Christmas memories...mom and dad...2009

I'm re-posting some old Christmas favorites... 

My dad was the minister, but my mom was the twinkle in his eye!

Together, they lived out their lives with their motto...'each for the other, and both for God'...

This little poem was written by my mother during one of their dinners for ministers and their wives, which they gave every Christmas. They went around their circle of friends one year, and each had to write a quick poem within 3 minutes. This was her poem.

We were 3 kids growing up in a home that honored the Lord in everything my parents did. During these Christmas dinners, my sister and I 'served' the food. It was from my mother that we learned how beautiful a dinner party could be. She had all of the little extra touches that make things so special. The food was always DEE-LICIOUS! But the presentation was every bit as special. Her very best dishes, glassware and silver from her family in Norway were all polished and shined. (usually by us! ... when she served her platter of meat and roasted potatoes, there was always a big round platter full of fresh steamed and flavored vegetables, piled by color around a huge head of cauliflower in the middle. It was drizzled with sauteed cracker crumbs in butter over the top. The colors are still stuck in my mind...

Each guest had a Christmas china mug filled with either hot cider or steaming hot V-8 mixed with pineapple juice. The appetizers always included rolled up crustless bread slices filled with pimento cheese and stuck with a toothpick, then broiled quickly. There were also soft steamed prunes filled with cream cheese and a pecan on top.

And her pies...and cakes...and cookies... well, you get the idea!

The guests each received a beautifully wrapped small gift before the evening ended. Usually it was a cup and saucer from 'Flintridge China', where my Aunt Ada worked for many years, and boxed candy for the men. The fellowship of those ministers and their wives has left me with a deep and wonderful memory. They included some of the great 'saints' of the day, many of whom are now in heaven... names and faces I will never forget!

My dad wrote this tract many years ago, one Christmas... I can't think of a better note to end this lengthy blog on... and to wish every one of you a wonderful Christmas. Each of you are such a blessing to me, and I will look forward to getting to know you better in 2010...