few days old. (YES I'M BALLING AGAIN!!) Where has the time gone?! Kevin had the prettiest hair when he was little....golden ringlets. People would always tell me I had the cutest little girl! Kev would look at them and say "I aint no gul!".

The other pictures are of Package and her mom, Alyssa, at the birthday party. I love the side profiles of mama and daughter....the way Package looks at her mom when it's time to blow the candle out....so sweet!
And as a side note.....Package does not like shoes but she wore them all afternoon at her party like a big girl!

2008-10-06T06:02:00.000-07:00

Little Package is ONE YEAR OLD!!!!

Where did the time go? I balled all day yesterday. How can it be?!!!

2008-09-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

WHEN YOUR OVEN IS BROKEN.......PRESSURE COOK IT!!!

My 4 year old Frigidaire wall oven quit....with no warning at all! What happened to things lasting 20 years or so? We paid good money for our stuff too. ANY WHO.....I thought I would share with yall one of my favorite things in the world....my PRESSURE COOKER. I bought an aluminum one from Wal-Mart over 10 years ago. It became very porous so I bought a stainless steel pot this year. The difference in price....aluminum $25.....Stainless $60. My Mama told me about the great Pressure Cooker and the time it saves.

You can cook fresh peas from your freezer in 3-4 minutes, dried peas (Soaked) in less than 10 minutes vs. cooking them for hours on the stove. You can also cook meat in them too and its way better than in a crock pot. I cooked a 3 pound pork lion in 30 minutes. If you dont have a pressure cooker.....make the investment and get one. Cooking is quicker and it is much better for you.

So while my roast was cooking I peeled the taters and cooked them, cooked some peas from my freezer....mashed the taters and had it all ready in about 35 minutes.