Photo shoots...

A fun activity for me was seeing Scott's

2 daughters practice their photography skills.

***

Photographer and make-up artist:

Laura Prince

Photographer and wardrobe advisor...

Kaylee

Model:

Caitlin

They captured their young cousin's jumping skill...

and dolled her up with a layered look outfit,

make-up and jewelry galore

to capture her dramatic side and her smile.

My favorites of my youngest grand-daughter

were the real Caitlin... picture pretty

whether using a barn as background

or sitting in Kim's flowers.

Another day, another photo shoot... Laura's project:

Paxton cooperated by crawling right into the tub full of water,

and played peek-a-boo

A third date for pictures:

Kaylee was photographer, assisted by Laura.

Young babies are hard to photograph...

but--Baby Cam agreeablly smiled for the camera...

and was tolerant of being posed again and again.

They are pretty good behind the lens, but how could they not be...

Their mom has been taking their pictures since they were born,

and they've learned from her.

Summer Ends

Its a dim memory now, but much of July

and the first part of August was spent in the pea patch!

Beau was Pappy's constant companion

in the pea patch and at the sheller!

With the peas picked and waiting in buckets and baskets

it was time for the easy and fun part...

Sitting in the shade, shelling those peas.

This is the part of getting peas to the table, historically,

that families shared in the shade hasn't changed.

It just goes much faster with the automatic pea sheller!

Even with the drought, we were fortunate enough

to have plenty of peas for family and friends.

We even sold enough peas to get started

on having a pea patch next year!

America~One Nation Under God

Sunday, July 3, 2011 the combined choirs of the First Methodist Churches of Garrison and Timpson presented a program of patriotic music to honor our country. We recognized all of those who have served from our two congregations, as well as those serving today. We swelled with pride as we pledged allegiance to the flag, and many were moved to tears as the familiar music was played and sung. Afterward we enjoyed a meal together and spent time in fellowship with our friends. It was an awesome day in the life of our church in Garrison! Thanks to all who helped make it possible... starting with those 56 signers of the Declaration of Indepedance who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the task of creating this great nation...

The United States of America~ one nation under God!

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What Happened to June?

June was a hot dry month here in the Pineywoods. Records were broken for highest recorded temperatures in the area...some on the books since the 1920's. As much time as possible

was spent inside soaking in the cool air-conditioned air.

Looking back, I realize... June was a pretty busy month! Early in the month, we went to Brazoria for Wayne, Doug, and Warren to fish. They were joined by Scott, Larry, and Hunter. Janet and I toured my old stomping grounds in Freeport and Velasco. None of this was recorded digitally, except for this one photo Scott took of Larry with a catch. They caught lots of fish, but not the best eating kind, so we didn't come home with coolers full

to be fried at some future date. Boo hoo!

The rest of this post is in reverse order, starting with the last of June,

finishing with the first... I had just forgotten about the fishing trip.

*****

Last, but not least... preparations have been made for lunch after our Church's Sunday, July 3 Patriotic Music Program: AMERICA: One Nation Under God. That was the last thing accomplished in June, unless I count mowing the lawn.

*****

We were glad to have Larry, Jackie, Caitlin, and Hunter for a weekend visit. Once again...we gathered around the table! They came for a State Championship Game 10th Reunion, but we took advantage of the rest of their time here to visit. Molly came to see them, too.

We made them pose for pictures... since everyone had to spiff up at the same time

before they went to the reunion.

Of course, the girls always enjoy posing for the camera, so we are pleased to have plenty

of shots of our beautiful grand-daughters... Here, Kaylee and Caitlin smiled for the camera.

Doug and Hunter were even coerced into smiling for once, and aren't they handsome. I only wish Pappy had gotten in the picture with them to show just how tall they have gotten.

They're not little boys anymore, for sure!

Peyton came to see us while he was visiting "Nainee." Even Laura was free and came over and sat with us around the kitchen table. It was fun to laugh and talk until nearly midnight.

"Genetic Description" will always make me chuckle!

*****

We loved our Father's Day visit from Duane and Denise. When we're all together, mealtime is never complete without a round table discussion about anything and everything. We haven't solved the world's problems yet, but it's not from a lack of talking about them!

Jacks and Beau became fast (as in running fast) friends!

Denise & Duane took the dogs on a walk... sans Saydee... she stayed behind with Pappy!

*****

A trip to the daylily farm was entertaining... my first trip since Jack Carpenter retired and turned the reins over to his nephew Mark Carpenter.

*****

Some of the time was spent oooing and ahhing over the creative birthday cakes fashioned

by Rhonda of "All American Creations by Rhonda."

*****

Mornings were almost always spent with the birds...

tufted titmouse

orchard oriole

painted bunting

Easter Blessings

Easter Sunday, 2010 we were privileged to host a sunrise service for our church on the farm. This year, we asked if we could have it here again because we were so blessed last year. Again, we were blessed to be able to have such a wonderful event right here in our yard. Thanks to Rick Anderson, our pastor--and our church friends, and our neighbors, we deemed our efforts small in comparison to the blessings we received.

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After the worship service we shared a continental breakfast and fellowship with our guests. They all departed, and most went home to dress for the 11:00 worship service. The 11:00 service was an awesome service with one hundred twenty-three attending. WOW!
Easter 2011 was a very good day, without a doubt!

The Tree House Trees Came Down

A long time ago, when our children were little, a cluster of sweet gum trees in the back yard were selected to be the tree house trees. A platform was placed between the 3 trunks for a floor, boards were nailed to one trunk as a ladder, and a fireman's pole was strategically placed for a quick get-away. The kids spent many hours in that tree house, using their imaginations to unfurl intricate playtime sagas of epic proportion. Only one problem with it existed, and that was that the baby sister was not quite tall enough to reach the fireman's pole, so she had to step out onto a limb so she could reach it. After many trips by the little sister down the pole, the limb broke with her, and she had to spend 6 weeks with a cast on her broken leg. The trees went on to become the horse pasture corner post, and later they furnished perfect perching and nesting sites for many of the yard birds which we enjoy so much. Those sweet gums afforded cool shade in summer, beautiful fall color, in winter they were architectural interest without their leaves or when ice or snow covered them, and the buds to announce spring swelled large long before most others in the yard. So when one trunk died, it was left standing for the birds, but when the second trunk showed signs of passing we began discussing how to get 2 trunks down without harming the 3rd. That became a moot point, because with the arrival of spring 2011, we discovered that all 3 trunks were dead, and had to be cut. After much planning and disagreeing on how to accomplish this chore, it was decided that a tree cutting service should be employed, and we called on OLD GAPPY! They did the job with very little fanfare, and Wayne and Doug cleaned up the yard after the trees were felled and cut into sections. The passing of an era!















It's time to plant a new tree!

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