Hugs

You all really are the best. I can't thank you enough for all of your kind words regarding our dear sweet dog. If I could, I'd give each and every one of you a big hug!

In the near future, I'll be back to my usual blogging about this and that. I do have kitchen details to share with you. I've made a decision about countertops. Any body want to guess what I'm going to do?

Thank you again for your kindness and sympathy. It truly means so much to me.

Noble Beast

Have you ever had to say good bye to one of your closest friends? I had to this last week.

Our precious chocolate labrador passed on. He was just shy of thirteen years old. Do you remember my discussing him before? I give thanks for his long life.

The final week of his life was agonizing for all of us. We struggled with the many decisions that needed to be made for his care, and ultimately his passing.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to any of you who are dealing with or have dealt with the death of a pet.

It is so very strange to not have that constant presence in my life anymore.

Two things that helped me in dealing with all of this were:

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

2 Corinthians 5:8

I hope he is bounding through the Heavenly fields now.

Gone to the Animals

Anyone care to join me for a leisurely chat in this room?  This sofa is so inviting. 

Doesn't this sitting area look so comfortable and inviting?  Wouldn't you know it--it is in the home of Oprah's hair stylist--and now designer/decorator.

The entire grouping is put together quite well, in my opinion.  Although, I like things to be a bit calmer--no wallpaper or fringed sofa apron.  I do think that overall, for a new installation, the room appears "collected" as if it had been assembled over time.  

Is this a room for you?  Do you want or have a "gallery" wall--or is that too busy for your taste?

Tell me you thoughts. 

(home of  Andre Walker and David Simmons)  

Tell Me Everything, Darling!

My sincere apologies for the lack of posts lately.  As you know, we've been celebrating around here.

With the new year here, I am thinking about what 2009 will hold for this little corner of the blogisphere.  I'm truly curious as to what you may find interesting from old Granny Smith Green. 

What shall we discuss, my friends?  We could make a game of this.  Why don't you all send me your ideas, and I'll do my very best to create an interesting post around your topic of interest.    

Thank you all for sharing with me during 2008.  Haven't we had fun!?  

2009 is going to be great!

Taking Care of Yourself

Since I will be eating to my stomach's content on my trip to Blackberry Farm, I started thinking of my overall health.  This trip will be quite active--the horses, the tennis, the bike rides, etc.  At the same time, we will be sedentary as well--talking, talking, talking, sun rises, sun sets, star gazing, bond fires.  All this to say, we need to be aware of our health.  God only gave us one body, and we need to take care of it.  

For about a year now, I have tried to minimize my intake of high fructose corn syrup--which is in about everything you can imagine!  In addition to the "hfcs", I am trying to avoid any enriched flour.  I can't say I've given up sugar.  You know you need that for our Southern sweet tea and my coffee!

You may have heard of the book YOU:  THE OWNER'S MANUAL.  Well, the two main doctors are the authors of the book as well as primary contributors to the website www.realage.com.  It's a fun, informative website if you haven't ever visited, check it out.  

A Wonderful Adventure Ahead

A "staycation", give me a break.

I'll have the real thing!

I will be having a little rest and relaxation at Blackberry Farm in the near future.  I am really looking forward to it.  Several of my dear girlfriends and I will be riding, fly fishing, the spa, and then seriously dining!  We are all so excited.  I'll take all of you "blog buddies" in spirit. Hopefully I can get some good photographs to share upon my return.  For the time being, you can all help me anticipate the big fun! 

Everything I have heard is that most everything is perfect at this resort.  Have any of you been and if so, what do you think?  Let me know your pros and cons.  Leave me a comment or email.

Tags aren't just for packages!

I've been tagged by  The Rauths 
I'm supposed to tell you 6 random things about me.  

Here are the "rules."

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post these six rules on your blog.
3. Write 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted.

Well, let's see:

1.  I can write backwards with my non-dominate hand.  Freaky, I know.  I must be borderline ambidextrous or something.  

2.  I canceled my cable.  I am now the biggest fan of APPLE TV.  If you haven't looked into it, DO.  You'll save money, have no commercials, and watch only what you want to watch.  For example, I saw the first episode of the new season of MAD MEN--and now have it on my Apple TV--and can watch Don and Betty Draper again and again!  

3.  I have a very old chocolate labrador.  Seeing my dog decline in his old age is much more depressing than I ever thought it would be.   Dogs are such a constant in our lives.  In this case 12 years and counting. 

4.  I'm addicted to coffee in the morning and sweet tea in the afternoon.  I just can't get through my day with out them--and believe it or not, the tea is always decaffeinated.  I'm a purist too--no artificial sweeteners will do.  I need sugar!

5.  Unlike Mrs. Rauth, I hate to do the dishes.  I can't stand the thoughts of touching dirty dishes.  I ALWAYS wear gloves when I HAVE to do them.  I sometimes go to the extreme of not cooking, just to avoid the clean up.  Plus, who wants to mess up that beautiful, clean kitchen

6.  I'm a bit obsessive about china (yet, I still don't like to wash it!).  I have numerous sets that I change out seasonally or with the theme of a party, etc.  I've gone a bit over the top and really need to edit.  

Now for the six that I am going to tag:

1.  Troy at Good Home, it's like we are old friends--and he's an amazing Southern writer!

2.  Copy Cat Chic, oh, so fun.  I wish I could shop and compare like this one can.

3.  Style Court, love it!  That's all there is to say.

4.  Monograms and Manicures, who doesn't just love this one?

5.  Southern Inspirations, a gal after my own Southern design heart!

6.  The Inspired Room, yes, I am SO inspired.  

Wow

I am amazed by God's creation every day.  

Click to watch the video.

Christian, the lion