Family and February in the South

Today is the anniversary of my mama's birth. She was born on February 12, 1910, and named after both her father (John Franklin) and mother (Mary Katherine known as Katie) - Johnnie Kate.

Johnnie Kate and Carrie Rebecca

 She was the seventh of 8 children and the youngest girl. The two older boys each had family names, but neither was a junior. After Julia, Esther (Ethel) Birdsong, Minnie Penny, and Carrie Rebecca, I am not sure why they decided to honor her with a bit of both their names. She grew up in rural South Georgia doing the things expected of her as part of a farm family. She married young at age 17. All her adult life, she was known as "Miss Johnnie" in our small community following the Southern tradition of respect for an adult woman... no matter your marital status you were called "Miss". 

My brother and I came along later in life. Even though she and my daddy married in 1927, it was nearly 18 years before they were blessed with a baby boy and 6 years later a baby girl.

Big Brother

For many reasons she deserves my utmost respect... but an important one is because she was 41 1/2 years of age when I was born! Having been 41 1/2 years old, I cannot imagine having a 6 year old son and a baby daughter at that age. So I've been thinking of her and remembering lots of things she shared with her baby girl...  especially of her awe and love of nature. She never allowed a red bird to go unnoticed.. so these are for you, Mama, your little girl hasn't forgotten to notice her own backyard... Thanks for everything!

Welcome 2013 - With quiet times and flowers in the house

Our New Year's Eve is a quiet one. There's just the two of us as my DH reminded me when our youngest and his wife headed for their home today... "We are back to just you and me!" At our stage of life, isn't that the way it should be?

On Saturday while doing last minute shopping for our family celebration, I treated myself to a sleeve of beautiful roses! I couldn't resist the ivory roses tipped with deep red. I pulled out a favorite old jar and a milk glass vase. I just knew each would be perfect for the roses! I didn't remember Jane's wonderful Flowers in the House party until today! The roses were too lovely not to share.

The black granite counter-top was the perfect home for the lovely milk glass vase of roses.

The jar of roses was right at home on my grandma's trunk highlighting the beauty of the white nativity nestled in a bed of sparkling Epsom Salts (Thanks Martha Stewart!) on an old silver tray. The green metal candle holder was a gift from my mama during the Advent Season some 35 year ago. This year it was home to a lovely red candle ... a gift from a very dear friend.

I still haven't managed to take down the Christmas trees. This little silver metallic tree is a tribute to my late parents and their wonderful aluminum tree complete with rotating color wheel.  I am sure that my nephew remembers that tree as fondly as my daughter. She often mentions the Christmases spent at Grandma and Granddaddy's house and the tree always manages to creep into the conversation! Mama would be horrified... she felt it bad luck to have the tree up on New Year's Day. I am traditional enough to think I need black-eyed peas and turnips to bring prosperity and health to the New Year... just can't bear to take down the tree until January 6th! I may not celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas with a partridge in a pear tree, but I do enjoy the trees as long as possible.

Many times I reach the end of the year with bittersweet feelings... but not this year!  I am embracing the newness and possibilities of 2013 with unabashed enthusiasm! REJOICE! Good wishes to you and yours for good health, contentment, and a world of possibilities in 2013... 

Happy, Happy New Year!

Visit Jane's party, Small But Charming. She is ready for adorable Mr. Baby's birthday complete with stunningly beautiful flowers and a buffet of scrumptious food!

P.S. It seems our country's leaders may have reached an agreement to keep us from going over the fiscal cliff... great news! Now if they can just learn to play nicely together in 2013... too much to ask for????

More flying high...A bit of video from the Harmony Jubliee

Flying high!

We had an awesome event in our little town this weekend, the Harmony Jubilee, sponsored by our local art's council. Hot air balloons descended on our community and brought much joy! Just a glimpse of what we saw from our "own backyard!"

There was also a balloon glow on Friday and Saturday nights. Not as many participants last night, but still very pretty!

A great way to spend an Autumn weekend!

Flowers in the House... and ramblings!

Just a few left over zinnias, lantana (?), some purple blooms and seed pods from the "butterfly" bush to gather for a bouquet or two to accompany the jack-o-lanterns and Thanksgiving pumpkins for Jane's Flowers in the House. The volunteer "popcorn tree" (Chinese Tallow tree) beside the back fence is still lush with green leaves, but the white seed pods from which the nickname is derived are abundant. These little pods add just a bit of whimsy to the tenacious zinnias that have outdone themselves this year!

The cooler weather and a bit of blustery winds have made their way into South Georgia. The leaves are beginning to show a bit of color and the dogwood trees have those lovely red seed pods... almost as pretty as the lovely springtime blooms! 

 My mother's family reunion was yesterday. I always attend with mixed emotions. I miss her, her siblings and their spouses. My parents died 31 years ago, but I still feel they should be at this annual gathering. We determined that this past year marriages were celebrated, new babies were born, dear loved ones have passed on and on a joyous note - the oldest surviving cousin is 105 years of age and her sister is 86!  A sweet cousin volunteered to decorate each table making the utilitarian building much more warm and welcoming!

 I walked down the road I live on the other day... these greeted me from a shallow ditch...

These lovely Confederate Roses were blooming in my neighbor's yard. The plant is actually more kin to the cotton plant than a rose bush, but this lovely flower needed to have a pretty name! The blooms start out white, turn pink, and finally red! I am green with envy that I don't have one of these lovely shrubs! Maybe she'll share a cutting and I can nourish my own into splendor!


Just a bit of what's happening in my neck of the woods. Hope yours is safe and full of all the things you love!