Good?

This picture comes to you from my friendly neighborhood Kroger store! A new outpost just opened up off I-55 and today is the second time I've been there. It is quite convenient on my drive home from work and they have a large international section. My favorite area is the French aisle and I was very tempted to buy some extra-dark chocolate Petit Ecolier cookies today, but luckily I did not give into temptation!

I love this display of Swedish muesli and I think it's even funnier that it's mixed in with some Irish oatmeal. I guess those countries didn't deserve an actual aisle, so they just have to share a shelf. I wonder if Swedish people really partake in this particular breakfast delight, and if they do, is it really good?

More Beverages...

This is another look inside the Fondren Beverage Co. They have all kinds of old-time-y penants advertising different sorts of drinks.

The Heron, Finally!

I was on the golf course this afternoon and I finally got a (somewhat) up close snap of this beautiful, blue heron. Maybe she knows I'm thinking of leaving the club and wanted to get her close-up. In any case, it was just amazing. I love all kinds of birds and especially herons - they are so graceful.

Flowers

I'm not sure what kind of flowers these are. I think some kind of lily or daffodil. I am definitely enjoying the signs of spring around town and I hope you are too!

Heron on the Second

I often see this heron on the golf course, but I never manage to get a photo of her. If you look closely on the right, you'll see the blue beauty perched on a tree stump in the distance.

My husband and I are thinking of changing golf clubs. It will be hard to say goodbye to the beautiful scenery and wildlife here.

Skywatch

I caught this bit of sky at dusk today. That's the moon getting ready to rise. If you'd like to see some other skies, take a look here.

Thirsty?

This is a look at just some of the tasty drinks on offer at The Fondren Beverage Co.

Fondren is an area of downtown Jackson which is coming back into vogue. There are lots of cute little shops, art galleries and restaurants. It's one of the nicest places to hang out in Jackson. Tonight they had an open house, many of the shops stayed open late and offered snacks and drinks to patrons. There was also some live music in the streets. It was nice to get some fresh air and browse the shops.

Caterpillar

I found this dude out in one of my trees. I hope it's a sign that there will be lots of butterflies in my yard this summer!

Weed or Wildflower?

This flower began growing in my yard a few weeks ago. I purposely did not cut it down because I was curious to see what it would look like in bloom. After a weekend away, I returned to find this three foot monster! It is not the prettiest of flowers, but the yellow is nice and sunny.

Anyone here happen to know what kind of plant it is? I'll probably cut it down soon as it appears to be more weed-ish than wildflower-y.

Off to Reno!

I actually meant to post this photo earlier, but I never had a chance this weekend. This was the state of affairs at the Jackson airport last Friday. We had a small tornado that came through town at precisely the time my flight was supposed to leave. The nerve!

Although we took off late, I finally made it all the way to Salt Lake City Friday evening. On Saturday morning I landed in my final destination, Reno. Although my weekend was cut a little short, I enjoyed the time in Reno and nearby Lake Tahoe.


Gate 15 certainly looked different tonight when I got home. The trip home always seems to go faster than the trip there!

PS: ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK, KUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!

Bye Bye!

We had a tree cut down in our yard a few weeks ago. It was really impressive to watch. The guy just shimmied up there with the chain saw and started cutting, while the guys on the ground pulled it down with a rope.


Once on the ground it got cut up into little chunks. We still don't know what to do with all the wood, it's just sitting in our yard now. We don't have a fireplace (it doesn't get that cold) and they won't pick stumps up with the regular trash. Any of you out there have experience with fallen trees?

Surge Arresters

This is what pays for my new home - Siemens Surge Arresters! My husband sells and markets these babies to different utilities across the country. This is a 50kv model and it protects big substation equipment (transformers especially) from being damaged by surges from lightning or other sources.

This arrestor has been sitting around in stock for awhile and my husband decided to dust it off and get it all engineered up for an upcoming tradeshow. He thought it would be a quick half hour job, but it ended up taking him all day. If you're interested in buying one, let me know!

April Theme Day: Water

I love reflection pictures, they're one of my weaknesses. This one is from the golf course (I promise I do go other places too!).

Here's a look at the same scene in black and white. I couldn't chose which one to post.

Please take a look at the other blogs participating in today's theme day.

theme day id=14

theme day id=13

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Gordio, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn

Construction

There is a lot of construction going on in and around the Jackson metro area. Shops are continually closing and reopening in a more northerly location. I just don't know how many new shopping centers this town can support. This looks like it will be another retail location.

Bees

There were tons of huge bumblebees buzzing around these lilacs at the golf course today. Unfortunately, my camera does have limits, but the macro setting works pretty well. Hope you all had a great Sunday!

Sort of Scary

Just recently I made my first ever visit to a Bass Pro Shop. It was quite an interesting experience! I found this particular sign very telling. I don't hunt and am not at all interested in starting, but it's apparently a very popular pastime here in Mississippi.

Azaleas

The azaleas are starting to burst into bloom around town. There are many different shades from vibrant red to deep pink and even white. These were spotted on the golf course, although I've also got a few bushes in front of my house.

Azaleas bring back memories of spring time in Brittany. I lived in Rennes for three years and also spent a lot of time in a small village in Finistere. Every spring the ladies busied themselves in their gardens - trimming hedges and gathering flowers. Azaleas, rhododendrums and hydrangeas were their mainstays, they created beautiful, bursts of color on every doorstep.

The Trevarez Castle gardens also hosted an azalea festival once a year. I was lucky enough to see the spectacle once. It was just amazing. Really worth the visit if you're ever in the area.

The Bulldog

Sorry I did not post anything yesterday. It is rather difficult to blog from work and I spent my evening at auditions for The Fondren Theater Workshop. They are doing an evening of one act plays from David Ives and I so wanted to be cast... and guess what?? I am!!! I'm going to be part of Mystery at the Twickenham Vicarage - that was just the one I wanted to be in too - squee! [/end excitement of a 12 year old girl].

Tonight my husband and a good friend of mine (who was also cast) went out to celebrate at The Bulldog. This establishment recently opened and they have quite a good collection of beers on tap. I am still convinced that the proprietor attended Mississippi State though, who else would have come up with a name like The Bulldog?

Church of the Rock Star!

This is the Church of the Rock Star! Need I say more?

Feed the Kitties

There were always tons of stray cats roaming the alley outside the Black Rose Theater. I always wondered why they were drawn to this particular area. This law firm which operates just next door provided some answers. They leave out trays of dry kibbles for the kitties to chow down on. I'm glad someone cares about the kitties! I wonder who pays for all the kibble though?

Buddha and the Stump

As promised in yesterday's post, here is a picture of the stump my husband brought home from the trade show. I must admit there was an error in my last post though. The stump (as it is lovingly known by us), was not bought from the Old House Depot, that was just one of the booths that caught his eye. It was actually purchased from Plantation Interiors. They have a shop just a few exits north from here on I-55 in Gluckstadt. I have a feeling we'll probably be visiting them as well sometime in the near future.

Old House Depot

My husband learned about this place at a recent home improvement tradeshow. They salvage pieces like old floor boards, doors, and light fixtures from old houses and buildings.

My husband bought a piece of pine from them at the show. It appears to once have been part of a beam in an old house. I was sort of skeptical about it at first, but once I saw it, I understood why he snatched it up. I'll post a picture of the stump in our house tomorrow.

Last weekend we went to the actual store in downtown Jackson. There were some interesting things there, but it's the kind of place where they either have something you absolutely love or nothing at all. I'm sure we'll be back though. One of our next projects is to install gas lamps to the facade. Maybe we'll find some antique ones somewhere.

Spring Has Sprung...

The bradford pears are in bloom all over town. I love these beautiful trees, they are always a sign of spring to me.

Unfortunately, the weather has taken a turn since this picture was taken. We had a big storm last night and power was knocked out for awhile. Temperatures are also expected to drop to the mid-forties. Forecasts show the weekend will be great though with sunny skies and temps in the mid-seventies. Perfect weather for strolling the streets of Memphis or playing golf!

PS: I have a fan! Thanks so much for the positive comments. I will strive to be a better blogger! (Or at least post more regularly).

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Not only is today a special Irish holiday, it's also the one year anniversary of my arrival in Jackson. A lot of things have changed over a year - I got a job (even if I don't like it much), I got married, I've made new friends, I bought a house...

Life in Jackson is really quite good. And Happy Saint Paddy's Day to all the photobloggers out there. Just don't drink too much green beer!

Abandoned Building

Downtown Brandon is chock full of abandoned buildings. The black and white setting adds even more poignancy to this one.

Mississippi Delights

I was intrigued by this display of jelly at a local antique shop (let's hope it is not really that old!). What is mayhaw? Is that some kind of southern specialty? If anyone knows anything about it, please educate me. I don't really like jellies and jams, but I might be willing to give this one a try.

Mame!

Tonight was our best performance ever! We had a really receptive crowd and they really gave us a lot of energy. The show will be over in just a few more days, it's been a lot of fun, but I'm looking forward to having my free time back!

Black Rose Theater

This is the Black Rose Theater in downtown Brandon where I am currently involved in the production of Mame. The building has been transformed from a movie theater into a stage theater. Historically, the theater was for "colored" people in the says of segregation. But don't let the name fool you, it is called the black rose because it's located on Black Street.

Saigon

Saigon is a Vietnamese noodle shoppe where my husband and I like to have lunch every once in awhile. Their portions are very generous, the service is friendly and it's very reasonably priced. The only downside is that it's a little far from the office, but it's a great place for those days when your boss is out of the office and you can take a little extra time. Luckily for me, that happens pretty often.

More Graffiti

This is another piece of bathroom art from Hal and Mal's. I actually have time to post today because we have a day off from Mame!

Hal and Mal's hosts a pub quiz every Tuesday night. The questions are usually focused on music and movies, two things my husband and I unfortunately know very little about. But we always have fun drinking the microbrews and trying not to be last.

Sadly I won't be there tomorrow because we've got a pick-up rehearsal for Mame. The good news is, half the performances are done and just half to go!