Heavenly Scent

It's here!  It came in today's mail!  The first Give-Away that I've won!  Thank you Marissa!

I wish computers had scratch-n-sniff because this candle smells UNBELIEVABLE!  It's a heavenly scent!  I opened it up and Country Boy said, "Oh Wow!"  He loves French Vanilla!  (Step away from the candle and no one will get hurt!)  Just kidding!  I just wish you all could smell it!

Doesn't it look great on top of my fireplace?!  I'm loving it!

Marissa from Life On Our Side of the Mountain is having another Give-Away.  Click on the button below and check it out!  She has a wonderful blog and I know you'll enjoy it!

Till next time,

May We Never Forget

As we go about our day today either celebrating with family and friends, attending a memorial service, working or just having a quiet day at home, may we never forget the men and women who have served and fallen to protect our freedom. 

Florida National Cemetery

May we never take our freedom for granted.  May we remember what you were fighting for, and never forget your sacrifice.  Many men and women have served this country to protect its freedom; a task that many of us would never want to do.  To those who have served and to those who are still serving today:  my Dad, brothers, cousin, friends, neighbors, and countless others... a HUGE thank you!

Till next time,

You're Back!

Welcome back my Followers!  I'm not sure where Blogger had you hidden but I'm glad to 'see' you again!  Fortunately, that was the only problem I had with Blogger the past couple of days but I know several fellow bloggers who had various difficulties during the past week.  Hopefully, it's all fixed now and we can all get on with our blogger-lives! 

Yesterday I mentioned that Country Boy and I went to the coast in the afternoon so that I could take some pictures and then grab a bite to eat.  We went to one of my favorite beachside locales... John's Pass in Madeira Beach on the Gulf Coast.  It's an historic fishing village and boardwalk with lots of shopping, dining and photo opportunities.  Let me show you around.....

This is where we parked.  One quarter gives you 15 minutes of parking.  (Kind of steep if you ask me, but since nobody asked... I'm telling ya' anyway *smile*).  Country Boy dropped eight quarters in the meter so we had two hours to eat and take some photos.  Not enough time for me but it had to do.  You could spend two hours just in the shops that lined the parking lot.  I think I spent six minutes (after the time ran out on the meter) looking for a charm for my charm bracelet while Country Boy manned the car (making sure it didn't get towed!).  Needless to say, I didn't find a John's Pass charm but I will try to find a pelican charm next time we come here to represent John's Pass!  (I know we'll be back and probably soon because my photog buddy wasn't able to come and she's never been here!)

Since it was supper time when we arrived, Country Boy and I headed over to Bubba Gump's for some chow!

We started with Onion Rings, a tower of Onion Rings served with Chipotle Ranch and BBQ Dippin’ Sauces.  Country Boy had the Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp, Bubba always loved this one! Served with Cajun Marmalade and Fries and I had Lt. Dan's Drunken Shrimp, large chargrilled Shrimp and Andouille Sausage with Mashed Potatoes and Bourbon Sauce!  Run, Forest, Run!  I ordered it because of the mashed potatoes.  I'm a HUGE fan of potatoes, especially mashed, and I haven't had any in four weeks.  (And yes, for those of you who are wondering... we cheated on our diet!  Back to it today!)  Both entrees were delicious!  (Are ya' hungry now?)

While we were eating, the horns sounded and the bridge began coming up...

The boat on the left heading under the bridge had extremely tall antennas.  Once it passed, the horns sounded again and the bridge came down.

After supper, we walked under the bridge to the beach.  These rocks lined the inlet.

We headed back to the boardwalk to see the sites.  (Oh yea, I forgot, I did check a couple of stores on the boardwalk for charms, too.  Still no luck.)  Here's part of the boardwalk...

Lots to see and do!

And now for the wildlife, and I don't mean the people hanging out at the bars!

I'm not sure what kind of bird this is.  I'm thinking in the Heron family but if anyone knows I'd love to be enlightened!

White Ibis

Snowy Egret

He is in the process of a good shake!

Here's another bird that I'm not familiar with.  Looks like a dove or pigeon.  He is purple and gold!

Brown Pelicans

Last but not least... a Brown Pelican coming in for a landing!

Our two hours were up so we headed back to the car and I sprinted (which hopefully burned off some of those yummy mashed potatoes I ate *laugh*!) up and down the shopping area by the parking lot looking for the charm, to no avail.  So, we said goodbye to the coast and headed back to the country.

On our way home the storm clouds were brewing...

... but still no rain for our little piece of the country.

We had a lovely time and I hope you enjoyed seeing John's Pass through my camera lens!

I hope you are having a blessed Sunday!

Till next time,

Sitting Pretty

As I was trying to sleep in a bit this morning I had a phone call from Country Boy saying he was on his way home.  Apparently, the schedule got messed up and he didn't have to work today after all.  What a nice surprise!

So we had our normal routine of coffee & chatting on the porch then he decided he needed to mow the lawn.  I spent some time in the kitchen and then we both started doing what we enjoy doing.... he was playing video games and I was catching up on the blogs I read!  Then I decided that I wanted to go to one of my favorite spots on the coast to walk around, grab a bite to eat and take some photos.  I will post more pictures on another post but here is one of my faves for Your Sunday Best at A Rural Journal.

Brown Pelican

These birds amaze me when they fly!  They seem so bulky and yet they can soar with the best of them!

I hope you have a blessed Sunday!

Till next time,

Smilin'

Look who finally let me take her picture!

Smile for the camera!  Everyone, meet Precious!  Precious, these are my wonderful blogger friends!  She's usually quite camera-shy (unlike Hunter) but for some reason, today, she wanted her picture taken... so, I obliged!  Isn't she cute!  We call her Presh, Mouth, Miss Little Feet or Old Bat depending on the circumstance!  Presh for short; she LOVES to hear herself talk (thus Mouth); she's got the tiniest, little feet (Miss Little Feet, her Indian name); and when she's being the Alpha kitty and hateful towards Hunter she's the Old Bat!  She'll answer to any of them (probably just to hear herself talk!)!  In all seriousness, she's a really sweet and well-behaved cat.  We love her!

I'm smilin' today also!  Wanna know why?  Because I just found out that I was awarded the Stylish Blogger Award by Marissa at Life On Our Side of the Mountain!

This comes as a surprise to me since I have only been blogging since the first of the year.  It's been a wonderful experience!  I have not only learned a lot about setting up a blog and making it mine (personalizing it) but I have learned a lot about myself. When you open yourself up to other people, it makes you take a good look at yourself.  And in both, I have a long way to go!  I have also 'met' some awesome people in bloggerville!  They are reading my blog, leaving kind words, encouraging me in whatever I'm going through at the time and it's all so overwhelming and great at the same time... that people are actually interested in my photos or my ramblings is an indescribable feeling!  I have enjoyed reading other blogs too; their openness to sharing bits 'n pieces of their lives with others.  They all have something great to offer their readers whether it's a beautiful photograph, or a learning experience for them or a funny or even a sad story.  They have made me laugh, cry, think and pray.  I've learned all kinds of tips and things I didn't know and I've found some great recipes. I have also found that they are all so very helpful when I have had blogging questions.  Thanks to each and every one of you in this wonderful blogging community!  I have been truly blessed!

I will proudly display this award on my sidebar and am looking forward to passing it on (even though when I pass it on I have to tell you all seven things that you don't know about me!  I'm sure I can come up with something *laugh*)!

Thanks Marissa!

Till next time,

Sunsets

Yesterday evening while driving home from visiting my folks the sun began disappearing behind some clouds.  We were driving 70 MPH down the Interstate and here are a few of the shots I was able to get...

It was so pretty!  Then a few miles from home we noticed that the roads were wet.  We got some much needed rain while we were gone!  It wasn't a lot of rain because our rain buckets only had a couple of inches in them but at least it was enough to keep the ground wet until this morning, yay!

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the many terrible tornadoes earlier this week.  I have read some heartwrenching stories via the news and blogs and I just can't even begin to imagine what those folks are going through.  Keep them in your prayers and help in whatever ways you can.

I hope you all have a wonderful, long Memorial Day weekend!  Country Boy is working all weekend with the exception of Sunday.  It's definitely going to be a long weekend for me.  I guess I'll spend some time scrapbooking and cross-stitching!  Or maybe some reading; or taking pictures; definitely some blogging... hmmm... what to do!?  Decisions, decisions!

Till next time,

Unwanted Visitor

Early yesterday evening, I was standing at the back door holding Hunter and he and I were looking out at the backyard and the back deck.  I was looking for Mama and Papa Carolina Wren who have been busy from sunrise to sunset feeding their three babies.  Mama and Papa decided that the perfect spot for a nest would be inside a tin can that is in our hanging (because of the wild varmints) recycle bins on the covered back deck. I'm not sure what Hunter was looking at while I was looking for the birds but I think we both spotted it at the same time. A snake... wrapped around the top of a tote that was left on the back porch after the yard sale.

By the time I got Country Boy, the snake knew he'd been spotted so he was on the move.  (I bravely backed (WAY back!) him up as he moved the snake off the porch.)  Hunter wasn't sure what to think or where to go but as the snake fell/slid off the back porch Hunter jumped down to keep an eye on the snake.  I think he was fascinated with it at first.  Until, it moved!  It started heading underneath the back porch. 

(Pardon the rag!)  That's when Hunter decided he didn't like that snake.  He started backing up and kept looking at us to see if we were going to do anything else to get this 'thing' off his property! We went back into the house and Hunter stayed outside to keep an eye on that 'thing'!

That's the first time that a snake has been that close to the house let alone on the back porch.  We think he was heading for the bird's nest and the babies. 

An hour or so later, I went back to see if the snake was still around.  I knew it had to be somewhere on the porch because Hunter was about ten feet away from the back door staring at something.  I figured it was the snake.  Sure enough! It was on the side of the house between the back porch deck and the house. I think with all the 'commotion', the snake decided it wasn't worth it because it didn't stick around long after that.  I left the back porch light on and a couple of hours later Country Boy went outside with a spotlight and scoped out all around the back of the house and didn't see the snake.  Thankfully, the babies were still in the nest this morning!

Hunter, on the other hand, was jumpy and skittish all night!  He would look under any closed door or object and I mean seriously look as if he just KNEW that snake was in there.  I've never seen him act like that so it was quite amusing!  I was always worried that he might bring a 'snake present' in the house one day but I don't think I have to worry about that now!  I can handle the live mice, rabbits or bird presents!  Just not a live snake!

I hope you had a great Thursday!

More Running Around

Country Boy and I had another day of running around and taking care of errands. We worked around the house this morning while it was cool then we headed to the ICCA (International Coin Collectors Association) event. We took several old coins, medallions and some jewelry that was never worn or broken.  It's very interesting!  You show them what you have, they check the item out and then research the value of it. If you're interested in selling your items they will offer you a price. Unfortunately, we didn't have anything that was rare and worth thousands but we did walk out of there with a check for $170! Not bad for stuff that was taking up space in a drawer! This seems to be the week for some decluttering! And it feels so good! Especially when you can walk away with a little something for your clutter!

On our way home we made a couple more stops... First stop, the Tractor Supply store. I've never been in one and Wow! is it a cool place! Lots of stuff for a gal who's Gone Country! When I saw this metal chicken medallion I knew exactly where I was going to put it!  

On my screened in front porch right at the center of the pitched roof above the shelf.

I thought the price was OK so, I just had to have it! Then when we got to the register, it was marked down $5.00!  Yay! I love it!

The second stop was the bank to deposit our check we just received!

The third stop was the health food store. I was determined to find some Coconut or English Toffee liquid Stevia. They had neither *sad face*. BUT, they did have Hazelnut! So, I picked up a bottle and we're trying it out in our coffee this evening! It's pretty good but I think the English Toffee would be better since that's one of my fave's! I found the English Toffee online for a reasonable price and will order that but I never saw the Coconut; will have to keep looking. They had grape, rootbeer, peppermint, chocolate raspberry, etc. that could be added to coffee, water, tea, yogurt or anything else you can think of! I saw a total of 13 different flavors online AND, it's all-natural with zero calories... gotta love that!

The fourth and final stop was the Army Surplus store. Country Boy was looking for a jacket that he could wear at work should the Lord open the door for him to get back into construction. (We're still praying for guidance and direction.) He used to have an old Army jacket and he says they kept him warm. He found an Army jacket that was too big but would have worked. Then he found an Air Force jacket that was his size and would do the trick. We were more than happy to get it since his cousin serves in the Air Force (thanks Cuz!). 

Overall, it was another productive day. I like days like these when things are getting done! Git 'R Done!

Tomorrow is a play day!  We're going to my folks' and the guys are going to play golf and the girls will chat and shop!

I hope you're having a Wonderful Wednesday!

Till next time,

I Won!

Country Boy and I have been busy today so I just logged into Blogger about an hour ago.  As I was catching up on the blogs I read I saw that Marissa from Life On Our Side of the Mountain had announced the winner of her 1st ever Giveaway sometime this morning!  And guess who won?  ME!  I was so surprised and excited!  Here's what I won...

It's a Belle Maison Candle.  Isn't it pretty?  I think the colors will go perfectly in my living room!  And I can't wait to smell it!  Yay!

OK, I'll calm down now *smile*!

Today was laundry day so that kept me busy in the morning while Country Boy put up some more fencing along the road.  We are having to install the fence in sections since it is so costly.  We started a portion of the fence last year then recently a neighbor graciously gave us some 1x6 fence boards that he no longer needed so that helped stretch the fence a little further.  We still have some boards left but we need to get some more 4x4's before we can go any further.  Next up will be painting the fence since our fence was 'painted' with Saddle Brown stain/sealant and the boards we were given are painted barn red.  We'll be painting all of it brown (eventually!).

This afternoon, Country Boy and I did some errands.  After picking up items at several local shops we decided to drive a bit to the nearest Fresh Market (a really cool grocery store!).  I was looking for coconut-flavored liquid Stevia.  They didn't have it.  But, I got some nice Vanilla Roobios loose tea and he got some steaks.  Oh yea, I got my Snow Crabs, too!  They were cheaper than our local grocery store!  I'm guessing that I'll have to go online and see if I can order the flavored Stevia from somewhere.  I heard you can get it at Whole Foods but I have no idea where the closest one is and with the price of fuel, it would probably be cheaper to order it online!

Tomorrow we are going to see the ICCA (International Coin Collectors Association) which is buying precious metals, coins & currency.  They are in a town not too far from us for the week.  Since we have several old coins and bills we thought we'd drive over and see if we can get anything for them.  Once I am finished with this post, I will be doing some research online to get a general idea of the value of what we have before heading over there tomorrow.  They are also interested in sports memorabilia, war items, historical documents, fine art, comic books, dolls, trains, jewelry, etc.  Should be interesting!

OK, I'm back to being excited again, yippee!  I encourage you to check out Marissa's blog!  (click on the link above)  She has a wonderful blog about her life on the mountain and I know you'll enjoy it!  

 Till next time,

Yard Sale Success!

This morning Country Boy and I peddled our wares, er, rather 'stuff 'n junk' as he calls it, at the local flea market.  The crowd was not large but there was a decent flow of people all morning and enough of the people that were there stopped at our table and purchased an item or two.  Some people bought a dozen items or more which pleased us greatly!  When all was said and done, we were happy with the amount of money our 'stuff 'n junk' brought in!  It was also enjoyable to sit and people watch!  There are a lot of interesting folks out there!

On our way to the market, we saw the most beautiful sunrise and I, of course, forgot my camera *sigh*.  Country Boy said I need to wear my camera like I wear my shoes!  In other words... I should always have my camera with me... *head hanging in shame*... I know!  It seems that the great shots are when I am camera-less.  Lesson learned (hopefully *smile*).  Maybe it's time I start making lists!  Then maybe I'll remember everything that I need when I walk out the door!   Hmmm.. now where did I put that list?!

After loading the remaining totes back in the house, we both sat at our computers to cool off!  (I broke down and turned the AC on before we left because I knew we would be hot when we got home and it's supposed to be a high of 94 degrees today.)  Country Boy is playing video games on the computer and I've been catching up on Facebook, email and my blogs that I read.  I did have to go back outside though, because I noticed that the bird bath was bone-dry when we got home.  I can't have my birds being without water to drink or splash around in!  After that, I took the camera out to get some shots of the Plumbago that is blooming.

I never notice a slight breeze when I'm outside until I'm trying to photographs flowers!  Then it's extremely noticeable as the flower bobs and sways in the breeze as I'm trying to capture its image!  I did manage to get a couple of shots though!

I'm off to figure out what to have for dinner.  (I'd like to celebrate by going to a seafood restaurant!  Hmmm, "Oh Babe"!)

I hope you are having a super Monday!

Till next time,