GROWING SEASON

We planted a few simple things around the house this year & they are growing nicely. The pecans look scarce & already the war has begun against the Aphids & Casebearers. We put a gallon of lady bugs out last Friday night and we got a nice rain yesterday evening. Hopefully the combination of the two will knock the pesty insects out.

A Little Savings with a Little Shopping


Danny & I had to go to Waycross this afternoon & we decided to pick up a few things at the Kroger grocery store. It is a nice big store & they carry a large selection of groceries. There is a nice big bakery & deli, a huge produce selection, and if your into health foods....well they have the biggest selection I've ever seen. They have recently added a fuel station outside the store. If you use their Kroger savings card you get your gas 3 cents cheaper a gallon (same as Wal-Mart) BUT if you make a $100.00 dollar or more purchase of groceries from Kroger you get A 10 CENT per gallon discount when you buy gas the same day!!!!!! HELLO!! I'm all about some savings here! Oh & another thing I liked about Kroger today.....they bagged all my groceries in paper...they didn't ask me...they just did it. I love brown bagging it!

Thought I would pass that little tidbit on.

Back in the winter I bought a box of this Lipton Honey & Lemon Tea. I love it & have been rationing it out until I went back to Kroger (none of the other stores I go to carry it). This tea is soooo good! The maple flavored cookies are great too & I love them with the tea....or milk....or coffee.....or right by them-selves!!

Well just thought I would share that with you all. So what tips do yall have for saving money these days?

Ahhhhh, Just a little "ALONE TIME" goes a long way!!

I got up yesterday & decided to do a little shopping & spend some time at the beach.....right by myself! I am not a beach person (Sorry Jen) but I like to go once or twice a year. I went to Brunswick, Georgia & hit my favorite stores. After getting a bite to eat I headed to the beach. I like to go to the beach on Jekyll Island because there are always less people. There was less than a dozen groups of people scattered about yesterday......just what I like. St.Simmons is always packed & it is more of a social scene anyway.

So I came back with a new purse from TJ Max (yes Mama I got one, lol), a new wallet & address book (I haven't replaced these items in years) a pair of shorts & a top from Target, a few eatable goodies (2 boxes of the Little School Boy chocolate biscuits & a bag of mini bagels), and last but not least.....a little sun on some areas that dont usually get any (get out of the gutter....I usually have a farmer's tan thank you very much!).

It's nice to live so close to so much (45 miles).
So what do you do when you need some "Alone Time"?

I've been without Internet for 3 months! My satellite with Hughes Net quit working & I couldn't get anyone to service it. I have service through my cell phone now....I dont have a clue how it works but it does. WHEW HOO!!

Much has happened since I posted last. Too much to get into so I will just say....GOD is good!
The Little Package is growing! She is 7 1/2 months old. Crawling like crazy & is the apple of mine & Danny's eye.

The 1st pic was Easter Morning & the other one was taken last week.

I'll get caught up with every ones blogs over time I hope!

HAIR CUTS!!











The Pruning is finished but the clean up continues. As you can see each tree has been cut a good bit. There was already a lot of limb breakage from the crop so that has to be cleared also. The 2 & 3 year old trees were pruned & the full grown pecan trees were given hair cuts too. Many of the trees have little piles of fire wood at the base that has to picked up & stacked. When all the limbs are gathered, we will burn the pile. Dont worry, the branch pile is up against a pond like area to prevent any wild fires. Danny is in a panic to get it all done. Its time to put out fertilizer & we cant do that until the clean up is finished. Anybody want to come & help? I promise to feed you good Southern cooking!

And by the way....last year was so touch & go with the trees. We battled a bitter freeze that burnt all the trees killing 12. We had an extreme water shortage. Fuel fertilizer & chemicals more than doubled in price this year. But God was still so good to us. We had the biggest crop ever....35 thousand pounds of pecans!! Many of you prayed for us & I want to thank you for that. Prayer does work!!!!

LOVE






A picture is worth a thousand words they say. In this case...yep! Folks all over the country are thinking about love this week. I think about it all the time. How I love my husband, my boys, my Little Package....the list goes on. I am blessed, BLESSED, BLESSED!!!! When I think about how blessed I am I go back to the center of it all....JESUS. I believe the Bible is true and because of that belief I know HE loves me more than I love my family & friends. I dont guess I'll know the depth of HIS love until I get to fall at HIS feet one day. As I watched the Little Package holding on to Danny's fingers yesterday I couldnt help but think of my relationship with GOD. I think I'm holding on to HIS finger but in reality......HE's got me. I'm in HIS lap, safe & secure. Happy Valentine's Day. Thank You all for the encouragment. GOD is good, HE is love....HE shows it to me by way of friends I have never even met before!


We love HIM because HE first loved us. 1 John 4:19

THIS & THAT










Pruning continues here. Danny & his brother did take off Saturday & went to Florida fishing (23 white perch). Tuesday Danny & I went back to the same lake (Crescent) & caught 8! We decided we are too young to go fishing there & will wait till retirement!!!!

The Little Package's parents have seperated. Danny & I expected this from the begining but that hasn't made anything easier. It has been 3 weeks since we have seen her however we have a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday. After much kicking & screaming, I have come to realize that God is in control here & I know HE loves the Little Package more than we do so I will trust in HIM in this whole thing. I have peace in this storm.

Speaking of trusting HIM....I spent a good bit of time yesterday putting together a prayer journal for the Little Package. Who will she marry, what church will she go to, school, sickness, protection from the WORLD. I put down all my fears, cares, etc. Present, past & future events in her life. This child WILL be covered in prayer as long as I can breathe! I encourage you to do the same for your children & grands!

I am going for a consultation appointment today for laser eye surgery! I want to see again!!! I'm really excited about it.

Well that is all I have to say. I reckon that was enough! Hope yall have a good day!

COLD & DREARY!!

I don't remember January being this dreary in several years. Not much sun shine here in the South at all. It's hard to believe the month is almost over. I've had a birthday & anniversary this month, started a new work schedule (working Friday, Saturday & Sundays only)and the big task of pruning the pecan trees has started. My husband had the bright idea of getting 1000 pounds of pecans cracked to put in the freezer. (Guess who gets the wonderful task of picking them all out......YEAH ME!!!!!!!) Danny's parents have helped with some already but I absolutely HATE DOING IT! I don't like sitting in the same place forever to hull out a bunch of nuts! I have things to do for crying out loud!!!!

Anyway...that's the major happenings here in South Georgia. Hope all is well with all of you!

My African Violet is the only colorful thing here on the hill!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE STONE'S

















2008......can you believe it is here already! We let the SAND MAN ring in the New Year for us last night (We slept through it!). We picked up the Little Package yesterday so we get to spend the New Year with her. Danny's parents invited us for lunch today. Southern Folks know what the menu will be......Black Eye Peas & Mustard Greens!! It is a Southern tradition that is suppose to bring you luck & money! I don't believe in luck but I do believe in BLESSINGS! GOD has been so good to me all my life! I don't need luck!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I really believe HE loves me & means well in my life despite the bad times I go through sometimes. It is the same for you too. So I'm going to eat peas & greens today & enjoy my family with the confidence in HIS PLANS for me in 2008!

What about yall? Happy New Year everyone!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!









Danny had the "Little Package" last night & decided to let her try a piece of chocolate. Of course I couldn't capture her sticking her tongue out & licking it BUT it was so funny when she just stopped in mid LICK & turned to me & smiled, as if to say "YES! I LOVE THIS!!".

I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas. It is the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior JESUS the CHRIST. I hope you will celebrate it in a manner that will truly give HIM glory!

THE BEGGAR!!






When my Parents-n-law vacationed at Tybee Island in September.....they spotted this beggar 3 stories below their balcony. Apparently there wasnt anything he didn't like. I fed him Fiddle Faddle, Danny fed him sausage, & Kevin fed him bread. He ate a good size meal & left. He came back everyday & would sit there looking up, waiting for you to throw him a meal. At least he didnt steal it!!!!!!!

THIEF!!!


















Gandalf the White alerted us to the PECAN STEALER! This was taken in September when the booty was good.

THE LITTLE PACKAGE




Our Little Package is going to the doctor this morning to get her first immunization injections. Despite being a nurse....I DO NOT DO WELL with babies or children. I help with the admission paper work on the pediatric patients from time to time but that is about all I can handle. I helped hold a 2 year old the other day while his IV was being resited.....I came out balling. Friday a young father came to the nurses station in a panic because his baby's IV infiltrated causing the baby's hand to swell. I was the only nurse available so I went in & came out balling. The thoughts of it now makes me shaky. SOOOOOOO off I go this morning with my Little Package to the doctor. I'm afraid it will all be more traumatic to me than to her!!! I hope yall had a nice weekend. It is hot & muggy here today.

SKY WATCH FRIDAY AT MAMA'S






Danny took these pictures one morning while I was at work. He never did find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Who needs a pot of gold anyway.....I'm blessed beyond any pot of gold's measure! Well I have to work the next 3 days in a row at the hospital.....hope yall all have a good weekend!!

What am I gonna do now?




One of my fishin partners (from The Old Geezer Club) called me the other night to give me the latest on the lake we like to fish at in Florida. Due to the extreme lack of rain the hydrillas have taken over. Thats them lily pad looking things. He told me you cant even launch your boat now! Since pecan season is over & cold weather is settin in, it will soon be time to white perch fish. My thoughts are drifting to the fun Danny & I have in the up-coming seasons....like white perch fishin & turkey hunting! Spring brings Bass fishin! Dawg I'm ready to go somewhere! There is another lake we can fish at in Florida but the place we use to stay at burned down....so I just dont know what we are gonna do about our fishin. Well we still have a little while to study on it all. In the mean time I have a little 9 week old package in my lap that will keep me busy. Boy it will be exciting when she is old enough to go with her Meme & Papa on some of their outdoor adventures!

I ran into two Pennsylvania brothers at Mama's blog last week. http://countrycaptures.blogspot.com/ http://pawildlifephotographer.blogspot.com/
They both love wildlife photography & have some interesting views on hunting. I love to hunt....if its actually hunting. It appears their state is having a managed hunt on the Elk there. These guys are raising some pretty good questions about the hunting in PA. Anyway, these fellas have some NICE NICE PHOTOS that really make me jealous! My two recent posts show some of the Elk pictures I took last year at Catalooche Valley, North Carolina. Danny & I went during the pre-rut season. It was raining the first day we went but immediately we heard the Bulls bugling! TV does not do them justice! It is an awesome sound! The scrape on the tree caused Danny & I to do a double take! You just don't see stuff like that in South Georgia! It was an experience I will never forget & a reminder of how Great GOD is! He made those big-ole beasts! AMAZING!!
Sorry fellas....I am a blogging idiot & cant figure out how to get your web addresses to do right! My Mama will come & fix it for me when she reads this post!! LOL!

SKY WATCH FRIDAY AT MAMA'S




Well I haven't ever participated in Mama's Sky Watch and I've never used Mr. Linky so this is a pure TRIAL & ERROR THING FOR ME!!!! In September my parents-n-law rented a condo on Tybee Island. It's near Savannah, Georgia and the fishing is really great there......they say. I HATE SALT WATER FISHING and will get out of it if at all possible. (I love freshwater fishing!) So as soon as the sun started to go down that day, I tried to capture the show. It was sooooo beautiful! How can anyone question GOD'S existence after seeing something like this!!

Well we are getting closer to the end of the pecan harvest. You can see what one truck load of nuts looks like. We are guesstimating a 30,000 pound total. We will know for sure at the end of the week. The pictures show Danny picking up the nuts with the harvester. When the hopper is full, he dumps them into a wagon where they are carried to the building. Then we clean, grade, bag, & load. In about 2 more years we will eliminate the use of our trailers and have the buyer send his transfer trucks out to get them. That will be nice! When the buyer can get 40,000 pounds or more, he sends his own trucks out. Since we have a young farm, an increase in production is expected. The last picture shows part of the orchard after harvesting. CLEAN AS A WHISTLE! We are keeping our fingers crossed on prices.....farming is a heck of a gamble and one I don't enjoy!! That's whats been going on here. This is what we work for all year long. GOD has been good to us no matter what the market holds.