Family Reunion

What a blessing! We had a family reunion this weekend on Brent's side of the family. It was so much fun! (and I am just an in-law! and I am saying this!)

The family reunion was held in Arkansas (my favorite state! I fell like an Arkansas girl at heart, and do pray that one day God will allow us to live there)

Our host and hostess were so kind, friendly and nice- they just welcomed us into their home, and we felt so at ease because they were so gracious!

Our hostess had a drink center set up on a serving table, then had the meat, and side dishes on the counters in the kitchen. Our hostess had a beautiful dessert table set up by the kitchen area. Food was plentiful-and different family members had brought old recipes, old pictures, and stories, as well as copies of the family tree to pass out to everyone as well as a cd burned with a sound recording from a past reunion that held some precious voices that have since gone to heaven and are no longer with us! How dear and touching to us all that this Aunt Jane and Bryan had burned a copy of the CD for us all to have!!!! Thanks Aunt Jane and Bryan!!!
Brent's family has some musical talent - It was so much fun, We had guitar playing and beautiful signing!!! (The above couple works in missions and you should of heard some of the arrangements for praise music - set to Jazz!!!! Beautiful - The guitarist also plays the piano)
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2 of the musicians in Brent's family are from the band 3 penny acres - voted best new band for 2009 in Northwest Arkansas Music Awards -so you can only imagine what a good time we had listening to music, and they even included Mckenzie a new musician and let her play - she is a very new talented musican!

Here are some pictures- of some of the family visiting:looking at old pictures, and the family tree that had been printed out:
Clapping and dancing with the music:

The kiddos were dancing and eating cookies, and playing with their cousins!
And a good time was had by all!!! So we loaded back up and came home - with a more sense of our family heritage and the wonderful people who make up our family! (I wish my side of the family would do this - it was fun!)

Well here is a family favorite on Brent's side of the family, his Grandma Johnniie Blalock Rader's Best Refrigerator Rolls:

1 c shortening
1 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 c boiling water
2 eggs, beaten
2 pkgs. dry yeast
1 c warm water
6 c unsifted flour

Pour boiling water over shortening, sugar, and salt; blend and cool. Add eggs. Sprinkle with yeast into warm water and stir until dissolved and add to first mixture. Add flour; blend well. cover and place in refrigerator at least 4 hours. Dough must be in large bowl as it will rises slightly in refrigerator.
**This may be kept up to 10 days in refrigerator and used as needed. About 3 hours, depending on room temp. before using rolls, roll into desired shapes. (I roll into rectangle about 1/2 inch thick and cut with biscuit cutter) place in a greased pan and allow to rise at room temperature to double in size. Bake at 425 degrees for approx 12-15 minutes. (I place rolls close together and let rise)

This is a favorite that my mother in law makes (just like her mom did) every holiday! Yumm!!!! Enjoy!