Where The Orange Blossoms Grow...: February 2010

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A Step Back in Time.......:)

I would like to say I had a good excuse for getting these pictures up soooooo very late, but the fact is.....I don't. Well, not really....Well, kind of. (Woo Woo! Here comes the excuse train......:) The memory card that all of our Christmas pictures were on could not be read by our computer for some reason totally unknown to me. Next, our only camera battery decides to get old, (Well, I guess it didn't decide to get old. It is old....) and only stays charged for about 5 minutes--Not long enough for me to transfer them to the computer using a USB cord. Anyways......I did get them on the computer by transferring them a little bit at a time, recharging the battery and transferring a few more, etc....
So, there you have it. My excuse!
Anyways......As most of y'all know,Granddaddy and Grandmama, the Dischers, and us traveled up to the frozen tundra, aka Missouri for Christmas;) We had a blast with everyone being together again! All of us Stricklen kids saw snow for the first time in our lives. Did we like it?? Well, does a cat like water??? Hehe.:):) Anyways, here are the pictures from our trip. Hope y'all enjoy them.
May The Lord bless you.
~Mary~

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Psalm 12:6-7

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Halloooooo!:):):):)

Hallooooo.....again:oD

Happy travelers:):)

The RV sneaks up behind us....

......And we are greeted by happy fellow travelers:)

Of course, there was the traditional stop at Cracker Barrel!

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Obviously, we made it to our destination safe and sound......

Here we are at our "Cabbage" (to quote Will) that we stayed in while we were up there. It was very nice and veeeeerrrrry warm and cozy.........:):):):)

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On one of the relatively not-too-cold days at the property, we went out in the field for some target practice:oD

Uncle Jay and Daddy enjoying their toys;);)

Umm....Markie is excited.......To say the least.

CJ and Pete tend the fire

Gracie and I making paper snowflakes to put on the windows of the big house.

Grandmama giving us lots of her creative hints and such:)

My lovely Aunt and Mama:)

Will and Vanna playing with their favorite toys......cardboard boxes!!

The laughing place;)
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We spent one of the days at the Miller's house:oD

Aunt Katie and Mama

Daniel and Matthew unwillingly pose for a picture, but somehow manage to squeeze out some pleasing grins anyways:):)

Deeda helped Aunt Katie milk their cow

Aunt Katie's delicious Mozzarella cheese!:)

Uncle Robert and Daddy:)

Well, y'all, stay tuned for the rest.......It is coming......Really it is:oD

The Orange Blossom Song

I want to wake up in the morning where the orange blossoms grow,
Where the sun comes creepin' into where I'm sleepin',
and the song birds say hello.

I want to wander over yonder, Pick the fruit that's hanging low,
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

I want to wake up in the morning where the ocean breezes blow,
I want to cast my line on the falling tide,
Where the tarpon swim below.

I love the sunshine and the beaches, where the palms sway to and fro,
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

I want to wake up in the morning where the Spanish moss hangs low,
Where the gators swim through the Everglades,
And the grand old live oaks grow.

I love the wildwoods, and the cities, and the friends I've come to know.
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

I want to wake up in the morning where the orange blossoms grow,
Where the sun comes creepin' into where I'm sleepin',
and the song birds say hello.

I want to wander over yonder, Pick the fruit that's hanging low,
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

Here Is Home

Here is home, my blessed home.
Florida is her name.
God’s Providence has brought me here,
So here I will remain.

Here is home, my beautiful home,
Where God's creation sings
About the mighty power and grace
Of Jesus Christ our King.

Here is home, where in the Spring
The orange blossoms bloom,
And fill my senses to the brim
With their sweet perfume.

I love to hear the honey bees
Buzzing with all their might.
I love the clear, blue, cloudless sky,
And radiant stars at night.

Here is home, where Summer comes
With its burning heat,
Relentlessly providing us
With bugs and burning feet.

But when the Lord provides us
With a gentle shower,
It lifts the weary, wilted head
Of every wildflower.

Here is home, where in the Fall,
I don my scarves and sweater,
But really I don’t need them.
Cotton would do better.

No Autumn leaves are falling.
The trees are still quite green,
But a crisp, cool breeze is blowing,
And the days grow short, it seems.

Here is home, where Winter comes.
It's not so very cold,
But how I love to dig in the sand
My numb and barefoot toes!

In wintertime I love to eat
An orange from the tree.
Such a sweet and sticky treat.
Quite a delicacy!

Here is home where I am proud
To be a humble part
Of Florida's great, rich history,
And hold it near my heart.

The land on which I've tromped and played,
The Spanish settlers roam'd.
They called this place the “Land of Flowers,”
And here they made their home.

When war broke out between the States,
We proved our loyalty
To the precious Southern cause,
For God and Liberty!

Some folks call us “Florida Crackers.”
I'm proud to hold that name.
My ancestors were proud as well,
To call themselves the same.

Here is home, My home, sweet home,
Where life is at it's best.
Every day I thank the Lord,
For I am truly blessed!

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A Step Back in Time.......:)