My Choices

I  wonder if anyone even notices the things around me that I consider special.
 

We don't use paper napkins and you will rarely find paper towels in my kitchen.


My liquid dish detergent is not in the DAWN bottle ..it's in a crystal looking  bottle dispenser that is actually an Avon bottle [No, I don't collect avon bottles-just spotted this and it had my name on it]  I scrub my kitchen sink and hand wash dishes with a natural loofah sponge, just like those I grew near the farmhouse in Texas. In my bathroom I no longer have the sweet little nylon net bath scrubbies..I have natural loofah sponges not because they are fancy, exclusive or expensive but because it's one of those natural things I love.  I no longer buy potpourri, I make my own [no perfumed scent] from flowers, petals and blooms from our yard or herbs from my own herb bed near the kitchen door. It's not a snob thing..it's a NATURAL THING.


We don't stock styrofoam cups for you to drink from and rarely ever  have disposable plates-even for a large crowd.  God has blessed me to have a wonderful stock of dishes and flatware so why in the world would I use 'throw away' for people I love to invite to spend time or share a meal with us?
 

Oh yes, you were likely wondering about the paper issues.  When our daughter was in first grade and the three boys were about 5-7th grades I noticed that I was spending an exorbitant amount of money on items we could not eat when I did my grocery shopping.  I began looking for napkins on sale, fabric on sale and started making sets of cloth napkins-we were not trying to show off just trying to save money.  Oftentimes guests have walked by napkins and ask where the napkins are.  Years later I discovered the wonderfully cheap and very practical packages of flour sack dish towels at the dollar stores and Wal Mart and today those white, simple, no lint dish towels are on my list of "Jonell's favorite things."  They will bleach clean and are inexpensive enough that it's easy to restock several times a year.  It just feels like such a luxury having the kitchen drawers full of enough and some to spare that I can use them just as freely as we would paper towels.  Still after all these years even my children will  ask : "Mom where are the paper towels."

 

Another change over the years has been a move to buying ALL WHITE TOWELS AND LINENS.  Everything matches, the towels all bleach and for me the all white towels give me the feel of luxury in my bathroom.  I have chosen in recent years to buy the best bed linens I can afford to purchase..even if that means I only have two sets of sheets. These choices give me a feel of quality, abundance and comfort in our home. 

 It just doesn't take much to make me happy -such simple things in my life feel like abundance.

This works perfectly in this house for my bathroom. You guessed it, All white cotton shower curtains and matching window curtain [ something of a 'spa look']

 

A new bride, a young mother on a tight budget,can make a difference in her quality of life by making some basic choices..perhaps like these

Please note, these are my preferences, my choices.   I will not be offended if you use paper napkins & paper towels or serve me food on disposable plates.  These choices have nothing to do with making judgements concerning how you do things  when you entertain.  These are choices that make me comfortable and enjoy  life. ..at the Harrison House. 

.

Let's Talk About Aprons

I wonder if Ree thepioneerwoman wears these pretty aprons when she's creating those great recipes for us!

Below you'll see left to right my first cousin Ileen, Aunt Laura Mobley, Eulita Mobley and Rachel Lee Mobley our Grandmother.  Aunt Laura is Ileen and Eulita's Mother. Note the aprons ..this is about as fancy as I recall their aprons being. This was either a family gathering [They did the cooking] or Tobacco harvesting day [they did the cooking for everyone]

I cannot say for sure about Aunt Laura or Ileen
but I am fairly confident that Grandma's aprons
were IRONED...maybe even STARCHED.

These first two apron patterns are showing really fancy styles-from my recall I just don't think we often saw our grandmas,mothers and aunts wearing such fancy style aprons-perhaps if your station in life called for hostessing/entertaining guests for special gatherings?  They definitely were not apron styles worn out in the garden to gather the

vegetables

[above] I remember this style apron being worn by a  women in my life.  Oftentimes Grandma Mobley's apron [this style] would be without any colored trim or patterned fabric..that was often determined by what kind of feedsacks she ended up with.  The prettier patterns or colors were often 'saved" for some special sewing project..like a child's Easter Dress.

One of our Grandchildren might ask at this point: Why would you wear one of these aprons? What were they used for? Some of the list of uses I have heard are: Drying the hands, carrying vegetables from the garden, keeping her dress clean while working in the kitchen or housecleaning, wiping perspiration from the face, wiping the runny nose of a small child, waving it to get the attention of her husband working out in the field-perhaps to let him know "dinner's ready." I imagine there are more you can think of-would you share with us?



FAMILIES

FAMILIES..don't begin and end with Mother, Father and child; they began many years before you and spread out all around you [family CIRCLE?] Don't hold so tightly to that small inner circle that you miss all the loving and joy of the extended circle.


 

Yard Sale Post its

Second from the top picture is a hairpin curve going down the mountain. It took my breath away-I am such a wimp sometimes. You can see  Pop considering making an offer on the antique phone booth.  The shot of all the colorful birdhouse is an area where I almost got lost.  Truly there were so many vendors on each side of the highway Ted and I got separated -no continous cell phone service and in the midst of so many vendors I became a bit disoriented for a few minutes..sure was good to hear his distinct whistle trying to get my attention. I didn't admit to him that I had about lost my way! The "lovely" wagon was a modern day "covered wagon" I guess. The seats looked like two leather covered, lavender bucket seats taken from an automobile. So Funny~As crowded and bumper to bumper traffic as there was it really wasn't difficult.  One could cross the highway anywhere along the way because people knew what they were dealing with and continously paused to let walkers cross over. Only one crazy [oops can we cross that out] we observed who was bulldozing his way at a rude if not unlawful speed...not smart. I guess there's gotta be one in the crowd.  The roads along signal mountain , the scenery were not easy to describe..AWESOME,MAJESTIC are appropriate for so much of creation we were seeing. God you surely did a a great job with this CREATION thing! And Just think friends, He did all that just for us.

I Needed This Today

Psalms 62: 5-8 My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my Glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES, O PEOPLE; POUR OUR YOUR HEART BEFORE HIM; GOD IS A REFUGE FOR US.

Memo to Me

Busy, Busy, Busy...."You have to Live Life " in order to have anything worth writing about- we'll be out of the office briefly~In search of inspiration. Come on, laugh with me! I know you hate boring posts as much as I do.


I just hope by the time we get back home into our routine I can REMEMBER all that inspiration-perhaps pictures will help, after all I often say that I am a visual learner.

If this proves not to be true [pictures help me remember] then I just don't know what my excuses will be.

Wish me luck...or fun or perfect 'recall ', ok !?

It's Such Fun to Have Company Stop By

I don't know how you found us at "like Gramma's House" whether a random search result or if you were directed from another blog BUT I AM SO GLAD YOU DID!

I am not here to gather a crowd ladies...JUST A FEW SPECIAL PEOPLE LIKE YOU who's number one motive is to have a place to vent your creative juices and challenge yourself with the technology!

Just a Reminder:  Some days when you stop by there will be no one at home.  You know here in south Alabama we have chores to do, weeds to pull, bushes to prune and gardens [ no matter how small] to "tend"..woven into my glamorous days are girlie things like scrubbing down the front porch railing, floor, windows and the yucky gutters that are supposed to be white ..CLOROX that's what it needs. 

His and Hers jobs around here get reversed and scrambled a lot of late..today while I did the front porch whitening and sprucing up he was finishing the laundry..

Now I've  had my Blog Break I wonder if I could entice my hubby to go browse the new Antique shop on main street and stop at Miss Colleen's for a wonderful [& too generous] salad plate lunch!  - "have camera-will post."

You've added BUBBLES to my day!
Jonell

It's All About Him

Home Again

HOME AGAIN, Home Again, Home Again for Me...

[ Henry Van Dyke]

 

 

Our two week long trip [plus a few days] was a bit too long but quite wonderful...Crossed or lingered in 8 STATES from south Alabama, through Tennessee and into western Kentucky then northward through Illinois, into Missouri and northeast Iowa then return south through the entire length of Missouri, down into  Arkansas & Mississippi then back home into Alabama and all in between areas..Ted says we drove more than 3 Thousand miles and I took maybe a 1,000 PHOTOS..well surely 500; work to do, lol; Family, Grands, Fun and Corn fields that go on forever..Our neighbors to the North know about growing the beautiful corn. Of course the rich soil and plenty of rain makes a difference or so my Farmer at Heart Husband tells me.

 

My trip journal may take off before the photos get posted but I will disperse the pictures along with the posts as I get them done. I'm thinking this would be a good time to make use of photo collages.

 

 

I THINK we managed to get pictures of the" WELCOME TO THE STATE' signs for each state either going north or the return south.  Some states didn't  make it easy..we thought upon entering the state of Iowa we were not going to be welcomed.  It seemed miles and miles into the state before we finally spotted their Welcome!  There were a few times we had to put on the brakes and back up in order to get our picture.  Ted was more than a good sport about that little project.  [to be continued or perhaps restarted on another part of the trip]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note: that Pie was in front of my sister-not me! And I must disclose an additional fact.

My sister definitely did NOT eat all that pie! When it was served I responded: 

"This would shame Martha Stewart!"

The Dailies

No I didn't mean the "day lilies" I meant the Dailies.

The 'dailies' make or break us women..the daily, the routine, mundane, ordinary of our lives.

The dailies fill all our lives but how we choose to handle them can make or defeat...we have to find beauty in the ordinary, challenge in the mundane and pride in the routine. [jh]

The Porch Party is Here-at Gramma's House

I love so many different vines..this one is a Cypress Vine. The greenery is as delicate as  can be and the tiny red flowers are trumpet shaped and invite hummingbirds . Check by in another two weeks and the pump/mailbox should be totally swarthed in greenery.

Ready for Company

Remember I love bargains-the two rocking chairs I happened upon at a local shop [$50. ] for both, not each.  The black wicker [4 pcs total] another DOLLAR STORE bargain.  The just perfect Red Platter was a 'thank you' from a special friend here.  All the Milk Glass, the glasses, compote  pitcher on the table are all part of my collecting in southeast Texas over many years.  Do take note of the little primitive table between the rockers and the hand embroidered pillow cases just part of my vintage collection.  Perhaps the most outstanding treasure is the PRIMITIVE BENCH..at least 100 years old, from the farmhouse in Texas.

To contrast with the blue hydrangea you cannot miss the FIESTA..my collection is boh old and new Fiesta-I am not a snob about this.  If I love it, I love it - old, new or flawed.  An EBAY auction netted me the wonderful little silver coffee spoons. I love an excuse to use them.

Just Waiting For You To Stop By

                                                                         Ready for Staging

Have a Seat-Let's Talk!

Come Join Me-Let's Visit

This is NOT a porch 'wannabee'..[quoting TH ]

There really is room to sit and rock with a drink or a book When the settee & chairs are filled  the benches  will accommodate additional visitors.

Great Spot for Visiting Over A Glass of Cold Lemonade-Be Sure to Turn On That Ceiling Fan

 

 

Did I tell you about that table yet?  It was the very last find from my favorite antique shop in Texas before we moved.  It must weigh at least 250 lbs..no kidding! It came from one of those wonderful old drug stores ..in East Texas.. There are two chairs that came with it. This ice cream parlor table and chairs is usually on our small but perfect  screened in porch.

 

 

Great Spot for  A Glass of Cold Lemonade

You Guessed It..I Am A Collector

 

 

 

 

Looks Like We Are Ready for Company

A Vintage Linen  Flea Market find

Black Wall Basket beside the front door

Holds Cuttings of Whatever is in Bloom

Ready For A Cold Lemonade?

 

 

 I'm showing off my very old  quilt-perhaps I should  spread it out for you to see.

The  wonderful Primitive Bench I salvaged from our years on the farm in Southeast Texas. 

The benches  have  a place of honor year round on our Harrison House front porch.

Coffee or Tea?

 

 

I hope you can see the little table-primitive-the top made from salvaged 12" wide pine boards.

I do love my [all colors] yellow Fiesta and the oh so fancy little coffee spoons I found on

www.ebay.com

 

My Fiestaware collection consists of both old and new-love both.

The almost table cloth is just a little piece of old linen -a flea market find.

Did you notice the repeat of Milk Glass pieces [ Pitcher & Compote] filled with fresh

Butterfly Flowers & Hydrangeas? The Pitcher & lemonade glasses are part of a set..

Yarden Notes -Early Spring and Beyond

[March notes]The Sunny South it is! A little reading, a little weeding, a little pruning , raking up the piles for Ted to retrieve and guess what...haven't scratched the surface Soooooooo much yard work to do but its really worth it when evrything is green and blooming-Right now it's the BRIDAL WREATH in bloom that takes my breath away-OMY
[early June notes] Coffee on the front porch mulling over what's on my agenda today..had a conference regarding what needs to be moved to where and what needs to be pruned from ground up or from inside outward.  mmm think I need to get busy. I transplanted a little cypress vine that had invited itself into a huge pot- moved it to a perfect planter that hangs on the porch railing under the no pane window.  Perrrrrrrrrfect ..in a couple of weeks.  Cucumbers needed gathering and ended up making just the right amount for Ted's first batch of sweet pickles-couldn't resist pulling huge masses of WEEDS -too many weeds too few onions..some of the onions  accidentally went into the compost pile.. so rewarding...making room for more weeds,right?  I knew those clippers were there for a reason..meant to gather more lavender in bloom...the Lavender always reminds me of my Blogger friend in Texas, Revee who's daughters gather the lavender every year and tie into wonderful little posies then hang on the door of their neighbors -PRICELESS.
Did I mention FOUR O'CLOCKS are now in bloom? AND I just spotted this morning..some purple hyacinth bean vine popping up. Did I also mention: I LOVE VINES,especially blooming vines!

A Treasure is a Treasure

[Buffalo 9808c]  Twenty dollars in my pocket and I find a small $1.00 treasure and I walk out thrilled with my find and change to spare.  It just doesn't take much to make me happy!

Those Special Days

When you don't have parents and grandparents anymore-what do you do on Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter and Christmas?

I am sure It can be so inconvenient for young and somewhat young families to have to give up a day  to visit 'the folks.'

As an adult I never had the option of visiting my parents on those special days or any other days. I can literally count the  times I saw my parents after I married.  They didn't live long lives -Daddy died 10 years after I married and Mama four years later.  With so many miles between us we still wouldn't have been able to visit much if they had lived longer.

Parents and Grandparents don't really want the children and grands to visit on those special days. We  want them to visit because they want to spend time with us..not on  holidays because that's what they are supposed to do...

Our children are all approaching the mid century mark..50 years old.  I recall at that point [when we moved to the farm in Newton] it seemed we had so much time and we could do just about anything we wanted to at that point..Things change so fast.

What do you do on those designated days when there's no one to spend it with.. Ans.> you sit and swing or rock or read, piddle in the yard and as the hours tick away late afternoon you think of an excuse to drive around maybe out in the countryside..just somewhere then back home you are glad the day is over..it's not the end of the world, it's just a day!

 

And you tell yourself and anyone who might ask that it really is no big deal...just a day.

I Win

I win the prize-if there is one offered. The prize is for finding THE bargain of the entire month. Today as we left Maxwell Air Force base in Montgomery we paused to stick our heads in a too small, too full, too smelly little shop.

 

 

That's where I found my [1985]  LONGABERGER BASKET for 25 CENTS!

Yes, it's small but remember, I told you  a 'find'  is no less a treasure because it's  small.

I Am Thankful

I just saw something on  http://rhondisrosecoloredglasses.blogspot.com/  about Thankful Thursdays~someone had a good idea.
We could have Thrifty Tuesday, Frivillous Fridays, Weeding Wednesdays, Silly Saturdays,Super Sundays..on and on but Today is Thursday..so why not be Thankful?

I am thankful for:

1. Freedom, more and more each day
2. Plenty.. we have such "plenty" ..the same as 'bountiful living'
3. Creation...the beauty that surrounds us
4. My Faith;..my God
5. My Family..those born into our family and those married into it
6. Flowers- wild flowers, fresh flowers, dried flowers, weed flowers
7. My front porch,deck and porch fans in the summertime
8. Neighbors.. a neighbor friend to water everything when we are away
9. For Children who's lives honor the God we serve
10. For Life itself-but especially for SALVATION

My Little "Yarden" Journal~ Chiggers & Pine Straw

The sound of doves around the neighborhood, hey there's a little squirrel..no it's two there's another running along the top of the fence..birds chirping away, red birds all over.  The Rabbit Family usually shows up late afternoon or early evening & lately have not been readily scared away by our presence out in the garden area. You can have the cats- I would rather have the birds and an ocassional Rabbit!

Green tomatoes..it wont be long until they'll become 'fried green tomatoes." There's a few tiny, tiny peaches on that new tree..and look over there to the side of the yard at the wonderful gourd vines  reaching for the sky it seems! 

The four O'clocks are slow to show up but look at them now ~ nearly two feet tall and the cypress vine while it's not yet vining the ever so tiny little sprigs are beginning to cover the ground all around each arbor where they are planted..it takes a while to get the incredible beauty and cover but it's "a show worth waiting for."  There's a small picture of one arbor covered with cypress vines from last year on this page to the right of my posts.  They definitely are a double treat- one for us and also for the hummingbirds..they are attracted to the teeny, tiny red trumpet shaped blooms.

I am still looking for  bachelor buttons peeping through the soil..have cut all available roses & hope I did it right this time so they will all bloom and the long stemmed will actually have long stems..slow learner with the roses but I think we have it now.

The hydrangeas  look promising so far-Whoppee!

After bragging about not attracting 'chiggers' out doors...didn't think about their being in the pine straw we used in the flower beds.  I had fun yesterday getting down on my knees pulling weeds in the beds . Guess what? Chiggers.

Bargain Hunting

 I confess an addiction to finding "steals" at  flea markets.   I can sometimes just slow down as we pass a place and tell you if its worth my time to stop and shop.

On days when no one is in a hurry  I will risk stopping by what I already deem to be a lost cause.  Really junky places are where we often find great buys..if you know the merchandise.

[ Picture: Pop found a good book store in DeFuniak Springs-this amazing little sit down spot was wedged in between two shop buildings-great way to use space!]

 I  try to settle on a treasure that will fit in one hand...small treasures.  A  McCoy treasure is still a treasure no matter what  size bag it fits in.  I often play a little 'guess the price' game with myself-guessing the price before I turn the tag over..am amazed how often I am right on target.  It doesn't take much to entertain me! :^)

I learned a long time ago  to be willing to 'walk away" if  I can't get the right price.  Unless an item is dirt cheap or a for real 'steal', I don't have a problem asking for a better price. It never hurts to ask.  Then you have this conversation with yourself that goes like this : "Self, How badly do you want this? How much are you willing to pay, max? Will there ever be another one down the road?

Before shopping I take a few minutes to remind myself of things I have been looking for..maybe a long time. It's fresh on my mind as I shop.   I have this  down to a science...the things I like are so familiar   I can  get in and out quickly. Why  linger when there's another great place down the road.  You'll need time to browse there.

If your husband detests this kind of shopping it really helps if you  spot things that interest him...not a problem here.  My husband has tagged along with me so long that he's as interested in the treasure hunt as I am..he even looks for books-he's an avid reader.

Pretties and Good Dishes

Are for using.  Yes we usually say they are for special occasions. What or Who could be more special than your family and friends?  Who is more special than a husband?
I so enjoy using pretty dishes, even silver for an ordinary meal ..just because.

Fine Dining - That's What This Is

What a way to wind up the day..hubby grills the best burgers & invites a neighbor. I chop potatoes and onions into a pan with some seasoning for 20 minutes. 

We throw a tablecloth on a table on the deck, use colorful real dishes and turn on the overhead fan. Fresh flowers- hydrangeas in bloom-nearby.

Background music:

ALL THE BIRDS IN THE TREES -

is this FINE DINING OR WHAT??

I Think This is Really Me

I totally love, adore and admire the incredible talent and creativity I see in so many of the bog sites I visit.  The professionalism and mastery of this technology continue to challenge and excite me.  I am always saying; "How did she do that?" and "I have to learn to do that with my photos!"  I listen to the background music, examine the photo collages and the too, too perfect little romantic scenes and also the naturally occuring scenes in homes and gardens and my senses are overwhelmed with the beauty.

Yes, I often browse  and admire with the goal of making my blogs as wonderful as these.

Then as I move about my own page I am remnded that "This is me!"  This is my creativity, my flowers, my decor.

 Please enoy.. I hope you will in some ways be challenged and excited by my wonderful  surroundings and even by some of the whimsical, random or insightful posts that you stop to read now and then..Ya'll Come Again and enjoy our SOUTHERN LIVING thing!

A Completed Project

Is a good project...especially when it's done well.
When I take on a responsibility it's important to me that I not only finish it but finish well!
Over the years I have been known to 'bite off more than I could chew'.
Have you ever done that?
When it's all done and everyone involved is happy..that makes it  especially sweet!

Beauty & Color - In season

Summertime Blooms

Veggies & Chairs-More Lettuce Than We Can Eat, Tomatoes Coming Soon & Pop Builds the Chairs

Observations~

Gramma is thinking again: So few people have time to invest in other people.
 We are so often just pausing - as we hurry on to the next project or commitment.

I Just Had A Funny Thought

Imagine that! 
Did you ever wonder why BIOGRAPHIES are written AFTER people die?
I always thought it was because their entire life story wasn't available until they die.

mmmm  ..on second thought I am thinking it just may be BECAUSE no one is interested until they are gone.

Something to think about....sadly :^(

What Does Persnickety Really Mean?

[ adj) pernickety, persnickety ~ characterized by excessive precision and attention to trivial details "a persnickety job"; "a persnickety school teacher" ]

I'm just wondering if I qualify as a "persnickety" Gramma? Would the Adjective "particular" be more apt?

Anyhoooo....while we were out of town for a rare '2 day' treat attending a wedding I was as always analyzing myself again.

Yes I am a bit particular about a few things.  When staying in a hotel I have come to have a  preferrence for very good linens ..that do not look as though they came from the local $ store and were left in the dryer, added to my bed without folding  or smoothing snugly and wrinkle free when making the bed.  Just one of those things!

And I can adjust to the "instant" type breakfast they call "Continnental."

I can overlook coffee that isn't really perked but I simply can't abide the powdered coffee creamer that leaves a greasy film in my mouth.  And no the whole milk in the pitcher for cereal just won't make the difference. I need half and half for my coffee.

 I try to be a good sport about it..while I sit politely and "don't drink" my cup of black coffee.  I try not to be a nuisance to my husband and tell him not to worry with running down the street to a restaurant for my cream fix.  But the second morning when the hotel staff had not restocked the cream rack...I gave in and allowed myself to be a nuisance.

Did I mention that I absolutely detest drinking a hot/warm drink from a STYROFOAM CUP? [ solution: pack a fav mug from home]

Before you judge too harshly...YOU might have a aversion to styrofoam too if you carried with you  vivid  recall of turning up a cup of coffee [while driving] and feeling something "crawly" in your mouth from the bottom of the cup! Dontcha' think? That's my excuse!

How about Orange Juice at breakfast?  Love it? Yes/No

I like O.J. but with a  1/2 & 1/2 mix..orange juice with ginger ale.  Cold. :^D

Homemade or homemade-like Biscuits? Of course I like good biscuits.  But not too thick and fat! Since Ted doesn't care for the thin/tea biscuits we have the regular fat ones and I scoop out the excess 'inside' of the biscuit top & bottom~

Perfectly logical solution to me.

I suppose early on my husband may have been annoyed or perplexed with these peculiarities...though he never said.  Over time I think he just understands that 'we like what we like."  He doesn't complain.

The most recent addition to the "strange things about Gramma" list is something missing on our new vehicle.  We made the choice to trade in my car [Honda Odysse] and make our second automobile a truck with extended cab..  I really like it..rides as comfortably as a large car and  it will meet our needs quite well.

There's only one thing that really bugs me everytime I start to get in on the passenger side.  It doesn't have keyless entry.  I have to wait on my side when Ted's driving, for him to unlock me from the driver's side.  Anyone watching is likely to think...mmmm rude husband! 

Of course that's because I have been spoiled having a husband who usually opens the car door for me...yes, he's a gentleman in so many ways.

I think it amuses him that this bothers me.  I'll get over it. :^)

I know that he is not rude no matter what anyone observing may think.

I'm sure there are more weird things about Gramma that qualify for this list..we'll update later as I become more and more 'persnickety" or "particular" with time.

"My Girls"

That's how I always refer to the elite group of precious jewels I taught in Texas [ sunday School Bible Study ] They were all high school students-many sold out to walking the walk with the Lord we serve- how they blessed and enriched my life. 

It's been about 7 yrs now and I still readily reach for 'our stories and experiences"  shared during those years.  As I have reconnected with them on facebook-what an incredible joy to hear from them and discern from their posts shared and photos  the lives they are leading now as young wives, professionals and Mommies. 

Yes Heather { C} some things do just leave one speechless..like today and your Sophie's day of birth {BIRTHDAY}  some of these moments in our lives when all I can say is:  "I STAND AMAZED IN THE PRESENCE..of Jesus the Nazarene"

God Bless and protect you and Kevin and Sophie...today and all days.

Much Love,

Ms. Jonell :^))

BFF-Yes Grammas Have Best Friends Too~

Shirley.
So many things in the Brundidge chapter of life remind me of my Friend Shirley in southeast Texas. 
Shirley and I could hardly be more different.  Shirley's tall.  I'm Short. I was always reminded of that difference when we moved furniture together in the Antique Shop.

Shirley is an Artist in so many ways.  I am an Artist Wannabee. She just allowed me to tag along and learn from her like the day she pulled out my old chifferobe [what a find] and said "You get on that side and I'll get on the other.  We are going to paint this piece of furniture."  I did. We did. See photo on this page.

Shirley speaks in a direct, confident, bold way and I "beat around the bush" to get my message out there.
Shirley has a style..her own, doesn't matter if you like it or not. Me?  I'm predictable/is that a style?  Anyway, one can always predict that I'll likely be wearing black, white or red. I don't think of myself as having a style.

Shirley is a very tolerant person.  I try. I also learn from her attitude.

If shirley and I showed up at a gathering you would never guess we were buddies or had anything in common. yet, I count her as my dearest friend in all the world. I am not quite sure why she has me on her "friends forever" list.

The primary thing that binds us is our faith in Jesus Christ.  This overshadows all the differences. This is our bond and the history of being there for each other.  We each allow the other "To Be"...

Things all around me remind me of my BFF.  The exquisite roses in bloom remind me of Shirl.
 The weird things I do decorating remind me of Shirl. Ted's compost pile reminds me of her.

 I can't go antiquing or browing the woods or roadsides without thinking of my BFF Shirley.

When I try a new and totally strange food, I'm reminded of her. 

When I think of going to the Dallas Market to shop for the store I remember Shirley.  When someone says "Yoo Hoo" I definitely remember Shirley as she called to the officer in the Dallas Market shopping complex "Yoo Hoo Mr. Policeman, Can You Help Us?"

That's my best friend Shirley. Grammas have best friends too!

Moving Slow-But Not for Long!

Sometimes we Grammas wake up moving slow early in the morning.  That's just life!

Amazing what an hour or so, a perfect cup of coffee [ or hot tea ] with my favorite creamer and no one rushing me can do!

My first chore today was to get those little lettuce plants thinned out and transplanted all over the raised bed, making sure to turn the sprinkler on and soak it all well so it won't be assaulted by the hot sun as the day heats up. Actually I'm, thinking there may be enough lettuce to use a second raised bed.  What a treat to be able to go out in the back yard for FRESH lettuce [ NO ICEBERG ]  when we need it! That reminds me of my Dearest Friend Shirley in southeast Texas with her wonderful raised beds providing her with fresh produce for the salad plate! 

So many things remind me of Shirley. [ Another post later]

While the sprinkler does the job I can explore and discover: Yes, all the Curly Willows are leafed out & waving in the breeze.  I see 4 O'Clocks trying to come out under my kitchen window.  Thank you to our Brundidge Friend Robert for sharing those when he heard I was saving a spot there just for four o'clocks!
Maybe, just maybe the Bachelor Buttons are beginning to peek thru' the soil-an entire bed for them; I know they never show up before May no matter how impatient I get.

The  Bridal wreath is still just PERFECTION..wish we had a wedding to do!  Those incredible Irises from Jackson, Alabama [Ted's sister Betty] are still hanging on. Amazing! And I am so looking forward to the dark blue SALVIA beginning to fill the two beds set aside for them to shine...looks promising.

It's a wonderful , beautiful world outside!

Looking Back-Again!

What made the difference in your life, relationship, family?
I have been asked that several times.  Some things are not easily visible until we are Looking Back.

We are not perfect mates or parents,period.

However,  as we look back over more than 50 years there are specific things that did  [ & continue to ] make a real difference.

Balance-especially in our interests & how we spent/spend our time. example: Ted enjoys sports and hunting but it has never consumed huge blocks of his time or come first before any family interest either time spent or money used for.

Timing-example: There's a way and a time to discuss major problems-not always right now because I feel like it. Choose your time.

Self Control- example: Everyone has moments of frustration & discouragement-how that is expressed  is most important. Often times the old addage "sleep on it" is very useful. Tomorrow it may not seem like such a huge issue.

Grace- God's

Mercy-God's

Submission [ first to God then to one another ] Another definition would be  a "you go first" attitude.

[to be developed as I am enlightened :^) I have to get my thoughts down when I begin to work on something..it usually takes numerous edits before I am satisfied that the post is developed as I intend for it to be..later ]

A New Word

TIMEWORN-
Perhaps it's not a "new" word but it's not a word I can recall using.
While Ted and I were having Sunday Dinner [ lunch?] that I didn't have to cook, we were talking and as I tried to find the right word to describe a very dated shopping center Marquee the word/phrase "timeworn" came to me.

I immediately thought: "Hey that could describe ME!"
Not to worry, I didn't dissolve into tears..in fact I almost LOL as the thought came to me.  Maybe instead of calling myself an old, aging or elderly [noooooooooo] lady, I am just timeworn or "worn by time."

Come on, laugh with me!
Definition: "Showing the effects of long use or wear"

Seventeen

Our Grand..the oldest girl, is now "Seventeen" and it just ocurred to me:  "When I was just a few months past my  17th birthday [ in 1958 ] Ted and I were planning to be married the next year after my high school graduation.

Then and Now- mmm what's the difference? Seriously!

Copied Thoughts to Ponder, Use or Amuse

Speaking of using Pretty Things like silver teaspoons: [ a helpful hint included for free ]

Some are reluctant to use silver teaspoons because they think they are too much work to maintain. Silver tarnishes when exposed to air and over time silver turns from silver to gray and black. Polishing with silver polish does not take much time, but an even more simple technique is to place silver teaspoons in a sink of warm, soapy water. Add a foot or two of aluminum foil, all crumpled up, and let the silver soak for a few hours. Then wash and dry as usual. The tarnish should wipe right off!

Did you know that? Nor did I! And didja know...if u can't find silver polish or find its empty..and just happen to have  extra tubes of toothpaste on hand..that works too! ONLY THE REGULAR PASTE.
Please visit one of my favorite blog sites and enjoy the entire post. [ http://gracioushospitality.blogspot.com/  ]

What Grammas Live For-

 

[Uncle Steve with 6 of our 8 Grands. L-R: Zack,  Dylan, Samantha, Reagan/back right: Patrick and Turner.  Only Ryan and Ethan were missing.]

..the GRANDS coming! This is really a big deal when you haven't seen them for such a long time.

Everyone says one should not do all the  deep cleaning before the kids come for a visit..just wait until they leave then you need to clean for sure.  I know that's practical but it's so hard for me to do.  I won't get it all done but you can be sure I will be IN THERE TRYING until maybe mid night the day before they arrive! Most of my time is spent in the Kitchen and bathrooms..  places that  make the biggest difference. If I would just NOT do things like  checking/dusting window sills and baseboards I could save myself a lot of work...once you start and find those things only a white glove test  would expose..you just can't walk away and not do it! [ If YOU can, then good for you]

Lord Jesus help us to make the most of this time. It's precious.

Three years feels like forever.

Spring What?????

Yes, I know it's January!
It never fails. We barely get into the month of January when I start thinking about SPRING CLEANING.
I know - there must be a weak link in my DNA,right?
Is that a Gramma thing?
No, I think it's just a Jonell thing.
Spring Cleaning indeed :^(

Long Ago at My Grandma Mobley's House

She Never left anything undone over night in her kitchen. She had to fill dishpans and heat water on the stove to wash dishes. When she left the kitchen every dish,pot and pan was washed dried and put away and her dishpans clean, dried and turned upside down.

She swept floors every day. That meant inside bedrooms, outside porches,everything!

I never remember her bed 'unmade'. It was always topped off with her pillows standing up and the pillow cases were always starched, ironed and showed off the colorful embroidered hand work on the ends. It was often flowers, a lady w basket of flowers, branches w little birds-Today I only buy all cotton white pillow cases with handwork like this for my extra bedrooms.

Grandma usually wore an 'everyday dress' more than one day but every day she put on a fresh  Apron..the kind that goes over the neck and it always had a small pocket -think that was for the little can of snuff. Her aprons were often plain white but she did have flowered patterned fabric.  Some were considered her "good aprons".

Any leftovers was always placed in the pie safe to be eaten as needed-what we would call snacks in between meals.  There was always something there.

Grandma not only swept the entire house every day..she regularly swept the yard front, sides and back with what was called "yard brooms" which they made from small brush and tied the handles with strips of fabric scraps.

Those simple floors especially in the kitchen and dining room were scrubbed with hot soapy water and a corn shuck thing..what was it called? I can picture it and I could even design one for you..can't remember exactly what they called it. HELP! [time for a cousin call ]

2010- Coming~Ready or Not!

Mixing the Old With the New

A happy  mix of 'relics' from the past century with the new, shiny and modern doesn't just happen.  First you have to love the history, craftsmanship  and unique beauty.  Then you have to trust your own eye and instinct to recognize when it works together and when it's just not quite right.

 Know your boundaries.  What is important to you? Is it monetary value, color, shape or do you collect  things to impress others?  The table & chairs  shown here: The table is a primitive farm table from an estate sale where I paid a big $10. for it.  The chairs were found new costing quite a few ten dollar bills. The $10, table will always be  a treasure.

 My standard has nothing to do with cost, appraised value or popularity with other collectors.  The test question for me is:  "Do I love this?"

Then you go with it no matter what people around you think. It's you-Enjoy!

Sometimes you must make allowance for someone else's taste or preference  especially if there's a husband in the same house.  For me that means I made the choice to [slightly] downsize and go for less clutter in this particular house as I consider Ted's likes and dislikes.  The attic gets used more and I have to remind myself to check the attic regularly to see what I might like to change out with something I've had in use or on display for a while. 

During Christmastime this year that meant bringing down some wonderful old jars to use about the house filled with nuts and candies that remind me of old fashioned Christmases.

Remember the ORANGE SLICES...Grandma Mobley usually had those at Christmas. I fill old  jars with those and gumdrops and Hersheys kisses & peppermint stick or candy canes. 

I also try to display only old things that are actually usable.  My old Toaster is the quality of the high end Kitchen appliances most women consider extravagant. Most people don't even notice it's old as many of them are [ 1930's or 40's] If I had the counter space I would be using my equally old WAFFLE IRON.  To satisfy that collector in me I managed to get shelves built over windows in the breakfast room-that's where my collection of COFFEE POTS goes. It's out of our way but satifies that need for me. There are wonderful built in cabinets in this house [Built 1930's] just right for showing most of my dishes & pottery.



I like so many old or primitive things that the updated light fixtures [ DR & LR] along with the solid red upholstered sofa, Black floral love seat and tasteful stripe chair pull it all together in a way that is very pleasing. Those new pieces cause your eye to forget there is so much of the distant past preserved and used in those rooms. It doesn't shout "Primitive".


Let's pause with Decorating 101..to be continued I am sure!

mmmmm....You Did That???

Why does it surprise our younger friends or family members when we do incredible or challenging things or display something that might be remotely considered talented or impressive?

Do they think we  left our real selves, our brain or creative parts  to be donated at the local Good Will store?

And if so, wouldn't you think some of them might begin to worry each time they themselves drive by that good will location?

A Fresh Start

I do think it's time to start moving furniture and hanging new pictures..meaning a new look for my blog.  This is not "Me"..gotta start shopping for a fresh new look.

What's a Gramma Want for Christmas?

First I just love Christmas time,period.

Next, I love being with people I love or like and people who love us!

Blue lights in the windows. In Texas Ted constructed a very large star outline for me..wrapped it in blue lights and set it atop "the old barn"..doesn't that say Bethlehem?!!

Candles, Candles and more candlelight..all over the house,even on the deck and front porch. Santa can always give me more CANDLES!

Jingle Bells!!!!!!!! Yes, I love the jingle jangle sound of bells that sound like sleigh bells in the distance.

Hot Tea, Spiced Tea, Hot Chocolate and Wassail!

Christmas Music..O Holy Night, Silent Night,

Fruitcake..yes I do like fruit cake. to be specific I like Claxton fruit cake,made in Georgia.  It's heavy on fruit and nuts and not much cake.  A little goes a long way. Just pour a small cup of hot wassail or black coffee,that's all you need.

I DO NOT need big expensive gifts for Christmas, small, inexpensive, thoughtful things are my kind of gifts. One of my favorite gifts during the past 25 years was a package of a dozen yellow legal pads from a daughter in law.  That gift said; "I notice" and "I remember."  She noticed that I always used those for making study notes.

It's hard to think of grand, extravagant gifts..after all Christmas takes note of the greatest gift of all The Saviour, Christ our Lord.  Every thing else is small by comparison.

So, if a loved one wants to really "make my Christmas"..just come to see me, with bells on and spend time sharing all the homemade goodies , visiting with candle light and enjoying the Christmas trees and outdoor Christmas lights.

And let's share Christmas memories with Carols in the background  until it's time to go to church for a quiet sweet joyous candlelight service.

That's Christmastime! Time spent Together, Remembering important things, Sharing Small things that matter and being there for no other reason than that you want to be with each other..and no one is in a hurry to leave!

Then when everyone has left or gone to bed I so love to sit in the living room with my pretty warm socks on, a pretty tea cup in hand with warm wassail or a wonderful hand thrown pottery mug filled with hot chocolate or hot tea..just hugging the cup and soaking in the incredible beauty of the clear white lights on the Christmas tree, all decorated in white and gold/silver with clear glass ornaments that reflect the light. I never tire of this setting. It's better than unwrapping  Christmas gifts. The quiet and the beauty is pure..gifts are not always-they sometimes get complicated & mixed in with less than pure motives or intent. Just keep it simple.

Another  Christmastime [ or anytime] thing that gives me great pleasure is seeing families together at church.  On  days like these we see older couples with their grown up children and Grands who are visiting all fill a pew or two and everyone knows that's one happy Mom & Dad or Grandparents -such a simple thing~having your family sitting in worship service with you. ..Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service, a Big Anniversary or milestone Birthday.

post script:
What does a Gramma want for Christmas & every other day of the year?  - to be needed, valued, visible. remembered, noticed, considered.

Giving Thanks at Gramma's & Pop's-Brundidge,Alabama

Just hitting the high spots, the high lights of the day:
It's always a special moment when they start arriving-ah, the greetings, the hugs are so sweet.  Yes, I know we only saw them 3 months ago but it seems much longer.

Each gathering is priceless-a treasured time.

Then when the next arrivals are announced we do it all over again..the greetings, the hugs and the nine year old grandson plays "dodge the hugging  grown ups."

I had hoped to get a [half of us] family picture on the front steps before dark but we missed that-

Everyone has their specialties I guess.  One daughter in law couldn't show up without her sweet potato casserole and I had to call in the other daughter in law just before time to eat to make the gravy-oops who discarded the pan drippings from the ham and turkey??? Not to worry ~ an expert gravy maker and a spare can of chicken broth saved the day there-The sister Schubert Rolls went into the oven and several of us wondered aloud if our 11 yr. old Samantha in the far north-Iowa, had her favorite SS rolls for her ROLL DAY!

No picture, but in my mind's eye it's there-of the crowd circled, holding hands and Pop whom we all expected to do the honors asked: "Reagan, since you are the youngest, would you say 'grace' for us?"  With a nine year old surrounded by all big people you never know how he will react.
Reagan came through beautifully. As we bowed he began "Dear Jesus" and continued sincerely and w confidence to express thanks for and ask protection for his Special Forces cousin Don, the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I think he covered the food and all our families. 
It was a moment to remember! Thank You Jesus.

[to be continued..gotta go find my christmastime wreath for the front door]

This Gramma...Pondering

I do that often...pondering things that I cannot change, that I can do nothing about.
Today it's pondering the question: "What will our grand children remember about us?"
We have missed out on so much of their lives. Our first Ryan was born soon after we  moved to southeast Texas and the last, Reagan was born in September of 2000 six years before we moved from Texas back to Alabama closer to our family.  Six months later our daughter and her family relocated twice as far away as we had been..to the state of Iowa.  We last saw them in the spring of 2007.  Samantha was a little girl just turned  nine then.  In January she will be 12..on the verge of becoming a teenager any minute and soon a young lady. We have missed it all.  They have missed us..I suppose.  We will be impacted by how they have grown and changed and they are likely to be taken aback with the reality of the years added to Gramma and Pop.  It's gone. It won't come back.  There was nothing we could fill that space and time with ..no way to make up for it.  The time and the people we each knew are no more.

I am just wondering with all this time lost what our Grands will remember about us.  One cannot remember what was not.  How can they know how much we have missed and longed for time face to face with them? I just don't know if that's possible.

Yes, I know all we can do as we come to turns in the road is  make the best choices we can at the time..then we live with the consequences. What else can you do?  For our Children as they look forward all they see is a "lifetime" ahead of them.  For us now what we see is: "A lifetime past and not too many years left here with them."

It's real to us.  It's not real to them.

Just pondering..[to be continued another day]