Music and Jigsaw Puzzle......

Monday evening was cold and rainy here in the DFW area.

However, WE were all warm and cozy in the den!

Louis Dean and I had a great time with some of his family.

I had a new Christmas puzzle out and my sister in law and her beautiful daughter in law were kind enough to help me get the border started.  I LOVE puzzles! The border is sometimes the hardest part, though, and I was glad for the the two extra sets of hands and eyes!

 While Karina, Ruth Ann and I found straight edges...

Louis Dean and his niece played music!

AND his nephew. This is sure a talented musical family!

And they DID make beautiful music together!

By night's end we had laughed til we cried......literally!

I LOVE having family over!

Today - this Thanksgiving Eve - has been very quiet here in the Chapman Home.

That means we are going somewhere ELSE for the big dinner tomorrow.

My sister, Nita, is the very best hostess. She is laid back and unruffled.

The secret to her success is she plans ahead.

I often see a wrapped birthday gift sitting by the back door all ready for the party or occasion.......a week or two BEFORE said event!!

This usually acts as a reminder for ME to get in gear!

Mother is 86 and four of us siblings live in the DFW area. Makes for an easier time to get together. Every year we have with Mother - AND each other - is a special memory made. This year three of my four children will gather with us. If we ALL - siblings, spouses and children all could be at the same place at the same time it would make for a REALLY big crowd! I imagine Nita is secretly thankful this is not going to be one of those times!

Louis Dean has baked the rolls for the meal tomorrow and my cookies are in the oven as I write. My house is clean, the laundry done and I even managed to finish a lap quilt for a church project. Nothing left to do now but count my blessings.

"Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence."