Baker Christmas 2011

Before we ate, we held hands and Becky read the Christmas story. 

A photo with a wonderful niece, Erin!  She's awesome and we are so proud of her.

Steven (nephew), Clyde and brother Vernon.

Jason taking time out to talk to granny.

Daddy and his sweet girl.

This is the tree in the FR. 

This was the sweetest thing I have seen for some time.  Granny is 84 soon to be 85.  She made homemade rolls for each and every one of us.  She had to get up at 4:00 in the morning to get them made.  She lives alone, in a senior citizen home.  She called each name and had us come up to get them.  She gave each grandkid money.  Her kids adore her as well as her grandkids.  Thanks granny!

We play dirty santa and this was in one of the UK theme gifts. 

The party is over and as we picked up coats, this is how we found Austin.  He said earlier his neck was hurting...precious child! 

Last night was Baker Christmas at Becky & Jason's new house.  Each sibling of Clyde's take a year for Christmas and Thanksgiving.  My turn this year was Thanksgiving, next year is Christmas for me.  I prefer Christmas to Thanksgiving for sure!  We have a full blown meal at T and bring heavy appetizers for Christmas.  When Becky bought their house on Sunny Slope (before this one), she got in the rotation.  Her new house looks amazing and she had it decked out.  It has a great flow to it so many people can move around easily but yet all be close enough to visit.  The photos I will post will be at this party.  

Maggie's Christmas Program

 Tonight was Maggie's day care Christmas pageant.  Maggie represented Sweden.

 Austin & Matthew waiting for the program to begin.

 Ms. Judy likes having a candlelight service at Christmas. 

 Izzy on the left is a year younger than Maggie.

 Hard to get a picture of these three, standing straight and smiling at the camera...with six eyes opened!

 Cara, who played Mary, is Maggie's bestie:)

As we (Clyde and I) were leaving, the kids got to open presents and Maggie brought mom & dad

scarves.  We enjoyed a big meal after the program.  Becky brought homemade meatballs and a huge ceasar salad and I added monster cookies.  Lots of other food to share.  This is a wonderful group of people.  Ms. Judy & Mr. Bruce are Christians and share the story of Christ's birth with all.

Mom's 85th birthday and Christmas party weekend

 Michael & Hayleigh two of my sister Beverly's grandkids.

 Mom's first grandchild, Lisa and Becky (mom's namesake:). 

Miss Maggie Jane Keith....will turn four on Dec. 28th! 

 My sister's lasagna was a huge HIT.  Someone said they loved the ham (I did as well) and I made more green beans and hash brown casseroles (4 large ones) than we could eat!

 Mom's two youngest grand-girls, Dana & Becky.  Juliette & Maggie with baby boy on the way.

 Lisa Ann made the sheet cake.  One half chocolate and one yellow.  it was yummy!!

 Mom (birthday girll) and her friend Elsie.

 Don and Lillie Crutcher, long time Eastland friends.

 Austin Porter & Matthew both were very good at today's party!

 My sister's boy Michael, his beautiful wife, Rebecca and her daughter, Alexa.

 More friends from Eastland.  So happy they came!

The photos above are from today, Sunday Dec. 11th.  Mom turned 85 on the 9th with the party today at her church.  The sisters and I pitched in and cooked the food.  We planned for 50 to 60 and had way too much food.  We did a basic table setting with real pretty vases of flowers on each table.  Everyone said the food was good and they seem to enjoy the chatting.  I think mom enjoyed it as well!  She teared up once and patted the chair next to her, saying this was daddy's seat.

The photos below are from our class Christmas party at the Chop House.  It is always good to gather together and share a meal and a time for catching up. 

 Beautiful ladies...Teresa N. and Kathy B.

Bruce, Jack & Marcia! 

 Marcia, Kathy C., Michelle & me.

Herman, Ingrid, Janet & Cheryl.....

Our final weekend party was last night.  We call it our "friends progressive dinner".  For many years we have a time for casual dining and try to relax and go from appetizer to dessert.  It's not so relaxing for the hostess' but we do enjoy having everyone at our houses!

 Appetizers were at Vickie Meenachs beautiful house...I didn't stay long and didn't get a picture. I had the second part, soup & salads.  Then we went to Tricia's house for dessert.  I made two batches of toffee and handed out little jars of it to wish my besties a very Merry Christmas!

All our men.  I appreciate mine more than I can say.  I did the cooking, he cleaned all the dishes (photo below)!!    Thanks babe!



Oh Christmas Tree....

Smallest tree in the bathroom....

Table isn't entirely set but getting there. Ready for friend's party next Saturday.

Using last year's gold mesh on top of hutch added a little more "Christmas" to an usually undecorated hutch.

Don't you just love poinsettias?

I painted this Nativity when my grown children were small. They would carefully unwrap each piece while I read the Bible story of Jesus' birth.

Mantle in the family room.

Family room tree filled with small angels that are dressed the same as the large angel above it on the mantle. This tree has the White House ornaments and the ones we pick up on vacations.

I used the thinner mesh for this smaller tree and recycled last year's large mesh for the hutch top in the background.

Light shining through makes it hard to see the tree. We went with this skinnier tree last year,
pre-it and I really like it a lot. Leaves more room for walking around the living room.

The house is coming together, getting busier as December rolls in, but took the morning time to snap a few photos for my friend, Burton's Blog's, Christmas photos link. When the time was right for me to take pics, the sun was shining in on the tree so the shots weren't great.

Clyde

A good shot of the neutral color tile. Faucets are rubbed bronze along with the vanity lights & shower head.

On Face Book many friends have been journaling what they are thankful for each day in November. I didn't do this but have enjoyed reading every one's comments on thankfulness. I am thankful for the usual "biggies" like God (first and foremost), family, home (shelter, food, needs, etc.) However, I am most thankful for Clyde (not including the Big man upstairs).

We married when I was very young. When we talked of a family, it was decided to wait five years so that we could "grow up" together. We worked, saved, vacationed, and bought our first home before we started our family. Then we moved up to a bigger house, with a basement, and soon came Jason. A couple of years later, we were blessed with Becky Lou.

In October, on the 7th, we celebrated 39 years. Clyde had wanted to go on a train trip as it was something he hadn't done, sort of on his "bucket list". So, he started planning it for our anniversary. Since fall break was around this time, and the New River Train had an excursion for that time, that's what we did (earlier post had pictures).

The one thing I wanted to say (or journal) is this. I dreamed of marrying a man like my momma did. My daddy babied my mom, took care of her every need, made sure she was happy and thought of her above his self. She, in turn, loved him to no end. They had many stories of their married life and one that I loved when they were dating. My dad's family owned a little grocery store on Limestone, Stinnett's Market (or something similar). My mom lived out of town (not sure where or how far). This particular night he had been visiting mom at her house and had gone home. He got a bottle of soda and called her. As they were talking, she noticed he was drinking a soda and said she wished she had one. After hanging up, dad got a taxi (not cheap or easy) and showed up on her doorstep with a bottle of soda. How sweet was that???

My dad could do anything. Really we never had to hire a handy man that I know of, as dad could do it and do it well. You got it, so can Clyde. Really....he is the best. We have hired experienced men to lay tile and that's about it. Case in point, a few weeks ago I noticed that the wall above my shower needed to be replaced. He cut it out and put in new drywall (thanks Harley for the help with the finishing drywall). Then he took up the toilets (one at a time), put in new faucets, two new vanity lights, painted, replaced the trim against the floor, cut off the doors to fit and replaced everything. Whew, what a week. It wasn't a big renovation but doors off bathrooms, toilets up and working with the sink, drawers in the hallway...all this the week we hosted Thanksgiving. We had someone cut and lay the ceramic tile and love it. Makes a big difference. I have to say he is my hero. Love him so much. Very blessed. Thanks babe!

Thanksgiving & more

There are time I think of things I need to journal (blog) about then I have writers block:) Like now. I have the time, energy and the laptop on, but can't recall what I wanted to say. Well, I'll just share my Thanksgiving for 2011.
Each year one of my husband's siblings take a turn hosting Baker Thanksgiving. This year it was my turn. Now, when Becky got married and finally bought the house biggest of all, she got into the rotation! That's not the reason, she is a great cook and truly house size does not matter. We all manage to fit in wherever we are. This is a loving family; the siblings are very close. Clyde (my hubs) is the oldest, followed by Vernon (Sue), Martha (Jerry) and baby Harley (love his daughter Erin). Since Erin is in her second year of college in the nursing program at UK, you know Harley isn't actually a baby. Saying all that to say, Sue was hosting Easter for years, each and every, so Becky took Sue's place in the rotation for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
This past Sunday, the one each year before Thanksgiving Day, is our big spread. The hostess cooks the turkey (22+ lbs) and I cooked a smoked, boneless ham. I make this yummy dressing in a big casserole. I use Paula Deen's Southern cornbread recipe. I love it. I made it the day before this year, and was concerned when I was baking it that the bread had turned to mush and wouldn't soak up the liquids the way it's suppose to. However, after the time for baking was up, it came out just as moist, but not too moist, as it did in the past. Love it. I also made a very big side of green beans; I use Allen's brand and think they may be as good as any store bought ones. These were what my Aunt Mable used and she told me about them. I don't like the "canned" taste, so I use a colander and rinse them first, add fresh water back (or I guess chicken stock would be good!) and season them up. My favorite by far veggie is green beans.
I also made a layer fresh fruit salad, using a fresh pineapple, kiwi, bananas, red grapes, oranges and strawberries (that Kroger was out of!) You make this dressing of sorts, and pour over the layers of fruit. It is one tsp. lemon zest and one tsp. orange zest, orange juice, brown sugar and a Cinnamon stick. You simmer this for five mins. and refrigerate for several hours (after you pour over dish). I made a brownie chocolate trifle, a large glass jar of candy (I tried layering brown, orange, fallish colors) and provided the drinks, ice tea and lemonade. We had lots more food. A few of them were: huge fresh veggie tray & Caesar salad-Becky; corn pudding & cushaw-Sue, cheese ball & crackers-Sarah (newly wed this past year), broccoli slaw & sweet potatoes (2 kinds)-Harley, mashed potatoes-Erin, spinach tortillas roll ups & baked beans-Jason & Cassie, mac & cheese-my MIL (she makes the best), a fluffy gelatin type salad-Delores, Sister Shubert rolls-Katie (came from Louisville), and the best pumpkin & pecan pies you will eat, along with her famous dressed eggs-Martha. She is the only girl of the family (Baker) and her birthday is in November. A few years past, Clyde thought it would be nice to acknowledge all the work she does for their mother. The boys do a lot. They take turns staying overnight at her small studio apt. when she is sick, etc., but Martha takes her to appts., grocery shopping, and more. So, they go together and buy her a gift card. She deserves it and so much more!
Back to Sunday dinner. It was raining so no one was able to get out. However, the children didn't run through the house or even make much of a sound (what?) and they were enjoyed by all. We didn't make it a long afternoon, but the UK game was on, then the Bengals game followed, so afternoon in front of the TV provided enough entertainment. I believe a good time was had by all. Who could ask for more?