Summertime has been special for grandparents for a very long time. Children are out of school and are able to come for longer visits and do special things, i.e. fishing, trips t0 museums or aquarium, picnics, movies; these are pleasant memories in our family with 6 grandchildren. In our case, Texas was the place where most of our summertime events happened with the exception of one trip to Disney World in 1988. However the geography for each of these people has changed dramatically for today. Check this out...
One is in Colorado.
One is in the Bahamas.
One is in Iowa, soon to be moving to Missouri.
One is in Louisiana.
One is in Greece.
One is in Texas.
How's that for variety? I am sure each one is making good memories of their own. And this makes parents AND grandparents happy!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Book of the Month
"Those who read will never be lonely" somebody has reportedly said. Also, better mental health is said to be a common result of the love of reading. Whether these are true for everyone is debatable, but for me they surely are.
I am currently reading several books (this works by having at least one book in each room), but one has captivated me in spite of the time it demands. So we will call it the Book of the Month: BONHOFFER by Timothy Keller and Eric Metaxas. The biography of this outstanding German preacher with a unique love for Scripture and who boldly expressed courageously his opposition to Hitler is more than a worthwhile read. Since the story culminates with his execution, we are brought to a realization that there are people in the world who are willing to express their faith even in the face of death.
A big thank you to Mark and Terry Wallis who each recommended this book about the same time.
I am currently reading several books (this works by having at least one book in each room), but one has captivated me in spite of the time it demands. So we will call it the Book of the Month: BONHOFFER by Timothy Keller and Eric Metaxas. The biography of this outstanding German preacher with a unique love for Scripture and who boldly expressed courageously his opposition to Hitler is more than a worthwhile read. Since the story culminates with his execution, we are brought to a realization that there are people in the world who are willing to express their faith even in the face of death.
A big thank you to Mark and Terry Wallis who each recommended this book about the same time.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Family Additions
Have any of you who happen to be reading this ever tried to assemble all your family members for a portrait? To justify my actions, the following is important to know: It has been at least 15 years since a picture was made of our entire family. During that period of time I have made several attempts to get them all together at the same time, but none of these efforts has worked. Some are in Iowa, some in Colorado, some in Texas, and at times some are in France, England, South Africa, the Netherlands, Russia....so now you know of my frustration.
But I have good news! One of our granddaughters, Katy Wallis, was married on January 8 in Colorado Springs, and because our entire family was present for that occasion, several photos of our group were taken by a professional photographer. I was ecstatic! Now I am anticipating seeing all those "proofs" in a visit next week, and I look forward to choosing one for a large portrait for our house. I want to personally thank the newest addition to our family, Tim Byrne, for making this possible! It is great for us to have a new grandson-in-law, and we are glad it is you!
But I have good news! One of our granddaughters, Katy Wallis, was married on January 8 in Colorado Springs, and because our entire family was present for that occasion, several photos of our group were taken by a professional photographer. I was ecstatic! Now I am anticipating seeing all those "proofs" in a visit next week, and I look forward to choosing one for a large portrait for our house. I want to personally thank the newest addition to our family, Tim Byrne, for making this possible! It is great for us to have a new grandson-in-law, and we are glad it is you!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Margaret
Confession time...I feel somewhat deprived today. I just had one sister and no brothers, and now my sister is gone. She passed away on July 3 after she failed to have a normal recovery from a heart valve replacement. While we could not claim a supremely close relationship, we were sisters nevertheless, and there were things we shared which no one else can possibly understand. She was one of a kind...a beautiful blonde with blue eyes with a variety of talents and skills. She was challenged with new and different circumstances many more times than an average person. Yet she was persistent and resilient and continued to do her best.
Thank you, Margaret, for being a really good baby sister.
Thank you, Margaret, for being a really good baby sister.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Martha Washington
Books are a major part of my life. They occupy several book shelves in my house; some are in the trunk of my car to be carried to the half-price store, several of my friends have one or more of them, I receive them as gifts from both my sons and others, some have been lost because I forgot who I lent them to, and there are little stacks in several rooms to be read soon. Reading is one of my favorite things, needless to say.
Recently a friend lent me a book called FIRST LADY OF LIBERTY, MARTHA WASHINGTON, by Helen Bryan. I had it for several months before I began reading it, but when I did, it occupied every spare minute I had. This author was very honest; she included descriptions of both good and bad circumstances which this lady faced, and trust me...it was not all parties and dancing the minuet. She was an amazing help to her husband, even visiting several of the battle sites during the revolution to help with the troops. She lived in a time when many of the babies died in infancy; medical care was primitive and inadequate; she moved many relatives to her home so she could take care of them, etc., etc., etc.
Reading about the colonial time during which our country was born increased my realization of how blessed we are. And to Joyce: thank you for allowing me to read your book.
And what is next? Finishing the book about George Washington which I started months ago!
Recently a friend lent me a book called FIRST LADY OF LIBERTY, MARTHA WASHINGTON, by Helen Bryan. I had it for several months before I began reading it, but when I did, it occupied every spare minute I had. This author was very honest; she included descriptions of both good and bad circumstances which this lady faced, and trust me...it was not all parties and dancing the minuet. She was an amazing help to her husband, even visiting several of the battle sites during the revolution to help with the troops. She lived in a time when many of the babies died in infancy; medical care was primitive and inadequate; she moved many relatives to her home so she could take care of them, etc., etc., etc.
Reading about the colonial time during which our country was born increased my realization of how blessed we are. And to Joyce: thank you for allowing me to read your book.
And what is next? Finishing the book about George Washington which I started months ago!
Chicken Surprise
Bill and I like to cook, and this hobby is growing. We have dozens of recipes for chicken dishes, but our friend Alice Strickland has shared one which we made yesterday for company, and it is the absolute best ever. Since most of you will not be coming to my house for dinner any time soon, I decided to share it....and here it is.
One rotisserie chicken fr0m the market, cut into chunks (the whole thing)
3 cups chopped celery
1 can water chestnuts, sliced
1 can cream of celery soup
8 ounces of sliced fresh mushrooms, sauteed in a little butter
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup of cheese whiz
1 can French-fried onion rings (for garnish)
Mix the first three ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the soup, mayo and cheese whiz together. Then combine the two mixtures and put in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Bake covered at 350 for 45 minutes. Remove cover and spread onion rings on top and bake another 15 minutes. Bon Appetit!
Cooking is best when it is shared with friends and/or family. We shared this dinner with Ken and Betty Cothron, and it was better than the food!!
One rotisserie chicken fr0m the market, cut into chunks (the whole thing)
3 cups chopped celery
1 can water chestnuts, sliced
1 can cream of celery soup
8 ounces of sliced fresh mushrooms, sauteed in a little butter
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup of cheese whiz
1 can French-fried onion rings (for garnish)
Mix the first three ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the soup, mayo and cheese whiz together. Then combine the two mixtures and put in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Bake covered at 350 for 45 minutes. Remove cover and spread onion rings on top and bake another 15 minutes. Bon Appetit!
Cooking is best when it is shared with friends and/or family. We shared this dinner with Ken and Betty Cothron, and it was better than the food!!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas 2009
On this day, which happens to be December 26, the physical situation could be described as contemplative, zombie-like, quiet, and thoughtful. Trying to get back to normalcy after several days of completing projects, fulfilling lists at a once-a-year speed, remembering to contact two elderly aunts, finishing baking, and mailing packages requires a full day of rest and meditation.
There is one thing that marks the importance of this day...a proposal of a marriage 61 years ago today. This episode led to a marriage that we continue to celebrate every day. Records were set throughout which may never be broken, such as, what happens when the union involves one Type AA individual and another who is Type DD. What an unusual match! In the face of such differences, how could this possibly work? Answers: Same Lord, same values, same life directions and a deep abiding love which is unshakable. We will continue to celebrate.
And to answer the question, "Do you know where your children and grandchildren are?", on a given day, it might be: Iowa, Colorado, California, Florida, Washington, D.C., Africa, England, Italy, Germany, Alaska, Japan (today), Arkansas, Texas and this list is not complete!
There is one thing that marks the importance of this day...a proposal of a marriage 61 years ago today. This episode led to a marriage that we continue to celebrate every day. Records were set throughout which may never be broken, such as, what happens when the union involves one Type AA individual and another who is Type DD. What an unusual match! In the face of such differences, how could this possibly work? Answers: Same Lord, same values, same life directions and a deep abiding love which is unshakable. We will continue to celebrate.
And to answer the question, "Do you know where your children and grandchildren are?", on a given day, it might be: Iowa, Colorado, California, Florida, Washington, D.C., Africa, England, Italy, Germany, Alaska, Japan (today), Arkansas, Texas and this list is not complete!
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