The two people in the picture are my grandparents. The beautiful “Mrs. Claus” is Betty, my maternal grandma, and “Santa” (yes, that’s his real beard!) is Leo, my maternal grandpa. This picture was taken shortly after they retired to warm, and sunny Florida!

Sadly, my other grandparents passed away before I was born, or when I was much younger. Even though Leo and I weren’t blood relatives, (he was my grandma’s 2nd husband) he is the only grandpa I had a relationship with. He treated me, my sister, and my cousins as his own.

For that I’m thankful!

I am fortunate enough God allowed these two wonderful people to live long enough that I was able to know them as an adult. While I have awesome memories with them as a child, and adolescent, some of my favorite memories are after I was married, and become a so-called “adult.”

For that I’m thankful too!

One thing I’ve occasionally struggled with since I moving 2800 miles from my family, is not seeing them often enough. When finances were tight it was almost impossible to afford a plane ticket home. Thankfully, we’ve become more financially stable, and I can afford to visit family more often.

Four years ago, on December 20th, I was reminded of the distance once again. That day, my last living grandparent, my wonderful grandma, suddenly passed away. The Christmas season hasn’t been the same since! I’m not one to dwell on sad events, but no matter how hard I try, I feel a little “empty” during this time of year. I know that’s exactly what she wouldn’t want!

This thankful Thursday I choose remember happy times, and share some of the things I loved about her.

Her laugh

She was very young at heart! At 80, she had many friends half her age.

Her lovely, green eyes. She gave them to my mom 🙂

The precious letters she wrote me over the years. I saved every one.

The wonderful birthday cards she send me, along with a birthday check for the same amount of my age. The money wasn’t important but I thought it was so sweet how she gave all her grandkids checks that matched their age.

She had a huge, giving heart, supported many charities, and often helped those less fortunate.

She had the only cats I’ve ever really liked, Russian Blues, always named Smokey. 

She loved animals.

She loved to play cards. She and my Grandpa taught me how to play Euchre, the best card game EVER!

She flew to California for my wedding, even though it likely caused her terrible back pain.

She had an awesome sense of humor.

One year, their neighborhood put together a cookbook and asked the residents to submit recipes. Here’s the “recipe” she submitted.

How to Cook a Husband

A good many husbands are entirely spoiled by mismanagement in cooking, so are not tender and good. Some women keep them constantly in hot water, others freeze them, others keep them in a stew. Others roast them, and other keep them in a pickle.

It cannot be supposed that any husband will be good and tender, managed this way but they are truly delicious if properly handled. It doesn’t make much difference what you cook him in, as it does how you do it.

See that the linen he is wrapped in is white and neatly mended. Don’t keep him in the kettle boiling, and don’t keep him in the kettle as he will stay there himself without force.

If he sputters and fusses, do not be anxious; add a little sugar, of what  confectioners call kisses, but no vinegar or pepper on any account. A little spice improves them, but it must be used with judgment.

Do not try with anything sharp to see if he is becoming tender. Stir him gently a while unless he stays too long in the kettle and become flat and tasteless.

If thus treated, you will fin him digestible, agreeing nicely with you, and he will keep as long as you want.

Isn’t it cute? I’m not sure where she found it, or who wrote it, but it makes me smile every time I read it! I’m thankful for all the memories I have of her, and my grandpa!

---

What are you thankful for today? Share with me!