Rainy days and Mondays...

It is Monday and a little dreary outside! No worries, I don't have to leave the house and for that I am thankful:)  We have had some much needed rain and for that I will be thankful:)

I enjoyed my Sunday at Church with Family and Friends, home for lunch, an afternoon nap and some rest!  It was a great day for staying inside and watching the Little League World Series!  Marc and I were in the garden last night, looking at green tomatoes that hopefully will turn red soon and I picked these jalapeno peppers!  I was very careful when I took the seeds out this time since the last time those seeds burned my eyes:(  I sauteed some onions, added some Worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs and cheese, baked them up toasty brown... YUM!  Hubby loved them!    

That's it for my Monday morning!  Have a blessed day and week ahead!  BIG HUGS and PRAYERS coming your way!

How Great Thou Art...

My Saturday started out in the attic, pulling from my tub of Fall flowers, off to Hobby Lobby for a few more and on to the Cemetery!  I need to add a few more bright yellow ones but it looks fresh and clean today!  It was my Mama's Birthday and this is the song I was singing while visiting my Parents!  I love this song!

I stopped at the Mall for a little shopping and back home for some yummy lunch leftovers from the day before!  We watched the Braves and the Falcons lose, boo hoo... and enjoyed the Little League World Series!  Those kids really played their hearts out!  Rain is in the forecast for today and we need it!  That's about it for my Sunday morning!  I am looking forward to seeing my Church Friends and Family!  I hope you all have a really blessed day, BIG HUGS and Prayers coming your way!

IF . . .

If... My Mama would still be with us, she would be 90 today!  She passed away at a very young 63 years old!  I am 61 and I can't imagine leaving this World so young!  She had a stroke and recovered but never completely!  IF... she were still with us we would be celebrating her Birthday HOWELL style!  I love you Mama and not a day goes by that I don't think about you and try really hard to ALWAYS make you proud of me!

We celebrated My Sister Barbara's birthday yesterday and I don't think anybody enjoyed it as much as me:)  We had a big crowd, lots of good food and a room full of LOVE!  Here is the lunch bunch!  INCLUDING my Brother Marshall!  Oh what a difference a year makes:)  Thank you everyone for sharing this special time with us!

5 of the 6 Siblings!  I wish Leon 

had been there too!

Cindy made Mama's chocolate Cake for Barbara!  She was VERY happy to see that cake:)

My Daughter Tracy and My Brother!  They have the same December Birthdays:)

Me and my Punkinchele!  OH HOW I LOVE HER!

I love you dear Sister, forever and always!  I hope your 73rd Birthday was a memorable one!

Lots of pictures, lots of love in each one!  Have a blessed day dear friends, BIG HUGS!

The lead duck celebrates a b'day...

Happy Birthday to my Big Sister Barbara, AKA Nanny!  She is 73 years old today and I LOVE her more that she will ever know!  She is my friend, my confidant, my daily phone call!  She is the sweetest, most kind and giving human being on this Earth!  The picture on the left is my favorite of the two of us MANY years ago and the one on the right is a favorite from a previous 

year's b'day lunch!

She is the lead duck, the only one with a hat:) and today we will celebrate her birthday!

Lunch with the family at my house and I am excited to see not only the "Birthday Girl" but the others who are able to attend!  May God bless my Sweet Sister today and every day!  I love you Sis and hope you have an extra-special day!

Have a blessed day dear friends, Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Another bloom and yummy recipe...

 After my walk yesterday, I noticed something on my hydrangea bush:)  My Niece Kelly started a discussion on Facebook about the lack of blooms this year!  We ALL had the same problem due to the really cold Winter:(  Well.. I had one earlier and now I am getting another bloom!  These bushes are usually COVERED in big blue blooms!  I will be thankful for this one:)

The gardenias have finally started to bless me with their beautiful and sweet smelling blooms:)

What was for dinner?  I added this yummy Mushroom Bread to our dinner!  I found the recipe HERE and while mine isn't quite as pretty as hers... OMG was it delicious:)  Try it, you'll love it!

SO, that's that for my yesterday!  I am just getting my day going!  Hope you all have a really blessed and beautiful day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way this morning!

61, perfect temp and age...

61, perfect temp and also happens to be my age:)  This is what the temperature is outside this morning and OMG, after the Summer we have had... It is a welcome site:)  My walk will be brisk and perhaps I will need a light jacket!

Can you believe that my car hasn't moved since Church Sunday morning?  I have been getting my house ready for my Sister's Birthday lunch on Friday!  It is amazing how much clutter I can accumulate:(  Moving on:)  We had a wonderful chilly day dinner last night, cabbage and smoked sausage with piping hot cornbread!  YUM!  I cut the cabbage in wedges, sprinkled with garlic salt, pepper and brushed with melted butter, covered in foil... SO YUM and easy peasy!

Have a blessed day dear friends, I am finishing my coffee and putting my walking shoes on!  It is going to be a beautiful day!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Don't count the days...

I feel like I do this pretty good!  This morning I started looking at the Calendar for upcoming events!  How many days is it to the first day of Fall, how many days until Thanksgiving, and EVEN HOW MANY DAYS/MONTHS until CHRISTMAS?  This year has absolutely FLOWN by and I wish that I could slow it down!  The old saying that "the older you get the faster it goes", IS SO TRUE!

SO... while I get lost in the pictures on my computer, looking at where we were on this day last year... the year before that and all the way back until the first year of pictures on my computer... I enjoy where I was, (for the most part), where I AM NOW AND where I am going!  Make today count, it is the only time that THIS today will be today, tomorrow it will be yesterday!  

Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Church, lunch, walk and sky...

After Church, I met up with this bunch!  Cindy and her entire family!  Jeff was asked to preach at another Church and Adam and Britani came after their service!

Bradley and his little Son!  SWEETEST little guy and a "wiggle worm"!

Connor had ditched his Church pants but still had on that CUTE little tie:)

Bradley put his Georgia cap on Connor, look at his sweet little face looking at his Daddy!  Aunt B looking gorgeous with her little nephew:)

And I think I was boring him:)  YAWN!  Love this little guy!  He is growing and even has a tooth coming in!  We can't wait to see him again!

When I was taking my walk yesterday evening, this is what the sky looked like:)  I loved that the sky all around was full of clouds except for that one patch of blue sky, kinda shaped like a heart!  It was beautiful! 

 Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way this morning!

Beauty among us...

Marc and I went to spend the evening with my Daughter Tracy and family, enjoying some good food and relaxing!  We were sitting out by the pool when I saw these beauties on one of the bushes!  OH MY, I had to get a picture!  My phone captured a couple of pretties!

Don't 'cha just love a butterfly!  Simply beautiful!  "If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies"!  Beauty among us, enjoy it!

And here is what it looked like in the night!  The water was sparkling with the lights and the torches were pretty against the night sky:)  It was a wonderful evening!

Have a blessed Sunday dear friends!  Open your eyes and see the beauty around you!  HUGS!

Answered prayers...

My Brother Marshall is in every prayer I pray!  He has had a rough bunch of years and I pray that every day will be better than the day before!  I visited him yesterday and honestly, I haven't seen him look and feel that good in a LONG time!  He had an MRI on his pancreas the day before and while it was torture to him, the test needed to be done!  X-rays had shown something on his pancreas that wasn't there before!  The doctor called and said the MRI was good:)  Answered prayers?  YEP... ANSWERED PRAYERS!  I pray that God will let him get healthy and feel good!  When I left him yesterday, he said he wanted collard greens and a baked sweet potato!  He hasn't had much of an appetite, so that he wanted something specific... sounded good to me!  When June called me to tell me the results of the MRI, she was cooking him EXACTLY what he requested!  She is truly an ANGEL to him and all of us!

I dreamed about my Daddy last night:)  It was clear and it made me smile when I woke up!  Have a blessed day dear friends, I hope something makes you smile today!  HUGS!

Recipe for Sisters...

Here is a recipe for Sisters!  We are always sharing recipes here and thought I would share this one:)

My yesterday started out as usual, coffee/GMA etc.  I sent my Sister Cindy a message to see if she would like to have lunch!  This picture is from several years ago but it is one of my faves of us!  Cindy's car is at the junkyard and her husband takes the rental car to work!  So... off I go to rescue her for a couple hours, a wonderful lunch and some good SISTER time!  We walked around doing a little shopping!  She needs to keep moving to work the soreness out!  I delivered her back home, got a good hug and enjoyed my time with her!  As we were walking back to the car, I hugged her and told her I was thankful she was there with me!  The accident could have been SO much worse and I know that!  I am thankful, yes I am!

It is Friday, what are you doing with your day?  I hope you have a blessed one!  HUGS!

Shine on and a b'day...

It's a new day, the sun is shining outside and in my heart!  I am thankful for another today!  Let's get this day started and as this quote says

 "shine on"!

Today is my Niece Suzanne's Birthday!  This is a picture of her precious family!  Happy Birthday to you Suz!  Hope you have the best birthday ever!  I Love you!

Have a blessed day dear friends!  I am just getting my day going!  I can already tell that today is gonna be a good one:)  HUGS!

This too shall pass...

Isn't this the truth?  This is one of my favorites and I wish I had a dollar for every time I have said it!  These past few days haven't been easy, but "This too shall pass"!  I spent yesterday with my Sister Cindy, getting the Police report, going back to her demolished car to look for her phone charger and getting her a rental car... Easy?  Nothing is easy anymore or FAIR... but 

"This too shall pass"!

I looked back at one year ago and that was a clear reminder that "This too shall pass"!  Last year on this day, my Brother Marshall was in the hospital awaiting the word as to whether or not he was going to have his foot amputated!  Today, his foot is still in tact, all healed up and while not ALL better as far as walking like most of us... still has it and walking:)  When I woke up this morning, saying my prayers... thanking GOD for his many blessings on me, this quote came to mind!  Perhaps someone out there needed to hear it:)  Have a blessed day and remember whatever you might be going thru... "This too shall pass"!

Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

She walked away...

After my busy weekend, a good night's sleep and just beginning to sip my hot coffee yesterday... the phone rings.  It isn't a number I recognize, it rings again and it was my Sister Cindy!  She had been in a horrible accident, in the ambulance headed to the hospital!  I threw my clothes on and off I go to be with her!  After a long day, lots of x-rays, results showed that there are no broken bones or internal injuries!  Thank you Lord for sparing her life!

We left the hospital and went to retrieve her belongings from the car!  She was wearing her seat belt and the side airbags deployed!  If she had not been wearing a seat belt, well this story would have a different ending!  Her cellphone was missing and now it is found!  She has good insurance to replace the car!  AND... it wasn't her fault!  SOOOOOOOO much to be thankful for this morning! 

Wear your seat belts people!  Life is precious and we get a jolt occasionally to remind us!  Have a blessed day, I intend on having one!  Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

A "Jam Packed" weekend...

Did 'ya miss me?  Our weekend was BUSY!  We traveled to Nashville for Marc's 50th High School Reunion!  Marc's Sister, Karen came to visit Friday night and we laughed until we had tears!  It was a fun evening and we enjoyed every minute of our time with her!  We ate at the Hotel restaurant, it was SO good!  Beautiful place to stay!

Saturday morning, up early and drove to meet my Kentucky Nephew and his little family!  Bradley, Tiffany and Connor... LOVE you ALL!  I enjoyed our breakfast and the time we had together, although not long enough:)

The Reunion was Saturday night in one of the Hotel Ballrooms!  165 classmates in the Class and I think perhaps 75 attended!  25 are deceased out of the 165 :(

Here are some of the year's pics when we attended!  I am missing a few!

1985       1990        1995         2005        2015

Music, Hugs and lots of reminiscing!

Great food and fellowship!  I totally enjoyed myself and SO DID MARC!

Central High School, blue and gold!

Here is a picture of Marc from 1965:)  Handsome FELLA and still is!

Group shot before everyone started leaving!  We danced until my feet hurt:)

What did we do Sunday morning?  We got up, packed our suitcases, loaded the car and made it to some of Alex's golf tournament!  She and Avery played Saturday, and Alex moved on to the finals on Sunday!  OH my goodness, these girls are sure good at their sport!  Alex got 2nd place, I am proud... so so proud!

Alex birdied this hole:)

I will leave you with one more picture of me!  Many years ago, my Sister Barbara gave me this little purse!  When I was looking for something just big enough to carry my lipstick and room key, I remembered this little treasure!  Thank you Sis, it was perfect!  AND a shout-out to my Daughter for loaning me the dress and shrug!  Thanks Tracy!  It was exactly what I described and you pulled it from your closet for your Mama!  

Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Packed and loaded...

We worked hard ALL day yesterday, Autumn, her Mommy and Me!  We sorted and packed up Autumn's stuff to last her until she returns home next Summer!  (Linda, we will get to see her a bunch... she will just move back home after the School year is over)  As the day went by, the pile that needed to go to the car got higher!  BUT... we stacked it, made MANY trips to the car and I headed home!  I got me some extra hugs, several kisses on the cheek and said "see you soon" as I walked out the door!  I can't tell you how many times she thanked me for helping her!  It isn't easy letting them grow up, but let them we must!  

Autumn requested that her Mommy make some of her favorite cookies to share with her teammates!  And so she did:)  Perfect softball cookies for her girl!

We have sure enjoyed having Autumn home for the Summer, she has coached her High School softball team, helped her little Sisters practice their golf skills, baby sat a little baby in the neighborhood and still had time for all of us!  Safe travels baby girl!  Stay safe!  Love you to the moon and back!  I will be praying for you today and every day ahead!

Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!

Holding hands today...

I will hold her hand today and hold her in my heart until I see her again!  Yes today I will spend with my Granddaughter because tomorrow she heads back to College!  She will start practice in a week and we'll look forward to seeing her on the softball field!  I have TOTALLY enjoyed my time with Autumn this Summer!  I will miss those times and tight hugs, I will pick up the praying for safe travels!

Dear Heavenly Father, please protect her as she travels back to College!  Thank you for your blessings on me!  Amen!  

Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way this morning!

School, shopping and yum...

Would you look at my Grandchildren all ready for their first day of School?  I hope they all had the BEST first day ever!  I love them all SO much!

  Austin Junior      Alex 5th/Avery 4th

While those three were having their first day of School, THESE three were shopping at the BEST Mall ever:)  We had a wonderful day, stopping along the way to take a selfie:)  We had an awesome time together!  As Autumn takes my hand walking thru the Mall, my heart just melts!  

AND lunch at The Cheesecake Factory!  YUMMILICIOUS food and Cheesecake!  I had a bite of Autumn's, it was SO good!  But I was too full to have my very own piece:)

We left with lots of packages!  Autumn has some new things to put in her suitcase to take back to College!  It is closing in on the day for her to leave us:(  I must say we are enjoying every minute we can with her!  Have a blessed day dear friends, sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!