Bear in the neighborhood!

This bear cub keeps showing up near the house that belonged to my parents in Madisonville. Not sure if there's a mama nearby, hope I get to see it soon. Guess I need to tell Tanner and Charlsie to be on the lookout! Never thought I'd have to think about bears in the neighborhood!

There's a Giraffe in my tree!

It didn't take him long to discover the tree!

...and the lights

...and the ornaments

LOVE those teeth!

...is that a giraffe?

...maybe if i stretch

ahhh...success is sweet.

Wheely Bug!

Ordered Jack a Wheely Bug today from Barnes and Noble. It was difficult to choose between the mouse, cow, ladybug, bee or pig, so cute! They also come in two sizes and have good reviews!

Check them out!

Wheely's are on sale this week thru BN.

Merry Christmas Jack!

Christmas at the Co-op

Visited the local "Co-op" today for the first time. Jack visited Santa, and he was not too happy about that.  Bought this pincushion from a crafter who was there. Will be sure to visit again next year! Great job Co-op! Hope this begins a yearly tradition and gets better and bigger!

Pincushion
http://www.bethbader.etsy.com/

Best Ever Thanksgiving Breakfast

Tanner was so sweet this morning. He asked which of these cereals I'd like for my "Thanksgiving Breakfast." He added just the right amount of milk and even chose the perfect cereal bowl!

Thankful today for Tanner, he makes every minute of every day a Thanksgiving!

Guess which one I chose?

Hello!

We are updating the exterior of our 1969 ranch house and I love this welcoming "hello"! Saw it first on Pinterest and am planning on doing something similar. Would love to stencil this on the new front door, but might have to settle for the entry on the carport. BECAUSE, not sure Greg will go for it. Don't you just love this! We have neutral colors but lovin this blue and red together.

Knock-Knock and come in!

Another Mod Baby Mobile!

Sorry about the poor quality of this picture, but I really don't have a choice right now. Hopefully "Black Friday" will take care of that problem!
Anyway, this is the mobile I finally finished for Alison Nation. She has a beautiful new baby boy. Hoping she and Campbell love it!

Good day @ Good Will!

Got some great buys at Goodwill today!

I discovered Goodwill more than 20 years ago and love to shop there. My favor-ite one is in Lenior City, about 45 minutes from where I live. Today I scored this wonderful "Joovy" caboose stroller for 20 dollars. I didn't try to bargain with them as 20 bucks for a 200 dollar stroller sounded pretty good to me!

I brought it home, cleaned it up, and cut off the luggage claim from the airline. Yep, I think it came from our local airport and was probably lost and never claimed by the owner. 

Since I practically have no camera at the moment, here's a pic of a one from the internet. 

Anyone else gone Goodwill shopping lately?

THANKSgiving

Yesterday, we celebrated Thanksgiving at work, complete with turkey and dressing. Before the food was blessed each of us had a chance to say what we were thankful for. What am I thankful for...well, since I am a new Granna, out of my mouth came "Grandchildren".  Wow, after hearing others, I felt a little unthankful.

I mean, aren't we all thankful for family, friends, work, homes, worship, health. The list could go on and on. So I decided for the next week, I am going to purposely be more specific about some of the things I am thankful for. Here goes...

I am thankful for:

My life...my mother did an ok job after all.
That my husband loves and provides for me.
That I have good kids, that they have both worked hard to reach their potential.
The GRANDboy and any others that might come along someday.
Opportunity for worship and people I've met thru serving.
That Greg has a great family and extended family.
That Debbie and I have been friends for 30 + years.
The internet.
Good neighbors.
A swimming pool.
That Marna is finished with her treatments and most of her surgery.
That Sharon, my other sis, sold her house and is building another one near Jamey.
That Bella still thinks I am a fun to be with.
That even thought I am not 30, or 40...anymore :) , am still pretty healthy.
That there is a Dollar General Store near my house.
Magazines and books.
That I had a ton of cousins growing up.
My job that I've had for almost 29 years.
Vacations.
The mountains and seasons.

What are you thankful for?

Tag Blanket

Our friend Ariel was over this afternoon, as she always is on Wednesday's. She not only picked up Tanner at work, but made chocolate oatmeal cookies as well! Ariel brought along a sewing project for herself which inspired me to stitch up a little tag blanket for Jack.

I took a quick look on the internet for a tutorial, (even thought I'm sure it would have turned out great without it), but ya never know!

Jessie had bought some soft brown dotted fleece, can't remember what it's called, but everyone is using it these days for baby blankets. I used leftover fabric for the other side, and ribbon I already had at home. Wanting it to look a little different and since I love the look of patchwork so much, I decided on using strips of fabric for the other side.

Sorry, but I'm out of a good working camera right now so here's the best pic I have-

Make sure your strips are different sizes, makes it a much cooler tag blanket!

Mowing the lawn in November?

I can't believe we mow our lawns in November. Have we always done this, or just in the last few years. Hey, I'm not complaining. Not a fan of cold weather but I seem to remember as a kid that November was cold and we had long but our push mower away. 

November 8th and Tanner is in shorts, t-shirt with bottle of water attached to his cup holder on the mower. I'm in sandals and Jack is even outside without a jacket. Love it, but I think winter is just around the corner.

Happy Fall!

Tanner mowing for the last time in 2011

Azalea's blooming in November

Cousin Chelsea and Jack

Another Duggar!

After watching the Duggars tonight, I was happy to learn that my chances of having a "Duggar" Grandaughter-in-law just increased!  Baby Jack is almost 8 months old and he already had the J name, so....I think his chances are pretty good!

Hey, I'm serious. How fun would that be!

I am goin photoshop Jack in one of their family photographs and put it on my bookcase, wonder how long it will take Greg or Jessie to notice. Now this is going to be fun, I will keep you posted. Only problem is I don't have photoshop...but that won't stop me. (anyone out there that can help me???)

Can't wait to get this project started! woohoo!

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!