Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, music, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: 21st. Birthday, Birthdays, Birthdays Are Special, Dad, Family, Family Pictures, Family time, Family Traditions, Good Times, Happy Birthday, Passage of Time, Proud American, Proud Father, Son, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Time, Time flies, Time in a bottle
2023 is definitely off to a quick start for me. Back to work is an understatement… But certain things slow you down to pay homage and reflect on. Like my son turning 21 this past week ❤️ Milestones like this really make you reflect. Saying “time flies” just doesn’t tell the story, but in a way it does sum it up… Time is such an illusion. It slips right through our grasp and pours through our fingers, and we can never get it back. We have had a lot of time well spent together! I’ve made a point to spend as much time as possible with my family and with my son over the past 21 years! And the only regrets I can think of are the few things we didn’t get to do… YET! I feel very blessed to have him in my life and I look forward to what the future may bring.

The future looks bright for my little (6’3”) 21 year old son. What an impressive man he has become. 🙏🏻❤️
Sunday brunch and coffee are forthcoming ☕️ 🍳
“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend” ~ Theophrastus
Have a great Sunday!
~ Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pond Tips, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: 2023, 2023 Events List, Beach, Beach Life, Beach Therapy, Beautiful Sunset, Carters Nursery, Carters Nursery Pond and Patio, Family Business, Garden Planning, Garden Tour, Happy 2023, Maintenance Workshop, Photography, photos, Planning, plants, Pond Tour, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunrises, Sunsets
A new year and I have been busy planning for it! Business plan, events, pond tours, workshops, jobs, early buys, plant orders and more… I haven’t missed a sunrise or sunset in 2023 yet! No it’s not a resolution… But I do really enjoy watching both 🌞🌅 Here’s a little collage of some of 2023’s best from the Beach!

Now is when the real work begins…
“Sunrise looks spectacular in nature; sunrise looks spectacular in the photos; sunrise looks spectacular in our dreams; sunrise looks spectacular in the paintings, because it really is spectacular!”
~ Mehmet Murat Ildan
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: 2023, A New Year, Blank Canvas, Clean Slate, Family Traditions, Happy 2023, Happy New Year!, Love, New Years Dinner, New Years Quotes, New Years Resolutions, New Years Traditions, Ringing In The New Year, Southern Traditions, The Open Road, Traditional, Traditional Meal, Traditions, Viva La’ Tradition
Another New Year = A clean slate. A blank canvas. An open road of possibilities! I for one am excited for the opportunities that 2023 brings…

The future is what we make of it… You hear that a lot… & in my experience, it rings true! Lets make 2023 the best year yet!
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.”
~ Benjamin Franklin
💥Happy New Year!💥
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
YouTube pg. –
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dPkQiE04jcr385SOL0gkw
Facebook pg. – https://www.facebook.com/mark.carter.775
Pinterest pg. – https://www.pinterest.com/cartersnursery/
Filed under: Boutique, Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunrises, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: 2022, 2023, A New Year, Carters Nursery Pond and Patio, For Auld Lang Syne, Happy 2023, Happy New Year!, Mark Carter, New Years Dinner, New Years Eve, New Years is Coming!, New Years Quotes, New Years Resolutions, New Years Traditions, Ringing In The New Year
Here we are, standing at the crossroads of another year… So many choices to make, so much work to be done. So many blessings to count and so much more to look forward too! A wise lady told me that ’Every day above ground is a Blessing!’

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
~ Robert Frost
I hope we all have a wonderful evening closing out 2022! And here’s to a HUGE 2023! 💥
“Should auld acquaintance be Forgot and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be Forgot and days of auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear,for auld lang syne, We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,for auld lang syne.”
~ Robert Burns
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Mark C…
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Love, music, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Baby Jesus, Christmas, Christmas Countdown, Christmas decorations, Christmas Gifts, Christmas is Coming, Christmas Lights, Christmas List, Christmas Love, Christmas Magic, Christmas Music, Christmas Season, Christmas Songs, Christmas Spirit, Christmas Tree, Christmas with Family, Christmas Zen, Family, Family Breakfast, Family Dinner, Family Fun, Family Recipe, Family time, Family Traditions, Friends and Family, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Country, I Love My Family, Jesus, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas Y'all, The Reason For The Season, What is Christmas All About
I’m up early, getting ready for our annual family Christmas Eve Dinner 🥘 In just a few hours we will have about 20 house guests including at least 4 dogs 🐕 🤩 Christmas music, movies, pie 🥧… It’s always nice to spend time with your family ❤️

I hope you have a wonderful day & an even better evening and night! 🎅🏼 And, Here’s to all the good boys and girls out there! Merry Christmas 🎄

A Visit from St. Nicholas
By: Clement Clarke Moore
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”
Have a Wonderful Christmas Eve!
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Love, music, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Family, Family time, Family Traditions, Friends and Family, God Bless, Grateful, Gratitude, Happy Thanksgiving, Love, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunsets, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Decorations, Thanksgiving is Coming, The Presence of God, Time, Time flies, Time in a bottle, Time Off
Time is so funny… Sometimes it drags on & other times it goes by so fast that you miss things. I say it all the time, but it seems like this year has gone by quicker than any year before 💨 Turn around and boom 💥 it’s Thanksgiving! We are hosting our family dinner here in a few days, so we have been busy straitening up, decorating and basically getting ready 🦃

After all these years of living and working and doing, the one thing I have figured out is, you have to be grateful for your blessings 🙏🏻 (Ps: I’m still working on it 😊)
With my hectic schedule it’s easy to push on and take things for granted just to get through this day and to the next… But you miss so many things in that process, the most important things. God, family, friends, rest, health & happiness can be glossed over and left in your wake… Maybe it’s like the spirit that comes over you at Christmas 🎅🏼 you want everyday to feel like that. ⭐️ Thanksgiving can be the same. I’m going to try to let my Gratitude exceed my expectations everyday and see what happens ❤️
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
~ William Arthur Ward
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 to Everyone!
~ Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Breakfast, Coffee, Coffee Mug, cold morning, Cold Weather, Family Breakfast, Ice, It’s Cold!, Morning Coffee, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays
Cold frosty morning 🥶 Had to break ice from the troughs for the 1st time this season… The leaves are still coming down, but most have already fallen. Thanksgiving is coming quick. Coffee ☕️ and breakfast 🍳 await.

We are looking at a little cold snap for the next week, dress accordingly!
“On a cold November morning Frost wrapped the world in an ashy hue Sucking the heart from silence As an optimistic sun gazed through Naked branches of oak and maple
Peeking through the limbs of gray Lighting the indigo skies with grace Dancing, flowing, praising In waves of enchantment, such riches Radiating warmth and awaking The crackle of leaves, stunned By the bitter air, the chilling stare Of freezing sparkles on thoughts Met by the luster of dawn”
~ Regina McIntosh
Enjoy this cold November day ❤️
~ Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunsets | Tags: All Hallows Eve, Autumn, Candy, Don’t Be Like Mike, Fun, Halloween, Halloween party, Happy Halloween, Trick or treat
Well, the build up has been incredible! And the day is finally here! HAPPY Halloween 🎃 👻🕷
I know one guy who Lives for Today… Mr. Michael Myers! Have you ever wondered what he does on a normal day?
Check this out! – A day in the life of Mike

Getting ready in the morning has become a ritual…

I don’t care who you are, ya’ gotta stay in shape!

There’s always something to do…

Don’t forget to take a break now and again! All work and no play…

You might even think the monotonous life we all lead has tamed & subdued Mike to the point that homocide is just off the menu… ?

Happy Halloween y’all!
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
Filed under: Family time, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunsets, Videos, Waterfalls | Tags: Bonfire, Custom Fire Pit, Evening Zen, Fire, Fire Feature, Fire Pit, Fire Pit Zen, Fire pits, Fire Video, Moment of Zen, Monday Evening Moment Of Zen, Monday Morning Moment of Zen, Outdoor Fireplace, Outdoor Lifestyle Area, Outdoor Living, Outdoor Living Area, Place of Zen, Roaring Fire, Stone Fire Pit, Zen, Zen Feeling, Zen Fire, Zen state of mind, Zen Video, Zen Waterfall
Fall is such a beautiful time of the year!❤️🍁 One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to hang out around the fire-pit with family and friends. Watching a fire 🔥 burn is much like watching a Waterfall… You can relax and just be, and not worry about other things… This is a perfect place of Zen.
Last nights fire 🔥 was a good one! It helped to set the tone for the week ahead…
Have a great Monday!
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
YouTube pg. –
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dPkQiE04jcr385SOL0gkw
Facebook pg. – https://www.facebook.com/mark.carter.775
Pinterest pg. – https://www.pinterest.com/cartersnursery/
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Videos, Waterfalls | Tags: Autumn, Autumn Color, Autumn Leaves Falling on Water, Autumn Poem, Colorful Foliage, Colors, Fall, Fall Color, Fog, Foggy Morning, Love, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday on the River, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays
It was a thick fog this morning around the river. The temperature dropped into the lower 30’s and the water is still fairly warm… Makes for a Beautiful Foggy Morning! Especially as the sun ⛅️ burns slowly through the fog 🌫 Revealing a totally Bluebird Blue sky 🌌
These last couple of weeks have been close to perfect weather! Cool crisp mornings 🌞 warming up by mid morning to the 70’s… Not a cloud in the sky ❤️ The foliage is really starting to show now 🍁 Maples, sumac, dogwood, sassafras, gum… My advice is to get out and take a country ride every few days from now through late October/mid November. The color show is starting now in earnest and has a very short run…
“Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.”
~ Robert Frost
Have a beautiful Sunday!
~ Mark C.