On Father's Day 2013

I love this picture of the little ones with Papaw!. This was taken at the cookout we  had on Father's Day. Of course our big kids were here but... Gage and Gracie with Pap...it doesn't get much better!!

Hey Y'all

I knew it had been a while since I'd posted anything here on the veranda but I had no clue it had been since March! Oh my, how the time flies...and you're not even having that much fun! :) I'm glad y'all have still been visitin' the veranda and helpin' yourselves to the juleps. Several reasons I've not done much scrappin'; Gage is now a 3yr. old and feels the need to "help" me when I'm on the computer and he loves to be outside. Kevin had to fence in an area of our yard because Gage is a runner and we live on a busy street. That child is a runner and he can outrun me. We have a very large yard in back but I couldn't take a chance on him running to the front and into the street. I thought at first he would be upset at being "fenced in" but he calls the area his "playhouse" because that's where his swing set and sandbox are.Needless to say, I've been spending a lot of time in the "playhouse". LOL. Then there's Facebook...seems everyone is on FB and pics get posted there. Several doctor appointments for Rhett...and I haven't been in a creative scrappin' mood in a while but I did do the last free class by Jessica Sprague..a lot of the things I knew already but I forgot that I knew them, ya know what I mean? It's like, oh, I've done that before a long long long time ago! I love her classes, she goes into detail and you can always pause the lesson until you catch up. LOL.

These are pages I did this weekend (they don't have anything to do with the class) but I was going through my pictures and came across one of the house that I grew up in. A couple of years ago we were out driving around and I said let's go see if it looks the same. Well of couse it didn't, but I took a picture of it and when I came across it I started thinking of the video by Miranda Lambert that I had seen called "The House That Built Me", so here is my latest scrap attempt.

Mary's Kids

I took this picture last Saturday at Gary's sister, Sue's birthday party and came straight home and worked on this page...I knew how I wanted it but it took several efforts until I decided this was it. It was so great that all the brothers and sisters could be there. I think we are all trying to make that extra effort and cancel other things to make it a point that the family gets together. The last two years have been hard on "Mary's Kids". Losing LeeRoy year before last and Dennis last year...we never know how much longer any of us will have.


Background is from Kyra's "Skyhigh" kit.

Pigeon Forge Devastation

I thought about posting pics, but decided against it. They are heartbreaking. I'm sure you all have heard of the tremendous fire in Pigeon Forge that obliterated 35 or more cabins, and if you've ever been in one of those cabins...well let's just say they are all breathtaking. I feel so sorry for the property owners, some who lived there year round and some who rented them out.
So...would you believe that exactly one week before the fire, we made reservations for a cabin in Black Bear Ridge (where the fire started). We received confirmation that the beautiful cabin we had reserved was one of the ones destroyed by the fire.  Daughter-in-law Dawn and I spent weeks looking at pics of cabins and had finally decided this was the one for us!! We picked this one because it was off Wears Valley Rd, which leads into Cades Cove (my favorite place to spend time). When making the reservation, which by the way, isn't until May 19th, we paid half down. Received conformation today that we have been relocated and upgraded to a luxury cabin at no extra charge. They told us the web site to go to see pics of the cabin and location to see if it met with our approval...It definitely does and we can not wait for May to get here. Spending a week in this beautiful area is really something we are looking forward to.

Parlor Entertainment

Entertainment in the parlor tonight provided by Gage and after a couple of
juleps...he may sound pretty good. lol.  The first picture just amazes me.
He watches Papaw play and he tries so hard with the left hand to do the chords.
Now, I'm not real sure this is a real chord, but to Gage it is and right now that's
all that really matters. Second picture he is strumming and thrid picture, he asks
Mamaw, "did you like that?"  Yes, Gage...Mamaw thought it was beautiful!!!

Kit used is "Country Boys & Girls" by Blue Velvet designs.

Our Little Valentine

Today was Storytime at the library so Gage and I went and had a great time. After the story lady read the book and we did a marching around the room with out little instruments, we made valentines. Gage informed me right off that he was making a valentine for Papaw...Those two are like peas in a pod, bestest buddies. Mamaw on the other hand is the kisser of boo-boos, the cuddler when it's nap time, the one who drives the car and follows the directions (given by Gage). I realize our town is small, but this kid is only going to be three next month and I really believe he can give directions to anyplace in town that we need to go. After we left the library, I made a quick stop at Walgreens and Gage looked at all the stuffed animals in the valentine section, picked up a few, gave them hugs and put them back on the shelf. I was surprised, cause I fully expected to have to purchase one. The one thing he picked out and would NOT leave the store without buying was a 59cent pencil with a big heart 'un-racer' on top. I said why do you want a pencil and he said so he could draw stuff with...you guessed it...Papaw! Oh, yeah, I did have to purchase two bags of M&M's...one for him and one for...well you know who!!  It's amazing, the love these two share for each other, makes my heart swell with pride!
The kit used here is by Kyra called "Falling in Love".

Ohhh...

Wow...I'm so glad I've gotten into the habit of leaving the Parlor door unlocked. Look what my 'fairy blog mother' did while I was gone this morning. Thank you so much, Miss Boots. You seem to know just the right time to 'pretty up' our blogs. I hope you sat down, put your feet up and enjoyed a toddy after all your hard work.