Saturday Morning Recap

As I listened to the chain saws clearing uprooted and chopped off trees on Thursday, I gave thanks that we were all safe and had minimal damage.

I borrowed the below photo from AL.com

if you go to their link you can see photos of the devastation which wrecked half our state

on Wednesday of this week

This photo was taken less than 2 miles from my house....Any photos which were taken

in the Harvest Community of North Alabama and Huntsville show how close this tornado

came to our house.

This photo was also from AL.com and was taken during the storm by

a Huntsville Times photographer.

The rest are mine

See those little "kite tails" starting to extend down from the clouds in

the picture below...that is what we look for when there is a tornado watch 

in our area...a tornado warning means a tornado has already been spotted on the ground

as in the Times photo above...

After I finished my post on Wednesday morning, we had been given the all clear for a while...

although other storms were brewing over Mississippi way.

Daughter asked if I wanted to go over to Mellow Mushroom and have lunch.....

We were seated by a window and after we had given our order, it began to get dark outside.....

We were told they had a "safe place" in a storage room where we could all go....if it got worse....looking out toward Madison, we could see a funnel type cloud which didn't quite reach the ground but then at the ground level, we could see something that might have been cloud so we concluded there might actually be a tornado on the ground over that way.

Daughter and I took our drinks and moved to an inside wall.

By the time our food arrived it was already getting light outside but was raining hard.

School was supposed to let out at 12:15 because of the threat of more bad weather so we quickly ate and started home. The Mellow Mushroom is within 5 miles of our homes so we didn't have far to travel...As we went down Indian Creek Road, we passed 

two or three weather sirens going off full blast.....

....the more we traveled toward home, the worse things looked with uprooted trees, fence planks missing, entire fences ripped up, debris and trees across the road.  Honestly, I feared what I would find at home.....the children didn't come home and we learned that the school decided to keep them until the roads were cleared.....however, the storms weren't over by a long shot....Electricity went out about 5:30..by that time, my "grands" were home as were most of the 'tech' employees....homeowners began to clean up....Wednesday was garbage collection day and a dozen cans had been blown down my street.....I talked to Honey Bear when I first arrived home and again about 6:00....as storms and tornadoes continued to sweep through, cell coverage and finally my 3G network was lost and I couldn't communicate with anyone....

....I lit candles as dark arrived and managed to read my Kindle by candlelight....Smokey and I went to bed at 10:30....finally my weather radio said the tornado watches and warnings had been canceled.

I do not like the dark...when electricity is off everywhere, it is a black kind of dark...my night lights

didn't work so I burned a jar candle on the bathroom counter all night....it was comforting to wake

periodically and see that glow.

.....Thursday, I replanted my flowers for the second time(the pots had been blown over and all the soil had washed away), tidied up the kitchen, but mostly spent the day stitching and reading until my Kindle battery went dead....I kept checking the frozen food and so far it hadn't thawed.....Around 5:30 PM, I emptied the refrigerator we keep in the garage..the freezer section had two gallon jugs of ice so it was holding up alright....when dusk came, I was beginning to get so lonely and bored with my own company...Smokey wasn't a lot of help....he doesn't talk much....all afternoon and evening, I kept having this feeling that Honey Bear was coming home...I hadn't talked to him since the evening before and the storms weren't over then.....Around 9:00 PM, I went to bed and red a book by candlelight for a while...I was afraid to burn a candle again so I turned on a solar flashlight that Honey Bear had bought to take on a camping trip....the last time I looked at my watch, it was almost 10:00...I had not gone to sleep yet when I head him on the back porch outside my bedroom window, calling my name....I was so happy to see him....He said he had become so worried when he couldn't reach me, that he had to come home and see for himself that I was alright.....

Friday morning, we cooked breakfast on our outdoor grill....then packed up the food from the fridge and freezer, which we thought we could save into 4 ice chests and drove to Tennessee.....we were able to get a room in Smyrna after the first couple of places we tried were full....seems a lot of Alabamians had the same idea...hotels which are usually at 60% this time of year are doing a good business......

more tomorrow....

Outdoor Wednesday/Wednesday Hodgepodge

Its Wednesday, folks, and you know what that means.

As I was drinking my coffee and getting ready to do this post,

we were under a tornado watch...Looks like

that storm has passed and the sun is peaking out.

Susan is our host for the outdoor stuff 

and Joyce for the questions. Hop on over and check 

it out.

Wednesday Hodgepodge Vol 24...that's a W, right?

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. What is something that bothers you if its not done perfectly? 
the bed, I guess, although I don't think its ever perfect, I can't stand wrinkles or sheets pulled away from the bottom
2. What is one of your best childhood memories? 
My family didn't take vacations like folks do today...we couldn't afford it..most of the time we visited family when we had some time off, cousins in Atlanta or Florida...but two "real" vacations stand out in my mind: the best one was the summer I was 10, we rented a cabin in a state park about an hour from home...I think it was the best because we were all together every minute and my parents were having fun, not working...we hiked and picnicked and just enjoyed being together..Daddy had bought two cases of soft drinks(we rarely had them) and we were able to have several a day.
3. Do you plan to watch the Royal Wedding and when was the last time you wore a hat?
I love wearing hats and have been a member of the Red Hat Club...the last time I wore a hat was in the winter when I attended Christian Connection luncheon....and no, I don't plan to watch the Royal Wedding...I heard it would be telecast at 5:30 AM here....I don't plan to be up that early. I might watch some news coverage later.
4. Where do you fall in the birth order in your family? Do you think this has influenced your personality?
My parents had 4 children: 3 daughters and 1 son. I am the middle daughter....I'm not sure that had a major influence on my personality, a lot of that is genetic....I am the one all of the others look to for advice and help...I'm the one my parents depended on the most...thinking about the temperament of my siblings, I have to say I'm the most like my Mother...my Dad thought so, too.
5. Where do you think you spend most of your money? 
Looking at our expenditures for any given month, it would be housing followed by groceries....when we look at retirement and how much money we will need to survive on, Insurance and prescriptions will be major expenses...right now we have a company plan where part of that expense is covered.
6. When you need to confront someone would you rather communicate in person, by phone, by email or by letter? Why? 
Well, like Joyce, I hate confrontations and avoid them as much as possible...point in fact: I've not talked to SIL about the situation with him and my daughter, trying to stay out of it as much as possible, although there are lots of things I'd like to say to him.
7. Dodgeball, freeze tag, kickball or jump rope? You have to pick one. Gee, do you know how old I am....I might play the first two but I'd be a real easy target because I don't move too fast....I certainly can't jump rope for obvious reasons...
8. Insert your own random thought here.
Its 10:30 and I am still in my pajamas but hey, I wore them all day yesterday....I definitely need to work on my to-do list and be productive...the fact that the storm is passed and the sky has brightened up, gives me more motivation...Yesterday, it was dark most of the day...I watched the movie: Charlie St. Cloud....it was very good. Daughter is supposed to come by and bring lunch so I may not be back to visit until later today.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the plant sale 

These photos were taken there

A big thank you for all the comments on yesterdays

post and the prayers for my Daughter

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...Its 68 °F, (20 °C), dark, cloudy and wet as we've had rain early this morning....there's a Squirrel on the porch(he better stay out of my potted flowers)...I can see the Geraniums and Lantana I planted, I love seeing flowers blooming when I look out...we're supposed to have stormy weather the next 2 days and possibly tornadoes(did you see the news about the one that hit Arkansas yesterday? Well, that is the front that will be coming through here)

We've been seeing this pair for about two weeks now...I don't believe they're nesting yet but probably will be soon...there has been lots of courting going on between several of our bird pairs

Hearing...what sounds like thunder in the distance but could be traffic on a highway about 2 miles away

I am thinking...about my Daughter and her situation(although I just need to give it to God and let go)....can't understand how someone we thought of as a son could do what he is doing...she is so strong but I'm afraid this will break her.

Feeling thankful for...Honey Bear's safe arrival in Memphis....the Cross and what it means to me....that Heaven is real....a peaceful home filled with love

I am remembering...the past 4 days with Honey Bear, a little taste of what retirement will be like...Easter Sunday with Daughter, a friend and 4 children hunting eggs in our yard....being able to dine outside

Creating this...

 Don't you just love those little spools of thread?

and...occasionally crocheting on the prayer shawl(need to go
pick up some more yarn)

and I need to prepare some pages for the journal I mentioned yesterday.....so much I want to do....so little time

I am currently reading...

another Cobbled Court book...don't you love reading books in a series or even books with the same protagonist..its like reading about friends.....I finished my Book Club selection: I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg (I finally just downloaded it to my Kindle since Daughter had the hardback) in 3 days, it was a good read and would make a good movie just like her Fried Green Tomatoes
OH and for Denise: our pastor mentioned "Heaven is For Real" on Sunday, I read a little from it to my honey and Daughter

One year ago today...It was 60 degrees and cloudy...a tornado had just destroyed much of the town where Honey Bear grew up...we were meeting my uncle for lunch...I was reading The Aloha Quilt(an Elm Creek Quilt Book) ... I had scheduled an appointment for my annual physical (need to do that again)...working on the GJ quilt stitchery 
I am hoping...to get back on my Weight Watchers program today(I've been eating way too much of the wrong foods)

On my mind...the things that need to get done today

Noticing that...today, when I could have slept late, I woke early and couldn't go back to sleep and on days when I have plans and have to get up and get ready, I could sleep late

Pondering these words..."Life's not the breaths you take, the breathing in and out, Life's not the breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away"...a song by George Strait

From the kitchen...some dirty food containers that Honey Bear brought in from his car(he just rinses them out)...tuna salad for my lunch...and a snippet of Mother's Rose Bush(my sister gave me to root)

Around the house...the usual early week chores to do...

I am praying for...Son..Daughter...Honey Bear...Brad & Jennifer...Denise...Abbey...others

A few plans for the week...a hair appointment tomorrow(hope the weather isn't too bad)...a trip to Hobby Lobby and Walmart....

One of my favorite things...singing (I was a little disappointed in the music service at Church Sunday...we didn't sing "He Lives")

From my picture file...more Charleston benches

 this one is called a joggling board, read more about it here

In Battery Park

Check out other daybooks here.

Monday, Monday

Good morning, all
I hope your Easter was special, spent with those you love, and that you took time to remember the cross...
Honey Bear and I attended services with our Daughter and the two wee ones..afterward, we shared lunch on the deck with them, a friend and her son, and the Princess's friend. It was a beautiful day, a little humid, cloudy most of the day. The children hid and hunted eggs...I stuffed some of them with prizes to make it more fun.....didn't get any photos......had a lovely message from my son.

I spent some of last week planting the flowers that I had bought at the plant sale on the 14th. I told you that I always get carried away when I'm shopping for them so it took a while to get them all planted. Honey Bear helped.

The workshop on Tuesday went well....we made 70 Easter Baskets for the Seniors at CASA....60 regular and 10 diabetic...we also stuffed paper cupcakes with candy for the Senior Center's party....afterward some of us went to Cracker Barrel for lunch and shopping....Daughter and I had dropped the furry ones off at the Vet that morning and we had to pick them up after lunch....let me tell you that was one upset Kitty that I retrieved...He was in a corner of his kennel, ears flat on his head, mouth wide open, teeth bared and snarling....I had to throw a towel over him to get him out.....Once I had him back in his carrier, he calmed down.
Then Honey Bear's sister called to say she was in town for the day so I invited her over to spend the rest of the afternoon with me.

Wednesday, the stormy weather was over in time for my road trip south...my two sisters met me at a Kmart...we went to visit our Dad's sister....she is the only sibling of his still living and the oldest of the 4...she is 90, living in an assisted living facility.....She is still sharp mentally, just limited physically....we had a lovely visit...she recalled memories of her childhood with Daddy and her early years as a wife and mother.
On the way home, I stopped at an antique mall in a small town I went through....I was mainly looking for old books I might use in the "I'm Making A Journal" project here....I spotted an old singer sewing machine while I was there...I didn't buy it....I'm still mulling that over...didn't want to buy it and then regret it later.

I've been stitching a lot on the two cross stitch projects......and reading, trying to get the Book Club book finished before our meeting.

There was no MMOM today so I thought I would just update you on happenings here. Honey Bear is finishing up his 4 day weekend and will return to work tomorrow.  I'm planning to spent the day quietly here at home...its cloudy but isn't supposed to rain until tonight.

 I hope you have a wonderful start to your week.....
Mama Bear

A Simple Woman's Daybook

From Mama Bear's Journal where every day starts with a blank page...

Outside my window...its cloudy, 67 °F, (19 °C), and expected to reach 85 today....there's a red bellied woodpecker on the feeder and squirrels playing around the pine tree where they have their nest. I had to move the Hummingbird feeder back to the tree after one of the young squirrels hung upside down and drained it...still haven't seen any birds in the mealy worm feeder.

Hearing...the fans trying to keep the room cool

I am thinking...about how short my week is going to be...I won't have a day at home until Thursday

Feeling thankful for....God's provision for my life: right after Honey Bear finished doing the taxes and wrote the big check, he opened the mail and found two checks, our share from the sale of an Aunt's property...safe travel this morning for Honey Bear, he's in Clarksville this week so didn't have quite as long a drive....so many blessings if I just look around me and see them with my heart

I am remembering...Easters gone by...had a card from my son and he reminisced about sunrise services we attended when he was growing up.....loved dressing up when I was a child: Mom always made our dresses, sometimes mine and sisters were the same

Creating this...

Remember, I shared this with you in February and asked if you thought I should finish it since I had used the wrong number of strands of thread on some of it.....well, I began working on it Saturday...a break from the one I shared last week.....I've finished all of the quilt squares on that one and will soon begin on the center....still need to trace off the TTS stitcheries for May and get going on them.

I am currently reading...The Union Quilters

One year ago today...I was starting the GJ stitch-a-long...reading When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin...it was 60 degrees outside my window...I was thankful for God's provision, quality time with Honey Bear

I am hoping...to run by Cracker Barrel today and see what they have on sale...they have the cutest Easter items

On my mind...finishing here, getting dressed, putting Smokey in his carrier to drop him at the vet, daughter coming for me at 9:30...continuing on to our workshop

Noticing that...blogger is slow at times this morning..rain is predicted most of the week...have to get my plants in the soil sometime

Pondering these words..."A flower touches everyone's Heart" Georgia O'Keefe

From the kitchen...grilled salmon, fettuccine, slaw and green beans for dinner last night.....Chicken Club Ring and fruit salad for dinner Sunday...this morning I had a pastry from the bakery with my coffee

Around the house...things are messy as usual on my Monday...have to find time today to straighten up and vacuum

I am praying for...Karlene's Husband(surgery), Son's safety, Abbey(and her family), Shortybear and Eddie, Brad & Jennifer, Val's request, Ashley & Mark(trying to conceive), Ginger, safe travel for Jill's parents(coming from New Mexico), Karen & her students and especially the girl who had the accident barrel racing...

A few plans for the week...A dental cleaning at a new (to me)Dentist on Monday...Workshop(to make Easter baskets for CASA and party favors for the Senior Center) on Tuesday....road trip to spend the day with my sister on Wednesday with a visit to our Aunt in assisted living facility, fellowship dinner that night at church(beef tips/rice, green bean casserole, rolls, dessert on menu)....free day Thursday....Good Friday(Honey Bear will be home)...then a 4 day weekend with Easter on Sunday(have to get those Easter baskets done) maybe dye eggs on Saturday......Have to find time to plant my flowers and clean the porches...It would be nice to have Easter lunch outdoors.

One of my favorite things...walking barefoot in the grass

From my picture file...

More Charleston benches for Paulie.....

this one was in a cemetery which seems an excellent idea


credit to Peggy at The Simple Woman

What's On Your Nightstand?

This is my monthly post for What's On Your Nightstand?

Please visit 5 minutes for books to

see what others are reading.

Do you remember Reading Rainbow? Is it still on PBS? Last night Honey Bear and I watched "Men of Honor" which stars Cuba Gooding, Jr....He always thinks this is the actor who played on "Roots"...but I know that was La Var Burton, who was also on Star Trek Generations and hosted Reading Rainbow.

I am currently reading...

This is either the 16th or 17th book in The Elm Creek Quilts series and all of them are on my shelf...I enjoy the ones about the modern day quilters and their quilt retreat on the Bergstrom estate....however, the ones which delve into history are my favorites.

From Publishers Weekly

In her true-to-form latest, Chiaverini (The Aloha Quilt; etc.) goes back to the Civil War era as the men go off to fight and the women of Elm Creek Valley support the Union troops. While the women struggle with their own problems, updates from the front amplify tensions as the war comes closer to home, leading some to tragedy and others to heartbreaking revelations.

This book has been on my shelf for quite some time and I have decided to read it soon.

From Publishers Weekly

In her 12th book, the British author of the two series featuring Adam Dalgleish and Cordelia Gray ( Devices and Desires and An Unsuitable Job for a Woman , respectively) poses a premise that chills and darkens its setting in the year 2021. Near the end of the 20th century, for reasons beyond the grasp of modern science, human sperm count went to zero. The last birth occurred in 1995, and in the space of a generation humanity has lost its future

I still need to read this one(mentioned last month) before May book club.

I haven't read the sequel to Her Mother's Hope.

I did read 

and I wasn't disappointed...

I read

about the lives of three extraordinary women and the bond created between them in childhood...this is the first in a trilogy

This is waiting on my Kindle.

It was recommended by a friend

Amazon product description: Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Meet Me On Monday

Welcome to the 43rd edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"Stop by and see Java, our host.

Questions:

1.  Caesar Salad or Garden Salad? 
I like a garden salad if it is loaded but I want Romaine not Iceburg.
2.  Will you be watching the Royal Wedding on April 29th? 
Most likely not.
3.  Last thing you spent lots of money on? 
Does vacation count....edit: Taxes, just sent return off with a check.
4.  Window seat or aisle seat?
Window...I suffer from motion sickness and being able to see out the window helps relieve it.
5.  Do you know your blood type?Yes

Good Friday morning all,

Wilcox J. Beansford, here

but you can call me Wil.

I've been wearing glasses for many many years now...some say it makes me look distinquished but the truth is they just help me see better.

Mama Bear said I could come by and introduce you to myself and a few of my friends....she is busy catching up on laundry and housework....we are currently under a tornado watch and the skies are sure dark and gloomy....that four-legged furry creature, who thinks he owns the place and everyone in it, has retreated to his basket to sleep the day away....its safe for me and my friends to come out and play.

Mama found me lanquishing on a shelf at Cracker Barrel Old Time Store

in January 2000 and spent her 

Christmas cash to bring me home...

OK, first we have Ms Rouge Chapeau, who claims she is French

and who is a member of The Red Hat Society which means she is over age 50...

She came to us by way of Bear Country at the Boyd's Barn in Gettysburg Pennsylvania in 2005

Mama was a member of the "Society" when we all lived in Memphis, Tennessee.

This big guy is James C. PenneyBeary...He was issued to commemorate 100 years of Teddies, in 2002, and

although he is a Boyd's Bear like me, he was available exclusively through J.C. Penney Christmas Catalog...He has that embroidered patch on his foot but he really isn't more special because of it..even if he thinks he is.

He was also bought with Christmas Cash.

Sitting there beside him is Elmer O. BearRoad in his train engineer outfit....He was a Christmas gift

from Rainbow Mountain Homemakers in 2003

He's retired now, although he still likes to wear his uniform.

The girls here are Sister Pink and Momma Love holding Lamby Pie

Sister was a 1995 gift from one of Mama's longtime friends...Momma Love was sold through the Avon Company for Mother's Day, sometime in the 90s.....She is a Gund Bear

Here we have Anastasia (2001) and Sugar Plum, the Christmas Bears...

both were gifts.

They're not really in jail.

This is Ya Ya

one of the Pandas on loan from China to the Memphis Zoo.

Papa Bear bought this for Mama Bear 

when they visited the zoo while living in Memphis, Tennessee

2003-2008

She misses Le Le.

Here we have The Cranberrys, brothers who lost each other for a while but were reunited

when Grey came to live with us.

Golden was adopted in Pennsylvania...

Grey, a few years later in Alabama

Both prior to 2000

I hope you've enjoyed meeting a few of my friends.....the rest are a little jealous but I've told them they will be introduced at a later date.

Mama Bear is a little concerned about Papa Bear's travel home today from Memphis with all the storms...we need to help take her mind off the weather...see you later.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

From Mama Bear's Journal...

Outside my window...Its 59 °F, (15 °C) this morning and is predicted to reach 69 today...much cooler than the weekend when we approached 90. There is a nice breeze blowing, ruffling the trees and causing the wind chimes to sing...the grass is green and freshly mowed...I can see the Hummingbird Feeder, the seed feeder and the mealy worm feeder from where I sit...I bought the worm feeder yesterday as we had purchased some live ones intending to grow more for the Bluebirds.

We have lots of Robins and have seen them carrying building material in their mouth....Mockingbirds, Wrens, Doves, Goldfinch and Chickadees have all paired up..we expect to see some young ones soon....I have begun to feed our Goldfish in the pond again..they survived the winter nicely...I feed in the upper left corner at around the same time every day and they come there when they hear me coming(do they really hear or is it just the vibration of the ground?)....I bought a waterlily for the pond yesterday...I suppose Tuesdays have become my new Monday for a while as Honey Bear is taking Mondays off for two months...

Hearing...wind chimes and a neighbor's small dog barking....leaves of the Maple being tossed in the wind(I hope it drops all its seeds soon as we've blown pounds of them off the porch already...lots of little Maples will be coming up all over the place.)

I am thinking...my arm will be sore from scrubbing the carpet where I spilled the coffee when I fell this morning(just tripped over the computer cord--didn't hurt anything but the carpet)

Feeling thankful for...soft landings....singing wind chimes...cool breezes....bird song....the sound of trickling water....sunshine and shade....the companionship of furry friends

I am remembering...how busy the last 3 days have been....ready for some calm "me" time

Creating this...

 This is the cross stitch project I've been working on 

for several weeks...the little squares are to represent quilt blocks and there will be a Bible verse in the center....the end product will be 

framed....

I'm also working on the crochet projects shown weeks ago

and the Stitch-a-long stitcheries...

 Below are a few touches of Spring and the Easter season

new to our home this year

I am currently reading...

One year ago today...I didn't do a Simple Woman page the second week of April 2010...no idea why...I did post that week that I was washing planters and sprucing up the front entry porch..getting ready for new plantings...our Botanical Garden has an annual plant sale this week and I always buy way more than I'll want to plant when its time....

I am hoping...to stay home today and meander along doing this and that...just enjoy this day that God has given me....

On my mind...tidying up the house when I finish this post....starting a new care package for our son..

Noticing that...God is in the simple things if we just open our eyes and our hearts

Pondering these words...to "Battle Hymn of the Republic"...

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:

.....He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,

He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,

I woke with this song on my mind this morning....you can read the history of it and the references it makes to Bible verses here.

From the kitchen...sent lots of leftovers with Honey Bear this morning but kept a few for myself....is a new toaster I used for the first time this morning....a red Mandevilla and two red Gerber Daisies that need planting..only half a cup of coffee left....thinking of having a grilled chicken salad for lunch

Around the house...To-do List: vacuum, change bedding, sort mail and do general tidying.....start laundry

I am praying for...Abbey(continues to improve for which we are thankful but will continue prayers for her and her family)....Son in Afghanistan.....Val's silent request...Honey Bear...Others

A few plans for the week...spend time with daughter tomorrow...club meeting Thursday evening

One of my favorite things...shadows on the ground caused by the sun shining through the trees

From my picture file...more Charleston Benches

Yesterday, our county organization (of which my club is a part) held what we call our "Spring Event". We met at Bennett's Nursery for a guided tour, explanation of various plantings and the way they acquire new species, and a beautiful and delicious lunch served outdoors in a covered patio at "Across the Pond" which is next door...the weather was perfect...there were over 50 of us ladies and we enjoyed the event so much....of course, I had left my camera at home....since I began taking photos of benches, I see them everywhere...this was the case yesterday...I saw at least 5 or 6 different designs...I'll have to return one day when I have my camera and more time to look over all that is offered in these two businesses.

credit goes to Peggy at The Simple Woman 

for the prompts of this

journal