Random act of kindness....

A week ago we went out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary. As we were waiting to be called to our table Buck observed a young soldier and his family ~ a Sergeant. He overheard them talking about how he would be shipping out for Afghanistan soon. After we were seated at our table and had placed our order Buck asked our waitress to find that young man and bring his ticket to us. What a wonderful random act of kindness! As we were leaving the young man caught up to Buck and thanked him. This will be his third tour in Afghanistan. Buck, a Vietnam veteran could relate to him and we thank him for his service to our country.

Thanksgiving

Tis the day after Thanksgiving

Black Friday they call it

also the day of THE BIG GAME

Alabama vs. Auburn

Do we eat ourselves into oblivion with the leftovers?

Do we shop 'til we drop with the unwashed masses

who have been standing in line for a good deal since midnight?

OR do we settle in for a football game?

Hmmmmmmmm..... how about none of the above??Lisa decided she would make veg all

casserole for her friends.

(check the recipe

it got too close to a hot stove eye)
Setting the oven

Mix well and. . . .
Viola veg all!!

This is a red velvet cake in disguise

(Lisa took it home with her)

We went to Mother's for supper. She planned the menu and gave me and Kim things to cook. Lisa provided cranberry sauce and Teresa brought drinks.

Mother baked the turkey

and made veg all and dressing

not pictured is mac and cheese made by

Jakob and Christopher and mashed potatoes by me

Skoot was like "are you going to eat that??"

Caught Teresa with her mouth full!

Jakob, Skoot, Topher, and Kim

Buck and me

(not our most flattering)

and of course Mother had a story

I made a banana pudding

Kim made red velvet

(the way it is supposed to look)

The End

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Reach out and hug the ones

who are with you

And take a moment to remember

those who are not

Enjoy your holiday....

Sweet Bay Coffee

Sweet Bay Coffee ~ French Silk ~ Hot
Nothing compares ~ not even Starbucks ~ although I've been known to drink a grande white chocolate mocha from time to time. But, I digress. . . .
When we lived in Fort Smith, Arkansas ~ Sweet Bay Coffee was just down the street ~ easy access ~ always available ~ I took it for granted ~ I admit it!
Now that we live in Alabama, there is NO Sweet Bay Coffee just down the street. There isn't even a Starbucks just down the street. Shoot ~ the only thing just down the street are a few cows and some donkeys that bray at each other.
So, when the opportunity presents itself for me to drive to Jennifer's in Colorado ~ there is USUALLY a detour through Fort Smith, Arkansas for Sweet Bay Coffee ~ French Silk ~ Hot.

You are probably asking yourself

what could possibly be BETTER than

driving down the road with a Sweet Bay?

Well, driving down the road with

Sweet Bay for two.

If. . . .

If you planted hope today

in any hopeless heart.

If someone's burden was lighter

because you did your part.

If you caused a laugh

that chased a tear away.

If tonight your name is mentioned

when someone kneels to pray,

then your day was well spent.

Claire's Birthday

It was, as Claire said,

"a chocolate, chocolate, chocolate day"
Yum!

Buck has been telling Claire

it was HIS birthday not hers.

She was so sweet when it came time

for gifts ~ she let him open one.
Claire shows her "unwrapping" flair

From the look ~ I'd say she likes it.

(Dora the Explorer mermaid)

A new blanket made by Mom

(it is snuggly and soft)

How old?? Four!!!

Arie picked the candles

(the relighting kind)

Claire was not amused!

Two Weeks????

Two weeks?? Has it really been two weeks since we left Colorado and headed back to Alabama? Two weeks is such a short time but to a Magra's heart it is SO LONG! Two weeks can mean a lost tooth, a new skill learned, a distance covered by reaching across cyber space and into the lives of our grandchildren.

Sweet Sarah

How can that pretty little head hold all the information she is learning at Windsor Charter Academy? She can hold her own in conversations and will challenge your facts.

Cuddly Claire
A Magra's dream! She is a sponge that soaks up all that goes on around her but is much quieter than Sarah in her opinions. She is more cautious when it comes to strangers.
My girls
who didn't want us to leave and ran down the sidewalk waving as we drove away.

On the road trying to enjoy

the view without thinking of

those we left behind

A Magra's heart

beats for those she carries there

There's room for all

without question and without demands

A Magra's heart is open

but will close in a blink

if those she loves are threatened

Beware the Magra!