The Current State of Things... :)

I just beat everything, you know that!! (To folks unfortunate enough not to watch Andy Griffith...well, just forget it.)

Shame on me for going so long without posting anything. That's just sad.

Let me give ya an update on what's goin' on around here.

The chicken bitties are doing very well and are growing quite quickly as always. My love for Orpingtons has been reinforced even more than before, as I now have whites and buffs. AND, I am convinced that it is a "white egg-layer thing" to be skittish. My Hamburgs and Single Comb Brown Leghorns just hollar like crazy anytime I try to get close to them. My Australorps and Orpingtons and Plymouth Rocks love me to death, but shoooo-wee, them white egg layers think I'm a chicken thievter or sumthin'.




The garden is doing well. My lettuce and spinach is looking purty good. I have not planted my summer seeds or plants yet as I am not fond of the weather's tendency to trick folks. I would rather have healthy crops later in the year than have a purty plant right up until a cool evening. I am hoping it stays warm so I can plant next weekend, however. We'll just have to see.



I am very happy with my herb garden this year. All my perennials came back nicely and I got some more planted. I am a fool for mints!! My favorite thing to do is grab a leaf from my stevia plant, and a leaf or two from my chocolate mint, and pop them both in my mouth....ohhhhhh....sooooo good.
It's still rather young, I can't wait to see it later this year!



I am so happy. The grass is turning back to that brilliant shade of green, the hardwoods have put out their new leaves, and the birds are singin' their hearts out.
The night critters have picked up their bows in the evenings and have started their jam sessions back again. I am very thankful for that.

Yep, no doubt about it. I love this kinda weather. Makes me wanna sing...

"White tail buck deer, munchin' on clover, Red-tail hawk, sittin' on a limb. A chubby old groundhog, croakin' bullfrog, free as the feelin' in the wind..."

The Defense of Fort Wallace-Wood

This weekend I was blessed to go way down to Reidsville, GA for the Battle at Manassas, Defense of Fort Wallace-Wood. In addition, I was able to spend the day with some good friends from church. The weather was beautiful and we had a wonderful time!
Enjoy these few photos!







I am not sure why it posted two of the same video, but anyway...


God Save the South!!

Deo Vindice!!!

A Few Thoughts and New Bitties!

As I was working in the garden today, feeling the sun on my arms and face, and the cool soil under my feet, I realized something. Well, it's something I have known and appreciated since the day I woke up in ICU, but it brought me to tears today.

My heart swelled with joy. And thankfulness. And wonder. And...and...and love for my Savior. My wonderful Savior!

I am here today. Because of HIM. It's an overwhelmingly wonderful realization. A wonderful fact. A wonderful, wonderful thing!

On a simpler note, I ordered my new chickens, and they arrived Sunday. I am so happy with them! Thought ya'll would like to see 'em.





There's a total of 45. I got Buff and White Orpingtons, Black Australorps, Silver Spangled Hamburgs, Brown Leghorns, and Partridge Plymouth Rocks.

And by the way, they love mandolin music. Apparently my playing has a soporific effect on the little things. :)

Battle of Aiken

We had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Battle of Aiken reenactment last weekend. I could go on and on about how much fun we had, and I could type up the history of the Battle of Aiken, but I'm just gonna share some pictures. Suffice it to say, we had a wonderful, wonderful time!












Apparently he is proud of his heritage.


Captain Leland Milton of the Georgia Fifth Cavalry






God save the South

Georgians Turned Eskimo

This is a little late, but I reckon everyone knows all about that snowfall we got last week. Now that was the most snow I have ever seen in my life! The snow was comin' down so hard and to our surprise (and some joy) it seemed to be sticking. By the time the sun was beginning its descent, Good Hope (and all other parts of this great state, for that matter) was a huge white world. Now, I am one of the rather cold-natured folks, which means I will take one good snowfall, and I will play in it all day long, but as soon as it melts, that's it. Or it better be it. This is Georgia. And this Georgian (meaning me) despises socks, and all things that you wear when it's freeing out. We did have fun playing in the snow, however. Even though I was cringing when I had to put on two pairs of socks. My philosophy is that socks are for Eskimos and Yankees. Not for a Georgian. But as it is, the global warming is slacking off (oh I wish it would come back!) ;)

Anyway, wanna see some pictures of us playing in the evidence of global warmi...I mean, Global Climate Change? (anyone who knows me, knows that is sarcastic, very)

Sew Much Fun!

Last week I was blessed to go and spend the week with my grandparents (Nana and Dedad) in Snellville. Nana and I got a lot of sewing done, Dedad loved my cinnamon rolls, and the chicken pot pie made with my great-great grandmother's recipe was astounding! Thank you Nana and Dedad for a wonderful week!! I had a blast and love you both so very much!

fabric...


one of the skirts we made...

and another...

We made three of these matching tiered skirts. Makayla's is not pictured because it wasn't quite done.

I am blessed beyond measure for such wonderful grandparents!

on being young...

Sweet and sunny childhood,
With its careless, thoughtless air,
Like the verdant, tangled wildwood,
Wants the training hand of care.



See it springing all around us --
Glad to know, and quick to learn;
Asking questions that confound us;
Teaching lessons in its turn.




Who loves not its joyous revel,
Leaping lightly on the lawn,
Up the knoll, along the level,
Free and graceful as a fawn?



Let it revel; it is nature
Giving to the little dears
Strength of limb, and healthful features,
For the toil of coming years.

Childhood is a fountain welling,
Trace its channel in the sand,
And its currents, spreading, swelling,
Will revive the withered land.

Childhood is the vernal season;
Trim and train the tender shoot;
Love is to the coming reason,
As the blossom to the fruit.



(poem by David Bates)