Toasts, Hearty Hails, and Lobster Tails

Every year, on New Year's Eve, mom and dad celebrated quietly at home with a traditional dinner of steak and lobster.  They sent the old year out with a toast and welcomed the new year in together...

This year, dad faces the new year without mom by his side.  But he doesn't face it alone.  And it wasn't quiet or traditional!  Well, ok, we had a toast and we had lobster, but the evening was a non-traditional feast of merriment.

First, the toast:

Jordan, Leroy, Katie, Dad and I raised our glasses to Brighter Days, Sweeter Moments and Cherished Memories for 2012,

And then the fun began...

Katie loves lobster (as do we all), but she had never learned how to prepare it, Until Tonight!

First, the introductions.  Katie this is your lobster tail.  She named him Bob (no offense all you delighful Bobs and Roberts out there...)

Hello, Bob!

Then into the Boiling water!

Say what?!!

Bob, are you okay????

Surgery to remove the shells... Scapel, forceps...gloves!  Next time, I'm bringing my welding gloves, those little lobsters were definitely tough cookies to crack!

Success!

And not a moment too soon - the natives were getting restless!

Bob, you never looked so good!!

Let the feasting commence...

We welcomed the New Year with a Hearty Hail to the One who sustains by His grace,

"God has made everything beautiful in its time.

He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.

The unfailing love of the LORD never ends!

By His mercies we have been kept

from complete destruction.

Great is His faithfulness; His mercies

begin afresh each day..."

~ Eccl. 3:11, Lam. 3:22-24

May the Sweetest Beginnings be Yours,

There will always be Grace Enough for each Day.  My Love, Jane