Pages

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Family Time...A long post..

Good Day Everyone.. 
This is what we woke up to this morning..

A lot of snow.. 
There are 30 - 40 cm. about in the province so far .. 
This afternoon it is still coming down.. 
Church services have been cancelled and such.. 

Yesterday, we had our wonderful family Christmas day..

Shonda and her family came Friday night and stayed overnight.. 
We had a lovely time and then woke up and had breakfast.. 

They enjoyed the no knead bread recipe that I share HERE..
I made 2 loaves on Friday and decided to make another one early on Saturday morning..

She was a great help.. 
Setting the tables and carving turkey and all those little things that needs done.. 


I love doing the cooking and she is a great organizer as her Dad told her.. smile..
Thank you, Shonda.. 

Her and I are a bit excited because we are planning a homespun Christmas next year.. 
And... 
They are planning on being here on Christmas Eve and staying over...
 Oh joy... 

On with the story...


Turkey was done and a ham was in the slow cooker.. 
Gravy , roasted root veggies, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, stove top dressing and a big pot of fried rice..(the rice was mostly for my in-law children..smile)
Cranberry sauce, pickles, bread, and such.. 

Here is someone's plate.. grin..
I know it is Dustin's because of the end piece of bread.. grin..

There are 7 boys but their table was not quite so fancy, I see.. 

They seemed to be having a great time.. 

And then there was dessert.. 
AND a line up... grin..


This is their all time Christmas favorite.. 
Did I hear that someone was back 3 times.. 
A grandson....smile..


Homemade Ice Cream Cake.. 

Here is the recipe.. 
An extra large lasagna pan.. 
You need 24 ice cream sandwiches.. 
Put 12 on the first layer.. 
Then cover with a large container of cool whip.. 
Another layer of ice cream sandwiches.. 
Another layer of cool whip.. 
Spread around and swirl some good caramel ice cream sauce and sprinkle a half package of skor bits.. 
I always put in toothpicks.. 
Cover with plastic wrap and FREEZE FOR 24 HOURS.. 

Then we had some cheesecake from Costco.. 


And dear Veronique brought her blueberry cheesecake special..
Thanks, dear.. 

Some pumpkin pie, tea and coffee or punch.. 
That just about wrapped up the meal.. 

Taking our coffee or whatever to the living room we all opened up our gifts for each other.. 



So much fun.. 

It was the first Christmas with us for 3 of them.. 
I wonder what they thought.. grin..

Wrapping paper and tissue and laughter.. 
Such a dear family.. 
We all loved everything.. 
One lad got a huge bottle of French Mustard from Gramps.. 
You never know what might be coming your way.. 

Then it was time to relax although the dear girls did all of the dishes.. 
Thank you Tammy and Shonda..

Someone thought to bring Grandpa the paper..

And someone decided to enjoy the comic section.. 
Sweet, eh?

Then it was time for them to go...   


Good bye dear lads.. 
Yuppp.. 
You will remember this as the year that Mom fell off the chair... (That's another story)..grin..

And now today I am thankful.... 

Not for the presents..
 nor the trimmings on the tree..
 or even the food on the table..

Although..
 I am thankful for all of those things..

 But today I am more thankful for the dear memories that have been collected, labeled and stored away in the compartments of my heart..
To be taken out and looked at and to marvel upon whenever I need to..
Days when I miss my children and grandsons then I will remember..

The sweet hugs and kisses... 
the laughing and the chattering all through the house.. 
the sound of Grandpa teasing those boys.. 
the smell of the turkey and the clatter of dishes.. 
our bowed heads while the blessing is being spoken.. 
the sweet warmth of the fires... 
the feel of an arm on my shoulder and a whisper in my ear.. 
the look on my child's face even when they are all grown up.. 
my Mom being here.. 
even falling off a chair while my sons try to rescue me...
and for the love that is so special in a family.. 

Thank you my dear Jesus.. 
I do so appreciate it all.. 
Then when they had all gone.. 
Terry and I sat down and talked about our day.. 
What had been said and done  and how good it was to be all together.. 

And now today.. 
It is just Grandpa and I again... 

Oh, life is wonderful..

And a whole new year around the corner...

What are you sweet ladies planning?  

Sweet hubby gave me these.. 

He truly knows the way to my heart.. grin.. 

Now all I need is a cup of coffee and I can start making my list of projects and as my dear son -in -law mentioned we had best make our new year resolutions.. 
smile.. 


So from our house to yours may the richest of God's blessings be upon you and your dear families.. 
May he guide and protect you with his love.. 
And may he reign supreme in your lives..

Thanks for stopping by.. 
Leave me a note.. Please.. smile.. 
Luv ya all..  

23 comments:

  1. What a wonderful day with family, and yes, many beautiful memories. I want to hear about the chair escapade! And maybe your recipe for fried rice? Thanks so much, Faye, I love visiting. xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a lovely time you all had! Looks like it was a lot of fun and lots of good eating. So nice that Shonda pitched in to help. You are blessed with a wonderful family it seems :)

    Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such a wonderful post and photos ! I am so glad you all had a lovely dinner and time ! WOW ! all the food looks and sounds YUMMY ! Papa and I are having a quiet new years eve and day ! Hope you guy's have a Happy New Year my friend !

    ReplyDelete
  4. Afternoon Faye, love the warm wonderful post of yours....so great the family gatherings......good food, family and fun, can 't beat that......Happy New Year to you and yours, Blessings Francine.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your food, as usual, looks so yummy! What a wonderful time with your family. Blessings to you and yours, Happy New Year...I'm making lists too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi, Faye, I was visiting a few days ago and remembered you were having Christmas with your family yesterday. It does sound like a lovely Christmas! Such pretty pictures. The one of Grandpa and Grandson is my favorite-so sweet! And your meal looks delicious.

    Happy New Year to you and your family.

    :)Vicki

    ReplyDelete
  7. So happy for you all....
    Hugs & hopes for the coming New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all! Happy New Year to you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful gathering of souls....may God bless you and yours in the new year as well,and I do hope you did not injure yourself in your fall...I am always falling. It is good we have loved ones near to catch us :) Blessings friend

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful weekend you had Faye. Glad everyone was off the road before the storm hid. For sure it is so true to be thanksful for the time God has givem us to spend with our precious family and friends. Happy New Year to you Faye.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds like a wonderful time. We were bless with two of our kids making it home for Christmas. The food looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This was so lovely, Faye. It brought tears to my eyes. I love the Newspaper picture too. I love the picture of the boys around the table! What fun! Your house looks so lovely... Thank you for sharing your love, your family, and your beautiful heart!

    Happy New Year!
    Hugs and love!
    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a lovely post Faye, it looks like you had a wonderful day with your family.

    I, too, loved the picture of gramps and his helper reading the paper.

    I am excited to hear more of the plan that you and Shonda have hatched for a home spun Christmas next year. It may be something that more of us would like to follow.

    I made your no knead Rosemary bread twice this past week - it was delicious! We had it first with fresh tomatoes and lobsters we cooked at home, and then a few days later with potato and lobster chowder....

    Laurie

    ReplyDelete
  14. Aw Faye, what a beautiful post about your family Christmas. It sound like you had a lot of fun making memories. Thank you for your dear wishes for the new year. I wish you and your family a healthy, happy and God filled year ahead. Blessings to you my friend. Pamela

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello Mrs.Henry,
    What a lovely post...Looks like a wonderful time was had by all!:) All the food looks so good as well!
    Yes we had a lovely Christmas as well and it made me realize how thankful I am to GOD for my lovely famly and the wonderful memories we made by being together! Have a lovely week...Tell Mr.Henry "HELLO"!
    May GOD bless and be near..Love ya..."HUGS"
    Trusting him~
    Annamarie

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear Mrs. Henry,
    Lots of love and hugs to you this cold winter night in Wisconsin! I so wish that we lived closer...
    Thank you so much for your post! I know I really don't comment, but I always enjoy to read your blog...It's always just so peaceful and compforting...Thank you for taking the time to share a bit of your life with us!
    It looks like you had a lovely day with family! We as well had a wonderful day...a full house of beautiful family...lots and lots of food, fun and memories to take with us <3
    It's hard to believe that this year is almost over! I am really looking forward to the new year and what the Lord will do! 1 Thess. 5:24 Faithful is He that calleth you who will also do it! That is my (first) verss for the new year...;)
    Last year we started thankful journals, each day we journaled at least 5 things that we are thankful for...so I am looking forward to starting that back up again. But for tonight, since I didnt journal, here are my 5...:)
    ~beautiful clean snow
    ~chocolate cookie dough
    ~the afterglow of a beautiful Christmas
    ~God's word being preached
    ~old hymns to sing
    ~the tight circle of my family

    Much love to you, have a wonderful night!
    Jessica....the eldest Mayo daughter ;)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear Faye:

    Just a quick note to wish you and yours a very happy and blessed 2013!

    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  18. Always a delightful visit to your home...You made me awful hungry..God Bless you & your lovely family in the new year, and thank you for sharing your holidays with all of us.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Faye...you've had a wonderful Christmas! Looking forward to hearing about the homespun Chrismas next year! Along with the others, I too, love he pic of the two men on the couch reading the paper - so great a pic and memory; May you and your family have a Blessed,Healthy and Happy New Year.
    Cheryl (F'ton)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Looks like you all had such a great happy time :-) Calling in to wish you a very Happy New Year Faye... x x x oh, and if you ever want to swap that snow :-) only for a while, we can swap some rain :-) x x x

    ReplyDelete
  21. your Christmas looks so delightful! good for you. You are blessed!!!
    Happy New Year!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Such a beautiful post. I love your pictures. We make the ice cream cake quite frequently. It definitely is a favorite here. I sometimes use the caramel sauce and sprinkle mini chocolate chips on it. Some of my kids are big chocolate fans. Enjoy your day and God bless.

    ReplyDelete