I can’t believe my last post was Feb 11, 2011. It doesn’t seem that long since I was typing away on my last post. I have been contemplating getting back into the world-o-blogging. Can I get back into the swing of it? Do I even have the time?
Will anyone even care that I am blogging again? LOL
Will anyone even care that I am blogging again? LOL
But, some very dear friends (many of them Bloggers, as well) gave me some great advice. Blog not because you feel you must, or to keep up with the Blogging Jones’s…but because I simply want to.
So that is why I am here today…because I want to be.
Life, family and my career keep me unbelievably busy…but I have found over the past few weeks that I really miss the creative outlet of blogging. So….here I go. I can’t promise how often or how long I will stay…but hopefully you will enjoy it while I am here.
Blessings, Barb
Before I share my first post in over five months…I want to share with you two of the love’s of my life… my Grandloves…Devin Blake, 21 months and Cole Hayden, 5. They have just been accepted by a modeling agency. What hams! 🙂
Devin …or as we call him, Roo Roo.
My Little Man….Cole.
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Ball or Mason Jars!
I love ’em! Blue ones, Clear ones, Mason Jars, Ball Jars. In my family, there were three main uses for these jars, ranging from the practical to the simply charming and asthetic. They were always a staple in our family, and even now I have saved several of these vessels from my grandmother’s home which I put to use.
Peony filled Ball Jar
These beautiful glass containers evoke memories of days spent with my Mammy (my grandmother) – helping her put up jars and jars of vegetables and fruits and even pig’s feet (yes, I am a Country girl through and through – lol). I remember the heat in her farmhouse kitchen, the feel of sweat rolling down your face in a steam filled kitchen, the smells drifting from those massive cookpots (I love the smell of cooking corn)….and the feeling of accomplishment to see dozens and dozens of jars turned upside down on every surface of counterspace available – waiting for sealing rings to set. I was the official “lid pusher.” Once the jars were turned right side up, it was my job to “push in” the lids to see if they “popped.” Popping was not a good sign and meant the jar had not sealed correctly.
The second memory, and something I still love to this day, was filling those jars with handfuls of blooms. I loved going out to my Mammy’s or my Mom’s flower gardens and picking Daisies , Queen Anne’s Lace or Peonies…and filling empty jars to the brim with cut flowers. There is nothing that is more simplistic in style than a jar filled with fresh flowers. Today, I use a small jar to hold cut herbs such as my rosemary, on my kitchen counter.
Wouldn’t these be pretty lining a walkway, hanging from shepard’s hooks…as a special greeting for your guests.
I love these mini “terraniums” filled with succulents such as the Hens and Chicks, above.
I found this pic at The Thrifty Parsonage.
I love this candle filled jar hanging from the peg.
But what brings me the most joy, and still plays a role in my life today….is drinking good ole’ Southern steeped sweet tea right from a Mason Jar. I am telling you folks…tea just tastes better from a Mason Jar. Add a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint….
and you have yourself a small glass of heaven.
and you have yourself a small glass of heaven.
I am an iced tea afficienado. Although you can’t beat the basic recipe, I love to play around with Sweet Tea recipes. Such as my Sangria Tea Recipe below.
If you don’t have any vintage Ball or Mason jars, they are readily available at most antique stores for fairly cheap. I have seen them on ebay for as little as 50 cents a jar. Buy one or two…fill them with flowers, or tuck in a candle (add some sand at the bottom), or fill them with shells.
Then sit back and enjoy one of the Country Pleasures of Life.
Then sit back and enjoy one of the Country Pleasures of Life.
Beautiful jar filled with shells compliments of A Full Cottage.
Sangria Iced Tea:
8 cups water
4 Tea Bags
5-10 Tbs sugar (sweeten according to taste)
Bring water to a boil. Add tea bags and allow to steep about 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and discard. Add sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
While tea is steeping, peel and chop one large peach – 6-8 strawberries halved –
I orange, peeled and cut into bite sized pieces.
Add about three cups of ice, and 1-2 cups of dry red wine.
Serve in mason jars with mint! 🙂
Confessions of a Plate Addict says
How fun to see you back in blogland, Barb! I love Mason jars, too…filled with memories of my grandmother also! And you are so right about iced tea from a Mason jar…so much better! You just blog whenever you want and we will be here! Hope you are enjoying yur weekend…hugs…Debbie
View CommentCyndi says
I am so happy to see you blogging again Barb! Loved the pictures,it always gives me a new idea to try..like the terrarium,loved it! btw,your grandsons are just ador
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Jeanette says
Your writing just makes me smile, and when you talk about food it makes my mouth water. You have the gift, Barb. Thank you for sharing it with us.
View CommentJeanette
Judy says
So glad to see you again Barb…you’ve been missed! I agree about blogging only if YOU want to, so many make it a competition and where’s the fun in that? Do what makes you happy.
Nothing like sweet tea (with lemon) in a mason jar!
Judy
View CommentBabs says
You’re back!! Yay! I just happened to see your blog name as I was visiting today. I think the last time I saw you, I wasn’t blogging. I’ve always enjoyed your posts so much. Your Grandloves are beautiful and you must be so proud of them. Love the old blue Mason jars. Wish they still made them. I bought new clear ones the other day to make fig preserves and it was hot in the kitchen even with the a/c.
View CommentGlad you’re back in the bloggy world. Enjoy,
Babs
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Oh Barb I am thrilled to see you here again. You always inspire me and you just have the most creative energy in the whole world. I love your tea recipe. I need to try this instead of drinking so much coke. The boys have grown so much and boy, they are just so handsome. Love ya and can’t wait to see what you do with your creative hands. Hugs, Marty
View CommentLinda (Nina's Nest) says
Welcome back, Barb! What darling grandsons! Also, love the memories with the jars. They are so pretty and so useful! Oh, I like to do caligraphy on my Christmas cards, too! Linda
View CommentKathysue says
Woo Hoo!!! So glad to see you here in blogland. Love blue mason jars filled with blooms. Drinking some of your wonderful sweet tea would be great too. Your boys are so gorgeous, how exciting that they will be modeling, great for the college fund!! So glad to see you sweetie, xo Kathysue
View CommentMary of Front Porch Ideas and More says
Hi Barb,
What a coincidence. I just looked at your blog today and saw that you posted. Wow, so glad to see you’re back. Love your ideas about using mason jars. Brings back tons of memories.
My hubby and I have the website about front porches. I saw your beautiful post on your autumn decorations for your porch. May we feature some of those photos on our site with a link back to your blog. Would love to share with our readers how you did your fall transformation. Thanks so much. You can contact me at info@front-porch-ideas-and-more.com Thank you, Barb. I enjoy your blog and your gracious southern style.
View CommentPaula says
Welcome back to blogging! Your grandsons sure are handsome! I love old jars and am lucky that I have bunches of the old, old blue ones that my grandmother used. I love the succulent idea.
View CommentDonna~One Simple Country Girl says
I am so glad to see you are back! You’ve been missed! Hubby and I decided to redo our kitchen and I used yours as my inspiration. We are doing it slowly, as time and money allow so we are no where near finished. I so wanted the gorgeous red cabinets like you have, but ended up going with white because I just could not get the right red color to take on my cabinets, no matter what we tried. I did paint the insides of two of them red though, and they turned out fabulous!! Thank you for being such an inspiration for so many of us!
View CommentHugs,
Donna
lvroftiques says
There you are!! I was wondering when you might pop up *winks* So glad to see you back Barb! And the grandboys are adorable!
View CommentI took a blog break for a good while myself and it made a big difference. As soon as you feel you “have” to post something?….Back away from the blogging! *winks* Vanna
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
Hi Barb! It is great to see you back to blogging. Your grandsons are adorable and I like the terrarium idea. Take care.
View Commentxo,
Sherry
Beverly says
I’m glad to see you are back. Had you on my favorites but was about to delete it when I happened to see a blog. Thanks for sharing.
View CommentLaura says
It is great to see you again Barb!
I love that blogging statement-
especially about not keeping up with the blogging Jones’s.
I just can’t do it.
This was a wonderful post.
Laura
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9405018--Pat says
Welcome back! I’m so happy to see your post today!!! I love old mason jar. Thanks for sharing….Pat H
View CommentShelia says
Barb! Oh, it’s so good to have you back and you have the blog thing down pat! Blog because you love it.
View CommentWhat a lovely post. Your grandsons are just beautiful! They both have the most gorgeous eyes! Love your new snap too.
Love the mason jars and they are so versatile too.
I’m just so thrilled you’ll be coming to my party! Woo Hooness!
Welcome back and I have missed you.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
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