Hanging My Head In Shame....

Yes friends, I am hanging my head in shame.  I have become such a bad blogger.  Just haven't felt that I had anything interesting to share of late. Thus my absence from blogland.  I have been checking in but have to admit haven't been doing much commenting either.  For all this I am so sorry.  Kicking myself in the rear and going to try and do a little better. 

So this post will be a little catch up  of sorts.  A little of this and a little of that.  So grab you a drink and maybe a snack and lets just visit for awhile.   If you have been visiting for awhile then you know we love short trips to the Great Smokey Mts. in TN.  It is about a 4 1/2 hour drive from home so not too far to travel for a few days.  Well last week the Mister and myself got away for a few days for a little R&R. in the mountains. 

When you travel do you pack a bag  of goodies to work on when you are riding?  Once we plan a trip, my work bag is the first thing I pack.  Yep, gotta sit it in the floor right next to my feet. Mr. P just don't understand how important this bag is to me.  I would be lost without it.  I carry a bag with me almost everywhere I go if the trip is going to be an hour or longer.  Yes, I can still enjoy the scenery, and we do lots of talking, but I work away the miles as we ride.

 

However on this trip we rode in this all the way. 

 

 

I have to admit, I did very little work on my crafts.

 I felt Mr. P. needed my help driving in the heavy rain on the interstate.  {smile}.  Don't you just hate riding behind those big transfer trucks and them spraying you with even more rain than the regular road sprays?  So instead of  one set of eyes on the roads, this trip there was two.  Now, don't ask Mr. P. if I was helping him drive!!! At one time he ask if I brought my work bag.   Was that a hint you think?  {hehe}

Despite the rain, we made it to our destination safely, and had a great time.  Thought I would share a few pictures of the scenery with you.  It had rained so much water was running from the mountains everywhere. 

 

 

The river that runs beside the road as you cross the mountain was white capped and the water was moving so swiftly.  Definitely not a day for rafting.

 

 

And because of so much rain, the mountains was definitely "smoking" thus how they got their name

 

 

We drove across the mountain from Tn. and went to Cherokee , North Carolina.  Mr. P. took me to the Casino.

 

  

I tried my luck on the slot machines, but didn't get rich.  Had fun and kind of broke even.  A fun time and then we headed back to cross the mountain to get back into Tn.   In one of the meadows before starting the climb into the mountain, we saw  Wild Mountain elk grazing in the field.

 

 

We really enjoyed spending some down time together while on our trip.  The day before we left, the rain stopped and this is what we saw.

 

 

A beautiful rainbow in the sky.  I never tire of seeing a rainbow.  We drove home with sunshine in our faces, and I got to work on my crafts all the way home.  {smile}. 

 

However once home, I had so little to unpack.  I hate to say it, but this trip I did not find many goodies at all.  We love the antique shops around the area, and there are a few primitive stores around.  I just didn't find anything new.  Are you ladies finding that there are not any new trends out there? My biggest purchase was this rusty and worn chicken feeder.  Don't know how I will use it in my decorating yet.

 

 

Hope all of you had a wonderful Mother's Day.  We had a good day.  We were in church with Holly and her family. I have been wanting some Knock Out Roses for awhile. This year,, well

somebody listened.  Mr. P. spent Sunday afternoon planting them for me, and I sat on the porch and watched.  Believe me , had I gotten close to them , they would have died!!  Hope they will do good.  Any of you that have them, have any tips I can pass along to the mister? Sunday evening all the family met for supper at Kathy's. 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday was a very special day for Darbee Rae.  She graduated from PreK.  She was so excited.  Mr. P. took time off from work and met Stacy, Holly, Kathy, and me for the graduation ceremony.  Darbee was so excited to get on that stage and show off in front of parents, and grandparents.  Sharing a few pictures with you.

 

 

 

Singing a song with the guitar she and her Mama made and decorated.

 

 

Receiving her diploma from Ms. Shanna and her assistant Ms. Amanda

  

Afterward Darbee Rae chose where she wanted to have lunch.  She chose Red Robin.  Guess that was a good suggestion.  The waitress' made her feel so special.  They brought her a balloon and ice cream and made up a cute song and sang,"Happy Graduation" to her.  Such a fun day for us all.  But this Nana was worn out by dusk. 

 

 

 

However today was  another day.  A good night's rest and I was up and ready to go.  Mr. P had brotherhood and supper at church tonight, so I was off for a day of shopping with my girls and supper out for myself.  Wishing all of you a wonderful Friday, and a great weekend. 

 

Until next time.

A Perfect Flip Flop Friday

Sending all of you warm sunshine wishes on the beautiful Friday here in the South.  Hope where ever you are today you are happy, well, and feeling the warmth of sunshine in your lives. 

I just love Fridays.  Mr. P. gets off work early, only has to work half a day.  And that makes me smile.  Whether we have big plans or just spending time together, I always look forward to this day.  Our azalea's are in full bloom, the little hummingbirds have once again arrived to consume their nectar from the feeder on the porch and life is good.

 

 

Yes, here at the home place it is perfect flip flop weather.  And I am so ready.  Do you like to wear flip flops?  I found some really cute ones and they wear sooooo good.  I think the hounds tooth and the plaid ones could even pass for prim, don't you?  Now just deciding which ones I want to wear.  Oh such decisions a lady has to make, huh?

 

 

Well it has been a busy week here at the home place.  On Monday the girls and I went to the big city {Atlanta}.  Miss Darbee Rae had an eye appointment and we decided to do a little city shopping of course.  A good visit to Ikea, and then I was on a mission.  I wanted to find the closest World Market.  Thank goodness Holly doesn't mind driving in downtown Atlanta and she delivered me right to the door of the store.  I was on a search for a glass/bottle drying rack.  I so love the ones I have seen on blogs.  I would really love to have an antique French one but can't afford the price.  So the one at World Market will have to do.  WooHoo, they did have them and I was a happy shopper.  I haven't had time to decorate with it like I want so I will share the picture of it now and will show you what I do with it later.

 

 

I have seen them used in so many different ways on Pinterest.  Don't you just love to visit there and get so many great ideas?  You will be seeing this rack again and again I am sure of it. 

 

We had such a great day shopping and were having a late lunch and Mr. P. called with bad news.  His transmission had gone out on his truck.  Luckily he was in a safe place and had to wait for a tow truck to come and pick him and the truck up.  OH NO!!  So the remainder of this week, I have been without a vehicle.  The truck is in the hospital to have the transmission replaced so for another week I will be depending on Holly for a ride.  Guess I should just stay home and get lots of projects done, but heck,,,, sometime that's no fun.  A girls got to go as long as a girl can go!!

 

Last Saturday I got a package in the mail from Dawn.  She had posted a picture of watermelons for sale in her store.  I just love visiting her store through blogger.  I so hope to go there one day and visit with Dawn and do some serious shopping.  If you haven't visited her, you can find her here.  http://hollyhillsprimitives.blogspot.com/

Okay, back to the watermelon.  I wrote Dawn and she was kind enough to let me purchase a watermelon and she shipped it to me.   Thanks again Dawn.  You made this girl so happy. I was so excited when it arrived.  So prim and so real looking.  What do you think?

 

 

I am going to make more fruit and veggies and add them to my old scale basket and this is where it will end up.  I will use it as a center piece on the table for summer.

 

 

After lots of research, I found a pattern to make the watermelons and I purchased it.  Going to try my hand at making some and maybe have my own watermelon patch this summer. {smile}

 

Well that is just about it for today my friends.  Almost time for the Mister and my date night.  We went out of town last weekend for date night so tonight it is just out to eat and a little shopping.

Wishing all of you a wonderful and safe weekend.  Hope you have a perfect flip flop Weekend.  Take care and until we talk again. .....

Gathering Up The Bunnies

A great big hello to all of you on this warm, sunny day at the home place.  Hope all is well where you are.  I can't do this post without expressing my sincere sympathy and prayers to all those who lost family or was hurt yesterday in Boston.  My heart is heavy this morning as a tragedy such as this has an effect on all of us here in the U.S. We can only pray that the one or ones responsible will be found and punished for the horrific crime. 

Today has been a busy day for me.  I was planning on leaving out my bunnies until May 1, but heck, it will be May before you know it, so I decided today it was time to gather up the many bunnies that have been keeping me company through out the home place.  They all decided to congregate on the settle until they get put away in crates for yet another year. 

 

 

Sometime I ask myself is it worth all the trouble one goes through to put seasonal items out, and then just to take them back down a few weeks/month later.  But I always seem to give in and do it anyway.  It makes me smile and happy once I get it all done.  And being happy in ones own home is what it is all about, right?

So much stuff to put away.  Mr. P. will bring down the crates this evening after work, and yet another holiday decor will began showing up at the home place very soon.  I love Americana anytime of the year and I get anxious to start my decorating in May.  After all at the end of May we celebrate Memorial Day and then June,, well Summer, and then July 4th.  So I leave my patriotic out from May thru July.  Add watermelons, bumble bees, etc along with it. 

So,, today at the home place everything gets a good dusting, a few things moved around, and preparations are made for the next seasonal decor to go up.  Yes, I feel like a store sometime changing out their displays.  And all of you know it's a lot of work too.

Mr. P. did a show on Saturday.  It was very disappointing to him.  It was the first of the season and he had never gone to this one before.  Upon arriving it was mostly yard sale set ups.  Holly went with him and she roamed and found a few goodies for Darbee Rae's playhouse.  At the end of the day, he was not too disappointed as two ladies who have a primitive booth in Spoon Sister's came a bought a lot of items for their shop.  They are also interested in him building items for the shop.  He only had a parking space to set up in so he had to just set things around.  Here are a few pictures.

 

 

While Holly was with her Daddy,  Darbee Rae was keeping me company here at home.  She had our day all planned out.  A day of crafting.  We made a bubble gum machine from beads and then I used the iron to fuse them together.  She patiently worked with each tiny bead.  I forgot to get a picture.

 

Then she had purchased little canvases for us to paint on.  She loves doing these.  She goes to an art studio in town and her Mommy pays for an hour and she uses their supplies and paints.  Several times she has gone with her little friends and she always does a canvas painting.  Holly is going to use them to decorate the playhouse. 

 

 

 

 

Okay, let's speed up the drying time. Nothing like using a hair dryer. {smile}

 

 

 

Our finished masterpieces.  Two more canvases to go on the walls in the playhouse.  Oh such memories we made.  So much fun. 

 

Well, I sure have enjoyed you stopping by to visit.  Break time is over and I must get busy again.  Don't forget to pause a moment today and be thankful for all our blessings.

 

Until next time

Friday Night Date Night... with a Twist

Spring has arrived here AGAIN at the home place.  Such a beautiful, warm, sunny Saturday today.  Does a body good.  Hope it is a beautiful day wherever you are today as well.

Mr. P and I always try to go out on Friday nights if only to shop or ride around for  the evening.  Well yesterday was going to be a special one for us both.  As you all know Darbee Rae is our only grandchild and she has only stayed over for the night one time in the 5 years she has been born.  Until last night.  She had big plans to stay the night.

Mr. P. came in from work, got dressed and off we went to pick her up.  We went shopping for dishes for the play house and so far so good.  We went to Walmart and Darbee and I went our way and left Papa in the garden section.  We were having a great time shopping UNTIL the phone rang.  Papa says he has lost his debit card.  He had taken the car after work to the dealership to have it serviced and was on his way back to see if they had kept his card.  No,,, I remembered he had stopped off at the grocery store for me on the way in.  A frantic call to the grocery store and no they had no debit card turned in.  By this time panic was setting in.  He found us in Walmart and off to the check out we went.  Naturally the lines were so long and we had to wait in line 20 minutes to check out. It was like Christmas Eve in that place.

Once home the search began.  First his uniform from work,,,, no card, then the bag from the grocery store,,, no card,  and last  the trash can,,,,, still no card.  So the call was made to the bank to cancel the card and hope no one had  found it and made charges to our account.  Darbee Rae had been so patient during this trying time.  Other than constantly saying she was starving, and being worried that our shopping trip had been cut short,, all was well with her.  Nothing a few cookies from the deli at Walmart didn't cure.  We were about to leave and go back to eat supper and Darbee Rae comes out of the bedroom, calling for Papa.   She has something in her hand..... Yes, you guessed it.  She had found the debit card in the bedroom.   Just a few minutes too late.  We were so happy to know it had not gotten into someone else hands, but a little late since we had just canceled it.  Better safe than sorry.  Thank you again Darbee Rae for watching out for Papa.

We had a rather late supper at Cracker Barrel.   What little southern lady doesn't love chicken fingers and mac and cheese?  Think we all felt better after supper!!  Wow, what an afternoon.

We had a little time left to do some more shopping before the stores closed.  On a mission for a new dress up outfit.  And we found a perfect one. What do you think?

 

And then there was more outfits she had brought with her.  A fashion show for Nana and Papa.

 

 

 

Oops, sorry about the greenery on the floor.  Wasn't there until the fashion show began.  Dancing can cause lots of things to fall from their original places. Thanks Darbee Rae for the performance.  What a fun evening after all!!

 

On any given evening you will find me on the computer.  Whether is is playing games, facebook, blogs, or pinterest.  Did I have my quiet time last night while Mr. P. was watching t.v.?  This photo should answer that question.

 

 

I tried, but Darbee Rae seemed to have other plans for this Nana.  At least I got the message.{smile}

 

Around midnight we sent Papa off to sleep in the guest room upstairs, and us girls had a p.j. party.  Yep, put puzzles together in bed, giggled, played with the baby dolls and little Miss Darbee Rae passed out around 1 am. 

 

Today was another fun filled day.  Papa went for breakfast and brought it home.  Darbee slept in and I felt like I had been beaten.  {Shhhh,,, I will never tell} Around lunch we went up town.  Today kicked off our Market Days around the Square.  They are held the first Saturday of the month from April until December.  Yes, another event that tells us Spring has Sprung. 

 

Do you watch the series "Walking Dead" on t.v.?  Most of it is filmed here in Newnan and Senioa.  Well the t.v. series has put that small town on the map.  There are lots of neat shops that have opened up in the town and we decided to go shopping there.  Do you recognize the main street where so much of the t.v. show is filmed?  Today it was bursting with tourist.

 

 

 

 

 

I love my old wood clipboard Mr. P. made for me.  I showed it in a previous post.  I have searched for some brown paper to go on it.  Found some just perfect for the board at one of the neat shops.

 

 

It is brown paper with lines and at the bottom there is a perforated stub with a different  saying  on each page you can tear off and share or use for whatever you wish.

 

 

And now evening is approaching and this Nana is tired and sleepy, but oh so happy inside.  Another fun filled weekend.  Making memories with my family. 

Hoping all of you are making memories of your own this weekend.  Have a blessed one.

Until next time.

 

 

Spring at the Home Place

Good evening friends.  Well I have to admit, it does not feel too much like Spring here at the home place this evening.  Today has been a cold, windy, rainy day here in Georgia.  The high was only in the 40's.  After last weekend, we thought Spring was here to stay but we were so wrong.  However Spring is in the forecast for the weekend.  Suppose to be in the 70's and beautiful.  Bring on Saturday.

We have had a rather busy week thus far.  Mr. P. has been trying to finish the playhouse for Darbee Rae and after working 10 hours at his job, he has gone there and worked until dark.  The good thing about him working there, I get to spend time with Holly and Darbee Rae and we have supper together.  Darbee now has a green door and electricity.  One more day for Papa and his part will be finished.  Then comes the painting and decorating.  Can't wait to share the finished project with you.

Mr. P came in one afternoon with me a goodie.  He had gotten this old oil can and ask me if I had any use for it. I love old, rusty, things and this fit the bill.  He cleaned it up a bit and gave it to me.   It's hard to see from the picture, but it has the patent number, the size of the can, and the states where it was legal to use it on the front.

 

 

 

I added flowers and it just speaks Spring don't you think?  Thank you Mr. P. 

 

 

I was a little late getting my Spring and Easter decorating done.  I have decided to leave it up until April is over.  After all Easter usually comes in April.  Thought I would share a few of the photos with you.

 

 

Remember when I found these little drawers just before Christmas at the goodwill store?  They were painted an ugly green.  Mr. P. painted them mustard and they have become one of my favorite places to decorate.  See my little pillow tuck... my third cross stitch.  I am working on a patriotic one now.  Never thought I would have the patience to do this, but am really enjoying doing simple things.

 

 

See the rabbit on the left. When I bought him the guy that checked me out said that had to be the ugliest rabbit he had ever seen.  For some reason he spoke to me.  But I have to admit he is quite sad looking. {smile}

 

 

Got this big guy at Rebecca's Thyme in Peigon Forge , Tn.  Sorry to say she is no longer in business and I so miss visiting her store when we visit the area.

 

 

Brought in the pan that goes to my hanging scale and did the centerpiece  for my table.  An idea I saw on Pinterest.  Don't you just love that place?

 

 

Grubby eggs on the old scale.

 

 

 

 

 

Remember this old stools?  We had one just like this at home when I was a child.  Now this one is a great place to display my seasonal decor. 

 

 

I think I shared this picture in my last post, but I just love the shoeing box.  A great place to decorate.  The little lady rabbit looks right a home, huh?  Well I hope you have enjoyed some of my Spring displays.  Now I am just hoping Spring will return and stay for good soon.  Aren't you all ready?

 

On Tuesday , Darbee Rae wanted to come and spend the day.  We were going to have lunch and craft all day.  And that we did.  Her Papa and I had given her a set of  matryoshikas [stacking Russian Doll} for Easter.  She loves any kind of matryoshikas.  She has a Santa one and a Bunny set. She learned that long word and all I heard for weeks was her pronouncing it.  Anyway,,, we got busy.

 

 

They turned out really cute, but I forgot to get a picture of them all finished. Maybe you will get a glimpse of them when she decorates the play house. It was a fun day, making memories with Darbee Rae

 

Hope you all are looking forward to the weekend.  Do something fun with those you love and make some good memories of the time spent together. 

 

I have really enjoyed visiting with all of you.  Don't forget to leave a comment or I will never know you stopped by. 

 

Until next time

 

 

Ramblings from the Home Place

Okay you don't have to tell me.  I have become a slacker as far as updating my blog.  I am so sorry, but life has slowed down a bit and there has been nothing too exciting to post about.  After all we all do laundry, clean, cook, and then start all over again right?  That train of thought, got me to doing a little thinking, and along with that my mind wandered back to when I was a child at home.  Most of you know my Grandmother lived with us.  She was home with me in the summer as my mother worked. 

My Grandmother had a day to do everything.  When she woke on any given week day, she knew what chore she had planned to do that day.  There was a day to do laundry.  There was a day to clean house.  A day she set aside to bake. And I can still smell the pine sol from where she had mopped and cleaned when I would come in from school on the bus.  She planned her day around the time the insurance man would come to collect.  Remember when they really did this?  And on Saturday we would go shopping.  But not until the produce truck had come and fresh vegetables were bought for Sunday dinner.  Back in the day restaurants were not open on Sunday.  Everyone respected the Lord's Day.   Yes, those memories are set in stone in my mind. 

So.... was just wondering... Do you have a schedule to preform the chores you do?  I picked up these little towels many years ago at the Dollar Tree.  Why?  Because they reminded
me of the schedule my Grandmother kept when I was young.

 

I always do laundry on Mondays.  So much to catch up on from the weekend.  Shopping,,, well I can add that to any day of the week when opportunity calls.  I love to clean on Thursday.  Mr. P's schedule at work lets him come in on Fridays after a half day at work.  So I love having all my cleaning out of the way for the weekend when he comes in. Saturdays are free...  I DO NOT garden and work outside.  So thankful Mr. P. loves outdoors and he enjoys doing those things.  Baking... well don't do that often but when I do, I love having something homemade for the weekend as well.  So there you have my schedule of chores.  I don't always stick to them other than laundry and cleaning. 

 

This past Monday, Holly and I had a shopping trip planned to go to Joann's in a neighboring city.  I was on a mission.  I wanted to purchase some yarn, and try my hand at making a scarf.  Valarie over at  http://lifeslittlegarden.blogspot.com/  showed the scarf she had made and was kind enough to share the link to the pattern.  Thanks Val.  You are too kind.

 

 

It is  hard to tell from the photo, but when finished it will be one of the ruffle scarves that is so popular.  I have seen many patterns but they were all to be knitted and I have not mastered that craft.  I was so excited to have a pattern for crochet.  On my To Do list for the weekend.  To finish the scarf.

 

I have a funny little story for you.  On Sunday afternoon Darbee Rae called and I could hear the excitement in her voice.  She wanted to know if I was coming to the evening service at church.  When I questioned her she told me she had me a gift and she was going to bring it to me. 

 

She was so funny.  When she came in the building she immediately told me my gift was in the car.  All during church she would giggle and whisper  that she couldn't wait for me to get my gift.  She even told me it was "Primitive" and she got it at the grocery store.  The grocery store???? Do I eat it?  And she giggled and said no. After service I had to ride with her and her mommy to eat. Her Daddy and Papa had to follow. She couldn't wait for me to get my prize.   This was my gift.

 

 

Too funny.  What 5 year old would think this recycled paper these towels were made from would be primitive?  Only Darbee Rae.  She said, "Look Nana, these are already coffee stained".  So,,, do you have primitive paper towels in your kitchen?  Mine are on display on the counter.  Darbee Rae will be just as excited to see them  being used as she was to give them to me when she visits. 

 

 

With all the winter temps. still hanging around, I have been slow in doing my Spring cleaning and putting out Easter decor.  I have finally gotten  Prairie  Style curtains for my bedroom and bath.  Put up a new shower curtain in the bath also.  Here is a photo of the change.

 

 

 

Sorry, they don't show up as good with the sun shining so brightly through them.  They are lined and I love the way they look in both rooms.

 

Yesterday I did start decorating for Spring/Easter. .  This bunny found her home on the old shoeing box. 

 

 

Will share more photos a little later.  Today is Thursday so I have to start my cleaning.  The afternoon will be spent watching Mr. P and Darbee Rae construct the porch on her Playhouse. 

Holly is preparing supper for her Daddy and myself.  Yummm Yummm. 

 

Hope you are all doing well and wishing Spring temps to all of us over this holiday weekend. Wishing you all a very Happy and Blessed Easter. 

 

Until next time