Mont Helena Drama

Last Thursday evening Lance and I went to the play at Mont Helena in Rolling Fork.  If you are not familiar with the play, you should check out the information here . We traveled with the Planters Partners and had an enjoyable bus ride, along with a wonderful supper including mint juleps. During  intermission we again enjoyed food prepared as part of the play.  The friends of Mont Helena produce this event for five weeks during the Spring on Thursday through Saturday evenings.  They selflessly give of themselves during these five weeks, i.e. they do everything without pay.  The citizens of Rolling Fork have joined together to produce a wonderful event.

 View of Mont Helena from the bus as we arrive

 The front facade of Mont Helena

 Arriving on the front porch

 Mantle and chandelier in the front parlor area

 Staircase--The play took place here.

 Dining room table

 Dining room mantle

 Family memorabilia

 Portriate of Helen Johnstone Harris

If you look closely, you can see the ghost of Helena Johnstone Harris on the widow's walk.  I have a new camera and still have not figure out all the ins and outs of the settings, so this one is not the best to see the "ghost."

 Drew and Dianne McDowell; Mark and Elizabeth Atchley

 Drew, DK and Lance riding up to the house

DK and Drick Rogers--Mr. Rogers is the owner of Mont Helena.  It is through his efforts that Mont Helena is being restored.

It's That Time of Year

Well, we ate the first cucumbers,squash, potatoes, and green beans of the season! Lance is at it again; the garden is planted and growing! 250 tomato plants this year.

Cherry Tomatoes

Onions

Squash Blooms

 Zinnias and Sunflowers

 Green Beans

 Potatos

 More Tomatoes and Cucumbers

Blackberries

Pears

Figs 

Plums 

Watermelons or Cantaloupes--not sure

I think my farm manager is two-timing me! 

It's Up!

My cotton seeds have popped their little heads through the soil.  Looks like I may have to fill in some places, but over all I still say I am going to have a bumper crop.  I will have to check with my farm manager.

L & DK Farms

Last summer when I drove by the Blue Biscuit in Indinaola I would always check on the progress of Trish's cotton she had planted on the south side of the restaurant.  I cleaned out a flower bed and decided that I would plant cotton this summer.  So, L & DK Farms was born.  Lance is a great farm manager, and I predict I will have a bumper cotton crop this fall.

 Two rows tilled and ready for the seed

 The seed goes into the ground

My state-of-the-art pivot, aka a watering can

Premier fertilizer, aka fish guts

I plan on applying for my farm subsidy as soon as I talk with my nephew Walter so he can give me advice on how to get the most for my labor.

Yes, i am Still Alive--A Special Visit

Yes, the Baria's are still alive and well in Inverness.  It's just that our life has been sort of mundane yet busy.  A lot has happend these past six months, and I might get around to posting about them.  But, today I want to share a few pictures from my grands' summer visit.

Chase often tells Laura she is a redneck, and she wears the lable with pride.  Well, William and Wes got back to their roots this week while they stayed with us.  They played and ran and jumped and chased bubbles and went to the garden and check out Inverness each evening with a ride on the golf cart and played on the CDA playground and climbed on the cannon at the bayou park.  Each night they have had no problem going to sleep only to wake up and start all over again.

I am going to miss them but I am ready for some REST!!!!!

 Sampling one of Popps's watermelons

 Watching WALL E for the millionth time

 Playing at CDA--I know the school is gone, but the place will always be CDA to me.

 Part of the tradition of visiting Kakki and Poppa's--eating Hometown shrimp

 Visiting the train museum in Cleveland-  If you have not been, you should go.  Great place for the kiddos

Eating blueberry cupcakes at Crave in Cleveland.  What I said about the museum, ditto for Crave.  Great cupcakes

What better place to climb than on the cannons?

Don't Forget Us

The time is here for sending and receiving Christmas cards. Gone is the time of sending out a few cards to our family and close friends; the time of writing a quick note inside a card with a printed Christmas greeting and maybe enclosing a photo of the kids; the time of addressing the envelopes by hand; and the time of an affordable stamp to send the card on its way.  Taking the place of the old fashion cards are family newsletters with the happenings and accomplishments of each family member or the slick photo cards of beautiful children or entire families.  I am in the stationary business and I know how much some of these cards cost.  With postage included, some have quite an investment in sending their Christmas greetings.

I know many of you reading this are saying, "I know what you mean.  Sending cards is just another step in the commercializing of Christmas and spending too much money." You may be right.  But, I just have to say I so enjoy receiving these cards.  Someone thought enough of us to take time to send a card even though our address is on a label that was printed from a data file and even though there is not an original signature.  The subjects captured in the pictures are happy for that one moment in time, even though behind the scenes was a most disconcerting time of trying to get that one perfect picture.  I know families who can recall all the times they gathered to take Christmas pictures and the hassle they endured, but as they remember those times they laugh lovingly and speak reverently of those who are no longer in the family pictures.

So, if we are on your Christmas card list, "Thank you."  I look forward to receiving your card.  I am still on the fence if I am going to send cards this year.  I think I have waited too late and so again may send out New Year's greetings in 2011.  If not, then I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

More Than the Regular Stuff

Laura keeps up with a blog that I have started visiting through her blog.  The writer gave a list of things for which she was thankful so thought I would "copy" her idea.  Obviously,  it is that time of year when we reflect on our blessings and take time to stop and actually say thanks.  We tend to get a bit mushy, and there is nothing wrong with that.  I am thankful for my family and my friends, and my church and the grace and mercy that God has seen fit to extend to all of us.  With that being said, here are some other things I am thankful for. I am thankful

* for people who are willing to give me a pedicure.  Granted I pay for the service, but I would be hard pressed to work on a person's feet that I don't know and love, even if it is for money.

* for remote controls, TV, DVR, gas fireplace logs, garages doors, car starters; need I go on?

* for baby wipes and disposable diapers.  For some reason my daughter enjoys placing #3 grandson in my arms when he needs a major diaper change.

*to be able to travel.  My husband can't figure out why I don't want to stay at home.

*for my swing.  There is not a better place to spend a Sunday afternoon napping and reading, reading and napping, napping and reading.  You get the picture.

*for HGTV.  My house ain't looking too bad because of projects I have seen created by Candace Olsen, et.al.

*for blogs.  I enjoy keeping up with the young folks and seeing their children grow and change and do all the silly things kids are suppose to do when they have parents who love them and have their best interest at heart.

*for Lady Gaga.  Now, I know truly that in the words of my Mamaw, "The world is going to hell in a hand basket."

*for the ABC program "What Would You Do?"  There are some folks out there who know the difference between right and wrong and are willing to take a stand.

*for the American Congress.  As sad as the situation is, we have had some goods laughs at the expense of, literally, the American taxpayers.

*for wigs.  Those who know me know why.

*for the color red.  It truly brightens my outlook on life.

*sticky notes.  The best for keeping my life organized; i do love to be organized.

*for Pepsi.  It's what gets me going in the mornings.

*for night time.  That's when I do my best work.

*for caramel and chocolate, the best of two sweet flavors when combined.

*for hot Krispy Cream donuts.  Again, need I say more?!

*for the two-day work week ( I am semi-retired) and an entire week vacation for Thanksgiving.  Hope yours is a good one.