Fun weekend...

We are so proud of our niece Andrea. She had a solo in the Messiah in Greenville, IL where she attends college. Jim and I were privileged to be able to attend yesterday. She did not know we were coming and how I wish I had a picture of the surprised look on her face when she saw us! We had a wonderful week end with family. Andrea's solo was beautiful and we are so proud of her! Thanks Dana and Charles for inviting us.

Just had to share the view from our hotel room. :)

sister & brother!

Sweet, sweet ladies...

This morning our Bible study met at my house for brunch. Each lady brought a dish or a drink. We had some wonderful food and great fellowship with each other! After we ate Marjo and I were given a gift for our leadership to the ladies. We felt so loved and blessed. We love each lady that is a part of our study. Thank you friends!

My beautiful gift...set of pillow cases made by my dear friend, Louise!

Christmas!

Joy To The World

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love

The words and lyrics of 'Joy to the World' were written in 1719 by Isaac Watts (1674-1748).

A time for traditions...

This recipe has been in our family for years. My mom made it at holidays. I have no idea where it came from. I have carried on the tradition of making it each year. I love old recipes and the way they are written sometimes makes me laugh. I hope you will enjoy this one and make it one of your traditional dishes.

Cranberry Mold

1 C. ground cranberries
1 C. ground unpared apples
1 C. sugar
1 pkg. gelatine (I use strawberry jello)
1 C. hot water
1 can crushed pineapple
1/2 C. seeded Tokay grape halves (I use purple seedless grapes)
1/4 C. broken nut meats (I use pecans)

Combine cranberries, apples and sugar. Dissolve gelatine in hot water; add pineapple (with juice). Chill until partially set. Add cranberry-apple mixture, grapes and nut meats. Pour into mold (I most often put in a pretty glass bowl that belonged to my mom). Chill overnight or until set.

Welcome back to your Texas home!

Tonight the family, minus Stacy and Travis who are on a trip, and our friend, Diane, went to the airport to welcome Stephanie home from Honduras! We are so excited to have her back with us until mid-January!

Give Thanks...

Psalm 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. Thanksgiving is this week and we should all take time to pause and thank God for the many blessings He has given us. We did this today at church! We should do it every day! Take time right now and think of all He has done for you and thank Him! Then ask the Lord which friend and or family member you should write a note or give a call and thank them for what they mean in your life! You will be blessed and so will they!

A bowl of soup for a chilly day...

I found this soup in Taste of Home Heartwarming Soups cookbook. It is very easy and tastes good! I use a little more ground beef and serve it with cornbread.



1 package (12 ounces) mixed dried
beans
8 cups water
1/2 pound ground beef, cooked and
drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes,
undrained
1 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
Pepper to taste

Place beans in a large saucepan or Dutch oven;
add enough water to cover by 2 in.
Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour.

Drain and discard liquid. Add water to the
beans; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for
30 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; bring
to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for
1 -1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are tender.
Discard bay leaves.

Yield: 10 servings

Scooters and haircuts

Hannah was riding a scooter, fell and broke two fingers!

She had to have a cast.

She also got a pretty new hair cut!

Veterans Day Thanks...

Yesterday was Veterans Day! In our family we have two veterans, my husband's father and my husband. Our nephew did a wonderful tribute to them on his blog. I would like to share it with you.

http://frontlineyouthsb.blogspot.com/

Sgt K-9

Stacy brought Jack over last night after receiving a gift from Chad and Vicki!

This made me smile!