Worth the time

YMCA swimming lessons

Lawson has turned into a "little fish" this summer. He has always loved to be in the water but now he can really swim. I love watching my grand kids turn into swimmers. I was never and I am still not a "swimmer". I was not around water when I was young so it just never "took". I can get from one end of the pool to the other but you would not be able to identify what I was doing! I was determined that my children would be swimmers and divers and they were. John has always been a good swimmer and diver. I remember when we built the pool....John's Daddy, Paw Paw, came to visit and in his 70s did the most amazing dive off the diving board. Lawson took swimming lessons at the 280 YMCA this summer and he is swimming and diving great. Enjoy the pictures of his swimming debut at MeMe and Pops pool.

We've Been Blessed..........

With a bountiful garden this year. So, like squirrels gathering nuts for the winter......we are busy........ gathering, freezing and canning for the winter. I wish my hands were in the pictures of the butter beans so you would know that I do know how to do something in the kitchen! John made Josh's favorite......pickled okra!

And....we always need pepper sauce for collards and turnip greens in the winter

What is not bountiful at my house........decent Internet service. It took me 5 days to upload these pictures. sigh

Eight is Enough

Our July Book Club PickThis book is historical fiction based on the true story of "The Mitcham War" that took place in Alabama in the 1890's. It is everything southern.......rich/poor, black/white......good/bad. Tom Franklin, the author, was born in Alabama and now lives in Mississippi. Another book I highly recommend.I read this book by Tom Franklin, several months ago, before we picked one of his books for our book club. You will enjoy this book....

More yumminess

From the kitchen of Big JohnFish Tacos.......Ummmmm. Fish tacos are one of my newest favs. John's recipe -- grilled tilapia, cilantro slaw, avocado and tomato drizzled with hollandaise sauce. Melts in your mouth!
and this week....bread and butter pickles

Yep...he's still got it!

That's my husband......Big John, diving off the top deck of the boat house at Smith Lake. About 15 feet ...my guess. It was pretty impressive.

And just in case you missed it....I got it from the top deck as he did it again

My Sister Dog

Hi, this is Bailey Lawson and I have temporarily taken over my Mother's blog.Friday morning was hot so when my Mother got up I looked through the kitchen door, with my most pitiful face, and she let me come in the house. I noticed that she was getting ready to go somewhere which made me antsy. 1. I did not want to go back outside and 2. I don't like staying at home alone. So again, I started trying to look pitiful.

Guess what.....my Mother opened the car door and said I could go with her. I hopped right in and off we went. It was a nice drive but there were lots of curves. After a while we met up with my Daddy and he started following us. I did not know where we were going and didn't care!


Finally, the car stopped and my Mother said I could get out. I couldn't believe my eyes.


IT WAS MY SISTER...I haven't seen her since I was 9 weeks old and that was 5 years ago.

Her name is Molly Hudson and, who knew, that she lives a couple of miles away in Hubbertville. I was so happy to see her. We smelled and smelled each other and then started running around the house. We got to play together for about an hour.

My Mom and Dad went to help Molly's mother with some trees and branches that needed cut from the bad storm we had in Fayette County a couple of months ago. My Mother got in ants and she started jumping around and Molly and I thought it was such fun.

Molly invited me to get in her swimming pool with her....so I did. I had so much fun....I hope my Mother takes me back to visit my Sister!

Bailey - blue collar and smaller

Molly - thicker black collar

The Tan Will Fade.......

But the memories will last a life time....

Swimming with Pops
Emma, Abby and John Brady

Summer time.....when the days blur together

and the only goal is the pursuit of happiness

If you have a "Green Thumb"

Like my husband You will have a lot of pretty tomatoes
And....if you like to cook

Like my husband

You will have lots of jars of yummy "SALSA"

And....if you look like this tomato

you just get looked at!