ut oh . . .

the 9TS woke up this morning with a swollen eye. I think he needs to go to the vet.

Franken-cat . . .

is finally feeling a little better. He is following the 9TS around the house when Katie is at school and he's begging for treats. His bad eye is almost open all the way and his stitches come out Monday.

Five antibiotics, an aspiration, X-rays and two biopsies later . . . What an expensive little monster you turned out to be . . .



and yes Moak, you are worth it.

winter in florida . . .

and we are still grilling outside. Swordfish steaks rubbed with olive oil, a little salt and pepper, seasoned sea scallops, steamed artichokes with plenty of butter for dipping, baked taters and deviled crabs. And when you need a lemon for all this goodness, they are hanging on the tree in the back yard. So worth dodging hurricanes in the summer. So very worth it.

checking it twice . . .

The hard thing about Christmas shopping is, of course, finding just the right presents.

The 9TS likes to go through the stores saying: I'd like this . . . and this . . . and this. Kind of takes the surprise out of Christmas morning. So this year, I let him do that for one present and the rest I am going to select. He's a little taken aback at this new move. I don't think he trusts me. But, I have a little hidden list of things he's mentioned throughout the year. I'm hoping I'm on target.

Katie wants the same thing every year . . . . year after, year after, year after: a gift card to Barnes and Noble and a second to iTunes. My job is to find those little gems above and beyond, that I hope she will adore. This is a hit or miss proposition. Someday I hope to have this market cornered.

Kaity is easy peasy since I got her contacts this summer. An instant refill will keep her happy. The 9TS nailed her gift this year and if her parents don't spill the beans, she will be one surprised and happy camper.

Stacie? Well, Stacie reads this blog. Nope, Stacie, I am not telling!!!!

The beasties are the easiest. A new homemade catnip toy and a pouch of Pill Pockets. We still chuckle over the year Moak dug in Stacie's pocketbook to oust the catnip toys meant for HER cats. Feisty little thief.

And so it goes until the hot chocolate and Christmas morning shenanigans begin . . .

challenge time . . .

at the Spraground. Here's my entree:


Credits: Template: Jana, Stitching: Anna Aspnes, Circles: Dawn Inskip, Font: Georgia

Click on the Spraground button and come play with us!!!!

and then there was . . .

FOOD!!!

and a lot of left overs still to be eaten. Tonight's menu is ham Po' Boys ala Mother's in New Orleans. Stacked ham, julienned cabbage, Cajun mustard, pickles and mayo on a thick loaf of french bread. Woo-eee. A food group all of its own.

Meanwhile, we waded through this:



and you can't have that without this:



and some of this:



and of course this:



oh, and can't forget this:



and my favorite:



The eggs, not the icky beets.

Somehow shots of the peas and grilled asparagus were forgotten, sort of like the veggies themselves. I gobbled down the asparagus. Poor lonesome peas . . .

Oh, and then of course these two:





and before attacked:



and the 9TS came home with these:



and I would have had shots of the pumpkin pie, turtle brownies and apple crisp but somehow the camera got forgotten and poof! they were all gone.

and of course this, the requisite football tossing around!


(most shots compliments of Katie the cameraman, but obviously not this one unless this is her evil twin.)

even if I did forget to change the setting on my camera from indoor lighting and managed to turn Ryan and Katie into smurfs . . . .

It was a good Thanksgiving and my soul is full.

the first line says it all . . .

"We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to His name: He forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side, All glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!"

I still remember sitting on folding chairs in the gym/cafeteria/auditorium of the Pines Lake Elementary School, watching the lyrics up on a screen and following along, eyes glued on the bouncing ball. We sang with vigor, we sang out of tune, we sang with joy. Life in the 50's was good. I am thankful for growing up in the era.

I am thankful that today I got to sit at the table with the 9TS, Katie, Ryan, Jackie, Joe, Craig, Stephanie and Kaitlyn. That the 9TS is healthy. That there was bountiful food. That we are all safe.

Doing a little happy dance in my head while everyone else is at the car show.