Colson Creations

Facebook has taken over!

2010-07-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

My long neglected Blogger friends...forgive me. Facebook took me captive, but Larry helped me break loose with some cruel security settings that prevent me from sharing my every breath with the world. I was beginning to lose my enthusiasm for the insanity of it all anyway. While being obveously fun, entertaining, and hyper-relational, there are better ways to spend hours of your day. I could have been doing enlightening, inspiring, cultural things like...mopping, cleaning toilets, and scrubbing my oven.

Also, if you are not careful, your past can now find you and come back to haunt you. Oh sure, it's a hoot to see how all your old friends have filled out and matured, but now they can also find my photos and laugh to their hearts content at my demise.

Facebook is the new "partyline". I remember catching pieces of conversations between distant acquaintances as I would check the line to see if it was free. Sometimes they would say, "Wait, someone just picked up. Hey there, who is it? We'll be done in just a minute!" If you were feeling friendly, you could chime in and join the conversation...or quietly hang up. It was the facebook of the 50's.

I do love the albums of grandchildren. Facebook is a public slide show of cutie pie babies, and I am the cheif sinner. Well, I will spare you the photos today, but as I return to my blogging self...watch out. Molly is the apple of my eye, and I will not be able to resist showing her off.

Three Months Old

2010-01-30T15:56:00.000-08:00

Mollys Debut

2010-01-30T15:44:00.000-08:00

Sweet baby girl.

Welcome Molly

2010-01-30T15:34:00.000-08:00

The long awaited event...Molly's arrival. October 23, 2009.

Thanksgiving To Almost Christmas

2009-12-16T16:27:00.000-08:00

Eric and Jennifer drove over for Thanksgiving. As you can see, it turned frosty.

Tyler and Jim made the trip as well. It was great having them all here.

Then Mom, Audron, and I joined the Primetimers on an outing to Bethlehem.

And then we finished the Border Springs Christmas musical on the 11th and the 13th.

Cruise-Family Reunion-Baby Shower

2009-09-19T22:52:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Audron loved their first cruise to Cozumel.

We returned just in time for the annual Waldon reunion which has always and will always be on the Sunday before Labor Day.

And then there was the trip to Georgia to attend Kelly's shower.

It's been a great Sept so far and there is more celebrating to come. Mother will be 87 on the 30th. What if she becomes a Great Grandmother on that day!!

August 2009

2009-08-05T20:56:00.001-07:00

Picking up sea shells in Northeast Mississippi. I had never heard of petrofied shells, but that's what we found on Uncle Edmond's farm. The white clay and shells had turned to lime stone and then exposed as this ditch washed deeper and wider into a large gully.

We got some cemetary business taken care of. Sure feels weird to see your name on a headstone.

We also had a great visit from our Casey and Kelly and her parents, Kathy and Dave. What great folks. We loved having them here. Kelly is due in October.

July Happenings

2009-07-31T19:03:00.000-07:00

Lots of stuff

June Birthdays

2009-06-21T17:58:00.001-07:00

Lemon Blueberry with marshmallow cream iceing.

Dark chocolate with milk chocolate iceing.

Plants That Love the South

2009-06-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Lantana...My favorite perennial.

Grave Yard Moss...To smother out the weeds.

Phlox...Back again and again.

Purple..Somethinganother...Grandmother called it wandering-jew...It raises from the dead.

Hardy Begonia...My mini-magnolias, have been coming back up for seven years.

Hosta...The humming birds can't wait for it to shoot up the tall stems with dangling lavender trumpets.

Oak Hydrangea....Just let it do it's own thing.

Blue Hydrangea...Great for the shady side of the house.

Daylillies that bloom all summer? Yep, they're out there.

Daisey ground cover...Stays green all year.

Bible School Boys

2009-06-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

On the final day I had 11 boys and two girls in our 5th and 6th grade group. We had over 60 kids from preschool to 6th. Pretty good for a small country church. It was a great week and a real blessing.

Green Plums and Other Distractions

2009-05-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

The plum trees are heavy with fruit. I've been shaking the limbs all spring to keep them from breaking under the weight. Surely there will be a few in which the worms have not taken up residence.

My one Knock Out Rose is a little buggy as well, but that doesn't stop the blooming. I may take cuttings and have a lot of them next year.

These old fashioned day lillies came from the old Waldon home place. They are now in Georgia as well.

Pink Queen Ann's lace and burgundy day lillies make a nice combo.

More yard flowers when my camera battery is finished recharging. :)

Have a Blessed Day.

Waverly's Magnolia Tree

2009-05-26T22:41:00.000-07:00

One of the most well known historical homes in Mississippi is the Waverly Mansion just east of West Point. After the slaves were freed, the Young family hired as many locals as possible to try to keep the 50,000 acres operational. In the late 1800's my grandfather's brother was keeping the books for Waverly and my mother's father earned extra money as a grounds keeper.

The English boxwood around Grandmother's front porch were rooted from cuttings my grandfather brought home from the mansion. Mother has one in her front yard still today. I'll have to get a cutting and put it in my front yard to continue the tradition. English boxwood only grows a foot every fifteen years!

This beautiful home sat wide open and vacant way back in the woods down a gravel road for 50 years. Finally in 1962 a young couple with four children bought the house and began cleaning and repairing it while living in one room. Friday one of those children gave us a tour of the home. Her name is Melonie Snow, and she and her father still live in the mansion today. She told us that back in 1962, when the Snow family moved in, the walls were covered with lover's names and writings, but not a word of vulgarity. No windows were broken out, all of the marble mantles and huge mirrors were in place. Every globe for the chandeliers were still there. No damage was done to the ornate woodwork and brass valances over the tall antebellum windows. The delicate plaster work was covered with dirtdobber nests, but no one had thought to brake off pieces. Even books and ledgers were still in the closets. It was a different time. It was left unattended from 1919 to 1962. Those were the last days of ...shall we say, innocence. Would it have been even in one piece had it been vacant in the middle of nowhere from 1962 to 2009?

On the left side of Waverly's front lawn grows the oldest Magnolia tree in the state of Mississippi. The Young family made note of the beautiful existing tree as the site was being prepared for the mansion's construction. The tree is estimated to be between 250 and 300 years old. The blooms have a softly sweet fragrance, and are the size of dinner plates. As Mother, Audron, and I toured through the mansion Friday, there was a fresh bloom floating in a large glass bowl on the massive dinning table. It was perfectly at home among the fine French porcelain, crystal, and Royal Dalton China. In fact I had to lean down and take in the fragrance to make sure it wasn't porcelain as well. No master artist can compete with God's living creation.

You cannot tell from this photo just how huge this magnolia is...and they are not a fast growing species. I stood there in awe for a while, but then it started raining. We will have to return one day soon to finish our tour of the gardens. The shower caught us before we could get around to the hydrangeas and roses.
We fell in love with Melonie and Waverly. I promised her that I would work hard to persuade WCBI to allow me to feature the mansion in this winter's Christmas Shopping With Linda. She and her sister Cindy did their first Christmas Open House last year and they plan to do it again this year. That would be the perfect time to film. I can't wait.

Welcome to the Ballet

2009-05-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Prairie Oak Christian School of Dance performed their 2009 recital at Mississippi University for Women's Wrent Theatre, Saturday, May 16th.

Over forty students danced "The Story of Job" with scripture, narration and beautiful music.

The Fifties

The Crocodile

The children were absolutely precious. They really put their hearts into it.

I tried fast shutter speed to avoid this type shot but under low light and from my long distance position, it just didn't work, so we have a few blurs.

The little girl in the middle of this shot did small follow moves durring the dance, but when everyone else left the stage, she stayed, and began to dance all over the stage. Her little friends came back out one by one to try to retreive her, but she continued to wildly jump and run and twirl. They all fell down and the audience of parents roared with laughter. I've got to get the footage from the videographer. It's a Funniest Home Video grand prize winner.

The Ostrich

The Darkness

This is Leigh Murphree, the school's owner and director. Leigh and her husband Andy are in our Sunday School Class. Larry was running the projector for the presentation.

The Ocean Waves

West Point, MS

2009-04-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

The wisteria in the West Point park was amazing this year. Mom, Audron, and I stopped in on our way back from visiting Uncle Edmond.

These vines are about 80 years old.

We had a nice surprise visit from Casey.

He thought he would get some work done, but I just couldn't leave him alone. I kept trying to feed him, but he is really determined to eat less and to concentrate more on vegetables. So, I had steak and BBQ ribs.

Casey Colson, Art Teacher Extraordinaire!!

My Baby Girl

2009-04-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

This is Shirley. Audron calls her my pageant cat.

Usually when I snap a photo of Shirley, those blue eyes reflect back at me and all I end up with is another shot of her in the high beams. "cat-eyes". Well the light was perfect today and I just followed her around the yard.

With her fur coat and my extra layer of fat, the cool days of early spring are far too quickly gone. Pretty soon we will both be driven back inside to the air conditioner.

These are the steps to the old shed that will soon be my new art house and Shirley's new home. She will have a special padded window shelf and her own private corner for her litter box. I can tell she can't wait.

Spring at Mill Creek

2009-03-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

I can finally say that I have seen the Trillium in bloom.

And the Buckeye's red clusters.

And the tender little bog plant, Jack in the Pulpit.

2009-03-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

God does not give us money. He gives us the ability to make money. Deut 8:18 If you are doing zero, you get zero. Jesus said, cast your nets, and then he multiplied their efforts, and blessed them...so that they could in turn bless others with their abundance. 2nd Cor 9:8 , Eph 4:28.

That's the way they do it out here in the country. We are learning so much from our country neighbors. They give to each other, they help each other, and they seem to always have plenty to go around.

This picturesque barn and horses are way out in the country in the Caledonia area, but right across the road the owners set up a little nursery and garden shop. People come from miles around to get their plants and horse compost. But the owners are strong Christians, and give a great deal to their church and the local community. Yet they live very simple quiet lives.

There is another family in Caledonia that raised cotton and corn for a living, but along with their commodity crop, they also plant pumpkins and goards. In the fall they sell them, on the honor system, in their front yard. We have been to their pumpkin sale several times, but just found out that they give this money to the church and some families in need at Christmas. They are in no way related to us that we know of, but they actually share the Colson name.

Larry and I are feeling very selfish and convicted in the light of these good stewards.

Just a note

2009-03-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

The weather is finally allowing a little outdoor time. Audron and I have been making some raised beds in the garden. We just put concrete block around four different 4' by 10' areas and filled them with rotten sawdust, humus, ash, and good woods dirt. We put a plank on the block so Mother can sit on the edge while she works the beds. She has already made one of them a strawberry bed. One will be for tomatoes, one for root veggies and one for green beans. The rest of the garden is getting a good overhaul as well. We've been to the saw mill twice for old sawdust, and are planning to go again in the morning. The ground was hard and just worn out. So, all the organic matter going in this year should bring it back up to par. We plan to plant squash, cucumbers, turnips, onions, cabbage, corn, peppers, okra, peas, radishes, and sunflowers. We put in 6 blueberry bushes this spring and plan on adding two new apple trees and two new pecan trees.

Larry and I have an appointment with the monument people next week. We are changeing the foot stone on Dad's grave to a brass plaque on marble. While we are at it, we are going to go ahead and pick out ours and get it mounted in place. Audron wants to do the same.

I have three working days left until I retire. I am so looking forward to getting my art studio finished up. We hired some house movers to move it closer to the house, so it will be more accessible. Of course we had to empty the thing first. Now I need to load up all my stuff and sell it at a flea market. We are too far out in the country to have much of a yard sale. There is a huge flea market up toward Tupelo.

I need to sell some of it on ebay. There is not a huge demand in Mississippi for snow sleds, knee boards, and computer programming books. I'm going to do a before and after series showing the old metal shed transformation. Stay tuned.

A Little Snow

2009-03-04T22:10:00.000-08:00

Grandma's house.

Deep South snow. Sunday, March 1st, 2009.

The Brian Colson Wedding

2009-02-20T16:28:00.000-08:00

February 7th, Peachtree City, Ga

Twas The Week Before Christmas

2008-12-21T18:37:00.000-08:00

Audron was my guest at the station Christmas dinner.

Young talent at WCBI

Gwen Lewis has a new grandson.

Just for fun. Looks comfy to me.

8 inches of rain

2008-12-12T18:54:00.000-08:00

The Tombigbee River is in flood stage and still riseing. It's covered the walks and benches at the park under the old bridge in Columbus, MS.

Christmas is coming!

2008-12-04T18:41:00.000-08:00

Larry helped me decorate the inside tree and I helped him put up the outside trees. The deer are avoiding our neck of the woods now that it looks like Lake Lanier's Magical Nights of Lights.

No Mtns or Grand Canyons here...

2008-12-04T18:01:00.000-08:00

But still, a few things catch my interest. This remnant of the Old South survives on the road side...to my amazement.

Old water drawing windmill on Hwy 50, West Point, MS.

The Big Ditch, (Tenn-Tom Waterway) as it cuts through Aberdeen.

Original wall painting refurbished in 1996 at the corner of Main and Commerce St in West Point.

Country Thanksgiving 08

2008-12-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

The scarecrow rests in the shade of the pumpkins last grin before fall gives way to tinsel and lights.

A doe gets a peaceful drink at the pond. Tomorrow is opening day of hunting season.

A hearty meal of tradition to share with family and reflect on the blessings we hold.

We gave thanks for memories of the past, the warmth of the present, and for the brightness and hope of the future. It was wonderful to have Jimmy and Tyler visit from Norcross.

Weather in Millport, AL

2008-11-24T10:06:00.000-08:00

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The Rare Gentian Wildflower

2008-11-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

This is a Bottle Gentian. It is very uncommon and a real treat if you are lucky enough to find one. The first two pictures are of the only two specimins we could find. There are other types of Gentians that bloom in spring, but this type blooms mostly in October and November. It is a beautiful pure blue.

These two were found about 30 feet apart in the edge of the woods between Audron's Deer Park and Mill Creek. When forests are clearcut it drys the ground severely and most native mosses and canopy loving wildflowers just do not recover. Thank goodness for the few micro habitats that remain.

It looks as if they do not want to be pollenated, but I read that the big bumble bees push their way in and come out with lots of nectur and pollen. We're going to watch these closely to see how in the world the bees get in there to pollinate the tight lipped little blue balloons.

A Week Back in GA

2008-11-08T17:56:00.000-08:00

Ellijay has it's very own Chinese cooking theatre. It was a great meal and a great visit. We loved seeing Jan and Doug again.

This was a wonderful return to a favorite time and place for Larry and me. When we lived in Gainesville, we would always take a day or two to getaway into the North Georgia hills to be a part of the change of season. This time we stayed at Alpine Ranch in the Mtn Lake Resort between Cleveland and Helen.

It seemed like we had the place to ourselves. It was so quiet and beautiful.

They supplied free firewood and free ladybugs.

By the end of the week, it was warm enough to go for a ride in the paddle boats, but still cold enough in the evening to have a fire.

This is the pavillion at the top of the mountain in the resort.

In the pasture in the valley the horses would wait for the sun to come on over the mountain in the mornings, then they would sprall out in the grass and sleep in the warm sun. Then before you know it the sun would be going down behind the mountain on the other side. So, the valley was in mountain shadows for a big part of the day.

The clubhouse was a great hangout for those of us who wanted to play a little pool. When Eric joined in the game, Kelly worked on her gift quilt for Ginger's baby.

Larry was on cloud nine having the guys all to himself. There is nothing a father enjoys more than showing his sons how to beat Minnisota Fats.

My favorite part of the trip was the time we spent in Helen with Casey and Kelly, and Eric and Jennifer.

The fudge was irresistable.

Dahlonega was fun as well. Eric met us there one afternoon just in time to pan for gold.

ERIC ELEVATE ELLIJAY

2008-10-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

http://www.elevatestudent.com/ You've got to visit this website and see what God is doing in Ellijay! Take a look at the video, look at the event photos, and listen to the song. Eric and Jennifer are working hard, but they are also having a wonderful time. The most important thing is that young people are being saved and learning about the peace and joy that Jesus has for our lives.

Summer's Last Glance

2008-10-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

The cyprus vine completely swallowed the blue bird box at the end of the driveway, but the yellow butterflies are migrating now, and they love it. I have lots of seeds saved if anyone wants some.

I love Lantana in the sunny dry places, and again, so do the butterflies. This year we had orange, lavendar, and pale yellow Lantana.

Saturday 10-11-08

2008-10-14T18:22:00.000-07:00

At long last, we are having a few days of low humidity...which means fall is in the air on the MS/AL state line. It has been a hot but good summer, and we even got some good rain toward the end. God has really blessed me with a sweet little place to call home. I thank Him that we can enjoy the open space of the country. This is a last look at the green. Soon the frost will turn it all brown.

Friday at Last.

2008-10-10T18:43:00.000-07:00

The little bridal shop in Columbus
is at it again. Bless their hearts, I
think they are scaring off all the brides.

Little Jack has grown this week.

He's about two and a half months old.

This is Rudy. He's the Mayor of the barnyard.

Pecky, Becky, and Snowbird walking the plank.

Friday!

2008-10-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

Some table scapes at a charity luncheon in Columbus.

Welcome Little Jack

2008-10-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

Mom and Audron tried on several names like Jiggy, Giligan, Little Buddy, Spot, Splatter, and finally one that fit him just right...Jack. He came from the Columbus Humane Society and is about 8-9 weeks old. He is Gramma's baby, and can already chase the Roody the Roster all the way back to the barn.

PUNKIN' CAKE

2008-09-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Mom's Birthday. I'll have to take pictures of the puppy later. He was sleeping while we were there. The Punkin' cake turned out so delicious. The recipe was pretty from scratchy, but it was worth it. You will need to buy a tube of orange frosting in the birthday cake decorating section and use whatever you like for the stem. I used a small candy bar, but you can even roll up half a slice of brownish wheat bread lightly frosted so it will stick together in a roll.

PUNKIN CAKE

First grease and flour 3 round cake pans and the bottom 1/2 of a bundt pan. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients;

2 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp all spice

1/2 tsp nutmet

1/2 tsp ginger

Wisk these dry ingredients and set aside.

In a separate large bowl mix the following;

5 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 1/4 cups veg oil

1 15 oz. can pumkin

Wisk together until blended well, then slowly blend in the dry ingredients until all is smooth.

Bake at 350 for about 25-30 minutes, divided between three round and one bundt pan. Add 1/4 cup toasted walnuts to one pan and push them into the batter with a spoon. (These are the seeds.)

While this is baking, blend two blocks of cream cheese with one large tub of Cool Whip and 1 tsp of butternut extract. Vanilla will do if you don't have butternut. Set in the refrigerator while cakes cook then cool completely, about an hour.

Now the fun begins! With a pizza cutter, cut out about a half inch or more of the outter ring of one of the layers to make a "hoop". You will start with the remaining small round layer. Save the ring to the side. Frost the small round bottom. The next layer is the one with nuts. Place it on top the smaller bottom and frost. Place the third round layer and frost. Then place the small bundt ring on as the fourth layer. There will be a shelf because the bundt is smaller than the 3rd layer. This is where you position the hoop from the first layer. You should now have a pumpkin shape. Reserve about two cups of the fluffy frosting to later mix with orange for the last coat. Then cover the entire ball with the remaining white frosting. (it's a little stiff, that's good, you press it on like morter and sculp yourself a pumpkin. I then divided up my reserved frosting into three coffee cups and mixed up three shades of orange with the store bought tube of orange frosting. (Next time I'll save some dark straight orange right out of the tube for more contrast. But just layer it on with a whatever tool you have. A frosting knife is best, but toward the end of my first attempt I had frosting on everything in the kitchen. But, then I got to lick everything, so it wasn't so bad. That's why you make so much iceing. This cake was also a good reminder as to why I don't cook from scratch much anymore. When the receipe book gives the prep time you can go right ahead and double that. In my kitchen it's more like a scavenger hunt than "prep time". Who do they think I am? The Iron Chef? It's a major project just to find two clean bowls at any given time, little-on butternut extract for Pete's sake. Ah, but here are the photos to prove I prevailed.

Tid bits

2008-09-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

NOTE: The Naturalist Quiz has answers now. I know it's caused sleepless nights.

This is Larry pretending that he is a ventriloquist and that Chloe is his puppet dog.

Chloe says, "ARGhhh...don't pull the hair on my chin!"

This is the artistic window display in a downtown Columbus bridal shop. The bride manikins look a little out of place with crayons and pom poms....
What were they thinking???

2008-09-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

After this, I promise no more mushrooms, but holy-moly this one was a beaut.

Today on my lunch hour I drove over to Stinnis Lock and Dam.
I was more interested in the overflow ponds than the dam. The water hyacinths are blooming.And I even got an action shot of this egret diving for a fish.

A Quiz for Naturalists

2008-09-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

The nuts that are in this ball will look like large dark lustrous chestnuts...but they are poison. Old-Timers would carry one in their pocket as a good luck charm. Name that nut...BUCKEYE. The leathery hull drys and splits open to reveal beautiful hardwood nuts usually three or four per ball.

Small and sweet, this fall fruit will be a treat if you wait until it is at it's peak. One day early and your mouth will go curly-squirley. WILD PERSIMMONS.

The fruit of this flower is nature's noise maker. Drop and it may pop.

The fruit of the purple Passion Flower is a sweet hollow pod. They are called MAY-POPS! Country kids drop them, stomp them, and they may make a good "pop" ...Larry's father, used to say his car's tires are Maypops. Then he would laugh.

At the end of each twig you'll find a ....FIG

Fancy Fungus

2008-09-09T22:34:00.000-07:00

I have found that the low terrain of our land makes a natural garden for moisture loving mushrooms. Some are rare and sell for $75 a pound, others will melt your liver. I dare not take on that responsibiltiy, so we just admire them from a distance.

Every walk through the woods reveals the boundless imagination of our creator. I can't believe how He can even make fungus beautiful.

Croquet Anyone?

2008-09-09T21:06:00.000-07:00

Casey and Kelly came over for the Labor Day Waldon Family Reunion. Mother is the last remaining of the oldest generation. There were six 1st cousins in attendance, and five of our children. We had eight spouses and five children's children.

Kelly & I played one game and then swooped Grandma inside so she could show us how to put a baby quilt together for Kelly's expected niece.

However, fascinated by the complexity of the croquet "rules" and completely under the power of their out of control competitive natures, Casey and Larry continued to play game-after-game until well after the mosquitoes had had seconds and the armadillos were beginning to occupy the course. We loved having them home and hope they come again soon.

The Barn & Butterfly

2008-08-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

Rainy Morning Mushrooms

2008-08-23T21:46:00.000-07:00

Well, Hurricane Fay gave us a much needed rainy day. But, I still got out to visit some of my new friends. Some had opened up and some had melted. But these were happy little guys. I have learned to charge my camera battery before I head out. Once you get in the woods you loose track of time,

I feel like a honey bee going from garden to garden looking for the sweetest flower.

These are all so cool, I wish you could see each one on the big screen. God puts just as much detail into these small fungi as he does in all the other types of flora...this just happens to be there time to shine.

Sunset Mushroom

2008-08-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of this photo. Note the little beetle. Can't wait til in the morning to shoot some sunrise mushrooms.

Meet Pecky and Becky

2008-08-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

I would like for you to meet my new pets. The rooster is Pecky and the black bantum hen is Becky. We also have two white roosters and two white hens. They are bantums as well, but I haven't named them yet. They are all still pretty young and won't start laying until about November.

Larry and Audron have done such a good job of fencing in the back of the barn for them and making a comfortable roost and laying boxes. I'm so excited about the birds. In a couple of weeks I will be getting some Rhode Island Red chicks. They get a lot bigger and lay like crazy.

2008-08-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

After so many years of pure joy in the outdoors, I still stand in wonder each time I take notice of something new, to me, in nature. The small things in the wild are like little jewels to be discovered. What, at first glance, seems to be simple, turns out to be quite complex and strangly beautiful.

More Mushrooms

2008-08-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

I've counted at least twenty different types so far, and it is really fun to find a type that I've not seen. It almost feels like looking for Easter eggs.

Country Pass Times

2008-08-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

I am so amazed at the variety of mushrooms that can be found in the woods around the farm. I am going to the library this week to check out a book to try and identify them. Who knows, some may be delicious. In the interest of space, here are just a few of my favorites.

2008-08-12T18:55:00.000-07:00

This is an old bridge in Steens that is just sitting, rusting and making me wonder if it is of any historic significance. It looks like it was maybe built in the 30's. It's across Yellow Creek on a Lowdnes County Road called Caledonia-Steens Rd.

Casey & Kelly Visit

2008-07-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

Casey and Kelly surprised us with a visit this week. With back to back visits from our guys, Larry and I are still grinning from ear to ear.

Of course, on the hottest day we've had this summer our AC stopped working. So, we bought small window units to get us through until the repairman could get to us.

Casey gives all the credit to Kelly for their joint effort on this food art.

We have building lots already designated for Kelly and Jennifer's dream homes....if they can live with the armidilla, deer, mosquitos, and extreme weather. Time to say good bye. We loved having you home again if only for a day or two. God has been so good to keep you safe and we pray for you both, and Eric and Jenn as well...always.

Eric & Jennifer's Vsit

2008-07-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

Eric and Jennifer came

for a visit the 4th of July.

My sugar cookie flag was a hit with all the patriots.

Larry loved having a fellow pyromaniack to help him shoot off some fireworks.

And we made a quick visit

to the old beach tree where

Casey and Eric carved their

names back in 1993.

Glamour Girls

2008-06-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Chloe and her bff, Kelly.

June 2008

2008-06-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

These are my 6th grade girls and our 4th grade man, Jantsen. He accepted Christ this week and so did Elizabeth, the girl in the middle. The last night all the children preformed a program for the parents.

The family gathered for Audron's birthday at a catfish house on the Tenn-Tom.

These guys were making a movie in the streets of Columbus.

This is Jimmy in Steens, MS, plowing with his grandfathers rig. No diesel required. His fields include peas, watermelon, and corn. Sure hope we get some rain soon, for Jimmy's sake.

Kathy & Dave: The best cruise mates

2008-06-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

Formal night was such a delight, but Labadee was fab & free.

Larry and Dave won at putt-putt, but Kathy and I mastered the Flow Rider!
Not really. We did however, master the art of happy endulgence.
Great memories with great friends. We loved every wonderful moment.