Sigrid Loves her Pop

Sigrid wanted to climb this tree like her sisters. Pop fixed a way. She says now she is coming over to see us everyday. What a blessing. She loves her Pop.

Another Hunt Find

I found this old well when Tie treed and we were going to him. Glad one of us did not step in it.

Treasures Found Squirrel Hunting

New Bird Hanging At My Feeder

This bird was sitting near my bird feeder. If it was not against the law, I would shoot it.

New Ride

We got our new truck today. It has lots of room. When I retire, I want to be able to haul my kids around.

Another Puzzle Pieced

Larry started this puzzle. I told him it give the girls something to do when they came over. Well, Astrid came and stayed overnight last week and finished the puzzle about 1:30 a m. It did not last all week. She is about the greatest puzzle piecer we know. She gets her ability from Pop and Aunt Erin.

Another Christmas is Past

The kids all had a great Christmas. Greta can walk. We had a good day with lots of food.

New Mail Carrier

This mail carrier is bringing my mail to my back door. She informs the dogs that they don't know her because of her disguise--boots, hat, and gloves!

First Try

I tried making Laura's cinnamon rolls. They were not that difficult to make and very tasty!

Merry Christmas

Another year is about over. Tomorrow we will enjoy a big meal with Laura and Erin's families. Then after Christmas is over, I must find a vehicle as we sold my Toyota truck. Hopefully, before Jan. 4 I can find something to drive. Siggie finally said I could ride with her and her mother if i don't find a truck.

Perfect Grandkids

I guess you know, Sisters, my Grandgirls are perfect and Clayton is too. This week over across the Meadow, the two big girls locked the bedroom door and would not let the little one in. I recall Fleta and I doing similar to Helen. They even lied and told her they were making her a Christmas present. She did not buy that. She continued to go back and knock on the door. They continued to ignore her and finally she slipped them a little message through the crack at the bottom of the door. Yes, her Dad had a talk with her about surely she was sorry for this action to which she responded that she was not sorry. They were mean and she was mad.

Yippity Skippity

No work until January 4th...hummmm that day has a ring to it. Some old woman will be 64 that day!

Year Ago

I think these are almost a year old. Greta surely has grown up now she looks like a little girl. I think I will buy Bibles for these two for Christmas. Patsy bought me on in 1959 and I still have it and treasure it.

Old Blue At New Home

We bought this blue Ford in about 1988 or 89. Larry decided to sell it and put it on Craig's list. The man came from Huntsville saying he would take it. Larry explained about bringing cash. Well, when he returned he had some cash and a check on a bank in Alaska. We may be hillbillies but Larry said if that check is no good, I will be traveling to Alaska to try and get my money....he kept our tractor and sent him on his way. We thought that was the last of him, but about a week later he came back with the money and ole Blue has a new home. Tractors hold their value. Larry got about what we paid for it all that time ago.

My Sisters, My Friends

Even though we did not play with barbies, here is a song for us!

Our Friends Dogs

I guess this photo would be called piggy back. The dogs belong to one of our friends. I like those little dogs more and more as I get older!

It is warmer here this week, but the air is damp so my knees hurt so badly. I am up early and drinking my coffee. There was not much of interest in the paper. I watched C. Clinton on the news last night. Not much to say about that either.

I have this week and two days next and then I will be off for a couple of weeks. Looking forward to it.

My Tree For Real

Top is the girl's tree. I took the photo when we went over for birthday pumpkin pie. The bottom is my tree. It is ceramic and about 10 inches tall. It has lights and suits me just fine.

Pumpkin Pie for Her Birthday

Ingrid is not grown up yet. She still wanted a doll for her birthday and a pumpkin pie for her cake. Does not seem like she could be 10.

Happy Birthday, Ingrid Elizabeth

Resting My Knee

Today I am staying home and resting my knee. I go out early each morning and get the state paper, drink my coffee and read what interests me. Today it should get in the 50s here and when I went out it was cold but no piercing wind. You can see my paper box in the corner of this picture. There is a side walk leading to it, easy access! I hope all my Sisters have a good day. Tomorrow Ingrid is 10!

Barns in Cades Cove

Our friend in GA sent these. I did not steal them.

These were taken in Cades Cove in the Great Smokey Mtn park last winter. One is a cantalever barn. And some are of the working grist mill. You can have them grind you a bag of meal while you watch. Also one of a chruch.

Persimmon Seed

Old Timers say if persimmons have a spoon, fork, or knife it tells something of the winter to come. My persimmons this year all have a spoon which is supposed to signal a lot of snow. A knife means cold, cold that cuts like a knife and if they have a fork inside the winter will be mild. All the fruit has the same symbol each year. I am confused though and wonder it the spoon might be to bail water. As we had another flooding rain this week. What do you think?

New Diapers

ICU

I guess Patsy was in ICU. Thought when she came home she would laugh at the photo I posted of her.

Whew! Got My Tree UP

Skinning the Cat!!

Pedestal Rock

Henrietta Lacks

My friend at school gave me a hardback book about Henrietta's life. It is really a good book. Patsy, if you have not read it, I will mail it to you. I think Fleta has read it already.

Root Digging

I have been doing a little root digging and uploaded my family tree to rootsweb. I got my family site tied down so I can post new pictures there. Fleta had to help me get it set up. I thought I could do it but it would not work...called her and when I looked at what I had done low and behold I had spelled Standridge strandridgge and that is why it would not work. Don't know what we would do without having a 'sister' on call. Hardly, a week goes by that someone does not email me a question and I enjoy trying to answer the query. Tomorrow it is back to work, but only a short time before I get another 'break'.

Flute Solo

Posting Rule

The Rule is only for folks over 72...I am only 61. Fleta, you are almost 72 so soon you will have to post everyday too! I have a flute solo to post for you and i know you will love it.

Since you want me to say something, Fleta! Here are two Maples side by side...why in the world is one nearly bare of leaves and the other still all green! I think they are the same type of tree.

Happy Birthday, Erin

32, wow!

Ethel's Sweet Potato Pie

Here is the recipe for Sweet Potato Pie. You can put what spices you want...but she did not put any spice. It is different from Pumpkin Pie. Serve it with cool whip! If your family, likes spice you can add the ones you like, but go lighter on spice than in pumpkin pie.

First boil the sweet potatoes in a pot covered with water. Don't even peel them. When a fork will stick in the potatoes they are ready. Probably boil 4 potatoes, small ones work just as well have pretty ones.

After you can stick a fork in the potatoes, take them from the boiling water and put them in a sink or large bowel of cold water. The outer peeling will slip off! Now you are ready for the pie. You do not have to wait until the potatoes are cold, but you can put them in the frig and fix the pie later.

In a mixing bowl (electric mixer)

put 2 cups of the potatoes and 3/4 cup of sugar and two eggs. Beat until all is mixed up. If you want spices add them to the sugar.

Now add--

I large can of Pet milk--Ethel used only Pet milk. Any will do.

1 T. vanilla

1 T. butter or margarine

Cook in unbaked pie shell at 450 degrees for 10 minutes, then lower the temp to 350 and cook 35 more minutes. Case knife will come out clean in the middle when it is done.

The pie looks bright orange like the picture I found. Stringy sweet potatoes make a stringy pie so I hope you have good ones. Larry bought me a bushel along the side of the road and they are bright orange and so good. Aunt Thelma told me once that sweet potatoes are one of the most nutritious vegetables you can eat!

I have Aunt Thelma's walnut cookie recipe if anyone wants it. They are a baked cookie and use cocoa, oatmeal and black walnuts. I bet you could use english walnuts. They call for a cup of lard!

Galla Meadow Pond

Here's the Meadow Pond. We got 5 inches of rain so the pond is full!

Flooded Galla

This is what happened to the car that did not go over the Mountain...they went in the Creek.

It rained and rained. My road was flooded and I had to go in the opposite direction to work. It was down enough tonight that I could cross. Notice how close it was to the electric high line.