Millions of peaches, peaches for me

Remember that song by the band The Presidents of the United States of America called "Peaches"? Well, that was the theme song this weekend. I took five girls home to Nashville to put up peaches. It was a busy but very entertaining weekend.

We canned 45 jars and put up some to freeze.

We got there Friday around 3:15, and then hopped back into the car to go see my cousin Tela's house in Saratoga. The house looks amazing! I can't wait to see it finished. Tela and Russell are expecting twins in January so that makes it way more exciting! Then we went back home and started supper. I cooked fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, fried okra (from Dad's garden), cream corn (from Poppa's garden), and we did a salad. It was greasy and good! Mom made mocha cheesecake for dessert, so we devoured some of that. Then it was bedtime.

Of course I didn't sleep a wink. I just don't sleep well with people, AND if there is a sound (the fan making noise) I follow it the whole night. Needless to say, I was pooped before the day even started. For breakfast, we had homemade cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing and fresh fruit (that's the healthy part!). Then the fun began! We peeled, chopped and cooked those peaches up! I was more of the teacher this year, and I coached from the side. They all made beautiful preserves. We got seven jars each. Not bad at all.

For an afternoon break, Dad took us all to the Coke plant to see the museum. I hadn't even been yet, so I was excited. It was so cool to see 100 years of memorabilia, some of it I hadn't seen before. There was an actual Model T Ford that we had to snap a picture in. We also posed on the forklift and in an empty semi truck.  We could be the new Coca Cola spokesmodels. I can't wait to sign my contract. Granny and Poppa came over for supper. Dad grilled chicken, I made squash medley, and a Greek salad.

The Model T Ford

A little pose in an empty Coke truck.

Then the real cooking began. I made peach fried pies with the help of Mom and Dad. Granny gave me her sister's recipe. Dad rolled out the dough (I was shocked too), and Mom flipped pies while I filled them and crimped them. I loved spending that time with my parents. That's one of those things I'll always remember, ya know? The pies turned out great! It needs a little more of "something", but I'm not sure what that is yet. Dad says it needs more salt in the crust, so I'll try that next time. I've got to perfect them before I open my bakery; those will be a necessity.

It was a great weekend! I can't wait until next year. Who's coming?!

Let me backtrack to July 17...I went to visit Jonathan, Meredith, and Chandler Bryan. It was such a great visit! Chandler is the sweetest little girl, and she's so active. She took her first steps while I was there, so of course that filled my heart. I was scared she wouldn't let me hold her, but we quickly bonded. Oh yes. Two peas in a pod we are. And Mer and Jon are such loving parents. It's an out of body experience watching your friends with a child. It's an awesome feeling. I was sad to leave on Thursday; I wanted to take them with me.

Sweet Chandler

Chandler walking!

This is what I found on the day I left. She almost did go with me.

My next post will be London...and I have video footage. YES!

The Good, the Bad, and the Not So Pretty

Hey ya'll. So since my trip, I haven't been inspired to write. It left me feeling incomplete in the sense that I didn't spend the time I needed to over there. It's not that I'm unhappy here because that isn't the case at all. I just need to spend more time rolling around in God's creation because ya'll, it is breath-taking. I'll go back next summer. FOR SURE. If you haven't figured out by now, I am writing again. Something obviously inspired me, so I will share that with you.

Let's start with the ugly or the uh....
The Not So Pretty

• My Aunt Tricia who has battled cancer three times had to go in for a pet scan today due to swollen lymph nodes around her original breast cancer site. We won't know the results until Tuesday when Dr. Tauer returns to the office. I ask for diligent prayers on her behalf. You can read more about this on my cousin's blog Mostly Sweet

The Bad

• School starts back for teachers August 8. Why?! Why can't we have until September?! I BEG YOU wonderful state department.
• I was at dinner last night with my friends Annesley and Meredith. We went to a restaurant called Sangria and ordered different kinds of tapas. I was eating one of my favorite tapas that I had often in Spain and the tears began to flow. I miss Spain and the food and the people and the culture and outside cafes where the heat doesn't melt you.

The Good

• I just got back from a wonderful visit with Meredith, Jonathan and baby Chandler. It's always hard to say goodbye to those you love!
• I leave tomorrow for Nashville, AR with a group of wonderful girls for our 2nd annual peach weekend. Unfortunately, there may not be any ripe peaches but that won't stop us from having a fun time. That's fo sho. The menu for this weekend is yummy and heart-clogging. You don't want to miss it!
• I still have to update you on London, so yay for me for getting to reminisce some more!! For those of you that could care less, go clip your nose hairs. That will be your intermission. London will be in a separate post fo schnizzel.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Trial Day 1

Days like this make me wish I could've seen my Pawpaw in action. I got to the court house around 8:45. I went directly to the witness room, the room where the witnesses wait until they testify. The jurors were chosen and then those who weren't testifying went to watch the proceedings. It was a full courtroom! Haleigh was the first one on the stand, and let me tell you. She was AMAZING! A total rockstar. I knew she would be fine up there, but she exceeded my expectations. She was cool, calm and collected. I was so proud of her! I can't imagine how difficult it was so look that piece of doodoo in the face.

I can't tell details, but it was a good (but long) day. Haleigh is requesting my chocolate sauce tonight, so Caroline and I are going to head over there around 8:30 for a little dessert party. One funny thing about the trial...When the detectives and the CSI were on the stand describing the house as they found it, they described each room. They began with Haleigh's room and describe hers as orderly with a stack of laundry on the bed. The southeast room (mine) was very messy with clothes everywhere and possibly some laundry that was not folded. The southwest room (Caroline's) was very neat and tidy with only jewelry on the counter. Hhhhmmmm....does this surprise anyone?   :)

Trial Day 2 begins tomorrow at 9:30. Pray the jurors find him as guilty as a skunk. If they don't they are blind as bats.

Major exhaustion

Ya'll. I am tired. But what a good tired. Ya know from doing fun things. So let's back track to the weekend before this one, April 2. Libby, Jill, Valerie, and I traveled to Searcy, AR to go to the Avett Brothers concert. Little did we know that there was going to be a Harding reunion. What joy filled my heart! I just couldn't help myself. I saw people that I hadn't seen since graduation (5 years in May) or before. It was an awesome time! The concert was incredible and ya'll I mean it. They are such a lively band, such great performers, that I can feel their music in my soul. That's how moved I am. Some songs I actually cried either because the words struck a feeling within me or the banjo picking was amazing.

Avett Brothers

While on the HU campus, we thought we'd take Libby for a tour of Bison country. We took her through the front lawn and made fun of all the "young love" couples. Then we went to the fountain and took pics. Of course we had to take pictures to document this momentous occasion. I don't know how ya'll feel when you walk back in time, but I felt a tinge of sadness. It was very nostalgic, very surreal. As I looked back on places where we gathered for Kojie pics on Patti Cobb or the sidewalk where we walked every single day, it made me realize that I am getting older. I know, 27 years is not that old, but it's still older than 18. I look at those places and see how each event has molded me, and it makes me think about my possible children and how easily a life can be influenced for good or bad. Who knows if I'll even have kids, but I hope they get the opportunity to go HU (and of course be a Kojie).

Valerie, Jill, Libby, and me

Catching up with old friends Laura and Kari.

Can't go anywhere without a classic drink spill.

This past weekend, six Harding girls including myself, had a Friday night getaway to Hot Springs Village. Carrie's inlaws have a house there, and it made the perfect spot for a retreat and sunbathing. It was good to catch up with all my friends and just relax. I also got some nice color. Yes I was wearing sunscreen.


 It was also Lana's birthday weekend so Carrie made a very yummy cake. I have such wonderful, generous friends!

On Saturday, we layed out on the deck. Lindsey's and Carrie's husbands decided to stop by and give us some company.

I drove to Searcy this morning for church then went to Caleb and Brooke's wedding shower. I feel like I've driven all over the state. Back to reality: grading tests and doing homework. Yay!

Peace and blessings,
Ashe

P.S. So I had a Bernice moment...Dad drove me back to Harding to get my car. I cannot find my keys for anything. I empty out my purse, and still no sign of my keys. I then call my sister to see if I left them in her car. As she's searching her car, I lift up my purse, and Voila! There are my keys laying in my lap. Dad and I have a big ol' laugh about that. He called me Bernice because why? I am my mother :)

Weddings, trips, and other things

Ya'll. What has happened to me? I have neglected my blog and look what happens. I have a book to write. First off, let me tell you about my latest book. I guess I should say books since it's a trilology.

They are so good! The best young adult series I've read in a while, and I highly recommend them. I also read The Splendor of Silence and let me tell ya. It stunk. This is the second book in my whole entire existence that I've not finished. It was so very boring. I DO NOT recommend.

So onto my life...my job is getting a wee bit more stressful as of tomorrow. One of the Spanish teachers is out for the rest of the year with a very sick child. I've posted her blog on here before. The long-term substitute they hired came for a week and left. She said it was medical problems, but it was probably those lovely angels she was hired to teach. With all of that said, the other two Spanish teachers and I will be carrying the load. I will get 14 students in my first period class which will put me at 27 crazies in one period. Lord be with me and give me the strength not to run away. It could happen, ya'll. It could. I'm preparing myself for the worst and hoping the worser of the worst won't happen.

Other than that, things have been running smoothly. I learn so much from my kids. I learned they are called Generation Rx for prescription drug abuse. Sometimes they tell me more than I really need to know, and I want to keep my innocence. Yesterday was "Free Hugs from Ms. Jamison" day. My 11th and 12th graders loved that day! I would make it everyday but that would take the fun out of it, ya know? As hard-headed and lazy as they are sometimes, I sure do love them. I love to see them do well on a test when they've been failing all the other ones, and I love to see their faces when they know a Spanish word without looking it up in their dictionary. Pure and simple love for these kiddos. Now don't let my love fool you...it's often mingled with frustration and a very tight weave :). My kids tell me my weave is too tight when I'm not in the best of moods.

April 29th is the day when all grad school assignments have to be turned in, yes sir. Rejoice in the Lord. That is a day I will remember forever. I hope to get done before then but who knows. At my rate of slower than nothing that might not happen. Graduation is May 7, and no, I'm not walking. That's my one day off from my students. I'm not giving it up to go sit in a gym fanning myself in my cap and gown. A N and an O spell NO.

Let's talk about spring break and how it was fun! YES! I kicked off spring break with a wedding. Say what? Not mine sillies. Harding friends Britton and Kaitlin tied the knot in Monroe, LA on March 19. Julie, Jill and I roadtripped down and made it a fun day trip. An awesome college reunion! I saw so many friends I haven't seen in five years, so it was nice to catch up with everyone. Of course the best part was spending time with Meredith and Chandler. Any time I have with my niece is a blessing!

The Bryans: Jonathan, Meredith and sweet Chandler.

Jules and me. Wat up roadie?!

Buggy and me

Jillian and her crazy friend that is ADD because she gets easily distracted and doesn't look at the camera.

Erin's daughter Sullivan meets Chandler for the first time. Future Harding cutie pies!

My best friend Meredith and me

The newlyweds: Britton and Kaitlin Burton.

I bought 27 new books at McKay's. I know. I am so bad, but I couldn't help myself. I think I have an addiction. Truly. I get a high when I'm in there smelling all that yummy paper smell and holding the words of goodness in my hands. I'm so glad I'm literate because I feel I would be extremely lonely without my books to fill my imagination.

Nashville, TN was rainy and cold, but that didn't stop the fun. I got to meet Blake for the first time. She is such a joy to be around--such a happy baby. Each time I looked at her, she smiled. She smiles all the time and is constantly on the go like her momma. It was great to be back with Cali and Audra and to spend some quality time with them. It makes me thankful for wonderful, Christian friends!

Blake and me on our first meeting :)

Audra, Beau, and me on our walk that quickly turned into a rainy sprint.

Friends together again!



Lauren and me before dinner at Mafiaoza's and Tin Roof. So great to see her!

I ended my spring break stopping in Memphis on my way back. I had dinner with a very lovely lady: Grandmother. That was the icing on the cake for me. It was a wonderful trip! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Peace and blessings,
Ashley

Adventures of Ashleyberry Finn

Wasn't it just a gorgeous day! I wanted to roll around in the grass like a dog, but I decided to go sit on a patio instead. Jill and I went to U.S. Pizza and let the wind blow through our hair. I may never get my hair brushed out tonight. Then we went to the new Brazilian bakery Rosalia's. Talk about melting in your mouth! Jill got a chocolate cupcake and I got a Carolina. Carolina must've been a fluffy lady because this pastry was stuffed with all kinds of wonderful mousse. Whoa.







And then, we did something bold. Something so daring I freaked OUT. We trespassed! There's this awesome house for sale on Lookout, and we drove around to see the back. Well, friends, the gate was open. It wad saying, "Come in. Your life wont feel complete." So we did.




Have a great Saturday night! Do something daring.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My Birthday Extravaganza (and my award)

It was a blast! Caroline and I had our joint birthday party at Ferneau again because it was such a success last year. Being in a place with all of your friends is so awesome, so why not do the same thing again. Nine of our friends had dinner with us in the private room at Ferneau. This is where the fun began. As I was opening my presents, I flung a piece of tissue paper out of the bag and it landed on a candle. Flames shoot up. I calmly poor three glasses of water on the fire. My friend Valorie was amazed at my calmness. I just have to remind her I put out "fires" every day at school, and I must be calm and collected.

Besides the fire, I had a wonderful time. Wearing a mask and getting all gussied up is so much fun! I even wore fake eyelashes! 



The Birthday Girls--Caroline and me



My favorite part--cake!




My fabulous friends--Valorie, Sarah, Caroline, Jill, Carla, Emily, and me.




The roomies--Caroline, me and Kristi.

Lastly, I must tell you about something. This will sound indulgent, but it truly was shocking. I got an AWARD today at the faculty meeting!! I know, right? I got the I Challenge Students award, and I was chosen by Mr. Allen, the principal.   He said that when he came in to informally observe my class, I was differentiating instruction.  He talked about the rap I created, how I got the students to give me the beat, how I let my hair down, and made a fool of myself just to get my students' attention. I was shocked for a number of reasons: 1) When it is a day I am at the other campus, we aren't required to come back over for staff meetings at the other campus. Mr. Allen emailed me and asked me to be at this one. I thought I was in trouble.  2) I am the new teacher on the block. 3) I knew deep down in my heart that I was differentiating my instruction but I was just trying to prevent my students from falling asleep...again. I have to think on my feet. No wonder my voice is so hoarse.

So yay for me! That gave me motivation to finish the race...which will be over June 8. Poop.

Valentine's Day for single people is...

Chance and Ashley--two big boys at one tiny table.

AWESOME! Who's wallowing in their own sorrow? Not me, little lambs. My friend, Chance, decided to have people over to his house tonight for a little duck and deer time. I loved the idea because I love me some deer meat fried up real nice. A little mashed potatoes with gravy and of course some gravy and ketchup mixed up for my deer steak dipping sauce made my my evening complete. Chance grilled duck kabobs that were out of this world. I'm now a duck fan for sure. And we had cupcakes to boot made by sweet little Anna. I had a wonderful day with friends and good food! You know I'm a sucker for good food :)

Chance, Patrick, and Ashley

When life gives you snow, make food!

My neighbors that live directly across the road asked us to come over and eat lunch with them today, so of course I make a bee-line for the food. I was a little reluctant to go because I hate being out in the cold and hate the snow. But food always brings out the best in me, so I went. There were six guys and then Caroline and me. Word got round that I make a mean chocolate chess pie, so I told the boys that if they could round me up 2/3 cup Crisco, I would whip them up a pie.

Low and behold, 20 minutes later I get a knock on my front door. I get the Crisco and the baking begins. Ever since my momma taught me how to make my own pie crusts back in the day, I have never, ever used a pre-made one. Homemade crusts taste so much better (in my lowly opinion).  I remember when I first began making pie crusts, I would ruin them. I would tear the crust or add too much water. But now I've got it down to an art. It's quite therapeutic. I put on Lisa Hannigan and The Format and work away.

I made the pie. With the extra crusts, I smeared butter on top and then sprinkled it with sugar and cinnamon. I baked that and took that over there as well. I think that treat might be one of the finest tasting foods that's ever melted in my mouth. It truly does melt if you eat it right out of the oven. When I say right out of the oven, I don't mean right out. Let it cool just a smidge or it'll melt your taste buds :). 

We all ate soup then chowed down on pie and crust. We played Apples to Apples then some other random game that was super fun. I love me a good game! We spent a good five hours over there. I'm sure we will be seeing more of them tomorrow since we are snowed in...again.  

All of this snow makes me want Jeremiah Johnson to knock on my door and tell me that I make really good biscuits. Ooohhheeee! He. Is. Fine.

September 22, 2004

This is my first journal entry in my first diary ever! Yay! Audra and I ate at Mi Pueblito before Hart church. We asked the nice Backyard Burger man, Phil, to church.  He didn't come but gave us his number so we could call him next week. But we won't. Clay Kiihnl said he exposed himself to some girls (supposedly) so I'll just not ask him. 

After church, Audra and I went for a walk. Right in front of Harding Academy, we saw a naked man, penis and all, standing by a tree.  He was just standing there silent, not even moving.  We couldn't see his face because it was in the shadows.  Audra and I ran to the nearest apartments and yelled for help.  I yelled, "There's a naked man in the trees! There's a naked man in the trees!"  I think that was the first and only time I will ever outrun Audra. The man streaked across the street, got in an unlicensed silver car and peeled out. 

We reported it to Harding Security, Dead Huckeba and the Searcy police who literally laughed in our faces. Now isn't that the weirdest story ever?!?

From the diary of Ashley Jamison, junior year of college

Say HEY for my BIRTHDAY! Hey!

 

My 3rd birthday with the cake my mother made and the dress my mother made. She's pretty awesome!

 So yes, it's been a while since I"ve last posted. Which means, yes, I have so much to tell you. First of all, I had a FABULOUS birthday. It was just a normal day...I know. How can normal be fabulous? I was at the good campus first of all. They are such little blessings to me. I love them so much. Even the ones that can be stinky sometimes. Not as in their actual smell but their behavior.

Side note: listening to Rogue Waves cover of "Every Day", the James Taylor song. I just needed to tell you. And it's ssssooooo good.

Back to the birfday (that's how my students' say it), I was also observed for the first time by my UCA professor. It went stupendously. I couldn't have asked for a better lesson or better students. She said she was very impressed, and then in her email to me later that day she said, "Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your classroom earlier today." I might have given myself a pat on the back. I get observed all the time but coming from my college supervisor, I was impressed with myself. Maybe I just had the big head because it was the day I came into the world. Who knows but I spanked it.

At lunch, my colleagues surprised me with a cookie cake. I was so like, "OH MYLANTA!". So shocked. I loved it. It took me back to college when one of my best friends, Erin, would get a cookie cake for her birthday every year. We loved it when her birthdays came around :). 

It wouldn't be a birthday without my heroicness.  My friend, Libby, called and said she was stuck around the corner. Her car was smoking...literally.  I went to save the day. Bless her heart...she was just trying to bring me my birthday present.


The smoking gun.

For dinner Caroline, Julie, and I went to eat at 1620. Since we are having my big celebration on Friday, we didn't want everyone to pay for two expensive meals. It was just the three of us. It was yummy! I'd never eaten there, and C and I had a groupon. Yeah we did. Just call the bargain hunting virtuoso.

Then the snow came. No school on Friday, so I went to my babysitting job early. I sat for a family with two wonderful kids from Friday until Sunday night. It was nice money for my travels this summer. Look out Europe! I'm coming to see ya!

No school tomorrow. Look out for posts from the past--the journal is coming out. Beware.

Brunch of the Munch: Overhang or Overhung?



HU girls brunch: L to R  Lindsey Holbert, me, Jillian Hicks, Valerie Hendrix, Amanda Burroughs, Carrie Scott, Lana Summit, and Callie Lillard. Oh and we can't forget Marie Antoinette.

My weekend. I'm going to skip Friday because it stunk. Saturday. I liked Saturday. It was our monthly (although we haven't had one in several months) Harding girls brunch. It was so great to see everyone and catch up. We heard all about skiing accidents and overhangs. It. Was. Amazing. And the food was superb. We had hashbrown casserole, french toast casserole, breakfast casserole, sweet, yummy, sticky bread, sausage balls, and nothing healthy. Julie was supposed to bring our one healthy dish, and she was a loser and got sick. Such a loserface, but we still love her. I made a new recipe, Blueberry Scones with Melted Peaches, and I was quite pleased with it. The melted peaches part gets everyone. How do you melt a peach? What is a melted peach? I think that Rachael Ray wanted to be really creative. That's my guess.

Then I went to Oaklawn for my friend, Carla's birthday. Did I ever see Carla that day to wish her a happy birthday? No, I did not. I hope she had a splendid day. It was my first Oaklawn experience, and it wasn't too shabby. I'd much rather be riding the horses then watching them run, but oh well. And it would have been even cooler had Mary Poppins come out on a carousel horse and wowed the crowd. I probably would have peed.



My heroine: Mary Poppins

My family from Memphis was visiting so I got to spend the majority of the day with them. It was great to see my Aunt Tricia and celebrate the good report she got last week. No more cancer. I've still not written a song, but I am feeling inspiration. It's coming, and it's gonna be good. Possibly a rap.

Have a great Monday everyone! And just to prepare you, I found this under my bed:

This is my diary from junior year of college. I will be sharing entries. This was the only time in my life when I kept a diary. I can't wait to share my deepest, darkest secrets with you :).

Oh Happy Day! (Oh Happy Day) Oh Happy Day! (Oh Happy Day)

...when the counselor's washed (ooh), when the counselor's washed (ooh), when the counselor's WASHED (high note) eighteen students away. Lalalalalalala (Lalalalalalala) Lalalalala (Lalalalala) THEY TAUGHT ME HOW (oh they taught me how) TO SCREAM (to scream) TO SCREAM AND YELL (to scream and yell) SCREAM AND YELL AND THEY TAUGHT ME HOW TO GROW TOUGH SKIN!


That was the day I had today. It was like Christmas on January 5! I found out that 18, yes EIGHTEEN, of my students from the bad campus dropped my class. I got a little misty eyed. You have NO IDEA (maybe some of you do) how difficult it is to teach a class with students constantly disrupting because they don't want to be in there. Well Merry Christmas to you too because I think we both got what we wanted. Trust me...I LOVE many of the students at that campus but some will be better off without my class. I wish them the best of luck in their ventures!

Now on to the second happy of the day...my new bookshelf! I bought it from World Market, and I'm in love with it. My friends Jill and Kirstin helped me assemble it tonight. So much fun!

And to the last happy of the day...I got three new students in my 3rd block class today (I was at the good campus). They transferred from within the school. I asked the male student at the end of class, "How are you feeling about this class so far? You look a little worried."

"I feel extremely overwhelmed." I told him to give it another day or two. Then, as I was walking away, I heard the boy sitting next to him whisper to him, "Welcome to the hardest Spanish class of your life. You will die." I turned around quickly, and said, "Why, thank you!"

I prepare my kids for college, that's for sure. Happy Wednesday everyone! Peace and blessings!