Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was the same but different. We have always gone to Mammy and Pappy's house for dinner then back over to "the" Pound for the Bolling's gathering at Granny's (Jen's) house. This year we woke to an empty house for the first time. Sarah went to North Carolina to her in laws. We had a relaxed morning. We read our Bibles, I made cranberry sauce (yes, that is the only thing I made) and breakfast, talked to Sarah on the phone (thank goodness no crying this year) and we showered and got ready to meet Seth in Wise. 

We were supposed to meet him at 12:30 so we could be at Mammy's in Big Stone by one but when we called him to let him know we were on our way he hadn't showered yet because he had been talking to Boog on the phone. Boog just finished his basic training and it was the first time Seth had talked to him since he left. So, we waited a few more minutes but it wasn't a big deal. Mom called to check where we were and Tim told her we were at Lowes and would be there soon. So, finally Seth came about twenty minutes late. We got to Mammy's at 1:07. And they had already started! I thought it was quite bizarre given Mom had just called us. There was a small group this year, smaller than ever I would guess. Only Mammy, Pappy, the four sisters, Ray, Van, Gabe, Sara, and us three. Everyone pitched in (I hardly think making the cranberry sause qualifies as pitching in) so Mammy and Pappy didn't have to do anything. Gabe got up early Thursday morning to start the turkey and Paula made several things. Mom made the dressing and cushaw pies. Even with a smaller crowd we still had a feast. Turkey and gravy, cornbread dressing (gluten free for Paula), mashed potatoes, ham, sweet potatoes, shuckey beans, corn, broccoli cauliflower salad, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, rolls, cushaw pies with whipped cream and pecan pie. There was enough room for everyone to eat at the dining room table or small table set up in the living room. Even Tim and Seth ate at the dining room table. I am guessing that was a first for both of them. We stayed and visited after the meal for awhile. I helped clean up in the kitchen a bit and then we left and came back to Pound by 4:30. 

As usual there was a big crowd at Jen's. A big loud crowd. ;) The difference between my family and Tim's is huge...the personalities, the topics discussed, and of course the noise level. ;) Erin had the sale papers spread out mapping out her Black Friday shopping. 

The younger generation had their faces stuck in their cell phones. ;) 

And the cousins played in the back bedroom. 

Sean, Dylan, Peggy and Gary had gone up to Flat Gap but came back and stayed longer. We had missed Shannon and Maddi. Josh, Cayden and Elijah had gone four wheeling. Seth went by and picked up Craig since Danny and Angie had gone to Texas to Boog's basic training graduation. We visited, heard new stories and old classics too and laughed. Laughter always abounds in the Bolling family! We stayed there for a lot longer than we had planned and didn't get home till about 9:30. It was a good Thanksgiving. Of course we missed Sarah and Dan but they will be here for Christmas this year.

Turkey Platter

Thanksgiving is a week away and I hadn't even put my turkey platter out until I read this post on another blog. I dug it out from underneath my other platters and displayed it in the dining room. I love this platter and I don't know why I hadn't gotten it out yet. Maybe because I didn't really do hardly any fall decorating. Maybe because I don't have Thanksgiving dinner at my house. Maybe because Sarah won't be in for Thanksgiving. Nah, I think it was laziness.

 

This turkey platter is special because Tim bought it for me years ago for Christmas. He heard me say one time how fabulous it would be to have a large turkey platter. So, even though I don't think he hears everything I say he obviously does listen and hears the important stuff!! He found this Royal Staffordshire Clarice Cliff turkey platter on ebay. It is rather large and I had trouble finding a stand to display it. I'm not sure it will ever have a turkey on it but I certainly plan to make sure I display it every year for now on. If for nothing else but to remember that Tim listens and hears what I say!! :)

 

 

 

Visiting Mammy and Pappy

I went to Mammy and Pappy's with Mom Friday. I hadn't seen them in awhile. When we got there they were already working on preparing lunch. No easy sandwiches at their house. they make more for lunch than I ever make for dinner. Simplify is not in Mammy and Pappy's vocabulary. Honestly, I am glad I have already embraced the word simplify!

I went downstairs to the dairy with Mammy to get some canned tomatoes. I snapped a couple of pictures of their canned tomatoes and green beans. From their garden of course.

 

Grape jelly from their grape vines and pickles.

Mammy was peeling the broccoli stalks to saute them with onions. She saw Martha Stewart do it. I could learn a lot from them about not wasting anything. Actually, it was pretty good.

Pappy was preparing some sweet potatoes. We had leftover bean soup, corn bread, canned tomatoes, canned kraut, broccoli with cheese, broccoli stalks with onions and sweet potatoes. They were foods I would have never served together but it seems like everything tastes good at Mammy's house. They try to serve good mix so they will get their nutrition. Guess that is why they are 82 and 88. :)

 

We ate lunch and sat around and talked. Pappy told a couple of stories from when he served in the Navy during World War II. He has just started telling some of those stories in the past few years.

 

We cleaned up from lunch and I was going to try to dust a little since we'll be having Thanksgiving dinner there in less than two weeks. But it's kinda hard to get one over on Mammy. She still thinks she can keep up with her housework even though she just went through a real health scare.

 

I always love to look at all of Mammy's stuff around her house too. This ladle hangs on her back porch. It was Mammy's grandmother's (she was called Mammy) and it used to be on her back porch with a bowl of water that they drank out of. Everyone used the same ladle.

 

This larger skillet hangs next to it and it used to be Grandmother's from her early years of marriage.

I love Mammy's brick wall too!!

And then there is this. The original kitchen cabinet from the house which was built in the late 1920's. To say I love this piece of furniture would be an understatement!

 

Cool old locks.

 

 

We went upstairs because Mom wanted me to see some fire damage she found in a window casing of the antique bedroom last year while cleaning windows. The original owners' sons had started a fire in that bedroom. There was minimal damage but I didn't know the story until Friday.

This table sets in the hallway upstairs. It was also Mammy's grandmother's. I love this piece too!!

When we eating lunch Pappy mentioned he had been looking for his ship log from World War II and Mammy said she had just come across it recently. So, before we left Mammy brought it downstairs. It was on thin paper so someone needs to make a copy of it as soon as possible.

 

Quartermaster Log of USS Potawatoni.

 

Here's the coolest thing though. I took this picture because it listed Christmas Day 1945 Turkey Dinner. I thought that was neat. When I looked at my pictures the second time it was then that I noticed above Christmas Day.

 

11 December 1945 Lt. Comdr. Charles H. Stedman (Commanding Officer) died from a self inflicted gun shot wound. Lt. Charles R. White assumed command.

 

Pappy has told a very interesting story about that day. Twas not what the official ship log states. Anyway...I am looking forward to looking at the entire log when a copy is made.

 

 

We left in the afternoon and since it was such a beautiful day Mom drove through the valley. I couldn't even remember the last time we have driven through the valley. Maybe we will on our way home from Thanksgiving dinner next week.

 

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Oh yeah, Tim and I went to our second concert at the college Thursday evening. It was Brandon Heath's Blue Mountain Tour with Matt Maher. Also a bluegrass group called The Church Sisters from Danville, Virginia was touring with them. they consisted of 16 year old twin sisters Sarah and Savannah Church and their brother Seth. You know I liked their names. ;) They were great! My favorite part of the concert was at the end when Matt Maher came back out and they all sang his song "hold Us Together" and at the end Brandon Heath flipped his guitar over and it said, "Friends of Coal." Of course the crowd cheered even louder.

Next concert: Jeremy Camp on April 11th. Can't wait!

 

I Voted

Tim and I went to vote when he got home from work around 5:30 p.m. Since it was such a hard fought presidential election and one that was near and dear to people in this area regarding the coal industry there were long lines. Long lines for Pound anyway. We probably waited forty five minutes. Normally the wait would have only been around five to ten minutes tops.

We came home and got comfortable and watched the election coverage all evening. Until we got sleepy. Since the time changed I haven't been able to stay up late. So, we went to bed without knowing the election results. Virginia hadn't even reported their results due to the high volume of folks voting. I checked as soon as I came in the family room this morning.

 

It wasn't the results I was hoping for but I believe God is in control and I refuse to get sucked into the complaining, venting, hate spewing that I later read on facebook. I was more disappointed, disheartened and saddened over Christians' reactions than I was the election results.

 

The verse God brought to my mind was Hebrews 13:8

Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 

Glad He is!! :)