Just in Time for Spring!

 I LOVE this idea, since I've been doing it for years from White Flower Farm.

You can choose your plants online; and they will be shipped out to your home at the right time for planting in your zone. Easy peasy!

I just ordered a bunch of these in the primary colors, above. Gorgeous!

And I ordered some of these gorgeous yellow dahlias! I've always wanted some. Perfect!

And, a few of these, too!

You can order yours through HSN on TV or  HGTV HERE!

I hope they sell out!

Congrats to Randy and Sarah!

Labels: Flowers, Friends

Christmas, Come and Gone

I'm playing catch up, as you can see. Here we are almost to March, and I'm still thinking (and putting away) Christmas! We have been all over the place, the hub and I. We've stayed pretty busy since Thanksgiving. But, as the hub is fond of saying, "It's a good busy." I think it's exactly what the doctor ordered to get me out of my Empty Nester Funk. What better way to enjoy our "golden" years together, albeit a tad early? Regardless of what we may call it, the hub and I have been traveling about. Between his work, our families and our friends, we've been hitting the road pretty regularly since Thanksgiving. I am totally enjoying it! We've worked very hard to get to this stage in our lives and it's so rewarding to be able to enjoy one another, just like we used to. We even had a wonderfully long break at Riverside which was very therapeutic. I have been taking photos of everything, as usual. Just haven't been doing the blog stuff. Solly.

I did, however, have to properly place my new Christmas piece by Natalie Sarabella in Rosa's annals. I was completely humbled by her generosity, once more. I cannot tell you how special all of her pieces are; but this one--with the names of our (the hub and my) families, starting with our parents and all the way to my great nieces and nephews listed--is absolutely heart warming. Of course, I ran out and had it framed. Thank you, my dear friend Nat.

I hated taking it down (like yesterday!) and am now awaiting for Christmas 2013 so I can put it back up!! Wait, wha??? 

I swear, 2012 came and went way too fast. It's kinda scurrrry. 

Labels: Christmas, Sarabella Creations, Friends

Halloween 2012

A very happy Halloween to you all! Hope you get more treats than tricks!!

I am a tad behind in everything, especially decorating. I had to gather my dead body together yesterday and get pumpkins and candy! I was afraid if I didn't put any pumpkins out, we would look like the bah-humbug house! Cannot have that on one of my favorite holidays of the year!

Ooooofy, it took everything I had just to get dressed!

Truth of the matter is I had pneumonia! I was so weak, I didn't even have enough strength to get on the computer! Ugh. It's been a long time since I've been knocked so low. A check-up and more x-rays at the doc's today looked promising.

But, I am on the mend now thanks to friends and family keeping my spirits up. Dar sent these up from her trees in 'bama--Satsumas and Myer lemons!! A little rest, a lotta love and a whole lotta vitamin C is going to do the trick! I'm getting stronger every day!!

It's hell getting old.

Labels: Darlene, Halloween, Health, Friends

America

Love her.

Warts and all.

Happy Fourth. Almost.

Labels: America, Family, Friends, Summer, Riverside

Music in the Ol' Bones

 

Here you see why my brothers and I are so enthralled with music and photography. My father, Bill Ivey (above right) was a professional photographer who took photographs of country stars as a hobby. Here, one of my favorite photos of him, he's with Freddy Fender. (Y'all see what happens when I start looking for something -- like my resume!? I come up with something all together different.)

Stuffed in a drawer (and other places), I found a box of my father's photos that mom had saved.  As you know, one thing leads to another and long story short--over the years, I've had several requests to put together a book of my father's photos. Well, now that I have them all out (and my brother Jim has all of the negatives), what better time than now? This is one of my favorites of mom with one her faves,  Faron Young.

A lot of my parents' love of country music stems from a very dear friend, Tom 'Cat' Reeder, a local DJ and MC back in DC. During the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond, they spent most weekends together at various country shows; my father the unofficial photographer and bartender. (He would keep a full "bar" in his trunk; and once he pulled up, the trunk would open and the party would begin!) There is a story where George Jones got so drunk before going on stage, they wouldn't allow him to do the show! Oooopsy. Oh well. Don't know if it's true or not, may have to check into that story! Anyhoo, my dad was always passing out photos at every show and never asked for a penny for any of them. I can only imagine how many hours he spent in that dark room. Yea, this is way-back-when--before digital cameras. But I know it brought him so much joy. It was his passion. Tom 'Cat' above with Ray Price.

Mixed in with the old photos, I found some programs that mom had also saved from the day. I had no idea that my father's photos were ever used professionally. I'm happy he did get credit, at least. Oy, teenagers don't pay any mind, do they. I never did, anyway. Couldn't care less. Shame.

His photos were used throughout these programs over the years, like the one of Tom and Jerry Lee Lewis to the right (not the Harrison/Dylan/Russell photo, unfortunately!). Wow, what memories these Top Ten lists brought back! Yup, that's about what I was listening to.

I was never allowed to stay at home with my teenager brothers, Lord forbid. So, yes, I spent many a weekend sitting in the back of my daddy's Cadillac listening to Three Dog Night, Alice Cooper, and the Top Ten. I don't know how I never wore the battery down, I often think about that. I'm talking HOURS with the radio on, probably A/C too!  Country music was not cool in any way or form according to me. Well, I guess I did come out of the car every once in a while because that's me with Faron Young (obviously before I became a moody teenage girl). One of my fondest memories around this time is dancing with my dad at some honky tonk; and Johnny Cash and June Carter came on (not live, mind you) singing "Jackson." Up until a couple of years ago, I thought the words were "We got married in a beaver" which I thought was a euphemism for a VW Beetle! HA! Lawds, help me.

Well, you know of course I did come out for the Killer! Always did like a bad ass! (Of course, I had to hide the photo of ME and Jerry Lee somewhere SAFE--which means I cannot find it to kill me. It's probably with my resume!)

I wonder if mom or I took this photo as there is dad on the right. He must have liked Jerry Lee also. He hardly ever got in front of the lens.

Love, love love! Mom with Hank Williams, Jr.. Just look at that baby face! Wow. And mom's beautiful smile. Aw. I'll never forget when Hank had his horrible accident and almost died. Tom got a phone call in the middle of MCing a show; and he left right then and was on the next plane out to be with him.  Now, that's friendship.

Here Tom is with another bad boy, Merle Haggard. Wonder why he's wearing sunglasses??? lol

Mom looking good with good-looking Conway Twitty.

Beautiful Loretta Lynn smiling for the camera. Talk about Angelina being skinny!

Tom with my brother Johnny and Grandpa Jones. Great pic of Johnny.

George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Check out the lamé outfit. Oooooohweeee. George and I go to the same optometrist! Next time I see him, I'll ask him if he remembers the "trunk incident!" NOT!

Mom with Hank Snow. Wonder if that suit is in the Country Music Hall of Fame. What a beaut!

The sweet Mel Tillis.

And take a look at these youngins'--Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. LOVE Porter's boots! Oww! Now those babies could crush a roach in the corner, as we used to say.

And, here's mom and Mac Wiseman yuking it up about something.

I can't begin to tell you what memories have been flooding my brain today as I've scanned all of these orginals. It's sad that so many of these folks are no longer with us, including my parents and brother Johnny. Tom 'Cat' has had some recent medical issues and it breaks my heart. He has brought so much joy to so many over the years and has always been a decent man.

I dedicate this post to him. 

Get well, Tom 'Cat'!

Labels: Music, Dad, Mom, Brother John, Friends

Friends

 

"Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things."

Sending thoughts and prayers to a friend.

Labels: Friends

To Connecticut and Back

I don't know if y'all will ever forgive me for being so nonchalant about blogging recently. I have been photographing, I promise. Just seems like a chore to blog with them. Ugh.

There was a recent trip back North for a GGC gathering--you know, with my besties. Pam had moved to Connecticut a couple of years back, built a beautiful home and invited us up, in a nutshell. 

Among other wonderful things that we did, we went to Whiteflower Farm.  How utterly exciting!!

And even though the season was about spent, there were still plenty of beautiful blooms.

And yes, I finally bought some Iris bulbs to plant and YES! they are in the ground. Astounding, indeed.

Good Food, Good Drink, Good Friends, Good Love

 Cheers to dirty dishes in the sink!

And fries fried in duck fat at Hopjack's in Pensacola. Uh huh, ya wonder why I've gained over 5 pounds since arriving at Riverside in May? Read on, my friends.

What's better than cooking up some syrupy sweetness with local blueberries, a little butta and Gran Gala? Only the waffles you pour it over!

Opened the deep freeze and found a skull staring back at me. And . . . on top of some Gulf shrimp and beside Petron. Goodness!

 Friends over for a delish LA Boil. Mmmmmm.

Another trip to Pensacola for lunch at McGuire's, a must if you're in the area.

Not that I quite know what a New Orleans Sno-Ball is, but they are the shaved-ice variety (rather than the crunchy crushed ice) --and good.

Oooopsy, the last of the Gosling's. Hard to find in these parts. Guess a trip back to Bermuda is in order?

Of course, a trip to the Fish River grill is always in order.

Oooopsy, the last of the BB Stoli. Great with lemonade. 

Mom's green beans, cooked for hours. Even made her creamed corn. Stick a fork in me and call me done!

But, then there's the jaunt to Mississippi that found us at Mary Mahoney's with Mississippi Mud Pie and MM's goodness in a bowl. No, it's not grits and gravy. That be bread pudding with whiskey sauce! Bring it on baby! "More?" you say.

Oh yes, of course there is. One must never miss a chocolate merengue pie from Sweetie Pies in Gulf Shores. Well, someone couldn't wait, obviously! Reminds me of my dad with a spoon. There was always a piece of something missing whatever was being served. When it was, whatever it was, put out for everyone else to enjoy, there'd be a big ol' hunk taken out! Poor mom. ha!

The sweetest local watermelon you'll ever sink your teeth into, right here.

And the last frozen glass of the best margarita made North of the Rio Grande (and thus no more Petron). Thank YOU N&P! I think some shopping at the local ABC store is in order before the next batch of friends arrive!)

Local wild brown Gulf shrimp with my "Key West" recipe.  

Marinate in orange and lime juice--grill with orange marmelade, butter and some spices.) Voila! More great-googly moogly deliciousness!

 Clams? Why yes--several varieties, in fact.

 A special white wine broth for those babies? Sure, don't mind if I do, says Dean.

 Salad by Dar. LuLu has nothing, I mean nothing, over Dar!

A drive into Mobile for ribs and Q at the Brick Pit. I can see why Man vs. Food tried it out! PS Banana Pudding--TO DIE FOR! (Sorry momma.)

And a new fave from TX. Mr. Parker brought this bottle down from Nashvegas to try, knowing I'm a vodka-drinking-fool at times. He--the afore-mentioned friend--turned into Riverside's resident bartender for the weekend of the 4th. Holy moly, great memories. Those I can remember anyhows.

What's next??? More poundage, I'm sure.
More fun, oh yea.
More love??? You BETCHYA!

You only live once, maybe.

Why not make it a good one.