Elise video's

I am enjoying watching this little great grand grow. Thanks Gary for sending them.
3 new videos of Elise
Elise Eating Apples
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSI_IuwPfyA

Elise Playing Dec 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhjXSGLuDhI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNEVp1DJlYM

Jason's Christmas Spirit

Our youngest son Jason doing what Jason does. Those of you who know him completely understand that statement. Thanks Laura for sending the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3dzvF7kFBE

Have the merriest of Christmas's

Last of the old videotapes

From Gary:
This is the last of the old VHS stuff. It is Amanda, Gary, and Susan at 6th grade basketball in Harrisonville

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy97T2_FGeM

Merry Christmas Everyone

To all our followers. Thanks so much for your friendship and loyalty.

Leader of the Christmas Parade

Gee, I do not look younger or thinner so I guess Santa is going to pass me over again this year. Perhaps I should settle for being able to walk the parade route with vigor and enthusiasm. That is blessing enough for anyone I think.

We received a Christmas Card from Elise Teeter's family today. Such a cheerful little bundle of beauty!

Thanks Amanda and Brad for sending it down to us.

Monday Tuesday and Wednesday

My how the days slip away! Mondays and Tuesdays are always a bit hectic for me. Tuesday is the worst and this particular Tuesday was especially so. As President of the association I kind of lead the way during our Tuesday morning coffee hour and people were testy and out of sorts this past Tuesday. I found out later it was a full moon. I think I will check into that before the next full moon so I can be prepared! Another lesson learned is to gather ALL the facts and not take one persons word for anything. At any rate I was glad for the dawning of Wednesday and the calm that came along with it.
Today we buzzed over to Harlingen and helped Marlene with a few different issues. Printer and electrical. Back home and putzed the remainder of the day.
Sorry folks...nothing much of note happening here. But then considering the season you are most likely not having time to read this anyway!! Always good to hear from any and all of you!!

Wavy Flag bracelet

Okay, this time the picture is one I made. Unfortunately I made it too large but if at first I don't succeed-try,try again!

Happy Holidays

Son Jason had a hard time calling us yesterday. Every time we tried to get a phone conversation going an activity interrupted us. I can see why he thinks we are busy down here. On Saturday we went to the Feast of Sharing in Weslaco. H.E.B., my most favorite grocery store feeds all their patrons a meal each December. It is a thank you to all of us who buy our groceries there throughout the year. It is always a good meal-Ham-mashed potatoes and gravy-mixed vegetables-apple pie and a drink. We get it fast and it is warm and delicious. It is a wonder how they can get thousands served so well and so quickly. Many people volunteer to get that done. That was Saturday.
Yesterday Butch's sister Marlene and her husband Bernard came over from Harlingen. We went to the Golden Corral for dinner, followed by a trip to the Don-Wes Flea Market. Then a lively game of cribbage followed with Marlene and Bernard cleaning up. All the Brookers are lucky but Marlene seems to have a bigger share of it but this time her luck revolved around her partner, Bernard.
Then at four I led the Magnolia Christmas Parade. I do not have delusions of grandeur. It is simply because if they are not led in a slow manner they will race around the park like a bunch of children in bumper cars. So to make the parade last long enough for anyone to see the floats I lead them at a leisurely walking pace. Everyone had time to see all the floats and get plenty of pictures.
This was followed by Christmas music and ice cream and cake in Allen Hall. Then we watched the final episode of Survivor. We were okay with the winner but we would have rather seen Jane get it. A very full day we had.

This is the one I am trying to duplicate.

In between all this I am still making bracelets. I am working on a new one using a new-to-me technique. It will be a flag one and really cool I think. I have sold many of various kinds and  nearly 30 people signed up for a class on the sidewinder bracelet next month. So this is a new kind of busy fun!
Well Butch is off to shuffle board and I must get my walk in. See ya!

Pumpkin Mousse

From Gary: And yes, he cooks.


This solves that ages old ratio problem for us on Pumpkin pie. Amanda wanted it to be 80% cool whip and Susan wanted it to have thick crust. I just didn't want a whole lot of pumpkin so lots of crust and cool whip sounded good to me. Now we just make Pumpkin Mousse (a very easy recipe) and provide Graham cracker for crust and cool whip and everybody can mix and match as they wish.

Pumpkin Mousse

In a large bowl combine with a whisk:
15 oz. can pure pumpkin
Package of vanilla-flavor instant pudding and pie filling
1 cup milk (I often use half and half instead)
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

Ready to go after refrigerating for 30 minutes.

Nine years ago

From Gary:
These are songs by Amanda (Elise's mom) and friends in High School. Doesn't seem like it can be more than 9 years ago!

Music Makers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjJ_7S45lsE

Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEVxe_a8lwE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S7aS1xjlLY