How is Amy doing?

Just wondering if there was an update on Amy's surgical outcome. I"ll go to our Dunford Family site at www.lastinglinks.com and leave a message there, too.

Love to you all,

Rob

Pumpkin Pie Crunch

Thought I'd share a favorite recipe of ours that is a spin on the typical pumpkin pie. It's one of my favorite things to serve for company this time of year. It's so easy and anyone can make it. Enjoy!

1 package yellow cake mix
16 ounce can of pumpkin
12-ounce can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 ½ cups white sugar
4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp. salt
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup (2 cubes) melted butter
Whipped cream or whipped topping

Preheat oven to 350. Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan. Combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, spice, and salt. Pour into pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture. Top with chopped pecans. Drizzle with melted butter, trying to cover all of the cake mix and pecans. Bake 50-55 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and serve with whipped cream or cool whip. YUM!

First of all, thank you, Katie, for making this blog! I really hope it gets used!

Here is a photo from our family's recent trip to Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg, Virginia. The Smithsonian, Arlington Cememtary, and Williamsburg were all wonderful. But the highlight for me was Mt.Vernon. There were acres of peaceful preserved land that seemed almost sacred. I especially felt that way at the grave of George Washington.

When I asked my kids what their highlight was, they said the Lego Store! (Actually they enjoyed the rest of it, too.)

Love to all! -Izzy

Dunfords and Donuts

O.K. I'm not so sure that my first entry on this blog should be about chocolate donuts. But, what would this blog be if we didn't go there?

I was at Laird Park yesterday with some friends visiting while our children played. I was just looking over at THE great family home when all of a sudden, out of the blue, my friend said, "have you guys ever had one of those incredible chocolate donuts...you know the Dunford ones?" Of course, a smile came over my face as I said, "let me tell you about those incredible chocolate donuts...see that house over there?" As I talked about my grandparents, their children and grandchildren, my friends sat there listening to every word. We talked about what it is like to be a part of a BIG family, what it is like trying to stay connected, and of course the joys of having chocolate donuts be one of the crowning memories of our summer parties. As the conversation went on, we eventually got back to those incredible chocolate donuts my friend first mentioned.

We do have a wonderful family. I am so grateful to be a "Dunford" with all of you. I am proud to admit that I love donuts...and bread...and baked goods. Is this inherited or is just me? Seriously.

Love to all of you!
Ginny Winters

Our Rallying Cry

"TO MY GRANDCHILDREN:

There flows in your veins, the blood of a long line of chosen people, favored of the Lord, that you, each of you, might have life in abundant measure. Keep your own aim high, higher than you can possibly reach, else what's a heaven for? Remember these words of your Grandpa Dunford as they have been given to me and my father before, the rallying cry of the Dunfords everywhere and at all times:

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE AND ACT ACCORDINGLY

Love always,
Your Grandpa,
L. Clayton Dunford"

Could there be a more riveting letter ever written? Could there be a more hopeful message for one's posterity? Do these words mean as much to you as they do to me?

This blog is dedicated to the posterity of Clayton and Elizabeth Dunford. May it be a place to express, share, and grow together as a family. But most of all --may it be a place to REMEMBER.