Happy Birthday Mother

A Mother's Love

A Mother's love is something
that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,

It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .




It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .

It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .

It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .

A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.
Author Unknown

Happy Birthday Mom

We Love You!

Kristi, Landon, Debbie, Jeff,

Ashley, Alee, Chase & Gracie

Make a Smilebox postcard

Show & Tell Friday.. The Freaky Worm

Show and Tell Friday ...
Special Thanks to Kelli @

There is no place like home

for hosting today's event.
Be sure to stop by and check out
all the creative Bloggers participating today.

My Weird Show & Tell ...

One day last summer as I went to get in my car

I found this big fella perched on my

antenna.

At the time I didn't think to lay

something beside it to show and

compare it's massive size.

Yeah that's it .. that's my story.

That sounds so much better than

I was scared to death it would fly up at

me an attack !!

It's wing span was about 7 inches wide

and it's huge furry head was about the size of a penny.

It's called a

Eacles Imperialis Moth

I only saw "him" a couple of times and

"he" was always near my car.

A few months later Jeff and I were outside

and found this ..

Eacles Imperialis Moth Larva

heading down a tree.

Jeff the smart one .. pulls out

one of his business cards to show

a size comparison.

If you click on the picture you can

see the enlarged version..

He's a lil furry and has HORNS...

I was amazed at his size and even

though Jeff knew I wasn't coming within

jumping distance of it .. he did warn

me not to touch it ..

lol Yeah Right.. Me touch it ! hahaha!

The Church on the Ole Dirt Road..

Sincerely 'Fro Me to You Carnival

Thursday

@

We Are That Family

Click Here for Guidelines

Purpose:

Post about something from your past.

To Understand All Is To Forgive All...

A few years ago I decided to start

a daily journal..

A place to keep a record of happenings

in my life.

But things, ideas and determinations

change a lot with me.

So I decided that I'd use that journal

as a release

of my mind in a different sort..

To go back

to the first memory

I could remember and start from there.

Below are lil snippets from one of those memories...

The Sister

who loved her baby Brother

with all her might...

His Protector to shield him

from terror that one horrid night...

The rural dirt roads that led no where...

Except to a Church

with no one there.

Left abandoned out back .. just us two.

Scared to death as we cuddled together

in the cold night dew.

We knew not what was in store

as morning arose...

A new life for us

Our Great God Had Chose..

When the storms of life are raging.
God will rock you in His arms of protection.

Outdoor Wednesday ... Redneck Feeder

Susan at

A Southern Daydreamer

is hosting

Outdoor Wednesday

Stop by and check out all the

bloggers posting their

cool outdoor things.

My addition for Outdoor Wednesday is some before and

after images of my back yard.

First picture...

Before: Summer

My beautiful green

full of life back yard.

Second picture...

After: Winter

Same view .. but gray gloom

bare trees.. and

*drum roll please*

This!

Redneck Monster!

For those of you wondering

What the Heck is that..

Well .. it's a gravity fed

tripod deer feeder.

Last year Jeff bought this lil lovely for his

hunting property.. which is about 80 miles

east of where we live. He was having a problem

with the motor and it wasn't dispensing

the corn twice a day like it was supposed to.

Long story short.. after 2 or 3 round trips of 160 miles

when gas was $4.00 a gallon he brought

this baby home to monitor and nurse

back to health under daily supervision.

Below.. another before shot:

After:

Another shot of our current view..

Sadly

It stands about 12 feet tall,

and viewable from my back patio..

my neighbors back patio..

and those lucky folk who

pass by my house from the street.

It dispenses corn twice a day..

25 feet in every direction.


This is what was released this morning..
and all will be eaten by 4pm just
in time for shot number 2 for the day.

As I walked out the back to take these pictures
I scared away about 12 squirrels, 4 doves and
2 crows chowing down
on breakfast.


It appears the lil motor problem has been corrected
and hopefully this big monster
will be finding its rightful
home in the backwoods of
huntersland very very soon.

Show & Tell Friday

Show and Tell Friday ...

Special Thanks to Kelli @

http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/

for hosting today's event.

Be sure to stop by and check out

all the creative Bloggers participating today.

Another Family Heirlom...

My selection today is another family heirlom...

2 Books from 1913

1 pair of antique eye glasses

All 3 belonged to my Grandmother Maude

and were passed on to me by my Dad.

The first book is a 1913 Georgia school book:

First Lessons in Georgia History

By: Lawton B. Evans

Published by: American Book Company 1913

The cover isn't in such great shape..

it is stained, weathered, torn

and the title is worn away,

but all pages

are intact and in wonderful condition.

The next book is:

Bobbsey Twins at Snow Lodge

By: Laura Lee Hope

Published By: Grosset & Dunlap 1913

Bobbsey Twins at Snow Lodge was

book number 5 of 117 written in the

Bobbsey Twins Stories Collection.

A lil bit of info I found on the internet states:

The Bobbsey Twins series is probably the

longest-running juvenile book series of all time.

The first book was published in 1904

and new volumes were added as late as 1992.

source: http://www.keeline.com/BobbseyWriters.html
The cover is in really nice condition

and all pages intact and in great condition.

My Grandmothers Reading Glasses...

Or as she called them..

Her Reading Spectacles.

This is one pair of about 3 she had and I'm

not sure how old this particular pair is.

The case is at least 60 years old..

My Dad bought this one in Germany

for her just before he returned from

WWII.

Inside view of the case.
It's lined with felt which is very worn.

Thank you for taking the time

to view my precious family heirloms.

They are priceless to me

and I have so enjoyed the opportunity

to share them with you all.

They rarely get a chance to

come out of their

secure hiding places...

so I'm very grateful to Kelli

for creating a venue

where I can showcase their beauty

with so many others.

My Cravings Were Met...

Last week Susan at

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Posted a picture of a book she saw at

A Classy Flea.. That book was

The Blue Willow Inn

Bible of Southern Cooking.

It was so funny because I had been

craving that place all during the holidays.

If you've ever been to the Blue Willow...

you know it's not the kinda place you just show

up and walk right in. There's usually a long wait,

and well worth it... but it's best to make a reservation.

I made reservations early on Friday for Sat night..

only to change it about 3 different times through out

the day.. because once word got out

as to where we were going.. everyone wanted to come.

We had a wonderful night..

The food was as always... Yum-a-licious!

To graciously quote my dear country'fied Husband...

"We was all fuller than a tick on a yard dog"

&

"I accidently got a lil peach cobbler on my forehead and

I thought my tongue was gonna beat my brain out licking it off"

Yes.. I know you're rolling in laughter bout right now huh.

It was a rainy night in Georgia..

but not under this huge magnolia tree

where Ashley found shelter.

After the teenagers finished eating they

went to this awesome new soda shop..

Lou's Soda Fountain & Grille

located in the new Blue Williow Village

behind the Inn.

I Love All The RED and BLACK decor.

"Ain't That A Shame"
By Fats Domino
was playing on the big ole jukebox
when we walked in.

Huge Beautiful Poinsettia..

This thing was at least 3 feet wide.

I didn't get a picture of one .. but

all of the waitresses were dressed

in sweaters and poodle skirts.

Each table had a small jukebox.

The Teens...

after they all finished their

Coke Floats.

Long Overdue...

Someone got a long overdue haircut today!

His constant bumping into things from

hairdoo blindness and

slip sliding all over the floors from

fuzzy paws shoulda been my first clue

that it was time!

But noooo it took the shameful actions

of someone .. I won't name names.. BUT

she's 15 and her mugshot is located

over there on the right hand side of my page.

This nameless person

along with a gallon of

Bed Head Rocks hair gel..

maybe not a full gallon.. but certainly close,

decided to give poor lil Gizzy a

*gasp*

Spiked Mohawk!

Poor baby looked like an

extra from the movie Road Warrior.

Once he had a bath and was

de'gelled.. he wassa fuzzy hot mess!

He was being taunted and made

fun of by the other dogs

so I had no choice but to

give him a lil clippity doo dah.

Before:

After:

He's nodda happy camper with me right now,
but he sure does look better.

Show and Tell Friday

This is my first time participating in

Show and Tell Friday ...

Special Thanks to Kelli over at

http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/

for hosting today's event.

I have chosen one of my most

valued and favorite family heirlooms to

share with everyone.

My Antique Mantle Clock:

I'm not certain on it's exact age but

based on stories and tales that

I've been told over the years

it is somewhere around

120 years old.

Back in 1890

it was given "used" as a wedding

gift to my paternal great

Grandparents by my great great Grandparents.

Who in return gave it as a wedding gift

in 1915 to their only female child, my

Grandmother Maude.

Since my Grandparents only had boys

and didn't have a female child to continue

that tradition it stayed in my Grandmothers

possession until her passing in 1992.

Have I lost ya yet?

I hope not.. it gets simple from here on.

When my Grandmother passed she left

it to her eldest son.. My Dad Thomas.

In 2002 when my Dad was 85 he became

very ill and just before his death

he passed the clock to me.

Even though I have older siblings who

rightly should have gotten it..

He chose me... And he did so because he knew

the care and respect I would take.. the love I had for it..

and that nothing but death would part me from it.

Now if you're doing the math and

trying to guess my age

and you're a lil lost..

I'll help you out a tad..

My Dad was in his 50's when I was born!

I was a shocking surprize!

But not as shocking as my lil brother!

Now on to pictures of my precious clock..

It keeps perfect time!

I can usually go about 3 days between windings.

Every half hour it strikes once

and each hour it strikes according to time.

Everything you see is original.. and to

my knowledge it has only had to be mechanically

repaired 2 times .. last time being in late 1970.

Beautifully detailed carved body is in great condition.

The glass door is in good condition with

original gold etching of butterflies and scroll.

Beautiful brass movement and pendulum.

Original dial face a bit worn. Two key holes , one

to wind for time.. the other for chime... and the original key.

It has one spot on the left side.. where a

drip of brown paint dripped on it...

No idea when that happened but it's always

been there as long as I can remember.

I think it adds a lil character..

I couldn't leave without sharing a picture

of the clocks previous owners..

My Grandmother Maude & My Dad Thomas.

I hope you enjoyed my lil contribution to

Show and Tell Friday.

I know I enjoyed the memories.