What Is Memorial Day? Present Day And Past Celebrations...

What is Memorial Day? Before the 20th century it was a called "Decoration Day". It was a day dedicated to decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers after the Civil War. By the 20th century it became known as Memorial Day and was extended to all American who had lost their lives serving their country while in the military.

Many Americans still observe the tradition by visiting and decorating gravesites. It is also a time for family and friends to gather together for a long holiday weekend. Many cities and towns have parades and BBQ's. 

I am grateful to all of those men and women who gave their lives protecting and fighting for our freedoms and for our country. I am also grateful to their families who are often all but forgotten. Thank you...

Blessings,

Mrs. Smith

Snow Burgers...An All American Favorite Memorial Day Meal With A Twist (Snow)...

We were so blessed with copious amounts of snow when we woke up this morning. We really needed the moisture to help with the drought and the fires. It was more snow than we had all Winter. 

Solar panels and fire ring

This is the protected side of the house. 

Number One is cleaning off the solar panels.

Number One trudging through the snow.

This is also the protected side of the roof from the wind. As you can see, it didn't matter. This is the most snow that we have seen on our roof. Usually, the wind doesn't allow it to accumulate like this.

Number One made a path for us to get to the grill.

The snow is starting to melt.

Number One cleared the snow off the grill cover.

We pressed out 24 hamburgers yesterday.

We grilled 8 of them.

These are the best hamburger buns. The are affordable at Sam's, but extremely expensive at regular grocery stores. I reused the bun bag to store the grilled burgers in. These grilled burgers also freeze very well. 

I individually froze the raw pressed out burgers. I will put them in freezer bags as soon as they are frozen. 

Number One figured out that each burger costs $1.45 to make at home. Each ground beef patty weighed 1/3 lb. and cost $1.00 each. The bun cost .45 cents. This is a very affordable burger and they taste better than the $6 to $7 fast food burgers. They are healthier for you too. Serve with a side of homemade baked beans and potato salad and you have an inexpensive all American favorite meal that is affordable for your Memorial Day gathering even if it snows...

Enjoy,

Mrs. Smith 

Bixby Letter

This is the letter that was sent to a mother who lost five sons in the Civil war. The sacrifice of a soldier does not rest entirely on him or her, but is also endured by the soldier's loved ones...

Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.
Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln

Thanks to you, soldiers, present and past for your service to our country. Thank you for your great sacrifice for our freedoms that we enjoy today. Thanks to your family and friends for their endurance. May God bless you all...