Happy Birthday, America!

Happy Birthday, America!  We have much for which to be thankful on Independence Day.  In celebration of this special day, we visited with family and friends across the land – well, at least parts of south Georgia and our corner of Alabama!

Our patriotic weekend began at the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery.  The cemetery reminds visitors that many individuals serve our country during their lifetime; it is a visible and meaningful representation of service to our country.  During our visit on Friday, July 1, 2011, we paid last respects to my uncle, Peter Soukup.  Uncle Pete was married to my dad’s oldest sister Frances Parkman Soukup for more than 50 years and was father to five of my first cousins.  He served the United States of America with his military service, retiring as Colonel.  The site of the American flag draped over this former soldier’s casket was poignant.  In spite of temperatures in the upper 90s, chill bumps covered my arms during the 21-gun salute and playing of Taps.

Going on now for a decade, an annual Independence Day tradition includes a trip to see the Hornsbys in South Georgia.  Angie and Payne Hornsby host us at their comfortable lake house on the Spring Creek branch of Lake Seminole.  Look for an upcoming post dedicated to our kayak trip down Spring Creek.

Hornsby and Smith kids at Lake Seminole

After leaving Lake Seminole, we drove to Lake Eufaula to see Mammy.  Of course, we miss Papa being there.  He sure loved all the food and fixings that comes along with the 4^th of July – barbeque, corn, potato salad, Brunswick stew, and more!  We visited with Mammy and ate lots of delicious food.

Mammy, Ben, and the kids at Lake Eufaula

We wrapped up our weekend in Parkmanville at Mama Ann’s house.  She fixed a family favorite – homemade ice cream!  So cool and creamy, we were all ready to enjoy a big bowl.  The ice cream recipe originated from my mom's mom, Georgia Pharris Dudley; we called her Mama Georgia.  The ice cream is easy to prepare and is a staple recipe for summer get-togethers.

Mama Georgia’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

• 2 cans condensed milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 T vanilla
• milk, 2% or whole (Mama Georgia used whole milk; Ann uses 2%.)

Beat eggs.  Add condensed milk.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour into ice cream canister; add milk to the “fill line" of ice cream canister.  Place in ice cream maker; pack with ice cream salt and ice.  Ice cream is ready when motor stops turning ice cream canister. 

Mama Ann enjoys homemade ice cream with the kids.

Love You, Daddy!

Last week, June 20, was Father's Day.  I feel so blessed to have grown up in a family with both my Daddy and my Mama.  And for the past 11 years, I sure have missed my daddy!          

I have always loved this picture.  Both Daddy and I look so happy!  It was taken in the late afternoon, spring or summer, maybe 1989 or 1990.  Daddy was probably just getting home from work, as he was standing beside his Chevy truck.  He always liked Chevrolets; therefore, so did I.  I had been cleaning my car, a 1969 Camaro, which I really liked.  In the background, you can see his big ol' John Deere tractor.  Mama really captured it all in this photo!



  

Parkmanville Pile-In

Cousins + Summer = GREAT!

Thanks for the great photo of the kids at the creek, Laura!

Last weekend, my sister Jill visited from Starkville, Mississippi.  She and I haven't seen each other since the half marathon in April.  Benjamin hasn't seen her kids since before Thanksgiving!  They haven't been to Ann's in several months.  Needless to say, everyone was excited that they were coming to Parkmanville for a long weekend.  Combined with the fact that it was the first weekend since the last day of school, my kids figured life doesn't get any better! 

The boys spent Friday evening wading and swimming in the gravel pit.  A number of years ago, when the land where Ann lives belonged to my grandfather Richard Lewis Parkman, the county "borrowed" gravel from the site.  A pond now exists in the shallow pit; we've called the pond the "gravel pit" since I was a little girl.  We walked a pretty good piece from Ann's house, down the dirt road, around the horse pasture, past the 10-year old planted pines, and through the food plot to get there.  Jill and I talked the entire time.  It doesn't seem that long ago since she and I were the same age as our kids, wanting to do the same type of things.  (Well, at least I did - I was such a tomboy.  I am not sure Jill really wanted to do these things when we were little.  Turns out, Jill was blessed with boys so she gets to do these things now, whether she wants to or not!)

Wading into the gravel pit, captured in photo by Jill

On Saturday, we spent the day at Callaway Gardens.  The Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, and Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden may never be the same!  We packed a picnic lunch as well as a lot of activities into our time at Callaway.  More fun was had at Ann's upon returning to Parkmanville.

"We promise to behave in church - just let us sit together!" begged Ann's grandsons.

All Ann's daughters and grandkids joined her for church at Crawford Baptist Church on Sunday.  (Brother Steve Williamson preached a really good sermon!)  We went back to her house for lunch and spent the afternoon on the Uchee Creek, which weaves its way through the lower part of her place.  Later, we sat in the swing in the shade of the wrap-around porch - it's one of my favorite ways to spend time at her house.   

Ann, her girls, and the grandkids on her porch

Super job getting so many smiles, Joseph!