Happy Birthday Michael!!

Today my oldest grandson turns 7 years old!

He is growing so fast and is so smart!

But I guess you would expect most grandmothers (Nonni in my case) to say that!!

This is the same grandson who almost a year ago while walking home from the bus stop, was attached and kicked in the head by a young adult moose.

Michael spent several days in the ICU.

I went to AK and spent several weeks during his recovery.

The picture below is while I was in Alaska and we went for ice cream!

Today you wouldn't know this had happened to him!

He is a busy, happy, active 7 yr.old.

I Love You to the moon and back,

Nonni!!!!

Valentine's Day Gifts

This week I made Valentine's Day gifts for my little

grandchildren!

Strawberry Shortcake for my 4 yr. old DGD,

Scooby-Do for my almost 7 yr.old DGS and

Cars for my 4 yr. old DGS.

I think they will have some fun with these.

Rescued Christening Gown and Slip

On Wednesday mornings, I meet with a group of talented

ladies who love to sew and quilt. It a very casual group. Sometimes we get work done and sometimes we just visit and talk.

Today, I was running a little late and when I got there, a row of vintage/antique

baby clothes were lying out to see.

It turns out that a family member had to get out of the house she was living in and she had multiple boxes of old vintage linens, glassware and more to get rid of and she was

going to throw them away!!!

But my friend rescued some. Well my heart just beat faster as I was looking at all these treasures of daygowns, shirts, aprons, and gowns and to think they would have been dumped.

As I was looking at an old but beautiful worn christening gown and slip,

my heart skipped a beat when she said I could have this one if I wanted it.....

Oh My Goodness!!!! Did I ever!!!!

My ears could not believe what I was hearing. I was so excited to get it home.

The gown measures 42" long and I think that is bobbin lace with row of pintucks.

It has some tears and holes in the christening slip and gown and I am not sure

what I will do about repairing it yet, but I wanted to share this treasure.

Hurray, He Passed the Test!

I have two boys, (well they are grown up now). My youngest son has been going to nursing school and graduated this past Dec. On Thursday, he took his test to become a registered nurse. Today he found out that he passed (I knew he would). He has always been interested in the medical field even after he graduated from Auburn with a geography degree. He worked in that field for a short while, but knew that was not his calling. So after a couple of years, he decide to get his nursing degree through University of South Alabama's accelerated nursing program. He has done very well throughout the course. He already has a job waiting for him, so now he can pursue his career in nursing. We are so happy for you son!!

Happy Groundhog Day Muffins

We are making Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins.

We thought groundhogs liked blueberries,

so I have my little granddaughter Maddie in the

kitchen with me today.

She loves to help me cook and make goodies in

the kitchen.

She is picking out the cupcake liners for the muffins below.

We have mixed the dry ingredients and the wet ingredients and

the picture below we are about to mix the two together.

The is a two handed stir. We have added the blueberries and walnuts,

so it makes a thick batter.

Dough is in the muffin liners and now for a few extra chopped walnuts on top.

Maddie put the right amount.
They are baked and came out so pretty.
Now time for tasting.

Since she is Type 1 Diabetic, Maddie can have half a muffin for snack.

She says "Mmmmmm! They are good"

Here is the recipe, they are really simple to make

1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour

1 1/4 c. oats (not quick oats)

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 c. unsweetened applesauce

1/2 c. low-fat buttermilk

1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar

2 T. canola oil

1 large egg, beaten

3/4 - 1 c. blueberries, can use frozen

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line muffin pan.

In large mixing bowl, mix the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

In another bowl, mix applesauce, buttermilk, brown sugar, oil and egg.

Mix well the applesauce mixture into the dry ingredients.

Fold in the blueberries and walnuts, reserving a few chopped walnuts for topping.

Divide the batter into the muffin cups, top with chopped walnuts.

Bake for 16 - 18 minutes or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool and enjoy.

Vintage Photo from the 1930's

This is a vintage photo from my

Etsy Shop that I wanted to share with you!

I just love to look over this photo and spot all the ladies in

there Sunday dress.

It is interesting that most are wearing hats and big hats at that!

But that was the fashion back then.

I am guessing this is maybe 1930's or earlier.

And there is only one man in the photo sitting down on the ground

in the middle. Who is the guy? Maybe it is a church meeting/social and he is the pastor.

And this must be a large church or at least large women's group.

Plus you can see a few children scattered about!

I wish I knew the history of this photo. I do know that I found it in a large box of old photos that belonged to my husband's aunt that passed away a couple of years ago. She had kept it in a closet on the top shelf along with other boxes of old photos.

She never had any children and when she and her husband passed away (he passed a few months before her), we took and sorted through these pictures.

I wished she had shown these to me and told me the stories of who they might be.

But as a result, I have saved many for my collection and decided to put some in my Etsy shop to sell. And if they do not sell, well I will keep them. I bet there is a story in there somewhere.

More from Our Natchez Trace Vacation

Magnolia Hall was one of the best Greek Revival Houses to visit. Unfortunely the day we were there the Hall was closed. But that did not stop me from stepping up to the front porch and taking a few pictures of the front door and one of the many floor to ceiling windows.


I loved the large windows with the tall shutters. Just needed a rocking chair or porch swing and a glass of ice tea to make it perfect.

This is the front door to Magnolia Hall.

Magnolia Hall was built about 1858.


Behind Magnolia Hall was this sweet little hideaway. A vine covered

sitting area. I can imagine a nice place to slip away with a book to read.