Random Monday Memories #18 . . .

                                                                Happy 1st day of August! 
 There's no relief in sight from the drought and extreme high temperatures.  We may reach 110 or 111 this week.  UGH!   We haven't had rain in many, many days.

This is the new Oklahoma rain gauge!

Trust me, even a thimble would be too big!

Think positive . . .

we're inching our way toward autumn!

Today's random memory is about Falls Creek youth camp located near Davis, OK in the southern part of the state in the Arbuckle Mountains.  I attended this camp when I was a teenager and as a sponsor during the 70s and 90s.  My last summer to visit was 1999.  I have many fond memories of this special place.  5,000 plus people in the tabernacle singing is a sound I'll never forget. 

Falls Creek was established in the summer of 1917, when J. B. Rounds and W. D. Moorer used the donated land to host the meeting of the Baptist Young People's Union, with a total of 273 campers. Since then, Falls Creek has grown astronomically, now averaging 55,000 attendees per summer. In the 1920s, a large outdoor tabernacle was built and remained in use for many years.

 In 2004, this tabernacle was torn down and construction began on a new one, with services during the 2005 and 2006 sessions being held at an amphitheater. Benches from the old tabernacle, which had been signed by generations of campers, were sold away as collector's items. In 2007, the new tabernacle was opened at the 90th Falls Creek session and was the first facility indoors and with rest rooms.



Do you have any memories of summer camp?

Weekly Words To Live By #60 . . .

We do not stop playing

because we grow old.

We grow old because

we stop playing.

~George Bernard Shaw

Wishing you a fun Sunday . . .

Six Years . . .

Happy Anniversary

to

Bobby and Kari

Congratulations on 6 wonderful years!



It's A Beautiful Morning . . .

Oklahoma Tallgrass Prairie

A beautiful place to visit. . .

 Several years ago before my mother passed away we visited

the Oklahoma Tallgrass Prairie.

She had treated all the girls in our family to an overnight

stay in a bed & breakfast in Pawhuska.

The next morning we headed to the prairie.

Oklahoma sunrise on the Tallgrass Prairie.

The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve near Pawhuska, Oklahoma is the largest protected area of tallgrass prairie on Earth, spanning 39,000 acres. The tallgrass prairie is a complex environment harboring a rich diversity of plants and animals. The current 39,000-acre expanse was purchased from private ownership in 1989 and is now managed by the Nature Conservancy to be enjoyed as a scenic drive.


This scenic route on public county roads takes visitors through the heart of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and through adjacent private ranches. Starting and ending in Pawhuska, the complete drive is approximately 50 miles, and takes about two hours at a leisurely pace with time for stopping.


The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is a haven for watchable wildlife. The diversity of grassland and forest is home to over 300 species of birds. Other wildlife includes white-tailed deer, bobcats, armadillos, beavers, woodchucks, badgers, coyotes, and more. But the stars of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve are the free ranging bison who were reintroduced to the area once it became a preserve. The 2,500 American bison are now part of one of the largest herds in the country. The iconic buffalo can often be photographed and observed from the road.


Drive the 15 miles of road through the bison unit and visit the preserve headquarters and gift shop. There are four scenic turnouts, picnic locations, a self-guided nature trail, a newly added two mile hiking trail, and a historic 1920 ranch bunkhouse. The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk.

It's Friday. . .

It's going to be another hot day.

It's still a beautiful morning!

Wishing you a fantastic Friday. . .



A Sweet Conspiracy . . .

Southern Living

is conspiring against me!

Each cover is tempting me to give in to

my love of pies.

June's cover. . .

Buttery Pecan-Peach Cobbler

July . . .

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Peach Pie

August's temptation . . .

Lemon Meringue Ice-Cream Pie

Here's the problem . . .

I am working toward my goal weight.

 I am a diabetic.

Here's the solution . . .

I'm eating fresh strawberries and peaches

topped with a sprinkle of Splenda & a dollop of light whipped cream.

The good news is . . . 

I am using 'super human' self control.

(Thank you Lord!)

My family is cheering me on, telling me how great I'm doing.

I see the finish line in the near feature.

Who knows, I may create one of  these delicious pies

before the summer ends and treat myself to one

bite off my hubby's plate!

Maybe . . .

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday . . .

A Little Dab Wasn't Enough . . .

Yesterday afternoon we had a brief moment of rain.

It wasn't enough!

We need some of this!

Before you go to the link
 click the pause button on my playlist.

http://youtu.be/71gDnLwes80

I love old hymns! 

Weekly Words To Live By #59 . . .

Good friends are like stars.....

you don't always see them,

but you know they are always there.

Thank you for being my friend!

Wishing you a restful Sunday . . .

Nana's Brag Book . . .

My Grandma, Minnie, had a little photo album

that contained pictures of grand kids & great grand kids.

The front cover said, "Grandma's Brag Book."

She sometimes carried it in her purse so she could share

pictures with friends.

Here's my version of "Grandma's Brag Book."

"Nana's Brag Book"



Ethan and I



Mr. Smiling Blue Eyes

Emma & Papaw

Little ballerina

Wishing you a fantastic Friday . . .

Praying For A Break . . .

We're praying for rain and a break in this heatwave.

We're so glad we decided to not plant a garden this year.

Last year's garden was a disappointing failure because of the heat.

Even with regular watering we had almost zero harvest.

My poor flowers are suffering.

The saliva look like molting chickens.

However, the 4 Boston ferns on the deck are lush and green.

Our deck is on the east side of house which

means these beauties are in the shade most of the day.

It looks like a green oasis on the deck,

but feels like a sauna.

The only time you can enjoy time there is

early in the morning and very late at night.

How are you flower and vegetable gardens doing?

Time Well Spent . . .

Yesterday was a fun day!

My daughter-in-law brought the kiddos over for the day.

Also, her nephew spent the day with us.

She is taking care of Levi this week because his

regular babysitter is on vacation. 

Ethan and his cousin had a fun time playing together.

I had fun holding Emma.

In fact, I had so much fun I forgot to take a

picture of her so, I stole this one from Kari's Facebook page.

She's getting so big!

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday. . .

Random Monday Memories #17 . . .



This exteme heat has me thinking alot about the
 snowy weather we had during the past winter.

Here are a few pictures to hopefully help you feel cooler.

The blizzard was raging.
View from our front door in February.

Hi Frosty!

Hubby looking cool shoveling snow.

Ready for a cookout?

Weekly Words To Live By #58 . . .

Wishing you a beautiful Sunday . . .

Sunflowers . . .

The sunflower is one of my most favorite flowers.

Maybe it's because they represent the summer season.

Several years ago while on vacation we found a

bookstore going out of business.

This is one of books I bought.

Sunflowers

Growing, Cooking, and Crafting

with the

 Sunniest of Plants

Written by

Diane Morey Sitton

Throughout the book it lists fun facts about sunflowers

called

 "Seed  for Thought."

Here a few of the fun facts . . .

*

Sunflowers are the national

flower of Russia.

*

The French word for sunflower

is tournesol, or literally

"turn with the sun."

*

In early Native American culture, the

sunflower was a religious symbol, merging

with the sun in sacred and

decorative motifs.

*

In 1987, Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers

painting sold at auction for a record

$39.9 million.

 *

The sunflower was officially named the
state flower of Kansas in 1903.

 

*

Bees make a delicious amber honey

from sunflowers.



  *

In the language of flowers, the sunflower

is the birthday flower for June 30.  It symbolizes

adoration, affection, constancy, glory,

gratitude, and infatuation.

Here is a recipe from the book that I want to try.

Sunflower Herb Dip

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 teaspoons chives

2 teaspoons parsley flakes

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 cup sunflower kernels

Blend in food processor until sunflower kernels are chopped.

Chill overnight.

Serve with crackers, chips or raw vegetables.

Yield: approximately 2 cups.

Note to self. . .

buy a bunch of freshly cut sunflowers.

30 Years Ago . . .

Thrity years ago we were blessed when our

son was born.

Look at those chubby cheeks!

He was the biggest baby in the nursery that week

weighing almost 10 pounds.

The nurses called him Bam Bam.

An adorable toddler. . .
what a sweet face.

1st grade . . .
 look at those big blue eyes!

Now you're all grown up.
You're a husband and father,
but you'll always be our sweet baby boy.

We love you, Bobby!

Happy Birthday!

Hot Enough For Ya? ? ?

I couldn't resist posting this picture!

It's 6:15 AM. . .

already 86 degrees.

Today's forecast?

106

Today's motto. . .

"Think cool thoughts!"

Weekly Words To Live By #57 . . .

Holding a grudge is letting someone

live rent-free in your head.

Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, was reminded one day of a vicious deed that someone had done to her years before. But she acted as if she had never even heard of the incident. "Don't you remember it?" her friend asked. "No," came Barton's reply,

 "I distinctly remember forgetting it."


Wishing you a day full of joy . . .

Beating The Heat . . .

Well, the heat wave continues in Oklahoma.

A cold front came through Thursday

dropping the temperature to a chilly 97 yesterday.

Today we'll see at least 100 with brutal heat indexes.

The humdity is horrible.

Hubby started mowing the lawn around 7:30.

Hopefully he'll be finished soon before 9:00.

Here is a list of things to do when you're trying to beat the heat.

Wear your bikini around the house, but keep your cover up close by

in case unexpected visitors ring the doorbell.

Not going to happen. . .

I haven't owned a two piece since 1975.

Need I say more?  

 I think not!

Fill your bathtub with ice water and take a dip when you feel the urge.

Note to self . . .

buy bags of ice.

Stick your head in the freezer for a few minutes while you breathe deeply.

Run through the water sprinkler like you did when you were a kid.

I might consider this idea, then maybe not.

The neighbors might think I've gone off the deep end!

Eat lots of ice-cream and snow cones.

Now, that's a great idea!

Oops, I forgot, I've got to watch my sugar consumption!

Seriously folks, if it's super hot where you live,

take it easy and don't overdo the outdoor activity.

Enjoy your Saturday! 

Keep cool and chill out!

Fun On The 4th . . .

Our July 4th celebration started Sunday with

Hubby's annual smoked meat fest.

Yummy!

The fun continued Monday . . .

 This is Ethan's 3rd year to be in our subdivison parade.

 waving and wearing Old Glory . . .

 Papaw provided the pulling power . . .

 Emma was unaware she was in her first parade . . .

 Uncle Sam and Ethan . . .

 I'm awake now . . .



 patriotic family of four . . .



 Is it time for lunch ?

aw-w-w, so sweet, he loves his little sister . . .

Hope you all had a safe and fun weekend!

Thanks so much for visiting today!