Great gains in our computer were made by our son-in-law, Jed. He likes to upgrade and improve it when visiting. Perhaps he was tired of seeing the family photo wallpaper I put on it, so we now have these beautiful photos of national sites.

It took us awhile to figure out the new programs, or shall I say find them then go from there. We are getting used to the little twanging beeper that pops up when you want to leave a site. It asks, 'Are you sure?' Worse than a mother.

Thank you, Jed, for keeping us on the cutting edge. At least it feels like it.

A Thankful Thanksgiving

It's a good day to look back at the things enjoyed over the year and be thankful for all of our blessings. The times we spent together, the places we visited, the special events that took place, the accomplishments we made and the growth we experienced. Take it month by month or each event as it unfolded can be shared and revisited in our mind.

It is easy to wallow in our trials. We had some, sure, but how much more joy and happiness was in and around each day. Think about your own 2011. As you recall your experiences individually, more will flood your mind and bring you to tears remembering the special year you have had.

What a thankful Thanksgiving it will be.

Super at Sixty

Dad turned sixty today. Wow! It gets caught in your throat when you try to say it, six... 'gag, cough, gag' ...ty. That is so old! Here he is surrounded by his birthday gifts: a white shirt, temple slippers and a Belgian Waffle maker.

It’s hard to believe that sometime in this decade of his life he will be eligible for Social Security and Medicare benefits. He can also retire. Ooh, the big ‘R’. That is waaay down the road, though.

For now he is still, super at sixty.

Trip Had a Tile Task, Too

Alicia kept us busy on our trip to New Jersey, or at least Dad. He tiled her kitchen floor. You could say we earned our keep. I helped chip off the old black and white checkerboard and haul it out. Next he moved the appliances to the livingroom. Black paper and wire mesh followed. I had to hammer the staples flat. On day two the cement was smeared out in sections and the tiles were placed carefully keeping them the exact distance from each other.

Eating out and crock pot suppers were a necessity. Fortunately, the fridge was handy keeping us company and supplying our needs. Last of all the grout was spread all over the tile filling up the joints. After wiping all of the excess mixture off, and a night of drying, Alicia had her kitchen again. Yeah!!!

Salsa, Savory and Sumptuous

The current weather reports predict frost in the next seven days. Most of my tomatoes are still green. I stopped watering them weeks ago, but they like us humans, want to be 'Forever Young'. Everytime one turns red, I make salsa with it. Ooh, is the salsa ever delicious. We have it on chips, breakfast burritos, and everything mexican. I even eat it by the tablespoons full.

Here is the recipe for Salsa, Savory and Sumptuous:

30 medium size tomatoes, skinned and chopped. Blend briefly (a few seconds) in blender to a choppy pulp.

Chop each of the following and add to tomatoes in a heavy pan:
1 Onion
1 Green Pepper
1-2 Cloves Garlic
1 Jalapeno Pepper or more if you like
1/4 cup chopped celery (Optional)
1 T Sugar
1 T Salt
1/4 cup vinegar

Cook on medium heat until boils, then turn down to simmer for 2 hours until flavors blend and water evaporates. Serve fresh or make enough to bottle it.

La Cucaracha!! B-)

Real Big or Real Deal?

The diamond fell out of my wedding ring recently. Within seconds it caught my attention, when the rough post scratched my arm. A fellow employee and I scouted out the receptionist desk area until it was spotted. During lunch I drove straight to the jewelers. For $20 more, I could get a full carat cubic zirconia the jeweler said. Hmmmm.

He handed me the sparkling marble and watched while I set it on my ring. Wow! It was big and looked pretty awesome hovering over the setting. People would be so impressed when they saw it, I thought. I imagined envious eyes popping as they gazed at it. "Is it real?" they would wonder. Hmmm.

Is that what I wanted? No. Why and who's opinion is most important? I would know it was a fake and that is what matters most. "Put the real one back in", I told the jeweler.

Two weeks later I didn't recognize my own ring. Tiffany's move over for this gleaming "TRUE" diamond sparkled like a sunrise. What a transformation was the 'real deal' all fixed and polished up.

Often through our own trials and challenges our self-esteem becomes battered and bruised. Like my ring we may need a little refurbishing, to remind us how beautiful we really are. Everyone is sacred and special to the Lord. If you're feeling low or whenever you need it, ask for help from the Lord or your loved ones.

Apron Accolades

It was a keep your clothes clean kind of day so all of the aprons were on the table. Everyone picked their favorite one to wear. With that many dressed up in Grannie's best we had to model them. Next was the line up to see who looked the most culinary minded. It's time to vote?