Fun In THe Sun On A Hot Summer Days

Here in South Mississippi it has been a really hot Summer.We have been reaching temps. of 100 and above.Ii has been really dry,since we have had no signs of rain for over a month now.Everything is dying out,flower beds,vegetable gardens,grass,and yes even the weeds are dying.You try to water at least ever other day,but chlorinated water just does not do what fresh rain water does.
The heat is so bad that the children stay inside all day,it is just too hot to play outdoors.They have a big pool but the water in the pool is like lukewarm bath water,not refreshing or cool at all.So to beat the heat and give the children a few hours of fun and outdoor time you look for a natural swimming pool.A nice cool running creek with a sandbar,a bridge to set under for shade,shallow water for the little ones and,deep water for the ones that can swim.They are far and in between,most are on private property and people will not let you swim in them.I do understand,it is a liability thing where they are responsible if anyone gets hurt.We are of the lucky few with a creek like this just a few miles from our house that people can still go swimming in,not many know about it so it is not crowded with people.
So her are a few pictures of how to beat the heat on a hot summer day and give the kids something to do that they all enjoy as well as the adults. Shallow water for little ones.

Bridge to set under out of the sun.

Sand bar

Being thrown high in the air

time with mommy learning to swim.

Family time

Diving through the air.

Flipping off into the water.

Splash time with the babies.

Riding the four wheeler down the creek.

Some of our "BAD BOYS"

Wadding time

Hi,

It has been awhile since I have done any blogging,been alot of things going on in life,as you all know life throws up road blocks when you least expect them.Not going to go into all the things that keep me from blogging,but I have been so busy with life that it took me away from the computer for awhile.I am thinking it is time to bring myself back to blogger and enjoy reading and posting again.
Right now I am doing sewing to get my beautiful little grand daughter ready for the State Beauty Pageant and picking and putting up what few vegetables from the garden that the heat has not gotten.Yesterday the theomster on my front porch read 104 degrees.We have not saw a drop of rain in over a month.The flowers,grass,veggies and yes even the weeds around here are dying.Makes me want to cry watching my flower beds just wilt away,even though I do try to water them every other day.My grass is so dried out that we do not even have to cut it,and I love getting out in the early morning to cut the grass.

here is hoping you are all having a wonderful Summer that is not toooooo hot and lots of fun things going on for you.

ART IN MINIATURE

It is Show and Tell over at Kelly's today,stop by and check out all the great Show and Tell post.

Today I am showing you Artist Trading Cards that I made last week for a swap over at

http://www.swap-bot.com/. If you like swapping things like crafts,postcards dish towels,and lots of other things you should check out swap-bot.These are for a Sunflower ATC swap.This set is hand painted with acrylic paints on black card stock.Two have lady bug stickers on the leaves.The one with the jar,the jar was cut out of a magazine then glued onto the card stock then painted.

This set is a printed piece of scrap booking paper glued to a piece of card stock,the sunflowers are stamped on with a rubber stamp,the words are velum sheets with the word cut out and glued onto the card.

ATC cards are 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" cards with what ever style of art you which to decorate them with.They are for trade only,not to be sold.It is lots of fun to trade with other artist,you get some beautiful art to collect.

To see more Show and Tell post from other wonderful bloggers stroll over to Kelly's at

Theres No Place Like Home You will find lots of beautiful things to look at.Have a wonderful Show and Tell Friday!!!!!

LEGEND OF THE DOG WOOD

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK"S DAY

Today is Blooming Tuesday over at MsGreen'thumb'Jeans ,Thank you Jean for hosting Blooming Tuesday so we can see all the beautiful blooms that grow all around the country.

Today I am showing a picture of blooms from the dogwood tree in my son's back yard.He bought me one this year but it will not have blooms until next year.I do believe this is the most beautiful flowering tree there is,and it has such a wonderful smell.Below the picture I have posted the Legend of the Dogwood tree.It is a wonderful story.

Legend of The Dogwood Tree StoryTwo thousand years ago, few trees in the Middle East were big enough to construct anything. However, one tree was valued above the others for its thick trunk and fine, strong wood.
When the Romans came to rule over Jerusalem, their government used this same timber to build the crosses for executing criminals. A group of workers were assigned to gather wood for the crosses. Before long, every Roman official knew the best wood came from these gatherers of execution wood, so those workers became popular.
One day, the wood gatherers received a special request. An officer of the Roman court came and said, "The King of Jews is to be put to death. Deliver an extra-large cross made from your finest wood." So, a fresh tree was cut from the forest of the trees with thick trunks and fine, strong wood. An extra-tall (and extra-heavy) cross was quickly made and delivered.

Three days after the death of Jesus of Nazereth, the chief wood gatherer got alarming news. "All of our finest trees are withering!" the messenger whispered. The wood gatherer hurried to the forest and saw that it was true.
Several years later, the chief wood gatherer heard that, every spring, many people visited the old forest that had once made his job so easy. Despite his advancing years, he set out to discover why. He saw the remains of forest, now like a salty bottoms, with only a few trees still standing tall, bare, lifeless and rotting.
But what was this? As he drew closer, his feeble eyes could make out the people walking among thousands of beautiful, flowering bushes. Seeing one of his own workers there, the old man said, "No one could ever make a cross out of this twisted wood. Our finest tree has gone to the dogs!" He noticed the beautiful white flowers, each blossom looking as if it had been burned from the touch of a miniature cross.
As told to Ben Baston by his grandmother, Louise Brown.


There Is A LegendAt the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this. In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree: " Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."
The pink dogwood is said to be blushingfor shame because of the cruel purpose which it served in the Crucifixion.The weeping dogwood further symbolized the sorrow.The red dogwood, called the Cherokee, bearsthe color to remind us of the blood shed by our Savior.

FUN IN THE SUN

Today is Blue Monday Over At Smiling Sally's.Today I am going to show some fun in the sun pictures.Last year instead of five different birthday parties my daughter decided to have one party for all the children at the water park.It was my daughter,her husband the five kids and me and paw paw.We had lots of fun on the water slides and pools,also we had cake,hot dogs ,chips,and drinks .All the party foods was supplied in the Birthday package deal at the water park.Big water slide,the only thing is it is a long climb getting to the top.

You see the little person coming down the white slide that is my 6 year old grand daughter,that slide is the tallest in the park and comes almost straight down.The boys would not slide down it,she slid down the slide three or four times and loved it.

Grand daughter and her mom in the floating pool.

Grand daughter and grandson in the kiddy pool.

Grand son sitting under the water sprinkler in the pool.



For more Blue Monday post please go visit Smiling Sally

There will be lots of wonderful blogs with Blue Monday post for you to visit.

I will be late visiting all the Blue Monday post today,have to be at the hospital with my sister for her little boy having dental surgery this morning ,but I will be visiting all you ladies in the afternoon.Everyone have a Happy Blue Monday.

SPRING IS GETTING CLOSER

It is another wonderful Blooming Tuesday over at Jean's place,you should take a little trip over to Jean's and stroll through some of the wonderful gardens that are starting to come alive with buds and blooms.I am quite sure you will enjoy your trip and have a smile on your face when you leave just thinking about how close it is to SPRING. My Jasmine coming into bloom,This jasmine does not have the sweet wonderful smell like Caroline Jasmine,but it is still just as beautiful.

This is a new plant in my garden it is called Leopards Bane (Doronicum 'Leonardo Compact'

Purple Hyacinthia,they do not last long but they are a very beautiful flower for late Autumn and early Spring.

White Hyacinthia


These are a few flowers that have started to come to life in my gardens,now I hope you will make that short trip over to Jean's @ MsGreen"thumb"Jean

and take that stroll into the other wonderful ladies gardens.

IT IS TIME FOR BLUE MONDAY

It is Blue Monday over at Sally's today,hope to see you all there.Thank you Sally for hosting Blue Monday so we get to see lots of wonderful Blue from our blogger friends.

Here is my blue binder,I bet you are thinking not much of a Blue Monday to be looking at.Well I would like to show you what is inside of the binder,and the binder is my blue.You might see a little blue on what is inside.
Blue Binder,now to what is inside of the binder,Sorry a few pics have a glare on them.

Here they are these are called ATC Cards,Artist Trading Cards for trading with other artist that make ATC's.These are 3 1/2"x2 1/2" cards that you do art of any media that you want to try.

I have been trading for awhile now,I have cards from all over the U.S.,and Canada.It is fun to see what others like to do with their cards.Some are painted,some are hand drawn,stickers,collage,just what ever is your thing.

The cards are for trade only not to be sold,it is to share a little piece of art with others around the country.My collection is almost at 100 now and I trade two to three cards a week.

A SHORT HISTORY OF ARTIST TRADING CARDS-Artist Trading Cards have been around for less than a decade. Yet, their historical roots can be traced back to the Mail Art and Fluxus movements of the 1960s, and even earlier to the Dadaist movement of the 1920s.
Swiss artist M. Vänci Stirnemann first developed the concept of Artist Trading Cards in 1996, when he decided to document his activities with other artists by producing a catalogue of 1,200 cards he created by hand. He exhibited the cards at his bookstore gallery in Zürich in May 1997. On the last day of the exhibit, Stirnemann invited anyone who wanted a card to create their own ATC to trade during the closing reception.

Canadian artist Chuck Stake (aka Don Mable) attended Stirnemann’s exhibition that May and also participated in a Trading Session while in Zürich. Stake became very enthusiastic about ATCs and collaborated with Stirnemann to stage “The First International Biennial of Artist Trading Cards” at The New Gallery in Calgary, Canada that included 80 artists from 10 different countries. Since then, with the help of the Internet, interest in ATCs has spread around the globe.
Many artists who make ATCs use the Internet to display their cards and to locate others willing to trade cards by mail or to share ideas. However, organized face-to-face ATC sessions are, by far, the preferred means of meeting other artists and trading cards. Today, you will find ATC swap sessions happening in most major cities around the world.

Have a terrific Blue Monday and go by and visit Sally @Smiling Sally for more wonderful Blue Monday post and you will see some wonderful blue post.Everyone have a Happy Blue Monday.

WITHOUT A WORD

I received this in an email from my brother and sister in law this morning,thought I would share it with you all.I enjoyed reading it and it has so much truth in it.It gives you and understanding of what the Lord's Prayer is all about.That the Lord is always by your side no matter what and watching over you in your daily life.

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending Services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher Decided to visit him.It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, Sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preachers Visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the Fireplace and waited.The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the graveSilence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning Logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, Carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one Side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, stillSilent.The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone Ember's' flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow And then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher Glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly Stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the Middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the Light and warmth of the burning coals around it.As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tearRunning down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and Especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church nextSunday.'We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too Little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are The ones left unspoken.The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's a Relationship!I shall not want ----- that's Supply!He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ----that's Rest!He leadeth me beside the still waters -----that's Refreshment!He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --that's Guidance!For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death--that'sTesting!I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!For Thou art with me ----- that's Faithfulness!Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me -----that's Discipline!Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine Enemies------that's Hope!Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that's Consecration!My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my Life----that's Blessing!And I will dwell in the house of the Lord -----that's Security!Forever ----- that's Eternity!

TO TELL THE TRUTH OR NOT

THE CONFESSIONS TAG!!!!

• 
  
  
  Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!So I just got tagged by Rechelle over at Walnuthaven Cottage. It's the Confession Tag. Here are the rules: Copy and paste the whole questionnaire and replace my answers with yours. You have to state and create a link for the blogger who tagged you. Pass to 4 other bloggers. Remember to inform them by commenting on their recent post. Display the logo anywhere on your blog. Last, answer each question with truth and nothing but the truth since this is a confession tag. Have Fun!1)What is your blogger name? Charlotte2) When is your birthday? Sept.04)3. How long have you been blogging?Sept.20084) Who tagged you?Rechelle @ Walnuthaven Cottage) 5.Tell me your 5 most favorite body parts.My eyes, My hair, my legs, my calves, my ankles6) What do you wish most for your birthday?To get my kitchen remodled7) What color are your nails now?natural,no polish8) Any depressing thoughts lately?Just a bit tired of being broke and wishing for Spring9) What's your next 1 month's plan?get my flower beds cleaned out10) At what age did you have your 1st crush?When I was 12 on my best friends big brother.11) Did you attend any school reunion after you graduated till now?No12) Have you ever passed gas in public and pretended you didn't smell anything?Yes,isn't that ebarssing13) Are you a clean freak?Not at all14) Which era do you wish you were born into?The 60's or 70's I love the hippi era 15) Are you a vegetarian?Heck no! I am a meat lover especially a good ribeye steak16) How many pillows do you sleep with at night?Two17) Are you a light sleeper or an I-don't-care-if -there's-a-bomb-here sleeper?I do not care if a bomb goes off sleeper.I sleep through anything.18) Do you secretly wear comfortable granny panties when your man is not around?NOT EVEN19) What is your ultimate dream job?I would like to be a Fashion Designer20) What is it your hubby does that annoys you the most?Goes to sleep on the couch all the time when he is home.21) What is your dream car?A 1957 Thunderbird convertiable22) Do you easily wake up in the morning?No23) Do you like hairy men?NO, 24) How about goateed men?I Like a goatee,my hubby has a beard25) Which one would you prefer, 2 hour spa, 2 hour Thai Massage or 2 hour foot massage?I'll take all three please. I feel like I need them right now,what time is my appointment? Thank you!26) Have you ever wished you had a different name other than your real name?Yes, when I was growing up,I thought I was the only person in the world named Charlotte.27) What is the most extreme sport you have ever done?I guess I would have to say hill climbing in our old scout and three wheelers,that was a blast from the past.28) Do you prefer traveling in Europe or Asia? I know I'd prefer Europe. It's a dream to be able to visit Paris.29) What is your favorite food?Turnip Greens with pork chops boiled in them and corn bread.Can you tell I am from the South? :0)And Finally,30) What is the most embarrassing moment when you were out on a date?Dropping Chilli from a chilli hotdog down the front of my shirt. lol!I'm tagging

1.Teresia @ Confessions of a Mid Life Trucker's Wife

2.Rosemarie @ Sugarplum Cottage

3.Becky @ Holiday in the Sun

4.Sally @Smiling Sally

SHOW and TELL FRIDAY

Today is Show and Tell Friday and I am going to show some china pieces that I found in a Thrift shop last week.I am not usually a person who buys dishes,but I thought these would fit in to my kitchen decor since it is vintage and old kitchen gadgets and pictures.Now I need to find a older plate holder for them. I just loved the blue color of this one and the design of it.It has markings on the back that is a lion and says Churchill England.I got it for$.50

These I choose because they looked odd,I like the White gold on them.They have a marking that is an MCP intertwined with the no.735H.It is posted with a 22 karat white gold also.Made in the U.S.A. This was $3.00 for all 4 pieces.

I love the little flower design and gold rim on this little saucer,it is marked HomerLaughlin,no.E 47N 6 made in the U.S.A. This one was $1.00

This one has an oreintal look to it,The mark on it is Harmony House,it is called Sunny Glade.is says HH Fedral Gold and Japan.This one was $1.00

Last but not least this cute little bowl with what looks like a peony in the center.Mark on back is a bow and arrow The Harkes Pottery Co. No.1 made in the U.S.A. since 1840.22 karat gold trim around the outside edge.This one was also $1.00

I guess I could become a china collector if I had the space or room in my home for it,but I already have so many collection I really do not need to start another collection.

For more Show and Tell post go over to There's no Place Like Home and visit Kelly and all the other Show and Tell Friday posters,you will enjoy yourself Hope to see youall over at Kellys

Grandmother's Gifts

Today is 2nd Time Around with Diane over at A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words

this is my first time to do 2nd Time Around with Diane,I am showing two piecse that were given to me by my Mother.These two pieces were my Grandmother's and were passed to me after her death.I think they are called Carnival Glass because of the coloes in them.I am not sure how old they are ,but she had them along time and I have had them for about 8 years now so I guess they are pretty old.I have a couple more pieces from my Grandmother and treasure them .It is nice to have things that have been passed down over the years in the family.

The back of the candy dish,it is hard to see but it has grapes and leaves on it.The dis is gold with reds,pinks ,yellow colors .

Inside of the candy dish.

This is a serving dish with fruits made into the glass.

For more great 2nd Time Around finds go over and visit Diane and you will find alot of great things that people have gotten from thrift finds,passed on from families ,or just somethings they found and added to their other treasures.

AWARDS PRESENTED TO ME FROMM LADY KATHERINE

I would like to thank Lady Katherine at Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor
for all these wonderful awards,Katherine is a wonderful friend that I meet while her,her husband and my husband worked together.We met about 5 years ago and I treasure her friendship.We have had lots of fun over the last 5 years, I am so glad my husband introduced me to her.Lady Katherine has a wonderful blog,if you have not visited her as of yet please do you will enjoy your time there.
Friendship Award

This Award I would like to pass to all the ladies who comment on my blog.I rally enjoy reading your comments and thank you for all the wonderful words you write.

Sisterhood Award

This award I also would like to pass to all the sisters in blog land.It is like a sisterhood here at blog land.Everyone is so wonderful to each other,no one says and bad things just praise and helpful attitudes are here.With this award you are suppose to write 7 things that you Love.That is very easy thing for us to do.

1.The most wonderful man in the world,who has spoiled me terribly over the last 30 years.
2.My children and grandchildren,who at some point in everyday will make me smile.Just a hug or a kiss or a I love you is all it takes to tug at my heart strings.
3.Sewing,Cloth doll making,crocheting,painting,,I thank God for all the things that he gave me the talent to do,and the mind to enjoy doing them.(Most important of all is a good hot cup of coffee a few times a day.) Ha!Ha!
4.Working in the yard with my flowers,I love to gaze on the beauty of all that God given us to play around with and decorate our lives with.There is so much beauty and wonder in this world we live in.
5.Little League Baseball,sitting and watching my 9 year old grandson play his heart out in a game he loves.If you have never watched little leaguers play ball you should go and watch the best baseball you will ever see.
6.Watching my little grand daughter in her little beauty pageants she likes to do..She does not care if she wins or not she just likes to dress up and have fun.She has a big heart for a little girl,she is 7 years old.
7.All the wonders and joys God has given me in my life,great husband,4 beautiful children,17 wonderful grandchildren,sisters,brothers,mom,dad.I may not be a wealthy person but God has given me a wealth of love in a large family.Not to mention all the wonder and beauty I see every morning when I wake up.


Heart and Sole Friendship and Encouragement Award

This award is for blogs which have contribution encouragement to your life. I would like to give this award to the following ladies,

1.Treasia @Confessions of a Mid Life Trucker's Wife
2.Grammy@ The Empty Nester
3.Katherine @ Country Romantic
4.Diane @ A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Words
5.Rechelle @ Walnuthaven Cottage
6.Rosemarie @ Sugarplum Cottage

Thank you to all these ladies for there wonderful comments and their lovely blogs that are a joy to visit each time I come here to blog land.I hope one day to have a blog half as good as they have.

PORCH BENCH COMPLETE

Today is Show and Tell over at Kelly,
I am going to show you a porch bench that my husband made for me and then I decorated.I was not to sure how I wanted to proceed with the decorating.I first had to do alot of sanding ,with a very coarse sandpaper and then with a very fine sandpaper.I sanded until it was smooth.Once I got it sanded I had to figure out what to do with the bench.I started learning a new craft here while back,wood burning.I decided that I would like to burn a design into the wood.So I drew me a design onto the porch bench top,then I proceeded to burn the design into the top of the porch bench.Once I had the design burned into the porch bench I stained it with a brown stain. Below is my finished work of art. Boards that husband cut out for the porch bench.It was made with 2x12 treated lumber.

Porch bench all put together.

Porch bench with design burned into top and stained.

Another picture of the top of the porch bench

Completed porch bench.Now I am ready for Spring so I can put it out on the porch or find a nice place out near a flower bed for it to set.

For more fun post on Show and Tell go visit Kelly over at There's no place like home.