Some pictures to make you smile :)

Grandma's Apron...

In a previous post I spoke about my grandma "Cissy" and the bakery and confectioner's shop, she owned and operated, for some thirty odd years.

One of the things I remember vividly about her, was that she wore aprons. Not only did she wear an apron in her bakery, she also wore an apron at home, constantly.
Most all of our mothers/grandmothers, wore aprons, or "pinny's" as we English call them ;)



I was forwarded a story today from a dear friend, who thought I might enjoy....
She was correct, I am passing it along, for you to enjoy ;)

Grandma's Apron....

*I don't think our kids or grandkids know what an apron is.

*The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath. Because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

*It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

*From the chicken coop the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

*When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

*And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

*Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove..

*Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

*From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.

*After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

*In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

*When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

*When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

*It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

*Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool, now her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw after taking them from the freezer..

*Some people today would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.......I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron though........but love!!

An apron for Sunday, an apron for Monday, an apron for the garden, or Saturday's chores .

Mule Capital of the World....

Columbia, Tennessee is the ancestral home of the eleventh President of the United States, James Knox Polk.

The town, is however more widely known for it's contribution to the mule-trading and entertainment industry.

Since the early 1800's people have been flocking to Middle Tennessee, and more precisely to Columbia, in Maury County, to show and trade mules.

Mule Day, Columbia, TN 1836.

Today, technology may have moved us along at warp speed, but some things stay the same, especially when it comes to enjoying "Down Home" fun.

Held in Columbia, TN less than an hour south of Nashville, the first weekend in April, (or if that coincides with Easter, the second weekend in April ), Mule Day attracts crowds of more than 200,000 with visitors from 38 states and several countries.

The economic impact for the area is estimated at $16 million annually, with all profits donated to local charities.

Lining up the mules for judging

The Mule Day festival originated in 1934 and has grown from a one-day event to a four day spectacular. It's roots are found in Breeders Day, a yearly livestock show and market, held since

1840.

Mules were once such BIG business in Maury County, Columbia Mule Day had the distinction of being one of the largest livestock markets in the world

Even if you don't have a mule to trade, you will enjoy the different events.

There is always something for everyone; Craft Festivals, Beauty Pageants, Flea Markets, Knife and Coin Shows, Fiddling Contests, Bluegrass Singing, Mule-Pulls, Liars Contest, Cowboy Mounted Shooters, Clogging Contest, Parade, and oh not to forget some of the Best "Country Vittles" south of the Mason-Dixon line.

http://www.muleday.com/

Ya'll Come..........

photo credit: wikipedia, Louis Mills.

A Sad Event....

Yesterday, I found myself sitting in the Chapel of a Nashville hospital, quietly praying, and asking God for a miracle....

My son-in-law's father has been suffering for the past year, with pains in his stomach, and today, after exploratory surgery, we found the answer.

Pancreatic cancer.

The prognosis is grim.

Tomorrow, the surgeons intend on explaining the course of action. It will be the one glimmer of hope this close-knit family will desperately cling to.

As I sat in the chapel, my heart heavy, and my fears many, I questioned, this game of chance called "Life".

Why do bad things, happen to good people ?

This is a man, who for all of his life, has been a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend.

A man who has worked, and provided well for his family.

A man who loves fishing, and all of nature's beauty.

A man who has passed along those passions, to his sons, and his grandchildren.

A kind and generous man, to friends and family alike.

A man who has loved well.

A man who has voluntarily served his Country.

The hurt and confusion is prolific on the faces of his loved ones. The impact on this family will be devastating.

If you believe in the Power of Prayer, may I humble myself, and ask you to remember my dearest Jimmy in your Prayer Chains, or silently ask our dear God for a miracle..........

Blessings to you all.

To Blog Or Not To Blog ?...That is The Question

A conundrum ?

I seem to be in between a rock and a hard place, when it comes to writing a "daily" blog post.
I'm sure it it something most of the blogging community, has been faced with at one time or another.

My blog is a newbie, a mere four months old, and I have written a new post, almost daily.
Could be, because it was Winter months, one tends to "nest" and spend more time indoors. Or more to the truth, I enjoy writing about my own little interests, and having a place to document them. The fact that other people find them interesting, and leave lovely comments, is encouraging to say the least.

Lately, I have been working more. Once I return home, there is very little inspiration left in me to sit at the computer and write a positive posting.
Now that the weather has turned warm, I am faced with all the outside work, which needs attention, so my days take me into tackling the gardening chores.
You know how it goes....

I admire the people who consistently write new and interesting posts, everyday. Frankly, I don't know how you find the time.

I will continue to post, probably not everyday, but as often as my schedule will allow.

" Life happens ".........

Be assured, I will find the time to visit with you often. My new "blog " friends have become a valuable part of my world. Our daily chit -chats enable us to swap ideas, share advice, and even give opinions, when the need arises. It's a fulfilling and endearing manner in which to cultivate friendships.

In the meantime "Play Nice" ;)

In my imagination, this is where you'll find me.....

Need a Hug ?

With what seems like a topsy turvy world right now, maybe we could all benefit from a little hug.........

Pass it on...

" A Fabulous Blog"......Award.

Saturday I was honored to recieve this "Fabulous Blog Award" from my fellow blogger and friend Carol @ The Writers Porch.

Please excuse my tardiness in retrieving this wonderful honor, as you know, I am still in the workforce, and try if I may, it still interfers with my blogging ;)

I visit Carol's blog daily, she has such an insight on all things, and expresses them with such zest.

Her book reviews, her love of country music ( through being raised amongst the stars), her reports of her animal antics down on the farm. Give her a visit.....

You'll be hooked !

http://thewritersporch.blogspot.com/

As with most Awards...there are a few rules.You must pass it on to 5 other Fabulous bloggers in a post. You must include the person who gave the award to you and a link back to their blog.

You must list 5 of your Fabulous Addictions in the post.You must copy and post these rules in the post.

Right click the Award and save to your computer and post it on your blog. This is not only a tribute to your blog but a way to widen the blog reading audience !

In no particular order, here are 5 of my fabulous addictions:

Taking care of animals, gardening, collecting staffordshireware, English history, reading.

My five choices to pass the award along to ......

Lakeland Jo - http://lifeinwindermere.blogspot.com/

http://welshhillsagain.blogspot.com/

http://another-bend-in-the-road.blogspot.com/

http://georgiafarmwoman.blogspot.com/

http://betsyfromtennessee.blogspot.com/

Enjoy !

A Bit O' Blarney.......

May The Luck of the Irish be With You Today.....




In honour of St. Patrick himself........

There’s a dear little plant that grows in our isle,

‘Twas St. Patrick himself, sure, that sets it;

And the sun of his labor with pleasure did smile,

And with dew from his eye often wet it.

It grows through the bog, through the brake, through the mireland,

And they call it the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.

If'n yer 'ave a little o' the "green" running through yer veins, we'll be a'celebrating today.........

Who knows...we may be lucky enough to find a Pot O' Gold....

Be sure to say "Good Morn" to the wee fairies..........

Grab yer old walking stick.....

Cog over the fence....be careful now..

A little further up the lane......

Watch out fer the sheep.......

We'll rest and have a bite of lunch....

Will yer be having corned beef and cabbage ?

A nice piece of soda bread with that ?

What will yer be drinking .......Maybe a cold Guinness ?

We'll be on to the shenanigans now.......

Well......would you just look at that !

Glory be......


Credits: Video/you tube/shastasheene

Blowing in the Wind...

What is it about washing billowing in the breeze on a washing line ?

Is it not just so gloriously suburban and romantic, to see white pillowcases and children's clothes, strung out in rows, telling us that this is a house where it's occupants are loved and cared for ?
Lacy underwear, towels and sheets, soccer shorts, table linens; it's so uninhibited, and they tell volumes about the occupants of the house they are adorning.....



This theme is repeated in other cultures. But why ?

Were we all pushed out into the garden in our prams as babies to watch the gaily-coloured garlands of washing dancing in the breeze?

Is it that there is something reassuring about linen being washed and cared for?

Is it the thought of snuggling down in a bed, or pulling on a shirt which exudes the fragrance of fresh air?

Is it the feeling of abandon and unadulterated joy we share with the clothes as they regally wave and happily flap about?

It is probably a mixture of all of these, the impressions which invoke the childhood we had (or would have liked to have had) coupled with the fact that mothers or, in past centuries, maids and washerwomen, spent many hours doing the washing, while at the same time entertaining the small children of the household.

Rhymes from our childhood call images of it to mind.

The maid was in the garden, hanging out the clothes
When down came a blackbird and pecked off her nose.
She made such a commotion that little Jenny Wren
Came down into the garden and pegged it on again.

What's the time? - Half past nine
Hang your knickers on the line.
When they're dry, bring them in
And iron them with the rolling pin



Photo credits: Walter Crane, Wikipedia

Snow-bound...

A Winter Idyl

Winter offered a snowy cold day.
A time to make a pot of tea, and curl up with a new book.
A time to nest for one last moment.........

Time for reading by Judy Gibson

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Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.

Charles W. Eliot
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You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.

Paul Sweeney
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Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled “This could change your life.”

Helen Exley
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Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.

Charles W. Elio

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Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.

Francis Bacon, Sr.
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