Knick Knacks

Chasing Dreams

2012-01-15T02:41:00.001-05:00

It has been weeks since I've slept well; as of this minute I am running on 4 hours of sleep over the past 40 hours... I have tried the sound of rain, the news, exercise,and a boring book. I have finally given up and am listening to a wonder mix of rock,blues and country music that spans several decades and genres.

From Adele and Joe Cocker to The Band, John Anderson,Coldplay and Guns and Roses; the words rushing through my head and heart bring back memories of days long ago or stir in me feelings of longing for dreams lost, trips not taken and people long gone. They make me want to fly west to see Dawn, time travel back to high school, hug my daddy one more time and hold my babies now grownup...

As the first notes of More Than a Feeling come out of the phone I am drawn back into the arms of my young husband and the lazy days of youth spent laughing and traveling the country with friends and family from job to job. Frank, me and three kids in a Pumpkin orange Ford Fiesta on the way to Connecticut and a new life... Chasing dreams, looking for a future. Where did the time go?

The haunting voice of Zola Jesus weaves around me in the still and silent night of the house my parents built dreaming of joyous days of family gatherings and growing old together; another dream lost but found as I pass along their memories. Chasing dreams is hard work. I am weary but content to listen and remember and let The Band take me back to long, long ago.

Althea's Question of the Day : Why Did You Crack The Egg

2011-10-05T12:54:00.000-04:00

Baking Cookies today, pumpkin sugar cookies with green sprinkles and pumpkin white chocolate for the adults... as I cracked an egg into a bowl I heard a little voice ask "why did you crack the egg?" Suddenly we are having a discussion with a 2 year old about baby birds, baby eggs and nests... needless to say after 10 minutes it became clear we would never convince her there weren't baby chickens in the eggs... this explains her sudden dislike of scrambled eggs.

Up Stairs Down Stairs - I'll Take the Elevator

2011-10-01T22:50:00.003-04:00

I'm not much on climbing stairs, or mountains heck not even the bleachers at the football game. It's not the climbing part that bothers me, its the view from the top and the trip down!

As a long sufferer of vertigo you won't find me off the ground much of the time; however I have made several treks skyward this year with the help of my loving and understanding family.

Back in late winter as I was visiting my son Andrew and his wife Julie in Alabama we took a trip by The Vulcan that has stood guard over Birmingham for generations. As a young child we always drove by on our way home for family reunions or vacations and Andrew and Julie thought I'd enjoy seeing its new home and the museum. They were wonderful.

When I found out there was an elevator that took you too the top with a short bridge I thought okay I'll give it a shot... noone told me it was open gridwork and although I did cross over it I wasn't too happy doing so.

Andrew and Julie

The Vulcan tower and the elevator with bridge.

Skyline of Birmingham AL

The bridge we had to cross and the Vulcan with sun behind.

My next trip skyward was not so bad and I am proud to say I made it half way up the 129 steps of the Saint Simon Georgia lighthouse before the heat of Summer and the fear of climbing any higher grounded me on the second landing... I didn't mind waiting for the rest of my family to make the climb as I had a beautiful view and a some what cool breeze through the small window.

When Dorie (who climbed all the way up and down on her own) came out of the door she told me her legs felt "weird", I bet they did....

The Saint Simon Light

Saint Simon Georgia

View from first landing... so I climbed some more.

View from second landing... my resting place.

Dorie and Althea in front of the light.

Summer Vacation Part II Saint Simons Island

2011-09-27T18:15:00.000-04:00

Warning! Saint Simons is addicting... if you've never been and you have a few days it is well worth a trip. Our granddaughters, Althea and Dorie fell in love with it at first sight and two months later are still talking about the lighthouse and the beach. I look forward to making a trip there every year to explore old favorites and discover new places of interest.

Dorie and Althea in front of the lighthouse.

A view from the second window of the lighthouse.

I made it this far and stopped but Dorie, Althea, Frank and Becki made it to the top.

When they came down Dorie said her legs felt weird - I bet they did!

The light at Saint Simons.

The girls trying on sailor caps at the Coast Guard Museum.

Althea under an ancient Live Oak at the waterfront park.

Dorie, she looks so much like her mom in this photo.

Becki and Dorie just chillin.

Summer Vacation Part I

2011-09-25T16:59:00.003-04:00

I have missed blogging; I have tons of stories and photos piled up around me and just have not had the time to share them. Finally fall is here, kids are back to school and the heat is slowly, very slowly leaving us here in the South.

I had the wonderful experience of spending two long weekends back to back with my granddaughters Althea and Dorie along with Althea's mom Becki and my husband Frank this summer.

Our first trip took us girls to the upper state where we stayed at the cabin, spent time at the lake watching fireworks, visiting Hollywild a animal preseve for retired show animals and getting back to nature.

Along the way we stopped for photos with the Turkeys in Edgefield SC and some beautiful topiaries in Greenwood, SC.... hope you enjoy the photos as much as we did our little trip.

Dorie and Althea with Tom

Dorie and the Dinosauer

Feeding the baby goats

Feeding a Water Buffalo

Beautiful Fallow Deer

Mother Zebra and her baby Zedonk

Blowing Bubbles

???

Waiting for the fireworks to begin....

FMTSO - Fishing

2011-06-14T11:20:00.004-04:00

(Frank)

I grew up fishing with my dad...

Most weekends of my youth were spent at a creek or river in North Florida fishing for Bream but often we would head to the pier on the beach and fish for Red Fish and whatever else we could catch.

Growing up on the Gulf of Mexico we had our pick of what to fish for and fish was a staple of our diet.

(Buoy from our time in Maine)

I was taught at an early age that respect for the land, water and catch were a priority and we were always encouraged to leave a spot cleaner than how we found it.

(The dunes at Port St Joe on the Gulf of Mexico)

My dad not only taught us how to bait a hook, but how to remove the same hook in a humane way. We always cleaned our catch and never wasted a fish that we caught.

(Crappie we sent back to his Momma.)

I can honestly say I was a fair angler on land but I never developed my sea legs... Sadly I grew up in a family that owned a 30-40 foot cabin cruiser and no trip to Boca Grande was complete without a trip on the open ocean. I spent more time chumming than I ever did fishing and was quite glad when my grandfather finally sold the last boat. I have found that I can tolerate fishing out on the lake as long is the water is calm but still don’t do open water.

(Fish basket holding the catch of the day...)

In 1979 I met a young man whom I later married. To say he was a fisherman does not come close… many of our dates were spent at the local lake in Barnwell, SC and I still treasure those few times we are able to get away from it all and fish.

Some times I fish, many times I take a book or better yet my camera and I enjoy the day, the catch and the quite time.

(Frank again, on the dock at Fair Play and in the boat at Hi-Ki Pen.)

All our children fish or have fished at some point in their lives, we were known to pack the play pen and 3 toddlers up and head out to the lake or even for a weekend trip camping and fishing somewhere… nearly 3 decades later we find our selves doing the same thing...

(Dorie's first catch.)

(Althea in her fishing hat!)

Some of them have kept up the tradition with their families and although Becki does not camp or fish, her daughter Althea is a born angler. At 2 years old she already knows how to hold a rod and cast it and loves fishing from the bank with Dorie and their Papa.

(Fishing on the bank with Papa.)

My dad would be proud....

Out of The Office

2011-06-13T18:03:00.000-04:00

So, for those of you who follow my blog I must say I am sorry as I have been away from it and the computer for way too long. Family emergencies have kept me busy...

Miss Althea cutting her finger on a can of green beans sent us to the doctor for liquid stitches and bandages and then Miss Dorie decided she was going to scare 10 good years off my life and her mothers too when she woke up last week and was paralyzed from the waist down...

She is all better now but had what they call Tick Paralysis and gave us all a really good scare. Thanks to all those involved in her care at Barnwell County Hospital and MCG Children's; we couldn't have asked for better staff at both places.

I am ready to get back in the swing of things starting with this week's FMTSO - Fishing!

Floral Findings - FMTSO

2011-05-19T22:38:00.003-04:00

Field of Wild Verbena near our home

I remember as a child watching my mother plant seeds she had ordered from a catalog... the thought of seeing a green flower filled me with hope and wonder. My brother Brad, our mom and I waited for those first little buds to open and to our surprise, yes they were green. Those little green Zinnias sparked something in me and from that moment I was hooked on flowers.

My love for flowers and plants grew as I was just getting ready to leave high school; finding myself needing a class and seeing nothing I wanted to really take I followed the advice of my younger brother and signed up for a class in agriculture. Under the guidance of Mr. Christmas and Mr. Myers I learned about many things, cattle, various types of seeds, insects and soil judging to name a few. That same year our dad built my brother and I a small greenhouse and we grew seedlings to sell to the public.

My father also Roses throughout his life and I never see a yellow rose that I don't think of him... as a farewell tribute we covered his casket with a spray of the most beautiful yellow roses I've ever seen; years later our florist said that it took her 3 calls to find enough to fill the order but she loved our dad so much she wouldn't give up. I have a piece of an old climber that he moved 4 times to where it now sits at the side of our house and I treasure its scent and the memories it evokes when I see and smell it.

Our yard is blessed with flowers from various family members, some of them long gone such as my parents and my grandparents. Crinum lilies that were moved 30 years ago from Florida, Wild Violets and Four o clocks, Iris and day lilies. Then there are those that the birds gave us such as the beautiful Pear tree and a Magnolia in the front yard.

I carry not only my camera, field guide and seed collecting kit in my car when I travel, but a small bucket and shovel as well because you just never know what you can collect on the side of the road. I have saved Jonquils, Lilies, Butterfly-weed and more from a cruel death by a piece of road equipment and given them a new home in my yard.

And although my yard seems full and overcrowded at times (think Cottage Gone Wild) I always seem to find room for more...

Our one and only Azalea

Apple Tree Blossom

We planted this the Spring my mother died... I remember her singing that old song...

Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree...

Queen Anne's Lace

Bought from the local Garden Club

One of MANY of the Violets that bloom in our yard each Spring

An Apple Shrub/Sweet Shrub I found blooming in the South Carolina Mountains

A native Azalea I found in Fair Play SC at Carolina Landing

Althea in her flowered Easter dress holding one of my Daisies she just picked

Dorie holding one of the largest Dogwood blossoms I've ever seen, we found this specimen

at Issaqueena Falls near Walhalla, SC

Change is Good

2011-05-07T00:46:00.000-04:00

I keep telling myself this as I order new carpet and shudder at the price; clean out my cupboards and streamline my baking/cooking collection of pans, pots, etc; and redesign my blog... which has been the hardest, lol.

I have now spent 45 minutes changing background, templates, colors, etc and well I hope you like it. I believe it reflects what I am attempting to find - a simpler, calmer me.

Momma

2011-05-04T09:35:00.002-04:00

Taken by Daddy way back when... Brad, Momma & Me 1966

I adored my mom growing up, she was a wonderful mother and although we fought quite a bit when I became a teenager I am thankful that we became friends later in life.

Mom, in the "early years" was June Cleaver times 10! Not only did she help with Brownies and Cub Scouts but she was the President of our PTA. She did all this while going back to college at the old age of 40 and graduated at 42. Oh I forgot she was already a grandma by this time too.

Long before Craig was born she was Granny Jean to the neighborhood kids who always seemed to be at our house which was always open. She made cookies, decorated Easter Trees and Christmas Trees with candy and homemade goodies so the kids could grab something when they came by.

Even as we became teenagers she kept traditions going and added new ones... several years she took groups of us girls and the boys (Brad and Steve) camping at Fore Lake during Spring Break. I cannot imagine doing so but she loved it and we all loved her.

As I grew older and married she adopted Frank and I thought at times she loved him more than she did me :) She was a proud and loving Granny to my three children and we still talk about Granny 13 years after her death, sometimes with pain and tears and others laughing at her many antics through the years.

She was an avid reader, loved Days of Our Lives and had the wander lust of travel which she passed down to me! Not only did she travel to Europe several times, she also took numerous cruises and trips across America has Brad, Frank and I were often lonely and sent for her to come visit us as we were away from home working. She also loved flowers and was either ordering from some catalog or trading with friends; my yard is filled with her many prizes and Spring always brings me joy as the plants she loved so much remind me that she is always with us.

As I look at my daughters Beth and Becki, both who are young mothers I can see my mom in them and their girls... time goes on and now I'm the Granny!

FMTSO - Earth Day

2011-04-21T08:48:00.003-04:00

Earth Day brings back memories of high school where we celebrated big with music and picnic lunches outside. Games and gossip, friends, sunburn and of course the message of saving the Earth.

As a child of the late seventies and being a some-what hippy turned tree hugger I love Earth Day and the thought that we can and should save the world. Dorie talked about Earth Day all week and I loved it and am glad that she is being taught at such an early age about our natural world. She is in the photo to your right planting Pumpkin seeds with her Papa.

I am often found telling fellow humans that we (mankind) were an afterthought and placed here to enjoy what God made before us, plants, animals, sea and land and it is up to us to protect it.

Hope you enjoy these photos that were taken in and around Fair Play, SC were I just spent 3 lovely, quite weeks visting my hubby who was working in the area.

A Little Cabin Fever and FMTSO

2011-04-11T15:36:00.004-04:00

Oh what a joy, peace and quiet. No phone (well except the cell) almost no television and just the sounds of nature along with the ac lulling me to sleep.... yes it is Spring here in SC and the air conditioners are offically buzzing as are the bees.

I am here at the cabin in Fair Play for a few weeks and the kids and grandkids will be here soon for a few days.

I took a day off from my self excile and drove around to shoot a few photos for My Town and found a wonderful grave yard with ancient stones... I must find some paper and crayons to do some rubbings... yes I do love to do that!

I did shoot a photo of the church to stay within the theme but to tell you the truth, I could have stood under that Magnolia Tree and listened to an old time Sunday preaching for a long time... I felt such peace when I stepped under her branches...

FMTSO - FOOD

2011-04-01T02:04:00.002-04:00

How could I not choose this topic? Some of you know that I have a food blog so I felt pulled to cover this topic, and to tell the truth I really didn't have to debate too long when pondering what topic I would cover.

I invite you all over to my food blog: Foundations, just click on the link to your right and there you will find more photos and some wonderful recipes for many items including those I have featured here...

I choose to include this photo of Dorie sipping a cold Diet Coke as we were on a picnic in Atlanta and I love picnic food and a cold soft drink... that first sip when the bubbles tickle your nose and it slides down your throat on a hot summer day...

Peaches, sugar, vanilla and a whole lot of hard work equal...

Homemade Peach Jam.

A peck of purple hull peas waiting to be shelled.

Homemade Grilled Pizza

Heirloom Tomatoes from the garden and a little sugar and spice makes

A wonderful Spiced Tomato Jam.

Blueberries waiting to be picked.

Pink Pickled Shrimp

Pimento Cheese Slider

and Fresh Herbs from the Kitchen Garden.

FMTSO - Yellow

2011-03-25T00:17:00.004-04:00

Yellow is not my favorite color, about the only color I detest more would be Orange. I don't own a single item of clothing that is Yellow although I did once upon a time have a Sunflower Yellow blouse. I looked around my house and I do own a beautiful Yellow piece of pottery that sits in the kitchen...

Speaking of kitchens, my kitchen used to be Yellow so long ago. Back when it was mom and dads house, it had a Yellow wall and some hideous yellow, orange and brown flowered wallpaper. I cringe thinking about it! I do however love this shade of Yellow that the Barnwell County Museum chose to paint the new/old building.

The C.G. Fuller House was donated to the county for a library,

it is now being refurbished to house the county museum.

I realized while writing this that my garden holds very little Yellow although I did add some beautiful Yellow Daffodils last year and this year and they were beautiful... perhaps I don't plant Yellow as Mother Nature always drowns us in a fine mist of Yellow every Spring when the pollen begins to fall?

My dreadful Yellow hose! It tangles up and crimps if I look at it wrong!

Spring blooms here in Snelling when the flowers begin to bloom....

and the pollen starts to fall! This is Althea's hand and finger prints on the car layered in pollen.

The Caution Light in downtown Snelling

and the warning sign outside the Savannah River Site gate.

And finally...

the Yellow glow of the moon ... Althea jumped and said she touched it and I believe she did.

(I must have taken 2 dozen shots or more of the moon that night, and aside from lightening it up a little I did nothing else to this one shot that turned out just as I saw it... it felt like something out of a movie).

Violets Are Blue

2011-03-23T14:55:00.000-04:00

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

Time flies by and

We still miss you

Frank and I went to the landfill today and as we came back up the road I turned my head to look at the barn and the house sitting there so empty.... my heart sank and I began to cry. I miss you so much and well sometimes it is unbearable.

I turned to look at Frank as we flew along the road in the old farm truck and his tears were falling as fast as mine... what a friend we lost, what a brother we miss. It seems like just yesterday we were all so young, traveling the world without a care in the world... they say only the good die young, and I so believe it now.

Wearing of the Green

2011-03-17T20:54:00.003-04:00

Our Ireland National Flag that we fly during March to celebrate our heritage.

Wearing of the Green

O Paddy dear, and did ye hear the news that's goin' round?

The shamrock is by law forbid to grow on Irish ground!

No more Saint Patrick's Day we'll keep, his color can't be seen

For there's a cruel law ag'in the Wearin' o' the Green."

Saint Patrick's Day is more than a simple holiday to me; it touches my heart as I remember a brave couple who boarded that ship in 1842 bound for St. Johns, New Brunswick...

Dennis and Catherine Cussen along with their children left behind all they held dear to start a new life in a new country. After arriving in Canada they later went to Boston and then on to Wisconsin to settle. I wonder if they or my Great-Great Grandfather William ever thought of the generations of descendants they would not live to see. I think of them often, but mostly around Saint Patrick's Day when the entire world seems to become Irish.

While we celebrate with green beer, Corned Beef dinners and parades we often forget that a vast amount of the Irish people who came to our shores did so out of desperation. And while nearly 2 million people fled Ireland seeking a better life throughout the world, more than a million of them died on Ireland's soil during this time.

Table arrangement for our St. Patrick's Day family dinner.

I grew up listening to Irish and American Folk music and the sound of a good ballad sends my heart soaring and my mind wandering to a place I have never set foot in. I have been to St. Johns and found the surrounding countryside in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia to be breathtaking... oh how I wanted to be able to cross the sea and glimpse the home of my ancestors. If I close my eyes I can just hear the beautiful music that my daughter Becki and I listened to at a traditional Ceilidh while in P.E.I.

Our fountain gone green.

When our children were small I would wake them singing When Irish Eyes are smiling and put them to sleep with An Irish Lullaby (Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ra), they loved one and hated the other! Often they would wake on St. Patrick's Day to coins of gold or a golden nugget left by the wee people in exchange for the potato they had left out and we'd drink green koolaid or some silly something I made up...

This year I whipped up a complete meal with Jameson and Orange Marmalade Glazed Corned Beef and Carrots, Buttered Steamed Cabbage, Champ (mashed potatoes with chives) and Green Beans. For dessert we had Chocolate Irish Cream Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting... which were wonderful if I do say so myself... my son-in-law seemed to love them!

Corned Beef, Cabbage and Glazed Carrots and those wonderful Chocolate Irish Cream Cupcakes...

As I sit here at the computer I can hear Althea Clare (named after the county in Ireland) talking with her Papa; earlier she cried as Dorie Jean (named after a Dory which is a small fishing boat found in Ireland and other coastal areas) left to go home . I love telling them stories of the wee folks, singing Irish songs to them and helping them know where we came from so long ago.

Becki and Althea wearing their green at the local St. Patty's Day Celebration.

A Wish for a Friend

Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers—

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours—

Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!

If you'd like to read up a little on Dennis and Catherine Cussen just click to link below.

http://www.cushings.com/roots/cushings/cushing.htm

FMTSO - Chaos

2011-03-12T04:45:00.002-05:00

Bag search at Disney, Chaos at it's best.

Well it has been that around here the last couple of weeks.
Frank has worked 7 days a week for the past 3 weeks and we are attempting to get an old lean-to torn down and a new roof put on.

The chaotic jumble of stuff under our lean-to.

To top it off, the pollen has started and I have either walked around in a fog from medicine or blurry eyed and cruddy from not taking it.

Althea has hit the terrible two's and there is no telling what she will be doing next... funny faces, tantrums, crying spells and being just plain silly, it is definitely chaotic around here...

Althea on a recent trip to McDonalds.

And finally, a wonderful way to get away from the Chaos of life.... a jumbled up bowl of pickled Shrimp!

FMTSO - Sssss

2011-03-02T23:28:00.005-05:00

S has always been one of my favorite letters to write.

You can do so much with the letter S; curls, lines, Swirls and blocks.

Sneezing - Dorie 2005

Smiling and Snoozing - Rusty 2011

S also starts the names of some of my favorite things...

Spaghetti, Squash, Spices, Soups,

Sodas...

Shrimp, Sliders and Spiced Tomato Jam

Snapdragons, Sweet Williams, Spider Lilies, Shamrocks, Scented Soaps, Smiles, being Silly, Swinging on the porch or a Swing and Snow!

Sliding - Althea 2011

Snow - Papa and Dorie 2010

I have a SIL named Shelia, I live in Snelling, South Carolina and

my bedroom walls are painted Sailcloth...

Sign - Snelling - 2011

Everywhere I looked this past week I saw so many S things that I took way too many pictures so I combined Some into collages.

Steeples - St. Augustine and Charleston

Coming & Going Home

2011-02-27T08:43:00.001-05:00

Many songs have been written about returning home... Country Roads by John Denver has always been a favorite of mine to sing, especially while driving on long road trips.

We celebrate homecoming at churches, schools and yes at funerals. Today many younger adults are facing going or coming home to roost. Graduating college with little job prospects, loss of jobs, divorce or many other hardships are changing the empty nest into occupied territory. I was blessed enough in my life to return several times to my parents home... after my divorce my parents welcomed me and my young daughter home and we stayed there until I met and married Frank. I also returned home following the death of my father so I could be with my mom to help her and then when she became ill later in life our entire family of five came home and never left.

Frank and I have paid it forward several times by opening our door to our adult children in times of crisis; currently our youngest daughter and her toddler live with us. It is a blessing to have them here and I try not to think about the day when they will leave as I will miss them terribly.

I recently helped a niece move back into her parents neighborhood. She and her daughters will be living in a cute little house just up the block from her parents. I watched as her oldest daughter walked up the street to go retrieve something from Nini's and thought how blessed they all were to be so close.

FMTSO - Hip Shots

2011-02-24T21:13:00.001-05:00

I embraced this challenge and managed to take around 30 or so photos; only problem was that the majority of them were either a big blur or otherwise unviewable. I narrowed it down to these 5 shots which basically show you where I spent my last week around town...

Subway with the girls for lunch.

Another shot at Subway; now I know why Dorie always asks for chips -

it's because they're at her eye level.

Saturday night treat for the girls and their Papa - McDonalds for Chicken Nuggets & Fries.

Sunday morning service at Pleasant Hill Church.

Then home for Sunday dinner and rest.

Summer Berries in Winter

2011-02-21T15:44:00.000-05:00

I love berries; although I am allergic to Strawberries I have embraced the humble Blackberry as a replacement and use them often to make shortcakes, cobblers, etc. I also love Blueberries and would almost drive to Maine for a case of the small local berries I enjoyed eating there so many years ago.

I first fell in love with Blueberries picking them in Aunt Hazel's orchard when I was a child and we cousins would sneak warm berries right off the vine. That and taking a bite of the first apples from her trees are treasured memories.

My mother actually introduced me to picking berries and we spent many a day traveling to Allendale County to a small orchard to pick blueberries for a number of years. We took my daughters and while they sometimes picked they most often sat in the car and watched... last year that changed when we girls went on our first berry picking trip in years...

Beth, Dorie, Becki, Althea and I drove back country roads to a small farm in Aiken County, SC and picked blueberries for the first time in years... this morning as I began the preparation of Sunday Dinner, I thought about those berries in the freezer just waiting to be cooked and as I grabbed a container from the freezer I saw a container of blackberries as well hidden in the back (as they are the last).

Pulling a cookbook down I turned to my favorite muffin recipe and began the blending of basic ingredients, adding my own touches here and there (fresh lemon peel and a dash of Nutmeg) then added both thawed Blueberries and Blackberries to the mix. Lastly I added a squeeze of fresh Lemon juice, stirred the dough, filled the pans and waited for them to bake... the wait was worth it, as was the hot summer day last year picking the berries.

For recipe please visit Foundations, my cooking blog at

http://foundations-a-cookbook.blogspot.com/2011/02/summer-berry-muffins.html

FMTSO - Twisted

2011-02-17T22:05:00.000-05:00

Still sick, Asthma giving me a fit and its not yet Spring.... although it was over 75 today! I did take a few shots in the front yard and one inside for this week. Looking forward to getting back to the camera and the blog.

The above shot is of some old Lobster Boat Bouy's that I have collected and hung on the fence... you don't see too many of these in SC but I fell in love with them while in Maine.

This is the spike to our beach umbrella that is currently being used to cook under by my husband... that is until we get the cook shed built - someday.

Calla Lilies are a new flower to me; I first saw them when I made all the bouquets for my SIL this past fall. This is the same color she used in her wedding. To be honest I saw another blogger had taken some photos of some recently and they were so pretty that when I saw this plant for sale at the florist I bought it.

The way the petal spirals down reminds me of a spiral sliding board we used to play on when my brother and I were very young. I can just imagine the bugs sliding down and going weeeeee!

FMTSO - FRAMED

2011-02-10T00:39:00.001-05:00

Thought I'd share two examples where I framed a subject, while they are both a couple of years old I felt they were good examples. I am back home know in South Carolina but am fighting off another round of Bronchitis so I'm not taking many photos right now.

The first photo was taken after a rare snow fall for our area in 2010. I had walked around our fence and glanced back and saw my daughters orange coat flash through a knot hole. I stopped and peeped through it and then told her to back up and start walking again.

When she and Althea came into view, I told her to stop and I snapped the photo. Although blurred you can just makeout the darker part of the hole with a smidgen of snow caught in it.

The second shot was taken at Cape San Blas FL a few years back when I traveled "home" after 30 years. The underside of the boardwalk or pier was always a treasured place during my childhood and looking at it took me back. I just picked up the camera and focused on the water and took the photo. It still brings me a sense of peace whenever I look at it and it's one of my favorite photos.

Red Is The Name of My Latest Flame....

2011-02-09T02:57:00.005-05:00

Okay I just couldn't resist, I am SO in love with the color red or maybe just the idea of it... see it is that time again in our lives that we must do what we must and that is Paint The House! This is a hard thing around here, well the choosing of colors is.

My parents painted this old house a color close to Colonial Blue and it stayed that way from the early 1980's until 2001. My mother and I (who passed in 1998) had talked of painting it green and well it took me a few years after her death to jump on out there. I drove around the town searching for other green houses and found to my surprise that aside from the occasional green shutters or door, there were just not any Green houses to be found.

So I went to the builders supply and poured over samples, bought magazines and after several months settled on a light Sage Green with Pine Green shutters and a Rusty Red door and a paler version of the house color for trim. We loved the color so much my brother went and bought the same shades and painted his rental home in a neighboring town the same color!

Did I say I loved green? Oh yes, I went even further and painted my long Off-White walls in the Great room Palmetto Green which I love, love, love. My husband however says no more green... so anyway, the outside paint has faded (we do live in the South) and after 10 years it definitely needs an update and I looked at greens (husband said no, so did daughters), blues (been there, done that) and yellow (which is just not me or our house) but I kept coming back to the idea of red... being a lover of several things red... Ruby Flash glassware, Alabama Crimson Tide and those quaint Maine cottages which are often painted red; well it's decided, Red it is!

Now to decide the shade; Cinnabar, Cherry, Regal Red... the list goes on and on. While I have poured over websites and photos on search engines I have found some wonder Red Cottages and a lovely blog called The Red House; please visit it you won't be sorry. http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Now I'm off to the store so we can start painting the town (well at least our small house) Red!

FMTSO - Things I Collect

2011-02-07T23:33:00.001-05:00

Shells, flower seeds, cookbooks, recipes, strays, bar coasters, lighthouses (prints, my photos, and a few figurines). I have a small collection of brooms, some antique, others not. I am only up to 8 or so as I'm picky and the piece has to call to me.

I have only included two images (as I'm late) this week that I worked into collages...

it is a collection of photos from some of our best trips taken to the water

(something that I always feel calling me)...

And another of flowers which are something that I could not live without as they bring me such joy.

Family, Friends & Other Fine Things

2011-01-27T23:39:00.000-05:00

Flowers - Green Mums

Felines - River

Frank with his Favorite Dessert - Nana Pudding

Fried Chicken with all the Fixin's

A mural of a Farm scene

Family - Althea's 2nd birthday

Friends - Janet & Brad and Goofy too!

Weird Encounters As I Travel Along

2011-01-14T02:19:00.000-05:00

I don't know many weird things about my area... I know a few ghosts stories but will save for another time. I have seen some strange things in my travels around the U.S. and Canada including a "almost Moose"....

After several weeks in Maine and 3 days traveling in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI, my daughter Becki and I were on our way back to Maine... it was late, it was dark and there was not a house or light in sight... suddenly I heard Becki ask "Did you see that animal back in the ditch?"

NO, was it dead? I asked. "No it was eating grass" she replied.
What did it look like? I asked... "Sorta like a horse" she replied.

It's a Moose I screamed and looked for the first turn around.... We drove back, excited, high on the thought of finally seeing a Moose and there it was... a Shetland Pony hobbled along the roadside!

A photo of one of the weirdest things I've ever seen for sale.....

Snow Day

2011-01-10T16:38:00.000-05:00

Walking in a winter wonderland is not all the song promises... it can be very, very tricky; as I made my way around the yard checking things out and taking a few shots slipping and sliding all the way I wondered why in the world I was outside.

We had promises of snow or snow/sleet but as I got up for the 3rd time last night to check things out I quickly realized that while others were being blanketed with that beautiful, fluffy, white stuff (snow) we were being blitzed by a giant snow cone machine. Seriously, I could have made a dozen or more from the ice that was in my bird bath had it been clean...

As the day wore on the sun came out and of course it started turning into slush and then, yep the temperature dropped, the sun went away and it all froze over... so now we have a sheet of ice for a front yard!

Any way, I hope most of you faired better... or as well as we have... Becki just put the kettle one and we're gonna have a cuppa wonderful hot cocoa or flavored coffee to go with some leftover homemade donuts or cookies.

Something New...

2010-12-31T16:34:00.002-05:00

New Years Eve is here and I am in no way ready for a new year... it just seems that I got used to writing 2010 and settled into the year and now its over - someone asked me what my resolutions were for the coming year and for my life of me I could not come up with something grand.

I tried to say I'd buy no more junk, but we all know that's not true, I just can't pass up a good bargain and love making something old new again.

While at Disney I took a few good photos of birds I'd never captured so I guess I have NEW photos; I tried out a NEW mix from Williams & Sonoma and we bought a couple of NEW movies.

I am looking for a NEW paint color for the outside of the house and I am at a loss right this minute. I did find a color I liked but it is too pink.

I hope all of you have a wonderful NEW year and try out NEW things and meet NEW friends.

Christmas at The Black House - Snelling SC

2010-12-26T00:10:00.001-05:00

One of 5 trees we put up this year.

Papa and Althea

We celebrated Christmas three times this year... first with a family trip (3 generations) to Walt Disney World in Florida (along with my childhood best friend and her husband), then with a Christmas Eve Open House and finally with a family breakfast Christmas morning.

Althea, Pluto and Dorie

The Candlelight Concert at Epcot

Christmas Tree at Animal Kingdom

Christmas Tree at Polynesian Resort

I got back in the swing of things this year and baked hundreds of cookies with the help of daughter Becki, niece Emily and great nephew and nieces Mason, Trinity and Kirsten. We burnt up my mixer and I had to make cheese balls by hand but we had a great time.

Mason and his cousins Trinity and Kirsten

I tried a new punch out on family and friends and it was a great hit...

Red Stag Jim Beam, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry Juice, Limeade and Sierra Mist.

Red Stag punch in my beautiful Ruby Flash punch bowl.

We included some long held family traditions this year such as the men cooking Christmas Breakfast
( I cheated and baked a Dutch Baby Pancake) and waiting to open stockings until Beth, Junior and Dorie came by and we included some new ones as well...
the Dutch Baby (it was wonderful - a mix from Williams Sonoma) and
"Crackers" which we all loved and decided we'll do every year.

Frank in the kitchen.

Dutch Baby

Our table, notice the beautiful fine china!

Brad, Aiden and Shane... In Memory

2010-12-10T09:34:00.003-05:00

Let It Be

When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And in my hour of darkness

She is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom

Let it be

Santa and Brad

And when the brokenhearted people

Living in the world agree

There will be an answer, let it be

For though they may be parted

There is still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be

Yeah, there will be an answer let it be

Aiden grasping his Mommy's finger.

Let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom

Let it be

Let it be, let it be

Let it be, yeah, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom

Let it be

And when the night is cloudy

There is still a light that shines on me

Shine on until tomorrow, let it be

Shawn and Shane

I wake up to the sound of music

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Yeah, let it be, let it be

Let it be, yeah, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be

Let it be, yeah, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom

Let it be

Evelyn's...

2010-12-02T20:43:00.002-05:00

I missed a week of My Town so I am doing two at once. It wasn't hard to combine two weeks as not only is Evelyn's my favorite shop in town, I am thankful for it being here and for the wonderful family that owns and operates it and for the friendship they have given us through the years.

Bereley Linder, who owns Evelyn's is one of the nicest people I have ever met and his outgoing personality has made a huge impact on my granddaughter Dorie who loves to visit the store and talk with Mr. Bereley.

Of course one of my favorite times to visit the shop is during a holiday and Christmas is wonderful there. You can always count on some type of homemade goodies and a wonderful beverage to go with it. This Christmas open house we snacked on Peach Pepper Jam over Cream Cheese with crackers and Cranberry White Chocolate Magic Bars while sipping Mulled Cider.

But my all time favorite recipe that has been served at Evelyn's has to be the Pickled Shrimp. I asked for and received the recipe from Bereley and have prepared it for a small gathering to a wedding reception for 100. It is a wonderfully simple dish and one I will gladly share.

Please enjoy the photos and if you'd like you can visit Evelyn's online at http://www.evelynsjewelry.com/ or their entertaining blog at http://evelynsjewelry.blogspot.com/ and if you just happen to drop by our small town please visit the store and tell him Camella sent you!

Guilty Pleasures

2010-11-16T04:08:00.001-05:00

Sleeping late, taking naps, quiet walks on the beach and of course something sinfully wonderful to eat!

Here are a few of my favorite things.....

Fresh cut flowers; I love them and buy them often but always feel guilty about spending the money even though they bring me such joy.

My husband Frank LOVES jelly beans!!!

Chocolate... need I say more?

Palmetto Cheese... one taste and you will know what I'm talking about!

Cookbooks are a passion of mine; I own well over 100 and have given away at least 50 to my children.

Christmas ornaments at Evelyn's... you can never buy just one.

Trips to the cabin for some quiet time.

Mini vacations away just the two of us.

The Letter N

2010-11-04T23:29:00.000-04:00

Noses with freckles...

and noses with none.

Night falling softly - day is done.

Nemo's blue eyes.

New haircut for Dorie -what a suprise!

Native dancers put on a show.

Nothing like new fallen snow.

Newly weds... so long ago.

Camella and Frank

1979

Spooky

2010-10-29T20:01:00.000-04:00

I had good intentions of shooting pictures at some of the older churches, houses and grave yards this week but just never found the time. I love old grave stones and have rubbings from some that date back to the early 1800's from family graves in Maine.

Anyway, Dorie, Althea and Becki and I were on the way home this past Monday when we had to make a diaper changing stop and I pulled onto the shoulder of the road next to this old building.

After altering it to make it black and white and blurring the edges I felt it looked a little spooky and a little sad.

Patterns Around My Town

2010-10-21T23:39:00.000-04:00

Well I finally left home today to take a few shots for this weeks My Town Shootout. Hope you all enjoy!

A selection of quilts made by the Mennonites in Barnwell County.

As you can see there are various patterns for quilts.

A close up of the fabric pattern and the quilting pattern (lines of hand stitching) that was used in a quilt.

Rows of homemade jams form a pattern on the shelf.

A closeup of the pattern used to form my wicker love seat.

Bottled sodas line up in pattern in a game of ring toss.

Pam chose a wonderful patterned fabric and pattern to make Althea's Halloween dress.

Dorie and Berley Linder became friends when she was just 1 year old; his kindness and generosity have followed a wonderful pattern through the years and Dorie can't go to town without stopping by to see him.

Chair, Chair, Everywhere A Chair

2010-10-16T11:12:00.000-04:00

I have always been a collector of old chairs from the first chair my grandfather gave me long ago... A beautiful Windsor chair that in my younger days I had to sell to make ends meet. I have never forgotten that chair and have longed to own another.

When Frank and I were married we were given a wonderful gift of a old rocking chair his grandfather had made. Years of wear and tear had taken its toll and the rawhide seat was ripped and one of the rockers was broken. It took us years to finally restore it and we added a new leather seat and rockers but left the finish as is. It proudly sits on my porch greeting us when we come and go.

One of my favorite chairs is one I found at a local thrift store. It became the inspiration for my bedroom and bath redo. I was excited because it had a slipcover and when I lifted it up to see its "bones" I was even more excited as it wore a beautiful undercoat of Coral fabric that looked brand new.

I have chairs in my garden too, one hold a pot of herbs and a hand painted sign by one of my neighbors and another hold a burlap bag and whatever flowers are in season.

Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater

2010-10-01T06:38:00.000-04:00

Pumpkin Patch in Georgia Mountains

I have looked everywhere this week (well the 3 stores in town) for a Mrs. Smith's Pumpkin Pie. I have been under the weather and one of the things I can eat is Pumpkin but alas Peter must have eaten all the pies as I have not been able to find one.

I have had offers of Apple Pie (which I love) and Pumpkin Cheesecake (which I am sure I would love) but alas no offers of a fresh baked Pumpkin Pie.... my mother always made the best she added extra spices and they were so yummy!

Beth once made a sugar free Pumpkin Pie for her daddy when we first found out he had diabetes. He ate a piece, told her thank you and to never make it again. At least he ate his 'cause none of the rest of the family could do that.

Right about now I would settle for a Pumpkin doughnut from Dunkin's but we don't have one of those either. Maybe I can sweet talk Frank into bringing me home a doughnut from Anderson or better yet maybe THEY have pumpkin pies!

Memories of Rain

2010-09-27T17:56:00.001-04:00

Port Saint Joe - The Bay in Rain

Memories of rain; standing at the window waiting for my dad to come home. The wind is blowing and I can hear the ocean roaring as it hits the sand harder and harder. My mom and neighbors are boarding up the picture window as Camille is going to be close. Waiting and watching for my dad.

Early morning the summer before 9th grade my first real boyfriend and I, Allen are walking in a soft warm rain. Too young to date or drive, our morning ritual is to awake early and walk the paths of the forest to watch the sun rise, that day when it began to drizzle we just kept going.

Rain, the sound, the smell and the feel can be soft and refreshing or harsh and brutal much like love and life itself. Today the rain has been soft, going on and on feeding the thirsty plants in my much neglected garden. They are so thankful even the tall and proud Goldenrod has bent its head in thanks.

My first date with Frank was in the rain… riding to Augusta GA in that wonderful sexy red Mustang. The rain was falling and the one and only working wiper did little to keep Frank’s window clean, I was blind to what lay ahead and drunk with the notion that I didn’t care as I was in love and loved back. Running on Empty by Jackson Browne was playing on the radio as we flew through the rain towards our future.
It rained the day we were married, not a hard rain but soft and gentle and just enough of it to move the wedding inside, it was still beautiful. Crisp and clean, the colors of Fall touching the trees and making them glow.

We have fished in the rain, moved in the rain and mourned in the rain over the past 30 plus years, nothing makes me more humble or feeling alive than the sound of the rain hitting the trees or dripping on the porch. It’s reminder that life goes on and if just let it, life will wash your cares away.
May you my friends always have enough rain in your lives to give you rainbows.

Time Passages

2010-09-25T21:14:00.000-04:00

Loosing time, time well spent, time in a bottle, time again and again. Time is a wonderful thing or rather it can be, you can have too little or too much on your hands and many people waste it as I have been guilty of.

I went to sleep on Thursday morning September 16 and awoke to my full senses on Monday, September 20th with but bits and pieces of the prior days and nights even remembered. My surgery went well but my reaction to morphine did not, to boot I developed a yeast infection in my gut from the antibiotics they were giving me.

I still have to stop and realize that more than a week has gone by and I slept through it and even now I taking 2 naps a day to help my body get back to its hold self. My biopsy was benign so that was a relief but getting back into the eating and drinking game is giving me a fit. Not only do I not have a great deal of thirst but nothing taste the same or very good. I will have to give it time.

My New Old Flame...

2010-09-23T00:30:00.000-04:00

Years ago while I young woman I fell in love with a handsome and often spirited gentleman from England. He kept me company many a cold night and whether I was lonely or not was not the question as he always seemed to be at hand.

Some where in my thirties I threw him off for many who claimed they would calm me, were in the natural, the know and with it, not! Tonight as I settle in with a hot mug of Earl Grey I am pleased to note that there is still and Earl of Grey, the 6th in fact according to my Twinnings box and so very thankful for that envoy from China so long ago who presented the second Earl Grey with this blend of tea, it has brought me much bliss.

Jean-Luc Picard played by Patrick Stewart drinks Earl Grey; what a thought a bald french speaking star ship captain and a cup of Earl Grey... yummy. Don't worry Frank knows how I feel about old Jean-Luc, in fact I told him once if he'd look like that bald I'd shave his head for him. Any way back to Earl Grey, seems the secrets not the tea itself as it black tea, but that its infused with this wonderful citrus fruit called Bergamot or Bergamot Orange. Size of an Orange, color of a Lemon and shaped like a Pear. Found growing in Italy and Spain.

Lines and Stripes

2010-09-08T21:12:00.000-04:00

When I think of types of lines I recall my childhood and the beautiful Wisteria vine my mother had growing on her clothesline post. During the Spring it would bloom and scent the entire neighborhood with its lovely smell...

Of course being married to an avid fishermen, I know that a line is something you can cast, catch a fish on, break, tangle and cut. I have done all of these. This summer our granddaughter Dorie caught a Striped Bass on her line and her Papa put it on a stinger for her to hold up for a picture.... she thought it smelled badly.

Dorie in her striped shorts holding her striped bass.

Growing up in Florida I have been privileged to view or visit many lighthouses and many of them have some sort of stripes in their pattern. Out of the all the lighthouses in the world, no two are painted the same so that sailors can identify them by their pattern.

St. Augustine Lighthouse

I have included a picture of some of my tomatoes I grew this summer, look closely as some of them are "zebra" striped with red and green.

Bowl of Heirloom Tomatoes.

I wanted to let all of you at My Town Shootouts and my followers know that I will not be actively blogging after September 16th for weeks as I am having my ascending colon removed and a colon reconnection done. During a routine exam for polyps they discovered a mass that holds a high percentage rate of being cancerous so the standard procedure is to remove the area (including lymph nodes and blood supply).

While I may not feel up to blogging I will try to keep up with what you all are doing. Take care, Camella

My World - Snelling, SC

2010-08-27T00:11:00.000-04:00

four o'clocks by fence... Dorie's playhouse and our home are in background.

I haven’t written a good blog lately nor have I taken any photos other than family snap shots and those of my poor pine trees that were struck by lightening…. I have been busy attempting to get my life in order as I have been under the weather and suffering from depression on top of that.

With tests and minor surgery behind me, a trip to the dentist (to replace the filling I lost sometime between going to sleep before surgery and gaining my senses the following day), more surgery coming, the trees removed and new trees picked out I am just about too tired to be depressed any more!
I am going to miss those trees; it has been but just a few short months ago that I wrote about them and shared photos of them with the world and now 2 of the giants are gone. The shortest one was over 80 feet tall and 100 inches around (at my eye level) and estimated to be 100 years old. Thankfully we have a couple more so maybe the woodpeckers will return next year to nest and keep us awake.

90 foot tall tree stretched across front yard and two lanes of road.

Bottom 15 foot of tree with it's rings showing.

Althea and Dorie are growing like weeds. Dorie lost her first tooth the week before school started and we were all so excited around here. Althea thinks she is grown and grabs her purse and cell phone when ever we go to town now, she’s quite the little lady and she wants you all to know that she picked those shoes out all by herself.

Dorie Jean

Althea Clare attempting to keep the grass from touching her feet!

She and Nemo are best friends and I have given up keeping her out of the kennel and just try not to shudder when she lays down with him but I do draw the line at her getting in the food or water bowl and poor Nemo would just sit by and allow her to hand feed him piece by piece if we didn’t stop her.

Althea and Nemo

It has been over 100 degrees here for months, it has been the hottest summer I can ever remember and everything is suffering including we humans. I barely get into the garden now except to water but do enjoy the Four O’clock that seem to thrive in the heat as do the “Skeeters” and Gnats… how I hate Gnats!

One of my "crossed" four o'clocks... white with pink polka dots.

Hope you all are well and I look forward to getting back in the fray and will be sure to share some photos of the sleepy little town of Snelling, SC with you in the future.

Camella

Old Growth Pines

2010-08-17T20:45:00.000-04:00

Trees back in May.

It has been mere months ago that I last blogged about the pine trees in our yard. Standing well over 60 feet we have been blessed by 5 of these beauties in our front yard. They are Loblolly pines and until today I had no idea how old they were or how much I was going to miss them…

Back in May we were struck by lighting and lost our freezer, pump to the well and my husbands laptop, I felt sure it had hit one of the trees but could never tell, that is until about a month ago when its needles began to turn brown. Within a week or two it was dead and the one next to it was now dying.

Today as they are dying.

Seems that they have a huge root system that can span 50 feet or so and if the lighting hits anywhere the root system is well it can kill the tree… how sad.

I took my measuring tape today and carefully wrapped it around the biggest tree; 100 inches! I could not believe my eyes, so I did it again and took a picture. According to my husbands calculations using a program online this tree is between 79 and 100 years old. Imagine that.

100 inches = 100 years?

I will miss them when they are finally cut down tomorrow and I only hope the woodpeckers will make a new home in one of the tree we have left.

Trimming the limbs off.

The scent of pines is everywhere... so are the branches.

How My Garden Grows

2010-08-10T22:59:00.000-04:00

Polka Dot Four O'Clocks

Sleepy Hibiscus and Lavender

Coleus, Begonia, Yellow Four O'Clocks and Herbs

The Smell of Something Good

2010-08-06T02:24:00.001-04:00

The Dunes at St Joe Beach, FL

We all have certain scents that transport us to a different time in our lives myself included. I can't walk into an older home without being swept back to my grandparents house; just the smell of an old book or an antique store can bring back wonderful memories of playing in their attic as a child... the same goes for the smell of the ocean, better yet the smell of Florida. Do states have smells? I think so, heck maybe I'm crazy but I believe you could blindfold me and take me to Florida and I'd know I was there from the smell.

Some of my favorite scents are fresh cut citrus whether its a lemon, orange or lime. I use these scents in my home in my hand soaps and shower gels and cook with them as often as I can as well. I make a mean lemonade that is infused with Rosemary which by the way is one of my very favorite herbs to use or just pinch off a piece and smell. I love going into my small herb garden and snipping a basket of herbs to use. I have even placed them in vases to scent the kitchen.

Rosemary Lemonade

Fresh Herbs From My Garden

This summer my house has smelled like heaven or my version of it! From canning pickles to making peach jelly and chutney or baking up a batch of cupcakes my kitchen and the rest of the house has worn the perfume of something fresh and delicious all summer long. I loved the smell of vinegar and fresh fruit and spices; if it were not so much work I could prepare some of these items daily just to enjoy the aroma.... On the other hand, my oldest daughter cannot stand the smell of vinegar and when I was making the chutney she stopped by and quickly left as she has such a distaste for it!

Fresh Peaches Waiting

Tomato Jam and Spices

Fresh Summer Squash Pickles

When I made the Cappuccino Cupcakes the house smelled like a high end coffee shop for days... it almost drove me crazy as it kept me craving those cupcakes. Of course Dorie loved the Cherry Pepsi ones with the Chocolate Icing but my favorites so far have been the Lime with White Chocolate Frosting.

Cappuccino Cupcake

Cherry Pepsi Cupcake With Chocolate Frosting

Almost Key Lime Cupcake With White Chocolate Buttercream

I also love the scent of Lavender and keep dried bouquets in some of my china/display cabinets to keep them fresh, I also keep some in the bedroom to help me drift off to sleep and calm me. My brother introduced me to this wonderful plant and I even planted my own plants two years ago and when they bloomed for the first time I had to walk out to them every evening just to enjoy their wonderful scent. I plan on adding at least a dozen more plants over the next year as we have all enjoyed them so well.

I thought about adding a few of my recipes just in case you'd like to try and not only smell them but taste them as well... but decided to just invite you to please join me at my other blog Foundations where I write about cooking and post many of my recipes (all recipes for pictured items can be found there).

Please drop by when you have a chance..... http://foundations-a-cookbook.blogspot.com/

Sisters....

2010-08-02T12:21:00.002-04:00

Sisters, all my life I wanted a sister to play with or share secrets with; I had two older sisters, my dad's daughter Joy and my mom's daughter Jeanne neither of which lived with us and one who I had never met.

I adored my older sister Jeanne, she was my idol at times, someone I looked up to, wanted to be, envied and yearned for. The decade that separated us sometimes felt like thirty and at times I gave up ever having her approval. Somewhere in my late teens we grew close and she did her best to tame me (lol) but I was the wild child, a free spirit. Although we have not been close in years, the memories I have of her give me comfort and hope.

I had the honor of being a big sister to a wonderful brother for almost 50 years; Brad and I were brothers in arms, building forts, chasing Indians and yep even playing Barbies at times (although he used a "real" G. I. Joe doll). We went almost everywhere together during high school and traveled together for 20 years on and off as he and my husband were on the road working together. I miss him daily.

I was lucky enough to marry a man who had 4 sisters and several sisters by marriage; they have bad a huge impact on my life and I love them dearly. Without them my life would be empty at times, easier at times, but surely less fun!

And finally, I was blessed to meet a wonderful sister all those years ago in 9th grade; Janet has been there through it all and she is my sister in spirit and I love her dearly.

One of the best books I have ever read is The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd; not only does it tell of a girls search for a mother but the sisters in it are wonderful and the relationships they have with other women is how I see the world... we have sisters all around us if we just look.

Cabin Fever

2010-07-30T13:09:00.000-04:00

My favorite quilt... at home in the cabin.

Well I don't have it yet... I have been holed up here at the cabin this week all by myself, that is until Frank gets home around 5:30. It has been peaceful (except for the neighbors one night) and has given me time to think and plan and dream...

I realized today that I am stronger than I think and that I am NOT going to let it get the best of me; loosing my brother has been the most difficult thing I have ever had to face and to be honest I have not handled it well but I hope today is a turning point.

I am looking forward to Disney World with the kids and my kids! Less 5 months to go... I am also looking forward to traveling to Alabama. I didn't make it down 3 times this year like I planned but there is always next year... perhaps Andy and Julie will host Christmas (hint hint).

About the only thing I "didn't get away" from was the heat... it has been just as hot here as it has been at home, oh well pretty soon we'll be complaining its cold.

Until next time,

Camella

Over the Roads, Through the Woods & the Streams To Papa's Cabin We Go...

2010-07-23T22:56:00.001-04:00

Ah, the cabin...nothing fancy but away from it all... a little spot of heaven even with 4 adults and 2 children. We girls spent a few days up in Fair Play, SC with Papa (Frank) and did a little swimming, hiking and yep roaming the country side.

The Porch of the cabin and flowers there;
please wipe your feet!

Dorie saw her first waterfall (she was not impressed), we drove 3 hours round trip to see a country store and ended up in the mountains with a thunder storm rolling in... we quickly turned around and headed back down! Eating boiled peanuts and laughing over some of the things we saw.

Dorie & Althea cooling their feet in a cold mountain stream...

The upper falls.

Becki footing it back up the trail.

Oh course we grilled out and yes, oh yes there were S'mores... I remember my first S'more and Girl

Scout trips so long ago... and no matter how much time flies or how many I eat... there is nothing like that first bite of warm marshmallow and melted chocolate bar with crisp graham crackers....

Dorie, Becki & Althea crossing the footbridge to the falls.

VANILLA PEACH JAM

2010-07-10T23:45:00.005-04:00

Chappell Farm Peaches

From the roadside stand in Kline, SC

To the kitchen of Camella

3 pounds of fresh peaches

Juice of1 lemon

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1 tsp Fruit Fresh

1 box Sure Jell

5 ½ cups Vanilla Sugar

½ teaspoon butter

Prepare vanilla sugar at least 3 days in advance (best if allowed to sit 1 week) or purchase store bought.

Vanilla Sugar: Bury 1 vanilla bean pod (scraped or not) in an airtight container with 4 pounds of sugar

Remove pod before using sugar

Measure exact amount of sugar into a separate bowl

Before beginning jam, place canning pot (with rack) half way with water and bring to a boil.
Also have another small pot of water simmering in case you need it to cover jars.

Peel, pit and dice peaches

Place into a 6 to 8 quart saucepan

Add Fruit Fresh

Stir in lemon juice

Stir 1 box SURE-JELL into fruit

Add ½ teaspoon butter
(to reduce foaming)

Add vanilla

Bring mixture to full rolling boil

Stir in sugar quickly

Return to full rolling

Boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly

Remove from heat
Skim off any foam

Ladle quickly into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch tops

Wipe jar rims and threads

Cover with two-piece lids

Screw bands tightly

Place jars on elevated canner rack

Lower rack into canner
Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches; add boiling water if needed

Cover; bring to gentle boil

Process 10 minutes

Comin down on a sunny day....

2010-07-09T17:13:00.002-04:00

Flycatcher, Catbird or Mocking Bird?

Okay, it's hot here; dang hot. Been over 100 for a few days and no rain in over a week... my garden is complaining, I'm complaining and the poor birds have been silent, that is until I turned on the water hose. I have tried to keep the bird bath full for the past week and it just hasn't worked, so I did them a favor today and well they repaid me ten times over.

Look close! He's on the bottom left side... An American Goldfinch.

The beautiful music they played while playing in the sprinkle was wonderful; and they all got along. Even the Mocking Bird didn't try to run anyone off.

Here he is again...

So in honor of my CCR days... ( do you ever stop loving CCR?)

Someone told me long ago

There’s a calm before the storm,

I know

It’s been coming for some time.

When it’s over, so they say,

It’ll rain a sunny day,

I know

Shinin down like water.

I want to know, have you ever seen the rain

Comin down on a sunny day

Cardinal....First he tried a shower in the tree.

Then he moved down lower to the bird bath.

Finally he took on the mud puddle and nearly drowned himself....

before flying away.

Fourth of July in Barnwell SC

2010-07-08T14:40:00.002-04:00

I have had a love for fireworks since I was a young child. My grandfather who was 95 when he passed away never gave up the chance to view them or to take us; once when I was an adult he called and asked my mother and my family to travel 6 hours to Florida to go watch them at the country club… we piled in the car and went!

I have viewed them in various locations, over the beach, a river, in my hometown, Connecticut, Disney World and once while traveling through Richmond VA we saw them from the car… what a beautiful sight that was.

This year we gathered at the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Barnwell to watch them, listen to the local military band from Ft. Gordon and enjoyed the company of many of our family who had also come out for the fourth. Top left: Althea and her Papa pointing at the sky. Bottom left: Althea and her mom waiting for another round of fireworks.

Grayson and Althea; seconds cousins looking like siblings!

Althea before we went to the park.

What a wonderful country we live in and what a privilege it is to be able to publicly gather and enjoy the music, friendship and fireworks.

Time

2010-06-28T23:21:00.000-04:00

Time flies, time heals all wounds, time in a bottle, the times of our lives... tick tock goes the clock. Hard to believe but 6 months have gone by since my younger brother Brad passed away, it just does not seem possible.

Recently while going through the endless Cd's of photos I have I found this one, I did not even remember taking it and was shocked to find it, but very pleased. It is a wonderful picture of one of the best Christmas' we had here at our house in Snelling.

Santa had come to visit Dorie and well I guess Brad decided he needed to tell him what he wanted. I don't know what he said to Santa but it must have been funny cause he and Brad are busting at the seams with laughter.

What a great photo, and a great memory of a wonderful brother. Still missing you, Boo Boo.

Love, Gert

My Garden

2010-06-15T17:18:00.001-04:00

I am sitting here hoping it will rain, again. It sprinkled earlier just enough to wet the apples in the trees, but not much fell on the ground. I feel like Lizzie in Lizzie in the Rainmaker at times, it is so dry here but life goes on.

I have added a few new plants this week, a Blackberry Lily along with a beautiful pale yellow day lily I bought on the side of the road outside of Aiken, SC.

My herbs are coming along well and the Lavender is blooming, I am going to find somewhere to put an entire bed of Lavender as the smell is wonderful here, especially at night. I dried a few herbs this week and used them on homemade croutons and stuffed a couple of game hens with some of the fresh rosemary and thyme... wonderful. It is nice to use our own grown things, not only to eat but to decorate the house with. I love cut flowers and place them here and there to brighten up a room.

Mommas apple tree has about 3 dozen apples this year, it is the best it's ever done and I can't wait to bite into one and make a pie. She would be pleased, so would my Aunt Hazel. Aunt Hazel always grew the best apples and I spent many childhood days in Jasper AL raiding the orchard with my cousins.

Isn't it funny how a simple sight, smell or taste can send you back in time to different places and memories...

Public Art

2010-06-11T03:12:00.000-04:00

The Sundial, on the circle in Barnwell, SC

For over 150 years, Barnwell's rare vertical sundial has given the correct time of day to passersby.

It is thought to be the only one of its kind remaining in America. Legend has it that this is the only vertical sundial in the United States and though erected two years prior to standard time, it keeps within two minutes of that. Captain Joseph D. Allen, a wealthy Barnwell resident, and a lover of monuments,

had the sundial made in Charleston.

Thank you Barry & Linda for choosing this topic; at first I had no idea what I was going to do, not only do we only have a small selection of public art in our small town but I’m nursing a bum knee so am not getting on very much.

As I decided to look through my collection of photos I did come across a few that depict Public Art; some are crazy shots of my children “enjoying” public art, some are of public art we’ve enjoyed during our travels.

Dorie, in front of Horse statues we saw while on a road trip.

"The Whole Wide World of Charleston" according to Dorie...

Monument to Francis Marion

Becki, wrestling an alligator.... and Andrew enjoying a glass of coke.

and finally….

A type of public art that is very near and dear to not only my soul but my family… the Pow Wow photos.

As much as I enjoy celebrating our Irish bloodline, my brother went further and embraced our Native American roots. Although we were not raised “native” we did live on the outskirts of the reservation for 2 years in Oklahoma and were always reminded where we (our great-grandmother) came from.

During the past several decades we began going to Pow Wows and selling Cree Style drums my brother had learned to make while in Maine along with wares from various tribes that we bought from. Brad, my brother loved to dance and although I only took part once, I was always proud to watch him and others as they enjoyed the drums, the people and being outside.

Brad and Dorie during Dorie's first dance.

Sadly, Brad passed away this past Christmas Eve morning with no warning and his death has been a hard row to plow as the saying goes… as I opened a file and saw the words pow wow I had to make myself look at the photos and suddenly I was transported to that field in South Georgia with the warmth of the sun shinning down, the sound of drums and drummers and the wonderful smell of Sage, Sweet Grass and Copal burning and the fry bread frying… and I remembered an old proverb he was found of…. There are no bad days, even when things are difficult all days are good ones.

Brad and Dorie resting after a dance... learning to drum.

Hey Camella! What's for Supper?

2010-06-03T23:11:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite past-times is food, not eating but preparing it; whether it is for a Sunday dinner or a wedding reception for 200 the act of sitting down and deciding the menu, the practice and then the preparing is like a drug to me. When I am in the kitchen, it me and the food, nothing else matters and please don’t get in my way!

Recipe Folder passed down from my grandmother to my mom and to me.

Some of my favorite meals have of course been those wrapped around my childhood and every once in a while I pull the recipes out of my mind and get to work to create a feast for Sunday dinner which could include:

My husband's plate...

Fried Chicken with the Livers and Gizzards

Fresh Collards, braised with secret spices and a splash of vinegar

Stewed Yellow Squash with onions

Fresh Field Peas over White Rice

Fried Okra

Of course we don’t eat like that every Sunday, but once in a blue moon my roots call to me and I remember dinner at Aunt Hazel’s or at my Momma’s kitchen table and well I just give in.

Two of my very favorite cookbooks...

I also love to visit local restaurants while on vacation and of course if there’s a cookbook I have to buy it so I can recreate a meal and bring back the memory of good times… it has been 5 years since we took a trip to Saint Augustine and ate at the Columbia Restaurant but we keep the memory alive by having a salad based on their Ensalada 1905 and Spanish Bean Soup several times a year. I grew up eating Spanish Bean Soup and my grandfather would always bring back some from the Columbia in Tampa when we were younger and I just had to try it on our trip. I was not disappointed and my family loves this meal.

CUBAN SALAD
This salad is adapted from a wonderful meal Frank and I had while vacationing in Florida and are a favorite meal at our house. It goes great with the Spanish Bean Soup.

Salad
½ head iceberg or romaine lettuce

1 ripe tomato cut into eighths

½ cup Swiss cheese cut into strips

½ cup ham cut into strips

½ cup black olives (optional)

2 tsp grated Romano Cheese

Dressing

1/8 cup white wine vinegar

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp oregano

2 tsp lemon or lime juice

Mix garlic, oregano and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl, beat until smooth with whisk add oil and beat to blend together, stir in vinegar and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper, add to salad and toss well.

I collect cookbooks of course, but recipes as well and some I have had been passed down for generations while others are new but will become old favorites soon enough like the Chicken with Penne in Vodka Sauce. My husband and daughter both fell in love with this dish and we’ve eaten it three times in the last couple of months. Even my 15 month old granddaughter loved it so it is surely a winner at my house.

Chicken with Penne in Vodka Sauce

Another new dish we loved: Italian Pot Roast with Herbed Polenta

Even a recent hotdog roast at our house was a chance to pull out cookbooks and scour the web for menu ideas and we ended up having 3 types of sausages along with the franks, homemade hotdog chili and 3 types of relishes along with sauerkraut, slaw and various types of mustard! And thanks to an email from a food site we tried BBQ Ribs with Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce for Memorial Day... they were wonderful.

I wish I had more photos of my food but sometimes it smells so good and I’m so tired or distracted that I forget to take a photo!

A Never Ending Love...

2010-05-29T22:31:00.000-04:00

When our children are little we often say... I'll love you no matter what. That is the love of a parent. A parent loves a bad child even as they punish them. They also love the child when they grow up into adults and become parents themselves.

This love often comes with a sense of responsibility or worry on part of the parent... what children (even adult ones) often forget or fail to realize is that a parents duty or sense of duty doesn't stop at a certain age or point in time... it is never ending just as their love is.

So when a teenager is late, or an adult is having problems at work or in a relationship or even with their own children... the parent is still concerned. When their child hurts, they hurt.

It took me becoming a parent to understand this, and yes I have often worried about my adult children... whether it is over little things or life changing ones.

Our extended family just went through a troubling situation and my mother in law has been upset by it... her child has been hurt and their life is changing in many ways... so she feels unable to do anything but wanting to protect her own.

Life will go on and time will heal, but what a wonderful thing to have a parents love to come home to; their arms to fall into; or just the knowledge that they are but a mere phone call away.

A Mourning in Fairfax

2010-05-27T23:00:00.002-04:00

I’m not sure this firefighter would call his self a hero but his attempt and that of the members of his crew were heroic… they responded to the call and gave it their all but were unable to save the woman who lived in this house… it has been 14 years since I shot this photo while working for our local paper and its image has never left my mind.

Every once in a while I pull it out and remember the choice I made that day… I was in route to an interview for a feature on a local antique shop when I decided to follow the fire trucks and see what was going on. Being a former volunteer firefighter I stayed out of the way but found myself stepping over hoses as I shot roll after roll of film, never really seeing what I was shooting, it was like I was on automatic. It was only after the fire was out that I discovered that the woman who lived there had not made it out and perished in the fire.

Although it was hard for me and I am sure her family, the paper ran this photo along with others on the front page that week; and while I have taken thousands of other photos, none has ever touched me the way this one did… every time I look at it I am drawn to the beams of light pouring through the burning building shining down on the firefighter or perhaps the victim or both.

First Cabin Trip of the Year

2010-05-20T23:51:00.000-04:00

My first trip to the cabin this year was wonderful… I slept and read and read and slept UNTIL the girls arrived that is.

At the crack of dawn every morning I would wake up the Althea peering into my face and Dorie asking what we were eating for breakfast. My peaceful week was gone but was replaced with visits from super heroes, a trip to a festival and sighting of creatures rarely seen.

As we traveled the mountain roads we were lucky enough to see a young beaver eating fresh grass along the road way and upon turning around we watched him slide down the hill to his den. A couple of days later we saw a Chipmunk running back and forth across the road, thank goodness he made it!

We ended up at a small town festival and Althea got her first cotton candy but refused to eat it while Dorie would not touch it and ate it off the stick like a corndog…

we sat and listening to 3 guys singing oldies and classic rock while sweating in the mountain sunshine, Papa and Dorie road the slide and then we called it done….

Papa Frank and Dorie went fishing from the dock and she caught her first bass which she thought was rather stinky but she loved it and having her picture taken.

The girls watched Word Girl on the television and that led to digging through Papa’s shirts to find “capes” which they wore all day; even Althea acted like she new what she was doing… they were so fun!

We ate S’mores, watched movies and shopped till we dropped…

2010-05-07T00:13:00.004-04:00

Things I like to touch....

My bed. Nothing beats crisp, cool sheets and a soft pillow to ease the body and the mind at the end of a long day.

My collection of cookbooks. Not a day goes by that I don't pull one or two out an thumb through the pages looking for something new, old or enspiring to cook.

Vintage quilts and old linens.

What fun to plunder for hidden treasures at tag sales, shops and even online.

A piece of glass, a seashell or trinket picked up from walks and wanderings.

Or a pot of herbs in the garden. Running my hand over them releases such wonder smells and brightens my day.

Nemo after a nice bath and grooming.

His skin is like that of a seal pup, smooth and silky.

But there is nothing more precious to touch than the skin of a child; especially that one little spot at the nape of their neck… this is where I like to gather kisses and giggles to brighten my day!

Teaching several dogs new tricks....

2010-04-30T21:28:00.000-04:00

My family has been southern born and bred for the past few generations... my husband's for the past 100+ years... I wish I had could have recorded our conversation at the dinner table...

C - I would have never believed in a million years that I would be eating Polenta but it's better than any mashed potato I've ever eaten.
H - Polenta (looking down at his plate)
C- It's cooked corn meal with milk, cheese and herbs in it.

I never heard another word for several minutes of eating and I asked H and Becki if they liked it. They replied yes and after several more minutes I asked Would you eat it again... again they replied yes. Empty plates and H going back for seconds confirmed that I must have done good.

To tell you the truth, it was wonderful. I worried about it while I cooked it, and added salt 3 times and then decided to wait for judgment until the milk, cheese, butter and my fresh herbs were added. I would rate it 5 stars even though I cooked it myelf.

Here are recipes, give it a try.

Herbed Polenta

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients

• 6 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 3/4 cups yellow cornmeal
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Bring the water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the cheese, milk, butter, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and pepper, and stir until the butter and cheese melt. Transfer the polenta to a bowl and serve.

We served it with this:

Stracotto di Manzo (Italian Pot Roast)

Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 3 hr 45 min

Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cups beef stock

• Salt and pepper

• 1 (4-pound) beef eye of round
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 1 finely chopped carrot
• 1 finely chopped celery stalk
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/4 cup tightly packed parsley leaves, chopped
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 5 cups red wine ( I had to substitute grape juice)
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and crushed

Directions

Season the beef with salt and pepper. In a large casserole, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium high heat until hot but not smoking. Brown the beef on all sides, about 15 minutes total. Transfer the beef to a plate. Pour off browning fat. Add onions, carrots, and celery, stirring, until they are golden. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Stir in bay leaves, rosemary, parsley, and tomato paste. Add the wine and simmer until it is reduced by half, about 20 minutes.

Add the beef, tomatoes and enough beef stock to come 2/3 up the side of the beef. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook at a gentle simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the meat is tender. Turn the roast every 30 minutes or so.

Transfer the meat to a cutting board and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Skim off any fat from the surface of the liquid. Strain the liquid, pressing on the solids with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids and return the strained sauce to the pot. Bring to a boil and let cook uncovered for a few minutes to further reduce and thicken the liquid. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Slice the roast and serve with the sauce and soft polenta.

I did not strain my sauce as I liked the texture of it.

Trees

2010-04-22T01:12:00.006-04:00

My favorite tree in Barnwell.

This old Sycamore stands proudly in an empty lot up town.

Once upon a time long time ago, I grew up on the beach… well two blocks off of it, but close enough. Behind one of our neighbors home was a huge Pine tree we called the Curly Pine, for years I wondered if it was really the curly pine or the Curlee Pine which was the neighbor’s name. Even some 38 years after leaving there, I still remember the feeling of coming home after being gone and seeing that big Pine which signaled we were almost home.

One of my favorite places with trees was my grandparent’s home in Polk County, Florida. Their land was full of trees including several varieties of Palms, Live Oaks and this one huge Monkey Puzzle Tree, they also had an old fashioned formal garden that is so rare to find today. Full of flowers and plants from around the world and native to Florida it was a wonderful sight to behold…

One of the first things my brother and I did once we arrived at our grandparent’s home in Florida was run through the grass to the “garden”. Under the shade of Live Oak, Avocado, and Paperbark Trees we would hide and play and sometimes just sit and image worlds so far away.

I have always been a tree lover and well at times a tree hugger, not that I’ve ever chained myself to a tree but I wished I had… several years ago in the middle of the night our local town had mature oaks cut down from around the circle to make improvements. Seemed that they felt a more cohesive look was needed and the older trees just didn’t fit in the scheme of things. Every time I ride around the circle and see the new trees and landscaping my heart mourns the loss of those old trees.

I have seen trees that I wished I could have talked to; a 400 year old Oak in St. Augustine Florida, a massive Buckeye in Wiscasset Maine and that beautiful dead tree I found on Pinckney Island. Imagine the stories they could tell.

Close up of Sycamore trunk and a fresh coat of Spring leaves.

Old growth Pines in our front yard, we are blessed to have 5 of these beauties.

Alas,this tree was not allowed to live as long as mine...

it and hundreds, perhaps thousands of it's friends were slaughtered for pulp.

While this beautiful tree was allowed to die a natural death.

Even after life, its beauty lives on.

Granddaughters

2010-04-16T14:36:00.000-04:00

How blessed I am to have two granddaughters; Dorie Jean and Althea Clare... Being a stay at home Granny, I have been able to take the time for tea parties and sleepovers, shopping trips and haircuts. Life is much simplier now, not so rushed or worried; I can take the time to enjoy what they bring to my life...

joy, happiness, excitement and yes, many, many smiles.

Althea in the arms of her Aunt Ju Ju.

Dorie and Poppa having a picnic in the park.

Dorie's first fishing trip and fish; she didn't care if it was misting rain... look at that smile!

On a one horse, make that Poppa Sled... girls being pulled around yard on old sled by their Poppa!

Bokeh

2010-04-02T00:38:00.002-04:00

Well I had look up this word and I wonder how many others had to as well? Funny thing is that it's Japanese for blur or haze and I have been walking around in a haze for a couple of months... just getting back to myself and wham its Spring and that means the yellow "haze" of pollen is falling, falling and falling around here.

Well thanks to being tired and hazy I posted the wrong photos and topic first but I am going to go ahead and post this one too.... I hope that I have understood what Bokeh is and look forward to comments.

Country Roads, Waysides and Sights Found Along Them...

2010-04-02T00:27:00.016-04:00

Photos 1, 2 and 4 were all taken on Hwy 278 near Grays, SC... just start driving from Barnwell to Bluffton, you'll know it when you have the right spot... it's breath taking. Number 4 is someone's yard; I just couldn't resist snapping this picture. As I stood on the side of the road, I was afraid of being run over or either shot, but the flowers were beautiful.

Photo number 3 was taken on a rainy winter day in Port St Joe FL, a small town on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

The 5th and 6th photos were taken in or around Fair Play SC, I fell in love with this old building; and the 7th one is of a ancient Indian Mound near Helen GA, I stood on the side of the road again for this on as I often do but I do get out and wander a bit at various times and that takes us to the final three photos... though two of them were taken in the Fall I just had to include them as they both take along the country roads of upper South Carolina.

The final photo was taken in a yard I have passed for years as I drive around Barnwell. Many of us watch and worried as the highway department changed the highway route and took part of his garden. I finally got up the courage to stop and ask could I wander around with my camera and this old birdbath just struck me as beautiful and a beautiful way to recycle (it's cracked and won't hold water).

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Old building in Fair Play, SC

A wonderful mail/paper box I found near Fair Play, SC

Nacoochee Indian Mound

Located on Ga. 17 just east of Ga. 75 near Helen, Ga.

http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/gahistmarkers/nacoocheemoundhistmarker.htm

Pumpkin Patch in the Georgia Mountains

Numbers

2010-03-30T13:02:00.002-04:00

It is now 12:43 pm.
I have changed 3 diapers.
Fixed 1 bottle, 1 sippy cup and fed Althea 1 banana.

I have made 4 phone calls and received 3. Picked up 6 dirty glasses or empty soda cans and dried 1 load of clothes.... I am listening to the 3rd cartoon and 1 crying toddler.

I have a doctor’s appointment at 1:45; finally as this is the 3rd week I’ve attempted to get in!

I just took a 5 minute break for 1 huge hug and 3 kisses from my #2 granddaughter, Althea who will be 15 months old in 8 days… #1 granddaughter, Dorie and her mommy will be here soon to take us to town….

I have been blessed to live almost 52 years, 31 of those with the love of my life. We have 3 children, and 2 grandchildren.

It is now 12:52 and I need to get up and fold the last load of clean clothes and start washing the 3 dirty ones left… I also need to make the bed for the 8000th time.

It’s funny how people can now claim injury for repetitive duties… I Googled repetitive and found 3 different types of injuries… repetitive strain, repetitive stress and repetitive motion injury…and yet we go through our daily lives repeating the same actions over and over.

Now, before I begin to repeat myself… I’ll call it a day for this blog, which is by the way the 33rd blog I’ve ever written and wish you all a safe and happy day… it is now 1:01 and I just sneezed 2 times which set Althea off to crying… once again.

Bridges... My Town Friday Shoot Out

2010-03-26T02:18:00.000-04:00

When I first saw the topic of this weeks shoot out I did not know what the the world to do... around here we have some pretty flat land and the nearest bridge is about 40 miles away... so I pulled a few photos from my back pocket and decided to work with them...

The first photo is of my grand daughter Dorie and my husband who were walking across a small bridge at Cape San Blas beach in Florida. I grew up in this area and we had gone "home" for the first time in 30 years. I was walking behind them and was struck by the notion that they were so different in ages but at that very moment you could see that they were so in tune with each other.

The second photo is a shot of the Swanne River... when I was a child this was the half way point between our house and our grandparents home; we always stopped here and ate lunch or took a break... many people who travel to Florida have never seen this side of the state and believe that Florida is all sand, sea and amusement parks.

And finally, the last shot is looking through the underside of the boardwalk out at the Gulf of Mexico.

Friday Shootout my Favorite Color

2010-03-19T00:43:00.000-04:00

When ever I am asked the question “what’s your favorite crayon?” I usually just choose Navy…but to tell the truth I fell in love with Green a long time ago. Today there are 20+ colors of green crayons …including Screamin’ Green, Inchworm and Fern. I have no idea how many paint colors there are, but my husband told me last year I couldn’t paint any more of the house green!

My mom’s eyes were the greenest of green and my dad’s were that gray that often looked green and at times mildly blue. Mine are hazel, neither blue nor green. Two of my siblings had green eyes, none of my children do. Nor do my grandchildren; however Althea did have a green face on her birthday and she loves her green spoon!

When I think of green, I think of a fresh spring day, with green buds on the trees and laundry drying in the sun. Flocks of Sparrows and Finches whirl from the feeder as I walk in the garden looking for the first bulbs popping up through the ground. I also dream of the land my g.g.grandfather left behind..Ireland. This quilt is an Irish Chain made by my husband's mother for my birthday.

I grew up on a beach where the ocean was as green as the sky was blue and we would wade into the warm water every summer like a baby climbing into its mothers lap; we were finally at home among the waves. I have long since moved from the beach and water, but they have never left me and I have decorated my house to reflect and embrace my love for the sea.

Although this photo was take a few years ago, I had to include it... this is where I first fell inlove with the sea...

Lemon/Lime Cake I made for Frank.

I did not realize exactly how much green I had in my home decor until this week’s topic... I have been stuck inside for the most part of the week suffering from a stomach bug that has made me feel “green” around the gills so I decided to shoot photos of a few of my favorite green things… I also pulled a couple of photos that were taken within the last year... one of those is of gourds growing up in a tree at my sisterinlaws house.. Patsy's garden is a magical place, one that is always full of life, secrets and usually something green.

I hope you enjoy!