The only relief from the heat is rain....

I looked up my family tree and found out I was the sap.
Rodney Dangerfield
I got an updated program of Family Tree Maker. Recently, I found all of the research I had done many years ago at the library (without computers). I started entering the information into the program. I'm having such a good time. My daddy's mother was always interested in geneology. She was handed the bible that her grandfather brought over from Ireland in the great diaspora that was the Irish potato famine. She was the most wonderful woman. I loved her with all my heart. I have such fond memories of her and, I think that she is the person who is responsible for all that is good in me. After 38 years, I still miss her. We had such fun together. She was the most literate person I know and, she was smart as a whip. She is the only person in the world that I know that could finish the Sunday crossword puzzle. She loved her family and was immensely curious. She did have a temper but only when provoked. She was decended from the Irish (Ire-angry, land) hmmmm. The land of the angry. Just thought of that..maybee that's why it is said that people from there have Irish tempers...
Gotta go, running late........

Christmas is almost here........

Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

I'm having so much fun for the holidays. I really like to entertain. I like to cook.
This year our famiy has decided to do something diferent. We are only exchanging home-made gifts. What a relief!!!!!!!!!! Bought gifts are such a stressor. We must remember that we are celebrating the Gift of Jesus so as to open the gates of heaven to us. I have been baking incessantly goodies for gifts. I've especially been concentrating on recipies of my grandmothers. They were handed-down for a reason- they are delicious.
I really like to decorate the table. Homemade center piece, hand-made placemats(snowflakes), linen napkin folding, place cards, silver, hostess gifts, etc.
Our menu wil be Shrimp and Okra Gumbo, rice, potato salad, french bread and for dessert, my grandmother's lemon cake (it's to die for). I know we should eat to live, but this is the only acceptable exception.
Our Christmas Eve will be filed celebation of family and thanksgiving for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.