My New Year's Wish for you...

Happy New Year from Mom, Mimi, Merry

Bon Voyage to Kate!

Today the family, at least those who were in town, gathered together for a farewell lunch in honor of daughter, little sister and aunt, Kate. As I write she has started her long journey back to Nicaragua, loaded down with goodies for a new restaurant, seeds for planting, gifts and requests from neighbors and a multitude of things that she needed but couldn't get on Little Corn Island.

I write with mixed emotion about this quest of hers, so very sad that she has gone but all the while realizing that it is something she has to do and is doing so with great joy in her heart. What mother and Father wouldn't want their child to be happy and what better way to send her off than to have their other children around for support!!

Thanks to all of you who took the time out of your busy schedules to give Kate such a special ending to her Christmas trip home.

Lunch at Figo Pasta

Afterwords, next door for Cup Cakes at Gigi's!

Okay, baby Kate, I will leave you with one good message; put God in all that you do and if you just happen to find that special someone along the way, make sure he fits in with the best of the best (including Shannon and Alan) ! I'm just saying...


Bye Kate!! Bye-Bye Kate!! We LOVE YOU!! BonVoyage!! Come Back Soon!!! We'll miss you!! Bye-Bye! bye-bye... we love you... bye!


Later, from home, going to the airport... "Bye, Mama."

Sweet Memories of Christmas 2010

William holds my hand at Christmas Eve Services

The sweet ending of a Christmas Eve fondue dinner.
.

The family coming in on Christmas morning...

Christmas Day Morning with phone calls from absent children.

My sweet family making good conversation before our gift exchange.
Laughter and Guitar Shirts that made real sound!
Very special Christmas Boxes.

The snowy trip to Nana's house!

Arriving at 600 once again.
The next day being back at the prettiest sight you'll see... ...and Kate making home made pizza!!

I must say...I did NOT miss the real Christmas this year! Oh, thank you God for blessing this family and thank you family for all your gifts of love.

Christmas Eve...I'm getting ready.

More Christmas abundance!

Okay, so some of you have to work while I get to take my daughter and two of my grandchildren to Studio Movie Grill for lunch and to watch The Chronicles of Narnia...in 3D no less!

And can you imagine the fun I am having delivering the four perfectly prepared and packaged pound cakes that I commissioned grandson, Andrew, to make for me as the most delicious Christmas gifts ever!...One of which we took, along with salad and wine, to our most beloved, long ago, Shiver Summit neighbors; for an evening of dinner and fellowship.

Such glorious, glorious ways to fill our hearts with Christmas!

Now everybody do the S-C HAPPY DANCE!

An Amazing 2010 Caroling Party!

Hosted by the S-C family and contributed to by the Regas', S Crofts and the T Crofts, makes for a wonderful evening of song, chili, cookies and fellowship. This has been a 25 year family tradition!

Thanks, Kim and Tom, for the photo!

A gift called, "Run Down"...

Kate shopped today for the special ingredients that go into a community, island dish, cooked over an open fire, in a cauldron, called "rundown." It is made for large groups of neighboring people on Little Corn Island, of which she was invited to join. Her first cooking of the rundown was a gift to Mike, Joe, Issy, her father and me. We took all the ingredients to Mike's house (Mary had a ladies party to attend) and Kate preceded to put together a huge pot of "rundown" for the family. It was awesome! Before dinner we had a lovely cabbage salad served with freshly fried plantains...also awesome!!

After dinner we played with Lucy (the family dog), chatted together, looked at pictures from recent trips and enjoyed their comfortable home. It was another wonderful before Christmas event!

A California/Florida Christmas

Morgan and Aidan

Ford and Morgan flew out to California this past week to spend some of their Christmas vacation with Aunt Kristin, Uncle Alan and the boys. They will join their parents in Florida to celebrate Christmas week with their O'Donnell grandparents . Have a great time guys! We'll miss you but soooo glad you are having some special time together. Keep sending those pictures!!!

King of Kings! Lord of Lords!

Now I can say, "I'm ready for Christmas!" Hallelujah!!!

Look closely (in the middle) and see if you can see our Kate (reunited with childhood neighbor and friend, Arden) singing to the Christ Child.

The baking of the Christmas Cookie!

Joe and Isabelle came over on Friday to share some time with Kate and me. We smothered, covered ourselves in flour and cookie dough after enjoying the same with large plates of hash browns at Waffle House! Miracle on 34th Street, Rummikub, computer exploring and fabulous trampoline photos were among other activities.

Messiah tonight, church and the Caroling Party on Sunday! I just love the days leading up to Christmas!! Gotta run and get busy, much to do!

Some of the sight and sounds leading up to a Croft Christmas

The gift of family...

Kate is coming home for Christmas, and we'll all rejoice together

at Kim and Tom's Caroling Party on the 19th. Get ready for a spicy night, because Shannon and Mike are both making chili!

Family..."Our finest gift we bring to set before the King!"...

Can't help it, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!" ;)

Daddy's Heavenly birthday is today...

December is a reminder of things good and bad...The good far out weights the bad! What I want most for Christmas is to keep the magic and cherish the promise. :)

The Story Teller...

If you ever just want to sit back and hear someone tell you a good story, here's that someone who can do just that! Just turn up your volume, click on the picture and enjoy..

From Issy, the story teller 1-10 Good Job Isabelle!