December Madness

Hello to all from the Neas Nut Farm. Since we are down to four (from twelve [plus any grandchildren]) of us, we decided to try taking a family portrait this year. DH messed around with the new camera for a few minutes and insisted that he had figured out the timer function. Soooooooo...we gathered around - and here is what we got. Looks pretty good except that I'm blurred! Actually that's how I feel a lot of the time, so I guess that the picture is pretty accurate! We tried several more times, but couldn't get the timer to work again, so I sent everyone off on their merry way, and decided that this would do for now.

This in Percy. From now on he will be showing up often in my posts. I have to be totally honest...I stole this idea right off the "pages" of It's a Pug's Life. I have laughed so hard reading all about Punkin's adventures, that I just have to let Percy in on the fun.

Here is my son, Simon and his beautiful wife, Mindi. They came to spend Thanksgiving week with us. They were so very kind, and took Percy to New Orleans with them.

Here he is overlooking the canal. I think that he is a little nervous being so close to the water. I'm a terrible mama, as I haven't yet taught him to swim.

Being aware of the need to bring some education into little Percy's life, they took him to the Andrew Jackson Memorial.

Here they are in front of the Cathedral. At this point Percy was plumb wore out, so he was tucked away in his carrier, so that he could rest on the drive back home.

I like to put the tree up on December 1st, but Thanksgiving came quite late this year, so we put the tree up on Friday. Big J is playing peek-a-boo with the top of the tree.

Ooooh yeah - he's getting in the spirit of things!

This is the part that I hate!!! The mess. I can't stand it. Seth worked hard to help Big J. finish up, but before long...

J got entranced in the pre-25 days of Christmas tv shows.

Ta DA!

The finished tree. I think it's quite "purty" if I say so myself. I let the boys put on the big ornaments, and then I do all the finishing touches.

Thought I'd throw this pic in. I was so excited that gas prices had continued to drop. Then yesterday on the way to church, we saw that it had gone down to $1.62. I didn't have my camera with me, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

Big J turned 17 on Saturday. Seth took him out shopping, and then he came home to watch the UF vs FSU game - GO GATORS!, while eating his "requested" birthday dinner meal...

...Biscuits and Gravy and Chocolate Cake.

Here he is - chowing down.

He opened his gifts during half-time.

Showing off his new clothes - Vanna White, watch out!

Gracie says "Oh Pulleeeeeease, get me out of this hat!"

I'm looking forward to the rest of the month. Our women's organization, at church, is having a dinner this Wednesday evening. I'll be going to Alabama to spend a week with Suzanne and her family. - We plan to spend the entire time baking cookies. (I will play with the grandchildren a little bit too, and I may have to take them shopping!)

Our daughter, Stephanie, is bringing "THE BOYFRIEND" home to meet us, so there will be lots of cleaning and cooking going on here once I get back to from Alabamie. I must make a good impression. Steph's already been up to New York State to meet Cliff's mom, and it seems that I have some "big shoes to fill"...Wish me luck!

See you tomorrow!

30 in 30 Plus a Few More

I have this magnet on my fridge - It says it all!

To my throngs of readers - I thank you. Today finishes the 30 Posts in 30 Days challenge. My content my not have been prize material, but it came from the heart. Some might have been funny, and some a little sad. I threw in a little "history" and some "current events". A few pictures, and a lot of love.

For those who left comments - I thank you. For those who didn't - I hope you will someday soon.

Can I continue "A POST A DAY"? I don't know, but I'm going to try. I find it to be very inexpensive therapy - AND - I think that I have benefited greatly by making new friends! I truly believe that I have found a place where I can express myself without hesitation, knowing that those who "follow me" do so without any preconcieved notions about who I am or what I'm all about. They just drop by to see what's up, and then leave a nice sentence or two, making me feel as though I've had a pat on the back, and that people really do care!

Thank You

Goofy Grand Children

These are some of my goofy grand children! I REALLY miss them, especially at this time of year! I am so grateful that my dear friends, Susan and Bob, took these photos the last time that our very large ( now 10 kids, 13 grandkids, 2 step-grand kids, 2 sons-in-law, 2 daughters-in-law, grandparents ) were all together for Christmas! These pictures are so very precious to me.

Would they look straight ahead and smile? NO





Would they keep their hands to themselves? NO





Would they just - for once - listen? NOOOO

Would I have it any other way? - No! Well...

... Maybe just for a couple of seconds!

New Site - Give Away

Bloggy Friends - I just came across a site that's new to me. Some of you might enjoy a browse around AND she has a great give away going on. Check out her site and then run on over to your nearest Hallmark store to check out her "line"

http://jeannewinters.blogspot.com/2008/11/major-giveaway-gratuitous-plug.html

Martha Stewart - I'm NOT

This little plaque hangs in the entrance to my house. I'm not saying that I'm a slob, or that I have no creativity - but I could NEVER be Martha Stewart.

I was cleaning out my big recipe folder - in preparation of the Cookie Swap, and came across this and thought you might enjoy it!

Martha Stewart's letter to Erma Bombeck:

Hi Erma,

This perfectly delightful note, is being sent on paper that I made myself, to tell you what I have been up to recently. Since if snowed last night, I got up early and made a sled with old barn wood and a glue gun. I hand painted it in gold leaf. I then got out my loom, and wove a blanket in peaches and mauves. Then to make the sled complete, I made a white horse, to pull it, from DNA that I had just sitting around in my craft room. By then it was time to start making the place mats and napkins for my 20 breakfast guests. I'm serving the old standard Stewart twelve-course breakfast, but I'll let you in on a little secret: I didn't have time to make the tables and chairs this morning, so I used the ones I had on hand. Before I moved the table into the dining room, I decided to add just a touch of the holidays - so I repainted the room in pinks and stenciled gold stars on the ceiling. Then, while the homemade bread was rising, I took antique candle molds and made the dishes (exactly the same shade of pink) to use for breakfast. These were made from Hungarian clay, which you can get at almost any Hungarian craft store.

Well, I must run. I need to finish the buttonholes on the dress I'm wearing for breakfast. I'll get out the sled and drive this note to the post office as soon as the glue dries on the envelope I'll be making momentarily. Hope my breakfast guests don't stay too long, I have 40,000 cranberries to string with bay leaves, before my speaking engagement at noon.

It's a good thing.

Love,

Martha Stewart

PS When I made the ribbon for this typewriter, I used 1/8 -inch gold gauze. I soaked the gauze in a mixture of white grapes and blackberries which I grew, picked, and crushed last week just for the fun of it.

Here is Erma's (may she rest in peace) reply:

Dear Martha,

I'm writing this on the back of an old shopping list, pay no attention to the coffee and jelly stains. I'm 20 minutes late getting my daughter up for school, packing a lunch with one hand, and on the phone with the dog pound...seems old Ruff needs bailing out again. Burnt my arm on the curling iron when I was trying to make those cute curly fries - how DO they make those things? Still can't find the scissors to cut out some snowflakes,tried using an old disposable razor, but only succeeded in trashing the tablecloth. Tried that cranberry thing I saw on your show (frozen cranberries mushed up after defrosting them in the microwave), but left them in too long and burned them. Oh, and don't use Fruity Pebbles as a substitute in that Rice Krispie snowball recipe, unless you happen to like a disgusting shade that resembles puke! Oops the smoke alarm is going off again. Talk to ya later.

Love,

Erma

Yup - I'll NEVER be Martha Stewart, but I think that I must be related to Erma.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

As we gather together to ask the Lord's blessings...

...let us remember those who won't be surrounded by their loved ones this Thanksgiving Day.

May the Lord watch over and protect, all those serving in the armed forces, protecting our nation, and those who are not as fortunate as we are.

Please take a moment today to go Here and watch a short slide show honoring the men and women in service to our country.

Love and Blessings to you all.

A New Turkey recipe.

Here is a new way to prepare your Thanksgiving Turkey.

1. Cut out aluminum foil in desired shapes

.2. Arrange the turkey in the roasting pan, position the foil carefully.
3. Roast according to your own recipe and serve.

4. Watch your guests' faces...

May your stuffing be tasty, and your turkey be plump.

May your potatoes and gravy have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious, and your pies take the prize.

And May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off your thighs!

PLEASE STOP BY TOMORROW FOR A THANKSGIVING SALUTE TO THE TROOPS.

I PROMISE THAT IT WILL BE WORTH YOUR TIME!