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tree at the shakespeare festival garden



chilton county peaches



third generation



swamp



schoolhouse rots

to market, to market (no pigs were harmed in this post)

handsome, yes? yes....it's rare they pose and even rarer you get them both to smile. so, of course this is going to be printed for the mantle.

last night i had a pity party of one. then i picked myself up, rolled my hair and met my sister and the nephews at the opening fresh market at hampstead. hampstead is this gorgeous development where my sister is the property manager - it is a planned area with shops, houses, lofts, and yummy restaurants. the market has a good beginning with lots of fresh produce (you know how much i love fresh produce) and last night i snagged a lovely pint of homemade chicken salad. oh how i love well made chicken salad. it was a fun place with lots of cute dogs, peaches, great characters and sweet children. i love to see their little sweaty and red faces when they climb out of the bouncy jumping thing. too bad the nephews are too old now. (pout)



now, before any smart comments about the boys hair - i have this theory, plus i grew up in the 70s. as long as its clean and fresh, i don't really care how long it is. i also believe the more people fuss and razz them about their hair, the more the boys will want to exert control over the one thing they can control in their lives. the oldest talked about how people stare at it ... i told him to 'own' it. if it is his fashion statement, to embrace the stares. i think it may have taken too well as i noticed a little strut developing last night.







after, we had dinner in this cute new place that is termed 'country cooking' where i finally had chicken and waffles. now, many people think this sounds weird but let me tell you...it was so yummy. something about the salty and sweet together was heaven!! as we were leaving, the sun was setting a glorious peach that deepened to red.



life is not wonderful but, it is filled with wonderful parts ... like my nephews' smiles, a good dinnner, the company of love, a sunset painted with beautiful and glorious color, a home to return to and the safety of my bed. it isn't as much as some but it is plenty more than a majority of this world has. so i'm grateful and content with those facts. i know where my next meal comes from. i am warm, clothed and clean. i have friends and family who care. i have eyes to see and ears to listen.

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my fab new blog banner was made by my friend, lecia. thanks girl - i love it!

the benefits of waking early

yesterday after getting lost going to the lake...i found sunflowers, stock and some old bottles at a new flea market. this morning i got up early for the farmer's market where i found peaches, blackberries, peas, butter beans, okra and fried pies. oh man - it's been so long since i've had a fried pie from the farmer's market. (nevermind the label saying 'not inspected by the health department - homebaked goods') it was ever so yummy with my morning coffee. you know you wanted a bite.

peas are already cooked. cornbread muffins (previously cooked) are the in the freezer. in about an hour i'll cut up the okra to fry - there will be sliced tomato if you want. i thought about meatloaf too but the veggies may be enough if include sliced peaches and blackberries for dessert. seems like i recall a cobbler recipe somewhere.

next...i need to tackle the yard.

may day may day (not really - but it is may day)

just ever have one of those days where more things work in your life than not work? today was one of those days. though it wasn't all the things i want (no job still), i found a great deal on some photo props and make a major sale in the shop. i'll take those and run with them.

i found wild shrimp in the specialty market yesterday and though they were three dollars more for the pound it was sooooooooooo worth it. i prepared them simply - peeled and deveined, sauteed in the pan with an olive oil/butter combo and some basil/sun dried tomato/garlic seasoning. served with some angel hair they were ever so yummy. next time i would like a bit of mushrooms and perhaps some red bell pepper. if it was just me some asparagus too...but somebody doesn't like asparagus. can you imagine?

tomorrow the farmer's market is also a flea market so i need to get up bright and early. maybe i can find some treasure. and veggies...absolutely some veggies. now i need to go water the flowers because the rain they're getting north of here - it's not here. it's warm, sunny and 85. perfect i think.

above the the latest flowers that i will probably wear out. mary knows the name that i fail to recall. but they remind me of roses i think. you can also see the top of the last thrift find i made - an old milk bottle ($1). i also got another blue ball jar without a lid (also $1). i'm so into glass lately.

hogatha (aka: lizzie) is belly crawling towards me. she knows dinner maybe soon and she's excited. moses continues to ignore me unless i have food or pete's away. then he's all about me. hey - in case you didn't know, the flu is going around. make sure you wash your hands.