Vacation is over!

Friends and family have come and gone.  It is a lonely time, but one of quiet reflection on all of the fun places that we saw, the games played, the boat rides, the good fun, the story telling, the bathing of the grandchildren.  All has come and gone.

Family get-togethers are so rare, so precious, so special.  The anticipation is always so great.  The expectations are high.  This year was no different.  We were so joyful to see Cecil back from Iraq safely.

And the next time our family has a family get-together, we will number one more than now, as Baby Overbo will be here.

I can honestly say that the family time was not a disappointment to me.  It was a wonderful gift from God.  It was Thanksgiving and Christmas all rolled into one.  And when the holidays roll around, I will remember the pontoon boat rides, the joyful squeals of the children, the ring toss game in the backyard, the little boys getting into Granddad's water feature, and me almost drowning our little Hankie in bubbles in the tub.

I have a short week to get myself in gear for my quick and unplanned trip to North Carolina to help Amy get moved into their new home.  The very day that I arrive back from that trip, I will need to pack for my class reunion.

I may be home for week after that before I pack up and go to watch precious little Charlie Rose, as Momma and Poppa greet their new arrival.  It is an honor to be a part of that family and the big event that is about to happen.  Our little Charlie Rose already seems like such a big girl to me.  I can't imagine her a big sister, though.  She is still in diapers, herself.

Emily left yesterday.  I was sorry to see her leave, but I know that she was missing her mother and eager to get home and see her family.  I am praying that her oral surgery (wisdom teeth) goes well and that she can fly to NC to see her aunt and uncle and the boys.

Tonight we ended up having 10 at our table for catfish.  The food was delicious, as always.  And it was fun sitting outside on the patio of the Isabella enjoying conversation with both "old" and new friends. 

I originally invited two couples, which grew to three this afternoon, and swelled to a fourth as friends met up with friends, also neighbors, at  the restaurant.  What fun!

All of the couples stopped by our house afterwards for Devil's food cake with fluffy white frosting (BC's favorite and always requested for his birthday).

A strange thing happened with the cake production this year.  The fluffy white frosting, which comes in a box is hard to find even in the metroplex.  I looked only one place here before deciding to make it myself from scratch this year.

We have been married for 43 years and for that many years I've made fluffy white frosting from a box mix.  This year I made it from scratch and was surprised at how simple and tasty, plus easy it is to make.  I am proud of myself.  The cake was delicious.  And just like my mother, I tried a sample as soon as the cake was out of the oven.  It was so good that I ate the entire end, then frosted it to cover up my theft.

My mother was an incredible baker.  And she loved to bake things and take to others.  But it was often said that there was always a slice, a corner, a sliver of whatever the item was, missing.  I follow in her footsteps.

I am so thankful for my husband.  He is kind, considerate, and loving.  I am a very blessed woman to have him in my life.  I thank God for that.