Banished to the Garage

 A few years ago I purchased a 4 foot lighted birch tree to provide a place in the entryway for special decorations at Christmas.  After removing the small ornaments and foil garland once the holiday season had ended, the cherished tree would be banished to the garage until the following fall.  That seemed an appropriate time to bring it back inside since its bare branches resembled those outside.

That first autumn I found some ribbon and garland which had the warm colors of fall and draped it throughout the bare branches.  My little tree had a new purpose.  A fall decoration to welcome visitors into my home.  Again, the following January the Christmas adornments were removed and regrettably taken to the garage.  I was disappointed that the little tree I cherished needed to be put elsewhere!

Then the next year I followed the same bedazzling for both autumn and Christmas but this time added red foil hearts and garland for Valentine’s Day and endearing objects for Spring and Easter.  My little twig tree was gaining more status as a very important seasonal decoration.

This Memorial Day Weekend marks the beginning of summer and yes, I have decided to dress my beloved tree in red, white and blue!  I purchased a string of ❤️🤍💙 lights and glittery star garland in patriotic colors.  I am ready for the summer holidays.

Blessings,

Frannie

Memorial Day Ceremony at the Spring Hill Senior Center

 Yesterday’s Memorial Day Ceremony was absolutely wonderful.  Its display of patriotism, and all those things we as Americans cherish, began with an invocation given by a DAR chaplain Beth Sims and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  By the way, I think every student in every classroom across America should recite the Pledge every morning!

Many of Tennessee’s dignitaries graced our ceremony… Marsha Blackburn (US Senator), Scott Cepicky (TN State Representative), Joey Hensley (TN State Senator) and Jim Hagaman (Spring Hill TN Mayor).  Following the dignitaries’s speeches, the veterans from each branch of the service were asked to stand.  I was moved my the number of both women and men who stood to attention. 

Ending the program were Brenda Emery who sang beautifully are favorited songs and Beth Sims with the closing prayer.  It was truly a remarkable event.  God Bless America🇺🇸

Thank You For Your Service, Michael🇺🇸

 My husband Michael was a veteran of the Vietnam War.  His brother once said to me, “the war really changed him.”  Although I met him years after he had returned stateside, I think certain thoughts haunted him.  His plane was shot down and I remember him remarking that he was glad the U.S. Navy reached the downed aircraft before the Viet Cong did.  Michael spent weeks in the Naval Hospital on Guam, and yes, that experience would change any individual.

Michael returned home and to my knowledge never had  any regrets of enlisting into the Air Force.  He used to say, “Someone had to do it.”  Michael was a true patriot and loved his country.

When living in Crossville, he decided to become a member of the local VFW Post.  The fellow Vietnam vets decided to hold a “Welcome Home” event.  People came from near and far.  Michael was deeply touched when finally after 40 years, people were approaching him to say thank you.

This Memorial Day I encourage all of you to thank a veteran for their service.  It will mean a great deal to them.🇺🇸  God bless America.

After The Tornado

 As I was walking past Station Hill Baptist Church this evening, I was amazed at the number of vehicles bearing signage which read Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Tennessee. Two weeks ago an EF 3 tornado tore through the county I live in. One hundred and fifty homes were damaged and 40 of those totally destroyed.

After speaking with a gentleman in the church parking lot, I discovered the owners of the trucks, heavy equipment and vans belonged to a group of volunteers.  They are affiliated with the Baptist churches in Tennessee and other southern states.  Their sole purpose is to provide aid and relief to various communities in time of need.  They arrive at the church building and basically spend the following weeks helping others while the church family provides housing and food for them.  It is a circle of love.

What generous individuals they are… supporting one another during time of need.  Tennessee is named the Volunteer State and rightfully so.❤️🙏🏻

Not My Usual Weekend

 This past weekend I did a few things I had never done before.  

Saturday a friend suggested we explore a farmer’s market called Hidden Gem.  I was pleased with the quality and variety of meat, produce and baked goods for sale.  Also, there were a couple dozen artisans selling their creative items.  The photos below show just a little sampling of what was available.

Many gluten-free products

This vendor had a variety of beautifully sewn kitchen items.  One of them being a "kitchen scarf" which you wore around your neck and at each end there was a small towel.  The photo displays the scarf on the left side.

These were bars of soap which had felted wool encompassing them to act as a washcloth.  What a  great idea!  The small remaining fragments of soap could then be placed in drawers to provide pleasing fragrance.

On our way back to the car we passed many hens and roosters roaming the grounds.  It reminded me of time spent on the family farm in Missouri.

Sunday after church I decided to take a drive out to the Old Stone Creamery.  Unfortunately it was closed, but I was able to photograph the charming structure most likely built the year the Cleburne Jersey Farm commenced in 1872.

During my walk that afternoon I passed two sights which brought joy to my heart.  A child's sidewalk chalk drawing and a plain piece of paper with the word "God" on it.  

What a delightful weekend!

Blessings to you all,

Frannie

My Two Grandmothers ~ Carolyn and Mildred

My Grandmother Nelson and Grandmother Russell shared one thing in common.  They were both born in September of 1896.  Also, they enjoyed sewing.  Other than that, they were totally different... it seemed. 

Grandma Nelson lived on a farm in Macon, Missouri and tended to hens, churned butter, fed the hired hands and everyone else who sat down at the kitchen table, mended clothing and nourished her family.  These were just a few of the things she accomplished during her day which began at the crack of dawn until after dusk.

On the other hand, Grandma Russell lived in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio.  She adored her parakeets, tended to her African violets, enjoyed watching television and created many items with her hands.  I still have many of the doll clothes she made from the 1950's.  Also, she taught me how to braid my hair!

Both women had different talents and were very special.  They influenced my life significantly.

Happy Heavenly Mother's Day to both of you...  xoxo

Frugality and Sharing

 My mother practiced frugality and sharing.  Perhaps it was a result of growing up during the Depression and living on a farm.  The smallest tidbits of leftovers were never tossed.  A spoonful of corn was added to scrambled eggs and any bruised area of a tomato was simply cut off.

As far as plants both inside the house and outside in her garden, Mother always had clippings of cut stems immersed in containers of water.  These cuttings would form roots and she would either share with her friends or put in potting soil for another potted plant to add to her collection.  Our home was full of flora.

Last summer I visited my cousin in Houston.  Jim definitely had a green thumb and shared his gorgeous kalanchoe with me by wrapping the cuttings in a very wet paper towel and placing it in a plastic bag to carry in my suitcase.  It has grown beautifully and has been in bloom for several weeks.

At the end of most summers I cut back my annuals and place them in the garage.  Despite the absence of light I can often bring them back the next summer to their original state.  With occasional waterings throughout the winter months and a bit of pruning, they are ready to be placed outdoors.  This spring I added a caladium to such a pot to give it some added color.

Another way to extend your gardening dollar is to put together planters yourself.  I am fond of succulents and in one of my ceramic pots I decided to combine a variety of them to create a planter.  I did the same thing with various annuals keeping in mind height, color and sun tolerance.

In this final photo I simply added two small sweet potato vines, one on each side, to an existing New Guinea Impatiens.  I think the pop of color adds much to the ready-made planter.

Spot of Tea

This past Saturday my church's United Women in Faith group held their annual Tea Fundraiser.  Donned in hats of all types, the women gathered around several tables and shared many morsels of finger foods.  I suppose you could say it was a typical ladies' social event consisting of word scramble, best hat contest, tea etiquette and much laughter.  Several door prizes were also given out.  And yes, we had such fun being somewhat proper for a couple of hours!