March Madness Here at the Home Place

 

Good evening Friends.  It has been quite a while since we have visited.  Where does time go?  Spring has arrived here at the home place.  All the trees are wearing such pretty blooms and leaves are showing signs of growth and new beginnings.  Here at the home place the pollen has also made its grand appearance and all the outside porches and furniture are covered in that yellow dust we know as pollen.  Ugh!!!  Will be glad when that is gone. 

 

As you know already Holly and her family are staying with us until their house is finished being built.  It has seemed like a long running pajama party.  It's been such fun having them here with us, and to be honest, I have just let things go and we have been busy having fun.  Thus the reason for my absence on the blog.  So I will try and catch you up on our trips and activities.  Get comfy and let's get started.

 

Our first outing in March was a trip next door into Alabama to a huge flea market called Top of the Mountain.  It is near Gadsden,Alabama.  We left early in the morning as it was a good long trip.  We were all greatly disappointed in the flea market.  It was huge, but the booths were full of new merchandise,,,, socks, cell phone cases, tee shirts, purses and the like..  Mr, P. managed to find one booth with a few old tools and such and got a few items.  I never found anything. But it ended being such a fun trip.  We saw signs for a restaurant we had heard so much about and being we had not had lunch we decided to find it.  It was Top of the River.  There was a beautiful river you could view outside your window as you had your meal.  The fish was wonderful.

 

 

As we were leaving I overheard a group talking about a park close by, so Holly googled it and we were only minutes away.  So off we went on another adventure.

 

 

It was a beautiful place and had a great history lesson for Darbee Rae.  A young Indian girl took her life by jumping into the falls because her Daddy was going to offer her in marriage as a peace offering with another tribe. 

 

 

 

Another weekend, we decided to go on a trip to Peaches to Beaches Yard Sale.  The yard sales started

in south Georgia and went down the coast of Georgia.  It was a beautiful day and we were excited when we left out.

 

We did have more success on this trip than the last one.  The best part was the anticipation at each stop we made.   Just look at this little painted camper displaying their goods for sale.

 

 

 Never knew what you might find.  We drove miles when all you saw were pecan trees and peach orchards.  Too bad it wasn't time for the peaches to be ripe. They were so pretty.

 

 

 

We never made it to the beach as it was getting late in the afternoon and we had a way to travel back home.  Again, we took a detour and had a late lunch in Juliette, Ga.  The little town famous for the movie Fried Green Tomatoes.  We ate at the little restaurant there.  So quaint and neat.

 

 

Of course we had to try the fried green tomatoes.  Yum Yum!!

 

This turned out to be a long, but fun day. 

Another memory made with our family.

 

Our last outing was a long overdue girl's trip.  Holly, Darbee Rae and myself.  It was a quick trip and the decision to go was made on Sunday morning actually between Sunday School and morning service.  We were just sitting there talking and it popped up... and that one thought was all it took.  We were on our way on Monday morning.  Yes, we went back to the Smokey Mountains and I was thrilled that we did.  As we were coming into Pigeon Forge we saw SNOW on top of the mountains.  I flipped out.  I was so excited and we didn't even stop first and get a hotel room.  We headed straight for the mountain to see snow.  Now for all of you who saw enough of the white stuff during the winter just close your eyes.  But I just have to show you the beautiful pictures we got and all the snow we finally got to see.  Like seeing Santa at Christmas.

 

 

We couldn't leave all that snow without building a snowman!!

 

 

We gave him stick arms, and all we had orange for the nose was a Goldfish cracker.  He rode down the mountain on the hood of the car and we were three happy silly girls.  What fun!! I still smile about that day as I type.  What a memory.

 

We also ate for the first time at the Paula Deen Restaurant. Oh my goodness.

 

 

You got to pick three meats, four sides, and dessert.  It was served family style to your table.  It was so good and we were so thankful we got a window seat looking out over The Island. From our table we got to watch the dancing water show over and over.

 

We had such a good time shopping and just being together making memories. 

 

Before I leave you I have to tell you about a sweet friend on Facebook.  She wrote Holly on facebook and offered a wonderful old Hoosier Cabinet to the Mister and myself.  They did not want to put it on the curb and wondered if we wanted it.  Can you imagine this on the curb?  I was tickled pink.  I forgot to take a photo of the bottom before we unloaded it from the truck, but it is in great condition as is the top.  Mr. P. has it in the shop for the time being, we don't know what we will do with it as of yet.  It is in wonderful shape.  Thank you again Sue.

 

 

The last visit I also showed you this picture of Mr. P. tearing out the old box looking bookcases in the great room,

 

 

Well, while the girls and I have been out roaming, he has been really busy working on the new book shelves.

 

 

Didn't he do a good job?  They don't come out nearly as far into the room,  and I love that they are open.  Now I just have to stay home long enough to decorate them. 

 

I hope you have enjoyed visiting with me.. I have so enjoyed chatting with you.  Leave a comment so I will know you stopped by.  Leaving you until I have news from our next outing.  Take care until next time.

 

Moving on My Mind

Happy Friday friends.  Don't you just love it when Friday finally rolls around?  I just love the weekend regardless of what we have planned.  Love lazy Saturday mornings having coffee with the mister . Life seems to slow down a little on the weekend.  Hope you have a wonderful one whatever you might have planned.

Well, it is beginning to sink in that this year we may not get a good snow here in our parts.  We have had several forecast where the "S" word was mentioned and parts of our state have seen a little white stuff, however this has been the extent of our snow flurries.

 

Sad isn't it?  And I so love a good snow fall.  Need to convince the Mister we need to move North.{smile}

 

My girls love it just as much as I.  Darbee Rae got to go out in her P.J's .  Not even enough for a snowball, however it was a little snow.  Don't my Northern friends feel sorry for us southern girls??

 

Okay,,, on to the title of my post.  No, Mr. P. and I are not moving, however Holly and family have sold their home and are having their dream home built.  I am so proud and excited for them.  SO,,,, with that said you can only imagine how I have been spending my days as of late. First, we have visited many  Open Houses.  Oh, what fun I have had.  Makes me realize just how old our home really is.  But that's okay.  I have been collecting lots of ideas.  You will hear more about that later in this post.  Just look inside some of there beautiful homes.

I love the GROCERY sign in the breakfast area and that all the chairs are a different color at the breakfast table. 

 

Such a big pretty room.

 

 

I wasn't the only one getting ideas from these homes.   Darbee Rae had her camera and was snapping away.  Love it.

 

 

Yes, I am so excited for Holly and family.  However there is one aspect of this I do not envy them.  Packing.  I spent the day with them one day this past week, and finally one room is done, and many more to go

 

 

I am so excited that she includes me in this journey.  I was with her yesterday as she picked out her colors and the choices she made in the house as far as upgrades, etc.  I DID keep my mouth shut and was so proud of her as she picked out what she wanted

 

 

Okay,,, enough of the new house information.  Will share the actual house in a future post.  If you are still with me, thanks for letting me share our exciting news with you.

 

Okay,,, when we last visited with you , I showed you a photo of Mr. P. making something for me in the workshop. 

 

 

Well the project is finished and here is the finished project!!

 

 

After we remolded the kitchen last year, I really missed my island.  So,,, now I have one, and also a little pull out breakfast area to sit and have our breakfast, etc.

 

I love my Mister.  I am so blessed that he has a talent and does things to make our house a home.  Once this project was complete, he wasted no time starting another improvement for me.  As I said earlier in this post, I had gotten lots of ideas from all these model homes. Well,,, here he is tearing out our old bookcases in the family room.

 

 

I can't wait to share the finished bookcases with you in a future post.  Well if you are still with me,, thank you.  I hope I haven't bored you too much with all my ramblings. Life is good here at the home place . Don't forget to leave a comment so I will know you stopped by.  You are all important to me.

 

Until next time...

 

 

 

 

The Joys of January

Good evening friends. Aren't we  lucky to be able to visit by way of technology?  Don't know how many of us would leave the comfort of our warm and cozy homes to brave the cold temps we are having this week to come visiting tonight. .But I am not one to complain about the cold because I just love cold weather.  While many of you prepare for the snow/ice you have coming your way, I get excited just knowing the temps are going to be below freezing.

So get yourself comfy and visit with me for awhile on this cold night here in Georgia.  Today was a wonderful cold day and I have to say I enjoyed it  to the fullest. My mister was so sweet and put some firewood out on the deck close to the door so I didn't have to be out in the cold too long to keep the fireplace going with a good hot fire.

Breakfast,,,, well just look at what I had with my hot cup of coffee.  Don't know of a better way to start off a good cold day.

After my morning devotion and Bible reading, I had my day all planned out.  With my favorite cozy throw, I began my day.

Did you make New Year's Resolutions?  Well I always do, nothing major mind you because I rarely keep them.  This year I promised myself I would work on crafts all year through.  And I began by making crochet dishcloths to have for little gifts for friends who might just drop in during the holidays unexpected. I made these a few years back and they are wonderful when doing dishes by hand.  I was skeptical in the beginning that I would not like them but they are great.  I also found a free printable on Pinterest as a neat way to present them.  I will try and make at least two a day until I reach my goal.  Then one chore can be marked off my list.  Today was a good cold day to work on these and so much fun.

 

In September at our annual craft show, stitcheries are one of my best sellers.  I began years back stitching them when we were on road trips.  Helped to pass the time while riding and time was not wasted. However last year we did not take as many long road trips and I had far to few stitcheries at the sale.  So, I have vowed to do at least one stitchery per week until time for the September show.  So far so good.  So I did work a little on the stitchery I have started also today.

 

 

Yes it was a fun day at the home place .  Just sitting by the fire, and looking at my snowman tree that I did decide to decorate for the months of January and February.

 

 

And wishing for snow that is forecast for the mountains on North Georgia tonight.  Maybe just maybe we will see a few flakes before winter makes its exit and Spring appears. 

 

A couple of weeks ago, right after the New Year Mr. P. came in from outside and had news no home owner wants to hear.  We were having septic problems.  Yes, one of the disadvantages of living in a rural area.  Oh my at least it didn't happen while we had house guest.  This was on a Friday afternoon and of all times he was scheduled to work on Saturday.  The first time having to work on the weekend in months.  Don't it always seem to happen this way?  Anyway after several attempts of getting someone who worked on a Saturday, the fun began.

 

 

These guys did their job, and then the poor Mister had to work all day on Sunday replacing pipes that were old and root infested.  BUT,,,,, all is well here at the home place once again. 

 

Yesterday being a holiday and Mr. P. had the day off from work, he started a project for me out in the shop.  Doesn't look like much right now, but I can't wait until it is finished and I can share it with all of you

. 

 

Can you guess what it is going to be?  Wish he was on vacation so he could just get it done soon, but will take a while since he is working overtime. 

 

Well I am so glad you stopped by to visit.  Not a lot going on around here , never seems to be in the winter months. Please all of you stay warm and if you are having snow/ice please be careful if you have to get out and about. 

 

Until next time......