HOW TO . . . . Fold a Dinner Napkin . . .

I have always wondered how to fold a dinner napkin - and being that my daughter-in-law Jessie knows how - I asked her to show me. I still cannot remember the how-tos - so I will have to periodically watch this video to learn . . .

THANKSGIVING 2008

Thanksgiving day was wonderful and my daughter-in-law Jessie, as always, cooked a sensational meal. EVERYTHING she cooks is from scratch too. No mixes or boxes - they're a no no! and unhealthy for you because of all the preservatives and additives. There were approximately 16 people - all family - who gathered at Matt and Jessie's house in Taylors, SC.

In the evening when the food settled some Matt built a fire in his fire pit in the back yard and everyone came outside to sit by the fire. It was WONDERFUL!

Some - roasted marshmellows and ate somemores . . . . YUM!

Later in the evening - Matt grabbed his guitar and began to play - which was wonderful.

Later - Jessie's cousin Bob took Matt's place and began picking a few tunes too.

All in all it was a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving 2008.

New Tenants grace our Devonshire House Rental . . .

Meet a few of the new tenants who will be arriving from Las Vegas, Nevada and begin moving into the Devonshire house today.

I still cannot get over the dog that is smiling!

Isn't he so cute???!!!

A Special Letter . . .

Dear Grandma . . .

A priceless letter from my grand-daughter Rebekah made my entire week completely wonderful!

They are growing up so fast that I can hardly keep up.

Here are the school pictures they enclosed in the letter.

Rebekah is now 7 and soon to be 8 December 28th.

Benjamin is 4 and will turn 5 in April.

Children's children are a crown to the aged,

and parents the pride of their children.

Proverbs 17:6

New baby at the Castleberry home . . .

For some of you who have known Heather Tobe - now Mrs. Glen Castleberry - Heather Tobe Castleberry and husband Glen are the proud parents of a baby boy. He was born November 24th. The parents and baby are doing fine!

Gas Prices are coming down even more . . .

In Hendersonville, TN this past weekend, we noticed that the gas prices have dropped even more. Whew hoo!!! I need to go check out Franklin, KY because they usually have lower prices than Tennessee.

Happy Thanksgiving to all . . . . .

Here is some pumpkin pie - just for you. Click below:

PUMPKIN PIE

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=HY27482779

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING ALREADY.

THIS YEAR HAS TRULY FLOWN BY.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS SEASON OF THANKSGIVING. MAY YOU DRAW CLOSER TO YOUR FAMILY

AND NOT EAT TOO MUCH!

ENJOY!

Christmas Countdown! Not many shopping days left!

Thanksgiving Trivia . . . . How well do YOU know your turkey facts?

A friend sent me a turkey trivia - which I was so glad that I did get some right! How well do you do????

http://home.aristotle.net/Thanksgiving/trivia.asp

Edible Christmas Holly Clusters

Melt and mix well in the top of a double boiler over boiling water. (Can use pan on low heat - be careful not to scorch)

1/4 lb. (1/2 cup) margarine 30 large marshmallows
1 1/4 tsp. green food coloring

Dash of salt (optional - I usually don't use this)

Pour over three cups of corn flakes in large bowl. Mix gently until thoroughly coated. On a greased cookie sheet or wax paper form into tiny wreaths or clusters. Decorate each with a few red cinnamon candies immediately. Let dry several hours. Makes about 2 dozen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS CAKE

For as long as I can remember I have tried to create traditions for my family.

My absolute FAVORITE holiday is Christmas!!!!!
I love to do things that reminisque of the reason we celebrate Christmas to begin with . . . .
The birth of Jesus Christ -

the long awaited Messiah!

So, I make a cake and we celebrate His birthday! I look up Scriptures of God's promises and roll them up in the prettiest wrapping paper and tie them off with a ribbon. We open God's promises before we open our gifts to one another. Along with singing songs that remind us of His birth.

Happy Birthday Jesus Cake

1. The cake is round - A symbol of never ending love for us
2. Chocolate cake - A symbol of darkness that sin brings to us
3. White frosting - A symbol of purity covering our weaknesses and reminds us of how Jesus washes us clean
4. Topped with a star and an angel - A symbol of the barriers of the first glad tiding of Jesus' birth
5. Twelve candles - A symbol representing the 12 months of the year that Christ is our light
6. Red (Holly Berries) - A symbol of the blood that Jesus shed for us
7. Circling the cake is the evergreen - A symbol of the everlasting light of Jesus Christ

So - this year - while you're caught up in the hustle and bustle of that last minute shopping day to buy the last gift - take time to stop and remember the reason why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

Without the birth of Christ - there would not be a Christmas to celebrate. The link below is a video depicting Jesus' birthday party . . . .

It made me stop and think! And think some more!

Let's keep Christ in Christmas this year and celebrate his birth, resurrection, and life everlasting. When we know Him as our Savior, we will spend an eternity in Heaven. He is my best friend - and I don't know what I would do without Him. I hope you know Him too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MafI0h8P4tw&eurl=http://jacobhi.blogspot.com/2007/12/happy-birthday-jesus.html

Holiday Recipes . . . Cocoanut Cake

Bake yellow cake. Bake a directed on package. when baked poke holes in cake all over it.
Use large fork or BBQ fork.
Pour 1 can sweetened condenced milk over cake.
Pour 1 (15 oz.) can of Cream of cocoanut (Coco Lupez Brand)
Pour over entire cake. Place in refrigerator and let cool.

When cool ice cake:

Icing:
Spread cool whip and then sprinkle 1 bag cocoanut on top.

The longer it sits the better it tastes

Holiday Recipes . . . . Meat Roll Ups

Another yummy recipe . . . .
Meat and cheese roll ups
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1 cup finely grated cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Sprinkle dill week to taste. (careful not to add too much)
Spread cheese mixture on softened flour tortillas. Apply thin layer of ham. Roll and allow to chill in refrigerator. Slice and eat. These are very tasty!

Variations: Softened cream cheese, 1 can black olives - chopped, 1/2 onion chopped fine. Mix and spread on softened tortillas. Roll, refrigerate. Slice and serve with Picante sauce.

Variation:
Can also add Jalpeno peppers for a hotter spicier taste.Have fun creating!

It's a Snowman Day! Snowman Display . . .

I had a little helper with the snowman bulletin board at church this past week. She is a precious 4 year old named Piper - who LOVES to help - and LOVES the "beautiful" Christmas things. She is our Minister of Music, Keith and Amanda Stacey's daughter.

I love her name: PIPER NOEL . . . . . neat name!

The scripture says: "Come, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them white as snow . . . " Isaiah 1:18

IT SNOWED!!! IT SNOWED!!!

SURPRISE!!!

I awoke this morning to see that it snowed. Now some of you may laugh at our snow - but this is BIG in Tennessee - because it doesn't snow much. The most we ever get is a dusting.

Well . . . . Except for the time when my neice Juliette came to stay with us for her internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She will tell you a different story! I can't remember how many inches it snowed that year - but what would normally take a half hour to get home - took her (I think) nearly 7 hours. (correct me Juliette if that's wrong). Matter of fact - it was so bad that she had to park a considerable distance from the house due to dangerous ice and a trash truck that crashed blocking the road making it impossible to pass. My son Josh drove as far as he could to get her - and then she walked down to where he met her so Josh could drive her home. It was an adventure - and a COLD ONE TOO - that we will never forget! Actually - that was the last time we have ever gotten a substantial snowfall since I've lived in Tennessee!

Devonshire house gets a new back porch stairway

The back porch stairs at the Devonshire house had to be torn out and rebuilt. The wood had began to show too much wear and were not very safe any longer. So our carpenter built a new set. They are very beautiful and sturdy too.