From the Treehouse crew to soldiers, sailors, and all who serve and protect us from harm, especially those far from home and family. You are valued and we pray for you and your family.

No matter where your service has taken you, we pray you find the warmth and love of the season, that your heart is filled with the joy of the Incarnation, God become man. May the picture of the Christ child in the stable with Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and angels fill you and keep you this season as we all wait and pray for your safe return home.

Many of you older Treepers remember praying for my grandson Conner five years ago last fall when he was a baby undergoing open heart surgery at Vanderbilt. The two holes in Conner’s heart were easily repaired and he is now a healthy little boy.

He and his older brother are autistic. Last year I posted The Christmas Pumpkin, the story of my first adventure making a special gift for Conner. Copying part from that post last year, here is the story behind the Christmas Pumpkin. Incidentally, if I remember correctly, the original story was my most popular post ever according to the WordPress stats.

Conner’s great love is pumpkins, all year round. He loves every single pumpkin, big or small, real or artificial. A few months ago he told me that all pumpkins are his, every one of them. So, if you had a pumpkin on your porch or decorating your Thanksgiving table, say a prayer of gratitude that Conner let you borrow it! (more…)

Okay guys, message from Menagerie. I’m sorry if you don’t like the things I post for Christmas. I respectfully ask you, for the sake of those who enjoy these things, to just pass by. This isn’t politics, and there isn’t a need for debate here.
If you want to discuss politics, I respectfully ask you to go to the political posts. If you want to tell off color jokes, I respectfully ask you not to.

Thank you and Merry Christmas Treepers.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.

(more…)

From an article at Yummly. I’m going with Kentucky on this one. Runners up are Louisiana, Florida, Minnesota, and New Jersey, the state that came closest to knocking Kentucky out of my favorite position.

I am verklempt at Tennessee not having a Jack Daniel’s cookie. I’ll console myself with Gentleman Jack and a slice of Jack Daniel’s cake.

And really, Nebraska and Alaska, sad. You guys need some help.

Sigh. No political comments, and for goodness sakes, why make an even slightly off color comment on a cookie thread? Use some sense, please. If the fun of this thread escapes you then go comment on the other threads. Please.

Please remember this is a non political post. If you make comments I have to trash I will put you on the banned list. I’m sorry this comment is necessary and prominent, but it is always needed. Be thankful or pass by this post, please.

I hope that you will bear with me during the first part of my post, as I use this opportunity to remember and be thankful for lots of people who made my year survivable, and not only helped me, but taught me much. I promise it’ll get better shortly.

This year Thanksgiving Day will be different for many of us, and you might even be stumbling over the gratitude, thankful, and happy part. If so, I hope to offer a few thoughts to change your mind. (more…)

While we still have time to plan and choose what we want to serve, I thought we would get the recipe thread going. That gives everyone time to shop and be all ready for Thanksgiving Day.

It has been a hard year. Tough on most of us individually and as family and community. We need a day of gratitude for the many blessings we all have, and good times with family and friends. Don’t let anyone steal your joy.

Help Me Thanksgiving Day Prayer

O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion, and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.

— Samuel F. Pugh (more…)