New Years Tradition

Blackeyed peas have long been a tradition through out the South for New Year's eating.  If you want good luck and prosperity for the new year they are a must.  Most often collard green go along with the meal.  Since I do the cooking, I prefer the crock method which may not be as good, but from my point of view it works.   Have a Happy New Year.

Thanks Tita -Moma for the video

Teachers from Alaska

David and Susan Thorne

Although we  attended the same church in Blytheville, AR as David and Susan, we didn't know them because we joined the church shortly after they departed to Alaska.  They were in Blytheville over the Christmas holidays and we did meet them briefly at the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.  It's nice to have met a fellow blogger in person, and wish we could have had a longer visit.

Have a good flight back to Alaska and we will be following your blog. For anyone interested their blog address is 2teachinginalaska.blogspot.com   

Smiths New Home

Christmas, A New House, and a Happy Birthday

The New House in Jonesboro, AR

I think it must be true.  Things come in 3's.   A wonderful Christmas, a new home, and Bennie celebrates a birthday.  Nothing like a new house with everything bright, clean and shinning.  

All of us will miss you two in the Village. We wish you happiness and fun.  Keep Blogging and visit often.

Happy Birthday Bennie

                                                                                      

Happy Birthday To Bennie.   Best wishes and many, many more.   Remember, the more Birthdays you have, the longer you live.

Icy in Arkansas

No snow, just frozen rain and some sleet, making for very slick streets and walkways.  Temperature will be above freezing sometimes today, and hopefully our ice will all melt away.

It's not like a beautiful white snowfall but we were lucky and did not loose power.  We're still holding out for a white Christmas. 

No snow, just ice.

Hardly enough to measure

A Little Christmas

It wouldn't be Christmas without The Nativity scene we have had for so many years.  The damage of moving so often for so long has taken its toll.  We have lost  a wise man and numerous animals over the years, but we still love it dearly.

Guerrilla Gardening

This post for Andy and other interested gardeners.   Good listing.

A Little Exercise Works Wonders

Cloody wanted to see if the use of the stair-stepper would improve the leg muscles to help with her stability problem. Time will tell.  

The exercise program meets MWF in the Ramey Center at 10 AM. An After exercise walk in the gym is optional.  The gym is a little chilly, but better than outside.  

The equipment is old but gets the job done. Hopefully in time some modern treadmills will be in place. If the holidays leave with you some extra pounds; come down and join the fun.    

Al The Lawyer

I can't believe it's been ten years since Cloody and Frank's last big blowout. It was at their 50th anniversary that Phil put us all up at the Talbot Heirs to celebrate "Driving the One-Lane."

We relived the day with a skit written by Andy and performed as a radio broadcast by all the kids and Uncle Fred. But I thought the highlight of the evening was when my good friend and neighbor, Al Staehely, took up his guitar and performed a couple of his original songs: the classic "She's a Time Bomb" and my favorite country tune, "What's Wrong With You for Loving Me?"

So to shore up this year's momentous occasion, Al has written a new song that he thought Frank could post to the blog: "Bailout Blues."

Remember, you heard it here first.

Nash

Sixty Years Ago Today

Happy Anniversary, Frank and Cloody!

Happy Anniversary!

Dear Cloody and Frank,

Happy anniversary! I like what Henny Youngman had to say: "The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret." 

But through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, despite differences of opinion about where the thermostat should be set, you've managed to construct a life of love, trust, and true partnership. I'm sure it helped that you both have a great sense of humor. Here are some of the other things I admire most about your marriage:

Your dedication to each other and to your extended family

Your ability to create a gracious home life, Cloody

The long, strenuous hours you worked, Frank

The way you've both made life-long friends across the country

The fact that all your kids get along so well

The way you so carefully cultivate courtesy and beauty in your world.

Love,

Andy

Happy 60 th!

Now let's see... what was that address again, w w w dot ...

I believe Frank was searching for that famous Cuban restaurant in Ybor City, Florida.

You remember the one, where they had Cuba Libras and Paella and Cloody wanted to 

dance with some strange guitar player named "El Rey."

Cloody and Frank made sure we experienced the sites and sounds of the places we lived. 

We have some great stories to tell and some scars to prove it.

But I can't think of a thing I would change. 

Thanks for making me who I am.

Happy Anniversary!

Love Nash

The cloodyandfrank.blogspot.com has been HACKED!!!!

This blog site has been hacked.

Why? It is their 60th wedding anniversary.

How? It didn’t take much of a detective to figure out that Frank’s username is ‘40’ and that his password is ‘department13markdowns’.

Cloody and Frank:

Congrats to you on 60 years together! It is December 9th and on that day I always think of the time that Cloody shared with me the details of your 24th anniversary. Cloody told the story something like this:

Well let me see. Ah! I remember our 24th anniversary. We lived in Houston. Frank picked me up for dinner. I will never forget the glow in Frank’s eyes when he asked me, ‘Andy or Roger’? That was our little code question for whether or not I wanted to hear Moon River by Andy Williams or Roger Williams on the 8-track in Frank’s Chrysler Newport Custom. That car had torsion quiet ride and it was maroon in color. Frank drove us to Angelo’s for an appetizer and cocktail. My drink of choice at that time was usually a screwdriver but since it was a special occasion, Frank ordered me a Harvey Wall Banger. That’s a screwdriver with Galliano. He drank CC&7. He ordered 24 raw oysters. You know they are an aphrodisiac. After Angelo’s we went to The Athena near the ship channel. We must have been the only non-Greeks in the place. We had another appetizer plate that included stuffed grape leaves, spanikopita and feta. Late in the evening we ate a delicious lamb dinner; the wine was Retsina. We had baklava, sipped ouzo and danced until the Sun came up. My gift to Frank was Irish linen handkerchiefs. In my mind’s eye I can still see Frank leading the Greek line dance with his new stark white hanky almost aglow, as it weaved through the crowd. I think Frank broke 24 plates that night. He sang Never on a Sunday with the band. I can still hear his voice and the bouzoukis playing. Ohpah! Has Frank every shown you his Ωπα! tattoo? That is how ‘ohpah’ is spelled in Greek. It means hooray!

Hooray to you both

A. Langhorne

Yes, another family artist.  A person of many talents and great imagination .   My first thought is the movie she did as an assignment for the advertising company for whom she works.  This is an example of a project using Apple software, which is less that five minutes.  I'm sure you will enjoy watching.  Just click on the link,  Sway.  

Andy's current project is growing hair now that chemo treatments are behind her.  We all love you, Andy

Jamie's Quilt

Truly a Work of Art

A couple of years ago Jamie was into lap quilting and above is an example of her talent.  This quilt was a winner in the Mid South Fair.  Nice going, Jamie.

Nash The Artist

Photography by Nash

"I needed rent money.  I needed a square meal.  I needed a car.  WhatI had was a camera, a few rolls of film, and a city.  That was more than 20 years ago. I've gone through a few cameras since then.  Film is gone, upstaged by digital.  And the city is unrecognizable.  But along the way, I have managed to pick up a few great clients who like the way I see things.  I'm lucky because I get paid to do what I love.  And no matter how much thing change, there's always something new to see and another great client to shoot for -- maybe you.  The world is large and time is short.  Let's get to work."

More Family Artists

Biomorphs by Carson

Biomorphs:  Computer displays of biological forms generated from mathematical feed back loops.   For information on this subject check out:  carsonbaker.org

posting of June 19, 2008.  

Family Artists

This is Great-Grandson, Max

We start'em young.  The mastering of holding the tongue in the proper position is the first requirement to becoming a great artist.

Annabelle not only paints but is also a published writer.

(See post dated Oct. 26, 2008)

Money, Money, Money,

By Tanner (when she was about age 6)

  Our grand-daughter, Percy at work on an assignment.  

She is serious about Art, and hopes to study Art at the

 University of Chicago, next year.

Phil did a self portrait pencil drawing

Frank did a watercolor

Happy Birthday Tita

Happy Birthday Tita

  We enjoyed talking with you this morning and have a wonderful day.   

Patsy said to put this on my blog _______ So I did.

Post suggested by Charleen, Signs made by Lee and Michele , Photography by Patsy, Posted by Frank.      

Merry Christmas, Miss Olie. 

Jamie's Smart Car

Just some little notes about a little car.  

In traffic people come along side and roll down the windows with all kinds of questions and comments.  They often honk and wave.

Yesterday we were pulled over by a cop. Davis was driving and he only has a learners permit. He was frighten at first , but handled it well. The officer had never seen one before and wanted to know if it was approved for Street Use.

The car was parked while Jamie was at a meeting and upon returning she had a notice on the front glass.  It was from the local newspaper, and they want to do an article on it, and asked that she call them.

Lots of fun and the gas mileage is great.

The Tree at the Village Cafe

The tree in the lobby of the cafe is impressive.  Cloody and I dropped by to contribute our ornament to the decoration process, and now we feel part of Christmas in the Village.  The tree ornaments are from residents who come from all over the country, so this make the tree rather unique.    We no longer have a tree at home and this ornament was a gift from our Grand Daughter, Percy.  We felt it would be appropriate to share it with the Village.  

As I walked into the Cafe I noticed the Chapel, and I thought it needed it's picture taken also.

I hope you like it.

.

Westminster Red Hatters in December

The December Christmas meeting was held in the home of Edna Majors .  This time a group picture was possible, and I must say, " A lovely bunch of ladies".  Lots of good food and a great time to exchange Thanksgiving stories.  Too bad the photographer was not allowed to share any of this, but I was offered some cake and goodies.  I'm sure a good time was had by all.

Edna Majors was the hostess and she always does an excellent job.  She is a wonderful cook and always prepares some delicious treats, and a visit to Edna's home is always enjoyable.  Thanks Edna for a  very nice meeting.

Dec. Red Hats