Throw-back Thursday

Many years ago, I wrote for a family magazine about the experiences of being a grandmother.  This article  was from 1993.
Enjoy!

                               All Dressed Up For Easter

Spring time and Easter are very special times of the year for me.
I can smell the wonderful fragrance of hyacinths and as my neighbor says, "It takes me back!"  Some of my favorite memories are of dyeing eggs (that was always so exciting), family egg hunts, and new clothes!

I always had everything new to wear to church Easter sunday.  My mother was an expert seamstress.  It has taken me many years to fully appreciate how special the Easter dresses she made for me were.  I always wished I had a "ready made" one.

When our children were growing up, new clothes were very important on Easter. I always thought, contrary to popular opinion, that boys could be dressed just as cute as girls.  With my first born, Steven, he proved my point.  I remember a pale yellow Eton suit, white shirt with peter pan collar, white knee socks, and white shoes.    He looked precious!

Then along came Rob...Those same kinds of clothes just did not work!  For some reason they just did not stay on his body.  I remember one Easter sunday in particular.  He was probably five and looked so cute when he went in his Sunday School class.  As he in to the sanctuary looking for us before church, this is what I remember seeing:  His necktie was tied around his head...indian style.  His shirttail was out.  And his white slacks had a hole in the knee.  He was totally unaware of my distress!

This is the same child who, several years later, had the congregation complaining to  the ushers that something...possibly insulation... was falling from the ceiling.  To my dismay, Rob was discovered on the front row of the balcony, picking fuzz off his sweater and tossing it over the rail!

Aren't we glad our children are different?

It is always a joy to watch them become "real people".  

Love,
MiMi

All Things Bright and Beautiful

My peonies are a wonderful gift this year!

 

                                 

                                    Don't the pink ones just sing wedding?

The hot pink one is cuddled up to an iris that makes an instant bouquet.      

              This is a unique one.  After the petals fall, it is still pretty        with a dark pink center.

All things bright and beautiful, and the Lord made them all.

                                                                                 

                                                Between Naps on the Porch
                                                                 Come visit!

My New White Picket Fence

When I heard that the "fence" people were coming the next day, I walked out to my garden and snapped a few pics.  Who knows what will survive.

My carolina jasmine is just starting to bloom.

To help you understand what my garden consists of, we live in a town home very close to the Tennessee River.   Our back yard consists of a path and parking for two cars.  Yes, we have a garage but that is for "the lady", my golf cart that I use for fishing.  Our fence is approximately twenty-five years old.  So it was time.

This is a knock-out rose that we pruned last fall.  The "fence man" said we should "cut this waay back".

This is the third year for my peonies.  Up until this year, they have had a few blooms but this year they are loaded with buds.

I wonder if my "endless summer" hydrangea will survive the "fence man's" big feet.

           My lenten roses always announce Spring is coming.

Armadi clematis is starting to bloom.  It's fragrance is wonderful.

I wasn't sure any of my garden would survive.  Everyone told me that there was "nothing I could do".  I knew I had to try.  I need you to visualize this:  red crepe paper streamers tied around every "plant that I have to save".  Sorry, I'm never good at taking "before" pics.

I know this post is getting long but I have to show you.....Just the pics, not much talking.

The fence men did great!  They did it all by hand instead of using their auger.  (big drill-looking machine)  I stayed out there with them.  I know they loved that.  The red crepe paper didn't hurt either.

This vine called "Jackson vine" came with us when we moved from Jackson street.  I hope it makes it.

                                                          Other side of drive...

Is that a shirt I see hanging on the lamp post?

Lord, have mercy!

Lime tree on the right

Fig tree

Thanks for coming by.  I hope you enjoyed my garden path.

                                                

                                                     

                                                                       Come Visit
                                                           Between Naps On the Porch

Bittersweet Mothers Day

Mother and me

My sister, Sue (she is the baby) and me. My Mother made these dresses. Aren’t we precious!

My Mother was celebrating her 92nd Birthday here.   She was a beautiful lady and a wonderful mother.   She has been gone one year.   I miss her so much.

A New "Big Bird"

Remember all those sweet little bird photos I took during the snow?  Well, I made these from the same window today.  Wow!



I had my camera lens poked thru the blinds.  I was so afraid he would fly before I could focus.  I think he was looking for my “sweet little birds”.



I guess I was in shock!  We have bird feeders that my mother always enjoyed watching ( our sweet, little birds) from this same window.






Stan(my sweet husband) says this is a “chicken hawk”.  His prey is chickens, small animals, and “sweet, little birds”.



Oh, dear…

Angels and Empty Pots

We had about two hours of glorious sunshine today!  Angels and empty pots everywhere!  I wonder….could these angels fill these empty pots???
This sweet thing is actually a little lamp.  See her wick on her halo? 

Surely she can handle these two pots?



                                                            Praying always helps!

                     



I think this precious thing has allergies. See him rubbing his eyes?



                     I believe in  angels….so we’ll see.

The Very Best Cornbread!

A tutorial for “the best cornbread” ever!

These are your ingredients: 




First, I cannot imagine making cornbread in anything other than an iron skillet.  (Just sayin) Preheat 
oven to 425.  At this time put skillet (with 1 T. oil) in oven.
1 cup of self-rising cornmeal  (Martha White or White Lily)
1 cup buttermilk….must use buttermilk! 
1 egg
2T canola oil

Mix with spoon...



Pour into hot skillet. Bake @425 until brown.





I always flip the pone over when done  Slice and serve straight from the skillet.  All you need now is some real butter!


Sooo good!