If Plan A doesn't work, you have 25 other letters!

Andrew found a book a few years ago called Second Choice by Viv Thomas.  The book talks about what do you do when life throws you a curve ball.  I highly recommend this book.


Here is an article about the when you are on plan B.  Read and ponder.  Has your life taken a route you weren't planning?

Do you know what happened 70 years ago today?

This is a map of some of the damage done 70 years ago today at Pearl Harbor.  23 years ago today I read a book to Andrew about the bombing of Pearl Harbor and that book awakened his love of history.

I will honor today by watching the movie Tora Tora Tora and thanking God for all those who gave their lives for my freedom.

Carl works with wonderful people!

Kaitlin getting a lesson on how to spread masa

 Carl has a co worker, Angelica, who is from San Antonio, TX.  She grew up in a large family and every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas they would set aside a day to make home tamales.   When she and her husband moved to our city she missed her home made tamales.  So she started the tradition here in 2007.  Since her large family isn't here they invite friends, family and coworkers and we all become family.  Carl, Kaitlin, Robert and I got to participate this year.  What a wonderful experience!

In 2007 they made 26 dozen, in 2008- 42, in 2009- 72, 2010- 91 and in 2011- drum roll please-----1222 total or 101 dozen!

Robert spreading masa

 On the table above from left to right is a bowl of chicken, a bowl of masa, corn husks ready for masa, corn husks with masa and Carl getting more masa to add to another husk.

First you add masa to a husk then meat is added and it is folded and put in a pan.

Nicki, who is seated to Kaitlin's left, could add masa to a husk with one sweep of a spreader.  It was like a ballet move.

  

At the table about five folks at putting masa on a husk while three take that same husk and add meat to it.

 These folks step in to hand more meat, pull up sleeves, get water for the folks at the table, wash dishes, and laugh at all the jokes.

 After a large metal pan is full of tamales then Angelica takes them and steams them on the stove.

our wonderful hostess!

pots with tamale steaming, sauce and meat is cooking

 Tamales are made in rounds, somewhat.  When a pan of meat is ready then the tamale making begins and that round ends when that meat has all be used.  At the end of every round, you bring all your utensils to the sink and they get washed.  You also wash your hands and rest.

 Here are Keith and Barbara.  Keith has very clean hands and he is ready for his turn at making tamales.

Keith took this very artistic picture of Barbara and me!

Kaitlin and Angelica at the snack table.  I was glad Angelica got to sit down for a minute because she was in constant motion the rest of the time.


We all had such a laughing good time.  We came home with some wonderful tamales.  We look forward to the laughing good time next year.  Thank you Angelica for such a wonderful tradition!!!

One of my favorite decorations

This was my mama's.  This angel is usually in a different spot every year.  This year she is in the den.  A wonderful reminder of holidays past at my mama's.

Sorrow and Sighing shall flee away

I am realizing more and more that the holidays are not happy for everyone.  Here is a great article about our great hope!

Ponder this verse today-

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.  Isaiah 35:10:

Table for 12

 I am blest to be a part of a wonderful church!  The ladies in the church are truly my friends.  One activity that we do to promote fellowship is called Table for 4.  4 ladies meet once a month for 4 months.  I love doing this and I have had the best time with all my groups.  This time around I am in a group with Ashley, Jill and Sandy.  They are all 'includers'- meaning that they feel like instead of just us four, let's add some more!!!!  Sandy had the first meeting at her house and included others.  Here is our picture with the pumpkins we painted.  Also in our group is Sandy's daughter, Abbey.








 So when the second one was at my house I knew what my mission was- include, include, include.  The other ladies did this too.  We each invited folks!  So we had a table for 8!  Did we have fun or what???

 Cheryl, Stephanie, Kaitlin and Mandy joined our dinner party and added so much.  We made turkeys out of pretty scrapbook paper.

Don't you like the features on my camera that does three shots with the self timer?


This month is an ornament exchange.  Ashley's in charge.  Would you like to join us???  We'd love to have you!!  Just ask one of us when and where.  Hope to see you there!

Christmas tree

I love Christmas tree lights!