More This and That, Here and There

Well, once again, I apologize for being so negligent in getting this updated. You know all the really good excuses ... "We have been busy" ... "Life keeps rolling on " ... "Etc., etc" Anyway, here we are! A little Here and There. First, There (Arkasouri)

Why, what have we here ?? Oh, it's a little ham in a pot! Silly Emma Jane decided to see if she would fit in the stock pot. She did! Don't remember if I posted, but her hair is cropped short because she got ahold of the scissors one day when she and Savannah were being quiet . . . a little too quiet . . . in the back room.

Oh, my goodness! Another little ham in a pot! Thankfully, by the time Beth got to the little rascals, Emma had only snipped a little of Savannah's beautiful long hair!

Men doing what men do -- plot, plan, scheme how to take dominion, even if it's just a game of Risk! Around the table l to r: Peter, Daniel, Uncle Jay, Matthew, and RG standing.


RG holding little cousin Paul. Paul is so blessed to have good, strong, godly male role models in his life.
The birthday youngins, Rosie, Rachel, and Joey. In a family of 25 (soon to be 26) grandchildren, it seems to work to have group birthday parties. What a fun day it was!

Grandmama, Uncle Jay, and Aunt Ashley enjoying the party. Any opportunity for fellowship is greatly enjoyed.

Scrabble was our game of choice in the evenings this trip. Of course, Rosie is becoming a competent young woman, so she was always hoping to get to play with the "big people". When Grandmama found this travel Scrabble game, it sounded like the perfect birthday gift for a budding Scrabbler! Rosie, I am coming up in July -- get the travel Scrabble ready!

The older children (mostly sweet Markie, I believe) planned and worked and set up a fun "follow the trail" treasure hunt for the little ones' party. I love how the older children in our family love doing things for the younger ones -- they are great examples of multi-generational thinking.

Granddaddy and Rosie share a sweet moment.

Daniel and his little cousin, Clay. Two real men of God!

Time to leave for home. Saying goodbye to my "baby". What a blessing to know that the Arkasouri families are in strong, faithful arms! Jason, Eddie, and Robert -- God bless you as you work diligently to bring up another generation for God's glory.

Beth and I share a goodbye hug. How we miss these times! But God is doing wonderful things with our family there in the Ozarks.

On the way home: Danny and I trying a new cafe in Mayo, Fl. Mayo is a neat little place, so different from what people think of as typical Florida.

We stopped in Appalachicola along the gulf. We really love this little coastal town. You would love it, too. Just get off the Interstates and see "real Florida!"

This is the Orman House in Appalachicola. It has been established as a state park, and what a history it has! The guide who took us through it was very entertaining and very careful not to demonize the South. He did a great job. The entrance fee was very reasonable, and we enjoyed it immensely.

Here: Back home, we found that our nectarine tree actually had fruit on it! We did not expect a yummy, home-grown nectarine the first year. It WAS good!

Miss Margaret Anne, who found the nectarine. Margaret Anne is a natural green thumb, like her mother, so she keeps us informed about the state of our "garden" and trees. Note her cast on her arm. She is scheduled to have the rod removed next week, and her healing has been normal and timely. Thank the Lord!

We also came home to these adorable little guys! What a good big brother William is for little Nathaniel! See that hand with the wedding ring? That is the other daddy -- Chris, the Florida faithful father. We love and appreciate you, Chris.

I just love this picture of Abigail singing "Scots Wha Hae?" (Check me out here, Gracie!) the Scottish freedom anthem. This is from the Stricklens' Highland Festival (see a great post at
www.thestricklenfamilyblog.blogspot.com) Abby sings with a strong, clear, confident voice.

Our annual church blackberry picking/picnic out in our Piney Woods (or Enchanted Forest, as the grandchildren call it)! Thanking the Lord for a good time together.

Some of the children love to go fishing in our little pond, too. here CJ snags a little bluegill. According to CJ, it is bigger than it looks, because it is turned sideways!

Sadie was going for a fish, but look at this big turtle she snagged! Lad is wondering if it would make a good snack. It was released back into its murky home, much to its relief!

Ladies relax after lunch, while the little ones and daddies keep picking those sweet, abundant berries!

We close out Here and There with William, enjoying the bounties of Florida. Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful life you have given us. Tough times or abundance, You are faithful to provide for Your people.