Another Three Hour Project~

I lied~ It may have been a three hour project but at the Harrison House [ real life-real time] it turned into a two - three week job.  What do you do when the 'yard help' doesnt show up? You dig in.

We did start this garden segment of my spring plan about three weeks ago..with time outs for rocking & cooling down on the front porch, [ because I am old ] then a major four day time out to check out the services at the local medcal facility and on to another recommended  in Birmingham [ UAB- ] and continued down time spent with major reclining on the deck in the morning sun.  That brings us up to date- with a little muscle from a pick up truck and the right tools my husband managed to remove those gosh awful mystery plants from each side of the front steps.  EASY when you know what you're doing. Thanks TP.

FINALLY, after opting for my most loved of all time HYDRANGEAS at the front steps...too much hot southern afternoon sun...then we moved on to  spreading out the hydrangeas [ super duper Lowe's sale] all across the entire span of the deck. We debated season after season..will they make it, yes they will, no they won't until time proved my second guess to be the right one.  Even that better location meant we sacraficed too many wonderful blue hydrangea blooms to the direct hot sun. 

Back to the front porch: Our most recent big idea was KNOCK OUT ROSES on each side of the front porch steps..whoopee, I think we have a winner.  Lowe's had beautiful specimens of the double variety, healthy growth with lots of blooms & keep in mind these knock out roses can bloom from February - November in this area.  After some collaboration we concluded  we should stay with what  worked & is virtually carefree.  We added two more 'you can't beat 'em' BUTTERFLY BUSHES and can't resist the great prices of a couple of ferns for a little more variety.  Ted retrieved one of his CASSIA [ PEANUT TREE ] plants rooting in the greenhouse to fill in the background near the other end of the porch..there's already one at the opposite end.  This peanut tree gives a different kind of sprawling green growth that turns into breath taking YELLOW BLOOMS at the end of September/first of October.  2011 the flowers showed up September 28. They linger until it is too cold for comfort [not often] or there's a rough rain storm with lots of wind.

As you look at the photos just fast forward a couple o months and you won't see the bare spots with drain spouts, water hoses etc...I'll come back perhaps in May and show you. We are so pleased & thankful to get this done..these small jobs require both of us with a lot of heart and determination these days to see it through to the finish line.





No matter how we brag about getting it done and how it looks...we recognize Our Heavenly Father is the ULTIMATE GARDENER....His creation is AHmazing~

Funny and So True~

A wise, funny and handsome special someone said to me a  few days ago as we waited impatiently in a hospital room;  "You go to the hospital for TREATMENT. You go home TO GET WELL."

Spring in the Deep South-It's for Sharing

 

 

My Inspiration- The Bridal Wreath in Full Bloom If you are going to fill a big vase You might as well set up a table  and ask someone To come share a cup of tea - That's my thinking~

Y'all Come!

 

Somebody Stop Me~

It's early Monday morning and such a beautiful Spring  world out there..I am really considering    working on that flower bed.  My old bones were creaking and I paid dearly for all the effort on this project on Saturday.  Good grief it's not  the biggest job in the world..but apparently my body thinks so since it "talked to me" seriously afterwards.  Twenty four hours can make a difference though and after a change of pace Sunday I am finding enough courage to have at it again.

Don't expect 'before & after" pictures today- no promises. Just good intentions? It's okay if you are laughing out loud at me. Perhaps you can relate? I will report back to you ....soon, maybe~

All in fun~

Jonell

Why Buy Furniture?

Got 3 antique suitcases?  Stack them three high~

An Antique [electric]  RADIO-
the exterior material was before PLASTIC....Bakelite. 
Nothing in here came from KIRKLAND'S or IKEA or Hobby Lobby.
This is a peek into our somewhat masculine spare bedroom..
[patriotic Red,White, Blue; Antiques with a teeny bit of
Outdoors/sports tossed in
 [ old boat oar/fish net valance w seashells over two windows-]

Penny Walker in southeast Texas contributed this old, old,
 heavy oscillating fan to our collection..yes it works if needed

These GAME BOARDS were given to me because "Jonell will think of something to do with them"
My friend Reba Shue said when she brought them to me. They are wooden and measure about 36
inches from corner to corner.  There's certainly nothing humdrum ordinary about the decor in our house.
ENJOY!

A Spring Thing~2012

Our first WISTERIA blooms.. in place waiting for us to construct
an arbor/reading hideaway for the vine to smother and cover

The first of these to show up ...what are they?
I cannot recall.

Our HOMEMADE water feature...more to come
when materials and the labor available to get.
Those AZALEAS  - beautiful and  work for any
gardener-beginner or an expert.
It's a work in progress 

ROSEMARY... abundant supply-carefree-if it thrives it stays in that spot..forever!
 love to share-. Come and  get it!

Just Sharing,

Jonell

* God is such a great GARDENER~

Driving South on Highway 231

A big thank you to Mr. Parker Mount for his hospitality as he showed us around his  primitive compound along highway 231 south of Montgomery.  All these years we have been driving by wondering how those wonderful little primitive buildings got there, are they occupied  or if we could gain access to them.  It turns out that all we had to do was stop and walk in. It was Monday afternoon and he was there-stopped what he was doing and joined in with our conversation..he shared and we shared so many of our personal memories about his treasures and our more recent history living on a large 200 acre arm and ranch with an historic [rather large] Dog trog farmhouse that dated back to 1906 and even older barn where we had produced, promoted and hosted weekend Market Days for about a year [ S.E. Texas/Newton] It ocurred to me this extended project of Mr. Parker's was much like the homes and gardens that many Bloggers maintain and stage...I often think of these as a PLAYHOUSE FOR GROWN UPS...honestly ya'lll..for addicted antiquers like me there are things in his MANY COLLECTIONS displayed that will make one drool..I don't know who enjoyed it more ..the host or the visitors. We shall return!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wondering What To Do With The Vintage Purse?

No, I don't collect purses-

But I do have a few~

 

I call it my JOAN CRAWFORD purse [ the movie star].It measures 15 1/2 " across and just under 6" high w/o the handle.  While it sets on a shelf in my closet it is of no use, just taking up space and  collecting dust but filled with Vintage trinkets it becomes a decorative piece. Now, the challenge is to find just the right  spot to show it off. Not so long ago I thought it was rather gaudy because of it's size...not so now with the luggage size handbags that are so popular [& quite expensive usually]. I remembered to find a jar of Vaseline to clean and shine up this relic.  Can you recall doing this to spruce up your black patent dress shoes? It still works!  

 

post script:  I never actually used this purse..came across it as a collector of all things old, vintage or antique and could not bear to part with it. That worked so well I think I shall do it again-since I still have another of these in my closet...I need to free up the closet space. Now~ Just For Fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Folding Pouch style clutch VELVET- I still use this one



Black Velvet dress purse /
Can still be used



 

Small Leather Clutch with strap on the back to tuck away your gloves or handkerchief

This one is so old the [genuine] Leather is very stiff, almost brittle..

for DISPLAY ONLY -



Let's go to the Party!

Colorado Lady's Vintage Thingies Thursday

Let's check out the Vintage Treasures & Trinkets

Of Course I Need Them~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Always room for More Pretty Dishes

On the bottom of a small plate I read;

French Saxon China 5 Union made

 u.s.a. Silver Symphony

And No, I don't really need more dishes

Yes, I could use a lid for the sugar bowl



Back To My Roots~

Growing up poorer than dirt in the rural south Georgia I don't think we were ever truly hungry, as in 'without food'.  Many things were scarce to nonexistent at our house but not food.  Today when we want to go back to things we remember as children in the 1940's - '50s  one of us will suggest something decadent and certainly not what we know to be healthy today.  That's when I make  pan FRIED CORNBREAD or a pot of Lima Beans-the dried limas.  We are both on the same page today- in the mood for something hearty, stick to your ribs hearty and I guess that qualifies it to go on the COMFORT FOOD list. That's dinner tonight..large limas, cornbread and rice and since its the evening meal that's enough.  We do try to eat lighter for dinner and our dinner at home is usually no later than 5 p.m.[stop laughing, please]

When those 'awful beans' started cooking I began reminiscing about the growing up years and the fact that one aunt...Lila Mae Mobley-Turner always had the best lima beans. At my house it was usually the large limas but she always had the baby limas and  [don't yell at me now] they had GREASE floating over the top. YES, it's true. They used the bacon fat & used it generously. mmmmm Yummo~

So many of our ways have changed-it's just a fact, I don't think I could force myself to add that fat back to a pot of veggies, however; I will now and then make a batch of  buttermilk cornbread-add lots of chopped onion and equal amounts of chopped SQUASH [that makes it healthy] and FRY THAT CORNBREAD. I must add: I don't fry it in LARD the way Mama and Grandma did.


 

   * post script: Our lifestyles have changed dramatically.  We ate 3 meals a day, worked hard and played hard and treats like candies and colas were truly a treat not a regular part of our days.  If our economy really goes south in a major way..I can vouch for the fact that a family can survive on dried peas and beans.


They make a great decorative statement but even
that 1/2 gallon mason jar FULL won't last long~

*I have to verify this- that may be a gallon jar

Oh, No- March Is here~

Oh My Oh My...March is actually here-Now I have to start SPRNG CLEANING for real!! With seasonal changes, company coming, a ladies brunch and a ladies club meeting to host.  I cannot procastinate, It is here! OOOkay.. It's on my Calendar.

Today is Thursday and it just wouldn't be a good thing to start such a big project on Thursday with the weekend looming.

Solution:   I will begin AFTER THE WEEKEND  ..on Monday..Tuesday for sure....sigh~glad we have that settled.

A Winter Scene in the Deep South

Yes its the Deep South/Alabama

No, definitely NOT the Winter  of 2011-2012

and God Created Woman~

...and God created Woman...a maze, a mass & mix of CONTRADICTIONS. Don't take offense. The woman I have in mind is ME!     I so often amaze myself.  How can one 5ft3" female be so many conflicting character, personality and temperament traits? I will not presume to tell you I have the definitive answer to that quesion. I'm just pondering, mulling over and analyzing what I observe in myself .

How can I be so bold, confident and strong willed and still wilt like a newly planted flower under the afternoon sun on an August day in the the deep south? [ South Alabama ]

How can a woman..like me, be so focused and organized but she can't get the thank you notes and Christmas newsletters to the post office in a timely fashion. I actually have some wonderful seasonal newsletters written [beautifully I might add] that were never mailed out - in 1999. This same pitiful person can be so focused she set as #1 priority planning, organizing a 50th high school reunion..devoted an entire year  2008-2009 to putting together a class directory of contact information for each person and then producing & publishing a book [ more than 100 pages] with pictures, bios, for class members & turned into a cyber cheerleader to keep everyone informed and excited-motivating them to get their information to me and make room in their lives no matter what to be present for that once in a lifetime event.  Our computer room was set up with "temporary" tables for work space for 10 months. Yes, it was a labor of love that I was very proud of..and thankful to be able to do it. It boggles my mind to recall the time and amount of creative energy that went into that effort..yes, fun too!
So how can this person with so much confidence disappear when challenged to find just the right gift for a grandchild [just one example]?

Some Things I Won't Part With!

The fancy, expensive, decorator cannisters cannot
compete with these Remnants of the past...in my Kitchen.

Then and Now ~

1940's - the Present 21st century:

• We knew the difference between right and wrong
• We made mistakes but we were not proud of them
• We strayed from the path of right- but were not rewarded for it
• We pushed the boundaries - we always knew the consequences & were not spared those consequences.  Parents didn 'try to fix everything' that went wrong
• We had dreams...We had to wait for dreams to come true- that's what dreams are
• We were allowed to be Children..not forced or encouraged to grow up too soon
• We understood boundaries..the lines we did not cross in relationships-re parents, adults, employers, law enforcement
• We did not expect to be given things without working
• We knew  life was not always fair- We  were allowed to 'Get over it' and learn from it
• Our parents' role in life was to 'be the parents' not our best friends

Just Thinking,
Jonell

Life is a Special Ocassion~

~just thinking:  I now have much more HISTORY and much less FUTURE..

Well, that doesn't count for Christians who have an ETERNITY.  

The thought leaves me..............[speechless].

A Pleasant Pause~

 My recommendation for an inspiring place to visit today: 

 http://abbysgarden.blogspot.com/  

Grab a pretty tea cup, fill with your favorite  tea and enjoy!

Seasonal Surprises~

With the late Spring like weather one can't resist the Nursery and home and garden inventory. I always begin looking for some new plants and especially herbs yes, even in January! We found a few healthy little offerings at the Lowe's garden center today. Ted got a few little pots of lettuce and some much needed bags of soil and some replacement parts for his sprinkler system.  Now I have to decide on a home for those little pots of English Lavender. Lavender is so hearty here, it withstands the brutal summer heat and the occasional freezing temperatures we usually get for at least a few days.  I love it not only for the delicate blooms but for little posies to drop into natural 'made by me' potpourri .  Oh yes, we know there can be lots of surprises with the weather from now through early April.  We just can't resist taking the chance. It's just beautiful outdoors in the deep south. on January 31st.

All Our Girls-Plus Pop

L>R : Loretta, Rita, Pop, Carol, Dylan, Deanna, Samantha

Only The Best~

A Few Of My Favorites

Why Save

Ordinary Baskets?

  

 What defines a basket as Not Ordinary?

• The Quality
• Distinctive Shape/design
• Unusual Size- large or small
• Age/condition

Sometime during our Texas years 1985 - 2006

The Top opens up and it's divided into two sections
Jasper, Texas (28)

HAPPY THINGS~

New Flowers in Bloom

Snow in the deep South

Christmas Lights & Christmas Music

On the road with hubby going ANYWHERE

Our children walking through the door

A Grandchild's voice on the phone

A pedicure

New Clothes that fit and make me FEEL PRETTY

Cutting fresh flowers from my own yard 

Fresh Herbs just steps from the kitchen door

Seeing my little Sis, my younger Brother and  Cousins

Time out for a friend who cares enough to make time for me!

Visiting with PHS  class of 1959

One on One  time with our children..that means their spouses too OF COURSE

 



It Makes Me Sad~

• Pictures of family gatherings with some families missing
• Remembering our 50th  Anniversary
• A Rainy day for someone's funeral
• Little Children neglected or ignored in public places/ shopping etc
• A husband [ or wife] demeaning a spouse
• A wife tagging behind her husband  either b/c she thinks she should or he's inconsiderate or ashamed of her
• Old people in NURSING HOMES
• Older people being ignored in a conversation
• Wasted Opportunities


• Remembering times when I carelessly talk too much


2010

Encouraging Words~

Every woman wants a husband who calls her sweetheart, kisses her like he really means it, holds her like he never wants to let her go, doesn't cheat on her or lie to her, wipes her tears away when she cries, doesn't try to make her jealous of other women but causes other women to be jealous of her. He  makes her feel like the most loved woman in a room full of women,  is not timid to let other men  know how he really feels about her. His wife adores him and he feels like the luckiest man in the world. Yes, I know many people think this is over kill..just "too much sugar for a dime"   but it has long been my deliberate intention to build up my husband with encouraging words.  During the first 10 years of our marriage I noticed women around me always griped about their husbands..hence my resolution to do the exact opposite.

He was the first man to call me "Darling" and the first sweetheart I ever called "Darling"..after 52 plus years, he  still is "My Darling, My Silver Fox, My BEST."

Frivolous Wishes for This Year~

That's an easy one: I would wish to have one entire day to spend [ visiting, shopping, lunch] with each one of our daughters-in-law. Why not our daughter? That goes without saying..but she's 18 hours away in the state of Iowa. I will be blessed if I  get to see her this year....will take what I can get.  As far as the three sons- I have to settle there too, but I do hold dear to my heart any quality time I get with our sons.  Oftentimes after family gatherings I think back remembering the time and cannot recall more than perhaps 5 or 10 minutes one on one with several family members..so apparently even though we enjoy tremendously the big special ocassions this is not always the time for quality time...fun without a doubt but what about the things we had intended to share or ask about?
 

As we so often say "It just doesn't take a lot to excite or make us happy these days."

Just Thinking,

Jonell

I Needed One More~

Who can remember where and when I found the larger DRIP O LATOR - I can't. I've always loved it even though I only recall actually using it two or three times but when I spotted this little teapot in a unique antique store/flea market in De Funiak Springs, Florida in December I knew I had to have it even if I couldn't wrangle a better price from the dealer. I forgot to mention it fits my criteria these days for adding to the volume in my attic - It's small enough to fit in one hand. Now, I have to actually have some tea from it..that makes it necessary, right? I don't know what NOT collectors do for fun, do you?

 

The recent 'find' ...others I acquired beginning

in the early 1970's when we were in  W.Ky.

The very first one [ in the collage]  btm 

 Right photo/left.

Beside it on right is from our years in S.E. Texas

but the top for that one [ the drip part] I found  years

 later while visiting my sister in  Western Kentucky.

Be Yourself~

Saturdays tend to be different than Monday-Friday.  I'm not quiTe sure why but it's true.  It's a bit like another new week but only one day long. Weird! I have figured out that most people in my email address book do not respond right away, if at all on Saturday. Even the two old folks at our house tend to operate at a different pace on Saturday.  No, we aren't just lounging on the deck staring at the tree tops nor are we "sitting and swinging" on the front porch.  I mention the different Saturday routine because I was pleasantly surprised to switch to the FOOD NETWORK  at the right time today [ Saturday ] to catch Ree Drummond's new show.  I managed to miss the first series when it began some time ago and was so pleasantly surprised to see that television has not changed her. She's still the Pioneer Woman Blogger I check in on regularly on the net [  http://thepioneerwoman.com/  ]

I must admit she stirs in me a little  heretofore resisted urge to try to attract  regular followers for my blogs:
http://mygrammashouse.blogspot.com  &  http://mershongeorgiagirl.blogspot.com  ]

From the beginning I have insisted to you and myself that my goal for these is not to gather a following. As I see the visitors   Like Gramma's House has [shown on my tracker] there are   visitors from many states and some international from places I  never heard of..none of these ever sign on as followers even though I see many  appear to be repeat  visitors.
The Pioneer Woman, Ree makes the suggestion on her blog that a blogger should write every day...I agree that sounds like good advice but this doesn't work for me,  my style and the type of content I post. I am thinking  just as  http://thepioneerwoman.com/    must stay true to who she is...Gramma at this address must do the same.

..Not to worry ~I don't need  readers to  encourage me..I'm not  doubting 'my plan'..just making observations-mulling things over as some would say.  My conclusions:

• Stay with photos taken in my own surroundings- don't use borrowed banners, etc from the enternet
• The Homemade Blog..idea..that's good/like that
• In order to write one has to have a life-both participation and observation..sometimes taking a blogging break..I cannot force creativity
• I choose NOT to use my blog to expose or carelessly embarass family members-not always mentioning loved ones by name..sometimes, but not routinely. 
• I choose not to elaborate on specific details of personal information when discussing children /in laws or our Grands. That way the focus is not as much on MY FAMIY but on what Gramma's thinking-
• These rules for my blogging do limit me in some ways  but I think it's A GOOD THING..perhaps my writing will improve and  have more depth. Perhaps??
• So There you have it-That's what's on my mind today relative to  BLOGGING ~What's on your mind? What works for you [if you are a blogger] and what do you appreciate [ if you are just a 'follower'?? IT'S YOUR TURN NOW.

No New Year Resolutions ~Lots of Spring Cleaning

No, No, not really spring cleaning folks - what I allude to is personal house cleaning-  I mean things in my life that I am convicted about changing or improving.  I'm hanging up a sign that reads: Construction Site - A Work In Progress.  That would be ME!

• I want to dig out and read through my old JOURNALS with the intent to edit, remove parts or destroy entirely * [ explanations to follow]

• Calendars - I like knowing what's coming up next month and three months down the road as far as appointments, obligations, events and travel. [ mmm this sounds like a "controlling woman" ] With that in mind I want to look ahead and decide which months will include perhaps day trips, overnight visits, or actual extended travel for fun and/or time with family. YES, I really do want to do that much advance planning..Money issues are  not as much an ISSUE with this kind of scheduling. No Surprises!

• Continuing with the Photo Project - organizing, labeling and sharing both copies and originals

• Front Porch Painting..we didn't do it in 2011 so this will be a must do

• Finish work on the deck

• Look at possibility of finishing up with the water feature, the backyard [hideout] arbor and the arbor centered in the patio area  [I have been hoarding a really special handmade CANDELABRA  just for this]

• Locate a KNOCKOUT ROSE bush on each side of the front porch steps

• Finish relocating specific small trees, plants or shrubbery to places where they will be more likely to thrive

• Work on my HERB BEDS outside the kitchen door

• Write more love notes

About Personal Journal Clean up>

*Think about the person you were 20-30 years ago...consider the way you felt about and reacted to things, people, life situations.  We change - thank God we do.  So many years ago let's face it we might have been "more about ME and my needs and quite likely with the passing of years we focus more on others around us and how our feelings & thoughts might affect them. Previously we may have recorded thoughts that were more about 'self gratification'.  Are you with me here?  In short I don't want to leave things for my family to read that could cause them to grieve..again. At 70 -soon to be 71 years old I think  It's a timely project to take on.  You don't have to agree with me.  Oh, by the way~ I try to keep this line of thought in mind as I write on my blogs.  My intent is never to carelessly expose or embarass family members..if so only in a fun way. You might say my goal is to definitely 'take the high road' in this 21st Century  version of Journaling!  Your thoughts please?

Christmastime 2011-The Harrison House~Brundidge

The Harrison House in Brundidge~ Only the five Glasses [ In Iowa] missing.Top left to Right: Loretta & Johnny & their Turner behin his Dad; The newly weds, Steve & Carol, Rita & David [orange shirt] with son Patrick in between and their daughter in law Sarah with their oldest son Ryan [right end of sofa] Left -Right seated: Loretta & Johnny's oldest son Ethan and their youngest Reagan then Gramma & Pop [ Jonell and Ted ]. It only took two hours, rearranging the furniture and Ryan's patience [ cameraman ] to get to this place. Steve, who is our oldest and Carol were just married November 2011. Ryan is in the U.S. Coast Guard and beginning Officers Candidate School early January-that would be as we speak. Patrick, Ethan and Turner are pursuing various endeavors in Montgomery, Boston, Mass. and Colorado but [Patrick] will soon be located in Atlanta which we all count as a good thing. Reagan is finishing up the last semester FIFTH GRADE this year. Way to go Reagan! We will blink and you'll be 6ft 3in - it must be in his DNA, you think? [ more to follow ]