Our House~Tis the Season

 

Just For You

 

 

 

 

 

A little scene on the front porch beside Ted's  Rocking Chair-using  cones from Magnolias at our Library

 

 

2013
 



 

 For the past 8 years since we've had an Artificial tree

 I find a new ornament-

This year it's 6 large Gold Balls from a shop

in Georgia at Thanksgiving

 

 

Once I get it up...I don't want to take it down.

Ted was always ready to pack it up and send it

back to the attic a couple of days after Christmas,

Not me...'Just two or three more days~'

 

 

 

OOPS, I see something missing from

the Mantle Scene-

The Glass Jewels in the empty panes-

It will get done but I won't promise

the pictures will get posted

 

 

 

 

It is STILL Christmas

Because Christ Came, Died,

Arose & Lives

It's CHRIST mas  Still!

 

 

Looking Forward ~

Jonell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This I Know-

This I Know

Oh Lord, My God,

You are mine 

Of this I am sure.

I know Whose I am.

There are days when I don't study the Word You left for me.

Some days I don't devote significant time to talk with you

But I know Whose I am

 Many moments I don't know
 which turn to take

What my earthly purpose is now.

This I know -

To whom I go for the Answers

  direction or  comfort.

You carry me when I cannot.

 You never promised to take me off the

Life's Storms list

But you did promise to walk with me...

Carry me and still be there on the other side.

I know Whose I am.

this is not up for debate or discussion

 Humanly I wish for this time to "not be'

However the way to avoid this painful path
 is to have lived a life without Loving deeply 
Or being loved so completely.

Thank you  for this Love Story

  I have experienced and
 For this amazing family  surrounding me
Continue to hold us close
and place a hedge of protection
around all our relationships.

Now, I come  humbly asking for

the Grace and direction for

 the Next Chapter.

Amen

Looking Forward,

Looking Back While Trying ~ To Move Forward~

May 2013

As long as I breathe  my Love ~
I will look at this world for both of us.

As long as I can,
I will TAKE PICTURES AND COUNT  the birds.
I will plant, prune, gather and dry the roses.  

 I will gaze up at the night skies

and marvel at  the stars

for both of us,
As we did together.

As long as I breathe,
I will continue to soak up Creation around me..
for both of us,
as we did together.

I will continue to gather the naturals in the ditches and woods as the seasons produce wonderful specimens for  decorating and remember how you always tolerated it [until  you understood]  at the beginning of Fall.

I  will remember how I  always reminded you to  be on the lookout for  sweet gum branches or perrrrfect small pine cones or gnarly branches. At Easter I reminded you  to hunt for the branches with thorns for a GUM DROP TREE.  [or was that Christmastime? ]

Remember the  lichen I peeled from fallen rotting trees by the creek? And the remnants or  layers of  almost completely rotten trees? They might be called "driftwood wannabees."  It's what you settle for when you live nowhere near the beach.  Long ago you would ask "What in the world do you want with that?" Over time you saw the unique one of a kind  creations they came to be and stopped asking.  I suspect you were even proud of my strange creativity. You must have bragged about it...considering the things your work friends would save and send home to me...hornets nests, huge acorns and pink, rose shaped  rocks from Colorado.

You were always willing to tackle anything. .if someone else had done it you could learn to and when we became farmers for a decade we worked so hard together and had such  a full rewarding life..you taught me so much.  I learned the value of very basic tools.  I am so impressed with what one can accomplish with pulleys, levers, ropes and 'a come along.'

In another era you would have been a FARMER....AND STILL FURTHER BACK IN  TIME YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN THE Pioneer people tell stories about.  I've  loved observing that you spent your days gathering information ...but never  compelled to impress the world with how much you had stored away...not even family.

I learned from you that our culture needs today to learn anew  words and traits like:  Honor, Respect, Submission, Obey,  God Fearing, and  Gentleman.  You mirrored those traits for not only our children but anyone else who was perceptive.

I always admired that you never learned pretentious, flowery prayers.  I don't think I ever  saw you intimidated by wealth or one's  station in life.  Some might have thought at times you were racist or prejudiced however I have never known you to treat anyone differently or badly based on the color of their skin. You did have zero tolerance for people who backed away from responsibility but that

had nothing to do with race.

When I am alone I will sit and remember [or read, or cry or pray] in my beautiful wisteria arbor..another labor love from you for me.  Even though I had it on your honey do list for about 5 years  you set out to get it done after the cancer diagnosis last year .another in a long list of  'a labor of love' from my silver fox.  I always  knew it would get done...in your own time. And, by the way, I did notice when you planted the additional Knockout Rose bushes this past spring..especially the one over by the wisteria arbor. I knew what you were doing.

I will swing in the back yard swing you built -

and remember the last talks we had there

I will hide out alone on the deck. 

And on the front porch I will  cry my heart out,

again and again

 as I glance over at your Rocking Chair.

I  will remember the day  we tried to sit for Ursula to take pictures -in the back yard swing. It was just too hard.  We were not prepared for that. It was not possible to hide the pain and emotion from our faces. I so hate those pictures..they break my heart all over again.  We did better the next day with the whole family there. You endured by your own choice a long hard day with company ...then at night whispered as you slipped into the bed ..  "It was a good day. It was a good day."

 



I cannot even imagine how our four children would have turned out had they been raised only by a loving mother...and without the balance, the strength, steadiness and wisdom of the God fearing Dad and devoted husband you were.  That 's what God intended family and marriage to be.

We had months to talk about our feelings, our fears..our life, our wonderful life. We covered it  all those mornings on the front porch.  So many prayers, tears. I don't have to speculate about what you would want me to do, how you would want me to live without you. I know. You want me to go on with life and not grieve forever. I never made any promises there.

Oh, that someone could show me how to ORDER  MY DAYS

 in what is now a different and new world..

a world

without the rest of myself.



As long as I can, my Love~
I will look at this world for both of us.

As long as I can,
I will TAKE PICTURES ...
AND COUNT  the birds.
I will plant, prune, gather and dry the roses.  

 I will gaze up at the night skies

and marvel at  the stars

for both of us,
As we did together.

As long as I can,
I will continue to soak up Creation around me..
for both of us,
as we did together

....for both of us


Later, My Love ~ jh /2013

 

SETTING THE SCENE FOR MORE F A L L YA'LL ~

 I've set up a large table on the deck at the rear of our house..

 With the use of a wonderful handcrafted bench [ reclaimed wood ]

my husband built on the spur of the moment two years ago as we

were setting up for a pre wedding family party 2011...

and freshly painted metal chairs this table can seat either six or eight easily enough.

I started with my generous stash of Burlap by the Yard

Then added  my most recent Flea Market Napkin find,

Throw in everything that speaks Fall to me

 gathered from the entire house and a stack of

FIESTA dishes

I seldom set a table with ONLY ONE COLOR of Fiesta..

I usually mix the colors, but  very deliberately

Today I just threw them out there..

The end result comes out

Fabulously-

Every Time..it's a no brainer ladies!

I love FRESH materials to work with...

I adore dried NATURAL materials from the wooded areas

[sometimes  gathering fallen leaves from my yard]

I cannot live without a supply of small  bottles  [for weed flowers]

Green glass is my favorite..

And it's okay to mix up a few [cheap, cheap] Dollar Store pumpkins

Along with some perfect & distinctive Ceramics..

Just Mix It Up girls!

I hope you took notice of the

Grampa Goblets

Nooooooooo, it's not fine crystal

but it brings along with it FINE MEMORIES

of my Grandpa Mobley always drinking from those..

thus the 'tag' Grandpa's Goblets ~

Note: You did see that there's no room for serving platters

and dishes of  scrumptious seasonal foods...that's okay

We'll do this thing Buffet Style - setting up another large table ..or two as the food shows up!

What better choice for Fall tablescapes than

 FIESTAWARE!!

Let's all run over to Heather's

and check out her Tips & Tricks

being shared for our inspiration today!

Stringtownhome



The Christmas Penny Auction- 2012

I forgot to tell you

http://www.stringtownhome.net/

http://shoestringelagance.blogspot.com/

About a family activity this past [2012] Christmas. 

I called it a PENNY AUCTION. The items up for auction were from my personal Gift closet inventory..some from super sale shopping and others were re-gifting offerings.  Let's face it, at this point in my life there is just no more space available-walls, floor or attic storage. I NEED virtually nothing...but 'if you must bring me a gift could we make it something I can eat, drink or burn [ like CANDLES].

 I announced the Penny Auction to our family group  of 18  as we celebrated on December 23rd in Brundidge.  Instructions and information given to the Christmas gathering:

• Check your  pockets and purses for money - Coins only..no folding money
• Share your money with anyone who has no coin stash
• The Auctioneer makes the rules-Gramma designates the Auctioneer 
• The rules may change at the whim of the auctioneer
• The auctioneer can decide what to do with the money he takes in*if this has not been addressed beforehand.

 Everyone participated enthusiastically with minimal manipulation. [do you believe that???]

 It was  fun  and 17 and 12  yr old Grandsons  proved to be a really good [ pawns ] auctioneer...taking direction quite well.  Who would have thought the  12 yr old  grandson would have been willing to seriously compete for an Apron!

 -That gift closet is definitely not empty so after a few conferences among us in recent months IT HAS BEEN DECIDED: 

 The Second Annual Penny Auction 

will be  this year on the weekend immediately preceeding  December 25th

 at the Harrison House.

Note: No copyright or ownership of any kind here..feel free to MAKE IT YOUR OWN w Gramma's blessings!

Sharing with Heather  :http://www.stringtownhome.net/



*  All these can be changed - This year 2013 we may add FOLDING MONEY  instead of loose change. Perhaps this would be the year to use this money raised for something we choose to do in Memory of our  Much Loved One.

The Heart to See ~

Early morning sounds- late October Morn~

Created by God,

Broadcast throughout Creation ~

 pausing in the deep south,

 Right here on Fleming Street~ for me!

As I slip into my freshly painted yellow [willow] chair

with my chunky

Favorite  YELLOW Mug

 of hot  freshly brewed

Perked Coffee

[ no Hardy's coffee here today]

You are not seeing & hearing a congregation of BIRDS?
That's because
They Are ALL here in
MY YARD

There's  Chirp, Chirrrrp,  cheep, Cheep, Cheeeeeeep

Twit, twitter, tweeeeeeeeeet, twip, twirrrrrrrp

Praise God from whom all blessings flow~

Looking Forward,

Part 2- Social Gatherings of Another Time

I  shared  a post with you some time ago about Cane Grindings in the rural south.  At that time I promised you we would talk about other social events common to the the rural south.  Now on to another way we entertained ourselves: Note that I am referring to mid century, deep south/Georgia.[ 1940's ]

[ Please note these are the personal photos of Jonell W. Harrison- not to be copied without specific permission  2013 ]

Obviously not many of us have vintage [ or older ] photos of these wonderful old buildings and very few photos  of the place, the people, the social gatherings we are sharing with you from our own personal recollections.

For that reason you are seeing posts of a few remnants of the far past that others have lovingly restored  or in some cases reconstructed . What a labor of love these primitive homes, bridges, churches and other buildings were.

In  the Fall, Families would gather for  PEANUT BOILS..you can ditto almost everything in the account of cane grindings-It was the same event  featuring  PEANUTS pulled from the earth/fields, hauled  often in tobacco sleds to the farmhouse/outbuildings, rinsed in wash tubs etc to remove all the dirt, pulled from the bush [that was above the ground-peanuts grow attached to roots in the soil]. then turned into often that same cast iron syrup pan with fire underneath and boiled..Another difference was Peanuts were eaten on the spot, not packaged for sharing and taking home like the syrup.

Oh, yes the peanut boil came  late summer and the sugar cane was a little later in the season around thanksgiving. We always had things to look forward to. Can I convince you this was a real social event we actually anticipated  as one would a dance or birthday party? True!

Now, remember these gatherings were opportunities for the children to romp and play, creating their own brand of fun and games..Also, the teenagers found this setting ideal for their social activities like games designed with the end result presenting  them with times with that girl/boy they already had a crush on..a chance for pairing up for a little walk down the lane under the Moonlite Autumn Sky. ..hand in hand, of course with delightful whispered conversations  unless they were overtaken by a sudden attack of timidity. Then of course they were both relieved to join their groups of friends again.

Some of these photos were taken in Troy, Alabama at the Pike County Pioneer Museum.

On the road back [from Iowa] through Branson, Missouri-headed south to Alabama

If you will find time to run back to this spot for a visit  I will share another group of incredible primitive remnants from another time..located not from from us here in south Alabama.

Looking Forward~

F A M I L Y ~ F A L L ~ F E S T I V A L S & F U N

October usually seems like a great time for a family gathering - Even in the deep south of the U.S.A we can find a few fall leaves and branches with that AUTUMN look...shades of Fall. 

 

There are always pine cones and with a little diligence one can gather up a handful of wonderful acorns then all you need is a small basket of pecans and won-der-ful armload of dried corn stalks.

 

Now all you need is  a big pot of home made chili, some great southern cornbread, a few guests volunteer for bringing a salad and a dessert and finish off with a crowd of people...not just anyone. This gathering requires  people who love to spend time with loved ones -that would be both friends and relatives-LOVED ONES!

 

 

.

 

 

 

 

Falling Into Fall 2013

Heather is waiting for YOU AT Stringtownhome-

Ahhhh Another Season- 

Just a while ago I thought we might be rushing the Fall season-

Now here we are just days away from what our calendars tell us is officially

Autumn or Fall

Which word do you prefer?

I usually call this simply

 FALL

But I must admit I do love  the word 

AUTUMN

While I am most definitely a 

Planner

I find I am not ready for all the wonderful changes I love making around me

That's why I refer to  what is happening [ or not ] as

FALLING INTO FALL

Confession time my Blogger friends

You Can make a difference with a little touch here and there

When you cannot find the wonderful little fall accents in the attic and

Your local stores can't seem to get the new Fall inventory onto the shelves

You can still perk things up with a few basics-

We'll just call it Minimal Decorating

~not "making do"..

This is intentional

[I hope my Falling into Fall will encourage you who like me may have been overwhelmed with LIFE

recently and thought you might just SKIP THIS SEASON ]

This setting is much the same year round

The wild life and natural gourds and baskets are basic

I just swap out seasonal accents [like the pumpkins]

as the seasons call for a little change

SAVE IT - USE IT - ENJOY IT 

Remember that beautiful fresh wreath you  splurged on for fall 2012?

It can represent your "good taste" as a

DRIED DECORATIVE ELEMENT

FOR 2013

Yes I do love that once a year extravagant fresh wreath but

It is so neet to be able to pull out a good silk fall wreath from the Attic Stash-

It covers nicely until I can make that annual Fresh Wreath purchase

Keeping it simple again-

Just a little natural/gourds, some basic Fiestaware,

a little Dollar Store, a small treasured gift,

several flea market finds [always!]

and of course

BURLAP

 

* Special invitation for you to join

 Heather's

Second Annual Fall Home Tour

Looking Forward,

Jonell

Keep It Simple Small Bath Ideas

A Realistic use of  the space and  Keeping it Simple -

The end result is a Fresh, Clean, Uncluttered small bath

With just a W h i s p e r  of Luxury

Join me today at
Heather's for Tips & Tricks Tuesday



 Sooooooooooooo we spent $500. to relocate the toilet in order to make use of the over the head space on the wall. The right hardware made possible the floating shelves. Even I could do that!

And...what's not to like about the subway tiles?

Did I mention  I love Black  & White?

Soooooooo,

We went with the Keep it Simple plan...

 I forgot to mention that I invested in a new, [tastefully feminine]  shower curtain - reduced at World Market.

We had a choice. We could whine and complain that our main bathroom [mine] was too small

and a remodel would be a major expense we could not afford to tackle...Or we could make the best of what we had. 

We chose to focus on  the wonderful old lavatory- pedestal sink.

 That's a good thing in a small bathroom. 

The floor is those old 1inch tiles from 'days gone by'. 

We could work with that!

Looking Forward~Again

 

2011

 

It's a new day at the Harrison House

The Harrison Family

 

We have never been here before

 

Like Gramma's House

May take a new direction-

It's too soon to know what that might be

 

For right now you may expect to see  random postings of 

Linky Parties-Blog Hops

Picture That! - Craft Projects

Friday Friend Day

[Fun Things Blogger Friends are Doing ]

 

I hope Followers and regular Readers of Like Gramma's House

Will continue to run by

And that you understand

''This is just where I am at this time."

 

I love my blogging thing-love that you appreciate what I share.

I just have to find a new motivation

I know I will be able to do that..

 

 Many of you have energized and inspired me

in the past five years-

 How  have you made these kinds of changes in your life?

 

[ email: harrisonhouse@troycable.net   or  harrisonhouse1959@gmail.com ]

 

 

Looking Forward,

Jonell

 

 

http://mygrammashouse.blogspot.com/2013/04/looking-forward.html 

God's Timing-

God is Good....still

[ He gave us 54 years, 1 month, 18 days, 5 1/2 hours ]

Last year 2012 in June we were given a diagnosis of Cancer

Stage 4-spots all the way through the wall of the esophagus,

at the base of the esophagus/going into the stomach, on the left lung and also on the liver.

The timeline laid out for us was 18 months

We are now [2013] beyond 6 months of chemo and 27 treatments of radiation/w chemo pills.

God gave us another in a long list of perfect gifts

The gift of time-

With a timely heads up regarding what the very, very near future would  hold

God does not give shabby gifts-only good and perfect ones

I don't even have to recognize it as a Gift..it is.

Our prayer [one of many] has been  that we not squander this gift of time-

that everything we are

Honors the Lord God  we serve
This was foremost in our hearts, our prayers

My Love left us 'for a time' last Sunday night-
We said our Good byes, shed our tears and love notes, songs &  prayers
And his Nan Sang 'Amazing Grace' beside his bed-
Surrounding a devoted husband, father & Pop with so much love-

I asked him as his time came closer
"Do you feel like the most loved man in the world?"
His whispered reply:
"I know I am."

My Sweetheart .... Lived well,
He Loved Well-
He died peacefully...
with dignity....
and a Grand Send Off!

The Bible says:
"Honor your Father and Mother..."
His  family honored him in life-
and in the leaving.

I have never been more proud of our family-
He would have said:
'I would have expected no less.'

Later, My Love-

 His Loved Ones

2011

2011

Christmas in Brundidge 2011



[ My silver fox was cut out of this 2012 Thanksgiving

snapshot..but he will always be in our hearts & we

will share eternity with him, Later, my love.] 

Thanksgiving at Steve & Carol's 2012

2012 

Tim, Deanna, Dylan, Zack & Samantha

Whatsoever Things Are True~

Whatsoever Things Are True~

A Praise the Lord Anyway Day 

This post  is a Re-Run ya'll....sorry if it's just too heavy for you today but

This is where we are in life..

For those of you who wear the badge saying "Christian" please

pray for us in what appears to be our last 'few months' to fill these days with laughter.

even Joy and if you will pray for all the tears to be not only cleansing but

also strengthening-we truly want this to Honor the Lord we love and serve.

 

.....whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praise worthy—think on these things. Philippians 4:8
 

Yes there are days when we do battle with our thoughts, with things unseen, even things that will never be a reality in our future.  I don't always win.  The One I serve always does.
 

I don't always have the demeanor of a Victor and I do know where this doubt, fear, confusion & even questioning originates. It is without a doubt satan, the evil one [no capitalizations here] who is  now roaming 'to and fro' seeking whom he may destroy.  That would be me he's intent upon defeating.
 

I Corinthians 14:33 'God is not the author of confusion...." reminds me it is such a good thing to memorize scripture. ..to do  battle with when  we are engulfed with turmoil, doubt and questioning. 

Today is one of those  early days of this journey just begun and I admit there are 'defeaters' swirling within my inner self. I am tempted to compare my life to non believers asking why. There are momentary feelings of envy, dissatisfaction, insecurity and recalling thoughtless words I have heard spoken: "Good things happen to good people." People mean well. They don't think about those within hearing who are grieving or suffering.  I am not angry.  The questioning is brief but I have learned over the seven decades past that satan will use anything 'not tied down.'  [anything not  "good, true, pure, right"]  as he attempts to cause me to stumble knowing when I stumble others will trip over me.

This births another thought:  " God I truly want to come through on the other side of this life event closer to You.  Give me a supernatural abilty to love, to forgive and to endure, to be truly content with what I have and where I am."

James 1:4  And let  endurance have its perfect result [work], so that you may be perfect and complete [mature], lacking in nothing.

My 'silver fox' is at a peaceful contented place with what he is facing.  I see no doubt & no questioning in his demeanor.  I want to be 100% there with him on the same page, however; I do feel the burden is different and weighs differently [if not heavier] when it's your loved one  who faces the  challenges with it's uncertainties and sometimes suffering.

Lord Jesus forgive me when I give this to you then go back and pick it up again.   The life You have given us has been so incredible and rich. The popular phrase "Life is Good" doesn't even begin to work nor is it adequate to address or describe the love and joy ...But LIFE IS GOOD. satan cannot take that from us and to quote my 'love'...God is still in control.

 

post script:  Looking back at the dates-We were sure at the time we had perhaps 2-3 months left-for sure we could plan his 9-11 Birthday party..the we would "look forward" to Thanksgiviing. After that we 'could dream' of Christmas ..maybe. It was not to be. The date I posted the words above shows 8-13-2013. We had 5 days left.