Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Well, Thanksgiving was two days ago and here at AWESOME ASS ACRES, we're still recovering from turkey, pecan pie and deviled eggs!  I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we did!  We had a full house with our friends and family, the food was excellent, and the memories are many!!  Our friend, Jimmy Martin drove over from Etheridge, TN, on Monday, then on Tuesday, he, another friend, Bonnie Broughton, Larry and I, decided to visit the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, in Graham County, North Carolina.  It was a beautiful drive over on the Cherohala Skyway and an amazing hike through some of the largest trees I've ever seen!  The forest hosts the largest virgin stand of timber in the Eastern United States, with some of the trees dating back 400 years.  Some of the enormous yellow poplars are 20 feet in diameter and stand over 100 feet tall.  Joyce Kilmer is known for his poem "TREES" and this is such a fitting memorial to him.

TREES
By: Joyce Kilmer -- 1886-1918

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

                                                  Jimmy and Larry

                                                    Jimmy Martin

                                                Neat shot looking up

Jimmy and Bonnie

What a great sight to visit, if you're ever in the area!  For more info, click on site below:

http://main.nc.us/graham/hiking/joycekil.html

I have so much to be thankful for...my sweet husband, my healthy, smart, wonderful children, my family, my friends, my animals, the blessing of being able to retire here in the beautiful mountains of Tennessee...the list is endless. 

In fact, this year I've decided that there's NOTHING that I'm not thankful for, because every day, every joy, every heartache, every hardship, makes up this wonderful thing called life and I'm so glad to be part of it!! 

I hope each and every one of you finds joy and happiness in every day, not just during the holidays!  Take care and stop by again!! 

CHRISTMAS SALE!!

I've decided to make use of my blog site, other than the goings on, here at AWESOME ASS ACRES!!  Of course, everyone knows that I paint and sell items on Ebay...now, I've decided to "franchise" my blog!!  The following pieces are favorites of my Christmas buyers and I paint several throughout the season. 
The first one is a mailbox topper, made out of solid wood, about 17" tall and 9" wide.  It will attach to any mailbox, from standard to the oversized ones.  It's finished with several coats of varnish to protect it from the elements and the ribbon and floral pieces are for outdoor use.  These are really cute on your mailbox and are always "attention getters"!!  The price for Rudolph -- $28.00 + $8.00 shipping.

The second picture is of my "Garden Santas".  These are okra pods, dried, painted and varnished for years of use.  They're ready to hang with a red satin ribbon.  The price for one (1) -- $7.00 + $1.50 shipping. 

I'll be glad to offer a discount if you order several.  These are perfect for the folks that you want to remember with something a little different...teachers, mailman, beautician, coach, vet, sitter, co-workers...
You can email me with your order or if you have any questions.  I'll be glad to take checks, money orders or PayPal.
sharonssmule@yahoo.com

I also paint pendants of all types...horses, mules, dogs...Those are $18.00 + $1.50 shipping.
Hope to hear from you in time to get these to you for the holidays!!  Thanks so much!!

YOUR PICKLES ARE ON THE WAY!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ELAINE from Georgia, on being the winner of my blog giveaway!!  Thanks to everyone that took the time to leave comments!!  I appreciate your humor and interest!!  I'll be having another giveaway in the future, so watch and be ready...never know what might be brewing here at AWESOME ASS ACRES!!  Thanks again!! 

Another "new" venture!

A farming friend from Minnesota ordered a pendant for his daughter's birthday...wanted a Golden Retriever that looked similar to her dog, Izzy.  As I said in a previous blog, I'm having lots of fun painting different dog breeds...this is my first time painting a Golden...real pleased with it!!  Can't wait to hear what she thinks!! 

 ***Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered for my "pickle giveaway"...remember to mention pickles or leave a comment on the "giveaway" post!!!

It's a Corgi Christmas!!

As an artist, you sometimes get caught up with repetition and you find yourself in the proverbial "rut"!  I've painted for over 20 years, met many friends through instructing classes, made a living traveling the craft show circuit and now, I've settled into selling on Ebay.  It's such a world wide market and it's definitely not as strenuous as preparing for a show, with the inventory that you have to paint and have on hand.  I've just recently began painting on canvas and I love it...also, I'm experimenting with different breeds of dogs!  Corgi's are a fun, smart, really cute breed and although I don't currently own one, several of my friends do.  That's the breed I'm having the most fun with right now, so I wanted to post the last 2 paintings that I've completed.  The Christmas living room scene is sold and the snow scene is currently on Ebay.  Let me know what you think...I take criticism well and suggestions are welcome!!  Thanks to all!!

FALL GIVEAWAY! COMMENT TO WIN!!

There's so many bloggers that offer items to be given away during certain times of the year...so I've decided to jump on the mule wagon!!  As my blog sometimes mention, we have a good size garden every year, here at AWESOME ASS ACRES.  We freeze, can, sell, give away vegetables, throughout the growing season and enjoy the process of it all.  Our favorite canned item is, by far, my red sweet pickles.  I've been using this recipe for about 20 years and it's ALWAYS a favorite of anyone that likes sweet pickles.  They're sooooo good with any kind of meat dish and are a pretty addition to any meal!  Crispy, sweet, would remind you of candied apples at the fair!

I will be giving away a pint jar full of these delicious, sweet, crispy pickles + the hard to find recipe! 

The drawing will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 8PM, using a random number generator.  I will contact the winner by email.

Directions to participate:
Each time you leave a comment on this particular post = 1 entry
Each time you leave a comment on any post on my blog AND mention pickles = 1 entry
Each time you mention my blog in your blog = 2 entries
If you pass this info on and that person gives you as a reference = 2 entries
If you leave a comment and you're a current follower OR if you become a follower = 2 entries

I'd love to get as many folks involved as possible, so tell your friends, email your contacts, spread the word any way you'd like!!!  BELIEVE ME -- these pickles are worth your entry, so have fun and GOOD LUCK!!

*Due to shipping, this drawing will only apply to continental US residents.

BACK PAINTING...MORE PICS FROM TRIP!

After our return from our East Coast trip, we packed up again and headed to Cades Cove, our favorite campground in the mountains!  Had some rain, but it was still very relaxing and there's nothing like tent camping when it's cool weather!  Big campfire every night, cozy sleeping bags, quietness all around, making new friends and those beautiful mountains!!  I'm back painting today...planning on some pendants and a set of bowls for Halloween.  We're hoping to head over to Etheridge, TN next weekend and help our friend, Jimmy, drive wagon tours through the Amish community there.  He's covered up this time of the year...even had the pleasure of having Ms. Wynonna Judd on a tour this past week...sure wish I could've been there - you know with my singing country music and all!!!  We might have worked out some kind of partnership tour, who knows!!  Well, for now, my focus is on getting some pendants painted, featuring his black and white spotted Percheron draft team...Babe and Lil' Huey...I hope they'll sell for souvenirs of the tour!  I've also posted a picture of Eddington, one of the standing stallions at Claiborne Farms, in Paris, KY.  Take care and come back soon!!