You may have noticed that the name of the Newsletter has changed a little. Rather than it being a Reunion Newsletter,

we're calling it a Family Newsletter.

There aren't always updates and news on the Reunion Plans.

But there's always reason to just simply share things with Family.

Be it recipes, pictures, memories, stories, announcements......Just consider these Newsletters as a

Family visit.

So, grab yourself a spot of tea or a mug of coffee, sit back, relax and peruse the Newsletter.

As you read through the words and take in the pictures, let your mind take you on a visit to each family member that's

submitted something.

And maybe next edition, you can reciprocate with a submission, and allow us a small peak into your life....in

whatever form you wish.

ENJOY!!

Diamond Family Newsletter

Thanksgiving 2009 Edition Volume 6, part 2

Marlene Blake Sobota

Lorie Ann Blake Garrison

Penny Thompson

Andrea Gill Callahan

Barbie Gill Peyton

Marney Manuel MacQueen diamondreunion2010@gmail.com

Autumn Decorating by

Barbara Diamond Gill

Of course, what is Thanksgiving without family! They may not be here in person, but we cherish their memories and

photos!!

Autumn Decoratingby

Dora Diamond Manuel Fudge

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING” 'Twas the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't sleep.

I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep.The leftovers beckoned,the dark meat and white,But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,The thought of a snack became infatuation.

So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,And gazed at the fridge full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground!

I crashed through the ceiling. Floating into the sky,With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees...Happy eating to all! Pass the cranberries, please!

GOLD SOUP

How do you make gold soup?

Just throw in fourteen carrots (carats)

EARTHQUAKE DESSERTby

Lynette Diamond Blake

Here is a great dessert for Thanksgiving: Bottom..... 1 ½ cups shredded coconut 1 cup chopped pecans 3 tbsp melted butter place in bottom of a 13x9 oblong dish. Mix a chocolate cake mix according to directions on box. Pour over the coconut mixture. Beat 1- 8oz pkg cream cheese 2 cups icing sugar ½ cup melted butter Spoon this over the cake mix Bake 50 min.@350 degrees. To make this more fattening I drizzle caramel and chocolate over it, and when ready to serve it, I top the individual servings with cool whip, (of course I use the FAT FREE one)...........hahahaha..... ENJOY!!

---------------------------------------------------------------7 Layer Salad

by Marilyn Manuel MacQueen

I ngredients Iceberg Lettuce (salad), 1 head, large )

Onions, raw, 1 large Green Peppers (bell peppers), 2 cups, strips

Peas, frozen, 1 package (10 oz) Bacon, 1 unit, cooked (yield from 1 lb raw)

Cheddar Cheese, 1 cup, shredded Mayonnaise, regular (mayo), 1 cup

Directions:PUT THIS TOGETHER THE NIGHT BEFORE AND THEN MIX AND SERVE AT MEAL TIME...WE USE REAL BACON FOR BETTER FLAVORBREAK UP LETTUCE IN BOTTOM OF BOWL, THEN ADD LAYER OF ONIONS, THEN LAYER OF BELL PEPPER (WE USE GREEN), POUR ON THE FROZEN PEAS, ADD FRIED BACON CHOPPED UP REAL GOOD, ADD CHEESE TO TOP OF BACON, TOP OFF WITH MAYO.COVER AND PLACE IN REFRIGERATOR OVER NIGHT.TAKE OUT AND MIX TOGETHER WELL THEN SERVE . SERVES 10.

A friend of mine told me about this salad last T-Giving, she makes it every year. I tried it and loved it. But it is a treat, not something to eat every day!!

Sweet Potato Scallopby

Marilyn Manuel MacQueen

Ingredients2 cups thinly sliced boiled sweet potatoes1 1/2 cups tart apples, peeled and thinly sliced1/2 cup brown sugar4 Tbs butter1 tsp salt

Directions:Preheat oven to 350 deg F. Butter a 1 1/2 Qt baking dish, layer half the potatoes in the dish, then half the apple sprinkle with half the brown sugar and salt, dot with half the butter, repeat. Cover and bake 30 min, uncover and bake an additional 30 min or longer, until apples are soft.

Number of Servings: 6

----------------

Rhubarb Marshmallow Pieby

Dora Diamond Manuel Fudge

Cook 2 cups rhubarb, ½ cups sugar and ¼ cup waterWhen cooled, place this filling in 2 graham wafer pie crustsBeat 1 250g pkg NutriWhipAdd 3 cups mini colored marshmallowsPlace this on top of the fillingBeat ½ package vanilla instant pudding and spread on topSprinkle graham wafer crumbs over top

Chill and Enjoy!!

I remember a few years ago, Shawn, Bonnie and family came to our home for Thanksgiving Dinner.

I made this, and Uncle Jim just loved it, and ate quite a bit. Every time I make it, I hear him say “that's good potatoes

darlin'”

We still miss you Uncle J! RIP

I'm THANKFUL we got to know you.

Autumn Decorating

by Andrea Gill Callahan

Thanksgiving

by Rod Chaulk

“What am I thankful for?” is a question often heard around this time........

So if you will indulge me, I will give you a few of my thoughts….

Firstly, I’m thankful for my roots. As a child growing up in Ontario, I heard many Newfie jokes. Many were not fit to repeat; some were fall down, pee your pants funny (not that any members of the Diamond clan ever laughed so hard they peed their pants). Most were told by Newfies themselves. Yet there were times when the jokes were not told by Newfies, but told to make fun of them. As my dear ol….young mother says “bunch ah fun pokers”. I remember bosses making fun of the “stupid newfie” and our society in general. The fact that you were one or at least a half breed, was something to be ashamed of.

Yet, I’m thankful, even grateful for my amazing heritage. When I went to Bible college I knew a few people from my church that were attending and I also had a cousin that was already there the year before (hey roomie), but I didn’t expect to be welcomed into a whole new family like I was. People treated me (or shall I say the Newfies treated me) like I was family, even if they had never seen me before in their lives. For that matter, friends of mine that had no Newfie blood at all were adopted willingly and joyfully into the family.

I remember hearing about the response that came from the people of Newfoundland towards the Americans when the 9/11 attacks grounded many flights in the Province. I swelled with pride as the Americans gushed over the hospitality and downright neighbourliness of strangers. I’m a Newfie and glad to report it every chance I get.

Secondly, I’m thankful for my family. Around my church while growing up, if you wanted someone to help with something, no matter the job, you called my Dad. He would work, and work hard until the job was done. He wasn’t always the best at everything, Lord knows I’m not either; but the Newf knew how to work and was dependable. You could just count on Reg. That stuck with me and in me. When someone sees me working hard or thanks me for my work ethic, I just point to my Father and tell them to thank him. He cooked and cleaned and worked hours on end when Mom was sick those many years. Thanks Dad for leading the way. Us Chaulk boys may not be the best at many things but because of you, we are dependable and know how to work.

Now don’t worry Mudder, I didn’t forget ya… I’m thankful for all the late night chats and all the encouragement. When other parents were tearing their kids apart you were encouraging us to be faithful, telling us to keep going and assuring us we would make it. You taught me to pray, to expect great things from the Lord and to love spending time with Jesus around the altar. You gave me an example of how to love the Lord and never be ashamed of it.

I’m immensely grateful for my immediate family. My wife who, well, let’s just says is clearly my better half. She is still the love of my life and the rock of our family. To all my kids I say thank you for making it so easy to raise you. You’re the best kids in the world.

Lastly, to my Lord. Thank you for forgiving me, restoring me, refuelling me and re-using me. I’m nothing without you. Thanks for listening to my ramblings..................

Rod Chaulk is the Son of Betty Diamond Chaulk and Reg Chaulk, and Grandson of William and Gertie

Autumn Decorating

by Betty Diamond Chaulk

Thanksgiving Memories

by Betty Diamond Chaulk

Thanksgiving was always a special time for Reg , myself & the boys. We always went out in the country for the day. We would go on a hay ride pulled by horses, and ended it by going apple

picking. Some times they had a fire, hot chocolate, & apple cider. Oh what awesome memories.

We also went to the farmers market & bought treats for the boys; like fudge, candy apples, & fresh vegetables for us. We'd end the day going some place for dinner/supper, & sharing what

we had to be thankful for.

Rod & his family still try to carry on this tradition today, when they can.

Wonderful memories in Ontario.

ARTICHOKE APPY

by Marlene Blake Sobota

Jumbo Crescent Rolls (light) (1pkg)

¾ C Mayo

1 x 14oz can of artichoke hearts in water

¼ C Parmesan

1-3 cloves of garlic (I use minced)

½ pkg of Zesty Italian Salad Dressing (dry)

Paprika (to taste and for colour)

Mix all ingredients together except rolls. Separate each piece of dough and apply

to baking sheet. Spread approx. a spoonful of mixture to each piece.

Bake for 10-12 mins @ 375!

At Thanksgiving, it would be remiss of us to not stop and give at least a few minutes of thought to our

country and be thankful for the freedom we enjoy.

Politics aside, we should remember, pray for, and hold great pride in our soldiers. To debate the issues

of war being right or wrong takes the attention away from the humanity of it all.

Every day parents, spouses and children say good bye to loved ones as they head off to the other side of

the world and put their lives on the line.

It’s good to refer to these people as soldiers since the very word evokes respect. However, sometimes

it’s good to just use the word “people” and allow yourself to realize they are exactly that. People. With

lives, children, and plans for the future….. Never forget that. Every time a person who’s trained to be a

soldier leaves home, he/she leaves all of that behind and lays their own plans and desires aside.

At Thanksgiving and always, stop and think. And pray. For:

The people in uniform.

The people waiting for their safe return.

The people that mourn when they’re lost.

The people that return from war and destruction and have to carry on a normal life.

The people that are the children of those people, and sometimes have to go on without a parent; or with

a crippled, wounded, injured parent.

Around your Thanksgiving table, say Thank You to God for a free country and the people that make it so.

When you encounter any of those people, say thank you and God Bless You.

A Prayer For Our Troops

God, hold our troops in your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the selfless

acts

they perform for us in our time of need.

Amen ~~WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT~~

www.redfridays.ca

www.usdamilitaryfamilies.org/html/red_fridays.html