Christmas 2010

Why don't you come on in by the fireplace and join me for a cup of hot chocolate.

I had the honor of being a part of the progressive dinner at my church this year and I so enjoyed my church family visiting.  We had such a good time visiting and going from one house to the next to eat different things.

Of course, I can't take credit for the food.  My BFF, Donna, a/k/a Martha Stewart fixed all the food.  Kati even came over to help.

George's horse was tied up at the front gate.

LaDonna and Patsy came by

I enjoyed decorating for the season.

Even the victorian bedroom had to have a tree.

I'm just a victorian lady at heart

The bathroom had to have some Christmas bling

I may have enjoyed the decorating but I am sooo glad it's over.  It can wear you smooth out. LOL.

Hope you enjoyed your visit and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Thanksgiving

Well, it’s about that time of year where I have to scrounge around and hunt for my can opener.  I sometimes wonder why I had a kitchen included when the house was built.  I suppose for resell value on the house for the kids after I have gone on to my great reward.  Since my name’s not Rachel or Martha, it’s a dissertation to cook for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  A few years ago, I got wise and decided to go out for Thanksgiving dinner.   While it was great to walk away and leave the clean up to others, it made for skinny helpings on the left overs during football games.  But, anyway, I try to make up for it at Christmas dinner.  If my kids knew about a Thanksgiving dinner episode in my younger years, they might decide that eating out isn’t so bad.  When I was 19 years old and a new bride, I thought it would be great to cook Thanksgiving dinner with ALL the “fixins.”  I mean, really, mom…what’s so hard about cooking 24 hours straight, eating for 30 minutes and cleaning up for 3 hours.  Really!  Anyway, my sister and her family came to visit me and I was all excited about displaying my new found culinary skills.  I was so proud that I remembered to take the turkey out of the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator for a few days…still had to soak it in hot water to thaw.  But things were rolling along pretty well for the seasoned cook.  I can’t remember all the details of that long ago feast but I’m sure my cornbread dressing was probably just above the level of crumbled up cornbread stuffed inside the turkey.  That was BEFORE Stove Top Stuffing was available at the local Wal-Mart and BEFORE my mother and sister revealed their delicious cornbread stuffing recipe.  Well, company arrived and we were having a high ole time and then…oh, yeah, aren’t I supposed to cook this bird for a few days?  I believe I put it in the oven the night before and cooked it for 12 hours or so but who’s counting.  We managed to pull it all together and I was sooo proud to set it all on my new dining room table.  Surprising to me, the turkey didn’t look half bad and with great anticipation, I craved the pumpkin…I mean the turkey.  This can’t be that hard, just slice and serve, right?  Wrong!  I need to tell you about one, small, minor detail.  At that point in my life I hated giblet gravy and it never occurred to me that the packed-in-paper giblets were inside the turkey.  Never gave it a thought…until, I carved into the paper and pulled out the giblets for all to see.  Well, husband number one fell on the floor laughing and my sister has never let me live it down.  Great entertainment but you can rest assured, NOW I ALWAYS CHECK THE INSIDE OF A TURKEY. 

Be safe and serve bone in ham!

Have A Blessed Day

Grand Children

A wise woman (my mother) once told me, “If I had known grandchildren were going to be this much fun, I’d had them first.”  Well…not knocking my own children, but I do know what you mean, mom.  I have three wonderful grandchildren, two girls and one and only grandson, the baby.  They are all the “cat’s meow” with me.  I don’t get to be with my oldest granddaughter very much but she is just as precious to me as the rest of the kids.  I don’t know if it’s the feeling of immortality but there’s nothing like holding a newborn grandchild.  I’d put it up there above chocolate cake, the smell of fresh mowed grass and the first feeling of puppy love.  There’s nothing like it.  There’s a closeness among your grandchildren that’s so different than with your children.  The pressures of meeting responsibilities, as when your own children were young, is not there and you’re free to let go and act just as young as the grandkids.  I mean…what’s greater than getting under the dining room table and playing tent or seeing who can cram more bubble gum in your mouth or see who can belch the latest.  Seriously, (LOL), there’s nothing greater than going back in time and being a child with a child. 

My precious Ashley

My Comedian Faith

And then there's Christian.  First birthday and full of it.  Has a way of wrapping his little finger around your heart.

Have a Blessed Day

Branson

I recently went on a road trip to Branson with a group of ladies from my church.  Now…let me tell you, these are fine upstanding Christian ladies; HOWEVER, when they go out of town, something happens to them.  All sense of propriety seems to evaporate like chocolate panties on a hot afternoon.   We have a wonderful, anointed pastor, but honestly…she has GOT to have the patience of Job to ramrod these trips.  There’s a couple of ladies in the group (I won’t mention their name), I’ll just call them Sug and Juicy.  Lord, help us all, Jesus!  Words can’t really explain their demented mind.  You’ll just have to see the picture below. 

The group went to the Presley’s show and thoroughly enjoyed their performance.  Evidently, Sug and Juicy did too.  I hope the Presley’s will allow us to return.

Now what in the world could she be drinking?

See the lady in front...she's still sleeping it off.  hahahaha.

Me and my BFF happened to be in one of Branson’s stores…you know the one…the store with all the pretties in it.  LOL.  Well, I was standing by Juicy when she spotted something she couldn’t live without.  She hiked out at a dead run down the narrow isle, knocked over a little old lady and her shopping cart, continued sprinting down the isle and with one bound, jumped over a row of hanging clothes and nosed-dived into a display of king size satin sheets.  Lord, help us all!  Haven’t seen “Sista Juicy” move that fast since the last time we had a Jericho March on a Sunday mornin’.  I learned a lesson…stay outta of Juicy’s way when satin sheets are in her sights. 

I think Juicy had a picture of our Pastor on her back.  My, my.

You really need to pray for this group.

Awesome group of ladies.

First Time - November 1, 2010

Let's all join hands and pray...this is my first time at blogging and I absolutely have no idea what I'm doing.  So any suggestions will be appreciated.