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!

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!!

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?

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!!

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!

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?!!!!

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!

2009!!!!



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

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.......

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Little Package is ONE YEAR OLD!!!!





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

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.