A Week Of School Spirit

This week was Homecoming week at the boy's school. Each day the children got to dress up to different themes. Monday was Western day, Tuesday was Duo/Trio day, Wednesday was Famous day, Thursday was Hawaiian day, and today is School Spirit day. This is always a fun week for me at school seeing all the kids and their different costumes. This week was no different. They were so funny with all of their unique ideas. Here are just a few of the pictures I took this week.

A Day With The Guys

Today the guys and I took a trip up to Cosby to do a scavenger hunt hike. Bubba picked this hike out of the scavenger hunt book that :o)} has. It is a short hike, but it had several neat sights along the way. You hike through an area that use to be a homestead, where parts of the stone walls and the chimney are still standing. It was also great to see Bubba (who normally will fall into any water in the vicinity) cross the creek on a tree without falling in, not only once, but four times!

Braves Stitch-n-Pitch game

Well, Sunday we had an enjoyable day together as a family at the Atlanta Braves game. This was a first time experience not only for Bubba and Butch, but for myself as well. We did not get seats with the Stitch-n-Pitch, but we did get some great seats along the third base line. We did go up to where the S-n-Pers were just to see. There did not look like there were more than 20 people in that section. Now we did meet a couple of ladies that, like us, got seats in a better section. I was able to get the nice little gift bag. I was a bit disappointed that we did not see any of the "vendors" that were suppose to be outside in the concourse. It was also funny to see on the jumbo screen two older men sitting there knitting. These men evidently amused the people behind the cameras because they continued to show them throughout the game!

The game was very enjoyable and we loved the "free baseball" in the extra inning. We were all excited that the Braves were able to pull out a win for us! After the game was over we took the boys to the line of kids wanting to run the bases. It was a long line! We did make it through and both Bubba and Butch got to run the bases. Bubba had Joe time him as he ran! After that they received a free t-shirt and a certificate saying they ran the bases. We were all very tired when we returned home. All in all it was a very good day!

Grapeyard Ridge Trail

On Friday I was able to go with Joe and his parents on a hike in Greenbrier. There were several interesting aspects to this trail. There were several creek crossings as well as two cemeteries located along the trail, one included some of Linda's family. This was also part of the area that Joe's grandfather grew up in. One of the most fascinating points of interest on this trail is an old steam engine used for logging in the 1920's that fell into Injun Creek about three miles up this trail. This was a fun time that I had with Linda as we walked the trail looking at all the surroundings. Of course Joe and Dad were taking the fast track rather than my slow snails pace. It was a fun time together and we wrapped up our evening dining at the Greenbrier Grill. Ah, I love to hike in the mountains! It is so refreshing.

The Teardrops Are Making A Comeback!

Today as we were coming home from our hike (which I will tell you about later) we drove through Pigeon Forge. This weekend is the Fall Grand Rod Run where everyone brings the cars that they have rebuilt to show off and/or sale. I was also surprised to see a few teardrop campers in the mix. I had just recently watched a show on TV about the comeback of these very unique campers. I thought that they seemed very cool for a couple who wanted to travel. The teardrop was famous in the 1930's-1940's as they were small and lightweight enough for the cars of that time to haul. They are about 4-6' wide, 8-10' long, and 4-5' high. There is a small sleeping compartment that is just big enough for a bed, and then the back hatch comes up to reveal a little kitchen on the back. Many of the owners of these campers get together at "gatherings" to show off and spend time with other teardrop owners. Doesn't this look like it would be a lot of fun?!

Last Time In Atlanta

Last night Joe reminded me that we will be heading down to Atlanta on Sunday for the Braves' Stitch-n-Pitch game. I was thinking tonight of my last trip to Atlanta. It was in the fall of 2003 when the boys and I (along with another mom and her two girls) made the trip to Atlanta to meet up with our military husbands. Joe was in the midst of training for an overseas deployment and they had a free weekend so we decided to meet about half way. That was a more difficult trip to take because we knew that after only a short time together that he would leave again. That was a time when every moment seemed to count because you did not know how long before you would see each other again. It is amazing to me that it has been three years since that time. I look at pictures and see how small my boys were and see them now and how much they have grown. As Bubba is always telling me "Not long before I am leaving home!" He is right. Time seems to be going by so quickly and they are growing so fast. I am left to wonder what it will be like when I have to deal with another one possibly leaving home. The possibility of moving away from one another is a frightening thought. I love my boys and I hope that through the passing of time we will always maintain a close relationship that will only grow stronger with each new day!

Duck Season! Wabbit Season!

Did you know that there is a squirrel-hunting season? In talking with a fellow Scout leader today I learned that there is a squirrel season and not only that, you have to have a hunting license to legally hunt them! Who would have thought that sitting on your back porch, luring squirrels with food and then shooting at them would be illegal unless armed with your $28 Combo hunting license?! ;) Here is a little information for those who want a more through knowledge on this subject (taken from the TWRA News/ Press Releases)

08/03/2006 ~ SQUIRREL SEASONS OPENS AUGUST 26

Tennessee’s hunting season for gray, fox and red squirrels opens on Saturday, August 26, 2006 according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). The season continues through February 28, 2007 with a daily bag limit of 10.

The hunting season for squirrels is one of the longest fall seasons and one of the most underutilized. All that is needed to hunt squirrels is a $28 combination hunting license. This is a small price to pay for months of enjoyment and relaxation.

Two of the most productive ways to hunt squirrels are still-hunting (slowly walking through the woods watching for squirrels) and stand-hunting (sitting near food trees). Squirrel hunting with dogs has been gaining popularity in recent years. The best hunting with dogs generally occurs from November through February after the trees shed their leaves.

Squirrels are abundant in most areas where patches of woods are available. Excellent squirrel hunting can be found on many of TWRA’s wildlife management areas.

Squirrel hunting is one of the best ways to introduce a young hunter to the outdoors and squirrels are known for their excellent table fare. Most recipe books have a variety of recipes for squirrel, with fried squirrel and squirrel and dumplings being two traditional southern favorites.

For more information on Tennessee hunting seasons go online at www.tnwildlife.org

A New Persuasion

I learned today that there are plans to make a TV version of the novel Persuasion by Jane Austen. I am still unsure who exactly is putting this together, but I hope that it will be another well done adaptation and not so far from the original story that it is almost unrecognizable (i.e. Pride and Prejudice in 2005 with Keira Knightley)!

Now there is also another one of the works of Jane Austen that is up for a remake and that is Northanger Abbey, which will be done by Andrew Davies (who did the wonderful remake of Pride and Prejudice in 1995 with Jennifer Ehle). I must admit this is my least liked novels by Austen. The film adaptation done in 1986 was a horrid movie. I could barely stand to watch it! I hope that perhaps a new adaptation will breathe some new life into this novel.

It's Football Time In TENNESSEE!!

There is nothing like sitting in Neyland Stadium
on a Saturday amidst a sea of Orange!

Sleeping With The WHAT!!!

Last night Joe and I (and several other leaders from our Cub Scout Pack) went to Ripley's Aquarium to a CS Leaders Bash. We had a sidebar with food to eat and a meeting to learn about what is happening in the Sequoyah District this year. At this meeting we also learned about the different programs that Ripley's has available for scouting groups. One of these was called "Sleeping with the Sharks". There was a thought that went through my mind. How many people can sleep in that tunnel knowing that all kinds of sharks are in the water right over your head? I am not sure I could. First of all, I might be too fascinated at all the different creatures and secondly, there are sharks swimming over my head and I am expected to be comfortable enough to sleep?! Now there was an even worse thought when she also mentioned that they do overnighters in the Haunted Adventure called "Midnight with the Monsters" (of course only for grades 6-12) and also in the Believe It Or Not Museum the "Bedtime with the Bizarre" where part of the trip includes a scavenger hunt, wax hand, a Moving Theatre ride and much more! A WAX HAND!! Oh yeah, sign me up!

Big Creek Trail, NC

Yesterday the Francis family got together and went to the Big Creek Trail in North Carolina. This is a relatively short hike that we took that lead to a waterfall as well as many swimming holes. There was also a very unique cave and rock house that is just a little off the trail. It seems that this part of the trail is not very commonly known. Luckily we had Joe's parents who did know where this was and showed us.


So Joe, Bubba, Butch, Hair and I headed up the hill to these two rock formations. When we got up there we noticed that the cave had a chimney hole. It was funny to be at the top where the chimney hole was and to see the guys down inside the cave! There was also a tunnel that lead off the cave. When I got down inside the cave the guys were all trying to find out where the entrance to the tunnel was. I waited a couple of minutes until Hair and Butch made it around. Then I decided to go and see if I could get there. I learned why Joe was not going. There was a small crevice in between two rocks that you had to squeeze through. Hair, Bubba, Butch and I crawled back through the tunnel.


After we finished with that adventure we hike to the swimming hole. There was a rock that some kids we jumping off of, so Joe, Hair and I decided to try it out. That was very interesting! After we got to the top Hair jumped first, then I took my turn, and last was Joe. It was fun to jump even with the cold, cold water! (The rock we jumped from is the one in the center of the picture. We jumped from the left side of that rock where the water gets calm again.)


Linda and I took many pictures of flowers as well as all sorts of different mushrooms along the way. Of course, if you look at the picture below you can now see how Linda gets the great shots for her flowersofthefield site!


To end off I will add a few of my favorite pictures that I took on the hike.

Nothing Like A Good Watermelon

I have decided that the best watermelons I have ever had are the ones that I received from Jo's grandfather, Ruley. They are called Charleston Grey. They are the sweetest, juiciest watermelons ever! I love the ones that I was brought from SC on their trips here (or our trips there). I had a local raised watermelon tonight and I just kept thinking about how much better the Greys were compare to this. I am so eager for next spring so that I can plant some of these for myself (thanks to Ruley for giving me some seeds on our last trip).

Beauty of Summer

On the Trail to the Walker Sisters' Cabin

Back To School

Another year of school has started for Bubba and Butch. This is a happy time for me as I get to spend time with my friends from school as well. I also have the responsibility of creating a bulletin board for the Scouts that is located in the front hall of the Elementary building. This is always a funny time for me because directly across the hall is another bulletin board that a lady in the office is in charge of keeping up. I have slowly become accustom to her telling people that I always come to try to out do her boards and to make hers look bad. She has a fun time teasing me every time I come in to add something new. For this new board I was working on it and adding things to it for two days during teacher inservice last week. Today this lady was telling people how I just would live at the school if I could! All about my days spent there last week. We have such a fun time together there and we are like one big family. Boy is it great to be back!

Seeing Old Friends Again

After a couple of months of not seeing many of the friends I have from school, we got a chance to get together again. Today was a birthday party for one of the little girls in Butch's class. It was at the school's swimming pool. I was thrilled to see several other moms that I really enjoy talking to. We caught up a bit, ate cake and tried to stay in the shade as much as possible. I also got to hold the three month old baby that if you remember from back in May I tried to make a baby hat for and failed miserably the first time! We are all looking forward to being able to see each other on a more regular basis. It is so funny that my friends from school are mostly mothers of daughters! It is somewhat hard to bring two boys to a play date with only girls. We are looking forward to next Saturday when we have orientation at school. School starts in only NINE DAYS!!!

Atlanta Bound!

Tonight at my birthday dinner Joe gave me my birthday present from him. We have four tickets to the Braves vs Marlins Stitch n Pitch game on Sept 17th! I have never been to a Braves game and have wanted to go for years. My father and my father-in-law are big fans of the Braves and I have spent many times with them watching the games on TV. It seems that this will be a great time for me to spend time watching live baseball and crocheting!

Flower Watching!

For three days and two nights I was able to enjoy the chance to watch my niece, L. I had such a wonderful time playing and spending time with her. She loved that the boys were there, too. Every morning she would call for them as soon as I started with her down the stairs. They would let her chase them in circles around the house and they loved every minute. Bubba was about as thrilled as I was to be able to spend so much time with L. It was sad to have to say good-bye to her when her parents came home (although I know they were thrilled to be back home with her as well).

I Am Back!

I returned home yesterday afternoon from another trip to South Carolina. This time Jo and I went to attend my Lane family reunion. We left Friday morning and stopped for the night at her grandparents' house. We had a great time visiting and eating SEAFOOD!! Yummy! The next day we traveled to Marion County, SC to find some cemeteries where some family members are buried. We got lots of pictures of lots of headstones. We even found this cemetery (pictured) with its lone tree and headstones standing out against the surrounding fields of soybeans.

Next after our cemetery hunting was done, we got to see my family at the reunion. I always love getting to see my Lane family every year. Actually I would love to see them more often if I could. I got to reacquaint myself with family and I got to meet several new family members. It was so funny because I am trying to explain to Jo who all 50+ people are and how we are related. Sometimes I can get them confused, but we worked through it. She then amazed everyone by knowing their names and how they fit into the family. That was a great feat for someone who is a complete stranger, especially when half the time some of us that have been a part of the family for 20-30 years still have trouble with that!

Planning to go to SC Again!

It has not been long since my friend, Jo, and I went to South Carolina together and we are already planning to go again. My grandmother's family is from the northeastern part of SC and every year we have a family reunion in July. This year my parents are taking a trip with their church group, so I called my bestest friend, Jo, and I asked her if she wanted to go with me. After a few weeks of thinking and a few days of trying to changing her work schedule, she was finally able to say yes last week. So we are now planning another trip to SC and we are planning to spend one night with her grandparents, Ruley and Hazel, again. I was so excited by the thought of seeing them again. Of course I got to see them tonight (actually I just left Jo's parents where everyone is located about an hour ago) as they came in for a few days. They were so excited by the thought of us coming to visit, even if it is for one night only. They have already started planning the most important part of our visit, where we will go to eat some seafood! You know it is sometimes hard to believe how easy it is to think of them as my family more than those that actually are! Jo's family has considered me as a family member since Jo and I were in high school. All the rest of the family just accepts me as well. Even tonight Ruley told me that I am just like a granddaughter to them. It almost makes me giddy happy! What am I saying? It does make me giddy happy! ;) I thank God that he put them in my life. I cannot imagine not having them as "my" family!

Passing of Time

The other night I was thinking about the last eleven years that Joe and I have been together. It still blows my mind that it has been over eleven years since our first date and over ten since we were married. Our first date is still a typical date for us today (actually we had one of these just last Friday!), which is dinner and a movie. As I recall, though, our first dinner was a fast food place (probably Wendy's or something like that) and the movie was Interview with a Vampire. I am glad to say that over the years not only has the restaurant choice evolved into something better, but also the movies have as well (at least most of the time).

Wise lessons from Jane Austen

In the novel Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen tells the story of the Bennet family. We learn quite a bit about each family member, but one of the biggest parts of the story deals with the bad behavior of several of the family members.

First you have Mrs. Bennet. She is a bit shallow, silly and a gossip. She has good intentions for her five daughters (ie. wanting them to find wealthy husbands that will be able to adequately support them), but she sometimes does not think before she does things. Sometimes you meet people who talk before they think (which I am sure we all have done at one time or another). That is something I think that Mrs. Bennet suffered from almost constantly. She is also a gossip who tends to talk in a voice that projects a little too much, there for allowing others to hear things that she should not be saying (at least in polite company).

Next we look at Lydia Bennet. This is the youngest of the sisters and she is the favorite of her mother's. I think that when you really think about it favoritism never helps a child, but actually has more of a negative affect. You see, Lydia is pampered, encouraged in her boisterous and sometimes inappropriate behavior by her mother and never corrected by her father. Then you look at how much whining and crying she does in order to get her way (which most times her family gives in if only to get her to hush). When has it ever been good to teach a child that if they whine or cry they can get whatever they desire?

The third is Kitty Bennet. I like to think that Kitty would be a good and proper child if her younger sister, Lydia, did not influence her so much. She was allowing herself to be lead by someone who was a bad example for anyone (unless you want to show how not to act!) and not taught to be able to think for herself. Although she is not as silly as her younger sister, she is not too far behind her.

Mary Bennet is a very unique individual. She is not as pretty as her sisters and is a sort of a loner. She has attempted to become accomplished in her piano and singing as a way of promoting herself. Mary is very dedicated to her playing and singing, but she is mechanical and stiff in both. Her voice is never praised as a pretty voice, but she always tries to display her “talents” any time she can. She also is a preachy in her comments to her family, as well as showing little to no tact in these comments, either.

Although Mr. Darcy once states that Elizabeth and her eldest sister, Jane, are above reproach, they also show some behavior that affect their family. They are very close and are to the point that they exclude the other sisters from their close relationship (though mostly it seems to be unintentional). Jane is a Pollyanna who can never see the bad in others. Elizabeth can sometimes be very prejudiced against people (namely Darcy, Wickham, and Caroline Bingley) when she really does not know them that well.

Now at last is Mr. Bennet. He is a smart and witty man. After he married Mrs. Bennet he realized what she was really like and that he had been blinded by her beauty. He realized way too late that he married a woman that he could not respect. After this realization, as well as the addition of her fits of nerves, he tends to avoid her by sequestering himself in his library most of the day. He also starts to make fun of her, instead of trying to help her to become a more well behaved, intelligent person. Not only was he unsupportive of his wife, but also he is also unsupportive of his daughters. He seems to favor his older two daughters as the most intelligent of his daughters. He is constantly making insulting comment as to his other daughters (ie. they are the silliest girls in the country, cannot speak two words of sense together, etc), though he tries to cover it by attempting to make it humorous. He has never properly prepared for his daughters in their dowries, since he planned to have a son (Since his estate is only to pass to male heir, his family will have no home or the income of the estate to live on after his death). In his passiveness towards his wife and younger daughters he has also not taken the control as head of his family. He shirks his responsibilities for making sure that they are behaving in appropriate ways, avoids going to the public outings with his family, he allows his younger daughters to continue in their wild behavior and had given in and allowed them to be “out” too early. In all of this he ends up losing much of the respect that Elizabeth had held for him. When faced with the issue of allowing his whiny daughter, Lydia, to leave home to spend time with a friend in another city, he shrugs off Elizabeth’s warnings of possible disgrace that not only might come on Lydia herself, but would during that time period also included her family (especially her sisters). His response is:

"Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are known, you must be respected and valued; and you will not appear to less advantage for having a couple of—or I may say, three—very silly sisters. We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton. Let her go then. Colonel Forster is a sensible man, and will keep her out of any real mischief; and she is luckily too poor to be an object of prey to any body. At Brighton she will be of less importance, even as a common flirt, than she has been here. The officers will find women better worth their notice. Let us hope, therefore, that her being there may teach her her own insignificance. At any rate, she cannot grow many degrees worse without authorizing us to lock her up for the rest of her life."

Here is a prime example of where a father should be the one to discipline and keep his family in line. If Mr. Bennet had taken the time to discipline and control his youngest daughter he could have prevented the elopement that involved Lydia and the scoundrel, Wickham. This is a huge scandal and one that could have been horribly damaging to the entire family. This father led his family straight to ruin by his lack of responsibility and was only saved by Mr. Darcy who came in and did a patch job to save the reputation of the Bennets.

New Faces Bring New Questions

In my genealogy quest I have several times met with a new relative who adds to the questions I already have. Like the newest relative I found. She has pictures that I am thrilled to see. How can you express your happiness at seeing pictures of the great-great-great-uncles for which you had been looking for years for information on? What thrilling sensations come over you as you see your great-great-great-grandmother’s picture for the first time!

Now, I am starting to try to fit all the information I am learning from her into what I already have. What I really am is more and more confused. Sometimes I am not sure that I will ever really figure out any of this tangled web of a family tree. Of course I also have times that I can just start spilling out all kinds of information that I have learned.

Until I get these spider webs cleaned out of my head I will leave you with one of the newest picture I was able to get today thanks to my new found cousin and a s-i-l who was wonderful enough to help me with the technical aspect! This is Abram Jones Price (brother of my great-great-grandfather, Thomas Rees Price).

I need a girl

I had another crochet hat that I had almost completed last fall, but with preparing for Christmas I put it down and only finished it today. This is made from Bernat Softee Chunky yarn in heather grey. I thought that it looked very cute so I thought to add a picture to my blog. Then I realized my dilemma. This was not like the other hats I had made and I needed more than just something to sit it on, I needed a model. Here comes the hard part. I have two boys. Who can I get to "model" this for me? I could just let the boys take a picture of me in it, but that would look terrible. I needed something that looked a little better than myself. Well, my younger son was handy, so I used him. My thoughts were that he is so cute who would tell the difference? I could just imagine what Joe would say, though. Well, here it is just the same! (And Jama, this is big enough for me, too!)

Another creation from yarn

Yet another wondrous hat made by moi! This hat is made with Shell and V-stitches. This is yet another adult hat made in the Caron yarn in the same Country Blue color. This time I have added a little flower made in a cream Caron yarn. I am attempting to try to get my hats down to the smaller size to fit my friend, Jo, who I promised a hat for her birthday (which was in March! ;). So far I think this is slightly smaller than the last one, but not by much. Guess I can keep this up until I get it right!

Another Hat

During our last two evenings in Cottageville I was able to spend some time crocheting on another hat. This is made from Red Heart yarn in Country Blue (I think that was the color). It has a heather or denim look to it. I have not made a flower yet for it, but I thought I would show the hat since I am finished with this part.

A Weekend in SC

This past weekend my friend, Jo, and I took a trip to Cottageville, SC. It was a genealogy trip for Jo mostly. She has several grandparents, aunts and great-aunts that still live in that area. Since I love the Charleston area I thought that it would be kind of fun. I also enjoy being around her grandparents, Ruley and Hazel. They are some of the sweetest people you could meet (as well as our own little entertainment show!). So for the first two days we went and visited with several of her family members to learn more about her family. On Sunday we went to church and then went to a cemetery where several family members were buried. Then yesterday we drove into Charleston to go to the local library. We each got a lot of information that we had been seeking and lots of laughter from time spent with family. This was the first time in many years that Jo and I were able to spend several days together as just the two of us. It was so much fun! Even though we did not get to do more sightseeing or get to go to the beach, we both very much enjoyed the time together. Hopefully it will not be another decade before we can do another trip together!

Dollywood and the Brave Sirs Butch and Bubba!

Today Bubba, Butch and I took a trip to Dollywood with six friends. After a recent school trip, which resulted in a less than exciting list of rides of which we could participate, we had a much more enjoyable time today. On the school trip my older son, Bubba, and I had measured to see if he and his younger brother would be able to ride several rides. Today we got to ride most that had eluded us last time. The first ride was the Blazing Fury! This has always been one of my personal favorites. It has never been one of the biggest, fastest, etc., but I had always enjoyed the funny little scenes that were created. This was a ride that both Bubba and Butch would be able to ride. Butch was a little scared at first and he said that he did not want to ride a roller coaster. I convinced him that it was a small one and he would be with me. He seemed to be okay with the try it once motto, so we got in line. The entire time I am reassuring him about the ride, but when we got into the car he wrapped his little arms around my waist and was hanging on to me for dear life! It was cute and funny at the same time. He was not sure if he would like it, but he was going to give it ONE try! He was a great little trooper, though he did say after it was over that he would not ride this one again until he is nine. Next we went to Daredevil Falls, which to those familiar with Dollywood (or Silver Dollar City) is the replacement for the Log Flume (and is located where the Flooded Mine, another favorite of mine, was for many years). This ride really scared Butch, though Bubba was really eager to ride. The first time we went to the front of the line Butch was crying so they would not let us on the ride. I tried for a while to calm him and finally he was calm enough to ride. He was still scared, but he was a brave boy and rode with me (albeit hanging on for dear life again as well as eyes shut the whole time!). After getting off this ride and about 30 minutes later he was talking about how he had ridden these rides and was very proud of himself. It was so hilarious! After that he no longer was upset when we mentioned rides. Butch had also mentioned that he did not desire to ride anything that would get him wet. Well, I guess after the Blazing Fury (which got us a little wet) and Daredevil Falls (which soaked us, though not from the drop at the end), he got over that! We went on the River Rampage next. Bubba got drenched in the last little bit of the ride, where previously he had barely received any of the water absorption with which the other five passengers were blessed. His face was absolutely priceless! If we had that picture taken I would have defiantly bought it for future reference! We rode a few other rides like: the old fifty's cars (where Butch showed off his driving abilities), the Carousel, Dollywood Express, and the Amazing Flying Elephants. The boys and I also went to the Dreamland Forest to play in the "bee hive", where we played with the air cannons, before our last ride of the day. The last ride (with just me and my two brave boys) was once more on the Blazing Fury! Bubba had to ride by himself this time (without someone in the same seat) and Butch braved it with me. They were still talking about the Blazing Fury and Daredevil Falls after we got to the car and also after we returned home! I had also been able to enjoy some of the other roller coasters around the park (Tennessee Tornado and the newer Thunderhead), which the boys would not ride. The Thunderhead was great! It is made of wood and lasts longer than the short Tennessee Tornado. It has no loops, but it is one of the top rated wooden roller coaster in the US. All in all I believe we all had a fun day today. I know I did with my boys!

Bee Balm

I came home from being away and I had to go outside to check in on my plants. I know, I know, all I seem to talk about is plants anymore, but this is for E especially. She and I were talking about gardens earlier today, so I wanted to post about my latest bloom. It is Bee Balm, which is in the mint family. I just walked by them at Pope's and thought it looked great, so I bought one. It had started developing a few weeks back, but really blossomed while I was away this weekend. I was finally able to add the pictures in today.

May 30, 2006

June 5, 2006

My garden

I love to grow gardens! A few years ago I started a few small flowerbeds at the house where we were living at the time. I grew to love the time I would spend planting, caring, and watering these beds. I planted a few different types of flowers: lavender, Mexican heather, daffodils, hyacinth, English primrose, spiderwort, pulmonaria, bleeding heart, columbine, pansies, iris, and lily of the valley. It was wonderful to see things that you have planted grow and bloom.

A flowerbed in the backyard

Last year we moved and I had to find a new home for my plants. As we were moving temporarily to a smaller townhouse (and I was thinking that having to dig them back out in the wintertime was not going to be a good idea) I asked my parents if I could use a little area for them at their house. So that is what I did.

Iris in my garden at my mother's

I have a small flowerbed at my parents where I planted several of my plants as well as some others I had bought and rooted. My mother had been teaching me about rooting forsythia and I had been attempting to grow some for the past two years. I went by today and low and behold my forsythia plants, all four that survived, are growing! I went over last month to clean the weeds from the garden and they were only about 1 ½ to 2 inches high. Today they were about 6-8 inches tall! This year so far I have growing in this flowerbed: two spiderwort plants, a calla lily (called Naomi Campbell), red lilies, three lavender bushes, cannas, forsythia, iris, a roma tomato plant, strawberries, as well as several different herbs that I bought for my mother. In other areas around my mother’s house I also have my lily of the valley, pulmonaria, and bleeding heart.

Pulmonaria (one of my favorites)

I have also been so excited to see my little container garden here growing! Here I have some similar plants as at my mother’s as well as a few new ones. I have growing here:

Bleeding heart
Columbine (two different varieties)
Hyacinth
Balloon flower
Bee balm
Sedum (two different varieties)
Money plants
Mexican heather
Rosemary
Oregano
Lavender (two different varieties)
Roma tomatoes (3 plants)
Spinach
Sugar peas
Okra (finally broke out of the ground this week!)

A corner of my container garden

Blooms on the Porch

I was reading the Ardwyn Farm blog this morning, with his list of plants in his garden, and I decided to go and check on my plants. If you did not know I have a container garden on my back porch. I have several flowers, herbs and vegetables. The lovely, newest blooming flower greeted me. It is my balloon flower. So I thought I would post some pictures to show the stages.

May 22, 2006

May 28, 2006

May 30, 2006

Crossing Over

Last night we were able to share a very special evening with the Cub Scouts. We had a spaghetti dinner, then we had our very first Crossing Over ceremony for our pack. A Crossing Over is a ceremony where Webelos II (fifth graders) officially leave Cub Scouts and become Boy Scouts. There were seven of our boys that have earned this achievement. So our ceremony started with the raising of the American flag and the pledge.

Next the Webelos were presented with their Arrow of Light patches. Then the two Webelos leaders came forward for the removal of the colours and all patches from the Cub Scouts.

After the leaders were done changing colours it was the boys turn. Our Cub Master, T, removed all the colours and patches for the Cub Scouts. They then crossed the bridge and their new Boy Scout leaders gave them their new neckerchiefs and colours. It has been a honour to see these boys grow in the past three years. They are such wonderful guys and they make us all proud. So to these members of our new Troop, congratulations!

A New Hat

A friend of mine just had a baby, so I decided to make her little girl a crochet hat. I have made about four baby hats in the past using one particular pattern, but this time I wanted to try a different one. It seemed very similar to the other one, but a little girlier. So here I went Saturday evening. I got my Caron Simply Soft soft pink yarn and started to crochet. A few hours later I sat and stared at my completed hat and could only laugh. The hat is about 3 1/2 inches high and has a 10 inch circumference. Defiantly too small for a normal baby. I even tried to use a doll that I have so I could take a picture, but it would not even fit on its head. So one attempt failed. I guess I will see about sending this one to the hospital for use with the premature babies. Surely it would be able to fit a little girl somewhere!