OUR FEW DAYS AT MYRTLE BEACH......

This is the Highlander Band where my son Gary plays the bagpipes. He is the third one from the left. This was the Shriners Convention and it was wonderful. That was the best and the LONGEST parade I had ever seen! Ryan and I had a blast!!!!
Here is Ryan.....in front of the place where we ate. It was called "Crabby Mikes", and it sure was good!
And our Motel.....The Sand Castle. We stayed on the ninth floor. Bill is sitting on the balcony. You cannot see him, but he waved at me just as I made the picture.

P.S. I am so happy, I can finally post more than ONE picture at a time. It was my dial-up connection. The DSL is great!

MY MAMA TOLD ME THERE WOULD BE DAYS LIKE THIS......

but she didn't tell me they would all come at the same time!!!!! LOL Our trip to the beach was glorious, but when we returned to home, three major things happed here. First, the A/C Compressor went out on my car. I was out in it by myself and had to call Carolyn, my dear friend to come pick me up and bring me home. The next day, my car was towed home. We are not going to have it repaired, because it is getting old and has a lot of miles (like me). We are having our other car fixed. The air suspension things had to be replaced. That was a whopping 600.00 and some dollars. It is still in the garage being worked on.
Next, my septic tank wasn't working right and the water was backing up in my shower in the basement. My son dug down to the tank and removed the lid and the drain going into the tank was full of roots. I knew there was no way we could solve this problem, so I called the septic tank people and they had in opened up in no time. The told me to but Copper Sulfate Crystals and put half a tub in the tank and then flush the rest down the comodes. This is supposed to kill the roots in the tank and the drain. I pray it worked. But you can bet your life, I will use these crystals on a regular basics. That was terrible.!!!!
Next, my computer crashed while we were gone. I just now today got it back up and running. Had to have a new hard drive and Mother board, but the good part, now I have high speed internet. I'm not used to everything going so fast, but it seems good. The bad part is...I lost a lot of my pictures (but most of them were saved) and I hadn't backed up my favorite places. I doubt if I will ever remember all of them!
But life is good, at least, I'm still above ground. LOL Thanks Grammie, for asking about me....I am loving my new cat! I think he loves me too!!!
Hopefully in the next few days everything will be back to normal and I can get back to posting again. That is my wish!

My Mailbox for Yard Sale.....

I had a yard sale Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week. This is my sign and my mail box. A lot of people laughed. It looked like a child stuffed in my mail box. I made almost 100.00. That will be nice when we go to Myrtle Beach SC next Thursday. It is the Shriners Convention and my son Gary plays the bagpipes with the Highlanders. Last year it was in Virginia Beach. I'm looking forward to a little R&R! Ryan is going with us. I can't wait!

"IT RAINED"!!!!!!!!!!!!

I ran for my camera when it started raining and then I ran out into the rain. Here you cannot see the rain, but you can tell my driveway is wet. My yard is brown. The air smells so fresh this morning.

"LOOK MA, NO GRASS"......

Here is a picture of my step that goes out into the yard. Notice there isn't much grass. Maybe this rain last night will revive what is left.

In My Back Yard....

Lib over at Libs Private Paradise wanted to know what you see when you walk out into your back yard. Here is one thing I see...my Clematis Virginia. The other things are dried up tomato and cucumber plants....brown grass that crackles under your feet. The leaves are falling and they haven't changed colors. The weatherman just said...no rain in sight.

FAMILY REUNION.....

This is Bills side of the family....Not all of them, but a few of them. Of course we missed his Mom. I made a recipe of beef, potatoes , mustard, broth and flour that she always brought to every occasion. Everyone remembered! The reunion was at Bills sisters house in Elizabethton. Thanks Loretta!!!!! It was great!

Another Cat.....

My son went out into the back yard Monday morning and there was a kitten sitting looking up at him. It was a new kitty on the block! It took up with us immediately, and I asked the neighbors if they had a missing cat. They didn't! It seemed to be hungry, so I think someone has dropped it here. When night came, I put him in the lot where Puddy Cat stayed at night. The next morning he had escaped from the lot. I named him "Houdini". Here he is asleep in my swing. He's not Puddy Cat, but I'm beginning to like him just the same.

Sad Day For Me!!!!!

I ran over "Puddy Cat". He had been sleeping underneath my car since the hot weather began. I ALWAYS looked under there, but today I didn't. He didn't die, so I picked him up and rushed him to the emergency pet clinic. He had massive spinal injuries, and they said he probably wouldn't walk again, so I had him put down. He was 16 years old, and I loved that cat. In the winter time, he slept on a heating pad, and every night (Winter and Summer) he lay in a certain spot outside my door waiting for me to come carry him to his house outside. Grammie, I guess he is at Rainbow Bridge with Gizmo. Missing you Puddy Cat. Your memories will remain in my heart!!!!

Above, you will see him asleep in his favorite chair.

Fair......Ribbons

This Rose Doily won a blue ribbon. Scroll on down and you will see two more items that won a third place ribbon. It was fun. Now to start thinking about what I can enter next year. Rachel, I entered my Prairie Star Afghan, but it didn't win. I didn't like the way they had it displayed. It was folded up inside a case with other items placed on top. You couldn't see the pattern at all....Oh Well, I'm sure there isn't room to hang everything....so I'm happy with the ribbons I received.

Third Place rRibbon.....

Third Place Ribbon......

Todays Pickings.....

Actually it was yesterday...... I made tomato sauce, and another gallon of shake pickles. Can't you tell I am feeling better? I'm feeling good enough to go to the county fair tonight. The heat is going to be the part I dread. The heat index was 106 here in E. Tennessee yesterday. WOW!!!!

I WILL SURVIVE!!!!!!!

It has been a long time since I have been this sick. Last Thursday night I started running a high fever. It stayed at 103 for three days. I finally gave up and went to the Urgent Care Unit on sunday afternoon. It was so busy....I was there four hours. The first thing the Doctor asked if I had ever had the Shingles. I haven't. My fore head was one solid whelp, and bright red. My eyes were swollen shut and my hair was a mess. I made a picture of myself, but it scared me when I saw it, so I deleted it instantly. They finally said I had Cellulitus. I don't know if that's the way you speel it or not. It is a skin infection.....not from being dirty, but just something that happens. For years, I have had a bad case of dandruff. I have tried every shampoo on the market...none works. And I have a tendency to scratch in my head. That is where the infection came from. I shampoo my hair every other day and still it was itchy. The Dr. wrote me a prescription for some shampoo that I think is going to work....along with something else I tried. Some one told me they had seen in Dr. Gott about someone who couldn't get rid of their dandruff and had tried rubbing KOOL WHIP into their hair.....every other day for about a week. Well, I did that. My hair feels so much better, I could almost eat it! LOL My dandruff is gone.... my whelps are gone and my fever is gone. I am almost back to normal.... enough to know that I WILL SURVIVE!!!!

Bill's Birthday Dinner....

Sunday, Aug, 14th was Bill's birthday. He was 71. Lisa, Ryan and Lucas came home to take him out for his birthday dinner. Of course, I went along too. It was a fun day. Bill took his mobility chair to the mall for the first time and he actually said he had a good time.

I Found Another Quilt Barn.....

And guess what????? It is on the road where I live. Someone must have known how I liked seeing these. Here are two of my favorite things.....Barns and Quilts. Somewhere in my blog you will find lots of quilt barns. Not long ago, my husband and I made a trip everyday to see how many we could find. My grandchildren are looking for them now.

My Pitiful Little Sunflowers.....

The reason I am posting this ....they are red when they first come out. I like them, even tho they do look pitiful. I planted them in my back yard, and the water supply on them has been short. Bless their little hearts!!!!

Bookmark....

I made this little bookmark today. It slips down onto the corner of your page. It is so hot outside, I had to find something to do.... that didn't take any effort or energy! The book is A Painted House by John Grisham. I'm over half way through....usually, I do not like his books, but this one I have enjoyed.

Stream At Backbone Rock.....

Since it's so hot here, I thought this picture would be pleasant to see today. The stream is at Backbone Rock.... Wouldn't it be nice to put your feet in this cool, cool water? We might have to make a trip there just so I can do that!!! It's 85 degrees here already and it's only 9:00 AM. Stay COOL....everyone!!!!!

Check out the size of this tomato!

Not a very bright picture, but wanted you to see the FIRST tomato I picked from my garden! It is sitting beside a regular cup. Now won't that make a good tomato sandwich?

Rachel had a picture of a big onion on her blog today.

Boone and Blowing Rock, NC

I spent the day in Boone and Blowing Rock NC. That's me on the left and in the center is my friend Patricia from Flordia and Nancy from Tucson, AZ. We all worked together at Raytheon many years ago. It was a beautiful day and I had forgotten how much I liked being in that part of the area. Pat and Nancy, if you see this....thanks for a wonderful day. See you this time next year....hopefully!!!!!

Adding a Link....

I am practicing on adding a link and clicking on the word to get me there. Be patient with me...LOL Rachel Thanks Rachel....I think it worked. WOW....I learned something today!!!!

SHAKE PICKLES......

3 QTS. CUCUMBERS..(SLICED)
4TO 8 ONIONS. (I USE ONE LARGE)
3 CUPS WHITE VINEGAR

3 1/2 CUPS WHITE SUGAR

1/4 CUP PICKLING SALT

1 TEASPOON TUMERIC

1 TEASPOON ALUM

1 TEASPOON MUSTARD SEED
1 TEASPOON CELERY SALT
Slice and layer cucumbers
and onions in jar. (You can use
pint jars or one large jar) or any
glass jar. Mix all other ingred
ients together. Pour over pickles.
Put lids on and refrigerate. Shake
every day for six days. Use lids
that you can shake with so your
juice won't pour out when you shake.
Always keep refrigerated. I have
left these in the fridge for two years
and couldn't tell any difference
than when I made them.
Good with beans!

Another picture of my tepee.....

Can you tell my cucumbers have grown? I'm getting several cucumbers every day and am getting ready to make "Shake Pickles". I need to put up a few more strings, but I will have to get a ladder to do that. Does anyone know if every bloom makes a cucumber? I always thought that is what happened, but my DH says no. He thinks only about half of the blooms turn into a cucumber. I'm at a loss on that one!

Aging With Grace.....

Aging With Grace

I know that I am growing older, and will someday be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject on every occasion.

Release me from trying to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody: helpful, but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details: give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains: they are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of theirs, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet: I do not want to be a Saint (some of them are so hard to live with) but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the Devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people....and give me the grace to tell them so.

And keep me humble until the end.

A Lovely Service......

We had two lovely services celebrating the life of Irene Melvin. She looked like an angel. Everybody that looked at her could not believe she was 94. I had a lovely knitted shawl that was just perfect for her burial attire. She had told me many time how beautiful it was. It was just hanging there waiting for her at the end.
Today at the cemetary, my son Gary played Amazing Grace and Going Home on the bagpipes. It was lovely and touching. Thanks to all for the sweet comments!

A SAD TIME.....

My Mother-In-Law passed over into the arms of Jesus yesterday morning. The nurses put her to bed last Thursday at 12:30. She spent only four days in bed before her death came. She passed easily.....went to sleep to wake no more. I have know her for 53 years and we have NEVER said a cross word to each other. She was like a second Mother to me. I will miss her terribly, but it is MY loss and HER gain!!!! I love you Mamaw!!!!!!

A Pretty Scarecrow......

This pretty scarecrow is in someone's garden on the same road where I live. I thought it was someone in the garden, but it is a mannequin. I stopped and asked if I could make a picture and no one was home, so I made a picture. Isn't that a neat idea? Look at the close up below.

Scarecrow.....Close Up.....

My Strawberry Bowl.....and a recipe

Lisa brought me this bowl from Savannah, Georgia last year. It is a colinder, so the berries will drain. This is one of my favorite bowls. Read on and you will find a recipe for Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake.

Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake:

2 cups cake flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

2/3 cup cocoa

1/2 cup Crisco shorthning

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 whole eggs or 3 egg whites

1 quart fresh strawberries, rinsed and sliced

1 cup whipped cream or Cool Whip

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients in order listed, except strawberries and whipping cream. Beat with mixer on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, for 3 minutes. Pour into greased and floured 13 x 9-inch pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool cake completely. Cut into squares. Place 2 or 3 squares in dessert cups and layer with small amount of strawberries and whipped cream. Garnish with strawberries. A Heavenly Treat!

My Yard This Morning.....

Look how my cucumber have started climbing up the tepee!! We got some much needed rain here yesterday evening and last night. PTL! Everything looks revived now!!! The sun is out and my clothes are drying on the line......a good day to be alive!

MY TEPEE......

This tepee is made from Bamboo that we grew in our back yard. I made it this morning for my cucumbers to climb on. My yard is so dry and dead looking. The cucumbers are just starting to vine. Hopefully with a lot of watering I will have enough to make a jar of pickles.

Tepee....Close Up....

Prairie Star Afghan...in Blues and Purple.....

I just finished my second Prairie Star. I gave it to my MIL in the nursing home. She loved it and cried when I gave it to her. Can you see the beige pieces? If I had it to do over, I would make them light blue. There isn't enough contrast between the white and the beige. But guess what....I'm not going to frog it!!!! (Rip it....Rip it....Rip it) LOL

AFTER THE STORM......

We had a hard storm last evening.... After the storm was over, it looked real strange outside. It seemed everything had an orange glow. The sunset was all over the sky. I had never seen anything like it before....we had a good rain and everything looks refreshed this morning....PTL!!!!

Barn Of Many Treasures......

We found a barn this week on one of our adventures. It is covered almost completely with baskets, gourds, and all kind of things. Someone had a good idea on how to display their collectables. It is located between Shady Valley, TN and Damacus, VA

Ryan and Lucas at Backbone Rock.....

This is another place we went this week while Ryan and Lucas were here. The ridge was named Backbone Rock because of its appearance.....The area around Backbone rock was developed by the Tennessee Wildlife Agency. It's a lovely place for hiking and camping. The tempature is always 10 degrees cooler there than down in the valley.

Our Week Together.......

I've had both of my grandsons with me all this week. We have had such a good time together. My daughter will be coming after them tomorrow and I have already started missing them. One day is was 88 degrees in our back yard, so we decided to ride up on top of the mountain. There is a spring at the very top and I had some shower gel in my car, so we washed our feet in the cool water. It was 66 degrees...we almost needed a jacket. The picture above was made at the spring.