Can we have summer "do-overs"?

Do you ever wish you could relive an event?

My youngest brother had a birthday this summer and with his family out of the country I just HAD to be with him.

Coincidentally our oldest son and his family had just arrived from Mexico for a vacation.

As many of us as possible gathered at the

Elm Creek Cafe near tiny Lincoln, Texas.

(I will post about Lincoln, Texas in the future sometime. It's been our family's

meeting place for just over 60 years!)

Work kept some of our family members from attending

and we truly missed them... but we all understood that

life just has these twists sometimes.

For me, it was the first time to be there with family since the passing of both of my parents in 2008. Funny though how

I felt they were with us. Does that ever happen to you?

I was thrilled Aunt Jo Anne, my father's youngest sibling and only sister, enjoyed the spotlight of being the

"head" of the family! She is such a dear to us and so much fun! Every family should have an "Aunt Jo Anne"!

You'll see in the pictures a young man sitting at the head of a table. He is our nephew. Those blonde kiddos are his children. You'll see our son (red shirt) and his wife (blue blouse/yellow shorts) and the brunette grandchildren having a grand time with cousins they are spending time with for the first time. So many fun stories associated with this gathering.

In one of the  pictures you'll see one of my brothers is teasing the younger one "thrilled" to point out to him that he now qualifies for the senior citizen discount. They are so funny together and there are always tons of pranks and jokes when they're around.

One son drove all the way from Houston to see his oldest brother and relatives since this is a rare occassion these days for my family. His effort was so appreciated!

Just look at those children.

They were a hoot!

Carmen and Ava were inseparable. Young David (our grandson) clung to his older cousins Thomas Allen and Forrest. That was fun to watch. David prefers to speak Spanish although understands English perfectly. There was no language barrier between the children.

What a blessing the day was.

Any way to have "do-overs"???

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Today I am linking to

Little Red House

for

Mosaic Monday

Check it out at

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

They're almost here!!

Okay... I haven't blogged in nearly a month, but between a trip to Mexico, a family reunion that I am heavily involved with and now our oldest son, his wife and children arriving today for two weeks... well, late August is looking like a good time to start blogging again!

Here is our oldest son with his little boy on the plane.

Our grandson looks a little leary of the trip however he is a seasoned traveler at the ripe old age of four.

And here is our daughter-in-law with our granddaughter.

I suspect those are fashion magazines in their laps.

Surely they are mapping out their shopping excursions

between trips to see relatives and

a stay at S. Padre Island, Texas.

Lots of pictures will be taken so

for sure I'll be documenting this long-awaited visit.

I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer!

Off to the airport...

Woo-hoo... let the fun begin!!

Carmen's Ricotta Cheese Spread

Carmen's Ricotta Cheese Spread

Recotta cheese, drained if necessary

Minced serrano chili to taste

Tops of green onins, sliced very thin

Fresh garlic to taste

Small amount of minced parsely

Mix and chill.

Spread on crisp tosadas

or

Pita crackers

This is so delicious!  It was served at a party this past weekend by my daughter-in-law's mother "Mother Carmen"... or "Cha-cha" as her children and grandchildren call her.

Be sure to visit

Designs by Gollum

for some great

"Foodie Friday" treats!

http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Carmen's Celebration in Mexico

Remembering back the day sweet Carmen was baptized I knew this was only the beginning of special events in her life.

This past Saturday we traveled to Mexico to see our

granddaughter celebrate her First Communion.

Baby's Breath filled large pots in the church and the children proceded into the church walking on a white

carpet. Carmen was accompanied by her sponsors, her aunt and uncle.

And as is the custom, a wonderful party was

held, complete with family and close friends.

So much wonderful food and

all who attended had a great time!

And when it was over...

Carmen grabbed her aunt's

high heel shoes and paraded around.

Sweet, sweet Carmen,

 how you steal our hearts!

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I'm linking to Savvy Southern Style

for Wow Us Wednesdays

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Men of Integrity

Father's Day

these men of integrity...

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My father

My husband

My son

My brother

My grandfathers

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Proverbs 10:9 - "Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out."(NIV)

**

http://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.blogspot.com/

Visith this wonderful site for the most beautiful prayer

honoring fathers.

Taking a Break to Tablescape

With so much to do to get settled into our

new "escape haven" at the beach I simply could

not resist playing with some of my new coastal decor ...

So I took a

"Tablescape Break"!

Very relaxing...

Come check out other

"Show & Tell" entries

at My Romantic Home

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Taking a break for

The best of times... and more to come!

Family Fishing Cabin

Intercoastal Canal - Port Mansfield, Texas

ca. 1980

This is what I wrote six years ago on our family web site when I posted this picture of the family fishing cabin.

Dorothy and Arvid Peterson's sons and their families have wonderful memories of the family fishing shack on the Intercoastal Canal. Everyone has an unforgetable story related to this very simple and humble little "home" on stilts. Long gone and just a memory, we all hope to enjoy a peaceful place such as this in our future at some point.

My fondest memories...

- Want privacy for dressing? Go outside!

- Best breakfast: fresh fried fish and hot coffee
- Best night's sleep - either the generator roaring or the sound of the water hitting the pier
- Crab Rodeo - Papaw bought crab traps for us and right before we left the cabin to head home we would dump out all the crabs we had caught. David and the boys would quickly grab the crabs and toss them into the ice chest to be cooked and enjoyed at home.

-- Stay Tuned --

In a week or so I will introduce you to our new adventure in

coastal living!



http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

I'm linking to Savvy Souther Style.

Please visit this blog and enjoy the amazing creations.

June 6, 1970

College Station, Texas

What a week it was ... David graduated from Texas A&M University, he was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant ... and we got married!

It's been a great

42 years!

Honoring our Fallen Soldiers - FDR's D-Day Prayer

Let's take time to remember all men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.

And we thank those who fought the battle and were blessed to come home to tell the story of those who did not survive.

Calvin C. Boykin, Jr. - Gare La Bete

A History of the 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion

1942-1945

(my father)

IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND THOSE WHO LIVED TO TELL THE STORY:

FDR’s full D-Day prayer, offered on June 6, 1944, reads as follows:

My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I ...knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest-until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas -- whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen.
 
 

Dorothy's Curry Shrimp Salad

Dorothy's Curry Shrimp Salad

It just seemed like a shrimp salad kind of day.

My mother-in-law, Dorothy, had the best recipe.

 Mix and chill:  

3 boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
1 c. mayonnaise or less
1/2 tsp. curry powder
2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce

... Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes or so

In the meantime, prepare:

2 lbs. cooked, peeled large shrimp
...Chop the shrimp into chunky pieces... not small. Place in a medium bowl and sprinkle with some fresh lime or lemon juice

Add a tiny bit of sea salt
A few "grinds" of black pepper
Mince 2 tbsp. of green onion
1/2 c. or more chopped celery

Mix together: shrimp, seasoned mayonnaise and boiled eggs. Cover and chill. Serve on top of a bed of lettuce.

 

Dorothy Peterson

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This Tuesday I'll be linking to

You'll find me here with Cole

http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/

AND

Come see Grace at

http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/

AND

Come see Miz Helen

Contry Cottage

http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/

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I want to thank everyone who read my post about my nephew's wife, April, and offered prayers for the husband and three children she left behind. She passed away May 15th at the age of 39 years. We'll miss April always, but God always has a plan for each of us.

Life is too short!

I'm going to take a brief hiatus to regroup a bit.

My nephew's wife passed away yesterday.

There is a need for me to reflect on what has happened

and find a way that I can dedicate some efforts in

April's memory.

April was in a coma for nearly two weeks due to extremely

high fever. On Mother's Day the children bought their favorite flowers and made a bouquet for their mother.

On the way home from the hospital the oldest boy

texted his mother's cell phone,

"Thanks for being the best... have a good trip!"

He is twelve years old.

I want to take time to reflect on what I do with my time

... and what I do not do.

Life is short...

Sometimes too short.

Sunflowers and Special Friends

Miles and miles...

Acres and acres

of

Sunflowers!!

My farmer-husband estimates that we saw

about 300 acres of these beautiful flowers

that just make a person want to smile.

McCook. Texas 

These beautiful sunflowers remind me of

my two dear friends...

Laura (White Spray Paint)

and

Nancy (Nancy's Notes)

The top left photo is a sunflower (I think but it looks like one to me!) grown by Laura in her flower garden.

The bottom left is from a center piece Nancy created.

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Linking to Little Red House for

Mosaic Monday

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Bronze Baby Shoes - A Keepsake from the Past

I recently posted this photograph of my mother standing

to the right of her mother and little sister.

I love their hairstyles... the "Dutch Boy Haircut" the girls are

sporting and then my grandmother's waves probably

fashioned with metal banana clips.

I especially like the shoes!

 

The bronzed shoes were my mother's.

That's a baby picture of her when she was five months old. 

Bronzing shoes and making bookends with them

was very popular.

 

Just a little something from the past.

Visit these two wonderful blogs

for some fabulous photos and posts.

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http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

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http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/