Day Off for Christmas Tree Decorating

It has been a wonderful Wednesday, one I've looked forward to for some time. I took a day off from school in the middle of the week for a seasonal activity and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.

This is my third year to spend the afternoon at church helping decorate our 30 ft tall Christmas tree that is used to present a Christmas musical extravaganza to our community as a ministry of the church. I did a few things on the home front this morning and went to church at 11:30. I worked with two other ladies and by 4:00, the solid green tree was glistening and sparkling with gold and red tinsel, ornaments, and poinsettias. A few more touches are needed to be completely finished, but the major project is complete. As time progresses perhaps I'll have more pictures of the completed staging and even have the lights on.

We also enjoyed our Thanksgiving celebration meal tonight at church. It was complete with turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings. We had a huge crowd for the occasion.

And now, I'm home and completely exhausted. I've crawled up and down and all around on that tree like a monkey. The back steps are not in place on the back of it yet, so yes, I literally, mean, I've climbed all over it. I'm sure my muscles will know it in the morning. I've got a couple of chores to complete and then I'm off to bed. Tomorrow is another work day and I have to go back. I can only squeeze an off day here and there.

Marcia

Season of Blessing and Beauty

It is truly a beautiful fall day today--sunny and bright, a slight, crisp chill in the air, and the crunching of fallen leaves underfoot. I'm filled with both an awe for the beauty I see and with anticipation of the holiday to come.

In spite of a hot, dry summer, and the continuation of a dry fall, color is overtaking the countryside and we actually have some beautiful foliage. I've enjoyed a golden hickory tree for the last two weeks at the top of our street. Several mornings I've sipped my coffee, wrapped up in a throw in the early morning and simply sat gazing trying to burn the image into my brain knowing all too soon the masterpiece would vanish. It's golden image has now disappeared, but has been replaced with the fiery reds of the pear trees. This picture doesn't do them justice, but these two beauties are outside in my backyard.


I'm looking forward with delight that my children are coming home very soon. With Thanksgiving approaching quickly, Bryan will be home from college for a week, and Micah and Rhyne will be home from New Orleans for a week. That one blessing is enough for me to rejoice and thank God over and over.

I've added a few more holiday decorations in the house to celebrate the occasion.
To all our friends, a welcome is extended throughout this holiday season. If you're out our way, do stop in. The front door is always opened. . . and the invitation is always on display.Blessings to one and all. May your holiday be warm and wonderful with love and laughter of family and friends.

Marcia

New Orleans Weekend with Our Children

Collin and I had lots of weekend plans for October, but due to complications with our work schedules, none of our plans came to be except for this past weekend when we loaded up and headed south to the Crescent City.

We hadn't seen Micah and Rhyne since July when they were home for a short summer visit. Micah wanted a couple of furniture pieces for the house and the rest of her china, crystal, and pretty serving pieces. Perhaps for the last time, we loaded the truck for moving the big stuff.

We left Thursday evening at 5 o'clock as soon as we could get home from work. We arrived about 12:30 a.m. totally exhausted, but excited to be there. Collin got a quick tour of the new house since this was his first time to visit and we all quickly went to bed. None of us needed sleeping pills and we slept in a little on Friday morning. After coffee and some visiting, we went to work unloading the furniture.

Micah wanted her cedar chest and some pieces to complete a guest room. I was delighted to help out since we can finally stay with her when we visit and I have my own bedroom and bathroom. It was so nice.

She fixed up the cutest guest basket for us with some little treats.

Here we are unloading the truck and moving in.

After placing the furniture and evaluating some other needs, we dressed for the city and went to eat lunch and buy some other items needed for utility work. We ate at Landry's on the deck overlooking the lake. I failed to make a picture, but it was a beautiful day. After some shopping at Home Depot, we headed back to the house where Dad hooked up the ice maker for Micah, made some adjustments on her washer, hung a picture which needed heavy anchors, and helped with some maintenance on the lawn mower.

Saturday morning was rather relaxed, but once again, we dressed and headed to the city for fun shopping. Micah has some great stores that we don't have and we always hit World Market and Kirkland's for sure. We also managed Michael's, Pier I, Sears, and Target. Before shopping, she took us to a great restaurant for lunch, Izzo's Illegal Burrito, where you build your own. It was delicious. Saturday night back home, she and her dad tag-teamed burgers and fries from her kitchen.

We always try to have a little surprise, so this time they got holiday coasters since the Christmas season is so close at hand.

Not only do the kids have a new house, but Rhyne has a new office and we wanted to see it. Obviously, this is a work in progress.

All to soon it was Sunday morning and we headed back home. It was a beautiful day to travel. We reached Brookhaven about 11:15 so we stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch. It was rather tough getting back in touch with reality this morning as we had left all the stress and responsibility behind for a few days. Now we can look forward to Thanksgiving and the next visit.

Marcia

Going Back in Time

I was awake early this morning. On Saturday, when I could sleep in, my nap was up shortly after 6, and I was out on the patio drinking coffee by 6:45. It was a beautiful morning by the way; crisp and clear--60 degrees. As I was pondering the day and what to do with myself as Collin was once again already at work (the fall rice harvest has been quite the head ache this year), I was reminded of several advertisements that this was the weekend of the Parker Homestead activities held annually at Harrisburg, just south of Jonesboro. On a whim, I thought, "Why not? I've never been before; there always seems to be something else going on." I called my mom, she had no plans, and agreed to go along. We left home at 11 for whatever the day would bring.

We had a great time together. Here we are, mother and daughter, at Parker Homestead and I'll share a recap of the day.

We went a little ways off the main highway on a narrow country road and let me tell you, my car hasn't seen a dusty road in quite some time. It took me back to the days of gravel roads that we used to drive on and I was reminded of the blessing that now I drive on paved roads. Thank you, Lord.

Once we were parked and off to the sights, we embarked upon a patch of sorgram (not sure that this is spelled exactly right). It grows on a cane and I've never seen any before. If not for my mom and her experience, I would have been clueless. She began to relate how her dad went about growing it, how you had to strip the stalk, getting the inside pressed for the juice, cooking it down for the syrup, and so forth. It was very interesting to me and I had no idea about any of these details.
We actually got to see the mule turn the press getting the juice from the cane. If you look very closely you can see it dripping into the barrel from the spicket.
Here, we are watching it being cooked off. We got to taste a little sample. Now I've tasted sorgram molasses before and have always thought it was good.
They had animals in pens for the kids to enjoy. I thought all goats were white; that's all I'd ever seen, but I was quite mistaken. They also had a deep brown one as well as a black one. This fellow came up close. I think he thought he would be fed. They also had mules.

There were lots of log buildings including the school

and the church. It even had stained glass windows which were beautiful.

One fellow was making corn brooms. I had never seen this and thought it to be quite interesting. Once again, my mom could reminisce of the time when my grandmother would get so excited because my grandfather would take corn straw and get brooms made for her. Mom said when Nanny got a new broom, brother how the dust would fly. She was in a cleaning frenzy.

I was also privileged to see a grist mill in operation and converting corn kernels to pulverized corn meal. Again, my mom had quite the story of Pa taking the corn in to make meal and bringing it home along with the remnants that couldn't be used but to serve as chicken feed. One thing about yester year--nothing went to waste. Again, if you look closely, you can see the meal falling from the shoot.

Of course, they had tons of old farm implements and equipment. I made some of these photos because I thought Collin and Bryan might enjoy seeing some of them. Those two would have tarried several hours just looking at the equipment.

After making our rounds, we headed back to present day to see what else we could get into. We hadn't particularly noticed while looking around, but walking back to the car we both discovered we were parched. As quickly as I could drive back into civilization, I pulled into Sonic and we ordered cherry limeades. I believe it was the best I've ever had.

It was so early still that I thought we might as well shop a little. We hit the Dollar General and perused the aisles. Back in Jonesboro, we stopped off at Kohl's. We hadn't been there in a while and thought they might have some seasonal items that we would be interested in. Sure enough, we hit pay dirt. Take a look at my new throw pillows for fall--1/2 price. I'm so pleased. I've wanted some since last fall.

We finished out the day in Sam's and decided to call it a day. It was around 4.

I enjoyed the Parker Homestead. I saw some interesting things, I learned something new that I didn't know, and I got a better insight to the life and times of which my grandparents lived. I never knew Pa Wood. I was 9 months old when he passed at 90. Today, in fact, would have been my Nanny's birthday. We calculated in the car that she would have been 118 years old. These are precious times and memories that my mom could tell me about and share with me and that is a priceless treasure. I've seen Parker Homestead now and I don't know that I would care to go again, but I had a great time. If you haven't visited, I would encourage you to give it a whirl.

Marcia

Night at the Fair

I loved going to the fair when I was a small child as well as a teenager. I still love going to the fair. I recall when I was very small, my mom always had to dress me warmly and carry a sweater because it would be cold at night. Now we seem to swelter in the heat until the sun sets. During my elementary years, I looked forward to going with a friend so I would have someone to share the rides. When I finally reached the teen-age years, my mom and dad got off the hook of having to take me. I'm sure that was a great relief not to have to be bothered any more; I could take care of myself.

I truly enjoy everything about the fair and we go one night every year. Weaving through the crowd and seeing folks you know to stop and talk with is enjoyable. You see people that you haven't seen since last year or longer. The exhibit buildings always have interesting booths and you can usually pick up a few freebies. These would be yard sticks, emory boards, pens, pencils, candy, and gum. The craft building always holds some interesting items. Stitching, photography, canning, floriculture, and culinary delights to name a few. Last night I was somewhat amused. I think every entry received a ribbon regardless of it's excellence. I believe everyone walked away a winner. The lights of the midway will draw you in for a stroll. Although I can't ride any more, I always like to make the loop, enjoy the lights, and hear the happy squeals from the little ones who go up and down on the horses of the merry-go-round to the big ones who are terrified on the thrill rides tossing them around, upside down, and side to side. And you can't pass up the food, corn dogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes, taffy apples, roasted corn, and on and on it goes. Last night I discover "fried twinkies", and "fried snickers". NO, I did not try them. I thought better to pass. What will they think of next?

We went last night with our neighbors, Steve and Robin. Collin and Steve always work the Riceland booth together and Robin and I tag along to make it girl's night out. This is an annual event for us and we always have a good time.

We tour the buildings, walk the mid-way, and finish up with a barbeque and drink for our supper. We have always found this to be pretty good food supplied by the Moose Lodge and we think it is probably the most safe if you get my drift. Here we are enjoying our sandwiches. We found a table to sit down and enjoy.

Collin came to get a sandwich as well and we all happened to meet up.


I do think the lights are beautiful after dark. I caught the sunset behind this one.

We always finish up with the country concert held at the grandstand. Last night, we heard Jarred Neimen who sings Lover, Lover, You Don't Treat Me No Good No More. It was actually a good concert. He has a good voice and his instrumentalists were exceptional. We met up with our guys who were closing down the Riceland booth. We finished up by checking out the farm animals, not my most favorite part; a little smelly you know.

At any rate, we had a great time, and I'm already looking forward to next year.

Marcia

Welcome Fall and a Peaceful Weekend

Our life has really been hectic lately. Fortunately, this weekend, I didn't have any pressing matter of which I had to be a part. The birthday party on Friday was actually relaxing and the meal was wonderful, so that made for a delightful evening.

Saturday morning, I was able to sleep in and rest; 7:15 is late for me. Collin had to get up early and go to work, unfortunately, but luckily for me, the coffee had been made, ready and waiting. I fixed up my cup and went out to the patio to enjoy the swing and the morning stillness. It was beautiful.

Later, I decided to go digging for a few of my fall house decorations to add a little color to the house. Autumn arrives this week, you know. I didn't go overboard; it isn't quite time for pumpkins and turkeys, but I did place some flowers and candles. I love the fall colors and I always feel that when I begin to get out a few things, we're gradually ushering in the holiday seasons that finish out the year.

Saturday afternoon, my mom and I went to town to do some looking and shopping. I don't know when we've had an afternoon to browse, but I really enjoyed our outing and I think she did as well. We may even get in two Saturdays in a row if I don't have something unexpected next weekend.

Sunday is always busy for us. We're up early and arriving at church by 8:00. Our services were wonderful yesterday. The music was just exceptional and we observed the Lord's Supper. It was so meaningful. Since Collin didn't have the usual recording that he normally has, we had the afternoon free. He is moving into a new office space, so we went down to finish the venture, and I helped him place a few things, get some prints on the wall, and spot a few knick-knacks here and there. It needed a "woman's touch" you know. I wish I had carried my camera along.

Don't you just love lazy weekends!

Marcia