The Witches of Sweetbrier...

wish you a safe and Happy Halloween!!!

My sandbox...

Many years ago I was active in Georgia archaeology, serving the State organization (SGA) and a local chapter in Atlanta. I'm not sure how I grew away from it, as I thoroughly enjoyed the digs, the history and especially the people I met. Recently I decided to attend one of the semi-annual meetings that the Society for Georgia Archaeology (http://thesga.org/) holds each year. It was so wonderful catching up with old friends, meeting new people, and getting updated on the latest archaeological sites and research.

This particular meeting was held at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center (http://www.gwinnettehc.org/) in Buford, GA. It was raining (as it seems to do in Georgia most days) so these pictures do not do the Center justice. It is a beautiful facility so please visit their website to get a better view of this amazing complex!

Yes, that is grass and plants growing on the roof. The facility is considered "green" and has water reclamation as well as many other environmental features.
One of several water pools...

Once inside we were escorted to our meeting. There were several displays of current archaeological events in Georgia.
Our welcoming crew and registrars.
A couple of old friends...
More displays and a lot of interest.
Archaeology is alive and well in Georgia and it is my hope to return to that which provided me with so much joy in the past. I can't wait to get back in the sandbox!

Life's Blessings

An Irish Blessing"May you always have walls for the wind, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all your heart might desire."

Lakewood 400

Last week we made our monthly trip to the Lakewood 400 antique fair in Cumming, GA. I decided to photograph the holiday displays that we found as we walked around.

This centerpiece was lovely though a little pricey.
This booth had a unique and interesting display!
Yes, those are witches feet hanging from the door...
A beaded satin pumpkin
Another fabric pumpkin made from an old chenille spread...
Outside there were lots of flowers for sale. Let me know if you can identify this one.
Gourds of different shapes and colours...
Lovely blooming hydrangeas
Yard art for Halloween!
Nice festive displays...




A great trip as always! Lakewood is a small but fun and friendly antique fair and occurs on the third weekend of the month. If you are ever in the Atlanta area at that time it is well worth visiting.

Life's Blessings

Listen to the exhortation of the dawn

Look to this day

For it is life, the very life of life!

In its brief course lie all the verities and realities of your existence

The bliss of growth, the glory of action, the splendor of beauty.

For yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision

But today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness

And every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Look well therefore to this day

Such is the salutation of the Dawn! (Kālidāsa)

Pumpkins in the sun!

We took these pictures after church on Sunday, which was the first sunny day we've had in a long time. It's been raining since so I decided to post them in hopes that maybe they will bring more sunshine to our dreary water-soaked existence. (For additional beautiful pictures of pumpkins visit http://thevictorianparlor.blogspot.com)We have bumpy pumpkins...
Various colored gourds

More bumpy's
And gourds...
Sun drenched pumpkins...



A pumpkin maze (the entrance)
Don't get lost!
Finally an exit - whew!
Two toned pumpkins - red and green - just in time for Christmas:)
Ahh! A white pumpkin peeking out
And more white pumpkins
Here's a great recipe for Roasted Pumpkin Seeds from my mother!

2 cups fresh pumpkin seeds

2 tsp peanut or vegetable oil

1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pulp and seeds in a colander and run under water to separate out the seeds. Discard the pulp. Sprinkle seeds on an ungreased cookie sheet and drizzle with oil. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Stir occasionally. Place in paper bag with salt added.

Life's Blessings

"There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth... not going all the way, and not starting" (Buddha)

The continuing fan story...

A few years ago my daughter and her husband gave me a wonderful surprise. They were visiting from SC and while I was at work they spent the day redecorating my porch. They cleaned, painted, recovered my furniture, bought a new table and chairs, etc, and turned my pathetic looking porch into a warm and comfortable shabby-chic style living area.

But of course not all plans go smoothly. Somehow hubby hit the porch fan and the blades went flying through the air and crashing to the floor breaking into pieces. With very little time, he made a trip to our local Lowe’s and purchased new blades.

Since that time though the blades have, shall we say, drooped! Apparently using indoor fan blades in an outdoor setting results in moisture overload. Everyone who comes to visit has commented on the bowed blades (and yes, they still work) and we have the pleasure of relating the story to them as they stare at the fan and laugh.

As you know, recently the Atlanta area has suffered tremendous amounts of rain and flooding. Shortly after the first weekend of flooding I was sitting on the porch with a cup of tea and looked up at the fan. To my amazement the blades have once more changed. Not only are they bowed, but they are spotted.

I can safely say I now have a cow fan... or perhaps a dalmatian fan... maybe an appaloosa fan?

Life's Blessings

Paths"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives." (Henry David Thoreau - 1817-1862)