2000, Dec 23 & 24, A Family Christmas

2000 December 23, & 24 Christmas 

Our family meets to enjoy a Christmas meal and exchange presents at my son's home. 

Paper plates, paper cups, napkins, plastic spoons, and forks were placed at the end of the table which was covered with a red tablecloth.

Everyone gathered around the table, blessings, were said then everyone began filling their plates with food. 

The Christmas dinner placed before us included a turkey, slices of honey-baked ham, cream potatoes, turkey dressing, cranberry slices, baked beans, and hot rolls fresh out of the oven. 

Coconut and chocolate cake was our dessert. 

Poured over ice were sweet tea, mountain dews, and doctor peppers. 

Their gifts were wrapped in Santa or Reindeer wrapping paper in all shapes and sizes under the Christmas Tree.

Wrapping paper lay in disarray as the children excitedly tore open their presents.

When all the excitement died down Hannah read a bedtime story.

Elf for Christmas Oct 1, 1999

When Tingle, one of Santa's best workshop elves, is accidentally wrapped up with a toy airplane and delivered to a real, live boy on Christmas morning, the situation seems hopeless. 

With Santa too far away to help, Tingle worries that he will be trapped in the humans' house forever. But when the courageous little elf comes up with a wonderful, magical plan for escape, readers will find it hard to resist peeking ahead to see what happens. Tingle's thrilling journey back to the North Pole--as well as his joyous homecoming--have all the trappings of a Christmas classic.

The captivating illustrations by Michael Garland (author-illustrator of the best-selling picture book The Mouse Before Christmas) burst with color and movement. Infused with extravagant detail, warmth, and imagination, An Elf for Christmas will linger in the minds of readers long after all the ribbon and wrapping paper have been put away.

The next morning we were served fried bacon, scrambled eggs, homemade biscuits, and chocolate gravy. 

After breakfast, the children enjoyed different forms of entertainment.

Dakota watched movies, and Sierra, & Madison played indoor basketball.

Hannah played with her dolls in her doll-bordered bedroom.

After an enjoyable Christmas, I had a six-hour drive home, for I had to be at work Tuesday Morning. 

Merry Christmas to everyone and a Happy New Year to one and all

2009 September 5, Saturday, Native American Presentation & Birding trip

Saturday, September 5, 2009

I met several people at UNA for the Native American Presentation & Birding trip to Rock Springs, & Colbert Ferry.

We loaded into our vehicle and followed one another to the different areas. 

Mary Keller Alexandria she rode with me on this trip.

Our first stop was Tom Hendrix the Wall. Located just off the Natchez Trace is this amazing rock wall that Tom Hendrix has been in the process of building for the last thirty years. It is dedicated to his great great grandmother Te-lah-nay who was among many that were taken to Oklahoma in the Trail of Tears. It took her five years to walk back to her roots in Florence Alabama. 

Charlie Two Moons a spiritual person told Tom that the wall belongs to all the people. You are just the keeper. Some will come and some with ask, Why does it bend, why is it higher and wider in some places that others?’ Tell them it is like your great great grandmother’s journey and their journey through life… it is never straight.”

We sat in a group while he told us the story about why and how he started building the wall. 

If the Legend Fade

Tom Hendrix showing us a Basket

Walking within the walls

Wall of faces

We thanked Tom and began our journey to Rock Springs were we went in search of different species of birds. 

Tiny Jewels of the air

Rock Spring Trail 

Walking the trail

We ate lunch at Rock Springs.

Our last stop was Colbert Park on the Lauderdale County side of the Tennessee River. We were looking for water fowl. 

Colbert Ferry Bridge

Fowls of the air

When we finished here we rode back to UNA and Mary thanked me for the ride. We said good-by and departed ways.

🎄🎄🎄🎄The Christmas Sprit of fun

I went to town early this morning to do some last-minute Christmas Shopping. I took my sister-in-law so she could do her last-minute shopping and not have to drive in this crazy Christmas traffic. We went to Wal-mart, Walgreens, Regency Square Mall, the Blue Door, YMCA and ate lunch at Chick-fil-A. Stopped at Foodland for a buttermilk pie for my Christmas brunch for tomorrow and all before 1P.M. All Done!!!!!!!!!! with one to wrap.

Buttermilk Pie after party on Saturday

When my husband arrived home from work we rode to town, to meet friends at Flo-Bama, where we enjoyed an appetizer of fried mushrooms, followed by hamburgers and hotdogs.

We sat with friends, one was dressed as Santa Clause.

There were people coming up to him having their picture made with him and children telling him what they wanted for Christmas.

The man stooped in front of my friend she was afraid his bottom might go off!!!!!!!

We all enjoyed listening to the Kerry Gilbert band play a variety of songs including Tie the Knot, Kaw-Liga, several different Christmas Songs, with Hugh putting a chimney hat over his head. You just have to watch them live to get the full impact of how funny and how great they sound.

We had to leave at 9 P.M. my husband has to work tomorrow, he drives an hour and a half to work every day, so he has to be in bed by ten.

KGB Band- Hugh with Chimney Hat

We were home in time for him to watch a little TV and then off to bed. I actually slept all night long without coughing.

Mr. Clause

The next day Saturday, December 20:

Christmas Party today at Laura's with Stella, Phoebe, and Megen. 

We had more food than we all could possibly eat.

We had pecan pie, buttermilk pie, pretzels topped with pecans and roles. 

We ate chips, chicken salad sandwiches made with croissant grapes, sun-drop cake, cheeseball with chips and macaroni salad, lots of more sweets. 

Leftovers for my husband's dinner
Potato Cake (eaten on Hanukkah)

We did a dirty Santa gift swap. 

My Dirty Santa Gift
We sat around telling stores, Megen had us in stitches. She told stories that were not so funny, like the time her trailer burned to the ground.

We had a great time. 

Merry Christmas to all my friends from bible class.

Phoebe gave everyone a picture of her dog, a bookmark and a book that she signed. The book was written by Rick Warren "The Purpose of Christmas."

Make yourself familiar with angels

The Purpose of Christmas

Friends love through all kinds of weather,

and families stick together

in all kinds of trouble.

Proverbs 17:17 

Phoebe's dog dressed up for Christmas

A slice of Pecan Pie, YUM!