ORCHIDS TO YOU!

Here are some of the Orchids we saw in the Conservatory at Biltmore Estate near Asheville, NC.

They were very beautiful and I wish I knew their names.

Biltmore Estate and Gardens

On the second day of our trip we toured the Biltmore Estate and gardens at Asheville, NC. It was FABULOUS! If you have never been, I would highly recommend that you see it. It is difficult for me to imagine a home so large that it has 43 bathrooms! You really need about three days to see all they have to offer. We didn’t go to the winery, the farm or any of the restaurants that are available on the grounds.

Early Spring Trip to the Smoky Mountains

It is hard to pick out just a few pictures that represent our recent trip to the Smoky Mountains. After Jeep took care of HAM Radio business at Tenn-Tec in Sevierville, TN, we went to Cades Cove. The cold mountain stream that follows the road for most of the 30 miles was running full and furious. We made lots of pictures of the stream and the waterfall that you can see from the road.

HOLY WEEK

This has been a very busy and very meaningful Holy Week. On Wednesday we had the last, in a series of six, soup and sandwich Lenten Luncheons at Eupora First United Methodist Church. Each week we had a different preacher to bring the message.

On Thursday night we went to a Revival at Siloam United Methodist Church, where Jeep's grandson, Wesley, is the pastor. Jeep's son, Doug, preached on 'Humility' and afterwards we all participated in the foot washing service. It was very reverent and meaningful. It was also the first one I had ever attended. It seems like we are prone to forget about humility in this age of 'ME FIRST'. The small country church was filled almost to capacity and the signing was loud and heartfelt. We were blessed and moved.

On Friday night we attended two Tenebrae Services. One was at Eupora First UMC and the other, an hour later, at Lebanon UMC. They were both very impressive and we were twice blessed!

Today (Easter Sunday) we went to Sunday School at Eupora First and then to the eleven o'clock worship service at Lebanon UMC. We were blessed again by the wonderful message about our risen Savior and by the special music. After the service we enjoyed a delicious pot luck lunch in the Fellowship Hall.

The first three pictures of the stained glass windows above are in the Eupora First UMC and the last one is in the church at Lebanon UMC. I hope you have had a very special Easter!

Cedar Waxwings

 

Last November while on our trip to the Smoky Mountains, we pulled off at an overlook and saw an old apple tree that was fill with birds feeding on wild grapes. We made some pictures but were not close enough to tell what kind they were. When we downloaded and enlarged the pictures we could see that they were Cedar Waxwings! Their light brown feathers are so beautifull and smooth looking. They wear a black mask, like a bandit, have a small spot of red on their wing and a narrow band of bright yellow across the end of their tail feathers.

Turkey in the Straw

 

On the way to Bible Study on Wednesday night, Jeep saw this turkey near the road in a field. Of course, he turned around and went back to try to get a picture. (I'm trying to get in the habit of carrying the camera everywhere.) This is the best we could do because the turkey was walking away from us. It would be very exciting to get a picture of the Tom Turkey in a full strut!

Male Cardinal

 

This is one of my favorite birds! He posed pretty for me on his way to the feeder. I posted this picture on Weather Underground's Wunder Photos and it currently has a rating of TEN! Now, if I could only get that coveted Approver's Choice Award! Maybe next time;-)

BLUE BIRDS

Yesterday we decided it was time to buy a Blue Bird house and put it up. So we went by Wally World and bought two of them and put them up. This morning we looked out and saw a pair of Blue Birds checking out one of the houses. They flew back and forth many times and may be starting their nest by this time. The bird house is close enough for us to make pictures of them through our back door.

SNOW IN MISSISSIPPI!

Last night we had just a dusting of snow. If only the ground had been frozen when it started snowing, we would have a few inches. I wanted us to have a least one good snow this winter. It is so pretty before before anything has messed it up.

THE PORCH/PATIO IS COMPLETE

They arrived early this morning and installed the 6 x 6 posts and covered them with siding. The contractor came and collected his pay, so now it's all done. This is the last article about the construction of our porch/patio cover. We feel so blessed to have been able to get the roof on the whole house and the porch addition done in less than six weeks. We are very pleased with the way it all turned out. In fact, we consider it a "small miracle"!!

BRICK LAYERS FINISHED JOB TODAY

Today the brick layers came and finished their job! Tomorrow the contractor is supposed to come and place the posts and then it will be finished! Small Miracle!