Tea Time at Miss Annabelle's Tea Parlor

My daughter, Lorna, put this post together for me and made my header. Isn't it lovely? I'm SOOO blessed!

Thanksgiving 2008

This year we weren't able to travel because of Benji's recent surgery - he's just not able to yet. We invited Grandma and Grandpa Truesdale to come to our house instead. We enjoyed a wonderful visit with them.

Around the table getting ready to enjoy roasted turkey, smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, cranberries, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, relishes, etc.

Benji LOVES to play games and Grandma is always willing to play so that's what they did just about all day. I think Grandma won one game - and they play fair and square. Maybe that's why he LOVES to play games ;) !


I have longed for a creche for MANY years. DJ found these crates for free on Craigslist in anticipation of maybe being able to entice his very talented Grandpa into helping him make a creche for me. Well, let me tell you, I now have THE NICEST CRECHE EVER in my front yard. We'll take a picture tonight and you can see how lovely it is!

I hope you all had a pleasant Thanksgiving. We enjoyed the moments immensely as we never know who won't be around the table next year. Dan's brother, Dean, shared Thanksgiving with us three years ago and we would have never suspected it would be his last.

Family is SUCH a BLESSING!

Hug yours close today and enjoy.

Each day is a gift!

Giving Thanks

This picture was taken last Sunday, November 16,2008 after an Emergency Surgery (#9) on Friday for Benji - 9 years old. Two new rods, two bone grafts, four screws and a new implant in his back. The old implant had somehow come loose. He is now in at least two text books - not exactly the kind of fame one desires. Through it all this is the song God gave me in "the night".

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!

Rolling as a mighty ocean

in it's fullness over me!

Underneath me, all around me,

Is the current of Thy love -

Leading onward, leading homeward,

To Thy glorious rest above!

* * * * * * * *

O the deep, deep love of Jesus -

Spread His praise from shore to shore!

How He loveth, ever loveth,

Changeth never, nevermore!

How He watches o're His loved ones,

Died to call them all His own;

How for them He intercedeth,

Watcheth o're them from the throne!

* * * * * * *

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Love of every love the best!

'Tis an ocean full of blessing,

'Tis a haven giving rest!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus-

'Tis a heaven of heavens to me;

And it lifts me up to glory,

For it lifts me up to Thee!

-Samuel Trevor Francis

* * * * * * *

This Sunday, we are home. As Benji so knowingly put it, "It's Prayer."

Prayer Changes Things!
Thank you for praying!

Thursday Thirteen ~ "N"

Thursday Thirteen this week recounts blessings I've enjoyed or enjoy daily that begin with the letter "N".

1. Nesi - my nickname. Aren't nicknames dear? They mean someone loves us enough to call us by a very special name meant just for us! My mother started calling me Nesi Gay as a little girl and when I became an aunt for the first time in July 1988, I received the very special title of "Aunt Nesi". Since then, lots of special people call me Aunt Nesi -people I love VERY much!

2.Neices and nephews - my neices by blood lines number eight. Nephews number six. Adopted ones! Innumerable!

3.Netherlands, Niagara Falls, New England, Nantucket - lovely places I've been blessed to visit. Here are some lovely nautical views I noticed in Nantucket. Would love to visit that lovely island for a week in the fall. Wouldn't that be a nice for the senses?

(Maybe stay in this darling Rose Covered Cottage- it really is this beautiful!)

4.Nutcrackers - ever noticed the variety of nutcrackers? My youngest son started collecting them the Christmas they told us would more-than-likely be his last. That was Five years ago! Alot of nutcrackers have been added to his collection since then. Since it seems he usually spends time in the hospital around the holidays, he often receives nutcrackers as get well cheer gifts. They bring him a lot of pleasure and joy.

5. Nasturtiums - a delightful flower that's so easy to grow. They say they are good on salads since they have a peppery taste - I don't know. I think they're too pretty to eat!

6. Neighborhood - we live in the second house built in our subdivision and are the longest residents as a result. I love our little neighborhood out in the country, though the city is quickly reaching us.

7.Nutricious nuts - mmm! We bought a two pound bag of pecans at Sam's yesterday. Turtles, pecan pie, pecan tassies, mmm!

8. Newspaper - an ammenity I really enjoy. It's nice to be able to skim through the headlines and find out what's happening in our world. God used the newspaper to help us get in with one of the best neurologists in the world. Dr. Espay has been a real god-send in my husbands encounter with Parkinson's Disease.

9.Needlework - sewing, crocheting, embroidery are some of my favorite hobbies in needlework. I've done a little quilting too.

10.Nature - so restful and refreshing. Normal life cycles, nests, noises. I do believe, "One is nearer God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth!"

11.Nap - confession is good for the soul, they say. I live for my Sunday afternoon nap. My week goes so much better with one!

12.Noodles - homemade ones are one of my favorite dishes. In the fall/winter, we usually enjoy them at least twice a month.

13. November - the month I received my first bundle of joy! He'll be 18 this year. Hard to believe the little preemie that fought so hard for his life has grown up so fast! I'm so proud of him-he loves Jesus and one of my favorite sights every day is seeing him FAITHFULLY reading his Bible EVERY night- doesn't matter how tired he is! Love you, DJ! (He's also the one that set up and helps me with my blog;) )