Lots of News - Catching Up on Fun & Family

We have many activities we have been doing so thought I would post a few to catch up!

DH has made multiple batches of his absolutely delicious peanut brittle. It is crunchy and does not stick to your teeth. Yummy!!

We went to my Florida United Methodist Children's Home Board meeting and had a wonderful time with the children and Staff for a Christmas dinner. They served over 600 people in the gymnasium! Unbelievable, all the children in residence, the foster families, the Home's staff and their families.

Each table was beautifully decorated for Christmas and included Beanie Babies (Remember, we're talking lots of kids). We had assigned seating and we were seated in front of a Panda Bear! Can you believe the coincidence (it wasn't, we know it was meant to be!) that the Panda Bear was in front of us? Of course they were for the children so we snapped a quick picture before a very beautiful child asked if she could have THAT one.
A great time with singing Christmas caroles and Santa too! The Sacred Dancing was beautiful. These children have a huge range of issues and many circumstances that brought them to the Home. God Bless all who help the children.

I have a few cactus's that are blooming. The pink ones are all from an original plant in Maine that was my Grandmother's. I will have to ask my sisters and Mom about where E-E's plant came from. We also have a white cactus that was sent to us from Cousins Gloria & Joan when E-E died (December 2000). It is still alive and doing well. A great reminder of our loved ones passed.

In memory of our family members no longer with us, we light candles and talk about them. So last night we did that and shared some memories. In front of our candle memory holder is a "white" centerpiece that Mom sent to us - a L.L. Bean three candle juniper centerpiece. I love the smell of Maine! She's so thoughtful. We are remembering that my Dad passed last December 21st. A sad day for us.

I was more conscience this year of being "green" so have a picture of a gift that I used recycled Christmas wrapping paper (my Mom sent us gifts last year and I saved the paper; difficult to do, literally have to grab it from the kids before it is mangled!!), recycled ribbon, recycled Christmas card made into a gift tag.

A picture of DD and Grand-baby at the playground. DH took this picture last week. We have had such great weather. Today it is raining but we really needed it!

Lastly, Sunday was Nicole's Graduation party at a local restaurant. She officially graduated on Friday with honors!! How great is it that she couldn't decide what to do after high school so went to work. After a few years she began taking classes and now has her four-year degree. We are so PROUD of her. Working full time and going to school. Younger sister Christa had also began college so Nicole decided she would graduate ahead of her and she did it! We had fun celebrating with family and friends, so pictures will be forth coming!