Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

A Sunny Florida Thanksgiving

Robert and Melissa's awesome backyard
Dear Family and Friends,   I hope all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Holiday WEEK...  George and I certainly did!!!!!  We enjoyed a few days with George's son,  Robert,  and his wife Melissa (and their family) at their beautiful home near Tampa, Florida.  They 'ordered' some fabulous weather while we were there --and I'll admit that that warm Florida sun felt GOOD!!!!

Both Robert and Melissa are AWESOME cooks ---so you can only imagine what they fixed for our delicious Thanksgiving Dinner...  Here's a list of some of the dinner choices:  Ham,  Turkey,  Dressing,  Gravy,  Green Bean Casserole,  Macaroni and Cheese,  Mashed Potatoes,  Wild Rice Casserole,  Rolls/Butter,  Cranberry Salad,  and for dessert----Robert's homemade  PUMPKIN CHEESE CAKE....  Oh My Heart and Soul!!!!!!  (Glad Calories don't count on Thanksgiving!!!! ha ha ha)

Today I'll share with you a few pictures from our visit with them (Nov. 27-30)!!!! Hope you enjoy seeing more of our wonderful family!!


Their gazebo --up close and personal!!!



More of their backyard --including several water treatments!!!



Along the back fence



All of the beautiful vegetation in their front yard 



George and son Robert at the Thanksgiving Dinner table



George and his grandson,  Sean (Robert's son); We were amazed at how tall Sean is now.. He is a Sophomore in high school.



"The Parents"  enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner;  It was a 'running joke' that we were not only the 'parents' --but we were also the OLD PEOPLE.... ha ha ha



Besides Robert and George,  I introduce you to Melissa with the yellow shirt on and her daughter, Kayla and two of Kayla's 3 children.  The baby and Daddy stayed home because the baby was quite sick... We missed seeing them this trip. 



The other end of the Thanksgiving table;  It was a marvelous day and we were blessed to be able to be there,  although many family members couldn't be there with us.  Melissa has 3 sons: (1 in Basic Training for the Navy; other two are in North Carolina).  Robert's other son lives in Colorado now.  Melissa's mother lives in North Carolina.   George's daughter (Kelly) is visiting with Rob/Melissa this coming week.



What does one do AFTER eating that big Thanksgiving Dinner?????? 



WELL---this shows what I really did!!!!  NAPTIME!!!!   (How many of you take naps after a big meal????? ha)
We left Florida on Saturday,  Nov. 30 and headed north to enjoy more of our special journey.  We had one night in Savannah and one night in Charleston --and now are at our favorite beach (Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina)...   We love the beach at this time of year since there are very few people around and we seem to have the beach all to ourselves!!!!  LOVE it.  I will do some upcoming blog posts on these areas of our trip I'm sure.

Have a great week --and enjoy this wonderful, happy, joyful month of December...  George and I are still so very THANKFUL for our families and for good health... Thanks be to God for all of the blessings we receive each and every day.

Hugs,

18 comments:

Ann said...

What a beautiful back yard they have. Looks like you had a very nice Thanksgiving.

George said...

We had a great Thanksgiving in sunny Florida. Bob and Melissa are wonderful hosts. Thanks for the beautiful memories.

Big Dude said...

They sure have a pretty outdoor area and always good to spend Thanksgiving with family. Bev spent her holiday in sunny FL as well.

David said...

Betsy, While you were basking in the Florida warmth, we were in the Omaha ice box! 17F one morning with howling winds. Still, we were with family and that is always great! Those grandsons do grow up fast. Our youngest is 16 and he's 6'!" while the 19 year old is 6'5". In the meantime, I'm shrinking...just not fair! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Betsy said...

It looks like a wonderful time and the backyard looks like paradise to me. I would never leave home. :-) . I'm so glad you shared with us my dear friend. What a blessing for you and George to spend time with family.
Blessings,
Betsy

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a special treat to see George's family! His grandson is so handsome! What does he want to do after he graduates? Their back yard and gazebo are so stunning!! I hope you got my thank you e-mail, thanks again so much!!

Shug said...

I've been keeping up with on FB....but I'm so glad that I finally have the time to do some blog reading. I've enjoyed seeing all the pictures of your Florida tip. Their home is so nice! Glad you and George were able to take this Thanksgiving get-away. You are precious in the porch pictures...

The Furry Gnome said...

Sounds like some nice warm places!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Looks to me like George's family treated you all very well. Do I nap after a big meal, hey, I nap almost every afternoon. It's the only way I can keep on functioning.

Linda said...

Ah, outdoor living! This is what the south is good for. Great pictures of a happy family holiday.

Deb J. in Utah said...

What a Happy Family Thanksgiving! George's grandson looks just like him! Loved your pictures. Take care and have a great week!

BeachGypsy said...

love the happy pictures and so glad y'all got to go! Love Florida! They have a lovely home and I love the pretty pool area and the picture of you in the lawn chair. Wish I'd known y'all were in Charleston....would loved to have met y'all!!!

Fun60 said...

What a beautiful home they have with a gorgeous garden. No wonder you needed a nap after that delicious dinner.

William Kendall said...

It sounds like you enjoyed yourselves.

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Betsy
What a wonderful post, I did enjoy seeing all of your photographs.
Such a lovely family time … with special memories made.
Take care

All the best Jan

diane b said...

A beautiful house and a beautiful family. the plants in the garden are very similar to ours in Queensland. Florida and Queensland must be very similar except we have less people.

Lady Fi said...

What fun! I'd love some sun right about now.

Small Kucing said...

lovely photos, Betsy. It's Christmas soon. Hope you and George will have a terrific Christmas