My Day Outdoors

Hope you take time to get outdoors and enjoy Nature's Beauty!

Have a Blessed wk.end!

Blessins',Lib

Freshville

Here in the South ,we are slap dap in the middle of Freshville. Everything garden fresh. I Love this time of year ,when cooking with everything Freshville (Fresh from the garden)

We are suppose to get a few days of rain and cool down.I welcome both!

Hope everyone has a great week end!

Eileen ,Its Great hearing from you!:o)

Blessins',Lib

Heatwave, Cooking and Freezing

Our cool down didn't last long. Heatwave is back ! For today I am staying indoors cooking and freezing my months supply of meals.Also I am "Putting up food" as we call it around here, which means canning or freezing food. It will be so good this winter!

Hope you're having a Great week!

Blessins', Lib

Fun Outing

Friday we took Little Shadow to Pigeon Forge ,for a fun outing. We went to the Park at the Old Mill, for a picnic, then fed the ducks, pigeons, and birds.

I love this flowers! The Old Mill is in the background. Growing up my Grandparents lived very close to the Old Mill, back then it was safe to fish in Little Pigeon River, lots of meals were caught there ,by the water wheel.Each trip to The Old Mill sparks lots of Happy Memories for me.:o)

Then off to ride the kiddy rides, a neat little area for smaller kids. Little Shadow loves going to ride the rides, she calls it the Playground. We always enjoy our outing with her .

Hope you have a great Week.

Blessins',Lib

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July Ya'll!
Hope everyone has a Great weekend!
Blessins',Lib

Its Time ............

Its tea time! Have all the chores finished.The weather is Much nicer (cooler) so what else is there left to do but have a tea party with my Fav Little Shadow! Want to join us?

Hope everyone has a great day!

Blessins',Lib

Guest

I went outside this morning to be greeted by 4 goats. As I went closer to take a pic. they turned and walked off .I know you can only see 3 one was in the bend .We never know from moment to moment what will show up here. One time you go out there maybe a deer, goats,raccoons, fox,you never know.When it comes to wildlife we respect them and enjoy them from a distance.

Four legged guest is only one thing of lots and lots of things that makes it fun living here!:o)

Hope you have a Great day, hope some sweet guest drops by to visit you:o)

Blessins',Lib

Flying The Coop

My Brother Ed and I are always on the hunt for things we know each other enjoys. He found me a chicken coop to display a few of my collections on. I don't decorate the norm, I think we should dec. with what we Love and we will enjoy it more. Its a reflection of us and what we like and enjoy.

Ed is an Artist ,you can't see it real clear but notice the little rooster painting he did some years back for me.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Blessins',Lib

Getting My Simple Life Back

I am so ready to live the Simple life again! I have been living it ,but my life has been so full and busy lately. With most all the reno. behind us ,life is once again slowing down and we're Loving it.
It is Official DH is Retired now(since May), just hasn't received his 1st Soc. Sec. check yet, it comes in July.He's been laid off over 2 yrs. now so kinda like hes been retired. I know its not for everyone we're together 24x7 and LOVE it! We started last summer trying to get things done to our home so we wouldn't have to worry with it in retirement yrs. About have that finished up and so glad! :o) few minor things left to do.
This a.m. got busy the yard is mowed, and inside and outside chores are finished. Hurry on over because you want see that often.LOL
We are getting more relaxing time now and getting back to living the GOOD Simple side of Life:o)
Our Little shadow has been gone since Last Sun. she will be home today, so we will have a Great wk.end:o) She calls daily.
Hope everyone has a great wk. end!
Blessins',Lib

Want you Join Me?

With the temps close to 100, its been a busy summer. All the chores are finished.
DH is bringing his Mom for the day. So I am making time to sip tea and enjoy the day!
Want you join me?
Have a Great day!
Blessins',Lib

I want ............

I want to be stitching.But cant seem to find the time.
Yesterday we had a new front door installed , windows ,and insulation. So now I get to wash windows.lol Maybe soon I can stitch.
Hope everyone's having a great week! And staying cool , upper 90s here
Blessins',Lib

Vintage Tea Party

Had a Vintage Tea Party Theme for Little Shadow and Heather .Had a Great time!

Used items that belonged to my Mom and Grandmother which would be little Shadow Great and Great Grandmother"s. I try hard to teach her how Important Family is and make Sweet Memories. And we look for any reason to have a tea party.lol

Tomorrow is our day to bring DH Mom here for the day .Little Shadow comes to visit ,they enjoy each other very much ,and birdwatching, playing with kittens.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Blessins',Lib

Good Ole Summertime

It is hot here!We are having the 3 H's. Hot,Haze,Humid

Its good for the flowers!

The still come to eat. We have tons of birds! Have to fill the feeders daily! Its fun to watch them come eat, all the different colors.

We have Family in this week from Oh. having a Great time!;o)

Hope everyone has a Great day !Stay cool!

Blessins',Lib

The sky Is Falling

No, the sky is not falling ,but some days appears to be.
Just an update . Last wk. DH and Little Shadow was hit by a teenager,They are fine!:o). Being in a parking lot ,the Police says Private Property and will not come out, you exchange info.The girl called her Mom ,she came.All the info she gave Dh turned out to be false! The car is totaled. Of course she was driving a big SUV and no damage to it. The store cameras captured it on tape.Now he has to file a hit and run report.

We had to have a new roof, then the fridge went out.
You know what through all these we are still BLESSED! :o)
More work crews will be here ,so needing to take a few more days off.
Will back as soon as possible.
Have A great week!
Blessins', Lib

Bloggy Break

I'm having to take a break for a few more days.Tomorrow and Thursday there's a work crew coming to do some work around the Homestead.

And Thursdays my Mom-N-law comes to spend the day .

Hope everyone has a Great week , I'll visit as soon as I can.

Blessins',Lib

34 years

We were married 34 yrs. yesterday. Each yr. we go to our favorite spot in Smokies.Around here we call it our back yard. Cades Cove. We Love it there ,it is Beautiful and so relaxing! Due to rain we had to go a day early but that was fine with us! Here are some pictures of somethings you see there.Theres houses,cabins etc. from where people use to live .Also churches.A store.

The Loop Rd. you drive around is 11 miles. Theres a picnic area with grills and mtn. streams running through.

Most of the time theres wild flowers of some sort in bloom.

Different wildlife you see more early morning and at dusk.

We saw more Bears this trip than we've seen in a few yrs. If you ever come to Cades Cove,PLEASE keep your distance from the wild life. It amazes me the people who gets out of their autos and tries to get very close to wildlife. Send kids close to get a picture. I want to tell them the danger (but I don't) lol they are "wild" not a petting zoo!!!!!!!!!

We Love Cades Cove its our favorite spot in the mtns. Theres so much more you see besides these photos. Its so relaxing!
Every trip I have to check out the cookbooks,I'm a cookbook junkie! :o) They have great cookbooks some with recipes 100-200 yrs. old. Sometimes I think I was born 100 yrs. too late.lol Alot of herbal remedies in some.

Happy 34th Babes!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Blessins',Lib

Blessins'

Life is so Wonderful in so many ways! Right now we're walking the grieving path,otherwise life is Good. The past few days has been overwhelming with grieving !

I wanted to start my day off today counting my Blessins'.

I know no matter how sad we are , how rough the road we travel we can always find someone in worse shape , and Our Blessins' always out numbers the bad!

I have so much to be Thankful for a Loving ,Christian Home, DH and DS that loves me so much .Loving Family and Friends, no debt, plenty of food, a good bed to sleep on, clothes , Our Little Shadow who Brings us so much Joy! I could go on and on.

Hope you take time to count your Blessins' today!

Have aGreat day!

Blessins',Lib

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope everyone has a Wonderful Mother's Day!
I had a wonderful Mom , June 29th she will be gone 9 yrs. Mother's day is still hard for me.
But have Wonderful Memories!

DH's Mom is getting worse and the sis-n-law that helps with her had a busy wk. so we had to fill in for her plus our days.
A Friends has been in the hospital, now doing good now.
And this week has been so hard for my Sisiter. Her 1st yr. without her only child. R.I.P. Jason 12-24-74----2-14-10.He was Little Shadows Dad.My Sister and Hubs has custody of her. We try to help out as much as possible with her. She is such a Blessing. We took them out this a.m. and had them here for supper.

Seems lately there is not enough hours in the day! When Family and Friends needs you , We think we must be there for them!

Happy Mother's day!
Blessins',Lib

Herb Butter

Little Shadow and I made herb butter.

Around here we don't use alot of recipes.We set out a lb. of butter to come to room temp.

We put in all sorts of herbs. And mixed with a hand mixer and put into a bowl.

This is the finished herb butter.

We made spag. sauce , whole wheat noodles, and wheat toast with herb butter.

Amazing how well Kids eat when they help prepare the meal:o)

I've had problems trying to leave messages, is this happening to anyone else?

Hope ya'll have a great week!

Blessins',Lib

Great Weekend

We had a GREAT weekend. With Family and Friends! Seems the most fun days are the ones that goes quickly! Make lots of Happy Memories ,and can't wait to gather with them again!

Hope everyone had a Great weekend filled with Faith ,Family,and Friends! :o)

Have a great week!

Blessins',Lib

Don't forget Earth Day

Earth Day is coming up in a couple days .We try hard to make everyday earth day around here.

It's one step at a time , I guess some could do it all at one time ,but if everyone did 1 thing a wk. it would be great.

Happy Earth Day!

Blessins',Lib

Work Out Time

I got my work out today!lol I mowed the field! I Love being out doors ,even if its working! I will mow the yard Wed.

Thurs. is the day my Mother-N-Law stays with us , and my cousin is coming home from Ohio.:o) So trying to get everything finished and out of the way.

I washed and filled the Hummer Feeder's this a.m. we've already had one come and eat.Also time to fill the wild bird feeders, have to fill those often .

Break time is over, its back to work for me.

Hope everyone has a Great day!

Blessins',Lib

Hope You're Having a ...........

Blessed Day! Fill with those you Love!
Blessins',Lib

I'm ready...........

For a Simple ,relaxing day! Been a busy Spring here. Outdoor work . care taking, etc.
Today and tomorrow we are free of care taking ,doing chores this a.m. when finished hoping to relax and enjoy the afternoon!
Hope everyone has a Great day and Weekend!
Blessins',Lib

The Best Kind Of Bouquet

A bouquet of dandelions picked by a Special Little Shadow! Doesn't get any better than this!:o)
Hope your day is as GRAND as Ours!
Blessins',Lib

Beautiful Simple Day

It is a Beautiful day here. We worked hard all morning .I came in and cooked dinner(lunch) cleaned the kitchen ,and for the rest of the day we are resting and enjoying the afternoon on the porch.Want to join us!

There's no need for a gym here! We get our exercise working. And no need for sleeping pills.lol After a hard days work we sleep like babies.

I wouldn't trade our Simple life for all the world and all that's in it.We are Happy and content.

Life is good!

Hope you have a Great Day!

Blessins',Lib

Time for Smores

We've had some Beautiful Spring weather the past could days and the week ahead:o)
Yesterday was time to mow the field, Day before the yard. Today DH cut up wood for the fire pit, I carried it and stacked it . Little Shadow and Family and Friends can join us often for outdoor fun. I Love this time of year. I'd rather be outdoors any day than inside.
Hope everyone has a Blessed Sun.
Blessins',Lib

Southern Style

This Southern Girl loves cornbread and Biscuits Southern Style.Made with Buttermilk.

Most of our meals I cook from Scratch. When I make our bread I use buttermilk.

I've tried different recipes but like this one the best.

You use 1 cup of store boughten buttermilk put into a qt. jar ,fill the rest of the jar with sweet milk (reg. milk) set it on the counter for 24 hrs. when you walk by shake the jar .Store in the fridge.When you need to make a fresh jar use 1 c. of this buttermilk.

Happy cooking.

Spring is back!;o) We went from winter straight into summer! Yesterday we had rain and a cold front moved in, so we're having what we call Dogwood winter. Its a Beautiful morning .The sun rose above the mtn. and filled my Private Paradise with its warmth and beauty!

Hope everyone has a Great day and wk.end!

Blessins',Lib

DogWood Fest and Caretaking

It's Dogwood Fest. time in East Tennessee. It is a Beautiful time of the year here. So many activities to do ! Tomorrow also kicks off Dogwood winter. We've been in the 90s all wk. When the dogwood trees bloom its always gets cold tomorrow we're suppose to be in the 50s.

It kicked off today. There's different trails you can ride to see yards , arts &Crafts, all sorts of fun.

Thought I'd better get a post in tonight. Our Little Shadow is still with us. In the morning DH will pick his Mom up bring her here for the day. I am cooking her favorite Country meal .Pinto Beans, fried potatoes,buttermilk cornbread.That's what she wants each wk. when she comes here.

After lunch we will take them on the dogwood trail in our neighbor hood.The streets where the trails are have been painted with pink dots and arrows so you know what roads to drive on.You see some Beautiful yards.

Hope everyone has a Great day!

Blessins',Lib

It's Jelly and McLemore Homestead

We let our dandelion infusion sit for 24 hrs. and make jelly. I think it taste a bit like honey. May gather more blooms and make more. The violets are in full bloom now, need to gather those and make jelly.

I know we can't pick and choose what the generations after us does , but......... I hope Little Shadow carries on the ways of my Family .Right now she Loves it, but when shes grown she may not. Her Dad Loved it , his dream was to build a sm. log cabin by the creek here,but his dream was cut short way too soon!

My McLemore Family (My maiden name) tap root runs deep here all the way back to 1782. I am thinking of having a McLemore Reunion Pioneer Type day. I've been doing research on what foods etc. that's been grown here .Cook them over an open fire , have a tour of the Homestead and explain to the Younger ones all the info I've been able to put together. I researched our Family Tree share that info . I also know just because its a Love of mine,its not for everyone. Family and Nature is very Important to me.I think it would be fun and worth a try.

Hope everyone has a Great Day!

Blessins',Lib

Fun At The Homestead

One day Little Shadow went to her Family Homestead and spent the night.When they got up they did chores and ate breakfast. Little Shadow wanted to make dandelion jelly ,so they went outside to pick dandelion blooms, brought them in cleaned them ,and poured 2 c. boiling water over them to soak for 24hrs. and make jelly.

After that she played with her wagon pulling her doll.She watched the birds come to the feeders and eat. And they had a picnic on the porch.

Hope your day has been as much fun as ours has been.

Have a great day!

Blessins',Lib

Happy Easter Ya'll

Hope Ya'll have a Wonderful Easter! Hope Your day is fill with those you Love !

Blessins',Lib

Old Fashion Fun

Last night three of our Special Kids came for a visit. Sydney,Eli, and Little Shadow. They played in the yard until dark. It was fun watching them make up games to play and no high tech involved!
We made a fire in the fire pit ,we roasted marshmallows and made Smores.
There's always fun when kids are outdoors playing! Now that we're having Beautiful weather we plan on doing this more !
Hope your weekend is filled with the Ones you Love !
Happy Easter!
Blessins',Lib

Good fri.and Easter Blessings

I hope everyone has a Blessed Good Fri. and Easter!
With Good fri. comes planting time! Tomorrow will be a busy day!
So much to do on the Homestead!
Happy Good Fri. and Eater to ya'll!
Blessins',Lib