The schedule for my week filled abundantly after thinking I had an effortless week to do only what I wanted to and that was going to be a short list. My family had other plans, so I quickly adjusted to a different set of drums. I do not want to turn down any invitations and induce a pattern of them not asking me because I always say, ”NO”!
On Saturday my niece and her family scheduled a Life Celebration for her husband who answered God’s call two weeks earlier. He had requested no traditional funeral, was retired from the National Guard, and so his family organized a celebration of his life at the National Guard Armory in Warsaw, Indiana. It was a very informal program with a number of his fellow Guardsmen in attendance. They were introduced and Taps were ably played by his son-in-law. All stood at attention and as usual upon hearing Taps played goose pimples waved their way clear to my toes creating an aura that I never have at any other time. The afternoon was otherwise filled with greeting of family and friends, and an attractive table of snacks provided by friends of the family. A very nice tribute to Don Doan, which my sister, her daughter, myself, two of my daughters and one son were privileged to attend.
On Thursday evening, one of my daughters had planned a family gathering to attend a taping of a TV show Ultimate Appetizers which is a ministry of the Bryan Alliance Church and will be broadcast on the Bryan Cable Channel. I was pleasantly surprised the next day when I got an email from my daughter, Anita, who had organized the evening for us. She had written a synopsis of the evening which greatly impressed me. I knew she did some creative writing, but I decided she was in competition for my Magic Moments job. She did such a great job, I am going to send it on to you so you can appreciate it. Besides that makes it much easier for me!
“At 6:30 P.M. on Thursday evening, November 14, 2013 phones switched to vibrate mode and our minds silently ignored those little hunger pangs in our bellies. And, oh what Magic Moments we had last night at the home of Barb Jermeay near Ney, Ohio.
Twenty kitchen chairs filled with men, women and children with Uncle Steve taking the easy chair in the living room, as he had the perfect view from there. Our 15 family members and two friends sat in anticipation of the cameras switching to the “on” position and wondering if we could really behave ourselves for over an hour while the taping was happening. (I thought we did pretty good!)
The early Christmas decorations surrounded us while the kitchen was warmed by an oven full of tomato bacon cups and mini sausage muffins. The scent of the apple wraps surrounded each of us in anticipation of the goodies to be consumed in a few minutes. The olive stuffed celery made us question who would ever combine pickles, olives, pecans and cream cheese to “stuff” into anything. The fruit salad with citrus yogurt sauce enticed our sweet tooth, while Jim leaned over and asked, “Does brother Dave ever make something like that?”
Barb, Sharon and Chef Bob made us feel as if we were part of their families in their kitchen as we leaned on the edge of our seats to get a better view, laughed, shared our food allergies and critiqued the golden crust of the apple wraps as they were gently lifted from the oven.
While we all wanted to shout out our Christmas traditions, most of us only gently nodded when asked if anyone does a brunch as part of their Christmas. I believe we all looked like a group of first graders anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus, squirming a bit in our chairs in anticipation, but knowing we had to behave or suffer the consequences. (Maybe the world seeing us on the TV screen acting just a bit less in control than we cared to show others.)
The food line was full of smiles and eagerness as we took our samples of each appetizer and then settled in to savor each bite. The warm friendship tea sipped through our lips topping off the evening with feelings of comfort and family.
After our plates were licked clean, Grandma Max was surrounded by her family, and photos sealing the evening were recorded. Coats were gathered from the closet and we filed out through the garage into a crisp fall night. As we assembled into our cars, the evening already becoming a cherished memory, one could not help but gather our coat a little tighter, walk a little lighter, smile a bit brighter and be thankful for family."
I received permission to use some of the recipes, so I am giving you favorites of mine although they were all worth trying.
APPLE WRAPS
1 package crescent rolls
1 soft apple, Jonathon suggested
Cheddar cheese slices
1 stick of butter melted
Chopped pecans
Cinnamon and brown sugar
Core and cut apples into 8 slices. Unroll crescents. Melt butter and coat crescents. Sprinkle generously with brown sugar and cinnamon to taste. At wide end, place chopped pecans, a cheese wedge and an apple slice. Roll up and place on greased cookie sheet. Spread butter on top and sprinkle with cinnamon and a little brown sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
FRIENDSHIP TEA
1 container (21 oz.) orange breakfast drink
1 cup sugar
½ cup sweetened lemonade drink mix
½ cup unsweetened instant tea
2½ teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
Combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place p to 6 months. To prepare tea, add 4 ½ teaspoonfuls in a cup of boiling water. Stir well.
Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching. Give it some serious thought and be grateful for the many magic moments in each of your days.
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