Happy Birthday Beatrice

I did not intend to post this today but... had a little bad news last night so I was up early this morning trying to figure things out.  Well, let's be honest, blogging is a great escape. While surfing through your lovely blogs, I was cheered by all of the Christmas posts.  It's such a beautiful time of the year for families.  Then I glanced at the date. Dec 18th.  Today is my grandmother Beatrice's birthday.  She's celebrating in heaven.  I thought about my little troubles compared to the hardships she endured.  I'm so blessed. Furthermore, she knew who to give her troubles to.  There will be no complaining from me this Christmas.  I'm going to let Him handle this one.
Happy Birthday Beatrice!

  

Country Living

Hello and a Gratitude Giveaway

Hello and welcome.  So glad you are here!  Please follow me and I'll follow you back.  I am Tammy aka Beatrice Banks.  If you are here from my old blog, A Doctor in the House, thanks for making the move with me. (You can find explanation for change over there.)  If you are new, so nice to meet you! You can check out the archives at A Doctor in the House to see what I blog about.  Everybody come on in.  Let's be friends!

Thanks to Marina at Penny Lane Designs, I love my new blog design.  She's awesome to work with.  Check out her fabulous work at Penny Lane.

To show my gratitude for such wonderful blogging friends, here is a giveaway just for you.
A collection of Thanksgiving goodies.    
The winner of this giveaway will receive-

Ruffled Thanksgiving Apron
Mulled Spice Candle
Autumn Sticky Notes
Pumpkin Spice Pancake Mix

Thanksgiving kitchen towels

Gooseberry Patch Cookbook

Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Soap

White Pumpkin potpourri

Here's how to win-
1.Be a follower at Beatrice Banks!  Every follower will automatically be entered.
2. Post about this giveaway, making a link back to this post.  Then tell me about it here in the comment section.
That's all!  Drawing will be next Friday, November 12th.
After a year of blogging, this Thanksgiving I have something else to be thankful for.  That is you, my dear friend.  Thanks for giving me more reasons to blog.

If you are a new follower, I'd love to return the favor.  But I can only do so if there's a link on your profile page.  If you don't have a link but still  would like for me to follow, please leave your blog link in the comment section. Thanks!

Posting to Show n Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Who is Beatrice Banks?

The Story of Beatrice Banks-

I am Beatrice Banks, a combination of genetics and inherited traits from my parents. Beatrice M. is my paternal grandmother. E. Banks is my maternal grandmother. These two women were hard working, humble souls who lived a simple but meaningful life. Both worked diligently. Both raised large families. Tough times produced tough women. Yet, their hearts were as soft as the cotton they picked.

Beatrice M. was creative with a capital C. She gardened, sewed, crocheted, and cooked. Oh, the things that lady made with her hands which were wrinkled and callused from years of working the fields. Those same hands were unselfish, always looking for ways to give to others, even on a limited income. I never heard her speak an unkind word about anyone. There wasn’t a soul she didn’t love. Any time you stopped by her house, she’d have a big spread waiting for you at the table, (fresh from the garden with a pan of cornbread, of course) in a moment's flash. Such a hostess! After dinner was finished and kitchen cleaned, you'd find her sitting in her favorite chair reading the Bible, no matter who was around. It was her routine, but more than that, her passion. Sometimes she'd reach for an old hymnal and sing me a tune. To this day it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. I loved to stay with her in the summer.  By the time I woke up in the mornings, she would have already put in a morning's work in the garden.  She was a great story teller too.  I have so many fond memories of her. Her walk with the Lord was so real. She was a Sunday school teacher for 45 years. Talk about commitment.  Beatrice M. was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman. She was graceful in every situation.

E. Banks loved having her family around. Her children and grandchildren were the highlight of her life. Holidays were a celebration at the Banks’ house. I suppose this is one reason holidays are big at my house. The heart of E's home was the kitchen. My mom and her 3 sisters would all gather in the tiny kitchen to help prepare dinner but the dressing making was reserved for E. (I must insert that my mom is the wind beneath my wings. Another post later.) E. worked very hard at her job in the hospital. She didn’t drive so when we’d go visit, we’d pick her up from work. She’d come out in her little pink jacket. Back in the day, that kind of seemed out of the norm to me because most women her age didn’t work outside the home. I guess in my mind, a grandma was supposed to be sitting in a rocking chair knitting. But she knew what she needed to do to survive and a survivor she was! She was well liked by her coworkers and a friend to many. I still remember her laughter even though her mind and body were stressed with the cares of life. Lord, help me remember to laugh even in hard times. E. Banks was faithful to God and family. She was grateful for her blessings.

Tara Cooks.com

The greatest compliment I’ve ever received was “you remind me of your grandmother Beatrice.” I’ve not lived up to those words by any means, but it’s my daily goal. I seek to live gracefully with a grateful heart.
I have a rich heritage and do not want to take it for granted. Both B and E have departed this life for a better one. I hope a little bit of them lives on in me.

This blog is dedicated to “Beatrice Banks,” my true source of inspiration.

All photos are Google images approved for reuse. 
Graphics from The Graphic Fairy.