Christmas 2011 - Brundidge

Glimpses of our family gathering

Christmas Morning Brunch for Two 2011

This was definitely better than any restaurant in the area.

The Season - The Reason

I do love Christmastime...except when I don't.  I do love the Christmas lights...first choice the tiny clear -next the blue lights in my windows..the spot lights on the nativity scenes and ALWAYS the Candle light. And don't forget the jingle, jangle of the bells...some tinkling sounds, others the sleigh bell  sounds..even those that remind people like me of a Cow Bell...clunk, clunk, clunk. 

This is the only time of year you'll find candy offered generously in our house..well perhaps Easter time too. I go plundering around the attic to bring down some of those treasured  old jars and fill them with  colorful candies...some  because  my  Grandma Mobley had them-remember those gummy orange slices?? And of course the candy canes..the smaller the better.

The previous 5 years I have enjoyed choosing a luscious fresh greenery wreath for my front door..it's a luxury without a doubt and I do enjoy it.  Another time and place I would have gathered the supplies from the woods and fields around us.

I don't love Christmastime as I watch and listen to shoppers in  crowded stores..so many stories.  I ache for those as it gets very close to December 24th and the shopping is frantic, tempers short, tension in voices..I find myself examining the shopping cart contents and fill in the blanks...too little time, too little money and sometimes I just sense sadness in the faces and body language of those around me.. I can relate to that...remember how this season was so difficult for me for many years..always recalling that my Dad had died on December 23rd in 1969. Now that same sadness crops up as we look around us and there are at least 5 missing faces..loved ones too far away.Did I tell you I really love the Christmas season? 

How do I count the things?

• Blue lights
• Jingle Bells
• Candle Lights
• Warm Wassail
• Friends/Family Together..the laughter
• Same  Foods Every year- sausage balls, meat balls, fruit cake, sand tarts, toasted pecans....
• and...CHRISTMAS TREES
• 
  
  and...CHRISTMAS CAROLS
• Yes, I do love baking and giving. I love the giving part but often do not like the shopping and the buying.  Perhaps it's the money thing..I never had any growing up -money was always an issue and I don't like it to be an issue. I think that's why I enjoy giving things that only require creative thinking and /or a little work and time like with baked gifts or homemade gifts.
• Jesus really is the reason for this season...we just keep forgetting that don't we?  Happy Birthday Jesus...I love you Lord~

• 

  



"Another Life"

Harrisons Primitive Historic Old Farmhouse-Texas

A random search on the internet turned up these notes from another time, another life that seems eons ago   - (1985-2006 ]

 
 

 

We are thrilled to share this beautiful place with all of you. The Harrison House is different. It's an original dogtrot design farmhouse built in 1906. This farm came into the Raffe Simmons family in 1878 by way of a government Land grant and the present farmhouse replaced a log structure built prior to 1906. This style house was a common sight across the southern United States 100 years ago, and was a practical design to meet basic needs of families at the time.

In July 1994 we began to carefully refurbish, furnish and decorate the old farmhouse, using linens, pottery, kitchen collectibles & early 1900’s furniture such as chifferobes, iron beds, & floor model radios, primitive tables & chairs & wash stands. We finally had a home for the black pot bellied stove we have been hauling around for years..it came from Ted's parents home in Jackson, Alabama.

The Farmhouse dogtrot design is still intact and the only remodeling necessary has been to extend the kitchen & add a porch to the northeast side of the house. On the original side porch the shelf with holes for wash pans is still there and used. A towel hangs from a nearby post. The original bath room has been improved & made more attractive with cypress walls , flooring & camp style shower stall. This now functions as a washroom and shower with the original wood shingle ceiling so thoughtfully preserved by my husband.

Thanks Sweetheart!

We call the additional bathroom our “new old fashioned” bathroom fitted with claw foot bathtub and floor model lavatory. Instead of the usual bathroom cabinets an old Jenny Lynd vanity serves as dressing table and storage. The bath room walls, once covered with multiple layers of newsprint & wall paper are now the 12” wide cypress boards we uncovered in the beginning of this project. Did I mention Overnight guests find they have to run across the dogtrot to the bathroom in the middle of the night?

Yes, we consciously chose not to add closets in each of the four bedrooms and found free standing chifferobes for hanging clothes . Whenever possible we have tried to make use of materials left over from the early changes such as windows that once were the doors on corner cabinets we could not use. Some of these are now mirrors permanently attached. Discarded lightwood fence posts now form the hand railings and posts along the front steps. A section of an original picket fence (which was once around this house) now has a place of honor in our front yard and I’m sure I can even find a place for a lightwood log discovered under a storage building. Long ago discarded parts to a once beautiful iron heater have a special place that reminds us and visitors of another time. (a 'graveyard' of sorts)

We made the deliberate choice not to add air conditioning units to this house, hung ceiling fans and decided to wait for a/c until we could install separate units hidden from view in the attic.

It is our sincere desire to be able to share this wonderful piece of history with the public.

For that reason we do offer farmhouse tours to those who express an interest. We ask that you make a specific appointment and that you bring a group with a minimum of 4 people. We can make this a simple guided tour or we can plan for refreshments or a light lunch that would be a unique experience.

Ted and I do not have a history here, did not grow up in this area, have no family ties with the farm. Ted's family roots are in South Alabama and the Mississippi Delta region. His Mother Daisy Harrison was a Bagley whose Mother was a Harper from Mississippi and his Harrison Grandmother was a Pope. I am from South Georgia. My Williams family is from the same general area of Southeast Georgia and My Mother was a Mobley . Her parents were Marion Albert & Rachel Lee Mobley; Grandpa Mobley's parents James Eli Mobley & Elizabeth Swindle Mobley can be traced to Liberty county Georgia in the OKEEFENOKEE SWAMP REGION.

We can't claim that our ancestors lived on this farm but we do have very similar stories to tell of the same period of time. Bring your own 'remember when' stories of this or other similar places and we will 'try' to be good listeners.

The Old Barn is equally distinctive and for a short time recently was turned into a unique, comfortable if primitive environment for showing and selling antique, primitive & collectible merchandise- This was done without changing the strucure of the barn; stalls were used as shops with woodshavings floors and hand hewn feed troughs and hay racks were left in place.

While retired we can still be talked into farm and farmhouse tours for history buffs or students of any age, vacationers passing by, folks "coming back home to visit," artists and photographers also.

We are located on FM 2626 (5.5 miles from HWY 87 North of Newton or just 6.5 miles from HWY 190 East of Newton)

I know you never heard of Newton, Texas..so, spot Toledo Bend Tx/La. on your map and work your way just a bit west.

We will be looking for you. Watch for the RAFTER H RANCH sign.

All we ask is that you bring with you a sweet spirit and your best country manners...after all "This is a place where God Lives..In us. Ya'll Come!

Post Script/update: We sold the farm [approximately 200 acres] in June of 2006  and since then the OLD BARN and the Farmhouse have dissappeared  from the landscape on highway 2626 in Newton county Texas.

Thank You Notes~

It truly is the THANKSGIVING SEASON, however; I cannot wait for Thanksgiving Day to express my thank yous for what God has done and is doing in our lives.  When my husband is okay..so am I.  When Ted is in trouble needless to say his wife can & usually does become a slight basket case.  It has been a difficult week beginning with Saturday, November 12th when I got "that call." Yes, it could have been worse, much worse but on a scale of 1-10 it still registers on

the scale of "life events" right up there with the memorable & milestone events. 

Thank you Heavenly Father for walking the walk with us.  Thank you Jesus for hearing me when I  cry out.  And Holy Spirit thank you for finishing my prayers when I cannot find the words to express my  needs.

 

Thank you for carrying the added burden, taking the extra steps and for propping me up when I would waver.  Some things as a mere human I cannot handle alone but then I am reminded my Creator made me for this relationship with him, with the plan and desire for me to lean on Him and accept that hand - holding secure,

 

Yesterday our oldest, never married son Steve married his sweetheart Carol and the wedding was both sweet & fun too. They did not have the Hallelujah Chorus at the end of the ceremony as I had wanted but I gave God the Praise  anyway!

 

Ted was not able to be at the wedding since he had just been discharged from the hospital [a week in ICU] and getting dressed, attached to oxygen, into a vehicle, traveling an hour and back again was just not a wise option the following day.  In fact it would not have been an option if the wedding had been a day later.  Today "we" are determined, taking what one might call 'baby steps' with serious rest stops in between each endeavor. Tomorrow may be a challenge returning to the hospital almost an hour away but after that I feel confident that each day will bring good changes-improvement. 

 

More wedding details will follow soon - pictures and video and additional thoughts & observations on the whole affair.

This is Mother of the Groom flowers.  Wedding Photos Coming Soon~



post script: Another  five days back in the hospital from Sunday afternoon through Friday. Now on Saturday November 26th we are very much encouraged. The past 24 hours at home have seen no surprises except good ones. ...and His mercy endures forever.

I forgot to mention we had our Thanksgiving Day meal together in his hospital room.  It was inspired.
I chose a colorful old picnic basket and fitted and filled it appropriately for a thanksgiving feast [minimal but fancy] like none we had ever shared. 

Breathe Again~

Big Sigh~~~~~~~~~ I am  ready to stop holding my breath and Breathe Again!  That's the only words I can come up with to describe the past four days.  Words often appear to come easily for me but not when you get that call - "Jonell, you need to come home right now."
My calling out to God in those moments becomes no less than pathetic..a picture of exactly how helpless I am without  Him. I know He wants me to be aware of  of that 24/7.  What a God we serve~He is Good, and His Mercy endures forever.

Post Card From the Far North-

[Please note The far north is Mason City, Iowa & the following text is borrowed from face book & posted with permission and the only claim I own to it is that the author is my daughter.]

To all my southern friends and family: Very soon it will be "that time of year" once again and I think we need to head into this with a different mind set so as to preserve our relationships, my sanity and any possible shred of respect that I might ever gain from my neighbors.

Soon I will commence to whining and complaining about all sorts of weather related issues including but not limited to the snow plows, snow, ice, the cold, the wind, the blowing snow, slushy roads, the ice, the snow....I know ya'll enjoy responding to this whining by telling me that you're wearing shorts and flip flops while Christmas shopping or hanging out at the beach for Valentine's Day.

While amusing to you, bless your hearts, this response is so very inappropriate. If my whining is a cause of irritation you have several options - 1) unfriend me until Spring (aka mid-May), 2) just shake your head and ignore my whining because you love me, OR 3) you can do the polite, loving thing, mind your Southern manners and just respond with "bless your heart" and then laugh at me privately.

While I cannot, will not, promise to stop whining but when you are whining in August about needing skin grafts because all the skin on the back of your thighs melted into your car seat I won't tell you that we're enjoying a late night bonfire and having to wear sweat shirts. When you shower and get dressed and walk out your door only to look like you showered with your clothes on, I won't tell you that our high temp in July is 85. When you're buying popcicles only to have them turn into kool-aid with a stick before you get to your car I won't tell you that we're grilling out in the middle of the afternoon in late July and not breakin a sweat. I promise I won't laugh and say "humidity? what's that like?".

I appreciate your cooperation.....assuming you intend to give it, bless your heart. Deanna Harrison-Glass

~Going Back To School?

 

The old Patterson High School Building- [Patterson, Ga.]

is finally getting a long needed wonderful Face Lift and is

being repurposed.  As a member of the graduating class of

1959 this does my heart good! 

This view is the front left [the Principal's Office]

The right side [see second walkway on the right]

 is the mirror image of the other end of

the building and is the Library side.  The Auditorium is/was

in between in the middle.  I have not yet seen the interior and

have no idea what changes have already been made.   

I look forward to seeing the finished project.

The white rails of course are a recent addition .

Does anyone else think those front steps we girls

posed and reclined on were  much larger in the 1950's?

She's A Doll~ Pin Cushion

She's a chalkware top half of a lady.  Her Skirt functions as a Pin cushion.

Her eyes are Blue.  She's holding a bouquet with both hands.  Her face [the

Chalkware surface] is less than perfect.She has afancy up-do hair style.

something a Victorian lady would choose for a formalaffair. The fabric of her

dress is a lightweight taffeta like material. Everything about her is worn,

faded,  a bit tattered and aged. Her skirt is about the size of a powder

box a lady would have used on her 'dressing table.  She has 'had a life.'

Family Gathering ~ His & Hers

[It couldn't have come together without the help of my husband.]
A family gathering [honoring our son Steve and his soon to be  Bride Carol ] came together without a hitch.. to be more literal [truthful] without  glitches that couldn't be overcome or overlooked. No more yardage of burlap ..buy the whole bolt next time! My oven thermostat quit on me. How do you make Cornbread [goes with Chili] without an oven? You live across the street from a lovely neighbor who leaves you the house key and use her oven! Thanks Dee!  The alternate plan for cooking the appetizer [ outdoor grill] doesn't produce the desired effect ..result not as planned so whaddya do?  You say "oh well" and forget it then move on to the main event. Everyone has arrived, time to  Greet & Ask the Blessing ...then I discover my CAMERA is [temporarily] lost!  David: "MOM, we all have cameras on our phones." Of course!!!!!!!!!  I will share my pics taken earlier in the day and hope family members share those taken that night and I will add those for you when available.

Primitive island built from [1906]
kitchen floor of the Tx. farmhouse-
utilized for drink service-old  enamel
dish pan  holds ice.
[after discarding supplies and washing]
.



Table for 8> burlap overlay, Silver/Gold pie pumpkins,
fresh cedar, sweet gum multi shades of fall leaves,
tallow berries, freshly fallen leaves from our yard,
real nuts from my kitchen, sprigs of unidentified
 wild flowers and numerous little candle lites-
Natural beauty mostly from nearby wooded area.



Pictures taken earlier in the day-NO, we didn't
 forget the  relocate the WATER HOSE.
I had to share this with you.  Mid morning Ted
observed that one bench seemed a little less
than trustworthy but quickly added
 "I can make a new one..it will only take half an hour."
And....HE DID!

 Gramma's antique QUILT becomes a TABLECLOTH.
YES, I DID! 
The smaller overlay is burlap and centerpiece a
Natural mix of numerous  offerings from NATURE
nearby, including but not limited to..painted &
unpainted pumpkins, nuts, tallow berries,Cedar sprigs,
Sweet gum branches and newly fallen leaves from my
own yard- w candle lites.
Daytime pics didn't catch the oh so neet silver lanterns
  Lowe's was kind enough to put on sale a few weeks ago..
Perhaps we'll  light the lanterns tonight & take more pictures.
Sure, I can do that!!

The cropped version of the round table centerpiece-don'tcha love it!!



You  will have to imagine all my [bright, bold colors] FIESTAWARE added to this setting-unless a family member shows up with  pictures taken at night with place settings of winter green, orange, shades of yellow, even a couple of red -GOT FIESTAWARE? USE IT~

Let's Find Dad Something To Do ~

When we have a crowd and eat on the deck or patio this
area is usually utilized for serving-Ted suggested he make
this basically permanent by attaching to the [lower level]
of the deck floor.  Great Job!

This antique baby bed was planted with IRISES at the farmhouse in Texas

and traveled with us for the move back to Alabama over 5 years ago.

This has been my PLAN all along. He made the bed frame,added the first
layer of  soil -more to come-Next comes the bulbs. His suggestion is to
put the bulbs in theground &[for springs flowering] and get some
ornamentals down to enjoy during the cool weather months..now does that
sound like a PLAN!?

Well, It looks like PROGRESS to us! This antique Syrup Pan
[like those we used in south Georgia during the 1900's & earlier]
also came with us in the move from the farm in Southeast
Texas five plus years ago.
Yes, the intent from the beginning
has been to use it as the lower element of a three part
WATER FEATURE
The plan is to use an antique PUMP for the top element and in
the middle emptying into the syrup pan an antique
CAMP FIRE COFFEE POT. 
We found a water pump & started choosing plants..
definitely not finished with that selection more  to come.
I am not complaining about everything being unfinished.
It's PROGRESS~

Postscript: This is so much fun.  If you will look carefully at the picture of the water feature project toward the area behind it ..[another project]  That's where my Wisteria covered  /reading hideaway  [arbor] will be soon.  The WISTERIA is already growing beautifully and we now have the posts for framing it up. It is to be an L shaped structure making it possible to be comfortable no matter the time of day and direction of the sun. [ notice the purple color is the color of the Wisteria blooms ]

The Recipe~

Remember the TV show The Waltons? Remember the two sisters who kept the moonshine supply going and distributed it as The Recipe? They were rather naive-didn't know the beverage their Papa had made and shared was moonshine because he referred to it as the Recipe.  Okay enough of that. Here's my Recipe for very cool weather in the deep south.
Grab your favorite mug and make yourself a big cup of Hot Chocolate..then do whatever makes you feel amazing.  For me sometimes its a warm afgan & a television show, sometimes it's a book I'm wanting to read or finish and other times it's a chair on the front porch  checking out the neighbors, their yards or just to listen to the birds do their thing.
Here's my #1 favorite hand thrown pottery mug, so big and wonderfully shaped I just love wrapping my hands around the warm shape and  settling into the moment. I couldn't figure out how to take a picture of me/hands just holding onto the mug but I did come up with something for you~

We don't do instant, premixed hot chocolate at my house-
You should ask for the recipe.

One year at Chrismastime in Jasper, Tx. My friend Brenda and I

both wanted to take home [buy] these mugs [there were 4] &

we were both so passionate about it we finally settled on a plan:

I took two and Brenda took the other two.  Silly women-wonderful

memories of some fabulous friends~[Shirley & Brenda B ]



Old Things Like New Again~

Just a short history here:  Ted said "No, I don't remember where we found it/bought it, and no I don't remember how much we paid for it.  I just know we have hauled it all over the country with us as we have moved."

He's right. We have. And I remember every single time I personally moved the scales into a new spot whenever we had moved into another home.  It is so heavy I always said It only gets placed once. Every time I got in a big hurry and took things into my own hands rather than wait for help..there was  significant back strain. That was my fault. I do get impatient though when I am working out these urgent matters . [decorating]

Now for the facts- We found the Toledo scales in an old antique store in north Arkansas [circa 1978] during the time we lived in Crossett, Arkansas   and paid a whopping $20. for it.  It had been painted a gosh awful  blue which I hated and had rusting and peeling paint areas, however; the scales weighed accurately.

When we moved to Brundidge from southeast Texas 5 1/2 years ago the scales were stored outside and truthfully I had completely given up on ever having them in the house again..As always, my dear husband is at least two steps ahead and came up with a plan.  He took it to an auto paint and body shop about 6 months ago and left is with the understanding that it better measure up to his wife's expectations. He was given a price of $100. and we thought that was fine.  After several visits to check up on the job and finding nothing had been done I had about given up [AGAIN] on having it done. The business changed hands during this time and no one ever called us. It turns out the new owner didn't have our contact info and felt for sure we would come by because no one would let that treasure get away.  He was right.  One more time we checked on them -they finished it and Ted paid him the $50. he asked for the job.  Yippee~ That made it even sweeter. You know I am a cheapskate! 

God is Good...and HIs Mercy Endures Forever~

Well, Have You EVER??

The answer is: "No, I never, but I always wanted to." This post idea was inspired by Ree Drummond on her site http://thepioneerwoman.com .  Ree posted the statement  "I am forty two years old and have never...." with the challenge to add your own.
mmmm let’s see now what I can do with this. I am 70 years old and have never:

1.Never Been to Disney World ,The Grand Canyon, New York City, Canada, California,      Washington D.C. , Mexico or  Europe

2. Never vacationed in the Mountains or seen a Broadway show/play

3..Been On a Cruise or on a Riverboat Cruise [ A 2 hr Bellengrath Gardens boat ride doesn't count as a cruise]

4.. Received a REAL ORCHID from my husband since our wedding day

5. Never had FALSE TEETH -not even a Bridge, Never been bald

6.. Never had a diamond bracelet or diamond earrings [I like Vintage Costume jewelry]

7.  Never had Cancer -  a heart attack , high blood pressure, a stroke-  nor diabetes

8. Never had twins - but I was born a twin

9.Never  been Divorced nor wanted to be divorced. Never wanted any husband other than the prince charming God gave me

10.Never had an 8 lb baby..All ours were 9lb 15 oz -10 1/2 lbs-no kidding!

11. Never had a 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

12.. Never been a Miss America- but who needs that I was Miss PHS 1957 and every other title that starts with a Miss during high school,  usually while wearing a BORROWED evening gown. Can we add Star Student award/scholarship and FFA Sweetheart to that? This is only something one can do when you are 70 years old. Any younger and it's in such bad taste.

Postscript: But I have:

[ Sub title Life is Good! ]

• Lived in 8 states Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, Texas
• In 1959-Traveled by car ALONE [18 1/2 yrs old] shortly after we married from Demopolis, Alabama to Virginia Beach, Virginia-frightened but determined not to show it. My husband was in Virginia. That was my motivation.
• Experienced knowing each of my children, their spouses and each grandchild made a decision to accept Christ
• Production & Acting in Community Theater,Organization of a Dinner Theater in Ky.
• Produced, staged, Narrated & modeled in Fashion Shows
• Been a Homeroom Mother, PTA President &Cultural Enrichment Group,  president of numerous groups & community organizations.
• Visited the state of Maine once-Had lunch in a MacDonald's restaurant in Maine..in a small Victorian style house on a street lined with unimaginable fall foliage in October
• Been a Sunday School Teacher -all ages
• Vacation Bible School teacher & usually Director more times than I can count
• Hosted Weekend Youth Retreats on the farm in Texas- High School Girls Only
• Organized, promoted and operated Monthly Market Days in our OLD BARN in Texas
• Sold Radio Station Advertising In Montgomery, Al..-not good memories,Cosmetic Company Sales Manager & Franchise owner-Worked in Retail; Drugs, Dept. Store, Furniture. Dept Store Window Dressing, Sales in a Furniture Store-Antique Business,Owned & managed a Restaurant with my husband
• Produced Christmas Programs for Church ,Christian School & Church Office Manager
• Been to a Mardi Gras Ball
• Been on Television-at least 3 or 4 times Organized & promoted a Bozo the Clown show for children in Eldorado, Arkansas
• A public speaker, charity fund raiser, organizer-does this qualify me to be President?
• Taken a vacation without my husband and with 3  boys [before our daughter was born] under  6 years old-all the way to Tampa Florida, up to south Georgia and back to Alabama in a station wagon-before seat belts
• Another vacation from Kentucky to south Alabama with 4 children-Dad joined us later for this one.
• Met Pat Boone and Anita Bryant and B.J. Thomas in Monroe, La. Got my books signed by Pat Boone and Anita Bryant.
• Walked alongside  Michael Landon at the Louisville, Ky. airport-early 1970's..Deanna pointed him out: "Mom, it's Little Joe!" He heard her, looked down and smiled & winked at her. He was wearing heather grey slacks-flared/bell bottom and a heather grey long sleeve crew neck "cashmere" I am sure sweater.
• Stood beside "Dr. Ruth" at an airport gift shop [ I'm not bragging...but  I do remember]
• Learned a beautiful chorus "I love you Lord" from a very young grandson Ethan.
• I survived  four grandsons' visiting us at the farm in Texas ..all at the same time   [my idea]
• Spent some  time on the Gulf Coast at the Beach -divine if you choose the right month
• known some incredible people in the ministry -privileged to be close to many of them
• Attended  Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, Priscilla Schirrer women's conferences
• had some amazing BEST FRIENDS like Shirley & Angela.
• Finally got to spend some quality time with my sister Gwen after all these years and so few visits.
• Did I mention My Cinderella High School Years? This had to be God's Hand in my life.
• THE most memorable job of my life was my last workplace experience. I was placed in the middle of all younger adults in an office where without exception families and individual lives could easily be described as TRAIN WRECKS..I pray I made a difference. At least one of those has managed to climb out of the wreckage and build a good life. Praise God!
• This would be a starter list-I guess when you have lived 70+ years you get to do many things. I pray some of it will have been meaningful~of eternal value.
• ~to be continued

~All In Fun,
Jonell

...and God Created Autumn~

...and God created AUTUMN...a time to shop the roadsides and nearby woods for unique & often overlooked naturals-things of beauty growing in the ground, winding around trees or along fences or old fence posts. Don't forget the falling leaves - as their colors turn they turn loose. 

When it's time for parties & family gatherings out comes my  plan for decorating, creating a festive environment that says to   guests: " We knew you  were coming and are so glad you are here!"

For some  that means trips  to Michael's or Hobby Lobby.  I love those too.. But my all time favorite place to shop for decorating supplies is God's Glorious outdoors. 

This project moved us to venture out today on the golf cart to  cruise nearby wooded acres.  I like whipping around  in the little buggy..short trips to the shop on Main Street or checking out  not so far away neighborhoods along the railroad track.  I'm not sure we are "legal" for city streets [ no horn, no turn signals] but who's going to stop a couple of old folks?  For this  outing today we checked out  potential pecan harvest near the baseball park, then went looking for interesting greenery, cones, pods or vines in the woods.  I have my list of naturals  but I also like to survey the woods for  backup materials. [ plan B]

My Plan A includes knocking on a door near the post office and meekly asking  a stranger if I could relieve them of just one or two of the beautiful branches from the tree in their front yard. The rest of the ride was dodging hanging vines dipping head first down ditches and hanging on for dear life when my driver takes sharp turns tearing into spots that bring out the 'girl' in me.  My pleas fall on deaf ears  because he is confident or  not  thinking  I am the one who goes flying into the thick brush if he turns too sharply.  I'm a whimp-he knows what he's doing~ always does .

Did I  mention the wonderful  cool breezes?  We spotted the most perfect spot for a house and a perfect litte 5-6 ft Cedar Christmas Tree. Maybe someone else who still uses a real tree will stumble upon it at just the right time  closer to the Christmas time. All these years we had a real tree until 2006 when we moved to Brundidge I  made the change to a slim line artificial tree that touches the 9 ft. ceiling.  So there- I am not too old to change!

July 2011-Samantha & Pop Cleaning up the GC~

Happy shopping in Gods creation!

It's A Party~

A Rainy Day down south- Amen and thank you God!  Waking up to the sounds of rumbling ruffles of thunder and  heavy drizzle of rain showering all around us-what could be better?   Can we just keep this going all day? Grab that Coffee mug and hold on as we soak in creation. It's ever so gently  wrapped around us.  And the birds are not calling off their party because of inclimate weather.  They are a special part of this CREATION CELEBRATION. 

My husband cautioned me not to expect any blooms until October-
The first few showed up about September 28th or 29th.
I'd call that: Right on time~



Ahhhhh~ Creation

Missouri-Dogwood Canyon-Imagine What it Looks like in the Fall~
The sign reads: Welcome to Arkansas

Distinctively Vintage~

Look what I have managed to hold onto over the years!  At the very top is the OLDEST from High School. Next is the shiny black patent envelope bag that was part of my GOING AWAY OUTFIT after our Wedding. Next the Gold Mesh like material from the 1970's. To the left at the bottom I THINK this little black treasure may have been from the 1960's. [Oh well, I can't remember everything] Bottom Right is a dandy little "almost antique" bag I bought for resale along with five more when we tagged along with the LONGEST YARD SALE last year in August 2010. I meant to sell those [5] oldies but customers have had their chance-brought two of them home.  Our Grand daughter Dylan borrowed one of the Vintage ones for this year's Prom. Now that I think of it all of those I have saved ARE Vintage..so what does that make Gramma- Vintage or Antique?
~All In Fun,
Jonell

Remnants of Long Ago~

Do you have remnants of another time? Have you held onto a few things from your wedding day? Do You have little treasured pieces of Baby things that your little ones once used or wore or were given as gifts?

Oooooooooooookay, so maybe I am not alone.  If so you would not consider me a hoarder just a wife, mother with a drawer or perhaps a box with a few reminders of another time that are too sweet and personal to just toss away or throw into the Goodwill collection box.

I will share my goodies if you will share a few of yours.  I have the little black shiny envelope style purse from my Going Away outfit. 

That's what we called the outfit we wore when we left for our honeymoon after the wedding. Inside that little accessory is the copy of my pre- wedding blood test , a post card with a picture of the Motel where we spent the night on our wedding night, and a small printed [ Ted and Jonell Harrison] napkin from the wedding reception. Of course I still have my small White Bible I carried down the isle.  It was a gift from Mershon Baptist Church Girl's Auxiliary group. The presenter made a note inside indicating they were taking note of the fact that I had been the first President of the new organization. The price sticker left inside showed $4.95. I used it regularly until I began to need a larger print and a concordance. This little memento is on a shelf in our living room now. Naturally I have kept my Bride's Book and the dried Orchid placed inside it lasted for many years then  finally disintegrated.

We still have the Shawl blanket given for our first child..I used it for the next two babies but then got a new one when our first and only daughter was born. I think I passed that along to her years later. 

I have shared a number of baby things but Our children are not noticeably sentimental about keepsakes like this so passing along and having them used again has not worked out  well. Our three boys  got new suits..each distinctively different when they were in grade school approximately 7 1/2-8 1/2 & 10 years old. By the time they were 12 or 13 it was almost impossible to find suits for boys..this was early to mid 1970's. I kept those suits and in perfect condition passed them along to them when they had little boys .I had thought it would be so neet to have pictures of their little ones in the same suits..but then that was MY idea, not theirs.   I guess they forgot about them.  Same story with some of the boys' Scout uniforms. When our daughter was in 9th grade [ I think] she and I had a photo made together -she was wearing a Christmas red plaid shirt.  I saved it and she now has it -  in tact. Somewhere in this house there are Brownie badges that belonged to our daughter..need to think of something [soon] to do with them.

Now I ask you does that list of saved items sound like that of a hoarder? That's a rhetorical question.  I'm wondering what you have done with saved treasures? btw..I do have one blanket chest with enough clothing [mine] for a small group of girls to  have fun putting on a fashion show.  that has happened a  number of times. I don't regret hanging on to those. One of the most significant fashion items saved  is my 1972 navy polyester short short dress-sailor style..it hangs on the inside of my bedroom closet door and a few years ago our oldest  grand daughter exclaimed "Gramma, YOU WORE THAT?" Across the room on the back side of our bedroom door is hanging the top half [blouse they called them] of one of Ted's white Navy Uniforms from the 1950s [ We have several of those] No one is going to make me feel bad about that!! I love it.  It's there but not  clutter or  a "tacky" statement. It's a slight but tasteful display of memorabilia.

I failed to mention..we have Ted's Original WEDDING BAND.  He received a new one the year of our 50th Anniversary.

One day soon I will put together a [tasteful] display of all these and photograph ..then add to this post for you.

Now,  what relics from the past  have you been able to hold onto?? It's share time.
~All In Fun,
Jonell

Distant Connections-Still Family~

My Introduction to My Mobley Great Grand Parents

James Eli & Joicie Elizabeth Swindel Mobley-
Parents of Marion Albert Mobley

I think I shall never forget the night I was introduced to them. [  2001 ] I had been working for quite a while sharing my own personal Mobley family information with Carl Williams in Orlando Florida area. He was the keeper of the Mobley website. After carefully reviewing the names, dates, etc I began to pass along the pictures via the internet. Late, late in the wee hours of the morning the last picture he shared with me was of my Mobley Great Grandparents..the parents of My Grandpa Marion Albert Mobley. I was not prepared for my emotional response. I cannot describe it. You see my grandparents were very real to me. There were multiple times growing up when my mother and siblings were  living with Grandpa and Grandma in Mershon, Ga...just DOWN THE LANE from Aunt Laura and Uncle Jack Mobley. Because they were so real to me..it was just a small stretch to reach out and  touch my newly discovered Great Grand parents whom I actually had never known.

My husband had awakened and when he walked past me at the computer I declared:   "Sweetheart, I just met my Mobley Great Grandparents."  mmm talk about Connections!!