Christmas Breakfast Table

We had wanted to have Darrels' mother over for dinner for quite some time, but we could never find a time that was good for all of us. Christmas Breakfast was the perfect time! I set the table for eight because we invited his mother, stepfather, sister and husband and her daughter and boyfriend and the two of us.
The table was so pretty and Santa left a little present for each person.
Our menu was wonderful...breakfast casserole, sausage balls, pumpkin tarts, grits, bacon, ambrosia, orange juice, grapefruit juice and coffee.
Everyone had such a good time and really enjoyed our Christmas Breakfast. We can't wait to do it again, maybe next year.

China: Christmastime by Nikko... I've had this for over 20 years
Glassware: Olde Williamsburg...my everyday wedding pattern
Stainless: Arlington by Reed and Barton
Vases: King Street Trio by Southern Living at Home... several years ago
Chargers: Wal-Mart... several years ago
Tablecloth: Bed, Bath and Beyond
Napkins: Target

My Birthday

Today, 17 July, is my birthday! Today I am 51, but I honestly don't feel that old! Seriously, though, I am so blessed to be alive, to have a family who loves me exactly the way I am and I have a Lord and Savior in whom I have eternal life.
This has been the toughest week, but with lots of prayer and God's grace we made it through. Thank you, Lord, that my dear, sweet sister is on the road to recovery and will be fine. She is one of the most special people in my life and when all is said and done it could have been much worse, but we are grateful for her health and Your healing.
It's a happy day and I thank God for all the blessings in my life.

Puzzles

In my mother's home a puzzle is always laid out on a board in the den. This is no ordinary puzzle, though, it's a Springbok puzzle. The consensus of the family is they are the best because they're well made and truly interlocking. Hallmark stores are the only place we've ever found this brand and believe me, we've looked for them everywhere.
Daddy made identical boards for Mama and me years ago that would each hold all the pieces of a 1000 piece puzzle when it's laid out so that we wouldn't have to set up card tables. Our boards have picture frame moulding on all four sides so the pieces will stay on the board and we can slide it under the sofa when we have company over and it won't be in the way.
In my family putting a puzzle together is truly a competitive sport. If any of us, and there are about 17, walk into the den and Mama's chair is empty and the puzzle is out, get out of the way because we will sit down and take over the puzzle. We were raised putting puzzles together and over the years it has been hundreds of them. We used to have to help lay it out in order to help put it together, then put all of the edge together first, but Mama has become a little slack on these issues over the years. Now, we just lay it all out and begin in any area we choose. It's addictive and we love it.
We have so much fun while we are putting the puzzle together. We're always smiling, talking and reminiscing about the good times and everyone gets a chance to sit in Gran's chair, unless Toney or Ryan is around! We've even had puzzle marathons where we watched 3 movies and put a 1000 piece puzzle together at the same time.
Sometimes I think about families who don't spend special time together and it makes me sad. Now, more than ever we need to spend more time as a family unit laughing, talking, playing and yes, doing something corny like putting a puzzle together. The love we share and memories we make together as a family are important and truly unique. It really doesn't matter what the subject is, we may put together a Christmas scene in July or a Spring scene in December. What matters is that we are together laughing, telling stories and creating memories.

So Many Books, So Little Time

One thing I've always known about myself is that I am a true book junkie. I love the covers, the smell of the paper, the weight of a book in my hands and the written word. I've loved to read since I was a toddler and could hold a book and pretend I was reading. I remember how excited I was when I first learned how to read and I would practice my reading every moment I wasn't outside playing with friends.
When I was in 4th grade, Mrs. Shaw, the librarian at Dean Road Elementary School, finally told me, "Susan, you've read every book in here". I know that was an exaggeration, but it wasn't completely untrue. The only books I hadn't read were a few in the science category. I did read most of them, though. My favorites at that time were biographies of historical figures and I can still see the covers in my mind. I also was a Nancy Drew fanatic. I went to Grant's at Glendean Shopping Center faithfully every week to see if a new Nancy Drew book was on the shelf. Of course, I was too young to know they only came out every few months, but I could hope, and imagine my joy when there it was, a brand new Nancy Drew with a yellow, textured cover and a title that just begged to be read. I couldn't get home with my new prize fast enough. I would devour my new book in hours and then the wait for the next one would start all over again.
In my books I was a president, a detective, a nurse, an explorer, a doctor, you name it and I was happy. I would visit the most wonderful, exotic places like Pine Valley, River Heights, Sleepyside, a pirate ship or the museum. Most of my friends couldn't relate to my love of books, but I just knew they were jealous when I would tell them of my latest adventure.
Over the years my tastes have changed, but one fact remains, I still love books. I go to the bookstore faithfully every week searching out the newest mystery, cookbook, biography, devotional or magazine. My to be read pile is more of a to be read wall, but it makes me happy to see those beloved and cherished books full of new friends ready to welcome me into their world.