Autumn

Emily Dickinson called autumn "a little this side of snow."

I love the season, and it has begun here!  It is 66 degrees outside, and it rained last night (for five minutes).  But the promise of fall remains--I am ready for pumpkin pie, turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce and fallen leaves.  We all swell with thanksgiving during the season, and I am ready for that too--I've heard too much negative talk in the news lately.  We must remember what we DO have and cherish, as opposed to what we DON'T have and covet.

Thank you Lord for those promises.

Thanksgiving to Christmas progression

Thanksgiving was delightful.  We spent the day at the Byron Williamsons eating, watching the Cowboys, and enjoying the children (large and small).  Our lives are so entwined with the
Williamsons here, in Abilene and at ACU that they are like other special friends in our lives--there in thick and thin, joy and sorrow.

Now comes the unpacking of Christmas--why does it take so long?  Answer:  I have too much stuff to put on the tree and to put out in the house, yet I love it all:  the ornaments, old and new, shiny, and lusterless,  and those that have a story; I love the mantle things that go in the same place each year--the Santas that Pat Phillips gave me along with the glass deer that the Lorenzes and we gifted each other; the Santa's workshop display that the Austin Faculty gave Sam; the singing animations that sit on the coffee table every year which are played over and over by the grandchildren. 

I love the angels, the bears and the mice that sit in the kitchen window--cheap little sets that Sam bought from a school catalog, but which have held up really well.  Then there is the Fisher Price manger scene on the tea table in the bedroom arranged and rearranged each time the kids come.  Plus, I have to get out my collection of "The Night Before Christmas " books to put in the basket by the fireplace.  And on and on...

Still thankful

I am still thankful on this day after Thanksgiving--the meal was wonderful, if I do say so myself--Sheryl brought my favorite green bean casserole and some sweet potatoes. We ate and talked, and talked and then all went to see the new Disney movie Enchanted.



I recommend this movie for the whole family, although there were some scary parts (the old witch turns into a very scary dragon) (by the way, Susan Sarandon is a hoot at the stepmother and witch). The story line is fun--taken from so many fairy tales, it was interesting to sort them out with Maddie and Ella. Sam was transfixed with the action. I don't know how, but we ate popcorn and cokes and candy even though we were full. The Thomas family thinks a movie is not a movie without popcorn, candy and Coke. There were also references in the movie to other things like a King Kong sequence.



Yesterday was my 45th wedding anniversary--doesn't seem possible that it was that long ago. I haven't changed that much! Kennedy died on our first anniversary. I shall never forget the superintendent coming in and saying that school was closing and would not meet the next day because of the tragedy. That was one sad time when TV proved its mettle and helped millions grieve.

No, I am not one of those crazy people who get up at dawn or before and go shopping on Black Friday. You couldn't pay me to do it. Happy bargains to all who do.

Give thanks

I am in the middle of cooking--wanted to get an early start--and wouldn't you know, the electricity went off for about 2 hours! Couldn't even open a can to stir things up....Bah! But it is fun to get out the old recipes that are only used maybe twice a year and do them again. Tomorrow, I am having something new--my sister-in-law Dorothy (Aunt Bae) made what she called "Green Rice". It is a combination of broccoli and rice with a lot of other stuff thrown in. Also fixing Baked Corn--cream-stryle corn with whipped cream and butter (non-caloric, of course). Another borrowed recipe is Hashbrown Casserole from my sister-in-law Vicki. It has become a staple for us every holiday and special event. Rounding out is the turkey (smoked, this year) and dressing (always cornbread!).

We were put in the mood for the holiday yesterday by Maddie's kindergarten Thanksgiving program. She was a beautiful Pilgrim--so grown up!.

I hope all my readers have a wonderful holiday and that you do not get caught in the horrible weather that is coming our way and sure to cause airplane delays. May God bless you and your families. We thank him for blessing our family with good health, beautiful grandchildren, and children who are so wonderful.

Thanksgiving is Coming

Thanksgiving may be my favorite holiday. I love the sentiment; I love the food; I love the gathering of family. What's not to like about turkey and dressing (cornbread, of course), green bean casserole, hash-brown casserole, cranberry sauce and pumpkin and pecan pies?

I remember Turkey Day at my Grandmother (Granny) Tucker's. She had four children and all were there bringing their special dish to the celebration. The kitchen and the extra table set up in the bedroom groaned with all the food. In addition to all the above, we had ham,mashed potatoes, candied yams with marshmallows and cherries, macaroni and cheese, homemade rolls, coconut cream pie, Coke (made with Coca-cola) Salad, tossed green salad, Italian Cream Cake and other things I cannot remember. One of my family's favorites was Fruit Salad with whipped cream.

We laughed and told stories and often watched the Texas and Texas A and M game. What fun! I miss that now that I am often the cook.