01/01/2009
I have decided to start a new blog on Blogger. I have many friends on Blogger---and I like the blogs that I see which are on Blogger. Please switch your links from this site to my new site: BETSY'S NEW BLOG.
I will keep this site simply because there are so many posts (Family and Family History) that I want to keep. Someday I may post on this blog again. But for now, I'm becoming a 'Blogger Bloggy.'
Hugs to all,
Betsy
| COMPUTERS |
|
01/01/2009
Happy New Year!!!!! What foods are you serving today???? Since I'm a southern gal, I will fix our traditional New Year's dish, Hoppin' John!!!!! George and I want to be sure and take in all of the 'good luck' we can today!!!! My Hoppin' John is a casserole made with black-eyed peas, rice, onions, bacon, ham, kielbasa (or smoked sausage), and any spices I want to add. I have the recipe written out as to what I do step by step---so if you want it, please email me (betsyadams@mac.com) and I'll send it to you. It's REALLY good, and even if you don't care for black-eyed peas, you'll like this dish!!!!
What traditional foods do YOU eat on New Year's Day??? I love hearing what other people eat on special days such as today especially if it is a tradition---like mine!!!! WELL---whatever you eat or whatever you do, I hope you have a wonderful day. Happy New Year to ALL---and a Blessed 2009.
| HOLIDAYS |
|
12/31/2008
George and I had a wonderful day yesterday. We drove to the Smokies searching for some waterfalls. AND---we had great luck, seeing 11 different waterfalls with 4 of them brand new to us. It was a beautiful day --and felt so wonderful just getting out in nature for awhile.
Both George and I will feature some pictures from our day in the Smokies, on our blogs today. To see George's blog, click HERE. Pictured above is one of our favorite waterfalls along the Little River Road. Its name is Mannis Branch Falls, and when we visited here in the summer, there were butterflies all over the place along the river. Isn't it a beautiful waterfall? (More pictures are below!)
| HIKING |
|
12/31/2008
This beautiful little cascade is named Meadow Branch Cascade. The last time we saw this waterfall (Summer) , there was VERY little water coming over the falls. We were EXCITED to see it with lots of water this time. Pretty, huh?
| HIKING |
|
12/31/2008
What a 'Cutie Pie' my Sweetie is!!!! He is standing near the West Prong Falls, on the road to Cades Cove.
| HIKING |
|
12/31/2008
Look at this crazy woman!!!! She told George that she wants to move here---even if it means living in a tent!!!! ha ha....
| HIKING |
|
12/30/2008
As a child, I remember when my Mama would cut up and fry a chicken for dinner. One of my favorite things to do was to ask for the WISHBONE (which George calls a "Pulley Bone"). She'd give it to me--and I would find someone to 'pull' the wishbone--hoping that I'd get the big piece when it broke. Of course, my folks would always 'allow' me to get the big piece--just so that I could make a wish!!!! That was so special!
When I became an adult, I noticed that the only time my kids could get the wishbone was when we cooked a turkey. Times had changed---and not many people bought their chickens whole anymore. AND---since chickens are now cut differently, there aren't anymore chicken wishbones. AND---I wonder whether or not people even find the wishbones in turkeys nowadays....???? Have my grandchildren ever even heard of wishbones????? Hmmmmm---makes me wonder!
Making a wish was always important to me as a little girl. It was like blowing out the candles on a birthday cake--and making a wish. Wonder how many of these wishes came true????? The way my life has turned out, I'll say that ALL of my wishes have come true so far! I do wish for a LONG and HEALTHY life with George---so if you have any WISHBONES available, and will promise that I'll get the big piece, I will make that one more wish.
++++++++
On another note, I want you to know that I post a blog EVERY morning via timer at about 4 a.m. (Well---I do this except when we are out-of-town at which time I'll tell you.) Anyhow--since I'm on Lightblog, Blogger doesn't always record my post for you. SO--just remember that you can check my blog at any time after 4 a.m. Thanks!
| LIFE |
|
12/28/2008
George and I invite you to view photos of us on Christmas morning. Santa was good to both of us ---and we both got some nice gifts and had a good time--without spending lots and lots of money. In order to see our pictures, click here: CHRISTMAS MORNING. Be patient and give the photos (28) plenty of time to load. Then view them by clicking on the slideshow--for larger pictures!!!! Hope you enjoy spending Christmas morning with us!!!! The picture above is just one of the featured pictures!
| CHRISTMAS |
|
12/27/2008
We were sitting down having lunch yesterday --and all of a sudden, there she was----a female Downy Woodpecker at our feeder. She was not just at the feeders; she was at our new Suet Feeder.
I had put a suet feeder out about a month ago for the first time---and have patiently waited for the woodpeckers to find it. Every day I have been watching that feeder hoping that one day they'd visit.
Our Red-bellied Woodpeckers still prefer the sunflower and safflower seed---so they don't seem to be interested in the suet. I knew we had Downy Woodpeckers around the area---so I'm glad at least one of them found the feeder!
I jumped up from the table and asked George to hurry and take a picture before Ms. Downy leaves. Being such a good hubby---George got two good photos for me to share with you. Welcome Downy!!!! I hope you come back often --and bring your friends and family with you.
Hope all of you enjoy the pictures (above and below) as much as I do!!! Can you just feel my excitement????? OH--how I love my birds!!!!
| BIRDS/BLUEBIRDS |
|
12/27/2008
One more picture that George took of our pretty Downy. I hope she returns soon!!!!
| BIRDS/BLUEBIRDS |
|
12/26/2008
I hope that each one of you had as wonderful, joyful and peaceful a Christmas as we did. I told George when we were eating our turkey dinner that this was as PERFECT a day as one can have. Praise God!!!!
I must have been a very good girl this year since Santa was certainly good to me. I received FOUR new bird ornaments. As you probably know, I didn't become extremely interested in the birds until this past July when some bluebirds nested in a nest box in our yard.
Some time ago, I expressed an interest in learning more about the birds ---so George gave me a couple of great books on birds and also a pair of binoculars. This was at least 2 or 3 yrs. ago... I had grown to love hummingbirds and have had feeders on my deck for quite some time, but didn't touch the bird books or binoculars until this past Summer.
It was in July that I fell totally in love with watching our bluebirds. After that, I had the 'bug'. SO-- I bought several bird feeders, some bird food, and a birdbath. Since we live in a woodsy area, I attracted many birds --right from the beginning. GEE---now I had to learn to tell one from the other. YIPES!!!! I started reading everything I could get my hands on when it came to the birds--and it wasn't long before I considered myself a REAL 'birder' even though I still have a lot to learn!
Until yesterday, I only had one bird ornament on our tree--and that was a cute little glass hummingbird. This year, my Santa give me a beautiful goldfinch ornament, another beautiful hummingbird ornament, a gorgeous cardinal ornament --and my favorite, a little bluebird house with two bluebirds sitting on it. Even though I will probably feature them next year during the Christmas season, I want you to see them now. At this rate, I'll soon have my own Bird Christmas Tree. Merry 'Day-After' Christmas---or Boxing Day in England!!
The picture above shows the bluebird nest---with its two bluebirds. This ornament is adorable!!!!! There are three more pictures below.
| CHRISTMAS |
|
12/26/2008
In the picture above, you can see the beautiful goldfinch --and below it, the little bluebird house. All I can say is "WOW."
| CHRISTMAS |
|
12/26/2008
The ornament pictured above is my new hummingbird ornament. Pretty, isn't it?
| CHRISTMAS |
|
12/26/2008
This picture shows three of our new ornaments: the cardinal (on right) and the goldfinch (top left) and the bluebird house (below the goldfinch). Aren't they pretty????
| CHRISTMAS |
|
12/25/2008
Merry Christmas from our home to yours!!!! George and I hope that ALL of you are having a blessed day. I received the version below from a friend (thanks, Mary Lee), so I thought it would be appropriate to share with all of you today. It has alot to say about Christmas--and what Christmas is all about. Have a wonderful day! God Bless ALL of You!
FIRST CORINTHIANS 13 (paraphrased)
CHRISTMAS VERSION
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family-- I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family-- I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family-- it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ-- I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust--- but giving the gift of love will endure.
YOU CAN GIVE WITHOUT LOVING, BUT YOU CANNOT LOVE WITHOUT GIVING.
| CHRISTMAS |
|
