We went to beautiful Lake Junaluska, North Carolina last week for the annual conference for the United Methodist Church. Leslie went to conference meetings for 3 days, so Jack and I did a lot of "hanging out."

We climbed on the playground.

We slid in the slides.

We made elephant noses out of playdough.

We played outside a bunch.

We fed copious amounts of cheap bread from the local Bi-Lo to the geese.

And those honkers are not nice by the way.

So, we had a good time and made it home safe and sound.

Another critter comes to visit us...

I believe this is a rat snake. We captured this one (out in the street by our house) and stared at him for a while. He was about 3 feet long and as big around as your thumb. He had the nerve to open his mouth and try to bite us! Jeez! We released him back into the wild unharmed. The 'wild' is also known as the weeds across the street from our house. In the video you can hear Leslie describing the whole thing just like one of those people on the news! Jack was not really impressed.

Yes we can still play ball.

My brother came down to Chattanooga last month for work and we laced up the old sneakers and played a little b-ball just like old times. I didn't hurt myself that night thank God, and we both played well. It was fun.

Black Widow Spider! Run Away!!!

I was moving some blocks in the back yard a few weeks ago, and this little lady almost crawled up my hand - yikes! I carried her out to the weeds and bid her a fond farewell.

Say What?

So, I'm getting Jack out of bed this morning:

Me: "Jack I bought some new flowers yesterday for us to plant. Can you say 'hosta?'

Jack: "Pasta!"

Me: "No, no. Ha-Ha-Hosta"

Him: "Ha-Ha-Pasta!"(with a big smile)

Me: "No, no Jack, like this, (forming an H with my mouth) with an H. Hosta!"

Him: (excited now and grinning) "Hot Pasta!"

Twelve hours later and he's still saying, "Hot Pasta!" at dinner! Sometimes I can't win!

See Jack Jump More

Like most little boys, Jack likes to jump. Here's a video of him testing out the height on the new garden. Listen carefully to hear who he calls out to for help - while he's trying to stand up on the rail road tie. The little booger.

And yes, I know the grass is patchy but I'm working on it!

Chest of Drawers

I purchased this chest of drawers from "The Store" in Cleveland
a few months ago and refinished it for our closet. If you're interested in that sort of thing, here's a link to an album of pictures of the process: http://picasaweb.google.com/TurnerFamilyTimes/ChestOfDrawers?feat=directlink
it's nothing earth-shattering, but it turned out nice.

Presswood's Antiques in Cleveland was very helpful in my completing this little project as they happened to have the drawer pulls in stock that I needed complete the last drawer. Notice the difference in the bottom two drawers between the two pictures.

Presswood's Vintage Antiques‎

3350 North Ocoee Street

Cleveland, TN 37312-4427

(423) 479-4470

Building the Garden

Well, the Turner's have decided to have a garden in the back yard at our new house. It is "Horse Creek Farms" after all. I was off of work for Good Friday, so Jack and I went out to Middle Valley Lawn and Garden and picked up a load of compost. And boy, was it ripe! Jack was not deterred by the smell though, and he was ready to get to work with his red shovel, and so I let him.

He shoveled his little heart out and really worked up a sweat. After a lot of shoveling by the both of us, and some heavy lifting by me the next day, the raised bed garden was finally complete.

We'll let you know how it produces as the summer rolls on. If you're good, you may even get a taste of some farm fresh produce.

Me and My Shadow...

I was cutting the grass the other day, and Jack insisted on getting his mower out (it blows bubbles and makes a loud noise). He then proceeded to follow me up and down the rows, and he would stop and go through the motions of dumping his bag whenever I did. How awesome is that?

Various Events

Jack helps Mommie cook...

There is one person in the picture painted pale white.

The rest are bright colors for the Palate to Pallete party.

Leslie and Sean at Palate to Pallete. We had a great time.

We're trying to make our house into a home,

and that means painting!...and watching paint dry,

and helping the paint dry a little faster.

The wall around the mantle has become an olive green accent wall,

and it turned out pretty nice.