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.

More Updating . . .

Mother's Day was a wonderful day for me -- spending a quiet, restful day with daughter Molly and her family, and receiving sweet phone calls from my distant children. Beth and Molly have posted sweet, honoring posts here:

www.thedischerfamily.blogspot.com (is that little "fluffy" girl really me?

and here: www.thestricklenfamilyblog.blogspot.com It was a special day.

More (actually the first!) pictures from my extended stay in Arkasouri:

One day, we piled Beth and her children and Ashley and her children into the RV (happened to be the only vehicle that would hold everyone) and took off for the wonderful Morningland Dairy about 2 hours away. We already buy from Morningland and have the outstanding raw cheese shipped here to Florida, but we thought "what a great way to save shipping charges!" Here, Adventurous Beth takes the wheel of the RV, and Kitty helped out driving, too, but Grandmother did NOT venture behind the wheel on the curvy mountain roads!


Peter has his own way to handle motion sickness. Paul says, "they don't call me Re-Pete for nothing!" Like big brother, like little brother.

On the way up, we stopped at the Dawt Mill, one of Ozark County's historic old mills. Thankfully, these mills are being restored, and this one has a lovely restaurant and old buildings for visitors. Kitty and Sarah give baby Clay a tour. Notice the interesting posts on the old lodge in the background -- unfinished tree trunks!

We decided to eat outside, where the balcony hangs over the "Something" Fork River (forgot the name). Interesting for an acrophobiac like me!

No, baby Clay, no salad yet! Ashley has that maneuver down to a T!

Everyone enjoyed the huge burgers and fresh battered onion rings.

Two little rascals study the menu. The catalyst for Emma Jane's new haircut was her attempt to give herself and Savannah a trim. She chopped hers up drastically, but thankfully, she was discovered before Savannah lost much of hers!
Everyone was fascinated by the falls and rapids on the river.

The dairy farmer explains the procedure for making cheese -- raw and grassfed, which we believe has abundant health benefits. And it is delicious!

Back home again after a lovely day, though full of curves and hills. I love this view.
Gracie is a born Pied Piper of little ones. She loves them and they gravitate to her. Here, she and Savannah find a perch in a tree and explore "tootles". Grace plays beautifully, and I bet it won't be long before Savannah is making music, too!

Grace also loves theology. Here, she and RG discuss some finer points. What a blessing to see them devour the Word!

One morning, when Granddaddy was there, we piled some little ones on the golf cart and explored a little (the golf cart won't go where the Polaris will, so it was just a little exploration!)
Out in the pasture, sweet cousins Andrew and Rosie give a ride to Savannah and Emma, to avoid the prickly pear.

Their reward -- the "little" creek, just the right size for little people to explore. Clear, beautiful water.
Sometimes, the deep swimming hole in the big creek is the place to be, with big brothers and sisters and mamas and daddies, but for younger ones, this creek is perfect!

More pictures to come. Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful visit to the northern Dayspring.

First Things First

Well, it is so good to be home after nearly a month in Missouri!While I was spending wonderful quality and quantity time with sweet children and grandchildren in the upper Mid-South U.S., (I mean, what do you call the Ozark region -- South?? Midwest??), my faithful "elder in the gates" patriarch-husband was sounding out truth loud and clear here in Florida. He organized and hosted a large gathering of patriots and concerned central Floridians in our home. It wasn't supposed to work out that he was "hostess-less", but we trust the Lord knew best, and I want to thank the kind and competent "substitute hostesses" who filled in for me on the evening of April 16.
Sweet Stricklen granddaughters Callie, Mary, Margaret Anne, and Abigail know my heart and my home as well as I do, and they faithfully clean and serve (and play Celtic melodies!) when we have events at Grandmama's. They are here, working in the background, when no one else knows. Thank you, darlin girls!

"Adopted granddaughters" Amanda and Jessica, who also went on the first leg of the "Arkasouri" trip with us, were right there helping, serving, running errands, and helping in any way they could. Thank you, dears.

The dear Franklin family pitched in to make the event successful -- what a generous spirit of service they exemplify! Not just for these events, but every week for church set-up. Thanks, faithful friends!

The event featured Mr. David Zanotti, of the American Policy Roundtable http://www.aproundtable.org/ whose organization has faithfully worked for decades to strengthen America's foundations. As they state on their website:

"A generation ago, a handful of "ordinary people" began meeting together out of a growing concern for America. Their conversations, prayers, and research led to the founding of an "extraordinary" public policy effort that would blossom into the American Policy Roundtable.

Recognizing that America is - at its core - a commitment to ideas and principles, the Roundtable was established with the mission of restoring the historic Judeo-Christian principles to American public policy. The Roundtable seeks to fulfill this mission statement by meeting three core objectives:

1) Rekindling the American Spirit -- by telling the story of Liberty everyday.
2) Building networks of leaders, who will help others join in the adventure of responsible citizenship.
3) Overcoming evil in civil society by promoting positive alternatives in public policy."

Take some time to explore their site and appreciate all they are doing "behind the scenes". My husband is impressed with their integrity and dedication, not an accolade he hands out lightly. Joining together with like-minded believers is crucial in these times.

Just wanted to say, Thank You, Sweeties! I have heard many good comments about how beautiful everything was and what a nice job you all did. If I couldn't be here, I am glad y'all were! You have been a blessing to me! Thank you, Lord, for dear, faithful ones who love to serve!

Now that it's been . . .

. . . almost a month ( ! ) since I last posted here, I want to quickly update. Hopefully, pictures will be coming soon. We left FL April 5 (leaving most of the sweeties there, including brand new little Nathaniel) for a week or so in Missouri. Granddaughter Abigail came with us, as did two "adopted" granddaughters, Amanda and Jessica.

Well, cell phone coverage is very scant at the Missouri property (I use my cell phone for a modem), and little did I know that Danny would take off and fly back to Florida, along with the 3 girls, leaving me in Missouri! So, pictures may take a while to upload, given the fickleness of ATT coverage!

It has been a blessed time here, but after 45 years of marriage (in November), it isn't the same without my Sweetheart, my Hot Fudge Sundae! He returned for me yesterday (Friday) and, the Lord willing, we will be on the road Monday back to all the sweet Florida babies.

What a sweet time I have had with the Arkasouri sweeties! Since I was here a while, we got into the routine each day of Savannah and Emma Jane coming over to Grandmama's for letter sound and recognition pre-reading activities. There precious little minds are so ready to absorb learning ( for 5 or 10 minutes anyway), and now is the time to make it normal and adventurous to learn. No pressure, just a good time with Grandmama -- and the "goldfish" treats don't hurt either!

We have been thrift-storing, creek-watching, gardening, bird-watching (Missouri birds are so different from Florida birds!), mill-visiting (the beautiful and historic Dawt Mill) and touring the dairy that makes our favorite raw milk cheese, Morningland Dairy. Of course, nightly bluegrass and Celtic music sessions and heart-filling devotions are a blessed memory! And Scrabble! Who could forget almost-daily Scrabble matches! Gracie, Grandmama has met her match!

Well, I hope to get pictures up soon, but just wanted to let you know we are still here, or in Florida, or somewhere in between!!

When Cousins Come to Town . . .

The Dischers recently visited (only a couple of weeks after becoming citizens of Missouri!), and when cousins come to town, creative events will happen! Hmmmm . . . what shall we do? I know! A garden party! But the garden is in transition from winter garden to spring! Oh, nevermind . . . it will still be wonderful. Let's get moving and set everything up. Then let's dig out the lovely spring prints and hats. No mind that it is still coolish and windy today. Let's have a garden party!

Margaret Anne contemplates hats, teas, linens, finger sandwiches, cookies . . . (and grandmother contemplates where in the world that blue line has come from and how in the world can she get rid of it!)
Emma Jane tries on a lovely hat. Hmmm, probably a little too heavy and Eastern European for this event!

Mary greets us with a cup of hot tea, while she maintains her hat status. I guess EJ decided to go hatless.

Mama/Aunt Molly sits at the little table (where did that scowling prince come from??)

The granny corner is just the right spot for Grandma Sue and me (hey, I said it was a breezy day, okay!)
Young ladies fill their plates with dainties, homemade scones and lemon curd. Everything was delicious.

The lovely maidens' table. It was a beautiful day, despite the winds.

Wonderful fellowship and conversation. The time for beloved cousins to leave for home will come too soon.

Margaret Anne shows off her babies, the Brussels sprouts. We enjoyed them a few days later. Nothings better than wonderful fresh produce from the Stricklens' garden!

Aunt Beth with another interloper prince! What fun we had with Baby Paul while he was here!

Callie displays one of the remaining (huge) collard plants. These are so delicious!

Amanda snuggles with her little buddy before they sweep him off to Missouri.

Abby in her gracious hostess mode. We had a wonderful time, Abby!

Rosie and her "other cousin", the Lady of the Garden.

Two of my sweet, godly daughters and me. What a wonderful day we had. We miss you, Dischers, but what a blessing to have the Stricklens nearby!