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 ]

Christmas 2011 - Brundidge

Glimpses of our family gathering

Christmas Morning Brunch for Two 2011

This was definitely better than any restaurant in the area.

The Season - The Reason

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

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

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

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

How do I count the things?

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

• 

  



"Another Life"

Harrisons Primitive Historic Old Farmhouse-Texas

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

 
 

 

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

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

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

Thanks Sweetheart!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank You Notes~

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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



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

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

Breathe Again~

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

Post Card From the Far North-

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Going Back To School?

 

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

is finally getting a long needed wonderful Face Lift and is

being repurposed.  As a member of the graduating class of

1959 this does my heart good! 

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

The right side [see second walkway on the right]

 is the mirror image of the other end of

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

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

have no idea what changes have already been made.   

I look forward to seeing the finished project.

The white rails of course are a recent addition .

Does anyone else think those front steps we girls

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

She's A Doll~ Pin Cushion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Family Gathering ~ His & Hers

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

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



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



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

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

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



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