Post Thanksgiving Happenings

On Saturday, Jerry hired our granddaughter, Brooke, to rake the fallen leaves in our back yard from two massive 38 year old Maple trees.  In the end, he and Steve [her dad] pitched in and helped her. Filled bags and barrels are pictured below waiting to be picked up by the city sometime today.  I forgot to take her picture, so this was the next best thing.

What a joy to worship in church yesterday with with my granddaughter, Brianna.  She left right afterwards to go back to Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN, where she's a Junior. She got her hair trimmed while she was home for Thanksgiving, and the photo below was taken afterwards.  I know I'm prejudiced, but isn't she beautiful?

After church yesterday I went to Shore Pointe Assisted Living where I presented my monthly program during a simple tea party.  This month's theme was November Blessings.

We talked about the word 'blessing' being both a noun and a verb.   We can [and should] all be a blessing to others by showing love and kindness everyday.

President Obama was a blessing to 'Tot' by granting the turkey a pardon from ending up on his family's dinner table at the White House this year!  ;-)

I discovered some Michigan trivia in my program research - By the 1880's football had become the national Thanksgiving sport with college games predominating.  In 1934, however, the Detroit Lions established the tradition of professional football games on Thanksgiving Day when they played the Chicago Bears.  Unfortunately they lost 19-16. The good news is they won this year's Thanksgiving Day game against the Minnesota Vikings 16-13 [not implying I watched the game!].  

And you know that Green Bean Casserole that we all love to eat on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day... it was created in 1955 by Campbell Soup Company home economist, Dorcas Reilly.  The things you learn when you're giving a Thanksgiving presentation!

The activities director at the assisted living facility called this morning to get a December date and theme. We decided on December 18th with Christmas Around the World.

This morning I was up at 4:00 a.m. to take my guys [hubby, Jerry, and son, Steve] to the airport for their departure to Israel.  They won't actually leave for Israel until Wednesday morning.  They flew to New York City this morning where they'll be joined by other team members going on the trip. Safe travels, guys!  I'll be watching lots of Hallmark Christmas movies and the Crown on Netflix while you're away.

On this "Cyber Monday"  I ordered a 4-cup Brown Betty teapot, accompanying trivet, and Union Jack cozy from British Food Supplies, and the book, "My Mother Loved Tea" from Bigelow Tea.   I'm doing my part to keep the economy moving!  ;-)

You may remember me blogging about my friend, Denise LeCroy, in previous posts.  She coordinated the fabulous London Tea Tour that I went on in 2007, and I met up with her again in England in May 2016 when my daughter and I visited.  Below is Denise and me at Byfleet Manor where we had Afternoon Tea together.

  

On Nov. 12th, Denise's 34 year-old daughter, Meg, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital [in Alaska where she lives], with a bacterial heart infection. On Nov. 21 she was airlifted to Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington where she could receive more advanced care. She has remained in ICU, but Denise's last Facebook post [yesterday] was cautiously optimistic.  Will you please remember Meg in your prayers by asking The Great Physician to touch her physically, to give guidance to the doctors and nurses caring for her, and strength and comfort to Denise and her family. One of our greatest blessings this Thanksgiving Season is prayer, and knowing that God hears and answers our prayers according to His will. Thank you and God Bless!