Noah and a trip to the Capitol

Noah in front of the Tennessee Capital Building

When we had an opportunity, on a day Noah was out of school, we took a field trip for a fun history lesson. He and I spent some time touring the Tennessee Capitol Building in Nashville, walking around downtown Nashville, and checking out things at the Tennessee State Museum.

We saw so many wonderful things, historic and special - the historic Capitol Building, with original chandeliers - legends about marble staircases, but the most interesting (from Noah's point of view anyway) is the fact that . . . their are people buried in the walls!!!! Too cool!

All I can hope is that my constant stream of information (he kept on telling me I was talking and talking, like he was not going to listen) found some place to hide in that quick brain of his just waiting for the right time to make an impact. Of course I bought a book and some other history trivia cards and games that we will need to play. Sounds like fun to me - I will probably have to bribe him. Oh well.

There was a light drizzle going on that day, but it wasn't too cool and we had a great day.

24 Fit - Fitness Center, Sparta

Have you checked out 24Fit in Sparta?? If not, you are missing out.

Open 24 hours and day, seven days a week - convenient for YOU no matter what your schedule is.

24 Fit Grand Opening and Chamber Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Feb. 2012

Relay for Life - because Cancer never sleeps

Give to the White County Relay for Life

The Patrick Story of 13

Happy Birthday Mary Elizabeth Patrick Smith - my precious big sister!


Today is January 13th

Thirteen is my lucky number, and my sister's . . . and my other sister's . . . and on some days my mother's . . . and although he would question it . . . I think my brother is pretty lucky on the 13th. At least on the 13th day of January, July and August. You see, all three of his sisters were born on the 13th of the month (January, July and August). Of course it is his lucky number, three SISTERS, all older than him, all born on the 13th! Please wish my sister a Happy Birthday today and read the story of 13 below.

Patrick kids of Cordova Tennessee

Seam ripper

Yes little seam ripper, I am giving you a workout tonight. Yes, I wish I had doublechecked the block layout too. Lesson learned. (Hopefully )

Sparta Snowman Contest

Here are a few of the entries for the Sparta Snowman Contest, we will post the winners and more entries as soon as possible.

Next year - YOU need to enter. All proceeds go to charity.  Be thinking of how you are going to create yours in December 2012

Dipsy Doodle yummy pie

Dipsy Doodle yummy pie. Look at that meringue.

I am enjoying my days off this week so very much. During the summer, I had a vacation scheduled and life happened, so instead I was off one day.

So here it is, the week before Christmas and I have never taken off at this time before - however, I worked Monday and have been off now three days.

All I can say is wonderful! I had no idea how great it would be to take off a few days the week before Christmas. It has rained and I don't care, because I have several projects I have been wanting to accomplish around the house. I am feeling a huge sense of accomplishment right now.

Not only that, all of the Christmas presents are wrapped.

The kitchen is clean, clean

And my sewing / quilting room is nearly finished.

Watch out fabrics, here I come with my rotary cutter.

Jody's Red. Green, Gold Quilt

Finally finished my Red, Green, Gold quilt . . .

Tongue and groove

Walls ceiling and floor of my upstairs sewing / quilting room. Almost ready to move in fabrics.

Simply Southern Quilts - December 'Show and Tell'

MeRRY ChriSTmaS
Simply Southern Quilts and Gifts on Liberty Square in Sparta had a little December Show and Tell last Friday . . . here are a few of the items these talented ladies shared with us.


If you have always wanted to learn to quilt, call Cheryl.
If you enjoy quilting, and are looking for great fabrics, call Cheryl.
Have a technique you want to learn how to do? Call Cheryl. 
You have a quilt top you started, now what? Call Cheryl.


Simply Southern Quilts
http://www.simplysouthernquilts.com/

Enjoy the photos - new classes in January - sign up now

Noah's Christmas Village

Village. Done.

Chamber Holiday After Hours 2011

I don't know what you did last night, but if you missed the Chamber Holiday After Hours at the Bank of White County . . . you missed a great party!


Thanks to all those who donated door prizes, those great Sergio fellas with Calfkiller Brewing Company and of course, the crew at the Bank of White County.


We had a wonderful time

The food was fabulous, and absolutely beautiful - and a chocolate fountain. yum yum yum

And spending time with friends, well - it doesn't get any better.

2011 Sparta Rotary Christmas Parade

2011 Christmas Parade

A beautiful day for a parade. Traditionally held the second Saturday in December, the Sparta Rotary Christmas Parade was held Dec. 10, 2011, with approximately 100 entries. Classic Automobiles, Horses, Tractors, Custom Autos, Floats and Firetrucks (and more) traveled across town tossing candy to the hundreds of spectators who lined the streets from WCHS to Liberty Square. Many children then shared their wish lists with Santa at the White County Courthouse.

Here are the winners of the Parade.

2011 Gracemoor Trees of Christmas

O, Christmas Tree, O, Christmas Tree . . . how lovely

2011 Gracemoor Trees of Christmas and Chamber Open House was a great success. Thanks so much to US Bank, Susan Kirby and Randy Carlile [and the rest of the crew] The food was wonderful, the company incredible, the evening was spectacular.

Roy Whited did a great job again with the Tree and Wreath Auction. A great big thank you goes to all those who decorated and donated trees and wreaths to sell, and to those who brought their checkbooks and bought them.

Here are a few more photos from the event.

2010 Sparta Rotary
Christmas
Parade

Held on the second Saturday in December, Call the Chamber office 931-836-3552

 to register for this year's parade. 

Poppin John

Noah and Yayee burning fuel in the Poppin John Deere 430

Watch it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLZT-E8b_P4&feature=youtu.be

Caney Fork Holiday Open House

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative hosted their wonderful Holiday Open House on Tuesday. Great food, wonderful people - beautiful decorations and of course, the fabulous recipe book.

How to Make a Snowman Tree

My Snowman Tree

How to Make a Snowman Tree - Sliger style!  

On Pinterest [such a fun site] I saw a white tree, with a snowman head - a 'Snowman Tree.'  It was so cute - I fell in love with the idea and was determined to make one myself for the Gracemoor Trees of Christmas auction. The problem was, no directions.

What had they made the heads with? Maybe chicken wire with paper mache'? A balloon covered in wrapped wire, then covered with fabric?? How???  And where can I find a top hat?

The rest of it, I thought I could figure out. Ornaments for the buttons. Surely I can find dark grey or black large ornaments. And the arms, easy - I'll cut some sticks off of a tree - that will work great. Or I can go to the Hobby store and find something in the floral department. Boots . . . pretty sure Noah had a pair he has outgrown. Now just finding the time to start.

First I took a straw cowboy hat and removed the string band.

     I taped together a couple of the very thin plastic cutting mats (sold in packs) to give the crown its shape.

  [I had to cut them down, at first they were too tall]

 With black felt, I cut around the brim of the hat, then cut slits and glued the felt all around the brim.

I then wrapped the crown with more black felt. With the remaining pieces of plastic, I curved them on the inside of the crown to add some stablity. Then cut a paper plate, wrapped it with black felt and eased it into the top of the crown.

 With a serrated knife, I trimmed a styrofoam cone into a carrot shape, painted it orange. Painted a leftover Halloween plastic pumpkin white, glued the nose on with epoxy and let it set well. I then covered the head with fabric snow, cutting a slit in to ease the nose through.  I cut two slits and glued the metal circles for eyes. I cut a piece of ribbon into a mouth shape, glued it into place.

For the final touches, Noah's outgrown boots on a snow treeskirt. Cinnamon brooms for arms. A bright red scarf and red earmuffs. (We want him to be warm and cozy)

I painted three paper mache' star ornaments with dark grey, then glitter paint for the buttons.

Ta, da.

2011 Sparta Scarecrow Contest

2011 Scarecrow Contest on Liberty Square in downtown Sparta, Tennesseesponsored by the Elks Lodge

The three stooges, and the girls who put up with them

Car Show