Where The Orange Blossoms Grow...: May 2008

Where The Orange Blossoms Grow....

Hello! Welcome to the Stricklen's blog. We hope to keep our family and friends up to date with what is going on with our family. You will find a variety of experiences posted here -- you may find pictures of the never ending project of building our house, Callie helping William with his first steps, Mary studying a rare insect species, or perhaps you may be terribly bored with Molly's numerous fruit trees, berries, vegetables and rare plant pictures! Who knows what we may find Chris and CJ doing -- probably something having to do with a tractor or machine of sorts. Abby and Margaret will keep us entertained with costumes from other lands or a fairy story. Whatever we post, we trust it will lift your spirits and bring honor and glory to our Lord!

Friday, May 30, 2008

Trip to Virginia and DC

Mama's wonderful driver!

I think this is a stupid picture, but it's the
only picture of us in the car.

Our first stop was Richmond VA. We saw the monuments for Robert E.Lee, Pres. Jefferson Davis, "Stonewall" Jackson, and J.E.B. Stuart.

Grandma Harris and my little Buddy.

Callie, Gma and RG with Jefferson Davis -- Pres. of the Confederacy

(Notice the natural "RG Pose" pinky in beltloop)

WOW, it's HOT!

Some part of the monument!

Neat lookin'

Mama said I took WAY too many pictures of houses, but they turned out nice, don't you think!

In front of the Jackson monument.

(Notice the pinkies.)

Cowboy Dan
Granddaddy

(Grandmother, I got all those D's)

Another pretty Southern home!

In front of the Lee monument

Later that day, we stopped at the Museum of the Confederacy

Here we are in the Museum of the Confederacy -- 4 generations of Southerners (Disregard the Indiana Cowboy in the back row :)

Jefferson Davis

We found a WONDERFUL Mexican resturaunt in VA!

Mother and Daughter!

Will is enjoyin' his!

Me, obviously enjoying my meal

Deeda concentrating on ridding herself of the "spicy parts" of her meal, and CJ being goofy.

OOPS--I think I caught them in the middle of a bite!

Granddaddy brought us some Ice Cream!

(Notice Willie laughing hysterically at himself)

Hmmm...That Ice Cream looks GOOD!

continuing to laugh at himself, hoping someone will notice

Cousins

(Oh, my goodness--NO PINKIES!!!!!!!!!! What's going on here????? What happened?--Sorry, RJ I wont be obnoxious any more, can't you tell how serious I am???)

Is he happy, or terrified???

Gma and Mama at breakfast. Are you ready for a big day??

First stop--Arlington National Cemetery

Ya ready to go, brothers?

Starting our exciting day at the metro station!

Arlington National Cemetery

What do you know--An airplane in Wash. DC!!

Gma Harris loved this picture

The changing of the guard is always amazing.

Grandma was very touched -- she is a true patriot and loves her country dearly

Another architectural photo!

Hmm...ROCKS!! Big ones, little ones, and tasty ones for Willie!

Four Generations at the Lee Custis House in Arlington!

LUNCHTIME!

Observe the the whiz of people in the background. The people in Washington DC move unnaturally fast, for no apparent reason--It's a plague that its residents catch after living there for more than a month. They MUST make that exact metro ride, or the whole world will stop in its tracks, even if there's another metro 3 minutes later going to the same place. Watch out, or you might get trampled.

Just a Thought--Mary

Iwa Jima memorial was especially meaningful to Grandma because Grandpa Harris fought there among many other places. She has always wanted to go there and she said it was beautiful.

More pictures presently

Mary

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Wild Blackberry Picking at Grandmother's

On Friday evening we had such a nice time in the "Enchanted Forest" as the children call it. We picked some early blackberries at my parent's wild blackberry patch out in their woods. The Dischers and G & G joined us. I have been fascinated with every kind of berry since I was young. I have attempted to grow everything from the yellow raspberry to the mulberry -- some with more success than others! But no one can do it like our Creator -- those wild blackberries just thrive in their natural surroundings!! I just love everything about them -- especially the white blossom of the blackberry! We had a blessed time with our dear family. How we realize the time we have taken for granted only when it may not be ours in the near future. We went back to Mama's and I made some blackberry crumble (?? it had a crumb topping :) Mary and Sarah made some blackberry fillo. They were delicious! I thank the Lord for the wonderful memories we can make while our family is still here! We are praying and trusting the Lord for many more!
Contemplating...
Molly