SATURDAY MORNING

On Saturday Morning I did a dry run to make sure I knew where the reunion was being held, then off to Walmart to buy a couple of light weight T-shirts. It was unseasonably warm there for the last couple of weeks. On the way back to the motel I drove past some of the places I remember from growing up.

The rooster stands in the same place it always stood, but now there is an Italian restaurant there.

Algonquin has changed and grown

and been added onto

Peaslee School hasn't changed.

White Cliffs hasn't changed at all from when I was living in Northborough

The old town was rebuilt in the 70s, it is no longer used as the town hall.

I drove through the old neighborhood again. I will take pictures Monday.

TRAVELING TO NORTHBOROUGH FRIDAY NOV 25

I left Massachusetts in August 1986 and haven't been back since Christmas of that year. I haven't been on a plane in 10 years, so this day was an adventure.
I left early for the airport, a habit I got from my Dad. It was a good thing since I-10 was closed at 59th Ave. I got there in plenty of time.
Security wasn't as bad as I imagined, and being early in the Morning, it wasn't too busy. 

Sky Harbor International Airport
The flight to Chicago was bumpy, I'm pretty sure the pilot hit every pothole in the sky.

We got into O'hare 1/2 hour early, which was good. I had to go from the far end of one concourse to the far end of another.

O'Hare International airport.

There were still a lot of potholes to hit out of Chicago, but it was a short flight. I found out later that one of my former classmates was on the same flight.

Logan International Airport

Friday driving down the Mass Pike I remembered just how much I truly dislike that toll road.

After I checked into my motel I went out to check things out. It was dark, and everything looked different, but after some trial and error I found where I was going.

I visited Wegmans, because I had heard it was wonderful. It was just like any other grocery store, except bigger.

Next stop Dean Park Pizza, I used to love their pizza, I don't remember why now.

I drove back to the motel via South St. It was really too dark to see much, but there was a feeling of home.

I got back to the Red Roof Inn hoping that day light would make things look more familiar.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY 2011

After dinner we celebrated birthdays. Jasmine had to leave right after dinner, so we didn't get to sing to her.Jared had to leave before the fake cake arrived so we used a pumpkin pie.

Jared is 22

Trevor is 6

Hunter was 10 in September, but hadn't been able to attend a party until now.

Kelsey is 18.

Jake is 22.

We didn't have cake for this party, but we had ice cream to go on the pies.

And of course there was more talking and visiting.

Shari and Kirt

Cindy

Randy

Frank

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERYONE!

FAMILY THANKSGIVING 2011

We gathered at Aunt Karen's home on Thursday for our traditional Thanksgiving Feast.

We had lots of yummy food.

And lots of pies (there were many more in the refrigerator).

Center pieces assembled by Shari.

Lots of family was in attendance.

This year we had plenty of left overs.

The cousins had a good time together.

And no Thanksgiving would be complete without a Black Friday War Council Amazingly I don't think anyone was planning to go out early in the morning this year.

BAR HARBOR CRANBERRY PIE

What do you do when you buy too many cranberries?
This is what I chose to use my extras on.
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups cranberries
1 1/2 c sugar (divided)
1/2 c chopped pecans
2 eggs beaten
1 c flour
1/2 c melted margarine
1/2 c melted shortening

Preheat oven to 325.

Butter 9" glass pie plate.

Spread cranberries over the bottom of the pie plate.

Sprinkle 1/2 c sugar and 1/2 c pecans over the berries.

In a medium bowl mix eggs and sugar until well blended.

Stir in flour, margarine and shortening, beating well after each addition.

Spread over the cranberries.

Bake for 1 hour in a preheated oven until the filling is set and the top is lightly browned.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

WHOLE BERRY CRANBERRY SAUCE

Homemade Cranberry Sauce is one of the traditions we have for Thanksgiving Dinner. For years Dad made a batch to take to Aunt Karen's for our family dinner. This year I decided to try my hand at making it.
Start with a bag of fresh cranberries (Shopping hint-- They cost a lot less at Walmart than at Fry's)

Boil 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. You can use less sugar if you want a more tart sauce.

When it is boiling add 1 bag of cranberries.

Bring them to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. You will be able to hear the cranberry skins popping.

Let it cool completely and put it in the refrigerator until time to serve it.

REMEMBER, FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS EAT CANNED JELLIED CRANBERRIES!

BOOK SIGNING WITH JASON WRIGHT

Saturday, I went to Glendale Deseret Book for a book signing with Jason Wright. I met Jason at a previous book signing in Feb 2008. I was impressed that he remembered. We had a nice visit.

Jason is the author of Christmas Jars and Christmas Jars Reunion, along with several other books. His newest book is The Wedding Letters.
To learn more about Jason Wright and his books CLICK HERE.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT 11/12/2011 COOKIES AND DISTRACTION

GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD CONVERSATION, AND ALL THE COOKIES YOU CAN EAT!

WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE?

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY

Veteran's Day is Today November 11th. It was first celebrated on Nov 11, 1919 as Armistice Day to honor the Veteran's of World War I. In 1938, Armistice Day was made an official American Holiday. After World War II, citizens felt veteran's of all wars should be recognized. In 1954, congress changed the name to Veteran's Day. In the U.S., the holiday is celebrated by approximately 2.9 million U.S. veteran's with parades and ceremonies among other events.

Our family has had someone serve in every U.S. war since the American Revolution, including the Mormon Battalion.

Dad served in the Navy at the end of World War II, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

George Cottam (Dad's Uncle) served in Germany in World War I. He was Killed in Action.

John Donohoo (Mom's Uncle) also served in Germany in World War I. He came home alive and shortly after returning died of a ruptured appendix on the way to the hospital.

Robert Burns Donohoo (Mom's Grandfather) left Tennessee to serve with a company from Illinois during the Civil War.

Oliver Gaultry Workman (Jacob Lindsay's younger brother) was with the Mormon Battalion.

Dewey Donohoo (Grandpa) served in Panama in WWI

Uncle Ross (Mom's Brother) was career Military.
He served in a lot of different places.

Max Skabelund served in
the military in the late 50's
and early 60s.

Rich Coppel was in the
Air Force in Viet Nam.

Steve Skabelund, served in Operation Desert Storm.

Adam Robinson, served in the current War in Iraq.

Today is a day to remember the Veterans who gave of their time and endangered their lives to keep us safe and free.

I am grateful to the members of my family both the ones pictured and the ones not mentioned who served in the military, and gave of their time, and for the families that stayed home to wait for them, worry about them, and pray for them.

This was originally posted Nov 11, 2009, but I can't say it any better now than I did then.