“The convivial table is where it all begins,” I once read  with immediate agreement  and wish I could remember where and to whom it should be attributed.   Naturally I liked the word “convivial” because it denotes lively feasting and banqueting with loved ones, being in good company with lots of good food for all.
I [...]

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Pictured: The whole Rhoades tribe, left to right - Stormie, baby Gemma (7 months) held by Stephanie; Tristan holding Guini, Hunter in front of him, Gavin just behind Hunter; Tara snuggling with Dave; Rocky behind Jovan (8 months pregnant with our next granddaughter); me, Tredessa in front of me, and Dave, the patriarch

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Stormie had a book bound for me for Christmas with pictures of cakes I have made in 2007.  She just uploaded the pictures and made up some script and voila-I have a published volume, looking ever so official, with a UPC code and everything.  It was such a cool gift.  She also made me [...]

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Well, as the first to be married, you were the ones we really practiced on!  Six years ago, only 2 days after Christmas (I thought you were trying to kill me), you were married and danced your first dance - under the upside-down-white-tree-trimmed-in-crystals-and-strewn-with-thousands-of-white-lights-looking-ever-so-"giant chandelier-ish" (a similiar version hangs in The Celebration Center at Northern Hills this [...]

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Godly parents who raised me well.  They are still alive and kicking and doing Kingdom work, after 50 years of marriage and raising 5 kids and 15 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren.  More to come!…
The most amazing and loving husband - Dave.  He has spent all our years pressing in to know me and love me.  His [...]

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Pictured: Hunter, age 3; Guini, age 2;  Gavin, age 4; and baby Gemma, age 6 months.
Thanks to Tredessa for snapping the shot, Steph for cheerleading the smiles out of the kids and Stormie for creating my "card" to you!
Merry Christmas, with love…Jeanie

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We were trying to throw some fabric remnants over the kids for a little homemade nativity scene the other day.  Hunter did NOT want to be "Joseph," Jesus' earthly father…that is until he found out Joseph is usually depicted with a staff, known by Hunter as a "stick."  We showed him the tiny Joseph from [...]

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Gavin and Guini were watching the not-very-old-but-already-classic-Christmas-movie, "Elf," the other morning in their homemade elf hats.  Their mommy sure knows how to make me laugh right out loud!

"The best way to show Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear"…Jeanie

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Thank goodness he has cleaned up his act a little.

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