Saturday, July 16, 2011

Rainy Days and Discoveries

It has been a while since we had a real good rainy day.  Yesterday was one of those days and after I remembered how to act on a rainy day, it was so relaxing.  Rainy days are for doing absolutely nothing!  Just plop down, put on your most comfortable clothes, say no to housework and cooking and enjoy - a movie, a book, or a nap.  The laundry called me early, but one look at the overcast skies and the slow drizzling rain and I plopped. 

I started a new author, John Sandford.  I picked up one of his "Prey" books and was taken to the Twin Cities of Minnesota and a group of Indians bent on revenge.  A good read needing only a hot cup of coffee and a honey bun to get me through my morning.  Thank goodness I had a pot of vegetable soup in the fridge made earlier in the week and perfect for rainy days.  The phone didn't ring, no visitors came knocking, and even the pups were quiet and happy to snooze on their bean bag. 

Hubby came in for a late lunch.  After taking care of a little business, he too settled down for a short nap.  We have taken spontaneous trips over the years and are in the mood for another excursion.  Biloxi is calling, but that is quite a ride for a short weekend so that was put on hold for a month or so.  We decided on a new restaurant for this weekend and found a diamond in Steve's Steak and Seafood.

Steve's is located in a strip mall in Macon on Arkwright.  Just below Carreba's and Outback, this gentleman has secrets.  Neither of us tried the steaks, but hubby ordered "all you can eat" catfish for $12.95 and was pleasantly surprised with the results.  They were tender, delicious and very flavorful.  The couple at the adjourning table ordered crab legs and he advised they were delicious as well.  My grilled shrimp were seasoned and cooked perfectly.  The real potato fries and unsweetened cole slaw made a delightful dinner.  A good recommendation for good food and excellent service and Steve came out to make sure the food was up to par.  A trip back soon to try the steaks and crab legs.

Off to do Saturday chores, so until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

It was absolutely wonderful!  I had a week with all my grandchildren and it was the best vacation I have had in a long time.  I can't wait to do that again and hopefully the older two can return for a few extra days before the summer is out.  I learned new things about the personalities of these kids and each one of these four always have something new to surprise me with.

Sunday was my daughter's birthday and we had a wonderful cookout and swim party.  Lot's of fun with family and friends!  Even my 87 year old Dad got in the action, but we couldn't get him in the pool.  He did enjoy some delicious barbecue and Brunswick stew though and even some of those delicious friend green tomatoes!  Sis and hubby got in on the action too.  Mom must have been hiding from the camera.  I can't find a shot of her anywhere! 





 
A local church had a good fireworks display around 10:00 so we all trekked over and watched the sparkles and listened to the booms.   We were even serenaded by the "3 J's" (my daughter-in-law,daughter, and other daughter).  It was a fun filled day. 

When my daughter was a toddler and terrified of fireworks she ask that we don't do the fireworks for her birthday anymore.  On Monday night after their return north this same daughter was taking her children to town to watch the fireworks. 

I hope that you had an enjoyable July fourth weekend and celebrated our declaration of independence with much joy and thankfulness. 

Now on to more work, play and daily living!

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle




Friday, June 24, 2011

Rabbits and Chickens!

I know N O T H I N G about rabbits! But, I am learning fast! Pick them up by the nape of the neck or you will get clawed badly!  They eat and drink constantly! 

Never thought I would have to learn to sex a rabbit, but dang if these little fellows are a bit tricky,  I started with three of these little balls of fur and lost one - I didn't know what the heck I was doing and had no idea this beauty was pregnant, but I quickly found out you can't keep males and females together.  In all honesty, this little lady was pregnant when I bought her and I had no idea!  I now know you palpitate the sides of a female to determine pregnancy and never keep the males and females together except during the very short breeding process.  It doesn't take long as the sole purpose of male bunnies is to eat and make babies!  

I now know I have all males and will continue in this vein for just a while.  I need to change my hutch setup to accommodate both sexes and keep from losing anymore due to my stupidity!   Things are looking up though and I have learned much in the past 3 weeks about these wonderful little animals.  Their main diet consist of hay and fresh veggies - my bunnies favor celery tops and lettuce (they prefer iceberg but will eat Romain).  They also like ripe tomatoes, but also enjoy any green stuff from the garden.  I fear during the winter I will have to supplement the fresh garden stuff with some veggie pellets, but for now they are happy.  They are emptying the water containers regularly as we have had many days of 90+ temperatures which has really taken a toll on their fur covered bodies.

The "half" grown chickens are doing well.  Mid morning they all get a misting with the water hose and enjoy playing in the rain as long as the water flow isn't too strong.  The mist they enjoy, a washing they don't like!  I a having to dig the plastic eggs out again to stop an "egg eater."  The oyster shells are suppose to stop that, but I have one that attacks the egg as soon as the hen leaves the nest!  I think I have identified the culprit and if the plastic egg doesn't work, she will be separated from the flock for a while.  A hungry little bugger, she eats six or seven eggs a day! 

The neighbor's rooster is still eating as many of my tomatoes as I am and he has learned to "sneak" into the garden through the woods.  He and I fight on a daily basis!  The deer found my cantaloupe and have stripped the vines on many plants.  I can identify that hoof print and so I can't blame the rabbits or rooster for that one.  As some of you know I have rehabbed a couple of deer.  I can only hope that one of them has come back for a visit, but I sure wish they wouldn't eat my veggies.  They cleared a half a row of green beans before the cantaloupe came up but all the plants seem to have survived. 

I have a dozen eggs in the incubator that a mother hen left.  I am hoping they all hatch and they weren't left too long.  Some great person left a dog that was no longer wanted at my nephew's house and he scared the chickens off the nest.  Not vicious, just curious, he had to investigate and the hen ran off.  With luck I can call my nephew to come get 12 new biddies in the next few days! 

Life in the country is never boring and always filled with something going on!  Lot's of work, but so rewarding!

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Winds

Winds,  hard, fast, destructive, have become a dangerous part of our summer storms.  As a little girl, I remember sitting on the couch with our Nannie, a Bible on her lap, waiting for the afternoon thunderstorms to pass.  The stove was cut off as was the television and the iron was unplugged.  I remember the continuous lightening strikes and the rumbling thunder, but not the wind.  Yes, the lightening was frightening and sometimes we lost power, but somehow that was expected of a summer storm.

The strong winds are something new and very frightening.  They come from nowhere and disappear just as fast into nothingness.  The leave trees down, limbs broken and a real mess everywhere.  Yesterday, amidst the thanks to God for the afternoon shower, I received a call that a very large tree had blown over onto my nephew' house.  It is something we all dread and look to happen, but don't really expect.  It was a huge tree but when it broke, it fell on the front corner of the house and did little structural damage.  A few pieces of decking will have to be replaced and some moulding, but overall the problem would be getting the huge tree down - off the house.  I am just grateful his wife and child were not injured, but they were scared to death!

About two months ago a tornado ripped through our county west to east leaving a path of destruction we have not seen to date.  Houses, brick and stick, were literally blown away in the winds and in its place death and destruction were left.  It takes a little time to recuperate and realize that every wind storm will not leave the same death and destruction the tornado left. 

We are looking for more storms this afternoon and while we need the rain, how I long for those afternoon thunderstorms of the past with lots of rumbling thunder, but no gusting, harsh winds.  I am thankful for whatever we get at this point as far as precipitation goes.

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle
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Friday, June 17, 2011

Cynicism Aside

I just returned from a "Help!" call from my Dad after just posting my little Father's Day piece.  Dad had "fallen and couldn't get up" and he called for company.  I should have gone for an engineering degree, but alas I only have a sometimes good daughter degree instead. 

My Dad has always been a small built man, not weighing much at all.  Several years ago he had a stroke that paralyzed his right side and left his leg and arm pretty much useless.  Being sedentary not only effected his weight, but also his psyche.  Never a man to sit still, dad now has no choice. He rests in his chair and watches the boob tube and lives in his memories.  He is now a large man and I cannot lift him.

On a real good day he can manage to get on his hover round and trek off to the garden or down the drive to the front yard where he tries to "weed eat" around the front fence.  More times than none he ends up on his bottom and has to call for help.  These times the family has learned to accept and someone is always available to get him up and back to the house.  There is no restricting my Dad and so we repeat the process so he can experience what little happiness he can get "piddling" outside.

Twice in the last month I have been called to get him up from in the house. As he will not go to the doctor we can only assume he is having some mini strokes and passing out.  Usually one of the "men folk" are close by or can turn loose and come get him up.  It is all taken in good humor and mostly he laughs it off.  I had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with him this afternoon while he rested on the floor and we had a nice visit until someone could make it to assist.  (Friday afternoon is Mom's afternoon at the beauty shop and to visit with her friends.)

He so wanted to be back in his chair before she got home and he made it by just a few minutes.  I don't take the time to visit as I should and I know I will be sorry one day.  Not all of our conversations are pleasant, but today was a real delight and I enjoyed my visit with Dad.  Maybe I will get back over a spend more time with him, but then again most visits are not as pleasant. Spontaneity is the secret and that is never planned - it just happens.  So, Happy Father's Day Dad!

Until next time  . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Update on Me

Mid spring temperatures hovered daily in the low to mid 90s and the rain failed to quench the thirsty ground surrounding my drooping and withered plants.  I am so glad I followed the desires of my heart in planting an early garden as it appears those that planted later will do without.  The Roma II green beans have supplied our table with meal after meal of delicious beans with a few gallons for the freezer.  The zucchini has laughed at the lack of water and continues to burst forth with blooms and fruit.  It is has been a joy to share the abundance with friends and neighbors who are no longer able to garden or just don't have time. 

We have enjoyed radishes, tomatoes, bell peppers, red potatoes and okra to date and are looking forward to the late planted cantaloupe, watermelon, and cucumbers to grace our table soon.  Hubby has watered every other day for the last few weeks to keep the plants alive and this weeks rain was a blessing. 

It isn't even summer yet and the sweltering temperatures have kept me in the pool on a regular basis.  Even though I have had to fight the wasp with every trip, I have thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon cool offs.  The plants and grass don't have enough water in them to sustain the wasps and even though I really don't feel like sharing, the little devils insist on getting a drink the minute I splash the surface.  Wasp stings don't bother me so much, but the little ones are not happy about the fearsome stings.  Last week granddaughter number two told me it was time to get out of the water because I looked like a raisin.  Little does she realize that has absolutely nothing to do with the water - it has a lot to do with my age, but I wasn't telling her that!

Speaking of which - I really got a lift when the same granddaughter ask me on Thursday what I had done.  I ask what she meant and she says "Yesterday you looked old, but today you look young and beautiful!"  A perfect lift to my day!  Yes, I am perfectly aware that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but I can gloat for just a little while.

As most of you know I am a seamstress.  I have been sewing since I was eight or nine years old.  I started learning at my grandmother's knee on a quilt top and it has progressed over the years to one thing and then another.  The five years I worked "taking in sewing" has probably been the most fulfilling and joyful of my entire working life.  It is so fulfilling to take a flat piece of material and turn it into something useful and beautiful.  I have made my own clothes for many years and clothed my children until they learned about "labels" and refused to wear the garments I made for them.  This came to mind as a result of a most pleasant visit this week from a friend of 15 to 20 years.  I was showing her my sun bonnets and aprons which I have turned out in droves and she had the most puzzling look on her face.  I ask what was wrong and she admitted that she didn't know that I sewed.  Well, there you go!  I thought this friend know all about me and here I surprised her with a very important part of what makes me - me!  She told me I could make good money sewing for people.  I had to laugh as I had one dress hanging behind her that was in process for a neighbor and another two boxes of material waiting to be cut and sewed.  Yes, taking in sewing is a lucrative business and one I thoroughly enjoy.

In all honesty, sewing is so intricately a part of me that I guess I take it for granted.  I have gone years without picking up a needle and thread, then I start a project and another and another like I am possessed. 
It is the one job that I have undertaking that was a labor of love and joy. 

A piece of advice for all you mothers of daughters - teach them to sew!  If you don't know how, make sure they take a class in sewing either at school or at you local community recreation department. 

Closing for now so until until next time . . .

Happy Reading!
Belle

Another Father's Day

I know the title sounds rather cynical which I guess I must have intended as it just seemed to type itself.  I don't mean any disrespect to any Father out there in the netherworld.  It seems to me that we are always celebrating some special day on a continuous basis.  I recently received an email that attributed all the special occasions to the "greeting card" companies to boost lagging sales.  Secretaries Day, Administrative Assistants Day, Armed Forces Day, Civic Holiday, all have a need to be celebrated and acknowledged.

I want to ask - who needs a special day to honor their father. or their mother, or their grandparents?  My grandparents are dead, but I certainly didn't need a special day to let them know I loved and treasured them.  My parents are still alive and though not in good health are able to get around a bit.  I talk to them every week, but only see them once in a while.  My relationship with my children is much like mine with my parents.  We all have life to live and goodness, don't you think your parents know how you feel about them and whether or not they were good parents?

Anyway, a good father is hard to find and I do appreciate the fact that my father was a hardworking, church going man.  I admire the fathers of my grandchildren and thank God for providing good stable men to raise these little ones. 

This is a big Thank You to all the Dad's who are struggling to make a good home and provide for the little ones.  May your day be blessed with smiles and much love!

Saturday, June 11, 2011

My garden is so thirsty I am not sure even a shower of Gatorade would help!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Turning Sixty

The trumpets didn't sound, the band didn't play, there wasn't even a big party, but I did turn sixty on Saturday.  It was a most comforting weekend filled with surprises, lots of laughs, great hugs and lots of juicy kisses. 

I visited or talked to most of my family and friends over the weekend and spent two lazy days of being spoiled!  Mu daughter in law baked my favorite brownies and my special friend brought me a cake topped with a little old gray haired lady soaking up the sun and the cutest glasses she decorated.  She even painted the sunbathing lady's hair silver to match mine! 

I enjoyed the fruits of my life though my children, grandchildren, husband and friends.  I have not accomplished all I had intended, but I am not through yet! 

Thank you all for remembering me on my birthday and making it such a memorable occasion. 

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

The "Wonder" Rose

I am pretty much a plant and flower nut.  I love not only roses, but blooming and non blooming plants.  when my daughter asked what I would like for Mother's Day, I said "a knockout rose."  There is not one in my limited rose garden and I think the profuse blooming of this rose is so beautiful.  It is the rose that keeps on giving.

Roses take an extraordinary amount of time to keep them beautiful and healthy.  During the hot days of summer my outdoor time is limited so I have been hesitant in expanding the rose garden.  My daughter went well beyond my request and furnished me with the "original" knock rose and also the rather new variety called the "Sunny Knockout."  The Sunny Knockout is a more compact variety with just as many blooms in a beautiful soft lemon color. 

I did a little research on these roses before planting.  I found they are practically maintenance free (my kind of plant) and they are resistant to all the ills that normally attack the rose - drought resistant, pest resistant, etc.
These little jewels also clean themselves which means no dead heading!  I think I have found the perfect addition to my little garden!

We will see if they can live through this dry period with extreme heat and make it to the start of summer when things are suppose to get back to normal. I am anxious to see the buds and blooms of this little plant so I can compare to my established beauties.  The Sunny Knockout is suppose to be really fragrant.  That is a big plus in my book.

Time will tell and until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Saturday, June 4, 2011

"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have." anonymous

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Congratulations to the 499 graduating seniors of Griffin High School and Spalding High School! 

Great job of hanging in there and getting the job done!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Sauteed Greens Beans

I have a prolific crop of green beans/string beans this year.  My friend Mike shared some Roma II seeds and I got three good 20+ feet rows.  These are a bush bean which I usually don't grow, but these jewels have really changed my mind.  Tasty, easy to snap and produces like crazy even with the lack of rain.

Since I am not crazy about green beans boiled down to mush, I have been experimenting with a few ways of cooking these beans.  I have settled on one in which the flavor can be adjusted by the seasoning.  In a large dutch oven, fry 3 slices of bacon (I have tried both pork and beef bacon with great results), add the beans a handful at a time stirring to turn and coat well with the grease from the bacon.  Season to taste - I add a little salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic and onion.  Do not add water.  Cover and reduce heat to medium low.  The beans cook in their own juice, remain crispy and are full of flavor.  Try your favorite seasoning. 

Also have an over abundance of zucchini.  Any recipes are welcome as I have tried just about everything.  My favorite so far is a Paul Dean recipe for stuffed zucchini made with spinach.  Also really like scrambled sausage with zucchini and tomatoes.  Would love to receive your favorite!

I Miss My Granddaddy!



A couple of months ago Hubby and I were at the Buggytown Auction when several cages of rabbits came up for bid.  I made the statement that I would like to have some rabbits and I got "The Look" - you know the one that says "have you lost your mind?"  Well, I let it drop and we came home with a couple of chickens instead.  I haven't mentioned those cute little balls of fur that can be cuddled like no chicken ever could and I went on about my business.

On Friday afternoon I was talking to my granddaughter in Dahlonega about her upcoming visit and things we would like to do. Hubby comes in and the little one asked to speak to him.  She wanted a rabbit - a brown rabbit!  I thought to myself as I listened to them talk that she was wishing in the wind.  After about thirty minutes of haggling back and forth over money and upkeep, hubby handed me the phone after which we said our goodbyes.  Hubby advised me we were going to the sale barn to get some rabbits.  My three granddaughters have far surpassed me in manipulating their PawPaw - even from 150 miles away they have more influence!

Off to Buggytown Auction we went and home we came 4 hours later with 5 chickens and 3 rabbits.  They all spent the night in the "keeper" pen, but I knew that was not to be their new home.  Off to Tractor supply we went for wire, feed and a bottle waterer.  By Saturday afternoon those little bunnies had a wonderful home and plenty of feed and water and have really settled in nicely.  The youngest two granddaughters had to come see the new "pets" and make sure they were settled in okay.  After two days of multiple visits and all the moving, they have had a quiet day to adjust and rest just in time for the older two grandchildren to arrive mid week. 

Rabbits do make good pets, but when I said we were finally going to have some good rabbit stew, my daughter in law looked at me like I was delirious.  She vowed never to eat any rabbit and neither would the girls.  She'll never know the difference as I will fry those offspring in a heartbeat and tell them it is chicken.  Nothing is better on cold wet winter nights than a pot of rabbit stew!

Next I would like to add a couple of Pygmy goats to my menagerie, but the middle granddaughter is begging for a horse.  That I do believe will be Pawpaw's waterloo and he has said he will never have another horse.  We will see!

Until next time. . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Monday, May 9, 2011

Alabama

Hubby and I travelled to Alabama over the weekend for the wedding of a dear cousin and his lovely bride.  We met a lot of terrific people whose company we enjoyed all weekend.  The food at both the rehearsal dinner and the reception was exceptional.  The bride and groom entertained through all the festivities and still managed time for each other.  A lot of good memories were established by this unique pair.  Their love for each other, their God, their family and their friends was expressed throughout the rehearsal, wedding and reception.  I came home feeling blessed to have witnessed the occasion.

Mother's Day was bittersweet as I was not with either of my children as hubby and I travelled home.  Spoke with both though and I know as they know they are very much loved and have given me great joy.  I feel blessed to have such a wonderful daughter and daughter-in-law.  They are both good mothers, wives and daughters.  The same applies to my son and son-in-law.  I know I have the love of my family and I can think of no greater gift on Mother's day. 

I received a most delightful tub of Impatiens from my youngest granddaughters.  Impatiens is my most favorite summer flowers.  Also known as jewel leaf, this is one of my favorite herbs as it has both aesthetic and medicinal value.  Whether the girls realized the double value of their gift is doubtful, but that tub sure made me smile!

Before I close this little note I feel the need to ask for prayers for the people of Alabama.  The tornado damage is very widespread in this state as we witnessed through our drive through central and north Alabama.  I have been told that the southern parts of the state were damaged much worse than the areas I saw.  An insurance adjuster I spoke with during my stay said the damage was more like the results of a hurricane.  Recovery is still on going and many people are still homeless and doing without. 

Until next time  . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Perspective

Many times I am childlike in my thoughts. 

I have seen the many pictures of the damage caused by the recent tornados and after the initial shock and the roads were cleared, I visited some of the disaster sites.  However, until a friend sent me a video made from a plane did I ponder the significance of the human race in relation to this storm.  The people in the video appeared to be equivalent to the ants on a glorified anthill and the storm path nothing more than a boot kick along the surface of the earth.

The sight brought to mind how truly unimportant we are in the whole scheme of things and all those material possessions may make us feel better and puff up with pride, but in actuality they have little value in the overall picture.  I grieve with my fellow human beings and I pray for the safety of those left without homes, families, and friends.  Very seldom do we witness the physical power of our mighty God and it is a frightening thing.  The Bible tells us that our God is one of love, but also advises us not to provoke Him to anger. 

I do not pretend to understand the purpose of the storms, but I do see so much love, sharing, concern and joy in the people of our community that has been hidden behind a hard shell of protection.  Sometimes we all have to have a slap in the face to wake us up to the needs of others.

God told man to go forth and be fruitful and multiply and man surely did that.  But the Bible also says that he counts the hairs on our head and so I know he has me in his hands as he does my fellow ant people. 

I have come closer to understanding the fear, the loss, and the grief of those people who suffer through the hurricanes, the tsunamis, the earthquakes, the floods. 

Monday, April 18, 2011

Glads

Email received recently

Belle,
I planted glads a few weeks ago and they haven't come up.  My friends are already sprouting.  what could be the problem?
Uphappy

Dig them up and replant - you probably planted them upside down and they will sprout to the center of the earth.  No, glad bulbs can be tricky.  Make sure the web side is down and the crown up.  Plant is fertile soil theat has been well worked - soil should be loose and not compacted. 

Good luck!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Two weeks ago a very thoughtful neighbor gifted me with 20 biddies.  It was an unsolicited and  wonderful surprise from this man with a heart of gold.

Several weeks ago a neighbors dog killed ten of my laying hens and a rooster.  These are pets that I raised and nurtured for over a year.  The dog's owner offered to pay me for the hens, but having no idea the value to put on my friends, I told them no.  I replaced my Rhode Island Reds with a few Barred Rock hens that were already laying. 

My gift arrived.  A mixture of Rhode Island Red, Red Sexlink and Big Reds, these little biddies became my focus of attention for days.  I wanted to make sure they were safe, warm and well fed and watered.  The little ones settled in quickly.  On Saturday I went out to check their feed and water only to find a 6 foot black snake had eaten seven of my little ones.  My heart fell.  Sunday was a repeat only this four footer only ate three before being caught.  I still have 10 little ones which during the week have relaxed once again and are happily running up and down their pen.  In a couple of weeks they will be too big for the snakes to swallow and I can stop worrying so much.

I think this may have been the reason my egg production dropped from four a day to two a day.  I have some well fed snakes in my area.  The coyote pups have been born also.  I hear their cries late at night and in the early morning in the woods behind the barn.  I am waiting on them also as I know they will be coming my way in search of food. 

I don't think I shall get too attached to the biddies or the new chickens.  Mother Nature is not kind to my heart.  And yes, I know all about the survival instinct, but I still don't like it.

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The past can't be changed; 
learn from it
leave it alone
and move forward!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Faith

"Help me to believe what I know"  Dr. Dilday

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."  Matthew 21:22


Strengthen my faith O Lord, that I may be free to do thy work! 


"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."  1Corinthians 2:5