Gators, Crimson Tide..and Auburn Angel?????...let me explain

Okay...so anyone who doesn't know this...in case there is anyone you may be wondering how I could possibly go from being one of the Gator fans in this group

to wearing the Alabama gear in this photo actually...I do look better in crimson and black...if I do say so myself..hahaha with the exception of my hair which I DID NOT comb before this was taken...hahaha the next photos should explain
While neither John nor I went to Alabama.......Brenna did! and as a result.......enough of our $$$$ went there to qualify us as fans!


However if you were to spot this ornamment on my tree...you might wonder how IT got on there.
No...we are not Auburn fans....as a matter of fact back in the day (my days at UF)...some of the best games were when we played Auburn...because we could actually BEAT them! (Forget about trying to beat Georgia and Alabama!)Now you will note that they have the same team colors...so I could pretend like it's a Gator related ornament in disguise...but that's not why I have it. Actually...I got it on a trip to Auburn in March 2002, for my nephew's wedding. Justin and Darby both went to Auburn...as did several of my other nieces and nephews from Alabama. Darby had arranged for someone to give us a tour of the campus during the weekend...(I think her sister ended up giving us the tour)and one stop was to the Bookstore. I like to have souvenirs from places I have been...and in spite of many trips to Dothan over the years...I didn't really have anything a peanut perhaps to represent Alabama....so I couldn't pass up the cotton boll Auburn angel...who just happened to be on clearance (since it was March)to remember not only our trip to Auburn, but our many trips to Alabama and especially Justin and Darby's wedding...and the fact that she has a little orange and blue on her...made the decision an easy one! haha

December 10th

Today's ornament is in memory of John's mother, Grace who would've been 93 today. (she died in August 2005). Grace always enjoyed celebrating her birthday and the holidays. Every year she would have lots of little gifts for all of her grandchildren to open. When Brenna and Megan attended Holy Trinity Episcopal School...the PTO had a fundraiser every December. Grandparents were "invited" to send in a donation and a Christmas wish (to be put on an ornament paper that would then be put on a tree in the courtyard. Ever year the message from Grandma Grace and "Pa" was the same...just like the one pictured here.
We also got a number of Christmas music boxes, like this angel, over the years. I don't have room to put them all on display...but I have this one, along with some other Christmas nick knacks ( from Grandama and Grandpa )around the house. We have many fond memories of Grace and John, and all the family from years past...ornaments like this one and the music boxes and nick knacks are special reminders of their love.
The Southern Living luncheon Wednesday was a lot of fun! Everything was delicious. We all decided that we were either very hungry several were...since they've been on restricted diets these last few months..hahahaha or everything was especially good this month. Favorites included The "Beefy Black Bean Stew", "Perfect Mashed Potatoes" and the top recipe of the month...the "Spinach-Apple Salad with Maple-Cider Vinaigrette" (the sugared-curried pecans were delicious!...and I am not usually a fan of curry)...(I'd eat them as a snack!) You can find these recipes and others at the Southern Living web site
(by the way the the center peice she had on this table was from a Boy Scout Fundraiser..it was really nice! next year I need to remember to check with my friends who have boy scouts!)Susan who was the hostess this month always has her house decked out for Christmas. The Grinch greeted us at the front door...but inside it was a Christmas wonderland...a tree to match each room...cute figurines, glassware and dishes (some pictured)...but not overdone..(I've been to places that were a bit over the top!).....just fun and very cute! It was an afternoon of good food and good fun and a lot of laughs!
When Brenna saw my post with my Gator ornaments she commented that maybe it was time to put an elephant on my tree...well...I don't have an elephant...but I did get a new shirt and I have my mug!