Valentine's Day

Tuesday was Valentine's Day.  Upon waking that morning, I was bummed that I didn't have a special Valentine this year.  That's okay.  Katie did text me to ask if I would be her Valentine since she didn't have one, and I said of course!  While I was out doing some errands, I stopped at Trader Joe's and bought myself flowers.  I wasn't feeling sorry for myself, however, I wanted some flowers that day!

Lo and behold, when I got home that afternoon, Melanie dropped off some lovely red tulips.  Then Beth came and delivered a hydrangea plant.  When Sarah came home from work, she brought me three bouquets!  (I think she couldn't decide which flowers to buy.)  Love filled my heart that day, by friends and family who love me.  I love flowers!  They can brighten any day!

Since Sarah had three bouquets and I had bought some flowers for myself, we made up two large arrangements!

Loving Friends In the Garden

Recently, there have been times when I feel all alone.  With the way life is for me right now, some days I can just feel downright blue.  At the end of January, I had very loving friends treat me to a garden makeover.  These friends had actually been in touch with my children, planning this makeover.  I could sense there was a secret going on, but could not figure out what the secret was!  Little did I know that the surprise was for me.

These friends have wanted to do something for me to lift my spirits.  Well, they really did!  On a Saturday morning, these women with their husbands came and did a re-do around my pond area just outside my front door.  Old plants were removed, new plants took their place, extra plants and flowers joined them, and the pond was cleaned out.  I had been sick with the flu that week, feeling doubly blue, and what a nice surprise this was!  It is beautiful!  Take a look~

Thank you my friends!  You know who you are!  

 Planted some new flowers.  Elizabeth and Dave planted, in October, the front around the edges with bulbs.  So this area was untouched.  We are waiting for the bulbs to come up and show their colors!

 This is so nice to see when walking up to my front door

 I love the little trail leading to the pond.  I never thought of doing that!

So many extra pink flowers gracing the pond area.  At the end of the trail, you will find some adorable toadstools!

I love you guys!

Traditional Feast

Our traditional feast has been around for a long time. It all started with my mom's traditions, as we had Thanksgiving dinner at mom and dad's house when we lived close. Some items came from my Grandma Hult. It was always great to gather at my parents home to share the meal. Mom's house would smell soooo good when we walked in. The house was warm from the baking done all day long.

Mom would decorate her home with red's and gold. Most decorations were ones that would go from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The items that would be added were angels, which she had a small collection of, her large white ceramic tree with red lights and her olive wood nativity from the Holy Land trip she took with dad.

Gotta get that turkey in the oven!

I don't do anything special to my bird. Wash, pull off the extra fat, sprinkle garlic powder inside, cover and bake at 325 -- 15 minutes for every pound.

Our cat, Nacho, got to lick the whipped cream beater. . . .

Homemade rolls. . . there is nothing like them. Mmmm!

Setting the food out on the table. We have two different kinds of Jello salads that we make at the holidays. One is made with black cherry and the other with lime.

My stuffing recipe is from my mom. Not really a recipe, but a process.

So much toasted bread, sauteed onions and celery, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, and seasonings of salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning.

Martha is our mashed potato expert. From the beginning to the end. Yummy!

Sarah made the pies this year. Here is the pecan. Requested by Matthew.

And the pumpkin. Never forgotten at the holiday table.

Some simple fall colored flowers.

To cheer and to brighten our day.

Hope all of you had a nice Thanksgiving this year. I am grateful that we have a special day to stop from our busy life and reflect on all our blessings.