American Pickers

No, not the television series where the two guys drive cross country pickin up super cool junk and antiques........just me and my lil guy pickin some delicious fresh fruits and veggies!

He's the best helper in the world so we have been out in the orchard most afternoons picking sweet juicy plums....I should probably make jelly with them but they're just SO good on their own. What we don't eat, we give away to grandmas and our  wonderful neighbor. The corn actually came from his field. He plants two HUGE gardens every year. Not because he loves fresh vegetables (doesn't eat them at all) but because he loves to drive a tractor and work the land. So he grows acres of sweet corn, peas, tomatos, watermelons, potatoes, peppers....you name it, he grows it......and he gives it away to eveybody on our little county road! Needless to say, Mr. Metcalf is an AWESOME neighbor!!

I should really do a post on him. Truly a unique man. But for now, here's a few shots around my garden.

One of my favorite plants in our yard is our Texas Lilac. While it's not a true Lilac, its flowers resemble one. And since lilacs don't stand up well to our Texas heat,  this tougher, drought tolerant plant is our version. Bees and butterflies love it and to me, it's just so beautiful.

Aaaah....daylillies....one of my favorite flowers. It's getting a little hotter every day here and these guys are lovin it! I can't imagine summer without daylillies. I am blessed to have many of them passed down from my mom and grandmother, as well as the lady we bought our house from last year. She loves them too and there are hundreds of them in my yard!

I can never remember the name of this plant (maybe one of yall can help me out) but I absolutely love it. So light and airy. It meanders around the other flowers and fills in without being invasive. Love!

Jasmine.....oh the fragrance from this one will melt your soul.....this must be exactly what heaven smells like :)

Beautiful golden tomato blossoms. This shot was taken by my Brady (in first photo with me) in his Nana's garden. It's so neat to see the world from a little guys perspective. I didn't even see these tiny blooms but the were eye level for him. And what a great moment he captured! The light is gorgeous!

Well thats it! Thanx for stopping by :)

Join me for Feathered Nest Friday over at French Country Cottage!!

and

Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Wishing you all a blessed Memorial Day Weekend!

xoxo

jenny

Precious Memories.....

Maybe it's because we are moving and starting a new chapter in our lives

Maybe it's because in doing so I have uncovered so many little pieces left behind by my grandparents and the flood of memories and emotions tied to those treasures

Whatever the reason, I have found myself deeply missing the two very special angels who were my grandmothers. They both passed away within the last year and although I know they are healthy, happy and reunited with Christ and so many loved ones that went on before them, the selfish little girl in me sometimes wants them back. I understand this is a normal emotion and it will pass and probably resurface again from time to time.....

My grandmothers were Bobby Jean Tucker (Grandmama, in photo above) and Bobbie Lea Mackey (Mama Bobbie, pictured below with me and mom). My sister and I share their middle names.

They were both incredibly strong women, enduring both physical and emotional pain with grace and courage. They shared a love of gardening which thankfully they passed down to their grandaughters as well :)

One was an excellent southern cook. One preferred to throw a pizza in the oven and color or play dolls with us while it cooked.

One was a skilled seamstress, quilter and crocheter. (is that a word?) One could paint anything, draw anything and play the piano by ear.

One was blessed with a kind, loving husband of 45 years. One was not so fortunate. Her fiance was killed fighting in WWII. She married a few years later but was left behind to raise her children alone. Not by death this time though....by an abusive alcoholic that broke her heart and abandoned his family.

One was strong and healthy well into her 80's. One was burdened with health problems for almost 20 years.

Both loved flea markets....one preferring to scour the "junk" and discover the story behind every piece she found....one preferring to find a new variety of plant or flower she hadn't seen and eat fried green tomatoes.

Both had beautiful handwriting. One wrote long letters to everybody she loved....oh how I cherish those sweet letters. One wrote out her favorite family recipes and slipped them in our Christmas and wedding  presents.

I am so thankful to have been blessed with such amazing women in my life and to have inherited even an ounce of their wisdom, talents, passion and strength.

It is for them that my little jewelry business is named. Not their actual names. One is a nickname given by an aunt. One is a name that is testament to a deep abiding love and faith.

If you're still here after all this rambling, thanks for hanging in there with me. For listening to the memories of an emotional woman/child.

blessings to you and your loved ones

xoxo

jenny