To God Be The Glory

Nov25

Preparations for a day of food, family and fun are well underway. Thanksgiving Day with all its excitement is here! As I sit sipping my morning coffee in my favorite chair, I find myself pondering all I am thankful for in my life.

I am thankful for:

My mom for giving birth to me and loving me even when I am not loveable.
My Grandparents for loving me rotten (Our Nanny Miller)
My Sisters and Brother for looking up to me as their big sister
My precious husband for wrapping his loving arms around me and saying I do…and still does
My daughters Tori and Brandi who I adore and cherish with all my heart
My Grandchildren Cheyenne, Mike, and Brandon who rock my world
My precious friends for loving me in spite of my warts
All who are willing put aside their own lives to fight for our freedom

Above all other, I am so incredibly thankful for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…without them my being would be void of life!

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalms 95:2 which is what Andrae Crouch has done in the song “To God Be The Glory”

To God Be The Glory

How Can I Say Thanks
for The Things You Have Done For Me
things So Undeserved
yet You Give To Prove Your Love For Me
the Voices Of A Million Angels
cannot Express My Gratitude
all That I Am Or Ever Hope To Be
I Owe It All To Thee

(Chorus)
to God Be The Glory
to God Be The Glory
to God Be The Glory
for The Things He Has Done
with His Blood, He Has Saved Me
by His Power, He Has Raised Me.
to God Be The Glory
for The Things He Has Done

(Bridge)
just Let Me Live My Life
and Let It Be Pleasing, Lord To Thee
and Should I Gain Any Praise,
let It Go To Calvary.

with His Blood, He Has Saved Me
by His Power, He Has Raised Me.
to God Be The Glory
for The Things He Has Done.

While you are thankful…Have you given Him the Glory?

Love Lee ♥

Our Nanny Miller

Nov24

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time to reflect on the people and things we have to be thankful for. But for me, Thanksgiving is about traditions and getting to do the things I witnessed my grandmother do for all those years.

I will never forget all the wonderful Thanksgiving meals my Nanny Miller prepared for our family. She planned for weeks getting her work list organized. She planned the menu and had all the steps to down to a “T”. She was amazing!!! The family would walk in the door and everything was ready to eat and she would greet each of us with a great big hug and a kiss. No one realized the amount of time she spent on a meal because she made it look effortless…

BUT…IT WAS NOT!!!

As I got older my Nanny began to teach me her recipes for turkey and dressing, pies, and other goodies. She taught me how to plan the meal, when to cook what, and most importantly the importance of keeping a good attitude no matter what.

Being her first grandchild and the oldest of four children Nanny encouraged me to take on our family gatherings. I was about 25 years old when Nanny sat me down and asked, “Lee, how would you feel about having Thanksgiving at your house this year?”. She then said the words that made me ok with taking on the family gatherings. She said, “I will help you”. And, she did…She gave me suggestions and gentle guidance on how to’s. For a while she continued to cook and bring in her dishes. It was awesome when she arrived the entire family would squeal with pleasure…One would say, “Yeah Nanny’s here…I can’t wait for a piece of her pecan pie” while another would say “Yeah Nanny’s here…I can’t wait to eat one of her rolls.”. Everyone had a like but without a doubt everyone’s favorite was her cornbread dressing!!!

From that Thanksgiving on our home has become the place for our family to gather for food, fun, and laughter. It is a privilege and I am so thankful my family is willing to come here so the traditions passed on by our Nanny Miller can be carried on.

Today as I bake the cornbread and place the turkey in the brine, I can’t help but think of my Nanny Miller and how terribly I miss her. But, her legacy lives on and she is still helping me. The advice she gave me all those years ago are still put into practice today and the minute the first person walks through the door all the hard work is suddenly worth it!!!

I Thank God for My Nanny Miller and all the grandmothers out there like her who are willing to teach the future generations about traditions and the importance of people in those traditions.

While I miss her terribly….There is no doubt in my mind Nanny Miller’s cornbread dressing is being featured at the banquet table in Heaven!

Love Lee ♥

The Value of Recognition

Nov5

I will never forget playing the role of Widow Carney in the musical “Oliver”, it was both challenging and fun. I like all my other classmates worked hard to ensure the production was a success. What I never expected was to receive the award for “Best Supporting Actress”.

Wow.. I didn’t even know there was one but it was such an honor to receive the award. In fact, I still have the trophy today.

What I learned from receiving this honor was…

It Is So Important To Recognize People For What They Do!

Today this concept was reinforced when I attended Stephen F. Austin Elementary’s Awards Ceremony. Watching my Granddaughter Cheyenne receive awards for “A” Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, and the coveted Gator Award was priceless. Cheyenne beam as she looked around the room and realized everyone she had invited was there. While receiving the award was very important to her, it was more important for those she loves to witness her receive the awards.

I am so very proud of Cheyenne…She worked very hard for her awards. I would also like to thank the teachers and administrators at SFA Elementary for recognizing the children for their hard work!

Recognition is vital for the well-being of an individual. So, I ask you…

Have You Recognized Someone’s Efforts Today?

Love Lee ♥

Cheyenne Got It Started

Oct16

Traditions are so important to pass on to the next generation but one tradition in our family was started by my Granddaughter.

We love getting away when we can and the timing was perfect to take a trip in the RV to Lake Texana for my Birthday. One afternoon while we were sitting out under the trees having coffee, the phone rang. It was our precious Cheyenne and she said, “Hi Meme; where are you?” I told her Papa and I were camping at Lake Texana. Then she asked, “But what about your Birthday? It’s your Birthday and we have to have a party.” I told her Meme’s don’t have Birthday parties we go camping. She responded, “No Meme EVERYONE has to have a Birthday party and we have to have a party for you!”

She was so insistent and would not take no for an answer so I promised her when I returned home we would have a party and celebrate my Birthday. That seemed to pacify her for the time being. But on Sunday as we were traveling home the phone rang again. It was Chey, “Meme are you coming home for your party?” I assured her again we would have a party.

The pressure was on…I was headed home and my Granddaughter was meeting me at my house to celebrate my Birthday. What on earth could I do quickly? Then it came to me…We will just have a little tea party.

When I arrived home, I pulled out a flowered table-cloth and put it on the table, grabbed some cute dishes I had tucked away in the buffet and filled them with nuts, Cheetos, and M&Ms, made some peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches, brewed a pot of tea and we were ready to party! The guest list was short…just Cheyenne, Richard and I but we had loads of fun!

That was my very first Birthday Tea and every year since Cheyenne asks, “Hey Meme, what day are we having your Tea Party this year?”

Today we are celebrating the 5th Annual Birthday Tea…”La Tea Dah”. Though guest list has grown considerably and the menu has gotten much tastier with each passing year I will never forget my first Tea Party with my Granddaughter and how a new tradition got started.

Thank You Cheyenne!

Love Meme ♥

What an Incredible Day!!!

Oct10

I have thought about this day for years and have thought about what I could do to celebrate being a half a century old…But I never imagined it would be like this!!!

I woke this morning to a beautiful sunrise at Quintana Beach. Gentle breeze blowing and the smell of salt water in the air. Absolutely Beautiful!!!

Because Richard had made plans to go to my mother’s house today he wanted to go to the 8:00 church service this morning. I dressed for comfort since we were going to mom’s immediately after church. We had an awesome church service followed by great Sunday School. Then we were headed to my mom’s…I thought!

When we got in the car Richard said before we go to your mom’s I want to take you somewhere really special; somewhere I have never taken you. My gift to you…but I want it to be a surprise so I want you to put this blind fold on. Hmmm…I figured if he wanted to surprise me then I would go along with it. When we started out I tried to keep up with the turns so I would have an idea of where we were. After several turns I got completely turned around and then decided to sit back and enjoy the ride! Starts and stops; twists and turns…it felt like it was taking forever!

Finally, the car came to a stop and Richard said, “Before you take off the blindfold, you know I love you right?” I answered, “Yes”. Then he said, “and you know I would never do anything to hurt you right?”; I said “Yes”. Then he paused for a bit and said “Babe, I love you. You can take off the blindfold now”. When I took off the blindfold I was sitting in the parking lot of Quintana Breeze and standing in front of our car was my family and friend waving at me.

What a surprise!!! The very people I love most in the world had all gone in together and planned the most awesome Surprise Party. I could not have imagined it to be more perfect. Come to find out they have been planning the party since July! They had a family meeting (without me) and delegated the work out and when it all came together it was unbelievable!!!

They had planned the ultimate Tea Party. The Mad Hatter even came! My Brother Daniel has such a flare for theatrics and he out did himself on his outfit. The ladies were dressed so elegant. Because I thought I was going to my mom’s I was dressed in Capries and blouse. But, not for long. Richard had given them my dress, hat and shoes…Had my own dressing room and all…They had thought of EVERYTHING! They had even invited some of my most treasured friends.

To all involved in making my 50th Birthday so special…The beautiful tea cups and tea pots were the most perfect gifts!!! I love them every single one. I will remember this day forever!!!

Thank you so much!

Love Lee ♥

Smith Family Reunion 2010

Oct6

The Smith Family Reunion was the vision of Richard’s brother Mike. He made the statement wouldn’t it be great if all the family could get together each year. So Richard and I volunteered our home and that is how it all began.

Menues planned√…House Cleaned√…Firewood for the Pit √…Yardwork done√… Pool Cleaned√…Sleeping Arrangements for All√…Towels, Floats, and Toys√…

Now they are on their way! Each year the last week of May, family and friends from all over the US begins to make their journey to Jones Creek, Texas. They usually begin to arrive on Wednesday and stay through Tuesday the following week. So it is a week of family, friends, and fun…coupled with food, swimming, and grotto chats!

So much fun for all and each year the number grows. Family members marry, babies are born, and new friends are made…Therefore, the more the merrier!

We are so honored to have the privilege of hosting this annual Smith event! The Family Reunion was a great idea! Thank You Mike!!!

Love Lee ♥

Someone Knows Your Name

Oct3

Today was a perfect day out on the Harley so, we headed out to surprise my Little Sister, Sandra…This was a big risk because we didn’t even know if she was going to be home.

Recently my Brother-in-Law left his position as a District Manager for Coke-a-Cola and accepted a management position with Buc-ee’s. He was assigned to the store in Madisonville, TX which is one of the busiest Buc-ee’s. He and my sister decided they would keep their home in Angleton and rent a house in Madisonville for the two years they would be there. So Sandy has been going back and forth between the two places and staying very busy.

The country house is the cutest little wood frame farm-house with so much character! Sandy has been working hard at getting it decorated and it looking great! She even has a guest bedroom with mine and Richard’s name on it!

I remember well the feeling of leaving behind our home and loading the belongings that would fit in the largest U-Haul to move to Fort Worth. While I was sad about leaving a home that was near and dear to my heart, I was excited to get to go through the process of decorating a new home. And , I was very excited because Richard was going to Seminary.

During my first week in Fort Worth I remember the most intense feeling of loneliness. It hit me while sitting in a restaurant that nobody in the entire city of Fort Worth knew my name. I remember feeling so sad and I broke down and started crying right in the middle of the restaurant.

I had to go see my Baby Sister because I wanted Sandy to know there was someone in Madisonville that knew her name and SURPRISE…it was me!!!

Love Lee ♥

An Unexpected Treasure

Sep27

Your entire day can change with one small and unexpected gift.

Image via Wikipedia

It was Sunday and we are at my daughter and son-in-laws and are going to watch football; The Houston Texans vs. The Dallas Cowboys. As anyone knows, no game is complete without food so Brandi, Richard, and I were in the house cooking while everyone else gathered in the game room for the game.

Brandi had planned to grill chicken and make oven roasted potatoes and I brought a big spinach, strawberry, and walnut salad, along with some deviled eggs. A couple of store-bought desserts and it’s a meal. While Richard and Brandi focused on grilling the chicken, I decided to do a little writing on my blog.

As I waited for the website to open my mind drifted and I began to think about my granddaughter Cheyenne. She was at her dad’s and I was missing her. I thought about her cute little giggle, her whimsical personality, and sweet spirit. The more I thought about her the worse I missed her.

Suddenly my mind returned to writing when my website came up on the screen in front of me. As always I check the comment section to make sure I approve all pending comments and there it was my unexpected treasure. My precious Cheyenne had gone on-line and located my blog. Then she went to the page titled “Family Fun” to hide a buried treasure.

The Treasure

“hi meme i just whant to say that i love you and that you are the cooooolest meme ever my memaw sayed that mabbyshe mite come to the tee party.”

There is no greater joy for this Meme than to know my precious granddaughter stopped her day to look up A Love Lee Place, find the “Family Fun” Page, and leave me a treasure.

Treasures come in various forms. I’ve found mine

Have you searched for yours?

Love Lee ♥

Labor Day Celebration

Sep6

Good-bye Summer… Hello Autumn

It is always with sadness I say good-bye to Summer, my favorite season of the year. However, with Autumn comes the cool breeze, crisp fresh air, fires in the fire pit, warm savory soups, and sweet breads. Life begins to slow down, the grass grows at a slower rate, and the leaves begin to fall. The days become short and lazy.

This year we decided to send Summer out with a bang…with the sweet laughter of Family and Friends, playing games, Smokin Dick’s BBQ , watermelon, swimming, and fire side chats…

Games: