Southern Home Life

Loopy Eddie Ann

2012-02-08T16:44:00.001-05:00

Eddie Ann had his surgery today. I took him at 9:30 and Dr. Crawford saw him right away. He weighed in at 12 and one half pounds. I could have sworn he weighed 25! He is a hand full for me to pick up and the girls really have a hard time holding him in their arms. That doesn't keep them from trying though. :)

Please keep Eddie Ann in your prayers as he recovers over then next few days. He is resting comfortably now with some medicine that is making him a little loopy. Getting neutered is no fun I'm sure and recovery won't be a picnic either.

I was thinking about how God gave man charge over every living creature and how He said everything He had made was good. We are the caretakers of all that God has given us. That's a BIG responsibility. I did not want to take Eddie Ann to the vet to be neutered but it is a requirement from the shelter he came from. I know why the rules have to be this way for we have so many animals that are born and few people to take responsibility for them. Some animals are born to live just under God's protection out in nature, but those animals we have bred to be pets don't have the skill set to be out in the wild so we have to live up the the charge that God gave us and do the responsible thing. To spay or neuter pets when they should not have offspring is a good thing for them as well as our earth.

Eddie Ann makes himself at home

2012-02-02T17:34:00.000-05:00

Eddie finds his way around the house.

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Anna Claire, Carley Ann and Eddie Ann

2012-02-02T16:30:00.000-05:00

Getting to know each other.

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Carley Ann and Eddie Ann

2012-01-27T23:34:00.001-05:00

New family member

2012-01-26T18:20:00.000-05:00

Welcome Eddie Ann Franklin. I had been dreaming about getting another cat ever since Cocopuff died last summer. It was a sad time for all of us, but I'm sure that this new cat we are calling Eddie Ann will find his way into our hearts too.

I know you will want to know why his name is Eddie Ann. It's because Carley Ann wanted him to have Ann in his name like hers and Anna's. I think it's cute. Another artist friend of mine has a black and white shorthair that she calls Eddie. I had been dreaming about having a cat just like hers and when friend Janet Pitts told me about a black and white at the local shelter; well, he just had to come live with us. :)

Happy Birthday Carley Ann

2011-12-09T20:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday wishes to Carley Ann Franklin my beautiful and sweet 7 year old granddaughter! Your MeMama loves you more than you will ever know.

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Getting ready for Christmas 2011

2011-11-25T13:29:00.001-05:00

Carley Ann and Anna Claire

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Fall leaves and squirrel cookies

2011-11-20T17:23:00.000-05:00

Carley Ann and Anna Claire had a fun time this afternoon making cookies for Thanksgiving day. I don't think the cookies will last until Thursday though.
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Jumping

2011-07-13T12:30:00.000-04:00

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Anna Claire turns 5

2011-06-19T20:10:00.000-04:00

Can you believe it. Sweet Anna Claire has had another birthday!

Happy Birthday Anna Claire. Your MeMama loves you so much.

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Anna Claire

2011-05-20T12:16:00.000-04:00

Carley Ann

2011-01-30T12:57:00.000-05:00

Carley Ann

2011-01-30T12:41:00.000-05:00

Mexico Beach

2011-01-15T13:15:00.000-05:00

video not working?

2011-01-12T13:14:00.002-05:00

.:.Trying a fix. :)

Carley Ann turns 6

2010-12-03T18:36:00.002-05:00

Tonight Carley Ann and Anna Claire helped finish the birthday cake for Carley Ann. What wonderful vision Carley Ann has. She knew exactly what she wanted and if I made a mis-step, she told me how to fix it. I think, and thank goodness, she thinks it looks great!

Tomorrow is her birthday party!

This cake is white marshmallow fondant for covering the cake and making the present and, bow and red fondant dots and initials which was Carley Ann's request.

Carley Ann even trusted Anna Claire to help with decorations.

Marshmallow Fondant

2010-07-03T10:05:00.001-04:00

MARSHMALLOW FONDANT

First remember that this fondant is placed over an already iced cake that has been iced as smooth as possible. Most cooks use buttercreme icing, but to speed things up I just use store bought icing.

Ingredients:
· 1 package (16 ounces) white mini marshmallows
· 2-5 tablespoons water
· 2 tsp white vanilla or other flavoring (not necessary to the success of the fondant)
· 2 pounds (about 7- 8 cups) sifted confectioners' sugar
· 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
Makes: About 2 pounds marshmallow fondant.

Microwave the marshmallows and water for about 20 seconds.

Take out and stir with spoon and put back in microwave for 10 seconds more if lots of the marshmallows haven’t melted.

Add vanilla if desired.

Add the sugar and mix and fold until all is incorporated and it is no longer sticky.

You will be using the vegetable shortening to grease your hands and the kneading surface. Remove from the bowl and knead until all the sugar is incorporated usually 5 to 10 minutes. Use a fondant roller or a regular rolling pin and roll out as thin as you want your fondant to be. If you have taken care to get your buttercreame icing super smooth, you can make your fondant very thin. This type of fondant is cheaper and easier to work with plus it has a great taste. After you roll out your fondant in a circle as thin as you like and have taken care to measure the diameter of your cake and know you have your circle large enough, you can fold your fondant over your rolling pin and then place over your cake and smooth down. There are several videos on the internet that show how to do this easily so if it’s your first time, watch a couple and you will be a pro your first time. If you have ever worked with play-doh you can work with this fondant. It will have the same consistency.

You don’t have to use this fondant for just cakes, try it on rice krispy treats in various shapes. The last cake made at my house was a monkey birthday cake and monkey pops made using cocoa rice krispys for monkey heads placed on popsicle sticks and fondant monkey features for eyes, noses and tongues. Have fun.

Cocoa Puff Birthday

2010-03-29T13:20:00.002-04:00

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I forgot to post that Cocoa Puff had a birthday on March 1. We think she was born in 1998, but not sure. That makes her 12 this year and she is doing okay... but sleeps a lot more than she once did. She deserves to rest when she wants to. :)

Squash Casserole

2010-03-02T12:25:00.000-05:00

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SQUASH CASSEROLE

1 pkg. Pepperidge Farms dressing mix
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 stick of butter
1 can water chestnuts drained and chopped
2lbs yellow squash sliced
1 small jar of pimento
2 cups onion chopped
1 8oz ctn. sour cream
salt & pepper to taste
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 13x9in glass pan. Melt butter toss with dressings.

Cook squash and onion till tender drain well. Mix soup,water chestnuts,pimento,& sour cream. Fold into squash mixture.

Layer 1/2 dressing mix into baking dish, add squash, then cheddar cheese. Top with rest of dressing mix bake for 30 minutes at 350.

Look what we did Daddy!

2009-12-11T12:20:00.000-05:00

Flowers for tiny dancers

2009-12-10T12:34:00.000-05:00

Praising God and Kisses 2008

2009-12-02T11:46:00.002-05:00

It's raining today and I'm looking through cd's. I found this video and just wanted to share.
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Out to dinner

2009-09-10T18:16:00.004-04:00

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We went out to dinner at the Gardens Restaurant over the Labor Day holiday. So much fun! Don't know what happened with the picture of Terri, whoever took the picture must have shook their hand,or maybe Anna was wiggling too much.

Rebuilding

2009-09-10T18:15:00.004-04:00

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This is how the new garage looks today. They just started Tuesday. :) I'm all smiles.

So glad to have this photo.

2009-06-30T14:16:00.000-04:00

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I have been looking and looking for some photos of me using my pastels as documentation for the insurance company. Don't even know why I took this, but so glad I did. This is not all the pastels but it gives a good over-view and helps me remember. I see the Terry Ludwigs, the Rembrant's, the Schmincke's, the Sennelier's, the pencils and a few of my handmade ones. Don't know why the Unison's aren't on the table.

Vacation!

2009-06-17T18:18:00.002-04:00

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We are getting ready to go on VACATION to Panama City Beach Florida. I can't wait. Terri, Brent, Carley Ann, Anna Claire, Dana, Todd and I are all going so I know it will be a fun trip and we will have lots of hands to keep up with the little ones.

Thanks so much for your prayers for safe travel.

The garage is still out there waiting to be torn down after the fire. Hopefully when we get back a work crew will be all set to get the job done. I'll feel so much better when it's all cleaned up and the repairs to the house are done.

My flowers in the garden are blooming anyway. They don't know there was a fire right beside them. Bless their hearts.

The Christmas Reindeer

2009-06-07T16:37:00.002-04:00

Inside the garage I had all my Christmas decorations. I hope I can save the metal Christmas Reindeer. The children loved them so and each time we would come home they would have to go say hi to Rudolph. Maybe I can salvage the frames, spray paint them stuff them with sagum moss and plant some ivy on them to make some garden sculptures. We'll see.

Small bump

2009-05-01T08:19:00.001-04:00

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Wednesday night I had a fire consumed my garage. I don't have words that can say what I am feeling. Carley Ann, Anna Claire and I are safe with no injuries. They were spending the night with me and we had just dressed for bed. Thankfully Carley saw the fire and we called 911 who sent emergency services to the house immediately. The main house is smoked but all is well. Even Cocoapuff is okay and she went under the bed during all the firemen and everyone working to get the fire out.

God is good and can take the worst problem we have and work it to His good. I am confident of that and look forward to seeing what He does with this small bump in our lives.

I'll be staying with Terri, Brent and the girls which will be a good thing for all of us as we all are so close and can help and support each other as families do.

Small bump

2009-05-01T07:51:00.004-04:00

http://www.phyllisfranklin.com/uploaded_images/IMG_1039-709478.JPG

http://www.phyllisfranklin.com/uploaded_images/IMG_1034-794646.JPG

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Wednesday night I had a fire consumed my garage. I don't have words that can say what I am feeling. Carley Ann, Anna Claire and I are safe with no injuries. They were spending the night with me and we had just dressed for bed. Thankfully Carley saw the fire and we called 911 who sent emergency services to the house immediately. The main house is smoked but all is well. Even Cocoapuff is okay and she went under the bed during all the firemen and everyone working to get the fire out.

God is good and can take the worst problem we have and work it to His good. I am confident of that and look forward to seeing what He does with this small bump in our lives.

I'll be staying with Terri, Brent and the girls which will be a good thing for all of us as we all are so close and can help and support each other as families do.

The Bow, the arrow and the target

2009-03-04T22:16:00.000-05:00

The bow, the arrow and the target

Paulo Coelho

The target

The target is the objective to be attained.

It was chosen by you. Here lies the beauty of the path: you can never apologize by saying that the adversary was stronger. Because it was you who chose your target, and you are responsible for it.

If you look on the target as an enemy, you might even make a good shot but you will not manage to improve anything in yourself. You will spend your life just trying to put an arrow in the center of something made of paper or wood, which is absolutely useless. And when you are with other people you will complain all the time that you do not do anything interesting.

That is why you need to choose your objective, do your very best to attain it, look upon it with respect and dignity: you have to know what it means, how much effort it has taken, how much training and intuition.

When you look at the target, concentrate not just on it but on everything going on around you, because when the arrow is shot, it will have to deal with factors that you miss, such as wind, weight and distance.

The objective only exists insofar as a man is capable of dreaming of reaching it. What justifies its existence is desire – or else it would be something dead, a distant dream, a daydream.

So, just as intention seeks its objective, the objective likewise seeks man’s intention, for that is what gives our life a meaning: it is no longer just an idea, but the center of the archer’s world.

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Dreams

2009-02-27T21:22:00.002-05:00

With two little girls, Disney World has now become the home of Minnie Mouse first... not Mickey. They have Minny Mouse ears, flip flops and pocket books as well as Minnie spin toys that light up and spin around. We had a wonderful time and are already planning to go back possibly right after Christmas.

My brother is still in ICU but that is what we all expected. I sat with him last night and our plans are to have a three day rotation so none of us will get so tired. If we do, we can hire a sitter. We all agree that it's imporant right now to have someone from the family be there. It's not that we can do anything...it's more about making us feel better. Today they put in a trach because they couldn't leave the tube down his throat any longer without causing damage to his vocal cords. They said that actually this would be better for him. All in all Dr. Johnson said that he is improving and all looks well for a recovery. Looking at him with all the tubes and seeing him laying there under sedation makes us all lose hope, but it's comforting to hear words of encouragement from the doctors who see and do these things all the time.

I still have not picked up a brush in my hands since Ruth was here but I do paint in my dreams. Each time I pass the yellow ochre fields around my house I am inspired to paint them... and I do, each night... perfect paintings... sweet dreams with sun warming the soul. The peach trees are beginning to bloom and I dream of painting them too. Life couldn't be better to treasure each day for what it brings and know in the end love is all that matters. Sending love to y'all tonight and always,

Afternoon at Callaway Gardens

2009-02-01T23:17:00.002-05:00

Seafood Appetizer

2009-01-12T05:23:00.004-05:00

This appetizer is inexpensive, quick and easy and is a great compliment to most menus.
Crab/shrimp meat-English muffin appetizers

1 7 1/2 ounce canned crabor shrimp meat, drained
1 6 ounce jar Old English, Kraft, Cheese wiz spread (Old English is best)
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon real mayonaise
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
12 English Muffins

Bring cream cheese and butter to room temperature. Mix all ingredients together. Spread on muffin halves immediately, quarter and broil 5-8 minutes or until golden brown. After assembly muffin halves or quarters can be frozen and taken out to bake as needed.

Heat in 350 deg.F oven for 5-10 minutes or until just browning. Serve warm
Some cooks say that freezing the quarters for at least 30 minutes before broiling improves taste. I have done this both ways and really don't see or taste the difference.

Swan Lake

2008-12-20T21:43:00.002-05:00

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Swan Lake

Carley Ann and Anna Claire couldn't watch this video of awesome, talented people enough.

Fresh Pineapple Chicken Wrap Appetizer

2008-12-20T16:11:00.001-05:00

Fresh Pineapple Chicken Wrap Appetizer

1 T orange Marmalade
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup cream cheese
salt/pepper
1 6 oz can chicken drained
1 large slice fresh pineapple, finely chopped
1 medium shredded carrot – save some shreds for garnish
dash or two of dried onion flakes

Beat all of the above in mixer.
Spread on large soft flour tortillas. Roll them up and slice into small portions about 1/2 inch thick making the appetizer look like little pinwheels. Secure with toothpick if needed. Serve with fresh fruits and bits of shredded carrot or carrot curls for garnish.

Christmas Songs

2008-12-13T15:52:00.002-05:00

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2008-12-13T15:08:00.003-05:00

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Christmas Cheer Everyone

2008-12-13T11:17:00.002-05:00

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Happy Birthday Carley Ann

2008-12-07T19:49:00.001-05:00

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Your MeMama loves you so much.

Birthday pictures will follow. :)

Cornbread Dressing

2008-12-03T08:01:00.002-05:00

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Just so I won't lose this recipe, I'm posting it here. It's a simple recipe, but for some reason I'm always second guessing myself, so having the recipe saved here where I can find it quickly makes good sense... plus I wanted to share it with you.

Cornbread Dressing

6 cups of crumbled pre-cooked cornbread
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/1/2 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Chicken stock to moisten well - final batter should look just like uncooked cornbread
1/2 stick melted butter

Mix all ingredients well and pour into a baking pan. Bake for 1 hour at 375 deegrees.

Sometimes I use a half of a bag of herb dressing mix like Pettridge Farm instead of part of the cornbread. When I do this I don't use the sage. My son likes this dressing without celery so if I do use celery, I make sure I reserve some batter without the celery. Usually I just half the batter before adding the celery and then when I put the batter in the baking dish I put one type batter on one end and the celery batter on the other. After it's finished baking I garnish the celery side with celery leaves so everyone will know which side to eat. Both sides usually get gone equally fast. I like the edges crispy and the center very moist, so I watch the baking time and take the dressing out as soon as the center is set soft. The edges get crispy because I make sure to grease the sides of the pan with shortening. I know this is not weight watcher friendly, but dressing isn't something that you eat everyday and you can always try to eat small portions. Good luck if you can. :)

Smiling

2008-11-20T07:03:00.002-05:00

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Victory again

2008-10-26T07:36:00.002-04:00

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Singing

2008-10-17T09:24:00.003-04:00

.:.Carley Ann will be 4 in December and Anna Claire turned 2 in June. Anna makes up her own songs. :)

Muffins, Pumpkins and work

2008-10-12T07:59:00.002-04:00

Anna Claire and Carley Ann love to paint, color and do anything making things. That's natural. :) They also love to copy anything they see others doing, so it's no surprise that Carley Ann has taken up calling her finished papers "her work". We put a small table in the TV room right in front of the TV so they can watch Barney and the Wiggles while they "do their work".

Friday I went and picked them up at day school. We had lots to do to help Daddy get ready for the mission project he was leaving for today. We made muffins for the children he was going to help in Mississippi... but we ate some of them... and then daddy came and ate some of the others. Thankfully we still had plenty left.

The muffins turned out really good complete with sprinkles on the top. :)

Big Grin

2008-10-01T09:35:00.003-04:00

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Girls will be girls

2008-08-31T17:27:00.002-04:00

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More McDonald's

2008-08-19T07:33:00.001-04:00

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Saturday at Micky D's

2008-08-17T08:15:00.003-04:00

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Muffins

2008-08-16T05:58:00.001-04:00

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Carley Ann - last Sunday

2008-08-12T06:03:00.002-04:00

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Carley Ann and Cocoa Puff

2008-08-09T06:35:00.002-04:00

Carley Ann and Cocoa Puff yesterday.

Remembering Mrs. Franklin

2008-08-08T06:55:00.000-04:00

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Tom Franklin, Verlene Franklin, Sandra Franklin

Spa day

2008-08-05T19:06:00.003-04:00

Anna hasn't been feeling well, so today she had a spa day to lift her spirits.

Painting

2008-07-12T15:40:00.002-04:00

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A merry heart

2008-07-06T07:00:00.002-04:00

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Shivering Lips

2008-06-17T20:46:00.003-04:00

This afternoon I swam with Anna Claire, Carley Ann, Terri and Brent in their pool. We had a ball and then when it was time to get out I told Carley Ann that we had to get out because her lips were shivering. We laughed our heads off when she took her hand to feel if her lips were really shivering and then said they weren't. I wish I had a video. It would win a million.

2nd Birthday Celebration for Anna Claire

2008-06-12T18:48:00.004-04:00

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Anna Claire's 2nd birthday celebration is this Saturday. Here's her birthday cake in progress. It might change a bit with the addition of some cut little props like you would find on the beach, and I might add some stripes to the soles of the shoes, but the basic idea is there. :)

The sand is made from a peanut butter base with crushed graham crackers sprinkled on top. The cake is strawberry on the inside and the straps are made from twislers. I have some gummy fish I might use... and some tiny gum drops that look like sea pebbles... I'm going to try to make some other beachy things like sea shells to sprinkle around too. The flowers around the sole of the flops is that 3 foot long fruit roll ups. Too cute, huh.

Anna Claire growing

2008-04-21T21:00:00.003-04:00

Anna Claire tickles me. She is growing sooooo tall. On June 19 she will be two.

Happy Birthday Jesus

2008-04-19T22:17:00.001-04:00

Just sharing again.

Poetry day

2008-04-17T11:29:00.002-04:00

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling

Although this poem is written for the guys of this earth, I have always loved it and find wisdom in these words.

Flamingo 1

2008-03-20T14:28:00.001-04:00

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We can cut out around his legs if you think we need wind holes.

The white part of the plywood is what will be cut away. The rest will be painted either as the bird, flowers, trees, sign or whatever.

Steel Magnolias in the Making

2008-03-03T11:27:00.001-05:00

Carley Ann and Grace

February is slipping by

2008-02-28T14:47:00.005-05:00

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I am improving greatly and just realized that I haven't posted Christmas pictures, so here is a few of Anna Claire and Carley Ann.

Anna learns to sing

2008-01-18T08:52:00.006-05:00

I'm slowly getting better and able to sit at the computer for longer periods of time since my trouble with my knee, leg and hip hopped on me. :) Here's a video of my grandchildren I thought you might enjoy.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=add2279d140d3ddc9d8e

Us last year

2008-01-08T18:58:00.000-05:00

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Funny how just one year makes a big difference.

Growing

2007-08-31T10:27:00.001-04:00

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Happy Birthday

2007-08-21T09:34:00.000-04:00

Well, I can't believe I really have 60 years of life to account for, but I do. I so enjoyed my birthday party complete with ice cream cake from the Dairy Queen. Ice cream cake from DQ has been a long family tradition from when Brent was little. We haven't had DQ cake in many, many years and I had no idea that Brent even remembered about them, but when they came for dinner yestereday, he and Terri brought ice cream cake! Carley Ann was so sweet saying the blessing and Anna Claire just couldn't wait to eat, but you should have seen the faces she made when she tasted of the big girl food Terri put on her plate. Terri ended up fixing her some Dora soupa (that's what Carley Ann calls chicken noodle soup). Here's some goofy pictures and then some not so goofy. :)

Yes, one of my presents was some electrical cord. :)

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We are singing Happy Birthday to MeMama. :)

Blueberry day

2007-08-08T15:48:00.000-04:00

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It was a great day to pick blueberries last Saturday morning at Edward Callaway's. We picked enough for a cobbler and Anna Claire, Carley Ann, Terri and I had great fun with the Easter basket buckets. :)

Breakfast at McDonalds

2007-08-01T11:57:00.000-04:00

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Southern girls like to sleep late and then go out for breakfast. Today grand daughter Carley Ann Franklin and Kara Beth Neighbors, the grand daughter of life long friends Debbie and Leland Adams both had breakfast at McDonalds.

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Be sure to click the image to see a larger view.

Looking Back

2007-08-01T00:03:00.000-04:00

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Time really does pass quickly. Anna Claire's hair is curling up in the back just like Carley Ann's did so I think we will have another curly haired Southern Lady to raise. In this February photo you can see the back of her hair starting to curl up but now it's even more so. Just thought you might enjoy looking back with me.

On the Easel

2007-07-30T12:14:00.000-04:00

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In progress, but thought you might like to see and comment.

Last Week in July

2007-07-29T23:42:00.000-04:00

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This past week flew by with all kinds of projects to finish up and then rushing over to Pine Mountain to take my turn sitting in the Southern Rivers Art Gallery. Terri, Carley Ann and Anna Claire came late Friday and we all spent the night at Callaway so we could go shopping on Saturday. We bought fun things and a pink step stool perfect for taking care of washing little hands, which Carley Ann tried out over and over even though her hands really didn't need washing. :) It was a great week.

My painting of cows in a field is coming along nicely. Tomorrow I spend a bit of time on organization as I try to set aside Mondays as office day.

Georgia Cracker Salad

2007-07-20T13:21:00.000-04:00

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Today is a good day for resting and catching up on small projects that have been going undone the last couple of days.

I'd like to share a special recipe Southern recipie with you today.

Georgia Cracker Salad

1 sleeve of saltine crackers

1 large tomato, finely chopped

3 green onions, finely chopped

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise

1 hard-boiled egg, finely chopped

Crush the crackers and mix all ingredients together. Serve immediately.

Use this as a side dish or use it as a spread for stuffing celery, tomatoes, or fancy crackers.

Garnish with parsley sprigs or pimento slivers, olives, pickles, cheese or a combination of any.

Enjoy, Phyllis

Anna phones the island

2007-07-16T10:58:00.000-04:00

Today I'm thinking about my SOP (standard operating plan) I really do like structure even amid the chaos. Sometimes when my life gets all out of whack I look back at my journal to see if I can figure out what happened. I’m a bit scattered today but I know why. Terri, Brent and Carley Ann have gone to the beach and left Anna Claire and me alone! LOL Yesterday I had a real struggle getting us to Sunday School and Church, and I didn’t make it back for the evening service. At almost 60 it’s just not as easy as it was when I was 30. Go figure that!

This morning Anna Claire and I slept in late and didn’t even eat breakfast until 8:30. After splashing around in the laundry tub, Anna finally picked out her school dress and made it just in time for toddler crawl time. So now I’m back home and thinking how can I squeeze Anna Claire into my SOP for the next four days.

She was so cute in her little dress and I caught her calling Mommy and Daddy on the cell phone. She looked like she wanted to say... I'm calling Mommy, Daddy and Carley Ann, is there anything you want me to tell them?

After I drink another cut of coffee and collect my thoughts, I want to get into the studio for a couple of hours. I have the itch to get out my pastels, but instead know I need to work on getting the small works basket filled, as that’s my bread and butter.

Yesterday I picked up a commission work so I’ll be anxious to get the reference photo of it and get to work. The painting will be of a little dog chasing a ball in the Cotswolds. I’ve never been to the Cotswolds but have a book by F. LaGard Smith and illustrated by Glenda Rae called Meeting God in Quiet Places (The Cotswold Parables) which I’ve enjoyed reading, so that will help get me into the Cotwold mood.

Hope you have a good day.

.:.

Picture Puzzle

2007-07-14T15:55:00.000-04:00

Project: Create a picture puzzle using craft sticks and paint
Instructor: Carley Ann Franklin, age 2.6
Medium: Crayola washable kid's paint
Instructions: Carley recommends starting with a yellow background for your first project because it's a sunshine color. Follow the pictures below to see how she made her picture puzzle and then make your own.

" It takes great concentration to completely cover all the craft sticks with yellow paint, so you might ask for a little help. Once you finish, you will be so proud of finishing your first step. "

"You can start right away to add in your painting. For this one I am going to paint beautiful flowers", says Carley Ann.

"Are there any questions? Nows the time."

"See, just drop in the flowers after you do the stems and leaves."

"Remember to shake your paint tubs and select your colors carefully."

"Make any final adjustments, and sit back to admire your work."

"Push the puzzle aside to dry. While the puzzle is drying is a good time to paint your hands if you've had the itch to try that."

"Once the painting has dried, you can ask for help to outline the flowers."

"Isn't the finshed puzzle wonderful, says Carley Ann."

Note: Carley Ann would like to thank her Memama's friend Linda Blondheim for the picture puzzle idea and inspiration.

Today was a great day to make a picture puzzle. :)

.:.

Lucky Day

2007-07-07T20:08:00.000-04:00

Today was supposed to be a very lucky day. All the news programs said so. :) I did enjoy my day. Anna came to stay with me after lunch and gets to spend the night. I have pictures to show of her eating a chicken strip from Big Chic. After all, she's going to be a southern lady, so she might as well get use to fried chicken.

.:.

Family Celebration

2007-07-04T13:52:00.000-04:00

.:.
Today I attended the funeral for my aunt Alien Fowler who is my fathers sister. It was sad and reminded he how important family is. I'll remember the good times at her house forever.

There are many celebrations going on in America today being it's the 4th of July. Thinking and being with family is the best celebration next to meeting our Lord in heaven. I am thankful for my family and for the fact that all I know are Christians. It would be hard to give up a loved one on this earth without the peace knowing they are in heaven.

Studio Sale

2007-06-26T21:22:00.000-04:00

.:.

Today was another day that seemed to slip through my hands. I stayed busy all day and did get a few things done that were on my list, but didn't really do anything artwise. Anna spent the night with me last night and we spent this morning just playing and reading until it was time for Terri to come and take her to daycare.

I did spend a little time cleaning the studio and putting things away. I still need to fnd a good way to store all the frames I've collected. How on earth I got as many as I have I'll never know. When I started gathering them up from this stash place and that, they seemed to multiply.

Today I thought about putting an ad in my local paper around the first of November and say that I'll have an open studio sale on the last two Saturdays in November and the first two in December. I might try to make it the last Saturday in November and the first saturday in Decmeber to make it easier on me. Four saturdays might be too much. That way maybe I can clear out some of the frames I have laying around and of course some of the old paintings I never even put up on my web. I didn't count the canvas' that I have in storage, but there must be over 100. Getting those out of the studio would be a good goal for the end of the year. Then I could start fresh for next year.

If I have a good turn out for the studio sale and the painting still don't sell, I guess they need to go to the landfill gallery. :(

Summer Days

2007-06-24T21:56:00.000-04:00

.:.
Haulter tops, flowers and sunshine!

Anna's 1 today

2007-06-19T20:13:00.001-04:00

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Hope I'll be able to share some photos of her eating her cake soon.

Anna's first baked potato

2007-06-17T13:56:00.000-04:00

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She loved the sour cream too!

Anna Claire

2007-06-14T20:44:00.001-04:00

.:.

This week I've been working on the portrait of Carley Ann. It's been fun to try something new, but I'm ready for the painting to be finished. You can see my progress at http://paintinglessons.blogspot.com/.

Tonight Anna Claire is spending the night and is fast asleep full of sweet potatoes and green beans.

On to next week

2007-06-10T19:50:00.000-04:00

.:.

This has been an exhausting week trying to fit everything in. I need a break, so I'm going to take one and go visit some of my artist friends living a little south of me, visit some small towns and take some photographs. It's a shame that we have such severe drought conditions. Georgia is usually really green by this time of the year and around here almost all our grass is yellow and the trees are struggling to hold their leaves. Further up north from me they have banned all outdoor watering completely because they are afraid of running out of drinking water!

I'm still making progress on the portrait of Carley Ann although I have to admit a bit of fustration not being able to paint alla prima like I do when I paint outside en plein air. Still it's been good for the sprit to do something different and draw on different skills. You can watch my progress here: http://paintinglessons.blogspot.com/

Organization of past works is also moving a bit slowly, but still making progress, so that's good. I wish I had dated my paintings at least on the back.

Anna's day

2007-06-09T22:44:00.000-04:00

Today was a day for Anna Claire. She can't finger paint, but I know she'll be ready one day.

Anna and I had a ball today even though she is not feeling her best. She was a little clingy today and wanted to be held, but hey I loved that. I don't want her to feel bad, but there is something about holding a baby that makes the world right. sniff, sniff, sniff

Finger Painting 2

2007-06-07T18:40:00.001-04:00

.:.
Just one more image. :)

Finger Painting with Carley

2007-06-07T18:35:00.000-04:00

.:.

After VBS today, Carley Ann came home with me and we finger painted the afternoon away. What a budding artist she is. :)

My three girls

2007-06-05T17:40:00.000-04:00

This was the second day of VBS at First Baptist and we did tie-dye Tshirts. What fun and the morning went by really fast as we were working very hard. Someone said we had about 300 including the helpers attending this year.

After lunch I picked up my paint brush to work some more on a painting I'm attempting to do of my three girls, Carley Ann, Anna Claire and Cocoa-puff. Go take a look http://paintinglessons.blogspot.com/

.:.

Not Painting

2007-06-03T22:21:00.000-04:00

Today I took the day off to think about other things and take care of a hip that is giving me fits. The painting of Carley Ann is coming along nicely and can be seen at http://paintinglessons.blogspot.com/

.:.

Spring Celebration

2007-05-31T20:16:00.000-04:00

.:.This painting was done en plein air in April at Callaway Gardens.

11x14 oil on canvas panel.

Purchase price is $325.00 framed

Contact me via email for additional information.

Anna's Almost One

2007-05-28T12:17:00.000-04:00

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Carley Bear 2

2007-05-20T19:15:00.000-04:00

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Carley Ann Bear

2007-05-20T19:05:00.001-04:00

Carley Ann

2007-05-20T18:52:00.000-04:00

.:.

Carley Ann

2007-05-20T18:49:00.000-04:00

.:.

Brush Strokes

2007-05-17T15:27:00.000-04:00

Brushstrokes carry a message whether you will it or not. The stroke is just like the artist at the time they make it. All the certainties, all the uncertainties, all the bigness of their spirit and all the littleness are in it.
~Robert Henri

.:.

Oh those Spring Flowers

2007-05-17T11:17:00.000-04:00

.:.

A Great Day

2007-05-16T20:59:00.001-04:00

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Another great day. Tonight Carley Ann is spending the night over.

Mother's Day

2007-05-13T19:51:00.000-04:00

.:.

Today was a great day. I got to keep Anna Clair Friday night, all day Saturday and Saturday night while the rest of the family went on a mini vacation. Then Anna Claire and I got up on Sunday morning and went to church. Funny getting her dressed for church and hurrying around trying to get everthing packed with everthing I thought she might need. I forgot her binky, but all went okay anyway.

After church we came home and Brent, Terri and Carly Ann came back from their mini vacation to Callaway and Brent, my son, gave me my mother's day present. It was a cup of sand and a handwritten letter from him to me. I'm so proud of my son. He has such a precious heart and knows what means more to me than anything. In his letter he thanked me for the times we spent playing in the sand and special times together. Of course I teared up just thinking that he remembered. Those times, and these times are special. Every day is special and as he reminds me all the time, everyday is Mother's day.

Anna's Asleep

2007-05-09T20:31:00.000-04:00

.:.

It's Wednesday night and I get to keep Anna. She's asleep and is so beautiful. Holding a baby in your arms makes the world right.

Studio Inventory

2007-05-08T18:42:00.000-04:00

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I spent today cleaning up the studio and taking inventory of the paintings I have available ready to hang as well as ready to frame. Looks like I need to make plans for a studio sale and get rid of some 200 paintings. That's my goal for this spring and summer so I can have an end of summer sale and get ready for wonderful fall colors to paint.