As Thanksgiving Approaches...

...I realize how truly thankful I am. For:

• a special family. I couldn't be more loved.


• Mom and Dad's new home. They are happy.


• my boy who is so small and fragile - he's an aging teacup Yorkie for those who don't know.


• health and happiness. Some take these for granted -maybe I used to.


• close friends who know me so well and love me anyway.


• the children in my life - reminders that life goes on...


• my home that I now have time to enjoy.


• the wildlife that call my backyard home. They wow me with their beauty, antics, and ability to eats many pounds of expensive seed, suet, and critter munchies.


• even the chipmunks who take many pounds of safflower seeds underground for the long winter's nap.


• America - even in the tough times - but my generation has never seen REAL tough times - and I hope we never will.


• God's love for me and for all of us. I list this last because it is the one that I want to dwell on as I go through my day. Such undeserved love, mercy, and goodness - what all I could do so much better.

Happy Thanksgiving. May this season be filled with happiness and love!

And, did I mention that I am very thankful for smiling horses? I am!

For Camryn and Andrew

If you go to my YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/stwalraven, you can watch this video in high quality. It really is much better that way!

Licklog Creek - Cartecay River

What a beautiful sight to behold is north Georgia in November! This year we stayed in a beautiful cabin on Licklog Creek of the Cartecay River just outside of Ellijay! The beauty is indescribable and is very difficult to capture in photos! Here are a few of my feable attempts. Enjoy! BTW, this area is known for its kayaking, rafting, and year-round trout fishing. We, of course, did none of that instead supporting the local economy with our shopping adventures.

Harry Potter and the Jogger

We can't let the kiddies have ALL the fun! Happy Halloween 08!

Getting Ready for Halloween

My boy and I are considering our options for this Halloween. As inspiration, we pulled out an old photo. Who knows what we will come up with by Friday. Happy Halloween Week!

Something To Think About

In My Spare Time....(instead of ironing)

Saving Grace

As disturbing as all the political and economic news can be, I remember that God is in control; He is sovereign; and no one can separate me from His love.

Mom's Birthday

Yesterday was Mom's birthday. We had a great time in Senoia where my boy got to play in his favorite creek. October is a beautiful time for a birthday - don't you think! I was entrusted to make the birthday cake and this one worked! Happy birthday, Mom! I love you!

Birthdays and Grandmammas

I just had a birthday and with the exception of the homemade, self-made, disaster cake, it was a nice birthday. This birthday came in the middle of some pretty big changes in my world - what with china packing and all - and I have thought a lot about my grandmother who lived to the ripe old age of 100 years and 5 months to the day. So since I AM swimming in her gene pool, I could well be at the half-way point of my life - or not... (Also in my gene pool are those who make me hesitate to buy green bananas.)

We called her Nana and she was quite a Southern Steele Magnolia. She worked in a mill, played the mandolin, and had the good sense to marry my grandfather - the sweetest man ever to walk this earth. She was full of wisdom and shared it when needed. I remember her telling my cousins and me that "What's down in your well comes up in your bucket." She was right. Think about it.

This is a picture of Nana in her mother's arms. It is one of my favorites! I think they are both beautiful and I am proud to have them a few limbs up in my family tree!

Early Mornings

I love to take my hot tea outside on cold mornings and enjoy what God brings to me. My hummingbirds are still humming, the cardinals and chickadees eat early, and the squirrels are always looking for yummy treats. A neighbor kitty will drop in my fenced backyard for a visit. Those things I can depend on. It's the rare treat I have to watch out for and not miss. On the morning I took this picture, Charlotte (the spider for those of you who slept through elementary school) had just caught a special treat and had wrapped it up in a lovely silk sac. What a wonder... (click on the picture for a larger image)

My #$%^&* Birthday Cake

Well, today is my birthday. Tomorrow my family will celebrate my special day with a lunch at Mom and Dad's. I, of course, volunteered to make my own cake since I AM the proud owner of a new KitchenAid mixer. It is now 8:42 pm and the cake is out of the oven. LOOK! My little friend Betsy helped me create this disaster. Never in all my attempts at baking have I/we fallen so short of the goal. JM's Dad's cake at least just fell off the plate. Mine fell off the plate and oozed magma all over the counter. I wish you could have seen it when I first flipped the pan over on the cake plate. For approximately 17.38 seconds it was a beautiful cake. Betsy says I need a cake tester. I think I need a man in my life who can bake - to hell with the tester. Does anyone want a slightly used KitchenAid mixer? By the way, I WAS somewhat distracted by the eggs that were coming to room temp (see below - note my birthday portrait in the tea kettle). Perhaps I should stick to photography! And, finally, Note To Self: One should never make one's own birthday cake...