A Cup o' Kindness

 Song - Auld Lang Syne by Mairi Campbell

May you and your loved ones share a cup of kindness 

this evening or tomorrow. 

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

 

Here is to a kinder upcoming year 

2023

 

 

 

Giving Thanks II

Song - Thanksgiving Song by Adam Sandler 

 

 

Most of these last few weeks were spent on Thanksgiving preparation.  I bought all of the non-perishables last week and polished the silver.  Mr. B went shopping Tuesday for perishables while I cleaned house and began setting the table.

The silverware still needs to be added as well as a few loose ends - salt & pepper & butter!

The only thing not cooperating is our tree....

 Our October Glory was amazing about a week ago when this photo was taken but unfortunately all the leaves will be gone by Turkey Day. Our family and friends like to pose every year in front of this tree for photos.

Andy & Ashley

Farmer B.

June, Andy & Calvin

My mom and dad

Jon's dog Chewy

The whole gang!

Henry last Thanksgiving

Notice that there were very few leaves on the tree here

Mr. B photo bombing Ashley's photo

I did gather some leaves from several of our trees and ironed them with wax paper to preserve them. I then placed them inside our glass candle holders with flame-less candles. You can see them in the second photo from the top. They look beautiful as the light shines through them.

Love this quote by Gabriel Andreas

Art by Matthew Andreas

Hippity Hoppity

Song - Peter Cottontail by Gene Autry

Wishing you all a very safe and happy Easter however you choose to celebrate. Our family is having a virtual brunch with each couple making two dishes.  We will zoom together with well wishes and a mimosa toast and then dig in.  The above photo is of me in 1955 at my grandparents home in Oakland. Gotta love the purse!

One Year of Giggles

Song - Teach Your Children by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

Guess who has had one whole year of discoveries?

My grandson Henry!

He discovered that mommy is pretty cozy....

....and that naps can be refreshing.....

He discovered his tongue....

...and that playing in the pool is great fun!

He discovered his daddy will always have his back.

And he discovered baseball and football.....

...and that Lake Tahoe can be quite cold!

He discovered that sometimes people go away.....

...and boy is it fun when they return!

He discovered that both of his grandpa's are loving and fun!

And that hair cuts don't really hurt....

...and that Pat the Bunny is the best book ever!

He discovered his love for Great-Grandma Betty...

..and how to be gentle with flowers thanks to Grandma J.

He discovered food sometimes has a funny texture.....

...and that he isn't quite ready for a girlfriend yet!!!

For right now mommy will be my girlfriend....forever!

He discovered he has a very cool and funny uncle....

...and that he has a very loving family!

But you know the most important thing he discovered this year?

He discovered what happens when you go to sleep with damp hair....it's a riot in the morning!

"Love you to the moon and back Henry"

--Grandma J

The Big Night

Song - Tarantella by Beppe Gambetto, Carlo Aonzo & David Grisman

On Saturday night our family had a cousins reunion......

let me introduce you to the Malacarne Family!

These are my grandparents, Art & Sophie Malacarne.  They had four daughters and each daughter had three children - my cousins.  The cousins spent a lot of time together growing up because the sisters were so close and........we're Italian. So they are more like my siblings than my cousins.  Great memories there!

 This photo was taken at the family cabin in Lake Tahoe with all twelve grandchildren and our Grandma Sophie (on the right) and her mother Grandma Mary (on the left).

Can you tell we had fun together?

 For many years Art & Sophie would host a Christmas get together on Christmas Day but the families grew too large once we started marrying and having children of our own.  But we still have that Malacarne bond. So every 5-10 years someone would host a reunion, usually in the summer months.
Last year the "boys" decided to host a Christmas party at a local restaurant. 

It was great to get together but the sitting arrangements were to tight to get up and go visit anyone else other than the people sitting next to you.

So Saturday night it was the cousins turn to host and invite the two remaining daughters - my Aunt and Mom at a new place that turned out to be perfect!

Being the family historian, I was in charge of the slide show and music for the event. Six hundred and sixy-four photos later.........they are still talking to me!

We have aged just a smidgen since the photo above in Lake Tahoe.

 But we still enjoy each others company and getting caught up on family events.  Even the "out-laws" have fun. (They are the SO's who are honorary cousins)

A great night and thanks to those "boy" cousins who know how to throw a proper shindig!!!

 Love each and everyone of you!

"The bond that links your true family 

is not one of blood, 

but of respect and joy in each others life."

-- Richard Bach

Giving Thanks

Song - Take Me Home Country Road by Shaney-Lee (7 years old)

Falling leaves

hide the path

so quietly

--John Bailey 

Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day with family and friends.

TJ

Song -Theme from Superman by John Williams

I have a nephew who's name is Timothy John after his dad 

and TJ has been his nickname since day one!

He loves animals.......

....and sports of all kinds but especially swimming and isn't afraid to share his enthusiasm!!!

 He loves his friends.....

....and family (especially Grandma Betty)!

But TJ is 22 now and beginning a new journey in his life.

 

W O R K....

He has been working for several months at Sideboard restaurant in Lafayette.

So if you happen to stop in there, please say hello to TJ!

He will great you with a warm heart and kind smile!

"Let your smile change the world 

but don't let the world change your smile."

 -- Connor Franta