GOBBLE GOBBLE & RINGING IN THE HOLIDAYS

Momma and poppa Devine came for a visit a couple of weeks ago.  While they were here, I probably gained a good 5 pounds.  We ate out pretty much every meal.  What a great host I am! They wanted to experience Austin cuisine, and we did just that stuffing our faces with TexMex, Indian, Italian, and BBQ.  (This was at the County Line.  The portions are MASSIVE.) Saturday we took a day trip to San Antonio and toured the Alamo and walked the River Walk.  The Alamo always reminds me why we Texans are so proud.  The history of those who sacrificed their lives is inspiring.  It was basically a voluntary death sentence. Because of the fight that began at the Alamo, the United States now enjoys the land reaching from Texas all the way to California.  Earlier in the month, I enjoyed a girl’s weekend with friends from home.  Ryan asked what we did, I told him, “talked and ate.”  He had a puzzled look on his face.  I don’t think he understands that girls can get together for a weekend and just talk talk talk.  One night while we were out we ran into Dennis Quaid.  Marcy hosted the turkey feast this year in Dallas and everything turned out really well.  To put things in perspective, with just my siblings, their spouses and their kids we filled three full tables and had kids sitting at the bar.  Not to mention my brother Aaron was not there with his wife and 4 kids.  With many mouths to feed, we all had to pitch in for the turkey meal.  My contributions included cranberry salsa, an artichoke stuffing, apple pie, and pumpkin cheesecake.  The women slaved over the meal for hours, while the men watched sports. Typical! Don’t worry though, we ladies made sure we didn’t lift a finger in the cleaning department that night. Pie anyone?  It was all gone by the end of the night.  The grandkids making bell wreaths with Grandma Their second craft project was making Christmas cards. Like with all Parker gatherings, Thanksgiving would not be complete without some type of competition.  We took on the cinnamon challenge.  Wyck and Gavin went first.  You had to swallow one tablespoon of cinnamon with nothing to eat or drink with it.  Then for some stupid reason Gerry and I attempted the same challenge. I thought after watching Wyck and Gavin I knew what I was doing.  A few minutes later I was hurling over the sink.  Wyck was the only one to come out victorious.   This past weekend I went to the tree lighting at the capitol.  It was so fun.  There were hundreds gathered singing Christmas carols on the capitol lawn.  I loved it.  Such a unifying experience to be with people of all different faiths singing songs like Holy Night, celebrating and rejoicing the birth of Jesus Christ.