This and That!

Just wanted to mention a few things that are special to me:

Our precious oldest grandchild turned 20 years old this week. Anna Kathleen Discher (Kitty) is such a blessing to our family. When she was born, she was instantly a force to be reckoned with! Her mother and father chose natural childbirth, and what a difference that was for this grandmother! My babies were drowsy and placid when they came forth. Kitty -- she was alert and bright and interested in the world from the first moment!! Literally! And she has been ever since.

Kitty is proof in our sovereign God's providential hand. She has been a wonderful first grandchild for our 22 (on earth) grandbabies to follow. She leads by her beautiful example. She is not shy to speak to any of them with words of wisdom borne of her walk with the Lord and the faithful pouring into her life by her dear parents.

Thank you, Lord, for the precious life of this beautiful maiden of virtue! We love you, Kitty!p://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ghKK5qlxF58/SXvFQ1fPbmI/AAAAAAAAA0w/EceSfQrv29k/s1600-h/DSC00803.jpg"> Kitty, Queen of . . . . . . ummm, Sillyland??

The Stricklens spent last Saturday at the Brooksville Raid re-enactment. The girls love to dress up and feel like they have been taken back in time. Even little CJ, in his "general's" uniform, gets into the act! They highly recommend the Brooksville FL event -- they said the organizers spend lots of time informing of the history behind the event.

Katie sent me this picture from Arkansas. I can just see it in the Yellville Gazette, or some such publication: "The Miller Boys, Joseph and Samuel, prepare for a day in the woods. More venison for the freezer, boys!" Oh, how we miss those little faces!

Well, that's This and That til next time! Thank you, Lord, for my contented life!

I had to add this one!

I had to add this picture, since the last post was All-Savannah! These are the precious little buddies -- Savannah and Emma Jane, taken at Christmas. What a couple of little cuties!

Savannah's Birthday

It was Savannah's birthday Saturday. Well, actually, her birthday was earlier in the week, but her party was Saturday. She turned three years old, and since she loves to be with her cousins in Alturas, her daddy and mama brought her up for her "Farm Fresh" party. What a sweet day we had! The theme was "Down on the Farm", and the big cousins had a ball decorating and planning and playing games with the little ones. This family loves to get together to celebrate with each other -- what a blessing from the Lord!

The excited birthday girl.

Mommy Ashley helps her blow out the candle.

(It is a "3" candle)The "piggy" cake being decorated by Sarah

Daddy Jason kept busy grilling us yummy hot dogs and hamburgers

Even the big cousins joined in the fun. I think that's Uncle Eddie in the background. Aunt Beth watches the festivities from the background

Second cousins Mikayla and Rosie

My sister Sue, right, who brought three of her granddaughters out for the fun, with me, left. Her grandchildren are second cousins to Savannah and the other grandchildren.

Mary and her mama, Molly

Sue with her sweeties, Julia, Olivia, and Mikayla

Sweet Markie and Abby help decorate, making balloon farm animals

Second cousins Olivia and Margaret Anne

Second cousins Emma Jane and Julia

William and CJ -- the "Stricklen Boys" gang! Tough cowboys!

Oldest cousin Kitty always has something up her sleeve. I think this was when she pasted farm stickers on her poor wheelchair-bound grandmother's back, unbeknownst to her! You are sooooo clever! Seriously, she is the most thoughtful, respectful, considerate almost 20-year-old you will ever meet -- but still funloving!

Big cousins Gracie and Mary caught snitching nibbles before the party!

Sweet Sarah loves to decorate cakes for all occasions

Then there is big cousin Peter. Since his Miller cousins left for Arkansas, he is our only "go t0" man. Any time there are big doings, Peter makes them happen. He carries tables, puts up shelves, moves big heavy stuff, is our all-around man of the hour. Thanks, Peter, for making this weekend successful!

Okay, one more...

ART

I just had to do it. Actually, it's my Christmas cardinal, with the beautiful Florida winter sunlight shining through. It makes me smile every year. I guess that makes it "art".

Happy New Year!

Well, I can come with eyes downcast, hat in hand (figuratively) begging forgiveness once again. Or with reason upon reason (excuses) for not updating since (gasp!) November. Let me just throw myself upon your mercy. I am sorry.
There. That's done. Thank you for your forgiveness.

This has been a blessed season for our family. Thanksgiving was truly thankful -- we had the privilege of being with Katie and family in Arkansas the first part of November, and the Lord led us to a wonderful property in S. Missouri (about an hour from Katie). It has 223 acres -- some pasture, some woods -- with 2 houses and a creek. It is a lovely piece to establish a multigenerational retreat for our family. A (non-descript) picture of it is on my post of Nov. 11, with Danny and Beth walking through the pasture. (I haven't figured out how to link to previous posts yet!)

If you know me in IRL, you know how I injured my left leg between Christmas and New Year's Day. I am wheelchair-bound right now on doctor's orders, but thanking the Lord that I am already feeling improvement and better able to take care of myself. My sweet husband has been my knight-protector and provider. With a strained knee himself, he has done all he could to make this misery more tolerable. Thank you, Lord, for Danny.

After Thanksgiving, we are energized by the upcoming season of celebrating the first Advent of the Lord Jesus, and preparations/activities begin in earnest. Here are some pictures of different enjoyable and significant events along the way.

Sweet Sarah making hot cocoa to take on the caroling adventure. Uncle Chris towed a hay-wagon loaded with carolers through Bartow, singing and playing for residents. What a wonderful evening!
The Dischers hosted a gingerbread house party. This is my "team" -- Margaret Anne, Markie, Abigail, and Rosie put together a cute little house for me to take home. Hmmm, wonder what happened to all those lemon drops over the season???

More "architects" -- Terrie Tanner and daughter Amanda working on their creation.

The sweet Waldman family at church. These boys are truly "men of God". They know how to work -- plucking chickens, helping around the property, and they will give you a manly handshake. Chelsea and Moriah are precious women of God, and baby Isaiah is everyone's favorite cuddle at church!!

Grandmama and Granddaddy with the sweet Stricklen children on Christmas day.

Uncle Jason and Aunt Ashley with Savannah, William, and CJ. Not quite sure what Callie is thinking about.

The sweet Discher children with Grandmama and Granddaddy.

My mother with Brother DeVern Fromke, a family friend of at least 50 years. Brother Fromke and my father, Kye Harris, used to travel the country speaking at Bible conferences, and our family went along many times. Oh, how I thank God for those years when His precious truths were sown into my life! Brother Fromke has written several books on the Christian life which have been a blessing to thousands. He spends time in Florida in the winters, so he and his wife come to church every so often. What a blessing!

On New Year's Day, our BIG family (my extended Harris family) gathers at our house for another Christmas celebration. Here some of the grandchildren are joined by their 2nd cousin, Whitley, on the cello (far left). They blessed us with beautiful Christmas tunes and bluegrass numbers.

I'm hoping to get a few more pictures up before it turns springtime or summer, but the grandchildren are always faithful to post on their families' blogs, so I direct you there for more! You will have a ball with their creations!

www.thedischerfamily.blogspot.com
www.thestricklenfamily.blogspot.com

Oh My Stars . . . .!

. . . . and garters! As my grandmother used to say! How could I have left Callie Sue's wonderful sour cream coffee cake off the list of incredible desserts on the Thanksgiving table? It was moist and cinnamony and crumbly, just right. And Mary, who is quite a baker in her own right, was occupied with the fresh collard greens and Caesar salad, so this time she didn't contribute to the dessert table. All of the sweet granddaughters were involved in making our dinner special. I do not ever want to neglect the contributions these Proverbs 31 trainees make to our memorable times. The cleaning, the decorating, the special touches they are learning to place on our family memories -- this is my joy! Thank you, maidens of virtue!

Now, I can't let this post go without praising the young men who help make it happen -- Peter and his shadow CJ do the heavy lifting and toting and dirty work -- we truly appreciate your contribution, too! Thank you, Lord, for willing arrows into the future! God bless you, grandchildren.

Five Kernels of Corn . . .

Markie and Gracie over early to help get the feast prepared.

CJ and Rose sneak a seat at the grownups' table. How perfect it was to be able to have a fire in the fireplace!

Kitty setting up the serving tableGranddaddy read to us the story of the sacrifices the early Pilgrims made to bring forth a land founded on biblical principles and lay the foundation for generations to come. During the "starving time", there were days when the settlers had only 5 kernels of corn for their daily ration!

How special it is to share these times with the coming generations who will carry forth the torch into the future! Gracie the recited a poem by Hezekiah Butterworth, "Five Kernels of Corn" . . .

". . . O Bradford of Austerfield, daring the wave,

And safe through the sounding blasts leading the brave,

Of deeds such as thine was the free nation born,

And the festal world sings the "Five Kernels of Corn".

There was wonderful, natural turkey and Southern cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato cassarole (recipe provided by Aunt Katie in Arkansas), the always-requested green bean cassarole, home-made rolls, Caesar salad with wonderful Romaine lettuce fresh from the Stricklens' garden, and absolutely the best collards I have ever eaten, also fresh from the Stricklens' garden! (the joys of Thanksgiving in Florida!)

The dessert table was astoundingly abundant! Homemade from scratch cakes and pies and Mrs. Tanner's cherry trifle, oh my! Sarah made pecan and apple pies, Abby made an apple pie, Margaret Anne made an applesauce cake and blueberry cobbler, and Grandma Sue made a chocolate coconut cake. What a treat!

The glorious weather made walks and outdoor activities a pleasure, and the fellowship was sweet. Thank you, Lord, for another evidence of your providential care for Your people. "Lord of Harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be."