Thanksgiving 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!  Hope today finds everyone well.  We have much to be thankful for.  I am very grateful to God and my Lord for His guidance and friendship.  He has continued to bless us even though at times life can be stressful. 

We had a small gathering at our home today, yet filled with love and fellowship.



We were joined by Michael, Valerie, Dad, Sandra (who is hiding behind Grandpa), Jim, Clif, Barbara, Pete, and Diane.  Stephen and Amber popped in to say hello before heading off to her family for their celebration.  It was a pleasant surprise!  I was glad to have a small group today because it was chilly by Florida standards...63 and breezy.



After Chloe got up for her nap, she was brought out in her "Thanksgiving Outfit" provided to her from Nana (Valerie's mom).  This outfit was absolutely adorable! What a pretty girl on her First Thanksgiving.  :)

Weekend at Aunt LaDon's

We had our annual cook-off weekend a couple weeks early this year.  Being Thanksgiving is later, we agreed it best to meet the weekend before.

LaDon kicked off the weekend Friday night with tasty fall-off-the-bone ribs cooked in her crockpot.  Nereida supplemented with roasted brussel sprouts, and Michele with a fresh salad.  I must admit I am not a fan of Brussel Sprouts, but I have to give Nereida credit.  They were delicious. :)

After having Sandra's breakfast casserole, we swarmed the kitchen to begin our bakeoff.



Sandra made veggie pizza to snack on throughout the day.



LaDon had me make these popcorn balls she wanted to try.  They were popped in oil mixed with sugar, than coated in marshmallow colored with orange food coloring, and mixed with candy corn and peanuts.  They were tastier than I thought they'd be.



I also made the traditional popcorn ball, but didn't heat the corn syrup hot enough.  I didn't have a recipe to follow to know what temperature to cook to.  Needless to say 225 was not hot enough.  They tasted best when eaten freshly made. The next day they were mushy.



Next up were Peanut Butter Cup Temptations.  I overcooked these.  Then I decided I'd leave the rest of the baking to the pros.



Sandra made Toffee Almond Bars.



Nereida made Pignoli's and gluten free Chocolate Chip cookies.



 Michele made Russian Tea Cakes.  Diane cleaned up our mess!  She cleans a mean kitchen.



Instead of cooking, I decided to play the piano and provide "live" Christmas music.  I could hear Aunt LaDon and Michele harmonizing along with the accompaniment.

 

Next up was decorating.



Then we had our Holiday meal of chicken, green beans, and salad.  It was yummy. :)



We posed for our traditional picture before opening the presents.



After Aunt LaDon turned in for the evening, we finished a puzzle.  Each year brings something different.  This year we didn't play any games, but we had fun just the same.  I look forward to opportunities to spend time with family.  And, I know Aunt LaDon does too! :)

A month later

It has been a month since we've seen Michael, Valerie, and Chloe.  I can't blame them for staying away.  Who wants the flu?  It's been 4 weeks, and he's still not at 100%, but he is SO much better.  He just needs to get his energy back!  I am just happy I didn't get it.  I feel blessed. :)

Michael and Valerie treated Clif and I to lunch at Margaritas in Avalon.  It was a belated birthday celebration.  We enjoyed our outing, and Chloe was well behaved. 

I felt so spoiled this week because I was taken out to breakfast on my birthday with my friend Jennifer, Clif took me out to dinner, then Stephen and Amber took me out for breakfast the next day,
and now plans are being made for several friends to get together for lunch over Thanksgiving break to celebrate not only my birthday, but another dear friend whose birthday is 5 days before mine.  Nothing like celebrating the whole month!



Of course the first thing Valerie did was open the floor mats I had bought for Chloe a couple weeks ago.  It didn't take me long to join Chloe on the floor.  Chloe was mesmerized by Grandpa's voice.  She kept staring at him instead of the mat.



She enjoyed looking at all the Princesses and bright colors.  She kept picking at the colors with her fingers.  Hmmmm, what's this?  It was something new for her to explore.



Once she realized Grandma wasn't going to stop, she gave me a pretty smile. :)



She's finally old enough to enjoy the swing I got her on clearance back in July.



This brought back great memories of when we would swing the boys.  The anchors are still there.  They were just waiting for another season for their time of use. 

I am very grateful for time spent with family.  God is good. :)

Halloween

I am grateful for technology!  Being Clif is quite not over his flu, although much improved, this meant we didn't get to see Chloe for her first Halloween.  Valerie was on the ball to share a couple pictures with us.  They are just too cute not to share.

 

 

 

                                      

                                      HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Black Rock Mountain, GA

Oct 24, Clif and I spent a 4 day weekend atop Black Rock Mountain in Georgia.  We arrived Thursday afternoon around 1:15pm to a chilly 44 degree day!  After setting up camp, we decided it would be cheaper to go into Mountain City to buy our firewood rather than paying $5 per small pack you get at the campground.  We needed to have plenty on hand as 2 of my nieces were planning on joining us with their families.  Only we found out Friday morning that Amy's husband had the flu, and they would not be able to join us. :(






Clif is unloading all the firewood.  We were able to pick up 50 pieces.



We were glad to have the firewood because when we got up Friday morning the temperature was below freezing, a chilling 27 degrees with about a 15-20 mph wind.  BRRRR.



The morning sky sure was pretty.



And it didn't take long for the sun to rise over the mountain tops.  I must admit, I was disappointed that this area wasn't in its full array of fall colors.



Clif added another wind break in our dining area.  We planned a 7.2 mile hike for Friday, but I wasn't about to go out in below freezing weather.  By 10:30, it had warmed up to 35 degrees so we ventured to the trailhead.



You can see how bundled up Clif is.  I was surprised to see the "ice" warning on the temperature gage.  The truck thermometer actually said it was 30, but we went by our outdoor one which was at 35.



We had crisp blue skies although still windy.  We figured once we started hiking we'd warm up fast enough.



The Edmond trail is quite narrow, about 18 inches across.  There were so many leaves on the ground, it was hard to find the trail sometimes!




In the mist of sparse trees, we found this patch of color.  I was excited to see some trees were actually turning!



The scenery was tranquil and beautiful.  We didn't get a vacation this summer, so this hike was surely making up for it.



The first 3 miles of the trail was relatively easy as it was mostly downhill.  We just needed to remember the last part of the hike would be entirely uphill!  Notice how the layers are now shedding.  It is amazing how in the thick of the forest, you don't feel the wind.  Shortly after this point began one of the uphill climbs.  Clif wasn't feeling 100% and we were hiking slower than usual.  We decided to go back to the gravel road and take that to the lake.  This would cut off 2 miles.



Once down at the lake, we had to put on layers because the wind just cut across it. BRRR.



On our way back up the trail we stopped and had lunch by the waterfall.  We would need the energy to get up the mountain.  By the time we reached the trailhead, we had hiked 5.5 miles, cutting 2 miles off the original hike.  I was glad we did because Clif's cough had progressively gotten worse.



Once finished with the hike, we ventured over to the Visitor's Center where they had this festive display.  In the background you can see the landscape showing a hint of Fall.




Some guests offered to take our picture.  We didn't think to have them zoom it in.  When we tried to crop it, it was too blurry.  Oh well.  At least the scenery in the background is pretty.  Back to camp we went to await Cathy and Shane's arrival.

We had another cold night, but at least the wind wasn't as strong.  The cold was tolerable.  The next morning we ventured off to the areas Clif and I discovered on Friday.



What little boy doesn't enjoy climbing on rocks?  Aiden is letting us know he is "The King".




He and his sister Averi enjoyed running up and down the hill.




They were able to pause just long enough for me to snap a family photo.




Cathy was able to get a better photo of Clif and I than was taken the day before.



To the lake was next.  I loved how the rays shown down from the sky.  I felt it was God's grace being extended to us for the day.  Besides, the heat from the sun felt SO good!
 


We skipped stones.  Clif and Shane are the experts.  Cathy and my stones just went plunk into the lake!



Aiden then just takes off running, and Shane runs after him.  He didn't catch up to him until the bridge on the other side.  Boy is Aiden fast!



Knowing that Aiden was safe with Dad, we were able to enjoy a leisurely walk.  The gravel road leading to the lake.  That hill would have been the other 2 miles we didn't hike Friday.



This is the mountain Clif and I climbed the day before.  We sure were huffing and puffing by the time we reached the summit.



Averi enjoying the peacefulness before Aiden joins her.



He enjoys his Ninja poses.  Averi is a great big sister to him. 



We took one last hike to Ada Hi Falls.  It was a short .25 mile hike which we did in 20 minutes. But I must admit it is quite steep.  At a 58% grade in many areas, we were forced to climb many stairs.  The views were pretty, and we were surprised to see water trickling even though it was so dry.



Sunday's sunrise at 7:15.



We said "good-bye" to our temporary home of Black Rock Mountain.  The building and rock area is the Visitor Center and rocks the kids so enjoyed romping around.