Capturing the moments

Pastor greeting folks after ThanksLiving Day worship, It was a lovely day!
Worship was also as lovely as the weather, wish more could have been there to share it, but for those of us who were, the Lord blessed our time together!

Here's a nice shot of Kathy and Brian, mentioned occasionally in the blog, two of the strong suits in our choir. Kathy is an excellent alto, and Brian, a great tenor, both greatly beneficial to the choir and for heartwarming purposes! Kathy called me Wednesday to report she's mixing me a CD of her favorite Christian music, since I shocked her by saying I didn't listen to Christian radio or CDs!

ThanksLiving Day con't.

All the meal prep was completed, except for microwaving the veggies, which is what I was doing when Pastor Kuske arrived. He brought with him a gift that he'd received that day, and I asked him, jokingly, if he was a "re-gifter". He laughed and said he brought it along for me to see, because he knew I'd like it. Jayne and Brett had given him a plaque made by someone near Frankenmuth, MI, using clay "forms" afixed to a horizontal board. He asked if I could tell what it was and in a second I could see it was the Lord's Prayer, expressed in symbols vs. words. It was amazing, I'd love to have such a thing! I'm going to ask Jayne how to get one because it is important for me. Lovely! He said it would be a valuable tool to use in confirmation class, to help kids get the visual from the Petitions of the Lord's Prayer. What a great gift!

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Justin and Pastor chatted in the family room as we waited for our friends to arrive. Previously I'd removed the turkey from its baking bag and cut it up, placing it on the pre-heated steel tray to keep it warm. Just before serving I poured a bit of chicken broth over the top of it which sizzled like on a fajita pan. Yummy! My baked mashed potatoes and the stuffing were ready to go to the table as soon as the elevator dinged. Here come my friends, Owen and Olivia!!! I had the hot food on the table since Sandy called from the corner to tell us she was nearly there. All we needed then was Sandy who was parking the car, something Owen was not allowed to do evidently. He said he wanted to do it but was sent upstairs instead. Oh, it was wonderful to see them again!

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I'd poured the real wine and fake wine, telling folks they could mix and match the glasses accordingly, rather than leave the wine pouring until all were seated. Most took the fake wine but a few liked the fake stuff better. As do I! Justin was concerned that the turkey breast I baked wouldn't be enough for us, but we even ended up with leftovers, just like the feeding of the 5000! My mashed potatoes, which were runny but good, and the stuffing, which was made with chopped celery and slivered almonds added, received rave reviews. I love nothing better than having people at my table and not gagging!!!!

"No Crying Over Spilled Milk"

ThanksLiving Day was wonderful, aside from being awakened by screams for help when it was still dark....Robbie played much of the service on the organ, when his usual instrument of choice is the piano. We used the Morning Praise Liturgy, one of my favorites, which I wished we'd use more often. After I took attendance, finding myself somewhat dismayed at the empty seats, I joined Justin in the pew. A few moments into the service. on Florida time, several more people arrived, including one family of six. Justin and I had to scoot in for one woman who came without her family. The lady that was going to join us for our feast later on, however, was nowhere to be seen, nor did I ever hear from her on ThanksLiving Day. Hmmm......I'd estimate we had just over 50 people there for worship, a bit shy of Sunday numbers. Someone commented that having church on a holiday was not such a good idea because it conflicted with meal preparations...........I'll just pretend I didn't hear that!

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Wednesday, when I was out and about running my errands and cleaning at church, I'd decided to run in at ABC Liquor for a fresh bottle of Fire Fly, the tea flavored vodka I love so much. The last of my other bottle was used up the night I had dinner with Chardonnay when I simply poured the remainder into a jug of lemonade to take with me. One less thing to carry, you see. All I purchased in that shop was the bottle of Fire Fly and I felt a bit conspicuous as others were leaving with boxes of wine and other beverages. Never apologize for having simple needs! I placed my purchase in the backseat with my Creative Memories bag (remind me to go get that from my car later on.....) and went to Wal-Mart.

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I couldn't carry all my groceries upstairs in one trip, but then Dave the Doorman met me in the parking lot and helped me get things to my condo. I could have grabbed the vodka, then, if I'd known I'd have help.

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After worship yesterday, I was back here before Justin as he was stopping at Walgreens to get soda for us, a deal at 5 for $10. The trick however, was the cases were only 8-packs and not 12 for that price. Whatever, just get me the soda! I grabbed my purse and camera from the front seat and then pulled open the backseat door, when BAMM! CRASH!!, out rolled the bottle of Fire Fly onto the blacktop parking lot. Audibly I said, "Aw, no!" as I bent over to start picking up the shards of glass, but my head instantly went to "Don't cry over spilled vodka!"

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Of course, shards of glass leads one immediately to imagine the damage one can do to a finger as she tries to scoop it into the bag........'twas merely a flesh wound, but I did manage to get much of the glass collected and put into the paper bag. There is a very good reason to use plastic vs. paper bags, let me tell you this right now! I figured to come back down with a bucket to swish the glass and vodka away from the two cars, mine and my neighbors, but Justin used the garden hose on the building to wash the black top and picked up the remaining pieces he could see.

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As we sat at the table with Hilchey's and Pastor Kuske, whose plans had changed and could join us, I told the story of broken vodka bottle. Justin piped up about crying over spilled vodka and I just had to laugh as I told how that was the first thing that popped into my mind as I was cleaning it up! Are we related or what??? Pastor wondered if I'd be able to replace it before CHRISTmas and I assured him that I'd certainly get some again, if not from ABC Liquor then from my next-door neighbor, Ed, with the grille. Don't cry over spilled vodka!