Cutie Pie

BLOG RERUN- HOPE YOU ENJOY- AGAIN
Thanksgiving – Dixie Style
I received the following from my sister. It was written by my actress niece, Leslie. Leslie now resides in California- which to tell you truthfully, we all find a bit unusual and exotic for our never venture far from their roots family. My sister and I often comment on how our mother would find great joy and delight in the fact that her couch now resides in Pasadena. Anyway, with the holidays not too far away, please enjoy-

Thanksgiving – Dixie Style

When I was asked to write a blog about my favorite Thanksgiving memory, I was flooded with so many, I had a hard time choosing what to write about. When I was younger, Thanksgiving was a time to hang out with my family and eat great food. I really didn’t think much about the holiday beyond that. I left my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama five years ago to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles, and Thanksgiving certainly carries a lot more weight for me now than it did then. No matter what, I go home for Thanksgiving every year. Now, instead of it being about hanging out with my family, it is about reconnecting with my family. While I used to enjoy eating great food, I now savor aromas and tastes I can only get when I make that 2,000 mile trek home. So many things I used to take for granted about that time of year in the South I don’t anymore: hearing the crunch of leaves underneath my feet, feeling the bristle of wind whip my hair around, watching those long red sunsets through the crisp air. Those are just the moments by myself. After spending the better part of the year alone in my little Los Angelian apartment, it is great to be surrounded by my family: loud, boisterous, welcoming, loving, and always ready to have a good time. In addition to eating all the great food (I’ll get to that in a minute), we spend the evening playing Balderdash and other competitive games like it’s the Olympics, draw names for who we will buy gifts for at Christmas and catch up on what’s going on in everyone’s life. The food, ah, the food. Like any Southern family, we have enough food to feed a small nation. It all tastes good, and it is all bad for you. My very favorite dish is my aunt’s peanut butter pie. When I tell people this, they say, “Oh yeah, I’ve had peanut butter pie” to which I quickly reply, “Oh no you haven’t!” How do I know this? I HAVEN’T SEEN THEM AT ANY OF MY THANKSGIVINGS! My aunt makes the best peanut butter pie ever. I’ve always associated peanut butter pie with Thanksgiving, and now that I travel cross-country to eat it, she makes two for good measure. It may sound silly, but knowing I will get that peanut butter pie the fourth Thursday of every November brings warmth and security to my life. I may not know how successful my acting career will be, but hey, on Thanksgiving I get peanut butter pie. I may be separated from my family for the vast majority of the year, but end of November, I get peanut butter pie. If nobody appreciates my talents and sacrifices, I STILL get peanut butter pie. I have friends who moved to LA from other parts of the country like myself, and many of them talk about how they can’t go home because of the cost of air fare, time off of work, blah, blah, blah. I simply reply, “Well, I have a date in Alabama with a peanut butter pie.” I can’t remember who it was who said the simple things in life bring us the greatest pleasure, but I couldn’t agree more. As you can see, the pie isn’t difficult to make, but I think it is the love instead of the ingredients that make it so great!
From my Aunt Susan:
Ingredients:8 ounces Cream Cheese1 cup Powdered Sugar1/2 cup creamy peanut butter16 ounces Cool Whip1 pre-made graham cracker pie crustDirections:In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and cool whip until well blended. Pour into the pre-made pie crust. Refrigerate. For a more peanut butter taste, use 2/3 cup of creamy peanut butter.Leslie McGuirkPasadena, CA

Jaiden Ashley Courington

Jaiden Ashley made her entrance on Tuesday, October 20th at 7:16 a.m. She weighed 7 pounds and 14 ounces and was 20 2/3 inches long. She has very dark hair, and lots of it. She also has long eyelashes- as the doctor said- "The eyelashes delivered before she did!" We think she is beautiful. I was so honored to be allowed to attend her birth. What a special moment. Katie made the process look simple, although I know presonally that it isn't! The doctor almost missed the birth, but the nurses seemed to be able to handle the situation (the nurse had already delivered a baby by herself that morning!)- we are glad he did show up, though!
Hannah assured us that "I will not drop her"- meaning, hand her to me and let me walk around, not just sit on this coach and hold her! All of the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and so many friends were there during the day to visit. I know Katie had to be ready for all of us to leave so she could get some rest.
We are thankful to God for the blessing of this sweet baby. We pray that we will do our part to be good and Godly examples. Children are a gift from God and grandchildren are just an added bonus.
Welcome to the loudness, madness, closeness, and love of this family, Miss Jaiden. You are special!!!!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Fall has arrived- perhaps my favorite season ever. It is like the gateway to the real holiday season, which I truly love. November and December just have to be the best months, ever! Today is rainy and a bit damp, and I love the feel. The only part I hate is the dry skin I am tortured by once the weather cools down. If I could quit scratching I would enjoy the fall even more.
We have had some great Saturdays with our family watching Auburn and eating! Last night we had ham sandwiches and chips- I baked a butt portion and a spiral cut ham. YUM! We had caramel apple pie from Sam's with ice cream. I tried to be "good" but it is hard. The house is noisy and crazy with our crew- including about 5 other friends- but we love it so much. How sad it would be if the house was quiet!
This week I hope Jaiden makes her appearance. I am so ready for her to be here and to be safe and sound. Jaiden will be a special gift, I know. We are thankful to God that He has blessed Katie and Josh with this little girl and we know that she will be loved so much, as are all the other grandchildren.
Speaking of grandchildren- Addi started her 4th soccer season this week. Her team won 8-0 and Addi scored 2 of those points! We were so excited as those were her first goals. She has really "matured" on the soccer field and is going to do well.
Tuesday will finish up my Cataloging and Classification class for the year. This class takes more time than my other classes because of the detail involved. My students take their final either Monday or Tuesday and then grades will go in and once I hit the submit button, I will be a happy camper. I have spent the past 7 Saturdays grading papers, so I am ready for a break.
On another note, Mary is in the hospital. She was in at the first of the week because her bloodwork was off. She had a biopsy, which basically showed that the liver had extra something or another that probably was related to a drug she had taken. She came home on Wednesday. I actually brought her home from the hospital and she seemed to be okay- just tired. Friday morning she fainted. Then she started running a fever which landed her in the ER- and then admitted again. They think it is a viral thing that about 85% of transplant patients get. It can be treated with medication, so we are hopeful that she will soon be on the road to recovery.
I hope the week will bring great things for all of you. The next time I post I hope to have pictures of one of the five most beautiful newborns, ever!!!!

Happy Day Early Birthday, Josh!

Tomorrow my "sandwich" child will be 28. Where have the years gone. Happy Birthday, Joshua David! Josh made his entrance on September 6, 1981 at 7:49 a.m. He weighed 10 lbs and 12 ounces- yes, you read that correctly. Then he weighed 34 pounds for like 3 years and was the skinniest little kid around! School was never really Josh's thing, although he did well and despite his telling us that we could save our college money, he completed that milestone, as well. He has always been such a hard worker, even as a teenager. He held some type of job from the time he was about 14 and enjoyed being independent. He has not always been perfect, but he has always worked toward perfection. He is a good husband and father. He loves Katie and Hannah, and works hard to be their provider. He will do the same for baby Jaiden, I know. He does not like to "relax" and says it is a bad word. He never seems to sit still long and at times I know he is tired. He loves the Lord, and that is so evident. He leads beautiful prayers and when he speaks, you can see his heart. As a deacon, he takes his job seriously. He has made us so proud. He always tells us he loves us, and it is not just words, but action. Happy 28th, Josh. May God continue to bless you as you have blessed us!