Sweet Southern Journey: February 2009

2/28/2009

So much fun

Yummy ! Muscadine jelly this morning with my biscuit. Timmy and I made several jars

this past summer to enjoy on cold winter days. We had so much fun making it together,I love him so much ! I can't wait until the muscadines are ready this summer. As a family , we enjoyed gathering them so much that we picked for neighbors and friends as well.Timmy made Matthew a long pole to shake the ones off that were up really high, and when they would fall, it would be raining grapes, then we would all crawl around on the ground and pick them up, such a great time !

Muscadines are a grapevine species native to the present-day southeastern U.S. that has been extensively cultivated since the 16th Century. Muscadine grapes are rich sources of polyphenols and other nutrients studied for their potential health benefits. Muscadines are not only eaten fresh, but also are used in making wine, juice, and jelly. I hope to make some homemade wine this year.

Simple things are so good. I am learning each day not to take for granted one minute of the time we are given, for each breath is a gift from God. In the past, I tried to control everything. I am trying to change that by realizing, we can not control the future, change the past, only live, laugh, give and love more each day.

2/27/2009

Fishing ~

We are a fishing family, all love to fish, we don't get to very much, but really enjoy it when we do. Josh and Matthew went fishing, didn't catch anything, but fishing isn't always about the catch. They have a great time just being together. I am so blessed to have two amazing sons that love each other so much.Josh was in 6th grade when Matthew was born. Everyone always asked " Why did you wait so long ?" We had said we did not plan to have anymore children but coming from families and having siblings, we knew Josh needed a sibling and we at that time decided we really wanted a new baby.Although, they have many years between them, Matthew is now in 6th grade,they get along great, they have so many things in common. They both love the outdoors,nature, dogs, fishing, hunting, family and most of all each other.In Matthews eyes, Josh can do not wrong, he loves his big brother. It truly blesses my heart to know they will always be there for each other.

WHAT IS A BROTHER ?

What is a brother? Someone who is there when you are hurting
He picks you up and dusts you off again
What is a brother? Someone who sees you are without a smile
And he gives you one of his and gives you a hug just especially for you
What is a brother? Someone who stands by your side and holds your hand when things don’t go well,He helps you to understand
What is a brother? A cherished friend for life a brother by blood and love.

To my siblings today I say I love you.
Micheal- My older brother, the wise one.
Marilyn- My older sister, the kind,caring one.
Debbie- My older sister, floating on a cloud with my mom in heaven.
Keith- My older brother, the quiet, gentle one.
Ross- My older brother, the free spirit.
Sara- My younger sister, the intelligent,independent one.
Susie- My younger sister, the baby and the sweet,tender hearted one.

Thank you for your love.

2/26/2009

New to blogging ~

I am new to this journey of blogging, but have been online reading and enjoying other beautiful blogs that have truly blessed my life. One that has been my favorite and I never miss a post is from my dear cousin by marriage, sweet Diane.I love Diane and she is one of my lovely sisters in Christ and I loved Terry as well. They

have both blessed mine and Timmys lives over the years.My blog is in memory and honor of my dear mother, who was also my dear friend. We lost her to a battle with breast cancer 3 yrs ago this March 22, which is also my sweet older sisters birthday, whom I love dearly. As I sit typing, I had wanted my first blog to be about prayer, so it came to mind that as a child, my mother would ask my two younger sisters and I to say our nightly prayer before we laid down to go to sleep. I can still hear her say the words as we repeated them as young girls.

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

If I should die before I wake

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

I also said this with my sons and I pray they will do the same one day with their young ones. I just hope that my blog will bless someone as Dianes and many others have blessed me.