Saturday, December 29, 2012

A Horse is a Horse, of course, of course.

The rain is coming down... I hear the lonesome whistle of a train nearby. But, look on the bright side. I feel good. I have great blogger friends. I think I'll have a little visit with you all this morning. I am from the south so I say 'youall' not You All.

I was down in Alabama visiting my sister and we passed this fence so, of course, I thought of FENCES FRIDAY. It was what was behind the fence that was much more interesting than all that wire, though. Guess the owner of the property didn't have the real thing so he had cut-outs and statuary standing in his pasture. Poor thing, but, hey, he doesn't have to feed them!!

Aren't they just the cutest ever?



Have a great weekend, youall.

Latane

Hey, I just checked with Friday Fences and it seems that they are taking a break so I will connect this post with them as soon as they are back.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Day After Christmas


Good Morning, You'all.

Are you up yet? Recovered from Christmas? Sort of humdrum today?

Well, let's get going. It's the day after Christmas and there's lots to do!!

Let's see.... the decorations need to come down... oh, you leave yours up awhile, I see.

So, there's thank you notes to write for all those gifts you got... you thanked them already?

Left-overs to either eat or throw out. You'll think about it.

Well, I'm not getting anywhere, now am I? What you say we go back to bed!!! Great idea!

No, wait a minute.... it's OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY. Let's check them out and see some beautiful
scenery... then maybe we'll go back to bed.



Saturday, December 22, 2012

Great Finds at a Gift Shop

We did pretty well, Shirley and me, braving the shopping center on Saturday before Christmas. The traffic wasn't too bad until we started home about 3 hours later. Oh, heavens to betsy, you couldn't stir the cars with a stick by then. I bought 2 washcloths, a hand towel and a small gift for Shirley which I had to hide since she was with me. But, I bet she saw it just the same.

Driving home she wheels into Johnson Concrete just north of town. They've had a 'For Sale' sign out front for weeks now and I kept saying 'I gotta stop in there' and then I'd never do it. I just figured they didn't have much left in their gift shop. But, just look what I bought..........

It's a brass (well, I think it's brass) at least it's brass colored, wire sunflower feeder for my cardinals. Now, aren't they gonna be happy! A feeder just for them.


a beautiful basket weave mug decorated with strawberries and a bright red handle. To make the picture, I set it in front of a pear plate that I had displayed but it wasn't the brightest idea I ever had... sorry about that. I think the shop had more of those mugs and I am going to get all they have. Aren't they just the cutest?

And....
 

This adorable jack-o-lantern. It's so heavy, must be made of cast iron. And there is a place to put a candle inside. Now, I can't wait for next Halloween. I just love him.

If you think I won't be going back, think again. I just know there is a ton of 'stuff' calling my name!!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

In All Kinds of Weather

Several years ago, when Elbert was still in the early stages of Alheimers, we flew to Nebraska to see our son and daughter-in-law. Michael always loved to do projects with his Dad and usually had something around the place that needed fixing, building or moving.  Don't you just love to see a Dad and his children interacting that way?

During that visit Michael enlisted his Dad's help in building a fence along his backyard line. There are the two of them hard at work. At least Michael is, Dad is supervising. But, I have pictures to prove that the tables got turned after awhile and it was Dad doing the work and Michael overseeing the job. I think that they took turns.

Another angle showing the same fence, now weathered, under the fall of snow.
 
I was just looking at those pictures of the fences... summertime and winter and thought that our lives revolve around the seasons and the weather.
 

Sunrise

 

Sunset

 

A Storm Is Coming

 

A Rainbow After The Rain

 
I hope all of you have a great week.
 
I am linking to Outdoor Wednesday - Friday Fences - Skywatch Friday
                    



 
 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Ugly Sweater Party

I went to an Ugly Sweater party Saturday night. Do you have any idea how challenging it is to make a sweater U-G-L-Y!! The daughter ran into Goodwill and came out with me a red fleece pullover that had snowmen sledding on some snow on the front. Well, that wasn't ugly... I tried a few things but it sure didn't win any prizes!!

I hotglue gunned some polyester filler over the snowdrifts....


I had a reindeer hiding in a palm tree...


I put fluffy balls and fringe around the neckline, sleeves and hem...


And, here is how it turned out. I sure hate that I used the hotglue gun on it... that fleece is warm and I might could have worn it but alas... when you hot glue it stays!
 
Oh and did I tell you that I found my Christmas merry-go-round that I hadn't seen in several years! It's on the hutch in my kitchen now. Sure brightens things up with the red, yellow, green and blue. And, the music is so obnoxious! But, I love it.



This post is linked to MELLOW YELLOW and RUBY TUESDAY2

 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Honoring Our Military

Oh aren't we blessed... those of us with our husbands, daughters, wives, sons who will surround us with their presence come Christmas morning!! But, there are thousands that will be far away from home and won't enjoy seeing the children open gifts or give their wife a big hug and kiss under the mistletoe. These people make the sacrifice to keep us free.

For today's Friday Fences I want to share this photo that I took at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

       Merry Christmas to all our men and women in uniform, wherever you are.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

AROMA OF CHRISTMAS

There's nothing better than the aroma coming from a kitchen where cookies are cooling on a rack. That is what greets you when you enter my daughter's home bakery, Shirley Anne's Bake Shoppe. And, I am so lucky.... I live next door. Hey, girl, fan a little of that sweet smell over my way!!

Year long she is busy baking but Christmas is the best time of all. There are trays of candy canes, gaily decorated trees and sugar sprinkled stars. Don't they look yummy?
 
These gingerbread houses are waiting to be picked up by happy customers. Inside each house a Christmas tree stands in the center with tiny candy packages surrounding it.

This house has the tree outside and pretty wreaths on the windows.

In September Shirley had a two week internship with Martha Stewart Omnimedia in Martha's test kitchens in New York City. This photograph was taken during her stay there.
 
Some of the recipes she tested were featured in December's issue of Martha Stewart Living.

A page  from the magazine. There are her bears (by the way, that girl hates real live bears but I think these were no threat), gingerbread leaves, reindeer and mushrooms.

She had a wonderful time but now she is back home and busy baking for the holidays. I think I will meander over and snitch a candy cane cookie. Wanna come along?
 

Monday, December 10, 2012

Barns and Santa this week.

Today is Monday!! Dreary, dreary, rainy, yucky Monday. Just being with my blog friends is enough to brighten my day. I am linking to BARN CHARM, MOSIAC MONDAY, OUR WORLD TUESDAY, RUBY TUESDAY 2 and MACRO MONDAY.  I hope you will visit these blogs. There are some great posts awaiting you.


How are the Christmas preparations coming along at your house? I'm just checking 'cause I know that Santa is watching every move we make... That little man in the red suit gets up close and personal!!

Now, I gotta run along.... presents to wrap this afternoon. Have a great week and come back to see me soon. I'd love it, too, if you would follow me. I promise to check out your blog and follow you! Wouldn't that be fun?

TA TA......MERRY CHRISTMAS..... CHEERIO.... and all the 'see you laters' I can think of.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Ivy Decorated Fences

Brick fences look so 'RICH'....

The brick fence in her ivy dress.
 
Makes you wonder what lies beyond the gate.
 
 
 
 
This post is linked to
 
 
 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

POLAR BEAR PULLING A SLEIGH


Have you ever seen a Polar Bear pulling a sleigh?  That's a job for reindeer, or so I thought!! But, there it was... on the porch of the Airfield 4-H Center (near Wakefield, Va.) and you know, I think it makes much more sense... Reindeer look kind of scrawny to be pulling big fat Santa and his sleigh full of toys. But... a huge Polar Bear!! I like that idea. Besides, the WHITE Polar Bear matches the Red sleigh much better than those BROWN reindeer.


This World Record Class Polar Bear was taken out from Kotzebul, Alaska by John D. Phillips in 1967. Mighty fine specimen, Mr. Phillips.

Linking to OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

Monday, December 3, 2012

Three Barns

On my recent bus trip to West Virginia I saw a lot of barns. Thought I'd share a few with you today on OUR WORLD TUESDAY

A totally useful barn and much used!


Neat... pristine... with food storage right at hand.

An old fashioned barn...but well kept.


Saturday, December 1, 2012

A FAVORITE THING

 
One of my favorite things is .............
 
snow in the winter
 
 

Hop on over to A FAVORITE THING SATURDAY to see what other people enjoy as their favorite thing.