Blackberry Winter Girl

My Crazy Restaurant Experience

2019-01-27T17:19:00.004-05:00

In the scheme of things, the craziest experience I ever had in a restaurant wasn't really earth-shattering or anything. I was about 20, I think. I was working as a bank teller and a cocktail waitress on the weekends. Monday night was the night everyone went out together because our bar was closed.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

There we were, sitting at a table as a group, enjoying the music. I remember I was wearing an angora camisole that I loved. I had coveted the top for weeks before actually purchasing it. The soft, sweet lavender color with rhinestone straps complemented my plum slacks perfectly. The new heels I wore were comfortable for standing, walking, and yes, dancing. I was smoking hot that night and I knew it. It was going to be the perfect night.

Photo by Eaters Collective on Unsplash

The dance floor had lights around the edge. This was something new in the '80s, at least in East Tennessee. I thought it was cool and I was dying to get out on the floor. The next thing I know, I was drenched in ice cold...TOMATO JUICE! Yes...tomato juice. The waitress was flying by and lo and behold, she tripped, at which point she unceremoniously dumped SIX, yes, six Bloody Mary's on me. Luckily she missed my hair, but the rest of me was completely covered in ice and tomato juice as well as celery. My friend who was sitting next to me also had Bloody Mary all over her and the table, well let's just say we had to move to a new table.

Photo by Johann Trasch on Unsplash

Next thing I know there is lots of scurrying, towels, and tears(the waitress's first night working and all that). Let's just say I learned a valuable lesson. Don't sit next to the walkway!

Photo by Nikola Jovanovic on Unsplash

Y'all come back, now!

5 Fun Fall Activities to Do With Your Family

2018-09-18T21:23:00.005-04:00

Fall is almost here. The Autumnal Equinox is on Saturday, September 22, 2018. Time for all the pumpkin spice lovers to come running out of the woodwork. I have to admit, I love some pumpkin muffins, pumpkin rolls, and pumpkin pie. Heck, I love the smell of pumpkin cooking, period. There are so many things you can do with your family to enjoy the autumn season. I have compiled my top 5 here, aside from Halloween(more on that one later).

1. PICKING APPLES

This one is something I try to do every fall. Head to the orchard and pick some apples. I love the scents, the sounds, and the sunshine.

Photo by Rikki Austin on Unsplash

2. CORN MAZE

The most fun I've had in fall as an adult was in a corn maze. I went in with my granddaughter and we got lost. It was getting dark and a little scary until we finally made it out. After that, we were ready to walk right back in!

Photo by João Silas on Unsplash

3. WALKING IN THE LEAVES

I really love walking in the leaves in the fall. I love the smell of the leaves, the rustle they make when I kick them, the colors and the emotions. On sunny days they seem like happy party decorations. On cloudy, rainy days, they show that nothing is forever and everything changes.

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

4. FALL FESTIVALS

Who doesn't love a good fall festival? I always try to get to at least one. Seeing apple butter being made the old-fashioned way, eating kettle corn and hot cocoa. Pumpkins and apples, hayrides, and chrysanthemums.

5. BONFIRE

I really enjoy sitting back around a campfire, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and making s'mores. Wrapped in a blanket, kids sitting around telling ghost stories and looking at the stars.

Photo by Josh Campbell on Unsplash

Have a little fun with your family this fall!

Y'all come back!

10 Hauntingly Beautiful Halloween Decorations for Your Yard

2018-09-15T14:21:00.005-04:00

I love Halloween! I love the skeletons, I love the zombies, I love the vampires. I love decorating. I love the crunch of the leaves as I walk down the sidewalk. I love the scent of the air, the fires, the leaves, the crispness. I.LOVE.IT.ALL!

I especially love scrolling through Pinterest to find new and scary decorations to make for my yard. Even though I live up a tiny holler in East Tennessee, I decorate as much as I can. Yes, sometimes its cheesy. Sometimes scary, sometimes ghouly. This year I am going with ghostly. I plan to do packing tape ghosts and any others that I deem ghostly enough. I am gathering 10 examples of my favorite ghostly, goulish, hauntingly beautiful ghosts.

1. Packing Tape Ghosts

Packing tape ghosts are my favorite by far. They are hauntingly beautiful when lit with LED lights at night but retain that quality in the daytime.

The transparency is perfect.

Photo source here

They are light and easy to hang or stand. Packing tape ghosts are easy to make and fun for kids to help with. Let your imagination run wild!

2. Chicken Wire Ghosts

Equally as ethereal are chicken wire ghosts.

Image source: Fine Craft Guild

These look beautiful in the daytime floating around your yard.

(Image: Jessica Begum)

When painted with glow-in-the-dark paint or spotlighted with a blacklight, they glow eerily in your yard at night. While chicken wire ghosts take a bit more trial and error and careful consideration of sharp edges, the result is well worth the effort.

3. Cheesecloth Ghosts

I found this post on cheesecloth spirits right here. She begins by showing us Martha's version:

Photo Source here

But continues with a beautiful tutorial of her own creations.

There are so many different versions using cheesecloth, you can do your own easily.

Photo Source here

Again these hang and float well and depending on which base you choose, can float around your yard easily. Cheesecloth ghosts very easily created while totally forgiving.

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The cheesecloth can be left to float and move in the wind and if using inside, can be starched into place permanently using liquid starch!

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I love these for hanging in trees to flow in the wind. I will have a few up the holler this year.

4. Tomato Cage Ghosts

Tomato cage ghosts are very simple and can be customized in many different ways.

Photo Source here

Using different fabrics such as white fabric, cheesecloth, silvery fabric, they let your imagination go free...

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Supplies are limited, a flower pot with dirt or gravel in the bottom, a tomato cage, lights(not required) fabric, and a black permanent marker. If you raise tomatoes, you probably already have some of these supplies!

5. Grim Ghosts

These grim ghosts are my current favorite for 2018. I love the size(gigantic), I love the color and I love the lantern! Find the DIY here!

6. Ghost Ring

Ghost rings are another highly creative ghost for your yard.

Photo source: here

Once you decide on a ghost, they are duplicated as many times as you wish.

Photo Source here

Join their hands around a prop (think fire, cauldron or other ghoulish item) to bring your childish group of poltergeists together for a Halloween celebration.

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By changing the covering you can change the entire mood of the grouping.

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Use tomato cages or stakes for a base. Coverings range from cheesecloth to plastic tablecloths to tulle.

7. Ghost Children

For me, ghostly children are the scariest.

Photo Source here

They come in many forms and sometimes, I just can't look!

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Each is made differently. Some are packing tape,

some are put together using wood and other hardware, some use dolls,

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and some are just as scary in the daytime

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as they are at night!

Photo Source here

8. Ghost Brides

There are a number of ghost bride stories...they are all romantically ghoulish.

Photo Source here

How about a ghost bride in your haunted yard, searching for her love endlessly into eternity?

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Use any of the methods already mentioned, dressing the base in a wedding gown (available at thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets),

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veil and bouquet. The possibilities are endless.

9. Goulish Ghosts

These beauties are all hauntingly beautiful and terrifyingly breathtaking. Most are simply made using variations of the previous methods and/or much more embellished. For your enjoyment:

Photo Source here

10. Ghost Costumes

What better way to haunt your yard than with a real, moving, interactive ghost?

Simple and eerie, sheet ghost.

Photo Source here

Let your child haunt the yard with you.

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Definitely ready to search for her love into eternity.

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Martha's version.

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A translation of Martha's version.

Haunt your yard this Halloween.

Y'all come back!

Rebranding

2018-08-12T00:51:00.002-04:00

I am in the midst of rebranding everything to bring all my little pieces together and have them all leading back to one place. I have also decided to go with my Appalachian roots and turn Blackberry WInter Candle Company towards Appalachia. Going forward all candle scent names will be Appalachian terms or sayings. I have found a wonderful group of folks on Facebook who have been more than happy to assist me.
I'm excited about the prospects of this undertaking and although I will be working full time, I expect that things will take off soon. I would love to be able to do craft fairs every weekend or open my own shop. The plans we had for June fell flatter than a pancake.
With that being said, I hope to have a blog post here for each new scent with the history and definition of the saying, for some good ole' Appalachian education. I'll include a description of the scent itself as well. So here is the first one... "Bless Your Heart"

Today's popular usage of the phrase "Bless your heart," is often as a saying meaning someone is as dumb as a stick, or that you plan to insult them and are just adding a little sugar beforehand. Here in the South and specifically in Appalachia, we do use the phrase for just such an occasion. Maybe the groom's cousin shows up at a wedding in attire more appropriate for a club. The twittering in the back rows will be numerous ladies flitting their pasteboard fans and whispering "Bless her heart, why did she wear that?"

When using the phrase around children, it tends to take on a more kindly meaning. When that little 5-year-old girl comes running into the reception hall at the church, crying and pointing to her scraped, bleeding knees, those same ladies will rush over with hankies, ice, cold punch, tissues and a band-aid. All can be heard exclaiming, "Bless your heart, sweetheart, what in the world happened?"

Photo by Jamez Picard on Unsplash

Our candle has none of that in mind. This shimmering white floral bouquet is showered with dewdrops that add freshness. Hints of cassis brighten with fruity tones that blend with fresh greens and warm woods, unfolding to reveal creamed musk and golden amber. Available in 16-ounce jelly jars, 8-ounce jelly jars and tart clamshells, you will know that your heart is blessed in the best possible way. You can find Bless Your Heart and many other incredible scents at our shop, Blackberry Winter Candle Company, on Facebook.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy day, and I hope you have a great rest of the week-end!

Bless Your Heart,

Changes

2018-05-02T15:28:00.000-04:00

Not much action here lately, but lots of changes coming. I have decided to put my heart back into blackberrywintercandlecompany.com AND we are opening a storefront for The Blackberry Barn in June. What does this mean for us? BIG changes!

Blackberry Winter Candle Co. will have a space in the shop as well as Appalachian Funky junk. I'm super excited to finally pull all these brands together and do what I love.
The Blackberry Barn will carry gently used furniture and home furnishings as well as some new products. Blackberry Winter Candle Company features 100% soy candles hand-poured in Mason jars as well as massage candles, tarts, tealights and warmers. BWCC also carries Firefly Lane an all natural bath and body product company. Appalachian Funky Junk features reused and repurposed products.
Our target date to open the shop is June 13th. This will follow a momma/daughter end of school trip to Fredericksburg,VA. We will be visiting Bex's Aunt Tracy and our Daughter In Law, Kat and granddaughters Fia and MiMi. Aunt Tracy is the proprietor of Firefly Lane, so new products could travel home with us!
After taking possession of the new building, I plan to make it into a sweet, cottagy environment that welcomes everyone in and entices them to stay.

I see morning glories and honeysuckle growing up an arbor and pots of flowers and plants everywhere.
Stay tuned for updates and pictures of the shop and trip.

Easter Up The Holler

2018-04-05T16:39:00.002-04:00

Easter 2018 was so much fun. We had guests, Vinnie and Sassy, join us for the 2 weeks prior to Easter. Our Easter Up The Holler Dinner had 26 guests and take-outs to 4 more. We egged yards for our Relay For Life team, Patsy Jane's Girls. We attended the 195th annual Peters Hollow Egg Fight. It has taken me 3 days to recuperate, but it was well worth it!

Our Relay For Life in Carter County, Tennessee s held on June 22, 2018, at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, 426 TN-91, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Check out what RFL does, join our team, donate or purchase a luminaria for someone you love who has been touched by cancer with our team, Patsy Jane's Girls, in memory of my mom, Patsy Jane. The first annual Patsy Jane's Girls Egg My Yard was held as an RFL Fundraiser.

We delivered candy-filled Easter eggs the night before Easter, scattering them in the yards of those who participated.

Being the Easter Bunny was so much fun! We all can't wait until next year! We have already been donated eggs to grow on!

Our Easter Dinner was a success. We had 26 guests and take outs for an additional 4. All the staple Easter dishes, ham, potato salad, macaroni salad, mac n cheese, green beans, peas, corn, rolls, banana pudding, strawberry stuff, cookies, cupcakes, and drinks. Lots and lots of conversation, hugs, sunshine, and love.

Our friend came to visit, Charles, the Easter Bunny.

The 195th Annual Peters Hollow Egg Fight is a sight to see. Let's just say...I was impressed by the dedication of the fighters! Check it out here, more from me on that soon.

Y'all come back now!

3 Artists I Admire and Why

2018-03-16T00:05:00.001-04:00

John William Waterhouse

The ethereal quality of the light combined with the beauty of the subjects give me a feeling of peace. I am especially fond of both "Ophelia" portraits.

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I have an affinity for historical fiction, especially that of Greek Mythology, Celtic lore and the Scottish and English royal lines. Waterhouse's work takes my mind drifting into those realms.

Vincent Van Gogh

While I love both "Sunflowers" and "Starry Night" I often find myself drawn to Van Goh's "Almond Blossom" and "Long Grass With Butterflies"

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I love how Van Gogh's "Almond Blossom" looks as if he was lying on his back under the almond tree looking up through the branches to the sky.

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In "Long Grass With Butterflies" the springtime theme is continued. To me, it feels like a lazy day in the springtime sun. I can almost feel the sun on my face.

I also love the simplicity and innocence of "Nature Morte, Branche d'Amandier"

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I love the signature, "Vincent" at the top left-hand corner as if it is an elementary school art project.

Claude Monet

I love every single painting by Monet. Every.Single.One. There are a couple favorites, though. First, "Woman With A Parasol-Madame Monet And Her Son" is a beautiful tribute to mother and son.

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I am swooning over the quality of light in this painting. It feels like a June morning, I can hear the birds, smell the bramble roses and honeysuckle and feel the sunshine. It reminds me of a day long ago walking in a field full of daisies with my mother.

The light in Monet's paintings is incredible.

Who is your favorite artist? Share in the comments and tell us why you love their work.

Till next time...

Word of the Year

2018-01-06T01:13:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year! I hope this new year, 2018, finds you and your family happy and healthy!

Although I don't like jumping on the bandwagon, I do like to make resolutions. I have a few for this shining new year of 2018. I wasn't going to jump on the "Word for the Year" train, but my number 1 resolution is to become more connected to my family and friends. So it only seems right that my word for 2018 will be "CONNECT." By connect, I mean to communicate, travel to and with, and just generally, well, connect.

2017 has been a difficult year for our family. Death has taken a real toll on us as have cancer and other illnesses. We do have a whole new crop of young'uns to enjoy and what better way than to make an effort to connect more often with them and their parents, our children.

Then there are all those friends who live from here to the other side of the moon. I hope to meet up with some of them as well as see my local friends more often. Lunch, girls night, picnics, shopping days, spa days, paint night, and I'm even thinking about planning a girls weekend for a few of us.

I get the feeling that even though we are all "connected" 24/7, we have a gigantic, growing disconnect around us. We sit in a family gathering and every face is looking down at a phone or tablet. We no longer take the time to enjoy the world around us. We drive our cars, plan our vacations and go, go, go...but we don't CONNECT to anything or anyone.

When is the last time you actually made food and delivered it in person when your neighbor's mother passed away? Go to the actual funeral? How about a neighborhood block party? Anyone remember those? Kids playing at each other's houses, as a gang. First, this house, then down the street to that house after lunch?

When was the last time you made cookies with your granddaughter or taught your daughter (or yourself) how to sew? I'm jumping in with both feet. Join me in connecting in 2018. Connect with me in 2018!

I Quit

2018-01-06T00:34:00.000-05:00

This post is reposted from my other blog Spring Into the Word. Originally posted in April 2017. I was scrolling through Facebook today and hit a post by a successful young lady who had locked herself into her bedroom to get away from her kids, family, life. I urged her to read it and I'm urging you as well. Just remember, we are a tribe. We need to help each other.

I quit! I did! What did I quit? My job? No. Volunteering? No. Gluten? No. Sugar? Carbs? Wine? All, no. I quit being a WIFE AND MOM! Yes. I gave up. I got in the bed and didn’t get back out. I stopped caring. I stopped cleaning. I stopped cooking(mostly). I stopped taking care of my daughter the way that I should. I stopped taking care of my pets. It lasted a LONG time. A VERY long time. I. JUST. QUIT.

What happened? I vaguely remember wondering what would happen if I just quit, but it wasn’t really a conscious decision on my part. No picket line, no ultimatums. No, I just stopped. Everything. I couldn’t get up. I didn’t want to. I just wanted to lay in my bed or on the couch and do nothing. So I did.

The laundry piled up. Up and up and up. There is a gigantic pile of junk on my front porch. Strings of Christmas lights and a Halloween blow-up cat, dead plants, trash, and who knows what else. My daughter’s room is a certified disaster area, although her friends and cousin helped make this disaster, then skipped off into the sunset, leaving us to sift through the debris.

I completely failed for over a year at being a mom and a loving wife. Finally, late last year, I reached out to my baby sister. I cried to her, I told her exactly what was happening. She has been there. She instructed me what I should do. Then she checked up on me. Then she held me accountable. I needed that.

My husband was great. He wasn’t perfect every day, but he motivated me by making me get up and out from time to time. My daughter was challenging, but she needed her mom.

Puberty happened. The ‘tweens happened. Friends happened. Boys happened. School, absenteeism, tantrums, homework...her life went haywire and momma was barely there.

Above all, I found a new church home with a new friend who is teaching me about the beauty of worship and showing love to others. My new friend, Kim, is the kind of wife and mother we all strive to be. I am learning from her to be quiet and gentle but to worship God loudly and unashamedly.

In I Samuel 6 God’s Word tells us that when David has the ark of the Lord brought into the City of David, “David danced before the Lord with all his might.” When Michal, the daughter of Saul saw King David dancing she “despised him in her heart.” In verses 21 and 22, David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel-I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

I worshiped. I prayed. I prayed some more. I went to the doctor. I saw a therapist. I increased my medication. On the other side of the great storm I was in, I see that the Lord led me through as He promised me in Psalm 23.

He quieted my soul and guided me in paths of righteousness. He let me make my own mess, then HE carried ME.

He also tells me in Psalm 34:18-20 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.” He absolutely saved me from my crushed spirit.

I can see that I will need to work twice as hard to catch up. It will take twice as long to catch up as it did to fall behind. I’m ready and I’ve started. I’m moving. I’m up and physically moving. I’m caring again. I’m moving my residence.

I’m moving as a home school mom. I’m leading a women’s Bible study (find it here).

I’m blogging again. I’m cleaning again. I’m pet mom again.

I’m back and it’s great to be here.

Chili on a Fall Day

2017-11-12T16:38:00.000-05:00

Now that the temperature has FINALLY dropped, its a perfect day for chili. Long ago my former mother-in-law gave me this recipe and it has served me well throughout the years. The men in my life love it and you can't go wrong with chili on a cold day! I usually do a pan of fried cabbage and cornbread muffins with it and or serve it over rice. We often use the left-overs for taco salad or tacos. So two hearty meals for the price of one! Garnish with grated cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, etc.

Easy Everyday Chili

1-2 LB ground meat (hamburger, turkey, venison)

1 med. onion, chopped

3-15 oz cans dark red kidney beans, drained

3-15.5 oz cans chili beans

1-28 oz can whole stewed tomatoes, undrained, cut up into pieces

2 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp. salt

Brown and drain ground meat and onion in skillet. Mix beans, tomatoes, chili powder and salt in a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add meat. Bring to a boil, immediately reduce heat to M/L and simmer for 30 minutes. All done!

My Grandpa

2017-11-10T19:28:00.001-05:00

My sister posted this last week. I never knew it existed. I would have never known my grandfather to be so poignant. To me he was Shorty. My grandpa, who hugged me every time he left "big enough to last until I get back." There are no hugs big enough now, Shorty, but I'm saving a big one for when we meet again.

Tracy wrote:

"I was going through some old papers tonight and came across a copy of a letter my grandfather wrote to my great-grandmother on this date in 1944 while serving in the US Navy during WWII. I thought I would share his words some 73 years later. Very thought provoking and I think his final words in the last sentence still ring true today as they did so very long ago. Bear with me as this is long, but I feel led to share it tonight.

***Warning: these are his exact words transcribed from his letter to his mother....the wording, language, and syntax are his and his alone, and were common at the time. While bridges have been mended between the US and Japan now, at the time they were fighting each other and these were his emotions***"

Nov. 5, 1944

Dearest Mom,

Some few days ago off the island of Leyte, (Phillipines) we were attacked by a portion of the Jap fleet. From the deck I could see the flashes of their guns. All around us i could see where the shells were hitting. It was morning. We manned our planes and took off. Yes, I was scared. I don't believe any of us were sure of coming back. Our own small group was zigzagging about and firing back at the Jap ships. After we were airborne we could see the Japs had us outnumbered, But we still had the upper hand. We had our aircraft. After a raging sea & air battle. They were beginning to look more of our size. The shellfire of the enemy was very intense but their aim was very bad. They didn't get a hit on us.

When we went in on our attack, Lt. Turner (my pilot) was talking to us. Cool as an iceberg. Me, I was scared as hell. W caught them flatfooted. We got what we went after. The anti aircraft fire that came up behind us was beautiful all different colors. It was strange that I should think of that then. The AA fire was very far off but intense. and believe me Mom, it wasn't half as bad as I had imagined. Shortly afterward the little yellow bastards turned tail and ran. we cam back to our ship safe & sound. Through out the day our squadron & other planes and surface units pressed home the attack. You can bet your boots they regret the day they ever saw our outfit.

After we came back we under went an air attack. In this the Japs took a bathing. There were some near misses causing no damage. In face one was shot down so near the ship pieces of Jap meat were found on the deck. Even he couldn't damage us. It looked like we were charmed or something. The almighty God was watching over us that day I know.

The coolness and brilliant leadership of our officers, the quick cool deliberate action of our gunners, even too the lowest seaman was a thing of wonder.

A well trained football team never clicked so well. all hands were extremely relieved when at last after standing by their stations most of the day we could at last relax and know it was a job "well done" our nerves were ragged but everyone was laughing and talking what the other guy allegedly done in his skivvies. It was more like a nightmare. When you see or hear the words Pacific fleet. Take off your hat to the greatest fighting force on earth. Those few hectic hours (or days, it seemed to have been months), have done so much to wipe out Jap sea power. Which means a weakening land power, and bring us all home eventually.

Well mom, I must close now it is late and everyone is yelling to get the lights out. If you could have seen this you would think as I think, that the Age of Miracles is not yet passed.

Love and Kisses,

Bob

Robert Tully Davis aom 3/c

Up the Holler

2017-10-15T14:25:00.001-04:00

I know, I haven't been a good blogger. Not for one day. I have no excuse except that I quit. I quit life. Seriously, I took, like a year OFF. I am, however, back to life, thanks to my baby sister and my husband. You can read about that story over here.

So much has happened! I am the proud GiGi to 12, yes, 12 grands and we even have a brand new great-granddaughter who is totally adorable! All the kids are doing well but my sweet little Pixie-Girl has turned into a beautiful, emotional TWEEN! Well, she's almost through the tween years and on to being a teenager. I has certainly been a struggle, but we've settled into a routine (somewhat).

Still...never a dull moment...some highlights:

Pine Cones at Papaw Bob's

Climbing

Dad fixing the kite

St. Augustine

Poppaw and Sofia, Rebekah is directing

Beachin'

Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Mango in her post-rescue pool

We've been here, there and everywhere. Most important, we have a new home and we love living up the holler in the mountains. The sense of community that is almost non-existent in other places we've lived is wide open here. Neighbors watch out for each other and each other's kids. People are friendly. Animals are welcome. The creek lulls us to sleep and relaxes us as we enjoy our porch in the evenings. I can't say enough about it!

Going forward I'm going to attempt to post as much as possible about the day to day of home, family, fun and adventures, gardening, pets...pretty much day to day, LOL!

Red Hearts-10 Red Heart Crafts

2016-01-17T22:59:00.004-05:00

Pinterest is filled with Valentine's Day crafts, valentines, recipes and decor. I decided to focus on RED so I've compiled 10 awesome red heart crafts. We will be trying a couple in the next few days.

Salt-Dough Heart Necklaces

Fingerpaint Valentine

Easy Valentines Decor

Easy Valentine's Day Suncatcher Craft

Fabric Heart Wreath

"Love Is" Banner

DIY Felt Heart Pillow

Red Mason Jar Hearts

DIY Valentine Rag Wreath

Salt Dough Red Heart

New Year New Goals

2016-01-05T07:48:00.000-05:00

I always make goals in the new year. Don't we all? This year, I would like to attain a few of them. Here is my list:

1. Better health-Eat better, STOP drinking soda, walk more, keep up with my medical visits better, drink lots more water.
2. Focus on my family-Communicate better, be more proactive about visiting and enjoying those visits, gather more, photograph everything.
3. Enjoy the days-Watch the birds, play with the dogs, plant the flowers and watch them grow, sew, read, and create.
4. Connect and reconnect with friends-Call, write, visit, and enjoy!

If you have set some goals, share them. I always love hearing from you.

10 Gifts for Your Tween Girl

2015-12-03T11:39:00.000-05:00

So. Shopping for a tween girl. Still a little bit princess, a little diva, a little confused, a little independent, a little momma’s little girl…WHAT in the world are you going to get her? Take a look at these awesome gifts.

Just Dance.There are so many versions! The most updated:

2. Roller Skates

These with a pink pop and a full boot for ankle safety. Tweens love skating and the lights, music and concession stand along with video games and friends and….BoYs

3. Hue Animation Studio

Tweens are loving producing YouTube videos, so what better gift than equipment! Helps with writing(scripts), creativity(props), and more. Your tween could become a YouTube sensation!

4. Shopkins

Shopkins, adorable little grocery items with sweet smiling faces satisfy that drive in girls to collect tiny things!

5. A themed gift basket

This One by the folks at simplybeingmommy.com uses Coca-Cola as the theme, but any color will work. Pampering, comfort, snacks, everything a girl wants after the big celebration!

6. A personalized cosmetic bag

This one from Thirty-One Gifts can be personalized in many different ways and is available in several prints! Plus a purchase of the Red Wave print gives a donation to the Ronald McDonald House!

7. Instax Instant Camera

How much fun were those instant cameras? Let your girl enjoy the goofiness!

8. Hair Styling Tools

Flat Irons

Hairbrushes

Hair Chalk

9. Tieks

Adorable, easy, FLAT, grown-up shoes.

10. Karaoke Machine

Girls, tweens, teens…they all love to sing and be pop stars.

Be Reverent

2015-09-17T16:51:00.000-04:00

Paul writes in Titus 2:3

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Today we begin by looking at ways we, as older women can follow these instructions:

Be reverent in the way we live
Don't be slanderers
Don't be addicted to too much wine
Teach what is good

That's a big list!

How can we go about this? We can start at the beginning, being reverent in the way we live. Age is not a precursor to living reverently. God wants all of us to live reverently, showing His love in our deeds, words and actions. Rachelle Fleming writes

In the normal course of life, this would be a reference to a godly woman who has done the work of raising her own family and honoring her husband. In God’s design, the task of discipling young women belongs to older women who have built God’s principles for living into their lives – women who are intentional about developing Truth-based thinking.

in her article Titus 2 Women-Living Reverently.

As we have done the work of child-rearing, we have learned many many things. These life-lessons can be invaluable to the young mother at the end of her rope. You, yes you may be the one who can teach her that a closed mouth and a calm but strong demeanor can often stop the tantrum of a 2 year old. Would it be so bad to hug up your wailing child, speak soothingly to her and show her that no matter the problem, you are there for her. Once calmness has been regained is the time to resolve the issue, if that is time-out, discussing options, or dealing out consequences.

This is alien to our automatic response to mirror the behavior of the child. What is the bank president mirrored that behavior,

or the doctor who just told you you need to cut back on the calories? I'd think she was crazy, how about you?

For today, try to think of a young woman who is overwhelmed or who you think might be overwhelmed. Again, pick up your phone and call her. Tell her you just wanted to check on her, see how her day is going and how her family is. By offering your friendship in this way, you start the conversation leading to reverence.

Tell her that her children are sweet and you know she loves them. Remind her of the special memories of these days that she will treasure in her heart later, draw from those memories that you treasure in your heart. The sweet smell of an infant's cap of curls, the excitement of a youngster's first bike ride, or the pride that swelled her heart and brought tears to her eyes when that sweet girl graduated from Kindergarten.

Before you hang up, let her know that you are praying for her. Set a time to meet her for coffee or accompany her to the park with her littles. Help her keep an eye on them and just have an adult conversation. Sometimes that's all she needs.

Younger women, what are you to do? Are you frazzled, feeling lost, swimming in the sea of having a family to take care of, a job, running all over the city for soccer, dance, and yoga? Need an adult conversation? What to do?

Ever think about striking up a conversation with that older lady at church, sitting alone in the pew?

Say hello, compliment her, ask her to join you for a visit to the park. Who couldn't use a bit of extra help and some adult conversation. Older women whose children are grown are sometimes feeling empty and lonely. They, too, crave companionship.

Invite her to have coffee or a milkshake. Invite her to yoga or walking. Share with her your frustrations and triumphs with your children and husband. Ask her how she might have handled the situation. Sometimes her insight will be like a lightning strike(forget the light bulb, this is way beyond that!) Pray for her,let her know that you value her insights and friendship.

Oh, and pick up that phone and call or text your husband just to say "I love you" again today! He may not mention it, but he loves it when you do it! I promise.

Prayer thoughts: Pray for reverence, pray for the young mothers at your church and workplace, pray for the older women in your church or workplace, Pray for their children, young and old and continue to pray for your husband.

More soon about Titus!

The Titus Woman Effect

2015-09-15T12:40:00.000-04:00

My heart has been headed in this direction for a few years. I am very excited to embark on this quest to help older women guide younger women in learning homemaking arts. Does this mean that I want to be the poster child for stay at home moms? No. I admire all women. I'm talking about the older generation passing down knowledge and guiding younger women in their faith walk.

In my research I found this penned by Jean Williams. You can read the entire post here.

"I doubt that Paul was thinking of formal teaching or even formal mentoring (a recent concept!) when he encouraged older women to teach young women—although both teaching and mentoring have their place! The items on Paul’s list are very practical: loving a husband, managing a home, staying pure (Titus 2:4-5). Young women need older women to come alongside them, give them help and support, and, in the minutiae of life, offer words of wisdom and a godly example."NIV

Today I will delve a bit into the scripture I am using to build this journey. Going forward, posts will be about implementing the instructions, finding each other, group lessons, crafts, homemaking instruction and many others all pointing back in some way to Titus.
So here we go. In Titus 1:5-9, Paul writes the description of the elders.

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseermanages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. NIV

As women, we often become focused on the things that our husbands struggle with such as being blameless, faithful to his wife or not being even-tempered or even being violent. Our focus upon what our husbands are or are not is blocking our way to becoming what God wants US to be.
So many times I speak with young women and I hear things like "He doesn't deserve it because he..." or "I can't be at church because my husband won't come with me" and "Why should I try to be a Godly woman if my husband isn't saved." This mindset will affect not only YOUR walk with Christ but also that of your husband and your CHILDREN.
Don't let your husband's lack of godliness become your excuse for not walking your walk. In the end you are responsible for yourself. God will not judge you for what your husband did or didn't do. God will judge you by your own sins.
Try to remember why you married your husband. You were in love, right? You were happy, right? You wanted to spend your time with him and do things for him to show how much you loved him, right? In our first steps along the Titus journey, we will look for ways to get back to the happiness that you found once with him. As a matter of fact, stop reading right now, grab your phone and call him (Text, email, FB message, a note, a letter). Tell him that you love him and tell him how much.

That's all, make it simple and to the point.
See how easy that was? This one simple thing will allow you to begin to see a change in how you look at him and how you look at God.

Paul continues in Titus 1:15,16

15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.NIV

Those who are addicted to the things of this world have the enemy in their ear. He is always there, whispering how things that feel good are good, things that mask and hide the pain that they are facing

are good. These are lies. Prepare yourself to show Christ's love through your actions. THIS is how you help others along their journey. Just as we teach our children right from wrong, so should we help others to see right from wrong. When you proclaim that you are saved, others watch you for mistakes. Give them love to steer their attention from you to Christ. How we can do that is the subject of a later post. For today, tell your husband and children how you love them.

Prayer thoughts: Pray for your husband and children. Pray for guidance through out your walk. Pray for the wisdom and control to focus your eyes on improving your side of your relationship.

Have a Blessed day!

Glad to Be Back!

2015-03-12T16:43:00.000-04:00

Whew! What an absence! I am glad to be back and in the swing(kinda). I hope to begin really putting in some time here and gaining a greater idea of my focus as the days go by! I have a companion blog, The Rowes Garden that you can also check out, with photos, tips, ideas, and tales of my garden. We moved to this sweet cottage in the mountains in July of 2013 and things have been UNBELIEVABLY crazy since. Things have calmed down now so I am hoping that I can begin to see the beauty in life, love, home, and family once again! As a gift, a few photos since my last post!

Loss

2014-12-09T23:17:00.002-05:00

August 22, 2014. The day my world came to a crashing halt. My beautiful, sweet, brave, strong mother joined the angels. How do I begin to describe the anguish when writing just these two lines brings sobs of grief? Not tears, sobs. Sitting with her that one last day, when I was fooled into a false sense of hope, when she got up, walked to the restroom, talked about the Apple Festival and scolded me for pestering her, was the greatest gift of my entire life.

Yes, we picked up and went on with out lives. Took children to the fair......

Even the big kids......grew more flowers.....

We visited mountains and Chattanooga, and cheered the team on.

We carried her love with us always as we still do. We will always love and miss you. May you rest in the arms of the angels peacefully with the Father.

Good-bye, momma. I miss you.

White Chili

2014-01-26T19:32:00.001-05:00

Once upon a time I went in search of something different for dinner...I dug through many cookbooks before finding an awesome White Chili recipe in the Betty Crocker Cookbook. I have used it so much and shared it so much that the page came loose from the book and is long gone.The recipe, however, remains deep in my mind. YOU can find it here. I am sharing it with you today, as I am making it today to keep us warm on a cold, snowy weekend!

WHITE CHILI
White from chicken and Northern Beans, you will love it topped with tomato and sour cream!

Ingredients

1/4: cup butter or margarine

1: large onion, chopped (1 cup)

1: garlic clove, finely chopped

4: cups 1/2-inch cubes cooked chicken or turkey

3: cups chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)

2: tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1: tablespoon dried basil leaves

2: teaspoons ground red chilies or Chili powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2: cans (15 to 16 oz each) great northern beans, undrained

1: medium tomato, chopped (3/4 cup)

Blue or yellow corn tortilla chips

Directions

1Melt butter in 4-quart Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic in butter, stirring occasionally until onion is tender.
2Stir in remaining ingredients except tomato and tortilla chips. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Serve with tomato and tortilla chips.

Prep Time: 20 Min.

Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Serves: 6-8

My sons both love this and ask for it often. Hubby loves it as well. We never have any go to waste, as its just as good as a leftover!

No Surgery!

2014-01-05T21:13:00.001-05:00

NO surgery, thank God! Presently wearing a lace up cast, walking WITHOUT crutches and trying not to fall down in all this bad weather. Had TWO colds since the last post, trying to get rid of the remnants of the cough from the second go round and NOT catch the flu!
Spent the holidays with my mother and father who moved here to Tennessee from Wyoming just in time for Thanksgiving. I am so thankful that they chose to move back here because my mom is still valiantly fighting the good fight. I hope that things go better now that the move and the holidays have settled down. Time to dig in and be warm for a couple months!
Spent this weekend with Daniel and his sweet wife, Katarina as well as Nick. Missed having Dayton, but I will see him this week I hope.
Thinking about Valentine's Day and decorating and making Valentines...like these

here

and maybe these...

Found here with FREE printables...and Valentine boxes and hearts and candy...my favorite, red hots!
Hopefully I can get OUT and AROUND with my camera soon and begin capturing some beautiful images once again.
Snuggling in for the cold snap...hope you all stay safe and sound!

Yes...It's Fractured

2013-11-03T23:11:00.001-05:00

What do you get when you cross a consignment sale with gravity? Yep, that's right, a broken leg! Went to this consignment sale and found a bunch of awesome dresses from here and here. Then, then gravity struck swiftly. My shoe flipped and I fell like a bag of bricks. Now I have this:

Fractured my fibula at the bottom. Doc says it looks like a clean break but I have to revisit him on the 13th for the final verdict about surgery. Until then, I am non-weight bearing which means crutches...pffflllttt. My friends and family have helped tremendously, from cleaning for me to letting me borrow a walker AND crutches, to driving me home from work!

Rebekah has tirelessly been my gopher, bringing me drinks and helping with the laundry and cleaning. Richard has been incredible, almost carrying me into the house the first night, running to and fro for me, cooking and caring for Rebekah. I couldn't ask for a better husband. Nick has taken me to the DR and run to the grocery store for me, he didn't even get mad when I gave him the stomach virus we all had last weekend (sorry, truly sorry, Nick).

Yes, we ALL had the virus last weekend...try sitting with your head in the porcelain throne with a cast on your leg, not easy! Then Richard got it and Bekah and I had to make it on our own on Monday night, but we all lived through it and this weekend has been so much better!

We have lots of news! We have purchased a new home and WERE working hard on getting it ready for winter, which came to a screeching halt. The next project is the bedroom/living room trade.

The house was built in the 40's and the actual living room is tiny. There is an addition on one side of the house that runs the entire length of the house. We are going to put the living room in the long room and move our bedroom to the living room (pending a new master suite addition in the next 2 years).

First things first, a haven, a restful haven removed from the bustle of the rest of the day.

I'm going with this bedding, the muted aqua is soothing. The wall color will be gray, the fireplace, white and an accent of aqua on the fireplace wall. I am so excited to get started! Next weekend we are moving furniture and having a yard barn/storage building delivered. Before and after pictures coming up and the play by play on the painting and moving.

One more sweet memory for this weekend:

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!