The Holidays!

The Holidays went way too fast for me! First of all I didn't get to shop until the Tuesday before Christmas - and my sister and her family didn't get to stay nearly long enough, and the fun visiting with family and friends just went by in a blurrrr......next year, I'm really gonna do my best to be prepared for it. Anyway this is what has been happening in the last month.
Yes, I know the living room furniture is arranged strangely in my mom and dad's house. This is to accommodate the many children we have running around. We shove all the furniture out of the way so that we have more room to hang out. This picture captures a few of the children and grandchildren lounging around talking, and waiting patiently for paw-paw to hand out the gifts. We always have a Christmas get together a few days before Christmas to visit and exchange gifts.
This year at our Christmas Party, one of my sisters brought all the stuff to make Chinese dumplings.....they were a hit. She always shows me up!!!!! Grrrrr!!! The only problem was she couldn't cook them as fast as everyone of was eating them. Kass gave her a hand. Mind you, we had plenty of other other delicious stuff to eat as well. If you want to be a hit at the next party, try making these....here is the link http://plainoldkristi.blogspot.com/2011/10/pork-dumplings.html. Also, please note the video at the bottom. It explains just how popular these little dumplings were! Of course, much of it was just being silly together. I promise you we really aren't greedy little pigs! We just couldn't help ourselves!
Oh course, we went one night to Celebration in the Oaks-a family tradition. If you look close enough you can see Ave trying his best to stick his head in the alligator's mouth.
We also had our annual Christmas get together at Aunt Sharon's house which is always so much fun. Above is a picture of one of the Department 56 village houses that she gets us each year. My collection is the Alpine Village. I think I have about ten or so now. Aren't they pretty!

This time of the year always brings about the duck hunters. This handsome little duck hunter showed up at my front door with his trophies. I hear duck gumbo is so good. I'm still waiting on someone to make me some. Ave and Mil-mil (above) have also spent quite a bit of time outdoors cooking hot cocoa over a fire. For some reason they say it's much better over a fire outside. I don't know...I'll have to try it one of these days.

Lemons are always available this time of the year as well. My mom's lemon tree did so well. Her lemons make the puny little lemons from the store look so pitiful! So, we have been eating lots of lemony stuff this month! A very easy lemon pie recipe is: 1 can of condensed milk, about 1/2 cup of lemon juice, 1 small container of cool whip, and 1 graham cracker pie shell. Mix the first three ingredients together, pour into graham cracker pie shell, and refrigerate for 1 or 2 hours before serving. So easy and yummy, too. My mother in-law really likes in because it has no eggs in it. Ave's gingerbread house from the church's Christmas party gingerbread making contest. I still think he should have won first! Just kidding-plainoldkristi's bunch are the bomb!
Ave's been studying healthy eating habits in school this past month. He made his own lunch on this particular day. He dug around in the fridge and this is what he came up with - the arrangement and all. Doesn't he have a prideful look on his face. We were eating hamburgers that day and he scorned our eating habits. Believe it or not, he said his lunch was great and ate every bite of it. The cup has vegetable juice in it. Whit helping Ave with his house.

Snoopy even seemed to enjoy the holidays. He is wearing a cute little outfit I picked up at Hudson's Salvage Store for only $1.80. I didn't think he would like it, but I think he actually felt quite handsome in it.

For New Years, we celebrated in the usual wonderful way (I wouldn't want it any other way)--at church with family and friends. We do communion, wash feet (just as Jesus washed the disciples feet), have a party afterwards (yummy soups, sandwiches, and desserts made by the ladies), and run outside in the church yard at midnight to cheer the New Year in! I've also posted a video of the New Year's Fireworks in our part of the country. Nothing professional, just a bunch of people celebrating, once again, a new beginning. I must admit it does get a bit out of hand around here.

Happy 2012 everyone! I hope all of you have a safe, happy, healthy, prosperous, and blessed New Year!

CHURCH HARVEST PARTY

Although I will be the first to admit that this is not my favorite party of the year, the kids all love it, and as always it was a success. Here are a few pictures from the church harvest party.

Western was the theme, and Bro. Doug dressed the part.

We had hot dogs, homemade chili, nachos, tons of candy for the kids, and desserts. This dessert was made by one of our famous church chefs, Bro. Jean. I couldn't eat it. I was too grossed out. It was suppose to look like kitty litter. I was told that it was delicious, but just the thought made me feel yuck.

The bonfire was huge. A permit was obtained to build it, and the fire department even hung out for the night to make sure that it didn't get out of control.

The bishop (my dad) and his lovely wife (my mom) enjoyed the harvest party as well!

We had cowgirls and cowboys....I love the shadows of Jean and Lisa in the background of this picture.

Kass and Victoria
The hayride was the highlight of the night. Through the woods - you never really knew what might pop out at you in the woods.

Yep - we did have at least one geek show up for the harvest party.

....a paper doll....

...two wild cowboys...

...and at least one Indian princess...

Arkansas

Last week we went to visit some new acquaintances in Little Rock, Arkansas. We attended the FPC of Little Rock while we were there and was given a grand tour - which by the way is the largest and most spectacular church that I have ever been in. If you are in the area you should try to attend. It is also a praying church, and if you should stop by at just about any time you will find people praying. You won't be disappointed.
Our new acquaintances. This beautiful couple was so sweet to us. They cooked us a delicious meal, took us out to eat at a wonderful restaurant and gave us a tour of some the locations in Arkansas. One of these places was Hot Springs, Arkansas, which is just about an hour or so outside of Little Rock.

These are natural thermal springs of Arkansas, which have been said to have healing powers. You can even drink this water. It's perfectly safe. One lady informed us that it has been said that it can heal cancer. I guess people still believe in its healing powers.

Another picture of one of the springs.

In front of a hot spring. Yes, two of my children are missing - a choice of theirs. One thinks he is just too big to go places with us now, and the other thinks he belongs with my big sis and her family. Seriously, he wanted to stay with them instead of go with us!

I'm not sure what kind of tree this is but we thought that the bark was quite interesting.

A close up of the bark.

Testing how hot the springs are.

The Arlington Hotel - Evidently this is one of the most historic buildings in the town. I thought the towers on top were interesting.

Anyway, while we were in Hot Springs, we stopped at the visitor center (formerly an old bathhouse) in the city. Once inside you can view an educational film about the bath houses, and tour an old bathhouse. These bathhouses were popular years ago, and many people thought that the waters had healing abilities.

In case you were wondering what they were like, here are some photos. It wasn't what I expected. There are some bath houses that are still operating today. I'm sure they are a great deal different than they use to be. The needle shower.

Another type of weird bath.

Kass pretending to bathe in one of the old hot springs tubs.

Relaxing in the cooling off room after bathing.

The town was very pretty with lots of hanging baskets with flowers.

We also went riding in a Duck on the Diamond Lake (At least I think this the name of the Lake. I'm really not sure)

My favorite thing that we did in Arkansas was walk across the Big Dam Bridge (I'm not cussing that is the name of it). At night it is lit up with purple led lights. This isn't the prettiest picture of it, but if you go to their website and pull up photo's you can get a better view of it at night. The wind was blowing and it was so pretty. I wanted to walk it again before we left but I didn't get the chance. Maybe next time.

True Love - Real Love - Genuine Love

Mom and Dad on their Wedding Day in 1963

Most all of us have sat through numerous weddings where sacred vows of commitment and love were made only to see some of these marriages dissolve when the smallest of troubles come, and sometimes simply because of the selfish desires of one individual or both. In fact, many years ago, I attended a rather large wedding at which my great-grandmother Flossie was also present. To my amusement and embarrassment, my very old Grannie Flossie Bea (this is what we called her) stated in her deep, and somewhat rough voice, "My, my, just think people go through all of this and get a divorce!" ---and in case you are wondering, this couple did get a divorce.

However, true love, real love, genuine love, committed love stands the test even through very difficult situations and the result of this type of love is beautiful and wonderful! Today, while praise singing at church, my eyes perused the congregation and I could not help but witness the beauty of true love in three lovely couples in the audience.

One couple, a wife praying as her husband stands beside her with his arms gently and lovingly draped around her. This wife is facing the battle of cancer. Her husband is supporting her in every way that he knows how--both spiritually and physically. What wonderful love!

Another couple, a courageous man and his beautiful wife standing together. He also is battling cancer. His wife stands strong and faces this battle with him--both spiritually and physically. What wonderful love!

And lastly, my mother and father. I see my father standing, holding my mother's hand lifted towards heaven as they pray together. My strong father is now recovering from a stroke, which left him with injuries and physical weakness that he is now battling and recovering from. Together, with the strength of their love and with the power of God they both will fight this battle triumphantly. What wonderful love!

Strong love, pure love, true love--how beautiful is that!

John 15:12 - "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

30th Anniversary Service/Fabulous Visit with Friends and Relatives!

This weekend was wonderful! Our church celebrated my father's 30th anniversary as pastor and now bishop. In addition, I was able to visit with a very special friend and some relatives that I haven't seen in quite awhile.

On Saturday, we went out to eat for lunch at the Crescent City Brewery. After eating lunch we walked to the french market so that Mimi could purchase some wonderful smelling soy candles from the French Quarter Candle vendor. On the way there we stopped to view some interesting spectacles--like the drummer video posted at the bottom of this blog, and the pirates strolling down Decatur and Dumaine Street--one had a huge parrot perched on his shoulder. I have to admit, you see some mighty strange things in New Orleans, most of the sights will either amaze you, disgust you, or make you feel immense pity.

We also had fun shopping at the french market. While a few of the men stopped off at Cafe Du Monde for some coffee and beignets, most of us walked on to the market. The girls particularly liked the masks, my youngest son purchased an alligator claw back scratch er--YUCK, and of course we had lots of fun trying on hats and sunglasses, and smelling candles and looking at all of the vendors' wares.

Below are a few pictures of that day.

Kass, Ray, and Kenna posing for a picture.

My husband and mom.

Ave feeling pretty powerful standing on the street sign post.

One of the pirates.
Trying on some snazzy looking hats!

These masks were weird ..............!!!!!!

Nekee, mom, and Mimie in Jackson Square.
I take these pictures when I can. He only lets me take pictures of him when he thinks he's doing something impressive--like sitting on top of a post.
My sis Nekee and her husband.

Cousins! I haven't taken a picture of these two together in quite awhile.

__________________________________________________________

On Sunday, our church celebrated my father's 30th anniversary as pastor and now bishop. I could write an entire blog about my dad and the thirty years that he has ministered to our church and parish, and it still would not be enough to show the love, appreciation, and honor that I feel towards him. Although he is my father, I can truly say he is definitely a man worthy of honor! He has truly been a great example to all of us! I pray that God allows us to have him and my mom around for many more years.

The anniversary service was wonderful. The band played, the choir sang, the family sang a special song, a slide show was presented, and Bro. Crawford Coon (the special surprise guest speaker) gave a wonderful message to the church. Afterwards, everyone who attended went into the fellowship hall to feast and fellowship.

Below are a few pictures.

The photo above is a picture of a flower arrangement made by Plainold Kristi and my grandpa's Bible laying open next to it. This arrangement was in front of the pulpit.

My father and mother receiving a plaque commemorating their 30 years of service to our church.

After eating, some of us reminisced and went through boxes of old pictures. We laughed at all the old hairstyles, glasses, fashions, and marveled at how much the children had grown.
A few tables played a very long game of phase 10! I believe Sis. Gayle won at this table. Either way, it was fun!
Some of the youth, gathered in a circle, talked, and played numbers (this is a fun game we have played for years!).
The kids had so much fun sliding and jumping. Although, most returned home with a few bumps and bruises--it didn't seem to bother them or stop them from playing.

Some tough looking dudes! Wait a minute is that a gal peeking out from behind them.

Mimi and her son (my brother in-law).

The only problem with this weekend was that it just went toooooo fast!