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.

~A New Chapter of Our Love Story

God Knew This Day Was Coming~

*[this post not meant for casual blog Readers/TMI]

Sprinkles, Showers, Storms

Rain Puddles Or Mud Holes-

Whatever Place You Find Yourself

 It Is No Surprise to God!

He knew This Day was coming and He Promised

"I will never leave you Alone."

He may not rescue us but He will Walk Us Through

to the other side.

I Need Not deny or hide the Tears-

He gave them to us

For a day such as this!

Disclosure: This may be TMI

for my casual blog Readers

Not personally connected to us...If so this is where you might want to exit

This account took place late summer 2012 after the cancer diagnosis and being told it was Stage 4

Most Days our early morning coffee is on our front porch where we share individual assessment of the weather, read our Bibles-one or both some  days & then our Prayer time.

Those times are becoming more sweet  these days. We don't want to waste a moment. We do not want to whine and we have abundant reason to be thankful. 

 Yesterday I experienced a revelation -as I talked with self these words slipped from my lips..yes aloud, even:  "Jonell, you can never, ever, doubt if or how much God loves you-He gave  His Son for you  and as if that were not enough-He gave you this man, my sweetheart for all these years since 1959."

After my Silver Fox finished praying, I slipped out of my chair,  dropped to my knees on the porch floor in front of his rocking chair, wrapped my arms around his neck and with a face full of tears poured out my heart to    our Heavenly Father.

Yes  He knows my heart is breaking. He knows  all the what ifs and "Hows" that fill my  mind through the days. He knows  I go to sleep crying every night..but He wants me to come close and lay it all at His feet.. 

We have breathed the same air for more than 54 years.  He knows that I do not know how to live without  my precious husband.


He just wants me to know that  when that day comes, He will carry me until I am steady again.

I do not expect Him to take away the tears.  He knew when He created us there would be "these days."  He knew   we would need the tears.

I have always thought myself to be a very strong woman. NOT!  Please God-use these tears to cleanse and strengthen and make me useful to You. 

I want my demeanor  my  spirit to speak  Christ,  peace,  JOY, comfort & calm to others especially our children. 

 

 

I TOLD YOU...the man is always gathering information. He reads all the

time .is a fast  reader too.

 

 Dontcha just hate that?  He reads for relaxation and almost entirely fiction-especially fiction set in a time and place of historical significance...me? I grab biographies, mysteries, Christian/self help and fiction with a political viewpoint. I am a slow reader though.  My hubby tells me it's because I read   one word at the time. What an interesting concept! Never, ever thought of that!

to be continued~

Looking Forward,

Link Ups With Loved Ones~

Some places on this earth speak peace to the soul-

 We turn into the short lane and

The scene whispers:

 "Ahhhhhh you are H.E.R.E.

This is where people retire,  retreat,  settle back,

 Savouring Creation all  around-

Nothing Pretentious or Ostentatious~

Soaking in understated luxury~

A quiet little Cove where one can 'just be'

Wrapped around by and snuggled up to

The  Creator Himself

 

 

 

YES! Thank you so much- We Needed That!

[photo taken 2012]



 

Some People Have Gifts They Do Not Even Realize- Hospitality first and foremost!
How to entertain,  delight, and Inspire all in one setting -
Oh, Yes, It's a God Given gift, that's what it is!

[In the interest of keeping a "best kept secret" we won't identify either the people or the specific location...]

Looking Forward,
Jonell & Ted


Come along with us to:

Create With Joy-Inspire Me Monday #81

Katherine's Corner Blog -Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

 



My Perfectly Imperfect Kitchen~Justa Peek



Call me strange, weird, odd. I won't argue with that  statement. I do love my NOT 100% finished, perfectly imperfect kitchen..

Country Scene

Yes I appreciate ROOSTERS

Something about the regal profiles

And the Colors-

I searched patiently for many months to locate this one perfect all white fellow,

However- When someone walks into my kitchen and says

"Oh, you COLLECT ROOSTERS.!".

I will be eliminating/downsizing. I want the Roosters to be minimal  inspiring a reaction

that says more "Ahhhh" and not so much "OOOOOH, Roosters"

Yes, we're definitely going for the subtle impact.

post script:  ..additions & corrections to be added

Let's Go Playing & Sharing At:

Heather's Stringtownhome Tips & Tricks Tuesday



All You Need Is Hydrangeas~

All you need is Hydrangeas..run out in the yard and snip the prize blooms -those ready for drying.

Then you do a quick turn around surveying the breakfast room

and are drawn to that rustic, damaged and beautiful

granite ware KETTLE.   It was a 'steal' on Ebay a few years back

and has not been spotlighted in ages

My inspiration was a very old Quilt

Antique makes it even sweeter





Now you grab a chair with a contrasting color pillow and

snuggle up close to the the table

Just wait a few..don't run off and I will grab another cup with some won-der-ful tea and join you as we watch the birds flitting from tree to bush to blooms and try to interpret their bird conversations.

Let's Go Play Today At 

 Inspire Me Monday

http://www.create-with-joy.com/2013/07/inspire-me-monday-week-80.html

Tips & Tricks Tuesday/Stringtown Home

Tips & Tricks Tuesday At Stringtown Home

Linking Up With Katherine's Corner on
Thursday
Katherine's Corner

Hey Gramma, Pop! Are We There Yet?

Just a peek at a recent [3 hour] road trip with our youngest Grand along for the ride. I think it helped that he would see cousins overnight over in Georgia.  We understand that our "kids" are always attached to some technology..no surprise there!

note: more pictures to be added-funny how with a little work on  Picasa  one can turn a little bitty project, event or even a road trip into a Visual Adventure. It makes this Gramma feel So Smart!

 




It was a quiet ride from Brundidge, Alabama through Plains, Ga., Americus, Ga. and on into Perry, Georgia. Only a 3 hour trip w one pit stop. We didn't have to amuse or entertain our Grandson Reagan, however; I warned him he would have to unplug for the return trip so he could give full attention to the history lesson as we approached the town of Plains,Ga.

Our Gardner Does Good Work~

Creation-He Spoke It Into Existence
I think He can handle a  project like our little  garden
 

O R D I N A R Y Things

How often I remark: "It just doesn't take much to make me happy."  That is so so true!  I am excited, appreciative, yes even thrilled over such small,  oft described as ordinary things in life, especially in my home environment.  I am not showing treasures or vintage and antique one-of-a-kinds or  decorative objects today...I am showing you Me...and a few of the things around me that make me feel good - comfortable, secure, sometimes pampered.  Be kind now ladies. Amused, is okay. Laughter is allright if it's not  too harsh .  Just be kind in your responses.

• Bedroom closets- We each have one. No, not large or walk in closets. If we had huge HGTV walk ins we would not be able to fill them.  They are 'adequate.' There's an easy to access light in each, and shelves above the hanging clothes. He has two levels for hanging. I have one and two extra shelves on one side. That's ENOUGH. ENOUGH is good!

This Makes Me Wanna Throw A Party-An America the Beautiful Party~

Thank you At The Picket Fence blog for the Inspiration!

http://atthepicketfence.com



I'm "out the door" as we speak-

I'm going shopping right now...
grab a few colorful cotton
bandanas,some small USA flags
put together at the very least a
new patriotictheme scene on my
 front porch!

http://atthepicketfence.com

Fresh From the Yard- BLUEBERRIES

Okay I see that  I cannot 'get the photo right'

But I still get to make a batch of

Breakfast Muffins tomorrow

In The Good Old Summertime - Let's Party on the Porch~

SUMMERTIME in the deep south. 

In my case that would be Alabama/USA

At our house we enjoy a FRONT PORCH,

Also a deck at the rear of the house
and a PATIO just off the deck
and as you exit from my kitchen door.
I cherish memories of PORCHES

in the summertime ...

 lazy, warm summer days daydreaming

[horizontally]

in a porch swing...

at my Grandma Mobley's house,

 at My Aunt Laura's 

and other cousins and friends porches too.

Below is one of those homes...
Aunt  Laura & Uncle Jack Mobley's

The picture was taken in more 'modern'

times /circa 1988 on one of those rare visits back home to

South Georgia

A Last Minute decision to slip this Picture  [ circa 1988-89] with me [red shirt]
my daughter Deanna and My Aunt Laura Mobley on her
 FRONT PORCH- Mershon, Georgia
Many wonderful memories of this dear aunt and this Mobley Home

Just a Sittin' and Swingin'

Friends Welcome to enter from the patio and deck at the back of the house

Little treasures [made in Japan}



One of the last 'finds' from southeast Texas



Oh, Yes- this is Southern Living-in the Deep South/usa

An old weathered useless $15 Window completes this scene-
Come on over..I just put freshly  washd/ironed pillow cases
on the swing pillows

A DECK is a 'kind of PORCH, RIGHT?
May is the month for harvesting the OAK LEAF HYDRANGEAS
and the section of hollowed out log from the Texas farmhouse
 works Perrrrfectly dontcha think

The LEMONADE is poured..ready for You!

Above/Below : You get a view from opposite   ends of the front porch

In the interest of  "keeping it honest''..all scenes are not SUMMERTIME
photos..above has to be OCTOBER-the peanut tree is in bloom

Lemonade or Iced Tea?


Our outdoor settings change with the seasons, weather and
events scheduled with family or friends...
   the  feeling is the same.

We cannot spend time outdoors
 without talking about how blessed we are
 to have this amazing  thing we call
CREATION surrounding us..
and giving thanks to the Creator, the God we serve.
Ahh, such Love!

Looking Forward,
Jonell

Please don't miss the Meet & Greet &
$100 Giveaway over at Stringtownhome

Lavender Farms-Yes, Lavender Farms ~

Afternoon Tea Across America Traveling Teapot

http://ataatravelingteapot.blogspot.com

I am so thrilled with my one [ yes 1 ] large, beautiful bush of Lavender-

There is no way I can IMAGINE Lavender Farms-

 

My Beauty register won't even go there.

 

Imagine a farm with ACRES OF LAVENDER!

 

http://ataatravelingteapot.blogspot.com



Photo Credit

Things That Make Me SIGH...."Ahhhhhhhh"

Things that make me sigh

And Some Actually "Make my heart sing" because of..

• Experiences-Painting the old Chifferobe w My Friend Shirley
•  Memories: The stove restoration, Wisteria Arbor & other labors of Love 
• Personal Passions- antiques/collecting or shopping
•  Relationships-My sweetheart for life

Looking Forward.

Jonell

What About Father's Day?

One of my SOAP BOX ISSUES- Father's Day in the U.S.A

It so bothers me that we in our culture flip for Mothers

on that day on the calendar labeled Mother's Day

We all get 'over the top' sentimental, mushy, emotional

as we honor our Moms. Nothing wrong with that

-but what happens on Father's Day?

Have we in our culture totally forgotten or set aside & ignored

the importance to our civilization that Fathers are..Fathers

present and functioning in the in the FAMILY?

Fathers actually Showing Up

A Time for Sisters-

My 'baby sister' and I have never had the luxury of living in the same town, or state [as adults] .  Since 1975 we can  count [ w/o running out of fingers] the times we have spent .together.  So you will understand
that her visit Is such an over the top blessing.  We just enjoyed 5 days with her and her husband and that was not enough.  We needed 3 more days just to use up all  the groceries I had stashed away in the freezer and pantry

Some of Us Just Like the Spotlight, Don't We?

Are you [like me] one of those people who are drawn to the spotlight?  Do you often end up "Center Stage"? Are you most often the leader, the Committee Chairman or the 'Go To" person?

No pretense here:  "I can relate to that."  As I analyze my own personality and look back at my history I have to be honest.  I am pretty much a Performer, a Producer, a Planner, a Promoter. That's me.

Gramma Was a Farmgirl..Imagine That~

It's ReRun Monday Just As I Promised ~



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

As a child growing up in  rural south Georgia  we always ate whatever was growing in the garden - in season.  We ate the same food all time except

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

Small patch but great Tomato harvest that season

When  I was 10 years old I was the official cook for the noon meal & that meant I got to prepare lunch while other family members continued with the farm work.  Summers were quite hot, the work usually meant hot and sweaty so needless to say I was eager to accept this assignment.  

We ate pretty much the same things every day [ in case you missed the first time I said it]. The menu changed if there was something ready to be harvested...field peas, butter beans, squash,  corn, cucumbers etc.  When fresh from the garden produce was scarce there was the basic pantry stock of dried peas, beans.

Nothing like the little bitty summer squash..Love 'em

all the usual ways but especially added [along w onions]

to old fashioned [yes, fried] CORNBREAD. I know, we can't

eat it often but as a decadent treat occasionally surely it

won't be the "death of us"

.  As the years passed and opportunity for new experiences came into my life I learned about  new and interesting foods like Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Shrimp cocktail, Grilled Salmon, Boiled Shrimp. I discovered that people in different parts of the country grew different vegetables and fruits. My husband never did get  excited about these discoveries. His favorite diet still would be Steak, potatoes, peas, beans, macaroni & cheese-you get the idea. 

 

The next best thing to having a Pear tree in your back yard
is having a neighbor with a Pear tree in her back yard-with
an open invitation to Pick What You Want

Funny thing as I have gotten older especially the past 10-15 years I crave the familiar food from my childhood.  That would be the fried conbread, lima beans, new potatoes w fresh green beans. I did "get over" all the southern fried chicken though. Many years ago we substituted baked chicken/breasts for the  less healthy southern fried entree. Even some of the foods I didn't like as a child I now claim as part of my heritage.  That would turnip greens, collards, rutabagas. Funny how we run back to Our Roots and embrace it with such eagerness and joy.  

Remember what so many have said: "You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl."

Why did it take me half my life to discover
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

All I Want for Mother's Day -

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

Comfort - Convenience - Space - Solitude 

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

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

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

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

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

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

the hugs & kisses. 

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

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

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

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

of our children and their spouses especially.  

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

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

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

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

Asked them  more questions ..

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

When asked!

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

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

Go to the kitchen, start the Coffee-

Go to the bathroom - Brush your teeth .

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

without first brushing my teeth.

Mixing It Up- Familiar Scenes and Early Spring 2015

If these scenes look familiar..perhaps you were visiting Like Gramma's House last summer. 

 Some of my blog followers are local..and many of you I have not seen in quite a while. Imagine if  we had a few minutes of quality time to 'catch up'?..

 

or just sit a spell..and wait for inspiration to find us?  

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