A House Divided. . .

A beautiful fall Saturday in the South . . . what does it mean?

Well, if you're truly Southern, it means FootBall ~ SEC style ~ normally a "fairly" calm day on the acre when we're not off between the hedges . . . but THIS particular Saturday it means . . .

WAR!!

In case you're in some remote, unforsaken area, I'm talking about t. h. e. GAME ~ the DAWGS against the "hounddogs" ~ Georgia vs. Tennessee ~ the south 'Acres" against the north 'Acres' ~ cousins against cousins ~ you know . . . parents against children (sweet, in-law children, that is) ~ the family feud kind of war. I'm talking, this kind of war . . .

Granddaddy and Mimi opted to stay home this weekend and watch it on the big screen while you "A" girls cheer for us between the hedges ~ blow kisses to Tay and Heather for Mimi.

Mimi knows ya'll will be all decked out in Red & Black!!!

The "C" girls have a house full of guests this weekend for the CNC homecoming game ~ GO EAGLES ~ but you'll be watching THE game before you dash off to CNC.

Question . . .

what are you "C" girls wearing today . . . red & black or orange & white????? I know what you're wearing for the CNC game or I hope you're wearing your Eagle shirts Mimi made . . . and, yes, CNC is orange and blue . . . but Mimi's talking Tennessee orange or Georgia red????? And, Daddy, what are you wearing . . . is that ole orange shirt you had to wear another weekend wayyyyyy back in the back of the closet today? No need to ask Mommy, I know what she has on!

Last year, Campbell, you played it safe and just wore your Halloween orange ~ were you trying to fool Mimi or just keeping Mommy happy with a little orange & Daddy happy with the white? At least you had GREAT seats!

Just look at that sea of orange ~ but Daddy stayed neutral "looking" even though Mimi knows his heart was beating RED! Maybe this year the score . . . But Mimi's not saying too much about the game until it's over . . . did you see my dawgs last weekend? . . . today they're favored to win . . . we'll see; but for now . . . I just want all my family to know I LOVE you very much regardless of the colors you're wearing. It's only a "game" after all, right? (Yeah, sure ~ who am I kidding, right Mammaw?) And besides, your Granny's favorite song (2nd only to Amazing Grace) was "Rocky Top." Now, ya'll behave yourselves today & remember your raisin' ~ act like Southern gentlemen and ladies regardless of the outcome . . . Mimi's goin'a be trying real hard!!

XOXOXOXOXO ~ Mimi

GOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!!!!!

just listen all you orange "Acre' fans . . . Mimi's playing your song in honor of Granny!

A Little More Fall on the Acre

I'm back!! Buella and Betsy are turned off, 1 UPS package headed south, 1 UPS package headed north, the house is clean, the laundry's done, Halloween decorations are up (well, most of them--some are still "projects"), and Mimi's exhausted! Now, if all the other little projects were complete, I could really rest; but, since there's still more to be done, I'm just taking a quick break to show you girls some more decorations. Let's go back outside . . . Mimi forgot to show you the little scarecrow that's guarding the house.

Now, let's go in the front door . . .

Here's Mimi's little scarecrow tassle ~ made it a little different from the ones I made ya'll. I also made Miss Cheryl and Miss Darlene one like mine. I think they're addicting. (lol)

The box that holds the treats for Halloween gobblins by the tea cart ~ it's empty now because Mimi hasn't had time to look for bargains . . . maybe since the clothes are complete?

I had to move this pillow in because Miss Gigi insists on sleeping on the furniture on the porch. Now if I can just keep ya'll from getting popsicles on it when you stop to rest before going up to the "Nest."

Look on the mantle . . . Miss Bo is helping me keep watch for the little ghosts with the help of light from Mr. Jack. When I found this cute little witch last year, it reminded me of Granny who ALWAYS dressed like a witch and handed out her homemade popcorn balls. Granny LOVED Halloween ~ guess that's why Mimi likes it soooo much! Oh, and Miss Bo's name came from Granny's high school nickname in case you thought I meant Miss Boo.

Isn't she so cute?

Now here's just some of the other areas of the house . . .

These little cones hold goodies for ya'll normally; but since Mimi knew no one was coming this Halloween, I didn't put anything in them yet . . . we sure don't need them! Three of the cones came from Tuesday Morning year before last on clearance and Mimi made the other 3 last year.

Cybil and Adelynn, see your little green witch on the "Treasure Box" chest just waiting on ya'll to come play. Hope that ole crow doesn't peek her on the head! Mimi's thinking that bird cage I got at Service League salvage might eventually have to be painted black; after all, it's only been 2 years. And my dream lamp for the chest is still just a dream . . . Buella and Betsy may have to stay off for a while! Anna Grace, see the pumpkin plaque you and Mommy made for me? Campbell & Ailee, ya'll will like Mimi's table runner ~ it glows in the dark!! (Okay, I didn't know it did that when I bought it but what does it matter, I thought, the girls will like it!)

Who are those cute "little punkins" in that pumpkin frame . . . remember that was at the pumpkin farm and Mimi made all 3 outfits . . . sooooo much fun that day!! Maybe one day we can do that again. You can't see it very good, but the little black pillow asks "So, have you been a good witch or a bad witch?" Guess which one Granddaddy says Mimi has been! My apron just waiting on the Halloween cookies to be made because "the witch is in." The beautiful pumpkin towel was given to me last year by my good friend, Miss Charlotte (the big Emily's grandmother).

My hat just waiting by the door for "All Hallows Eve." As usual, just added a few pumpkins to the bowl of fruit on the buffet. Mimi will probably be moving all that good smelly stuff on my Southern Living tray on the coffee table before Thanksgiving . . . Adelynn and Baby Josie just might be tempted to try it. Mimi's not too happy with her foyer chest--one thing--that mirror (I have cans of oil-rubbed bronze just waiting to stray it)--and, hopefully, Mammaw's chest will be darker before Christmas. Well, that's it . . . doesn't seem to be as much as in the past; is Mimi getting lazy? Maybe . . . but then there won't be as much to change into Fall decorations after Halloween is passed. The dining room is the only room completely decorated "Fall." You'll have to wait to see it when you come eat Tom Turkey.

Mimi still has the front entrance of the subdivision to decorate . . . maybe tomorrow! But first, I have to complete one more BIG project . . . I'll post it after next Friday . . . can't share it yet but it has to do with Miss Pam's daughter Paisley getting on the homecoming court again.

Good night sweet ones! Hope you like all the goodies coming your way tomorrow!

XOXOXOXOXO ~ Mimi

I almost forgot . . . I've had several ask where I got the "Happy Halloween" for the black charger in the previous entry. Well, usually I ask my sweet daughter to make things like that for me through her company The Monogram Monkey but, she's so busy trying to get all her orders completed, she's closed her shop & I didn't have the heart to ask so I bought them off etsy from Anders Ruff Custom Designs. You'll have to watch for other goodies in the collection at my neighborhood pre-hallows eve party.

House Guest, Golf, and a Few Prizes

Very busy weekend on the acre, girls!! We had a visitor . . . yes, Mimi's baby boy came for a visit all by himself! Well, actually, he came to play in a golf tournament but we were just glad to see him for whatever reason ~ two-on-one time that doesn't happen often enough! I think only 1 other time in 9 years has he come all by himself, usually there's 2 little girls and their mommy along. We really missed them this weekend, along with the other family and all their girls that is usually here when "the son" is.

My handsome son, the agent

On Sunday, after church, Mimi went along with Granddaddy to watch he and his friend play the last few holes. We even got a cart and rode along . . . quietly behind . . . now how hard do you think that was for Mimi . . . the quiet part? You're right ~ hard; but the hardest part was watching him play and not being able to "cheer" like when he played football or baseball. When he raised his arms to swing, Mimi's heart would almost stop until we knew where the ball landed (of course, Mimi couldn't follow it so Granddaddy had to whisper and tell me). I can't imagine following him the entire course . . . whew!!! I was a nervous wreck by the time they knew their scores; guess they probably were, too. But they finished 2nd!!!! YAY!!!!! Now I can yell! They beat all the "local boys" ~ can Mimi say PROUD!!

Guess what the 3 of us did Saturday night? Yep, we watched those Dawgs ~~ I know, not much to see but notice Mimi's still flying her flag!! And, yes, I know Beth . . . the big orange won. Did you like your prize?

I really like mine and Mande's better, but I had to be fair and put a little orange in the one going north!

Mimi did alot of "piddling" while the game was on trying to finish some little Halloween & Fall gifts to send back to the girls with Daddy and to the girls in the other direction this week. Here's a little peek ~ Hope all you girls and your mamas liked Mimi's little surprises!!

Craftaholic Anonymous had something similar on her blog; and, since I already had the cheap black chargers, I was a copycat. (Got to learn how to keep the flash from making things blurry)

Loved the little girl scarecrow for all my little monkeys! I sure am glad I found a way to use all my scrap ribbons and trim!

And, monkeys, when you get tired of wearing these . . . you can eat them!!

Aren't these bracelets just the cutest things? Kierste from brown paper packages made some and gave the best tutorial. Check it out here. Just scroll down until you find them, she has lots of great ideas for you to enjoy along the way. Of course, Mimi shared the idea with my two crafting friends & we 3 made a mad dash for pumpkin candy. Wonder who ate the most while making the bracelets?

But tonight Cybil told me she had broken her bracelet already (that coming for a little one who put a hole in the living room wall & colored in magic marker on her pillowcase while daddy was away) . . . why is Mimi not surprised? Was it an accident or were you ready to eat your candy? Either way, don't cry little one, Mimi will make you another one and send it right away!

And guess what else made this weekend special ~ Mimi won her first-ever blog giveaway prize this weekend!!! I did, I really did win something!!!!! Not only was this the first blog giveaway win, it was very close to the ONLY thing Mimi has ever won. Miss Janice from Ettiquette with Miss Janice was giving away the cutest little _ _ _ _ _ (shhhhh, it's a secret). I have followed Miss Janice for a while 'cause I want to make sure I'm teaching ya'll to be proper Southern Belles the most proper way. Mamas, you can go here (scroll down one entry) to see what I won but don't show the girls. Didn't Miss Janice say the sweetest things about your Mimi? Now that you're back, I know you're wondering exactly what I'm going to do . . . 1 prize and 5 little princesses. Well, in my comment to win, I chose another of my special little girls, Miss Emily, to be the recipient. You remember little Emily whose daddy is in Iraq, the one I made the yellow-ribbon dress and skirt for . . . yes, isn't she sweet? We're going to bake her daddy some cookies while she's wearing it; but she doesn't know yet. And, of course, since Miss Janice told where she got it, Mimi's headed that way to try to find enough for the princesses and their mommies so they can do the baking for their Halloween parties together. Wish me luck since I have to go into another state to get to Home Goods!! But still don't tell the girls!

Since Mimi's going to be out of pocket this week, I brought down most of the fall/halloween decorations and did a little early decorating today. While I was trying to explain something to Mande, she reminded me that ya'll don't usually see my Halloween decorations; so, I'll have to do something about that during the next few weeks starting now . . . just a peek tonight . . . and we'll start with the front porch. (I'm saving the big picture until later.)

Here's some close ups. Mimi just noticed I have to go straighten the wreath! Of course, the metal witch like ya'll have is on the top step just waiting on the mums for her bucket ~ maybe she'll get them this week. Now if I can just keep Miss Gigi off the pillows! As usual, I'll be adding more along; Mimi can't quit 'addin' until the holiday is over!

Hopefully, each week until Halloween Mimi can show you a little bit more. But, that's it for now . . . time's a wastin' as Granny would say. Lots of halloween outfits to make yet, and, you know that since this is my favorite season, there's lots more crafting projects in the works. Hopefully, there'll be time for pictures before we move on to the next holiday!

Good night, my little monkeys!!

Although Mimi will be 'out of pocket,' I'll take time to talk to ya'll every night! XOXOXOXOXO ~ Mimi

History Lesson Part 2 ~ The Harvest Moon

As promised last night, Mimi dashed to the upper deck a few minutes before 11:09 so I could witness the Autumnal Equinox (beginning of fall) because I knew my little monkeys would be sleeping and I wanted pictures for ya'll . . . even though I saw here that AG wanted her mommy to set the alarm because they had talked about it at school, you all slept right through!

Well, girls, it was a beautiful sight with the moon and Jupiter all lined up; but Mimi's camera didn't do it justice. Even Miss Gigi thought it was very pretty. She told me she was so glad she got to see it and would always remember it . . . Yes, she did!!

Here's what Gigi and I saw . . .

The little squiggly light at the bottom of the picture is Jupiter

Of course, there really weren't rays coming from the moon, it's just Mimi's camera. Here's a cropped version of this picture without the flash but you couldn't see Jupiter even before the crop.

I did a little internet searching and here's 2 more pictures . . .

Skywatcher Daniel Fischer took this photo of the full Harvest moon and Jupiter with a handheld digital camera on Sept. 22, 2010 from Königswinter, Germany. Jupiter, Uranus (too dim to see here) and the moon were lined up in a rare conjunction. Credit: Daniel Fischer Look at the location of Jupiter to the moon in Germany compared to Mimi's photo. Aren't the trees pretty?

Skywatcher Ruth Burkhead of Eustis, Fla., caught this view of the full Harvest moon and Jupiter on Sept. 22, 2010 while photographing the two objects from her backyard. Jupiter, Uranus (too dim to see here) and the moon were lined up in a rare conjunction. Credit: Ruth Burkhead See, the location of Jupiter matches Mimi's photo. Believe her camera might be just a tad better than mine.

Now, let's see if you remember what Mimi told you last night . . (I see 3 hands): "The Autumnal or Fall Equinox is when the sun and the earth are aligned exactly and day and night are the same length." YEAH!! You did remember!

So now on to tonight's lesson ~ The Harvest Moon

"Not since 1991 has a full moon occurred on the same night as the fall equinox, and it won't happen again until 2029," wrote astronomer Tony Phillips in a NASA announcement. According to Phillips, the Harvest Moon typically occurs a few days or weeks before or after the fall equinox. This year, though, the full moon occurs just six hours after the equinox, making it what Phillips called a "Super Harvest Moon."

Every full moon has a different name, one which varies depending on different cultures. The Harvest Moon gets its name from agriculture, explained Phillips.

"In the days before electric lights, farmers depended on bright moonlight to extend the workday beyond sunset," Phillips wrote. "It was the only way they could gather their ripening crops and harvest staple crops such as pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice in time for market."

Mimi was sleeping 6 hours after the fall equinox when the Harvest Moon actually occurred but tonight on my way back home from a little shopping trip, I saw the "Halloween" moon. A big bright orange ball came over the mountain ~ it was so big I could even see the man in the moon. Did Mimi have her camera . . . NO!! I called both houses and cell phones to make sure you girls saw it but no one answered ~ I just left messages. Anyway, I hurried home, dashed in the house, got my trusty little camera, and drove back out until I could see it without street lights. By the time I had done all of that it had started to turn white but there was still enough orange for you to see it in these pictures.

Here it is far away and if you look very, very closely half-way down the picture you can see the outline of trees and to the right is our beautiful mountain.

Here's the same picture cropped ~ see how orange it is . . . and yes, Ailee, that might be a WITCH we see in the moon! The A girls did see the "Halloween" moon and called to ask why it was called that . . . I explained that I only called it that because it was orange and looked like the moon usually looks on Halloween night. Ailee, you were so upset when you ran out to see it. Your response . . . "But where's the witch?" . . . because you had expected to see a witch in the moon after you heard my message. Guess what you want to be for Halloween . . . The Wicked Witch of the West just so you can say "I'll get you, my pretty" in your crackly little voice. Only Ailee ~ never a dull moment!!

Wouldn't you have LOVED to be the one who saw this and took this picture last night--yes, it was REALLY taken last night or maybe early morning, but Mimi got so excited she just saved the picture and not the credits of where it came from . . . hopefully, I won't get in trouble because this is such a wonderful picture I had to share it with my babies!! Looks just like a Halloween Moon doesn't it girls? okay, minus the witch!

Guess what Mimi's thinking now after seeing this picture . . . yes, I need a more powerful camera (I love my camera, Mande, but more power would be great!). . . are you listening, Mr. Greenjeans? If not, maybe Santa Claus is because you know, girls, he REALLY starts listening after the First Day of Fall.

Now you can tell your teachers you saw the Harvest Moon and the Fall Equinox, thanks to your Mimi. And no more "lessons" for a while, I promise!

Good night, girls . . . Mimi's singing you a "sweet" lullaby

XOXOXOXO ~ MIMI

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

In just a little while Fall begins ~ so Mimi’s turning the air conditioning WAAAAY down and dreaming of sitting outside by the crackling fire, warm furry sweaters, the smell of cinnamon & pumpkin candles, pumpkin rolls, apple-picking trips, the pumpkin patch and, of course, a visit from The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

What are ya’ll dreaming of? Let me guess . . . candy apples, the fair, trips to the dairy farm and the pumpkin farm, Boo at the Zoo, trick-or-treating at the beach, basketball practice and Halloween costumes. Did I miss anything? Oh yes, silly Mimi . . . tons of sweet, sweet candy. Your daddys are dreaming of Saturday football and rankings while your mommys are dreaming of spiced apple cider and how to cram in all the fun things they have planned for you girls, I'm sure.

Now you know . . .

that with any special “day,” we have to have a “lesson” ~ guess that’s what 31 years of teaching caused besides the fact that Mimi wants all of you to be sooooo smart . . . so here it goes . . . well, before we do that, let's take a look at what Mimi found in her yard today . . . do you see those leaves turning?

October color is on its way!! Get the rakes out, Granddaddy!

Now the lesson . . . Fall or Autumnal Equinox occurs tonight at 11:09 EST in the United States; that means that this is the time when day and night are exactly the same length ~ the moment when the Sun appears to pass directly over the earth's equator.

This year it also means that the Harvest Moon (the first full moon of autumn) will be “hanging in the sky” on the same night as the Fall Equinox for the first time in 19 years. Also, according to abcnews.go.com, “if we are blessed with clear skies tonight, we’ll see an unusually bright star right near the moon which is not actually a star at all; it's the planet Jupiter at ‘opposition,’ coming closer to the earth than at any time since 1963.” WOW!!

Another quote from abcnews.go.com . . . “There's no real magic to all this, just the bodies of the solar system doing what they do as they follow the rules of orbital mechanics.”

And do you girls know who told the solar system to do this . . . who created the rules of orbital mechanics . . . YES, our Heavenly Father, the creator of the universe. Give Him the glory, great things He has done!

Do you think you can remember all of this to share with your class? Mimi's betting on it! A couple of you might not want to speak up enough to share but I know at least 2 that wouldn't have a problem with that at all.

Oh . . . it's time and, since all 5 of you are snuggled in bed with your blankets (or at least, I hope you are), Mimi’s going outside to witness all of this first hand. Yes, I’ll capture it for you with my trusty little camera. Hopefully, pictures tomorrow! For now . . .

Sleep tight my little ones.

XOXOXOXO ~ Mimi

Summer Sands Part 2

Were you tired after yesterday's post? Mimi was, but there's still more to follow. You've been busy girls for sure!

~ More Summer Sands~

Did a little dancing . . . (at recital and a wedding)

Visited a few theme parks (1 on the hottest day of summer ~ ) & sold a little lemonade . . .

Played a little softball . . .

Tried some new sports . . .

Did a little sewing . . .

Visited some little fishes . . . Even caught a few fishes & celebrated with slushes . . . (thanks, Mr. Terry for helping us) Built a few sand castles & jumped a few waves . . . (both families got to enjoy 2 trips to the beach this summer, WOW!!)

And, of course, we must throw in all the other special activities Mimi has already posted about like Cousins Camp. This summer season has been busy, busy, busy but Mimi & Granddaddy wouldn't trade even one second of it ~ we just feel so blessed to be included in all your activities ~ to watch you grow and to see the wonder in your eyes as you experience new things. You are 5 very special little princesses ~ Mimi's Fabulous Five ~ and I just about explode thinking about the tremendous fun we're in for in the years ahead; but, I'm going to take it one season at a time and try to embrace all God blesses us with through your lives. Because . . .

tomorrow night at 11:09 EST, the hourglass flips again & we're back in the race ~ this time, Mimi's thinking it's more like a race of survival with the R.E.A.L.L.Y. busy FALL schedules you have. It's Mimi's wish as we experience these grains of sand that make up our Fall season ~ the Sands through our Hourglass ~ we take time to praise the one who gave us this sand and for the abilities and talents bestowed on us that allows us to endure and even sometimes succeed. Praise Him for the hurts and disappointments as well as the joys and triumphs. Praise Him for the interuptions as well as the schedules completed on time. Praise Him all during "The Days of Our Lives" and may we live each of those days so that when our hourglass has flipped for the very last time we will be able to hear . . .

"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

Matthew 25:23

XOXOXOXO ~ Mimi

Like Sands Through An Hourglass . . .

so are the days of our lives. . . . . .

Someone (not really sure who) flipped over the hourglass in early summer and the race began. It's like we were all trying to see just how much we could pack in before time was up and the hourglass was flipped over again for Fall. We were in a race against time . . . time when school would start . . . schedules would be shifted . . . pools would be closed . . . days would be shorter and more jam packed . . . dance classes would start . . . winter sports practice would begin . . . and homework would take 1/2 the night.

As I worked outside this morning cutting back all the faded flowers, I stopped to watch the leaves already falling from the trees. Before long these individual leaves will make up the piles that ya'll love to run through, Gigi likes to hide in, & Mimi and Granddaddy hate to rake. As I thought about that, I was reminded of the introduction to my favorite soap opera "Days of Our Lives" . . . "like sands through the hourglass . . ." Today's leaves are like the individual grains of sand in that hourglass ~ the one we've been racing against ~ alone they're insignificant ~ but added together they make up the pile . . . the pile of days and weeks that have now become a season . . . and a season that's quickly becoming a lifetime ~ a lifetime that becomes a legacy.

My lifetime . . . My legacy

and because I don't want any of you to forget even one little grain of the pile of activites that was SUMMER, we're going to pause and enjoy them one more time because in only 3 more days that hourglass will flip again and the race will start anew. (Actually, it started anew for ya'll with the start of school, but officially flips on the 1st day of Fall.)

~ Our Summer Sands One Grain at a Time ~

We took time to . . .

Snuggle with the babies . . .

Visit with the Cousins . . .

Have a few birthday parties . . .

Play a little golf and even milk a cow . . . (notice the hole-in-one!)

Celebrate a holiday . . . (it had to include sparklers, cooking and swimming!)

and so much more we'll have to continue tomorrow . . .

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away.” Psalm 39:4 (NLT)