What can we say... we're so honored! And in the spirit of southern hospitality, we now pass it on the 5 of our blog buddies too... in hopes they do the same. And here ya'll are in no certain order.
1. Actually Laura http://actuallylaura.blogspot.com/ because she's so darn cute and REALLY passionate about rescuing animals.
2.Paco, Milo and Maya http://pacoemilo.blogspot.com/ Ahh what beautiful pups, I wish I could run my fingers through their golden locks!
3. Sierra Rose http://goldensierrarose.blogspot.com/ She's an outdoorsy type and we love that!
4. Those gorgeous GA. labs at http://kit-dogdaze.blogspot.com/ because Bailey still has Alaska dreams too... grouse and ptarmigan.
5. Finally, Maxdog http://theadventuresofmaxdog.blogspot.com/ the best tour guide S. Africa has ever seen.
Hope ya'll enjoy!
Yesterday I had to run to town to get a few things. I hardly ever get to go to Target because it's about an hour from my house... so I can't just pop in real quick. But I had to be near Target, so of course I seized the opportunity. Our Target has a Starbucks inside, does yours? Anyway, as much as I love Target shopping I also love me some Starbucks... but let's be specific... I love Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes, hot or cold. How can you beat that taste of pumpkin pie, whipped cream and a cup of coffee all together in one cup? It's magic. So, long story short, as I was checking out from my Target experience yesterday, a girl came by with a tray full of samples of PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES! She asked if I wanted to try one... of course I did! You know they only have that flavor fall through Christmas? Oh how I had missed that yummy goodness! So as soon as I had slurped ever droplet from the little cup (I wanted to lick it out but resisted... something about you can take the girl out of the country but not the....) I headed over to the Starbucks counter to order the full sized version of my mini delight. I hopped right up, gave the girl my order and smiled from the knowledge that Pumpkin Spice was BACK! " Sorry, we don't start serving that until Monday." she said. "Why then are you giving out samples today?!" I said. "We want you to be excited about the flavor." She said. Well whoop-te-do! I was excited and then denied. The good news though, all you PSL aficionados out there... you can have one... on Monday.
If home is a feeling... then this is the feeling I want in my home's kitchen! It makes me wanna whip up some buttermilk biscuits and gravy! You too? Don't forget sorghum for desert.
As this Summer season is drawing to a close, I have Bailey on my mind. At the age of 14, I wonder if he will make it through to his 15th birthday in February. He is definitely showing the signs of his advanced age and life is not as easy for him as it once was. Yet, despite his difficulty in getting up, eyes riddled with cataracts and the tell-tale tumors Springers often get... he still has a small spark. When we walk in the room, his tail still wags and he still appreciates a good meal. I suppose that's why we love dogs. Even with their dying breath... they love us.
My goodness, mommies are such busy people! All year long we hurry and scurry about, caring for our families and homes. As Summer begins to dwindle, I am thinking about all that the season meant for my family. We planted, we tended, we harvested, we put away for winter. We entertained guests and went visiting. We stayed physically active and played and adventured and learned. And of course, around here, we have sawed, hammered, primed, painted and installed for three months, with still more to do. Finally, we have planned for the coming school year which, I just realized isn't coming... it's here! My morning check of Facebook updates confirms my suspicions... school has started. Yes, we homeschool so I am not as attuned to the schedules of school systems as I once was,( he was in traditional schools for several years.) Facebook reminds me of the way we used to feel... saying good bye for the next nine months... excited by the new things we would learn.... eager to wear the new clothes and use the fresh new notebook we purchased for "back to school." I must admit I do miss the new notebook thing! It just seems too soon. Facebook friends around the globe are saying they are taking pictures, driving to school or putting on the bus, and saying good bye to their babies, either for the first time ever or just feeling like it's the first time all over again. I too have to start thinking about my lesson plans and my schedule. I guess what I am saying is that time is passing too quickly. ( Our elders told us this would happen!) Summer was a whirlwind and even though families were probably together... we are now wishing we could slow down, turn back time, take it easy. Summer should ideally be about dipping our toes in the lake, reading books in the hammock, listening to the surprise summer storm, crickets. But time has caught up to us and we have to move on. So, I want to encourage all you mommies out there to join me in a challenge. Let's forget the cyclone of activity that is about to befall us! Let's say "no" to some activities, only participating in what's most worthwhile. Let's play boardgames with our kids at night and bake some cookies "homemade" (slice and bake counts,) and read together... even if it means saying no to the PTA or Co-op or team coach. Working mommies and stay home mommies and school mommies and homeschool... let's rebel! Let's say "no" and take some time to enjoy our families and homes that we work so hard to maintain. Psalm 55;22 says,
" No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversations as a dog does."
Check this guy out! Part Jack Russell/part Dachshund? All cute!
I thought the Rocky Creek Scotties might enjoy this picture! Their names are Ollie and Bailey.
Isn't this guy handsome?
Sir Buckingham, "Bucky" was every bit as smart and regal as one expects a standard Poodle to be!
This guy is rumored to be very "sensitive" about people approaching his playpen, but was more than willing to pose for my camera! Too cute!
Sadness, dejected, weeping and gnashing of teeth! "If I see those HGTV people out here this year, they're getting a piece of my mind," Best Friend said. Another night passes and dreams of being chased by large fried pies with microphones ensues. "No, don't douse me with your chunky apple filling!" Then as another day dawns we move forward, boldly, undaunted by the previous day's events. On to Crossville and hopefully we can forget the empty void in Best Friend's belly. As one mega-tented sale unfolds into another, we turn our minds to bargains instead of pies and lying TV hosts. The Senior Center might be the perfect spot for antiques and crafty things, so we decide to go in. But what did we find? Bargains on antiques? No. Alas, sprawled out in front of the most angelic yet aged face you've ever seen, not chochkees, not nick-nacs, not even bric-a brac... just the most splendidly perfect FRIED PIES you have ever seen! (Que Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing "Hallelujah Chorus" here!) As Best Friend approaches, mouth a-gape, arms akimbo, a single fat tear resting on the rim of her cheek... she quietly utters the phrase, "Fried-Apple-Pies." " I baked these last night," the angel spoke. "I'll take one please...." Best Friend whispered.
I know it looks like we're at McDonald's... and we are... but that's no Mickey D's fried pie... we were there for iced coffee, (because fried pie ain't gluten free ya know?) So, as the day progressed we DID run into the HGTV jokers, twice. But, since Best Friend was hyped up on sugar and fried dough
This gal is tired of runnin'. My summer has been one of constant running around, seeing stuff and takin' names! But I have had a blast and wouldn't trade a minute! The Hwy. 127 Yard Sales was sooooo much fun... just two old friends, no husbands or kids, plenty of old junk and LOTS of laughs. Here are some images to hold us over until next year's sales. Check back here later and I will enchant you with stories of HGTV stalkers, fried pies and BARGAINS! Until next time my junky friends.
"A dog can express more with his tail in minutes than his owner can express with his tongue in hours."
-Anonymous
huckleberries to the point that we might have worried them to death. The more we anticipated lovely purple fruit, the more we lost. (It could have been our neighborhood bear or birds or something else...) So the berries we planned for, never came to fruition. However, our Lord is a gracious God and where he denied us huckleberries, he gave us blackberries instead! The blackberries we found were ripe and sweet and as big as your thumb. Gracious me... and to cap off the Lord's gift he surrounded the bushes with beautiful wildflowers! I took the berries home and made a gluten free blackberry/almond crisp and I picked some flowers for decoration. Thank you Lord for lovely weather, lovely vistas, and plentiful food. Thank you Lord for the blessings of summer!
 | 54 As a 1930s wife, I am |
