Thankful Thursday - Charlie Came to Dinner!

Some of you may recall a post I wrote in July of 2010 about our neighbor Charlie. He continues to bring our newspaper to the doorstep and help with our garbage, even though the gout in his feet has been very painful lately, making it difficult for him to walk. We check in on Charlie alot, bringing him goodies whenever I bake, or putting a plate of food together after one of our family gatherings. Recently he chuckled as he gave my mom and I a little gift, saying that he overheard us say we were on a diet:

We haven't tried it yet, but have no doubt it will not help our weight loss efforts!

Our 4th was going to be small and quiet with just EZ, myself, my Mom and Nick, so we decided to extend a casual invitation to Charlie to join us for hot dogs around 6:00. He pretty much stays to himself, so he didn't commit, but we told him we'd love to have him and if for some reason he couldn't make it, we would bring some food on over. We set the table hoping he would come, and Nick fired up the grill. Well, lo and behold, at 5:40 the doorbell rang and it was Charlie! I snapped a quick picture at the table with my iphone (of course Nick is thrilled that I am taking a picture!):

Words can't express what this meant to us. We wanted to have him over to thank him for doing what he does to help out, but knew he might feel uncomfortable actually sitting down at our table for a meal. He must have trusted us to accept him for who he is, because he came, he sat, he visited, he loved on our dogs, he ate and he allowed us to get to know him a little bit more. He kept saying, "I don't do this! The only reason I'm here is cause I love ya'll!" Wow...We all enjoyed some Nathan's All Beef Hot Dogs, baked beans, chips, pretzels and watermelon. Nothin fancy, but special just the same.

Charlie walked on home just before the hard rain came, and being determined to make the Red Velvet Cake I had posted about, on the fourth of July, I got started and we were able to enjoy it while watching fireworks on TV. It did not disappoint, but be warned...I have never beaten frosting that long in my life! A very different recipe using flour and no cream cheese, but delicious! It is definitely worth the effort. Here is the link on Pioneer Woman for the Red Velvet Sheet Cake and That's the Best Frosting I've Ever Had.

Hope the rain didn't dampen your celebration and that you had a very Happy 4th of July.  We certainly did!