Saturday, May 19, 2012

Oak Grove Plantation Garden Tour

Last Saturday Blake and I went to Oak Grove Plantation for a continental breakfast and Garden Tour.  It was wonderful.  We avoided the rain and it was not too hot.  The gardens were beautiful with  dozens of pathways and little vignettes amongst the natural looking plantings.....so many years of hard work and love are reflected in these gardens.   I was so inspired that I could hardly wait to get home and start digging.  We have worked on our property so much since the weather got pretty.......and have enjoyed every minute of it.  It does mean, however, that I don't get much else done.......like quilting, hooking and weaving.  Enough said......here are some photos of Oak Grove Plantation:


I know this isn't the garden, but I couldn't resist :-)












Then, on Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day here.  Blake cooked ribs and the girls furnished the sides.  Everything was perfect.......especially the company.  I am blessed to be the matriarch of our family.  It is very good.


I have been baking some bread.  My latest was this multigrain sourdough boule......yum.  I didn't take a photo, but it turned out exactly like the one in the recipe file.

We attended Macy's gymnastic recital this week, and today we joined the whole family in celebrating Macy's sixth and Jackson's third birthdays with a cookout at their home.  It is hard to believe they are growing up so fast.

Blake is an active member of the Coweta County Genealogical Society.  A good while back he asked me to make a quilt to be used as a fundraiser.  I thought it appropriate to use reproduction fabrics.  This is what I ended up with........the blocks are actually from a Little Quilts Second Saturday quilt started several years ago........the border with the applique is my design.


And this is the label I attached.  I signed the quilt on the front in a section of one of the blocks.


Past my bedtime........you know, I get up with the chickens now :-)

GRATITUDES:
The beauty of nature.
Family.
The excitement and innocence of a child's birthday party.

Take care,
Jennie

Thursday, May 17, 2012

We have chickens!!!!

Did I say I was excited???? We have chickens.......ranging in age from 5 weeks to 5 months.  They are so cool.  We picked them up in Ballground, GA, today.....all from the same breeder, Danielle.  The chicken cottage is mostly finished.......need to get the windows installed and some more vents.  Hopefully that will happen tomorrow.  Thanks, Chris.



I am already thinking of ways to "cute it up".  You know me........


 First out of the crate was this pretty Light Sussex pullet.

Then came the Coronation Sussex pullet, now named Esther by Christi.

Captain Cluck (named by Robert), the Lemon Cuckoo Orpington roo.

The Easter Egger pullet........look at those colors!

In the foreground, the Lemon Cuckoo pullet.

The little Cochin baby.....the first baby out of the crate.


Two Gold Laced Wyandottes, a Barred Rock and the little Cochin chowing down.

Sara Ashley with her little Barred Rock which she 
dubbed Bella.

I can hardly stay out of the chicken coop.  

GRATITUDES:
The innocence of these little chicken creatures.
The wonder and excitement of a child........regardless of the child's age.......holding a chicken for the first time.
Life.

More later,
Jennie

Friday, May 11, 2012

Still working on it.........

Finally got the new photo editing program downloaded and working.  Not sure I really understand it, but then, I haven't spent a lot of time there yet.  Camera #1 turned out to be less than I had expected (wouldn't you know it........I mean, the price was right), so I returned it and ordered Camera #2.  Camera #2 came in yesterday and I have 30 days to decide how I like it.  Classes are included, thank goodness.  You better believe I am going to be snapping photos up a storm.  Disclaimer.....only a few of the photos on this post are made with the new camera.

The past month has been full of family birthdays.......Christopher, Dillon, Macy, Robert, John, Sister and me......whew!!!  Robert and Dillon are now teenagers.  Hard to believe.

Last night we attended Evans Middle School's Chorus Concert.......Robert was one of the performers.


Sara Ashley has started taking horseback riding lessons.  Her grandfather gave her a twenty year old Tennessee Walker, Lad......not her lesson horse, but a great choice for her to become comfortable with caring for and just having fun with.


I have been trying to play catch up on the Over the Meadow BOM.  Here is the March block and the first three blocks together:






Wanted to share a couple of handmade gifts I received for my birthday.  From Laura is this precious needlepunched pin.......I love all things "bird", and so does Laura.


And the multi-talented Diane surprised me with another talent........this incredible egg basket (for you know what) and the cute little towel with the hand embroidered chicken and eggs:


The schnauzers also had birthdays this month........they are now thirteen.  Here is a cute photo of Miss Roxie, who is still quite spunky despite her senior citizen status.


Finally, from the garden, where I am spending most of my time now..........







GRATITUDES:

Rain.
Lunch and laughter with friends.
Getting to share in the grandchildren's lives.
The opportunity to volunteer.

Take care,
Jennie