Road Trip to Coker Creek

Last weekend a couple of my cousins from NC came for a weekend visit to Tellico Plains. Bella and I drove up on Saturday and gave them a little tour of Coker Creek Falls and Buck Bald.

It's just a short hike, 1/4 mile to see the series of small waterfalls. The only difficulty is finding your way on the narrow winding back roads! Make sure to stop for directions before you begin the journey!

Buck Bald is a site where an old fire tower once stood. You'll see a great 360 view of Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina.  A favorite spot for horseback riders. We met some interesting people on the bald that day, including a hiker from Louisville, Ky. He is hiking the Benton/McKay trail and was spending the night on the bald. He sure was happy when we gave him all our leftover picnic grub!

Me, Bella and Janet

First of 4 waterfalls known as Coker Creek Falls

Bella

Buck Bald

6 Month photo shoot

Just have to share a few of Jack's 6 Month photo's with you!

In Memory of Olivia

Most everyone I know is grieving over the loss of Olivia. She was a very special wife, daughter, sister, cousin and friend to all.  Rest in Peace Livvie.

Happy Halloween!

My little monkey!

Burning Bush

Our neighbor gave us 2 small shrubs a few years ago. Not knowing where to put them, I told Greg just to plant both near a storage building in our yard.  They must love it there cause they have really grown!

Don't ya just love neighbors!

First horseback ride!

Jack took his first horseback ride today! He wasn't scared at all and seemed to know exactly what to do. Grandchildren are so much fun!
Ride'em cowboy!

he loved the petting zoo!

Jack is getting used to adventures with his "Lolly-Pop"

a little help from "pop"

Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert

Even though I don't like to cook, I do like a quick and easy recipe every now and then. Actually Tanner and his friend Ariel made this dessert. And yes, it is as good as it looks.

Was recommended to use a deep "throw away" aluminum pan.  This dessert is very tall so you will need the depth. And you might need to lightly spray the bottom with Pam.
Layer the following:

12 regular size ice cream sandwiches in bottom of pan, squeeze them in tightly
tub of cool whip
toffee bits
carmel syrup and choc syrup
Freeze for 15-20 minutes

Then add another layer of all the above, and top off with broken heath candy bars.
Keep in freezer.
Can feed about 35 or more with this dessert, you might want to half the recipe, but we shared with friends and ate it all!

Special October

My little sis on the right, and co-worker Vickie on the left.
Both breast cancer survivors.

Balloon release at Monroe County Health Dept

Depression Era Man

This post is from my sister Marna's Facebook page. It is a note she wrote about a recent visit to the oncologist. 

Depression Era Man

by Marna Beth on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 10:22pm

Today was my first oncology appointment with Dr. Charles since finishing my Herceptin treatment in March. I walked into the office to that familiar smell of chemo.  It’s amazing the memory of our noses, even after several months.

There was an older lady sitting near the door with an easy smile.  Beside her was her husband.  A man with a cowboy hat, overalls, flannel shirt, red bandana and work boots on.  He didn’t have an easy smile.  He reminded me of a type of man, the depression era man typical of Monroe County; the kind of man I’ve been privileged and proud to know; a man that reminded me in many ways of my daddy. 

His wife’s name was called and the lady with an easy smile handed her flowered pocket book to her husband.  He clutched the purse awkwardly while she was back for her treatment.  What a sight it was, this depression era man holding a flowered’ly pocket book.

When the lady came back to the waiting room she walked to her husband.  He had the easy/ready smile when he saw her walk around the corner.  As he handed her the pocket book he asked her “Am I shed of you now?” and giggled.  (He meant getting rid of her pocket book for those not understanding of that generation.  Not referring to “shed” of her physically.”) 

They walked out, this cute old couple.  To his 1970’s something red Ford truck with cattle panels for the bed.  He walked her around to the passenger’s door and helped her inside.  For some reason that was one of the sweetest moments I’ve ever seen.  It made me think of my daddy on Saturday mornings when I was little.  Momma would sleep in for a while.  I would hear daddy walk quietly into their room and whisper in this sweet, quiet voice at her ear, “Bell….Bell….. it’s time to get up Bell.”  Daddy’s birthday was the 9th.  He may be sorely missed by his family but he is in heaven with his wife, my momma, who had an easy smile. 

Make a Fall Banner

I've had these fabric scraps for several weeks, planning to make a fall banner for Jack.  So easy to make, this is how I did it.

Cut the fabric in triangles, no need for a pattern, they don't have to be perfect!
Buy quilt binding, but make sure you get the extra wide-double fold.
I was too lazy to get out the sewing machine, so I used stitch witchery. (spelling?!)
Word of advice: Go ahead and machine stitch if you can. Probably would have been faster and cheaper. I used up all my iron on stitch stuff!

This is the result, but...Jack wasn't too impressed!

Burp Cloth for Jack

Yes I am so glad my mom taught me to sew.
I watched her at her sewing machine when I was a little girl.
I thought she could do anything.
And she could.

Baby Jack goes to the mountains.

Isn't he adorable!
My aunt and uncle own a beautiful spot in the mountains near Indian Boundary campground. I grew up going to the cabin almost every Saturday during the summer. I am surprised there are any craw-dad's left in the creek as every child in our family has spent many an hour catching them. Jack didn't get in the creek but he had a great time sitting under the trees and  getting kissed on the cheek by everyone! Happy times!

Great Sassy Toy

Jack loves his Sassy ring Jessie bought on a recent trip to the Carter's Outlet.
Recommended by another new mom, great purchase!

Favorite baby products...

I am going to list my favorite baby items that we use with Jack.

These swaddle blankets are a "must have" for Granna's house as well as Mom and Dad's. Jessie always brings one along, or packs one if I am keeping him. They are WONDERFUL. No I am not kidding, they are.  The swaddlers are lightweight and the perfect size. Easy to care for, they always look great. Remember these the next time you have to buy a shower gift. Target has them as well as Babie's r us.

Maybe I should hit "delete"

Maybe I should just delete my blog....
Tooooo many other things keeping me busy...
We'll see.

weddings, weddings, weddings

4 saturday weddings, 2 down 2, 2 go!

4 happy brides and grooms. sweet :)

3 outdoor weddings and 1 indoor, do we see a trend here?

congrats to our friends!

and congrats to jessie and jason-5 years today!

Check this out...

Check this out and tell me what you think.
I know.....crazy right. But I have wanted to do this for several years.

www.4seasonsgravesitecare.com

This is going to be interesting.

I'm tired.

3 Weddings to attend

1 Memorial service to attend

3 Graduation parties

1 "31" party

1 Rehearsal dinner

1 Trip to Dollywood

1 Softball game

1 Doctor's appt with Marna

1 Decoration Day

1 Family Reunion

Good Night!

Decoration Day

Today was Decoration at Hopewell. I love Decoration Day. Photo's taken as usual, with some new faces this year. More about that later.

I plan to purchase this book, wish I could have written it.

new post/old post

This was saved but never posted, see ya, be back soon!

Martin-less

I am so very sorry to report that the new Martin houses are empty. This makes me so very sad. We've always had Purple Martins and now they are gone, I miss them. I am also feeling super guilty cause I let the old houses get in just disrepair. I am convinced that is why they did not return. They were afraid there would be nothing to return to.

This could be a lesson to us couldn't it...homes should always be a place to return.

Oh yeah, this is me!

Jessie bought this for me a few weeks before wonderful little Jack was born.
It is filled with all kinds of information but one of my favorites was this: "Hobbies to Impress the Grandchildren."  Now doesn't that sound fun. And here they are as listed:

*dance classes
*canoeing
*sailing
*acting in a local theater
*buying a selling on ebay
*guitar lessons
*carpentry
*making jewelry
*windsurfing
*playing computer games
*beekeeping
*rock climbing

Half of these I've already done, so I figure I'm well on my way to impressing my Grandchild!

You HAVE to check this out!

http://www.amylarson.com/blog/baby-jack-knoxville-newborn-photographer/

Take a look at our "pride and joy", and to make it even sweeter...leave a comment on her blog!

Too interested in pinterest...

Oh dear, just something else to keep me glued to the computer. 

Yes, I've joined. Yikes, now I have a social catalog.

Check it out at www.pinterest.com

Makin' a little bread?

Remember the post about buying a dough bowl at an antiques store? Wanna see the real reason I bought it? Wasn't for makin bread that's for sure but check out this little "biscuit!"

Thanks Amy Larson Photography!

The Tulips

From This

To This

Drives, Diners and Dough Bowls

Greg found a little spot he wanted us to have lunch at on Saturday. Yep, we ended up at the Dam Diner. Heard it's owned by the nice young "earthly" family. Mom and kids were outside feeding the chickens when we left. It was fun, we'll have to make the drive more often.

Isn't Polk County lucky to be home of the Hiwasee and Ocoee Rivers.

After eating a tasty lunch, we drove home by way of Cleveland with a quick stop in Charleston.

Stopped in at Callaway's Antiques, was my first visit there but it's a great little store. Lots of new and old things to look at. It's worth the visit as you can see from the reproduction dough bowl I came home with!

All birthdays should be celebrated!

Just finished this little onesie for Jack to wear tomorrow...you know, it is his one week birthday!

What's in a name...

Why is it so hard for me to choose a Grandmother name? Why not just go with Grandma and get it over with! What's in a name anyway?

I was thinking about this tonight and for some reason it made me think of one of my favorite, all time movies, "You've Got Mail".  There is a point in the movie when the character, Kathleen, wants to be properly introduced to Joe. But Joe will not reveal his last name, or ask for hers. It's clear that Kathleen Kelly, considers a person's name a thing of value.

So maybe that's what I'm trying to do.
Just put a little value in my Grandmother name.
And, I'm gonna need it soon cause...
I'm am adding a new G R A N D M O T H E R   B L O G!  

How ya like them apples...

Our friends, April and Stacy, gave Greg this apple tree last week. They told us to plant it when Jack was born.  Hmmmm...maybe an orchard is in our future...

Coming home!

Thought this was a funny sweet little video. Get used to that car seat Jack, cause your mom is probably gonna use it a lot!

03/26/2011 10:08 am

Jack Bradley Lovingood.
I luv him.

Gift that "Rocks"

Greg thought of this gift for a friend's child. He just turned six years old and in case you didn't guess, he likes rocks. It was easy to make and cost less than 5 dollars. (April, if you read this don't think we are cheap!)
Bucket from the Dollar Tree, lettering from Walmart, water bottle from Walgreens.

Reminders of Spring

It was cool today but I enjoyed these flowers at the Madisonville house. I think my Mother planted this little flower bed. She passed away in 1990 so these bulbs have some age on them. Funny how some years they are beautiful and sometimes they hardly come up at all.  I will never forget the spring 2008 because even my dad commented on the amount of tulips blooming and how they'd never been so pretty. He died suddenly a few weeks later. Now, I always watch for the bulbs to emerge and hope they put on a "show" for me.

40 days of...

I'm reading a book (with others at our local church) titled, "a call to die".  We are supposed to be journaling as we read, but I must confess most of my "journal" is in my head.

Along with this read, we were also challenged to "fast" from something for 40 days.  Sounds easy, but for me it was a tough decision on what to deny myself of. I mean, it shouldn't be easy right? I should fast from something I need or want to do daily. Wow, that could be a long list such as: food, shelter, shopping, talking on phone, texting, surfing computer, making money, hobbies...the list could go on and on.

I admit being confused about what I should fast from, but thankfully, on the day 6 it was clear to me. I am now on my 4th day of my journey. Nope, not telling you yet. Check back, it will get more difficult I'm sure. But isn't that the way it should be....

Onesies

I made these "onesies" tonight for baby Jack.  OK, I am just learning and they are not perfect. In fact, they would qualify for the "seconds" section of your favorite outlet. Looking forward to taking my time and getting it right. I promise they will be "oh, so cute"! 

Price at your local baby boutique for 1/2 dozen of these, 1-6 months: 74 dollars
Price when nana-nett makes them: practically priceless :)



House for the ages

Just read this post on facebook from a cousin (whom I've never met) in Franklin, NC; about a seminar she attended.

A house should be built to be A house for the ages, (meaning handicapp accessible.)
Anything else is considered a "Peter Pan" house, (meaning I will never grow old house.)

Peter Pan house, I think that is so clever. And I love clever statements. Wish I had thought of that.

Nesting

Well, if Grandmother's to be can "nest", then I think I might be doing just that. Anyway if I were, it was short lived this morning.
Saturday morning: this is when I might have been "nesting".
Later Saturday morning: nesting put on hold by a suggestion of a trip to the Hiwassee river.
Early Saturday afternoon: nesting still on hold for a nice trip to Madisonville.
Late Saturday afternoon: shared a meal with 15 cousins.
Saturday night: too tired for anymore nesting today, but I am making a "to do" list.
Good Night, time to hit the nest sack.

Circle Mobile

Ben Finch Photography snapped this photo in the nursery. 

Blessings and God Talk

I have a friend who recently asked my opinion of remarks on facebook about God. Like, "If you are a true Christian, you will repost this" kind of thing.   I said, "You mean all the "God-talk" that goes on. She smiled and said  "yes, that is a good way to describe it."

I continued to say that we need to be very careful and sincere before we participate in "God-talk" since there is an awful lot of ramblings that go on. You know, it has to be "heart-talk" as well.

Anyway, hope I haven't offended any fellow Christians, and if it does, you will be happy to read some of my own "God-talk" today.

Jessie and Jason own a small rental house that they are wanting to sell. I have been praying almost daily, really as often as the Spirit brings it to my mind, that the house would sell.  What I've really been asking is not only would it sell, but that someone would be truly blessed by it. That it would be purchased by someone who really needs it and would be thankful for it. This has been a prayer of mine for about a month.

Well Jessie calls me a couple of days ago. She recieved a call from Paula their realtor, who had received a call from an insurance company.

Are you with me still?
The insurance company wanted to do a 3 month lease for a family who lives 2 doors away. Seems a tree had fallen on their house a few weeks ago and this family is needing temporary housing. The family wanted to rent Jessie and Jason's house, which is empty. It will allow them to be close to their home while repairs are being done and pick up items they may need without moving everything.

Now even though the house did not sell, many are being blessed by this action.
1.   The family that needs housing.
2.   The insurance company that is happy- cause they have a happy client.
3.   The real estate company. They have a new contact for insurance business.
4.   The staging company, as they will get paid to "restage" the house in 3 months.
5.   Jessie and Jason, the 3 month lease will really help while she is on maternity leave.

Isn't this a great "God-talk". Don't be afraid to talk to God about the deep things in your heart!

Pillowcase for the Hospital

I read in another blog, you can check it out here, that you should take a bright pillowcase with you when delivering a baby. Reason: There will be about a hundred well maybe a thousand pics of you and the baby, so having a pretty pillowcase in the background will make it even sweeter. And of course, Grandmom's like me, will be needing these photos for a long, long time.

So check it out, used leftover fabric from a curtain.

Pandora Radio

I love Pandora Radio.

Only problem is I get lost...caught up...in the music while listening, if you know what I mean. Listening to John Denver station and lots of 70's music is bringin back memories. Oh, those were the days my friend, thought they'd never end...

Ozone Falls

A friend and I took a little trip after work to Ozone Falls in East Tennessee. 

Short, rocky hike, but it's beautiful. 

Haven't seen the movie, "Jungle Book" but a shot of Ozone was featured in the movie.