Count Your Blessings

From Doves Retreat

Karl & Madeline Wish Everyone A Very Merry Christmas.

Triple Event Day

Thursday was quiet a special day for us. It was Thanksgiving day which we always celebrate with as many of the family as possible. We had 15 this year.

The turkey and all all the trimmings, including this "Turkey cake", were enjoyed by all.

The second event was our 54th Anniversary which happened to coincide with Turkey day.

This card was posted by our daughter Deann on her blog. Thank you sweety.

The third event was the clever way our oldest daughter let us all know the sex of her newest expected grandchild, her second. We knew her daughter- in-law Summer was expecting but the sex was kept a secret from us until they could reveal it to us all at once.

She asked me if she could borrow the legs of the turkey that I was carving. I never know what to expect so I said sure. She used them to dress up the plate above, with pink, to let us know it was a girl..We have 8 grandsons, 3 granddaughters, and 1 great grandson so I believe everyone was thrilled to welcome another girl.

As if those triple events weren't enough, I believe we hit a home run if we include the beautiful day. It had to be the most perfect Thanksgiving day,weather wise, that I can remember.

We all enjoyed trampling in the leaves and walking off that turkey.

Our grandsons, Joseph and Adam, enjoyed playing with Ethan, our great grandson.

Ethan found an old mop and had fun pushing leaves around.

He will soon have a baby sister to play with.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2008

These wild turkeys visited my yard about 4 months ago. Mommy turkey with 5 of her poults were getting fat here but didn't have the nerve to return when I could have used one of them. Maybe they are smarter than the average turkey.

That's okay though, we have a fat one in the fridge that will be on the table tomorrow with all the trimmings.

Freedom Isn't Free

As one Veteran to all other Veterans..Thanks for your service.
This is a picture of me while in Korea in the early 50s. Gosh, I was young.

A No Brainer-- Vote Country First

Never has an election been so important. Vote "COUNTRY FIRST" not for "slight of hand" change.

Giant Bell Pepper?

No, not a giant but a rather small one. This is the last pepper in my patch and it turned red because it was hidden under the leaves. Madeline found it and requested that I blog it since I blogged my first one of the season. I'm going to chop it up for my "World famous" veggie-beef soup that I'm cooking for lunch today. The tiny wagon is the one Santa left me in the mid 1930s. You can see it was well used but they were well made out of steel in those days. The kneeling boy is made of crushed pecan shells.

Old Family Photos

My brother recently found these pictures of our mother and part of her family. This is a picture of our mother but I have no idea of her age when it was taken. Below is a photo of my mother with her dad and brothers. She was born in 1907 and looks to be about 2 here. Her Papa, our grandfather, was killed in a mine explosion at Palos mine in 1910.
( A story about that explosion is published way below on this blog)
Three of our uncles are shown but it seems someone destroyed Uncle Ethan's face. Notice the antique bicycle that is evidently Uncle Willie's only means of transportation. I bet it took quiet a beating on the trails and roads back then. Uncle Ross probably had to walk.

Heart Tomato

My tomato patch didn't exactly set records this year but it seems it at least had "HEART".

2008 Trip to Kara's

We made our annual trip to Battle Ground, Washington to visit Our daughter, her husband and our 4 youngest grand children. We were treated like royalty and had a great time.

It's usually cold out there this time of year so we were pleasantly surprised to find it near 90 degrees on our arrival.

The kids had begged their Mamaw to bring her bathing suit to swim with them so they went to the pool soon after our arrival. The next day turned cooler so this was the last use of the pool.

It seems everything grows better out there. Better soil and more moisture I assume.

Here are Drake and Peyton to add more beauty to the roses. Bryce is in the background.

Here is Logan, on the left, practicing Taekwondo. He has a green belt.

We attending every practice to watch them kick, wrestle, etc.

This is Drake, on the left, also practicing Taekwondo. He also has a green belt

That is both of them on the right doing a "duck walk" race.

My birthday occurred the second day we were there and my daughter baked her "old" dad a cake. Only one candle was used to prevent any more forest fires. "Smokey's" rule I've heard.

It's almost impossible to get them all together for a group photo. Logan, Peyton, and Drake cooperated but Bryce is way behind on the floor.

Drake had his 6th birthday party a few days early so that we could attend. We had a house full and everyone seemed to have a great time. Our daughter is helping Drake with all his presents.

9/11 Remembered Again.

September 11, 2001, two minutes after the plane struck the first Tower.

Madeline and I were getting dressed in a motel room in a small town in southern Washington state. The TV news suddenly announced the tragic news of a plane crashing into one of the twin towers. I thought it might be a small plane that accidentally crashed since I remembered that in years past a plane had crashed into the Empire State Building.

We were having a wonderful vacation as we traveled across the west visiting National Parks. We had visited Olympic National Park the day before and were heading to Portland Oregon that day to visit our daughter and grand children. We left the motel still not knowing the full extent of the crash but the news was on the radio as we traveled. We stopped for breakfast and everyone was reporting rumors of every type not knowing themselves how much more we could expect.

The country came together as one that day and for a short time later.

Even though our president has kept us safe for 7 years, there are those that now blame him and our country for this terrorist act and anything else they can think of. How pitiful..............

How soon some forget.

God Bless America.

Feathered Visitors 4 Months Early

We were surprised yesterday with a visit of mommy turkey with her 5 poults.

This is Mom telling her poults to follow her

Mom leads her troop to the woods slowly. I couldn't get a picture of the whole group .

She didn't appear frightened but just a little apprehensive as I got closer.

I bet they don't show up close to Thanksgiving Day.

For more and better pictures of this flock, click the "BrasherGirl" link on left.

Ethan's Birthday

Our great grandson Ethan turned 2 and happily celebrated the event.

Where does time go?

Happy Birthday Jessica Simpson & Herman Munster

Jessica turned 28 today.......Doesn't time fly? She's all "growed up". :-)

I believe Herman is about 150. He ages well too.

Slow news week so I had to fill it with something. Karl

July 7..National Strawberry Sundae Day

National Strawberry Sundae Day is your opportunity to indulge yourself in this delicious dessert. Strawberries are one of America's favorite fruits. When the strawberries ripen each year, it's time to celebrate. Many communities hold strawberry festivals to celebrate the harvest. At the festivals, strawberries take center stage. They are in the ingredients of hundreds of recipes.
After the harvest has come and gone, summer arrives with heat and humidity. This is the perfect time to add sweet, tasty berries to ice cream for a cooling summer treat. Don't forget to add your favorite toppings. Whipped cream is a must.
Celebrate today, with a Strawberry Sundae.

Katie plays Cinderella

Our granddaughter Katie is majoring in "Theatre and Dance" at the University of Alabama.
She recently played the part of Cinderella in the play "Into The Woods" at the University.
Our son and daughter in-law were kind enough to treat us to the play including a round trip ride to the University.
It was a thrill to watch her and listen to her lovely voice as she sang several songs.

This is a excerpt from an article that the critic wrote about the play and actors.


"Without a doubt, some of the most impressive musical performances are by Katie Burton as Cinderella and Kelly Ann Shamburger as Rapunzel. Burton's clear, perfectly pitched tone is faultless at all times and Shamburger's lilting melodies sung from offstage are absolutely gorgeous. Both of these ladies also conveyed the personalities of their character with ease. Stephanie Marie Mosley once again showcases her immense talent with a stunning performance as Little Red Riding Hood who is en route to visit her grandmother, of course, through the woods. Mosley brings such life to a familiar character that destroys all your past preconceptions about Little Red and ensures hilarity."

A couple of videos were somehow taken and posted on "you tube". The video quality is below par but the vocals are okay. Please click on the following links to hear Katie singing.

Katie's video #1
Katie's video #2

Fried Green Tomato

One of my favorite foods is crispy fried sliced green tomato coated in corn meal.
The type you get in restaurants are almost uneatable in my opinion.
They use large tomatoes that are almost ripe and slice them too thick.
The trick is to pick them about half grown with less water content to get them crispy.
My mouth has been watering since I planted my 9 plants and watching this first tomato reach the picking size.
Today is the day if I can get Madeline to cook it for me since she is the expert in getting it just the way I like it.
I'll grill her favorite food, which is salmon, using my secret marinade and seasoning so I bet she will agree.
MMMM MMMMMMM Good......... Karl ..

Fast forward ahead..........After lunch

My plan worked..Best meal ever.
Delicious crispy green tomato slices, Salmon fit for a queen and my own style of grilled chopped potatoes with rosemary and garlic seasoning.
I believe those were the best fried tomatoes Madeline has ever cooked and she loved the salmon and taters. We topped it off with strawberry shortcake. Is this a good life or what?

Grant's High School Graduation Night

Graduation day finally arrived for 39 happy cheering, singing and even crying seniors.
Our grandson Grant is third from the right, first row.

It seems Grant and his smiling classmate are enjoying the event.

One last hug as he receives his diploma.

I got it! I got it! he is probably thinking.

He looks great in that Tux.

He presents his mother with a rose to cap off an immensely happy occasion.

Congratulations Grant and "ROLL TIDE".

Graduation Eve

Our grandson Grant is graduating from high school tonight and his older brother, Eric, traveled from his home in Texas to attend the ceremony. Grant is in the background and Eric is holding his son Ethan, our only great grandchild. Ethan was trembling from the cool water but pitched a fit when he had to get out. He loved the water.
We decided to have a pool party in honor of Grant's graduation and Eric's family visit.
Sixteen of us were present yesterday afternoon and evening and several went swimming in spite of rather cool water. We all had a great time and probably ate more than we should have.
Grant will be attending the University of Alabama in the fall.


Our oldest daughter with Ethan her only grandchild, the new love of her life.

Caught Red Handed

These sneaky little rodents are too cute to get mad at but it keeps Madeline busy trying to feed the birds.

These thieves along with the chipmunks stuff their mouths as soon as she leaves the area. The birds have to scream for Madeline to refill the feeders. A fifty pound bag doesn't last long.

I took this picture through the window since they probably have a guilty conscience and scat when we approach. They should know by now that we won't harm them.

School Spring Musical

TCS, the school that our grand kids Adam and Joseph attend presented their Spring Musical, In God We Trust. Adam, above, played the part of Eagle Eye and rapped a song in defense of keeping the motto, "In God We trust" on our money.
The case was argued before the "Supreme Court" and some of the actors played the part of great Americans of the past.

Joseph, above, played the part of Benjamin Franklin and did an excellent job

Joseph was almost unrecognisable dressed as Ben Franklin and he made a good speech. Great job Joseph.

Adam did a superb job as Eagle Eye. I knew he had a great singing voice but it seems he could make it in the rapping world as well. Great Job Adam.

The entire cast did a remarkable job and our hats are off to those that were responsible in presenting it. Great job everyone involved.

Madeline and I certainly enjoyed it and they even served treats afterwards. Thanks TCS.

Please click on the Brasher Girl link to the left to see a video of Adam and Joseph as they performed.