THANKSGIVING WEEKEND 2010

As is our family tradition, we start decorating for the Holidays this long weekend. I imagine it started when I worked full time, and this was the only free time I had. Anyway, Phil helped and we put up our tree, decorated "Ole Grizz" and a few other things.
 

I made this collage to show some of our handi-work. Click on the individual pics to enlarse. Next year we hope to be able to get a taller tree. But this year, I improvised by putting our 7 1/2 foot tree on a table. It really made an improvement in the 15 foot great room. So many have ask for a single pic of "Ole Grizz that I am gonna have to oblige. (I was hoping for a request for the tree which took me two days to decorate, not the bear, which took 3 minutes, but, what the heck).....HERE HE IS...IN ALL HIS HOLIDAY SPIRIT.
 

Then on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, for the first time that I can remember we went out of town for dinner. Our daughter, Ashley, and her husband Chris, invited the entire family to their home in Cincinnati, Ohio. We had such a great time. Phil thought Ashley was a chip off the old block with her gracious hospitality. Combine that with their love for entertaining and Chris's food, and you have a fool-proof recipe for the perfect evening.


This is a picture of Chris's beautiful Thanksgiving Turkey. You are welcome to click on this picture to see more of Thanksgiving Day.

GREAT WEEKEND

 

To kick off this great weekend, I caught a 22" catfish Friday afternoon, across the lake from our house. I added it to some that I had earlier caught and frozen. Put together, we were ready for a 'fish fry'. I got out my electric skillet, and Lauren and I began the dipping...first in flour, then egg, then the last and secret dip.

 


 

Then we made some fresh veggies.

Liza Jayne drove her Mommy and Daddy down to visit....  

....so we had the makings for a great family time....and a great meal.... 

Liza Jayne and her parents spent the night with us   .....so we had lots of opportunities for hugs and kisses.
 

Even Levi wasn't left out. 

Saturday morning Popie went to Seth's house to help him work on his basketball. Lauren and I went shopping. When we got back, she gave us a fashion show.
 

 

 

We had a great weekend indeed. Then Mommy Erin called and said it was time to come home. I don't think Seth was ready, do you?

 

Then when the house was quiet, Phil and I had a wonderful bowl of fresh homemade soup. 

...thanks Jess for the great new soup pot.

LET"S TRY AGAIN

Well, as luck would have it, I had stayed up late every night this past week, posting a new blog. Then....when I had it just like I wanted it....I accidently deleted it. OH YES. That can happen. Unfortunantely blogs don't keep saying 'are you sure you want to delete'. If you hit the wrong key, sometimes it's gone. I will try again.


The weather has been so beautiful on the lake this past week. Wind and the sun have made so many different flickers and pictures on the water. The water looked like millions of diamonds were floating on top one day. Levi and I ran down to waters edge to scoop some up

, but alas, it was a mirage!


This is my favorite spot. I like to sit on the old bench and watch the water and watch Levi swim.

Liza Jayne came for an overnight visit the other day. One of her favorite things to do is help Nana get dinner. Here she is at her mixing station....Under my feet in the middle of the floor!!!

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Liza realized,the next morning, that she didn't have anymore socks, so we made leggings from a pair of Nana's.

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Grandbabies, always busy, always learning!!!!What a blessing.

A dear friend of mine, gave me this pillow, which I read every morning as I dress.

THE MAKING OF A DRIVEWAY

 

This is how you build a driveway on a hillside.

A pump truck was used to pump the concrete to the bottom of the drive near the house.
 

 

In our case, that was a long way.
Here is Phil's brother, Bob, giving us help. Phil, his brother, and Billy Ray put the heat cables in the driveway so that it will melt the ice and snow so we can get out of here in the wintertime.
 

They ordered the material from the manufacturer and installed it for a fraction of the cost to hire someone. Of course, brothers are cheap, really cheap labor. Thanks Bob.

Here is a picture of the concrete company finishing the concrete.
 

 

And finally, after 2 months of parking at the top of the hill and walking down, here is my car making the maiden voyage to the bottom. And just like a subaru, my camry pulled out without even a skid mark.