Happy Tuesday sweet friends. It has been a year since I posted a This & That. It is past time to catch up!
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Romans 12:17-18
Grab a cup of coffee or tea and find a comfortable chair as I share some memorable moments from everyday life in our Appalachian Foothills!
We love sunflowers and this is a favorite photo from last July. Our sunflowers will be blooming soon, and I am excited to see their bright yellow faces! Since RM’s retirement, he has had so many projects on his to-do list. He has done the bulk of the work in the garden, I just mainly weed and give suggestions!
EK had her fourth birthday in March! Our daughter-in-love does a great job planning the children’s parties. EK chose a Nutcracker Ballet theme for her party after her mother took both girls to see the Alabama Ballet perform The Nutcracker. EK cried when the performance was over, she wanted to see more. The girls help bake their birthday cakes and cookies. After dinner, birthday cake, and opening presents, the girls had planned a surprise! Excitement was building and finally…the girls performed ballet for our enjoyment. The program was rather lengthy and a couple of folks may have nodded off. EM and EK were darling in their tutus and this grandmother loved every minute. EK will begin ballet lessons this fall.
WL had his second birthday in April! This boy loves anything with wheels, especially tractors, bulldozers, backhoes, you get the idea. He is full of energy and keeps everyone on their toes! His cake was a construction site, so cute! I don’t know how our DIL does it all!!
Our oldest, EM celebrated her seventh birthday in May. She had about fifteen friends over for her party. You might guess the theme was ballet. All of our photos had other children in them and I would not share them unless I had permission from their parents. As a very prejudiced PJ, I thought EM’s ballet photo was breathtaking. How can she possibly be seven?? She is very smart and reads at a fifth or sixth grade level. EM is a loving and protective big sister. I still hope to get a photo from the photographer without a watermark!
The grands love for Da to play with them. He keeps them entertained for hours. When I was taking the first photo, I had tears streaming down my face. All of the Tonka toys belonged to our son, and Da has kept them all these years. This was WL’s first time to play with them and he loved every minute being in the dirt and building roads. They are made out of metal and are very heavy. Da loves to act silly with the girls and they love spending time with him as much as he loves to be with them. WL was too short for the slide, but Da came to the rescue!
Easter Sunday!
When the girls spend the night, they like for me to roll their hair with these old sponge rollers. They stayed with us last Friday night and they rolled my hair. Thankfully, no photo was taken!
I was surprised to open my July/August Southern Lady Magazine and find my Tea On Tuesdays (top row, center) inaugural post. It is a small photo, but I still get excited.
Last August my 1972 high school graduating class celebrated our 50th anniversary. We were a large high school to be a small city. There were close to five hundred in my graduating class. The five of us began first grade together in the same class. We grew up within a two mile radius of each other. Three of us girls still live in the same small city. I could not believe fifty years had come and gone. So many classmates had passed away.
This was my formal graduation photo! The only change is I now have bangs(haha). Hopefully our son will one day get around to restoring the photo!
Each year a group of high school friends spend an October weekend in Mentone, AL, a quaint little town in the NE AL mountains. Let’s just say what happens in Mentone, stays in Mentone! We talk, eat, talk, eat….and eat some more! Seriously, these are the sweetest friends.
Since our last This & That we have taken trips to three of our favorite places. (1) The Swag next to the Great Smoky National Park last July, (2) celebrating our 50th at Triple Creek Ranch in Montana, (3) my ?? birthday at Old Edwards in Highlands, NC. RM has planned another wonderful trip in a couple of months.
I never remember seeing this photo of my Daddy and me until yesterday. It was taken on my birthday at my brother’s and SIL’s home in 2008. I do not remember these glasses!??! So many of you ask about my sweet Daddy from time to time. He is doing well, still lives at home by himself, has a great mind, and will be 93 in October. I rarely miss a day visiting with him. I call him at least three times a day, sometimes I am his wake-up call. In all of my growing up years and adult life, I have never seen him angry. He is the most contented person I have ever known and is loved by all who know him. Our son and family take dinner every Wednesday night. After they eat pizza, our three grands sit in his lap as he entertains them with his funny sense of humor. My brother and I take care of his meals, groceries, and anything he might need. We are so thankful for his wisdom and Godly influence!
We have lots and lots of photos from our 50th anniversary celebration. This photo wasn’t in our 50 Golden Years post. Butch and I genuinely loved every minute of that special evening. My face says it all! I am beyond thankful for a lifetime spent with this kind, gentle, sensitive, talented, and funny man that loves God and our family. I could never ask for more.
Thank you for indulging me as I have shared a slice of my heart and our everyday living. Each one of you are special and we appreciate your love and encouragement. Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Good Morning Pam! Love seeing the photos or your beautiful family and sweet grands! EM’s photo is beautiful, what a perfect little ballerina! It’s so wonderful your sweet daddy is in good health and able to live by himself. My MIL would have been 93 this year and we miss her every day. Congrats on your your TOT feature in the latest issue of SL magazine! I’ll haven’t looked at my issue yet, Happy Tuesday. ♥
Thank you, Mary! We are grateful for Daddy’s health. His BP is almost perfect!
Good morning Pam! What a beautiful year you all have had! What a treasure to have your Daddy and to have him in such good health! Hallelujah!
The ballerina girls must have enjoyed their birthday parties. The picture of EM is quite stunning! Oh and the sponge rollers gave me a chuckle. As I used them when I was a little girl!
And congratulations on your magazine feature! Woo Hoo!
Happy Tuesday!
Thank you, Nancy! We are so thankful for Daddy’s health!
It is a hot one today here in the South!
Lots of rain here!
We had lots of rain last week!
Happy Tuesday, Pam! I so enjoyed catching up this morning! All of your grandbabies are adorable! It is always fun to see what they are up to. The Easter photo is my favorite. Their smiles are precious! I remember sponge rollers, and thought the girls were so cute! The opening photo of the sunflowers is gorgeous. Congratulations on your Southern Lady feature. Your tea and table settings are always breathtaking. Enjoy your day, sweet friend!
Thank you Shannon for your sweet comments. Life is full,
but we are loving every minute of it!
Each face at each stage of life outshines any flower you could ever post. What a beautiful bouquet of people you’ve gathered in your life! (and the pink sponge rollers – what a cute hoot!).
Thank you, Leslie Anne. Yes. my people are a beautiful bouquet! I like that!!
What a beautiful post Pam, you are truly blessed! The pictures of your grands are always adorable, the professional photo of EM is breathtaking, she looks just like a princess. You are so lucky that you all live close by and can help your Dad, he sounds amazing. I saved a lot of my children’s toys too and it is so special to see the grands enjoying the same toys. Congrats on the Southern Lady feature, I can certainly see why they chose one of your beautiful photos!
Jenna
Jenna, as you know being a grandmother is the best! RM lives five mile from where he grew up and nine for me. We almost moved to Colorado after a couple of years of marriage. I am so glad we didn’t. It is already hot, stay cool today!
Pam, this post really tells the beautiful story of your everyday life. Your grandchildren are so beautiful. So blessed to have your wonderful Dad. The life you and Butch have created is quite the example of trusting God, creating a beautiful life with your son, DIL and these beautiful children. I loved seeing you with your friends. They just add more joy to life. Congratulations on your Southern Lady feature..so well deserved. You are such an amazing person and mean so much to me. What a great year you have had!
Dianne, you are a sweetheart! I appreciate all of your kind words, they warm my heart!
So lovely to catch up with all your fun goings-on! And so fun to share your joy in your family and friends – that’s what life’s all about! CONGRATS on your magazine feature too! It may not be what life’s all about, but it sure adds to the happiness! 🙂 Take care and thanks as always for your inspiration in every way!
Thank you, Barbara for your sweet comments! Wishing you a wonderful week!
I love slice of life posts like this one, Pam. She’s four already? When/how did that happen?! And she looks so grown up. Love the cake and balloons. And EM — what a gorgeous ballerina. Wyatt — darling. Oh, they’re all so cute. Love the sunflowers and the photo with your dad. In your high school photo, you looked much like my first college roomie. It took me back Happy week!
Jeanie, thank you for the sweet comments that warm my heart. Happy week to you!
I love, love, love this! The ballerina photo is truly beautiful. How did EM become so grownup? And EK and Wyatt are just precious and growing like weeds. I love the sponge rollers…The torture we went through sleeping in those things!! Your dad is so tall standing next to you! What a wonderful family that you all look out for each other with such loving care. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Thank you, sweet friend! We are definitely in summer with temps in the high 90’s’
All the pictures and stories from Nature to family are fabulous. You are so blessed with such a beautiful family. I am so happy to hear your daddy is still independent and loves life. The pics of the grands are always so sweet. Have a great week.
Thank you, Kris. I hope you are enjoying summer!
Beautiful pictures Pam and it must be great to have family and friends close by. EM looks like a princess ballerina! Gosh, I remember those sponge curlers – they were horrible if you had to sleep in them. Thank goodness for curling irons… I love Leslie’s comment about the beautiful bouquet of people that you have gathered – how perfect is that! I hope you have a lovely week.
Kim, it is wonderful that we live so close and I can see my daddy everyday and my grands!
Cheers to you and your beautiful family! I am so happy you capture so many priceless images to be able to share them with your dear readers, including me!
Thanks for your sweet comments, Mary!
“Happiness blooms where seeds of love and joy are planted” Bless you, Pam, Butch and your dear Family for the sweet echo of God’s Love you generously share with so many. Your Children and Grands are so beloved and loving… Sweet Daddy, dedicated and inspiring… That blessed whole corner of your heart’s home is a veritable Eden. Pam, if I had my druthers, your table setting would be on the front cover of Southern Lady……
Mary, as always your comments are heartwarming. I hope you are inside and staying cool, dear one!
Sorry I’m late Pam. My phone died and it’s been a journey getting the new one up and running. This is the very best This and That. I teared up knowing EK cried when The Nutcracker was over. She felt that in her little heart and I do every time I see it. The music moves me. EM’s portrait is beautiful. I just stared at it. I know you are so very proud of your grands as I would be. You show us how families are suppose to care for each other. What a joy for me to be included as being your friend. Your daddy is a sweet sweet man and you must have gotten lots of his kind ways. It was a special year with your anniversary a central theme and Butch followed in your dads path. This post is a keeper.
Sweet Alice you don’t worry about being late. Whenever you can comment it brightens my day. Your words warm my heart and are so encouraging. Yes, even though we have never met in person, I count you as a dear friend!
PS New phones and iPads always cause me problems. I hope you have everything working.
Pam Thank You for sharing these lovely photos. Happy Birthday Year to EK,.Wil,and EM full of happiness,love and blessings. The photo of EM is just beautiful. Your girls are real girly,girly and your Wil is all boy. They are precious.
Happy Days
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Thanks so much sweet friends. I appreciate your lovely comments!
thank you Pam for sharing a little of this and a little of that….what wonderful memories you have and to be able to be with your Dad on a daily basis is indeed a blessing. God has Blessed you with a God fearing husband and family…I believe you have set a good example for the little ones, you and Butch. May God continue to Bless you and keep you in His care.
I enjoyed this post so very much. Lovely. Such a treat. You have a beautiful family. God has truly blessed you. Enjoy each moment together. Cherish them.
Thanks so much, Sherry. We are doing our best to enjoy and cherish each moment that God gives us!
Pam, This is a wonderful post! We lost power Sunday evening around 7 and it was restored before noon today. There are so many trees down from straight line winds and they took the power poles with them. The winds were 80+ mph. After all the stress of the heat with no power, I’m so glad to get to see these pics. They are all so special! Your sweet Daddy looks so good. We’re so happy you still have him in your life. The children are really growing up. They look so happy and have such a great family support system. The memories they have will include so many wonderful Christian people. You and Butch are a cute couple. I’m so blessed to have your blog in my life. Stay cool! Clara ❤️
P. S. Congratulations on being featured in the magazine. It was a gorgeous tea table! The magazine has good taste! Clara❤️
Thank you, dear one ♥️
Clara, did you have damage at your home? This is so terrible for families to endure. I am so very sorry. You were without power for a long time and that is bad enough, but add the heat and it is doubly bad. I am so glad that you are safe and hope that you didn’t receive damage.
Thank you for your sweet comments and we are blessed to have you in our lives. Stay cool, my friend ♥️
Praise God, no damage! The trees were well away from the house but they are big, tall oak trees. Where they are, we can cut them up gradually in the fall. We’re in an an excessive heat warning now and there are still people without power. I feel so sorry for them. Stay cool my friend! ❤️
Oh Pam…No words… What wonderful post…The most beautiful … Precious and unique. God bless you all. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you sweet friend!
capturing random pictures of family times together is sheer joy, isn’t it? i’m always aiming to get the spontaneous shot … so many of yours capture that joyful abundance.
God is good.
Thank you, Linda. Amen, God is good!
What a beautiful, interesting post! I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your life with us here!
Thank you sweet friend!