Monday, December 20, 2010

Fred Alton Brannen Christmas Party

We had a wonderful Fred Alton Brannen family Christmas Party on Saturday, December 18, 2010. Our special meal was of Turkey with rice, Venison roast, Squirrel dumplings, Field Peas, corn on the cob, turnip greens, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, rolls, iced-tea, sodas, coffee, peanut butter pie, fruit cake, home-made fudge.

Firstborn daughter gave us a very meaningful devotional about "building on your most holy faith". Then Mom recited the poem, Jonah and the Whale. And finally, gifts were exchanged and shouts of joy were heard as the kids opened their cards to find money inside...mostly because grandmother had not had time nor energy to go shopping.

We laughed, talked, played and sung Christmas Carols until very late. We are a blessed family. Thank God for sending His son to a stable in Bethlehem on that first Christmas morning. And thank the Lord Jesus for bring us Salvation by dying on the real Christmas Tree!


Squirrel Dumplings, simmering on the stove!


Field Peas


First time we ever used these type dumplings, but they turned out good!


I made two batches of Micro-waved Peanut Butter Fudge!


Getting ready for gifts!


Mother with one of her great-grand-daughters!


Some of our Grands and Great-grands!


Grand-daughter Amy, Great grandson Colby, Great granddaughter Chelsea, Grandson Terry, Son-in-law Rick, Daughter Frankie.


That contented look!

9 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a great and loving get together. Looks like so much fun!! And I bet the squirrels stayed away! You sure had a whole lot of variety for your meal, must have been cooking going on for days!! I bet it smelled so good there!

George said...

This was a wonderful family Christmas celebration. It's clear that your family knows what Christmas is really all about. Merry Christmas.

jack69 said...

Y'all do have a wonderful family. It is extra special to have the Matriark still with you. I haven't had a chance to see the video of Mom and Jonah & the Whale, Sherry loved it.

Great report and Yes, this is a great time of the year! Merry Christmas to You, Frances, Mom and the kids and the kids kids.

I know you guys are so proud, and with a right.

Love from North Carolina

jack69 said...

That is 'Matriarch' my fingers mispoke.

Dar said...

Isn't it relaxing and so pure to know and feel the 'real' meaning of Christmas. You have a lovely family, Fred and Frances. I just read back to where I left off a couple posts ago,....I have not had squirrel, and find that unusual as my boys would bring everything from the hunts since they were youngins, from snake to porcupine. Now Frances has shown me how to make it, so will have to give it a try.
BlessYourChrist-masAndHearts

Deborah said...

You sound like you all had soooo much fun!
The fudge sounds good! I'm still not to sure on the squirrel stew though! LOL
Merry Christmas!
Deborah

Favorite One said...

What a huge feast mom prepared! No wonder she didn't have time & energy to "shop". And $ always is a perfect fit! We had so much to eat I didn't even eat desert - till later - I only had 2 pieces of that fudge! And it was YUMMY in my TUMMY!

Thanks for a wonderful Christmas celebration! And, thanks for teaching us the true meaning of Christmas!

~mel said...

You know you just have me itching to try some squirrel stew ~ I've made it before; but it didn't look like yours. Enjoy the Christmas season!!! What a wonderful time of the year!!

L A Brannen said...

I'm so glad you had this opportunity with your family. I think I'm a little jealous, but I'll get over it. I'm looking forward to our get-together at Wil's. Fri. nite.

About Me

My photo
Cleveland, TN, United States
I am Fred Alton Brannen, the son of Louis A. Brannen (deceased) and Bonnie Jones Brannen, Louis was an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God. Bonnie is an Ordained Licensed Minister and at 89 years of age is still actively engaged in speaking and singing engagements. I am married to the former Frances Hildreth. We celebrated 53 years of marriage this past June and we are the parents of 3, grand-parents of 10, and great-grandparents of 10. I pastored in Tennessee for 24 years and served the Church in some capacity in missions for over 23 years. I retired from full-time ministry in August of 2008 but remain active, speaking and singing and teaching whenever opportunity affords itself. In January of 2010 I received a letter of commendation for having been credentialed as a minister in the Church of God for 50 years! My family is very important to me. Our get togethers are always noisy affairs and most times will include family sing-alongs. The children love their Mom's cooking so we have the privilege of seeing them regularly! WE LOVE having them over.

TheCabin on Day One

TheCabin on Day One
Fred Alton