LET'S ALL REMEMBER...

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.

~Daniel Webster~

Thank you to all that have sacrificed to keep our wonderful country free and our rights protected. May God bless you and the loved ones you leave behind, while in service or in death.

NEW ADDITION OR OBSESSION??

Well, we've added another feline to our group...a neighbor found this little lone survivor, in a street in town, (his siblings weren't as lucky) and brought him to AWESOME ASS ACRES. We think he's about 8-9 weeks old. We've named him Jerry and he's soooo full of himself!! I've wondered about this cat thing...the older I get, the more cats appeal to me. I've always loved them, but horses and dogs use to take top billing. Now, the felines seem to be outnumbering the equine and canines! You know, I've heard of folks that hoard 30, 40 ++++ cats and then, when they're found out about, it's off to the "funny farm", and we all know, that "farm" is nothing like our farm, here at AWESOME ASS ACRES! Somebody, anybody, (Elaine or Donna, you're the closest!) please arrange an intervention if it looks like I'm headed that way!! BTW, he's #8 and very tickled to be here!

MULES & MORE!

Alot of you know by now, that we operate a small farm (AWESOME ASS ACRES) in East Tennessee, near the beautiful Smoky Mountains. We have an assortment of animals, and we love all of them, but we have a farm because of our horses and mules! I decided to post some pictures of them today on this dreary, wet Sunday!! The dark sorrel/bay is Maude, the spotted App mule, is the holder of my heart, King Solomon and the young light sorrel is our yearling, Cha-Cha. The dark chocolate is Minnie, Cha-Cha's mom and a Haflinger cross and the beauty with the blonde locks is Dolly, a full Haflinger...we ride the mules and the horses are our wagon team. Some of you have asked about our animals and I thought I'd re-introduce them!! Take care from AAA!!

'COONS AND COLTS...WHAT COULD BE CUTER???

OMG!!! How have I painted this long and not tried canvas?? It just goes to show you, that age has NOTHING to do with trying something new and learning from it!! I started this piece yesterday and finished it this morning. I have it on Ebay now! It did take me several hours to complete, but I LOVE IT!! Sorry, did I sound like I was pleased with my work?...Well, I'm a big advocate of "patting yourself on the back" occasionally! I was fortunate to be raised by a daddy that re-enforced that sentiment on a daily basis and I think that it was THE most effective aspect of my childhood. He believed that if you worked hard, did your best, and then, was pleased with your end result, that you should let folks know! That's not to be confused with being arrogant and conceited, but it helps boost your self-esteem, to be able to appreciate your own dedicated involvement. That particular contribution from my daddy, has affected me in every area of my life. I worked hard in my job choices, I worked hard to have a successful marriage and I've worked hard to raise my children to be self sufficient and be as proud of their results, as I am!!

Just remember, when you're confident, you'll venture out with new things and feel that you'll succeed. If you're having trouble trying something new, JUST DO YOUR BEST and be tickled with it!! Take care from AWESOME ASS ACRES!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS!

I wanted to write a post to thank folks for stopping by, reading and commenting on my blog! I've always been one to keep a journal, (hand written, in the past) and blogging has really been fun for me! I enjoy "reporting" from here at AWESOME ASS ACRES, and it's a way for friends and kin to keep up with what's going on!! It's also a great way to meet new friends that might share the same interests, lifestyle, ideas or would like to! Of course, I love it when folks comment, (that way, I know you've stopped in) and it's also fun to see where folks are from...I don't travel too far from home!! Anyhow, I wanted to say "THANK YOU" for taking the time to share my thoughts and simple times here...and please continue with your visits and comments!!

MOUSE CREEK NURSERY, RICEVILLE, TN

To supplement my husband's retirement, I sit with a dear, elderly lady (Peggy)4 hours a day, Monday - Friday. She's 86 and the MOST proficient gardener I've ever met. She has a beautiful yard full of daylillies, poppies, iris, roses, begonias, azealeas, wisteria, peonies, all types of ferns...the list goes on and on! Of course, she doesn't drive any more, so come springtime, I'm her transportation to any nursery in the area!! Today, we made a trip to Mouse Creek Nursery, in Riceville, Tn, about 10 miles from my house. It was my first time, but WILL NOT be my last. I've posted some pics from our visit...I'm not sure of the different variety of flowers, but I did find the Hosta House and I'm in love...I found verigated, blue, green...all, perfect for my perennial bed around the oak tree at the corner of our house! I've added the link to their website...be sure to visit and read about the beautiful little church that they moved and restored on their property...it dates back to 1855.

http://www.mousecreekperennials.com/index.html

If you're ever in the area, be sure to look them up...it's well worth the visit! AND, if you're that close, be sure to stop by AWESOME ASS ACRES...we don't have a historical church or acres of perennials, but we do have the prettiest spotted "ass" in the country!! We'd love to have you!!

WHAT DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!

Just wanted to post a picture of the same view looking toward Chilhowee Mountain...except this one was taken this morning about 9AM. The other one was taken just yesterday. I think we all need to remember the "moral" of this particular post, especially in these rough times. We all face troubles in this life, some more than others, but when it's the darkest, remember the difference a day makes! Everyone, take care!!

SOGGY SUNDAY AT AWESOME ASS ACRES!

Some little Halloween kitties

One of 3 raccoon canisters

Our bell post out front

Looking toward Chilhowee Mtn

Our old church bell dated 1921

Third day of rain and more's comin'! Larry's garden's showing some green...YEAA!...the barn lot's deep in muck, but at least, I've been inside painting!! I've posted some pics that were taken today...the bell that's shown, is one that I bought at an estate sale about 20 years ago. It has a sweet history to it...thought I'd share!

My mother-in-law and I use to have a weekly tradition of shopping every yard sale within 25 miles of Alpharetta, GA (our hometown, at the time). One Friday morning, we found an estate sale that had bunches of great stuff, priced right! As we wandered through the old house, Mrs. Anderson mentioned that she knew the older gentleman hosting the sale. He had married a childhood friend of hers, but had recently became widowed. He was busy with selling, so we kept shopping in the house and the barn out back. We found this old bell, along with a large cast iron wash pot. When he came to assist us with any info., he mentioned that both items had belonged to his late wife's family. His father-in-law had been a country preacher at a small, local church and that the building had burnt years ago...Mrs. Anderson stopped him at that point and said, "That bell almost got us a whippin' many a time...I know all about it". She went on to explain that after the church house burnt, her friend's daddy had put it up in his yard. When she and her friend walked home from school, they would always want to ring that big bell. Each time, the tolling would call the daddy in from the fields, thinking there was trouble of some sort and each time, he'd threatened to thrash both girls...never did, though! After that little visit in history, there's nothing that would have kept me from buying that bell...$50.00 put it in my truck and it's been in our yard ever since! To top it off, the yoke is dated 1921 and the bell was cast at the Chattanooga Foundry, long closed down! It measures 24" and still rings loud and clear!! We still use it when we need to call someone up from the "back 40"!! No wonder 2 little girls were so tempted to pull that rope!! Take care and stay dry, wherever you are...AND come back soon!!