Weekend Update

So here I sit, in my recliner, watching Hallmark Christmas movies.   I've never been one to watch these types of movies;  I always found them sappy and predictable.  But it seems that I've grown quite found of them last year and have continued this year.   The world is full of strife and trials....if you can find a little bit of uplifting joy, you take it.  

Once again, I was involved in building the JRCC float for the Holiday Dazzle Parade, which was held Friday night.   It was slow going this year with minimal help, but we pulled it together in the 11th hour and somehow managed to win an award, Outstanding Amateur Built.   This is the 5th year we've managed to pull off a win.  The weather cooperated with us as we walked the parade route as it was a balmy 25 degrees.  It was definitely a great time and we're already making plans for next years float.

Today I cleaned a bit, went to the gym, put a big crockpot of venison stew on to cook and decorated for Christmas.  I don't do a lot; I don't even put up a tree - I haven't for years. But I do pull out a few treasured ornaments that were Mom and Dad's or that were gifted to me throughout the years.  Memories were in abundance today, for sure.

I'm going to try and do some holiday baking this year, which I haven't done for a while.  I don't need to have a lot on hand otherwise I'll eat it all.  But I thought I'd make some trays up and take them in to work for the shifts to enjoy - maybe even keep one for some holiday get togethers I plan on having.  Pretty sure there is a game night or movie night in the future!

Stay tuned for future weekend updates. :)

A Time for Gratitude

Today is Thanksgiving.  In truth, this is my favorite holiday.  Some of my fondest memories are of this holiday. From  Mom cooking in the kitchen (the smells, the sounds, the warmth and coziness of the house), my sisters and brothers coming home to the feast, dad carving the turkey and cutting in the pumpkin pie and getting scolded by Mom.  The laughter, smiles and hugs....Family.

It's such a wonderful time for families to come together and count their blessings.

This is quiet Thanksgiving for T and I this year; it's just the two of us.  We had a slight difference of opinion on the turkey.  I bought a turkey breast for us to enjoy, but T wanted dark meat so he went and found a 6 lb turkey for us to enjoy.  

He told me had the pumpkin pie covered too.  Cool!  I thought he ordered it from Perkins. Nope.  He had told his friend Mike to have his wife bake us a pumpkin pie in exchange for T giving Mike a box of shotgun shells.   A win for Mike and T, but poor Linda got stuck making us a pie. For the record, I was mortified that T would be so bold as to ask to have the pie made for us.  Secretly, I'm like "All right1" LOL

Last night I had a great phone call with my niece Karen and my sister, Peggy.  In the past three years, Peggy has invited us to her table to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Beckman family.  However, this year she is in Minneapolis with her daughters Karen (Dave) and Joan (Matt and Iris).   How wonderful to have both daughters in the same city again.   Peggy was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is in Minneapolis due to having just had surgery.  Although cancer is not something to be grateful for, everything does happen for a reason.  Her daughter, Joan, is a Hematologist/Oncologist for the University of Minnesota.  How grateful we all are that she is home and able to help her mother navigate through this health event.  And how comforting to know that she is staying with Karen (Dave) and being taken care of.

As Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and family, I wanted my siblings to know that I was thinking of them and to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving. I called each one of my siblings this morning; each were busy preparing for their respective gatherings with family, as it should be.

So while I'm waiting for the turkey to cook, I am reflecting on my gratitude.  I'm thankful for Tom, my loving family, truly amazing friends, the gift of life and health and the abundance in which the good Lord has allowed us to enjoy.  

May you all  treasure this day;  reliving  memories of Thanksgivings past, and making  new memories for the future.

With Love and Gratitude,

~Sherry~