Gramma Was a Farmgirl..Imagine That~

It's ReRun Monday Just As I Promised ~

The Backyard lettuce crop  is from recent pictures..just trying
to hold your attention

As a child growing up in  rural south Georgia  we always ate whatever was growing in the garden - in season.  We ate the same food all time except for the big holiday meals then we had more of it! No actually there were really special  holiday meals. We could always count on  southern dressings, fruits [ thanks to relatives from Florida] and our Mamas and Grandmas' fruit cake.. every one totally different.  I know we are not supposed to put down anything Grandma or Mama cooked but here goes.  I never like their fruit cakes. Today I do like fruitcake-specifically the Claxton fruit cake made in Claxton, Georgia. Their recipe is heavier on nuts and dried fruits and not so much cake/bread texture. ..don't leave-There's More

All I Want for Mother's Day -

Is this tacky or what?  My Mother's Day Wish List: 

Comfort - Convenience - Space - Solitude 

That's all..no company, no gifts..honest to goodness

For this day, this year we are not even hungry for the company of our children and grands.

I have no real NEEDS.  Any [human] 'wants' I have can wait. 

But don't scold me yet! By the time Father's Day  comes around  in June we are likely

going to be longing for another of those big, sometimes crowded, always noisy family gatherings-

the big smiles of loved ones coming through that  front door-the greetings, the laughter, 

the hugs & kisses. 

[ With only one Grand at that 'almost a teenager' stage we almost have to

chase him down to get the  hugs and kisses. I think he secretly loves it!]

And yes we will be hungry for all the chatter & talking over one another.  With all the verbal catching  up,

still I will  think back  upon the day later and wish I had more one on one conversation with each

of our children and their spouses especially.  

Years from now  the Grands will think back and have the same thoughts..

Wishing they had  more one on one time with Grandparents too..just as I did.

No one told me life was going to be so fleeting..

Surely I would have hugged more closely and held on longer to my grandparents..

Asked them  more questions ..

Then listened more intently to their voices and the things they shared..

When asked!

The breakfast in bed idea is always a fanciful vision-This works better for me. 

Set up a tray like this. & display in a safe location -

Go to the kitchen, start the Coffee-

Go to the bathroom - Brush your teeth .

There's no way I am going to sip on a cup of great coffee or tea in bed

without first brushing my teeth.

One of Those ReRuns I Promised You~

If these scenes look familiar..perhaps you were visiting Like Gramma's House last summer.  Honestly, I would so love for each of you to be able to "meet up" with me in one  of these spots around our house in South Alabama. 

 Some of my blog followers are local..and many of you I have not seen in quite a while. Isn't it about time we had a few minutes of quality time to 'catch up'?.. or just sit a spell..and wait for inspiration to find us?  

Just click on the photo below for a much larger view~



Wishing You Were Here~

The Sweet Moments of Spring...

Oh  HAPPY DAY!
I am truly  happy you stopped by LGH today.
We are busy  people with lives, responsibilities and problems
and You Young  Moms, Wives & working Professionals
[sometimes students] like Heather are some of the busiest.
For that reason I especially  appreciate that my one official
Blog Contributor, Heather Graham is willing to drop  by
Gramma's House and chat with us.
A reminder:   Heather is  more than a casual blogger I follow
Yes, we have a history from our years
 in southeast Texas.
She is more than special y'all...She's so dear to my heart.
 Heather carries with her a Joyful spirit, not just
a Happy person. Happiness is often fleeting.
The JOY you can't miss in this beautiful , gifted, hard working young woman is
 the JOY OF THE LORD.
 Heather just Bubbles Over with excitement
and enthusiasm for LIFE whether it's a digging in the dirt moment she's sharing or
a fabulous furniture redo, or a one dish meal she's put together for her family.
Thanks for coming Heather

Jonell
______________________________________

As I share this post, Jonell  is by her  husband's side as he is receiving treatments for cancer.  Please join me as we pray for them  - for traveling safety, for peace and for the GREAT PHYSICIAN to heal his body...

I am so thankful that she is letting me share here on her site.... isn't it wonderful?  So springy!

I can't wait until she hosts her porch party!  I'm motivated to get out and start planting pretty flowers and start cleaning, cleaning!

Our vegetable garden is growing quickly...

and we have 14 tomatoes already on the vine! WOOHOO!  I'm excited!

(an excerpt from a recent post at Stringtown Home)

Many years ago, people could not run to the grocery store... especially not for fresh veggies.  Pa would have to pick the beans & potatoes, and Ma would then cook them. [KEEP GOING, THERE IS MORE]

Looking Forward~

'Justa  note' for those  who read/follow regularly:  You may be seeing  Random posts and even a few Re-Run posts in the coming weeks.  Then again You may not-I guess that's basically what Random means, do you think?

Let me explain:  As I speak my Silver Fox and I are guests, out of town...away from home during the week M-F while he is receiving additional treatments. Did you miss this? Okay here goes: A year ago My sweetheart of a lifetime [ 1958 ] was diagnosed with stage 4 Cancer. Beginning August 2012 he had Chemo infusions every 21 days until December 2012. He handled the chemo extraordinarily well [the Oncologist's statement] and we had  wonderful weeks of "Life is Good"  -actually so good it was really hard to register the reality that he had Cancer.  

Now here we go again. It was a question of when not if , according to the medical Oncologist. That's why we are living M-F  in the homes of our oldest and youngest sons & their families. Yes, Children are a Blessing..for us especially true. We have two other adult  children who would open their homes also were they not 3 hours away... We are so thankful for all of them..the four children and their spouses.

*Next-Looking Forward: Watch for a few re- run posts you might have missed and also come along for blog party link ups if you  will.

I plan to put together a SUMMER PORCH PARTY in June. I would absolutely  luv, luv for you to gather your own PORCH scenes current or from your stash of photos from last year..either way it would be great to have you join up. more later..

Ooops ..forgot to mention the SUMMER PORCH PARTY can be a front porch, back porch, side screened in porch, a deck, a patio or a little Porch Wannabee..Whatever you have is perrrfect.

Lastly: Prayer Warriors please join us-I will post updates

Later: Summer Porch Party in JUNE

A Spot, A Moment, A Season, A Memory-

No Words Needed here

Home

Let's have another cup  of coffee..alone or in the
company of a dear friend..still a perfect little spot

The fickle weather here late winter/early spring
really played havoc with the Bridal Wreaths
blooming schedule..last year was perfection so
we  can share  these blooms and a breathless
spring moment from  last year

Come Along  With Me As I Visit With
Jann Olson
at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olson

http://stringtownhome.com ~ "You Are God Alone"

~My Personal Recommendation:  Please visit my friend and blogger Heather over at Stringtown Home and allow her Timely and straight from the heart remarks to bless you.  Or encourage ...or excite you-whatever it is that YOU need today, this week to help you feel better about this world we live in, this country we have become. 

Like me and so many other bloggers who cross our paths, Heather chooses to allow her blog content to be honest, light hearted and joyful....not filling every post with preachy messages . 

 We want Christ to naturally show through us in our writing.  Then we run smack into days like this week and are truly convicted...feel compelled to STAND UP, SPEAK OUT, allowing what our Lord puts on our hearts to spill out passionately, boldly but with a loving motivation and spirit. Please accept it as that.

Now, Run over to Heather's at STRINGTOWN HOME and sit for a bit and soak up a little something good straight from her heart.

Looking Forward,
Jonell

Wisteria Project ~ Spring Reveal






My Silver Fox made no Announcement or declaration but this scene suggested he was starting a project. It's another of My Honey Do plans.

Five years ago landscaping projects were being prioritized.  A Strategically placed electrical outlet and  water faucet were planted alongside the WISTERIA VINE I had planted...with stated plan of building an arbor, reading nook, Peaceful hideaway. Yes. 5 years ago. 

 I had not totally given up but  did have a mental thing going on...quietly trying to envision myself building my own version of this  Gramma's dream outdoor spot.  I really could have done it..I know I could!!  [ an appropriate place for a smile but not laughter ]

   



Disclosure: My role in this project had more to do with smiling, nodding approval
& properly timed applause and of course a few changes...adjustments.

  



That's My Rock Rug

Never before have I used this idea..hope you like it too. I started with a bag of
the smaller size [ Landscaping/Lowe's  ] then decided to give it dimension
by mixing in a larger size. OF COURSE IT'S CHEAP...  Lowe's Home Improvement-
landscaping supplies. LESS THAN $20. w some to spare for Another spot



There were design adjustments as we went along... 3 slats high boards - realized I felt PENNED IN!! One had to go, leaving it two high around 3 sides...just right.

No paint- We agreed to allow it to weather naturally

Props:The Quilt roll is an antique  quilt and the pillow a handmade from vintage/antique materials gift from my friend Shirley, always a treasured reminder of our special  times in southeast Texas. I am sure I will be reliving some of those times when I linger with a book in this incredible hideaway...not to mention recalling the scenes of my sweetheart constructing this JUST FOR ME. [ He quietly began work on it soon after his cancer diagnosis last summer. Boards had been selected and stacked to dry out in the Greenhouse for months]

I later found some Good Will outdoor pillows...$2. each just my price range [cheep cheep] and a heavy downpour of rain doesn't affect them at all..beats paying $20 and more, much more dontcha think?

~a special long distance hug and thank you to Heather for enticing you with a Sneak Peak Preview of my Wisteria Project Reveal on  http://stringtownhome.com ..Love Ya Sweetheart! 

OOOPS...don't go yet.  I almost forgot these last few shots taken just this week.  If you love these Wisteria Project  Photos and are drooling to use them...Sure You May. Simply msg me [ harrisonhouse@troycable.net  or facebook: Jonell Williams Harrison] and ASK FOR PERMISSION THEN GIVE ME CREDIT when you use them. ..that's all I require.

The pillows I found at GW-$2

The Knock Out Rose Bush is new just this Spring

Our Wisteria Project and That's my Sweetheart..My Silver Fox

Thank you Sweetheart for another labor of love

Looking Forward,

Jonell

To be cont'd... will post as I
spend special moments here

  Come Along With Me As I Visit Some Special Places:

Stringtownhome

Alderberry Hill

Have a Cup Of Mrs Olson

Home Sweet Home #115

It's A Boy!

My, isn't it Grand! No, actually it's Great..After  Grandchildren comes the Great Grands. The parents, our oldest Grand, Ryan & his lovely, lovely wife  now expect to be parents in late summer-perhaps early September. 

Aha, this means our middle son David and Wife Rita are about to become GRANDPARENTS.  When they blessed us with our first Grand Child Ryan I felt not quite ready for the tag of Grandma, Nanny, etc..so I asked to be called Gramma.. Now, after almost 28 years have passed I am  somewhat adjusted to all the tags that come along with this season of life so adding another..great grand parent  just seems a natural thing. 

The Grandparents-
David & Rita

Breaking News- I think I would be comfortable with the tag of Gran this time around..My hubby could not care less what a new baby calls him. When we anticipated being Grandparents I was the one who suggested the name POP for my husband..how about Poppy- for the Great Grand! Imagine that-getting to choose what someone calls you.  I am so impressed with the power I have as a woman!! That kinda makes up for not having a say in choosing my own name wouldn't you think?

As I see it with this new branch on the Family Tree - there's  more bragging rights and even less responsibility, right? These old folks couldn't possibly know what to do with a 21st century little one!

In anticipation of this day- I already have put aside a few pieces of Baby Silverware-matches my own silver pattern:  This might be a good time to get on EBay to complete that little set. Oh, yes I did spot some "Beatrice Potter" dishes recently too.

Looking Forward~

Jonell

post script:  Our prayer and desire would simply be for a healthy baby with thankful parents focused on a God centered family-

Join us as we Share Our Cup  with Mrs. Olson - Thursday

http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Looking Back~ With Thankful Hearts

'A page from  lgh written about a year ago...2012'

Coming Soon- to a town not so far away from Gramma and Pop's - our daughter and her precious family who have had their adventure in the FAR NORTH..[ Iowa ] now for five long years. [ Remember, we are located in south Alabama.]

 I know it is a bittersweet move for the grands 14, 17 & 19 years old so just maybe we will try to mute the 'celebration' with that in mind. Time heals and the joys of being close enough to "reach out and touch" family will soon make up for the youthful heartbreak of leaving the friends & familiar behind.

As a rule I don't post this type of content that is so personally related to specific family members -but, I just want to briefly share a "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..and His Mercy endures forever.." after all His Blessings are to go back to Him in the form of Praise.

~Gramma

post script: ..that was quite a few months ago and now the 'news' is history.  Our daughter and family are settled in just three hours drive away from here.  What a joy it is to know that we can drive over even for a day trip if we are actually up for that turn around.  We can if we want or need to. Right now we are joyously looking forward to being over in west Georgia not once but twice in the month of May. 
Again, Praise God for this answered prayer.  Family is precious..and Time is Precious.  jh