Thursday, December 18, 2008

turkeys, tag and taking time to say good-bye

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The snow fell for a good part of the day yesterday...the wind picked up...and the freeway closed down.


But I stayed home...I had things to do. The turkey will soon be in the oven...trimmings are all being prepared...and the dessert is ready! We are having Christmas dinner over here today. We started a new tradition a few years back...where we combine our family turkey dinner with a celebration of Lisa's (DIL) birthday. Since her favorite meal happens to be roast turkey...and it always seems hard to fit in a turkey dinner on (or around) Christmas Day...we now do our turkey early. On Christmas Day we have brunch. Bev, over at Kaleidoscopes, tagged me...the idea being that I display the 4th picture in the 4th file on my computer.


 

So here it is...taken on September 12/2005. I have many versions of this photo...in my files on my computer...taken in spring, summer and fall...since I seem to photograph this picturesque little chapel on every visit to Minter Gardens. Over the years, I have used this photo on many sympathy cards...and so it somehow seemed appropriate that this was the photo that came up. This afternoon I will be attending a memorial service for the mother of one of my best childhood friends. I spent a lot of time in her home...and have so many good memories of Mary Hamm. She was warm and caring...and also my Sunday School teacher at one time. I picked berries at the Hamm patch many summers...and we passed the time by singing. One summer we talked Mrs. Hamm into teaching us to sing alto...and I've been an alto ever since! She was an excellent cook...and I think of her often when baking. I remember her policy of trying out a new recipe at least once a week...and I enjoyed sitting at her table and sampling some of those tasty trial dishes. Despite the hardships of life (she lost a teen-aged son to drowning)...Mary was a cheerful, upbeat lady with an unwaivering faith in God. Today, I will leave the turkey unattended...and go say my final farewell to a wonderful lady. Oh yes...and anyone else who would like to show us what's in your fourth file...fourth pic...consider yourself tagged!

Have a wonderful Thursday...

13 comments:

  1. Nice picture of your fourth folder and some great memories shared about Mary. I assume that was Viola's mother?
    It's time to talk again.
    Hope you have a wonderful Turkey dinner tonight.

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  2. Judy, I love your gift at pulling your pictures together to make a full smooth post. . .I loved your segway into your dear Mrs. Hamm memorial and you had such a lovely tribute to her, I thought about the wonderful things I learned from my friends mothers.
    All the best for your dinner. . .I'll put my nose to the air and see if I can get a whiff.

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  3. That's an interesting tag.

    What a nice lady to have been such a large part of your childhood.

    And it's a very good idea to have Christmas dinner early. We don't have Christmas dinner just because it's too much to do on that day. Finger foods for us.

    Thanks again, for all your help with Reindeer Cookies!

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  4. I wish Lisa a wonderful birthday and know you'll enjoy the family celebration. Please pass on my greetings to the Hamms you see today. She was my Sunday School teacher, too, and we share a lot of fun memories with a huge variety of tunes from the Hamm raspberry patch!

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  5. Nice photo of the little church..a perfect picture for a card.
    Enjoy the turkey 'birthday' dinner!

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  6. I hope you have a delicious early Christmas dinner. Those new traditions that we add to the tried-and-true are every bit as special and help weave the fabric of the family.
    Lovely tribute to your friend's mother, and a beautiful photo. I often pass Minter Gardens when I'm on the mainland for work, but it always seems to be at the end of a long day and I never stop - just make that turn onto the highway and put my foot on the gas!

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  7. The snow looks so beautiful on your lovely home! We will be getting out first snow tomorrow.

    So sorry about the loss of your friend's Mom. It sound like she lived a good life and will be welcomed into Jesus' arms.

    The chapel is so pretty! It reminds me of a church we saw in Ireland in Gouganbarra.

    Happy birthday to Lisa! Enjoy the turkey dinner!

    Hugs, Pat

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  8. What a sweet little chapel, I can se why you use it on cards. There is something very peaceful about it.

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  9. Judy, the photo of your home blanketed in snow is wonderful.

    And, I love your fourth picture. I did this tag earlier, but now I can't even remember what my fourth pictures was. Ah, the things that slip my mind. ;-)

    This was a wonderful tribute to your friend's mother. There is no one like our mothers.

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  10. Your house is so charming. We are getting snowed in here too. I just love it!

    What a precious tribute your have paid to a woman of grace who has blessed and impacted your life. Gee I wish I knew Mrs. Hamm!

    Blessings to you today

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  11. You house looks lovely with all the snow falling. What a wonderful tradition you have for your DIL. I'm sorry to hear about Mary. What a blessing to have had her in your life. Merry Christmas!

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  12. What a wonderful Christmas Tribute Judy. Well done...hope everything goes beautifully for you and the family!
    Sandi

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  13. Oh Judy..your house is postcard perfect. I love the idea of roast turkey for a birthday dinner. It is my favorite 'feel good' meal and I love making it so what a great choice. Now the question is...is there another turkey in the offing next week?

    Sorry to hear about Mary....nice memories that you shared.

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson