MARDI GRAS!

In England and other countries around the world the beginning of Mardi Gras is
celebrated with Shrove Tuesday.
It is the day before the beginning of Lent or Ash Wednesday
when all fats and flours are removed from the household.
In many places, particularly in Olney, England,
this is celbrated by a pancake race.
While having been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans a couple of times
and to an Ash Wednesday service once,
I have never been to a pancake race.
We'll have to give to give it a try some day.

Happy Mardi Gras!
Ruth Ann
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com
http://www.raggbaggs.blogspot.com

Beki's Beads

While making the rounds of my favorite blogs this morning,
I ran across these marvelous
Christmas tree ornaments
from
http://artsycraftybabe.typepad.com/

The wooden beads are from the Dollar Tree and they are
strung on big fluffy pipe cleaners.

She did this as a project for her children,
but I think that even us adults
could do it!

Beki's tree and decorations are
all in bright, primary colors
this year and are wonderful,
as always!

Do visit Beki's blog and
her Etsy store.
I'm the proud owner of
several of her items.
You will
love them, too!

Merry Christmas!
Ruth Ann
http://www.raggbaggs.blogspot.com
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com
http://www.beadkits.etsy.com

Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving!
A little late!!!!!

We spent Thanksgiving morning preparing our usual
'Sinful Mashed Potatoes'
to take to the family dinner.
For the last couple of years, dinner has been in the
'party room'
at the local funeral home,
because there are so many of us now.

I strongly dislike this new custom -
though, since there are
40 something of us,
it seems a necessity.

The meal is uncomfortably noisy
and we only have the opportunity
to speak to a few people.

Everyone grabs a paper plate,
piles it so high with food that the plate collapses,
eats, and leaves.

The leaving part suits us fine,
as we spend the evening visiting friends,
sampling desserts around town,
sipping eggnog,
and enjoying the comany
of dear friends.

We return home to
the first fire of the season -
even if we have to open the windows
to be cool enough -,
a bottle of champagne,
and special olives that I buy only once a year.

Then, the hassle is over until Christmas Eve
and the most special time of the holiday begins.
Ray is off work for two weeks,
returns to work for two weeks,
and is off another two weeks.

We spend our time decorating, shopping,
attending parties, and wrapping gifts by the fire.
Best of all, we are together for a full month
with few interuptions -
except for the dreaded dinner at
the funeral home on Christmas Eve.
There are very few changes in the menu
from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve,
but it is a command performance
and we MUST attend.
Ah, well.....
I guess one must do things for family.
And I have a wonderful family,
it's just that they are very demanding.

The week following Thanksgiving was spent
on Panama City Beach in Florida.
Pictures will follow -
just as soon as I find the camera!

Wishing you all a blessed and happy
holiday season!

Ruth Ann
http://www.raggbaggs.blogspot.com
http://www.r2swanger.etsy.com
http://www.beadkits.etsy.com