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, Lake and Pond, Love, music, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: #neverforget, 50th Birthday, 9/11, American Hero’s, Birthdays, Birthdays Are Special, Day Off, Friends and Family, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Classroom, Gods Country, Lamb of God, Moonlight Pond Tour, Never Forget, Spirit, 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, Thank a Firefighter, The Presence of God, USA
Aren’t internal clocks great 😊 I was up very late last night/this morning (1:30am), visiting, talking and picking up from our annual Moonlight Pond Tour. And even though I had planned to ‘sleep in’ my eyes 👀 popped open like clockwork at 5am and I was wide awake… My internal clock must be a Timex 😊

And by all other accounts, it was a great week!
- I got to catch up with friends on the river
- Successful Pond Tour fundraiser
- The weather was great!
- A great friend turned 50!
But the 1st thing I thought about when my eyes opened this morning was what happened on this day in 2001… 9/11


A Heavy blow was struck against all Americans that day.
• 2,977 Americans were Murdered!
• 343 Firefighters died saving others! Many that survived are dying from cancer now at an alarming rate! Thank a Firefighter today…
But – We survived! We united! We rebuilt! 🇺🇸
All these other good things that happened for me this week, and every week before, and every day after today has been possible because of the sacrifices of past generations of Americans! We stand up! We fight for the freedom of others! We rebuild when things get torn down! God Bless America 🇺🇸
“Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul …”
~ William Earnest Henley
PS: Happy Birthday Sea Bass!
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pondless Waterfalls, Sunday Reflections, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: 7 Days a Week, Best Wife Award, Garden Chores, Gardening, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Classroom, Gods Country, Love, Love and Meaning, Love Your Pets, Nursery, Nursery Work, Plant care, short handed, 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 with Family, Sundays, Taking Care of Business, Together, watering
I got up with the sun, fixed coffee, put on my garden shoes on the porch and haven’t been back inside yet… Again, short handed at the nursery and so many chores to do… even on the sabbath 🙏🏻 But I feel good with it, (see Luke 14), when Jesus demonstrates to the Pharisees that some emergencies must be dealt with immediately, even if it means breaking the sabbath to do so… Ox in the ditch… Or in our case, watering to keep plant stock alive… And to beautify the landscape❤️






Even tho we are working 7 days a week right now, I know at the end of the day that I’m a very lucky and a very blessed man! 🙏🏻
“Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly–and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.”
~ Omar Khayyám
Have a wonderful Sunday Afternoon!
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, God Bless America, Love, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises | Tags: Calvary, Christ, Christ is Risen, Cross, Easter, Easter Sunday, Easter Sunrise, Easter Weekend, Empty Tomb, God, God Bless, God Bless America, He is Risen, Jesus, Lamb of God, Love, Resurrection, Resurrection of Christ, Sunday, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays, The Presence of God, Tomb

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Believe, Dogwood, Easter, Easter Sunday, Easter Sunrise, Easter Weekend, God, God Bless, God Bless America, I Love My Family, Jerusalem, Jerusalem Donkey, Jesus, Lamb of God, legend of the dogwood, Love, Love and Meaning, Love Thy Neighbor, Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself, Peace, Peace on Earth, Pray, Prayer Garden, Prayer in the Garden, Prayers, reflection, The Presence of God
I was thinking of the stories of the bible we learn from childhood and how they meld into real time in our lives… It’s Easter weekend and I wanted to share these two stories that I have always loved that tie into Easter.

‘All purebred donkeys are born with a cross on their back. A legend says it is the gift our Lord gave to the humble donkey that carried Him into Jerusalem. According to the legend, the little donkey so loved his Master that he followed Him to Calvary. Grief-stricken at the sight, he turned away but remained at his station at the foot of the cross. The shadow of the Cross fell upon him and from that day all purebred donkeys wear the Master’s Cross on their backs.’

Jesus rode in on a donkey… Then he walked and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane during the last days of his life. He knew what was about to happen to him and I think he chose a Garden to spend his last days in to give him the Peace, Clarity & Strength that he needed leading up to his arrest and Crucifixion (on Good Friday).


The blooming plants and feeling of Spring in the Garden bring Peace & Calm to the mind & Spirit, and in turn aid in ones thoughts and reflection…
There is going to be a LOT of Reflection for me during this weekend, and I hope to do much of it in my garden. I truly find peace and a clear mind outside within the garden. I hope you do too.
Have a Blessed Easter Weekend,
Peace 🙏🏻
Mark Carter
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Hummingbirds, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pond Tips, Pondless Waterfalls, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Carter Country, Carters Nursery Pond and Patio, Charity Pond Tour, Fall Pond Tour, Full Harvest Moon, Full Moon, Fund raiser, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Harvest Moon, humane society, Jackson Animal Care Center, Jackson Tennessee, Koi, Koi Ponds, Magical, Moonlight Pond Tour, Moonlight Tour, Moonlighting effects, Night Sky, Nightscaping, Nighttime Pond, Nighttime World, Pets, Pond Lighting, Pond Tour, Pond Tour Tickets, Pondless Waterfall, Saturday Night, Streams, 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, Tiki, Underwater Lighting, Water Garden Tour, Waterfall at Night, Waterfalls
The morning after is real… 🤫 I was the only one up in the whole house most of the morning… I don’t know what it is, but i cant “sleep in”. I’m just drawn up and then outside in the morning 🌞 But truth be told, I am pretty worn out too… Last night we hosted our annual Moonlight Pond Tour for the 17th time. And it was such a beautiful night!

We didn’t get through talking with folks, closing up and blowing out all the Tiki Torches and candles till around 12:30 last night, which is pretty late for an old Pond Guy and Gal 😊 But then when we got inside the house, were wide awake… so we had coffee and cake… ☕️🍰 Whew, great day and what a great night! but then… The Morning After 😒 I may need a nap 🥱




Thank You! to everyone who came out to support the cause! And a BIG ’Thank You’ to the homeowners who hosted the tour! ❤️ Its an honor and a privilege to be surrounded by such Awesome and caring people 🙏🏻
Enjoy your day!
“Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth, like a garment, wear
The beauty of the morning …”
~ William Wordsworth
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, Sunrises, Sunsets | Tags: #neverforget, 9/11, America, American, American Hero’s, Americans, First Responders, Focus, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Never Forget, Pray, Prayers, Prayers for those affected, Proud American, Thank a Firefighter, United States of America
Its been 20 year since that horrific day!
• 2,977 Americans were Murdered!
• 343 Firefighters died saving others! Many that survived are dying from cancer now at an alarming rate! Thank a Firefighter today…
BUT – We survived! We united! We rebuilt!
#neverforget!

Its been 20 years now. My wife was pregnant with our son when it happened. He is 19 now, working and going to school. Many of his peers don’t know much about what happened on 9/11! Watch the memorials with them today, they will be on ALL day! Talk about what happened that day & how it made you feel! We owe it to kids and we owe it to our fallen brothers and sisters to Never Forget! Lets reflect on the bravery of our first responders and say prayers for all the lives lost 🙏🏻 #neverforget !
We need to pull together again! Like we pulled together on 9/12! We rallied together, and we were stronger than we could have imagined! Prayers for our country and our countrymen today! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

God Bless America! 🇺🇸
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, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Cookout, Cookout by the Pond, Day Off, Enjoy The Day, Family, Family Dinner, Family Fun, Family Pictures, Family time, Family Traditions, Food, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Country, Happy Labor Day, I ❤️ my Family, I Love My Family, I Work Hard For My Koi, Labor Day, Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day is a national tribute to the contributions that American workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. The American worker is the best in the world! 🇺🇸

God Bless America! 🇺🇸
Mark Carter
Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, TN 38305
731-424-2206
https://www.cartercountry.com
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Birdsong, Declaration of Independence, Fire and Water, Fireworks, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Country, Happy Independence Day, independence day, July 4th., July 4th. 1776, July 4th. Weekend, Marina, Ragged Old Flag, Stars and Stripes Forever, Sunday, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday with Family, Sundays, The Presence of God
Happy Independence Day! Happy Birthday America! 🇺🇸 I am proud to be an American! And, I am Thankful for all the hard work and sacrifice that has been made by so many down through the years to keep us safe and FREE! There is not another country like ours in the world! & I still believe that the American people remain willing to give all to keep it 🇺🇸

“Freedom’s natal day is here.
Fire the guns and shout for freedom,
See the flag above unfurled!
Hail the stars and stripes forever,
Dearest flag in all the world.”
~Florence A. Jones

Stay safe out there! Happy July 4th.! 💥🇺🇸
GOD BLESS AMERICA! 🇺🇸
Mark Carter