November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Menu:
Cranberry Fruit Conserve (new recipe- delish)
Picnic shoulder ham (delicious tradition)
Mashed potatoes (wallpaper paste)
Scrumptious sweet potato casserole (new recipe-yum-e)
Stovetop stuffing (always a fav)
Gravy (only saving factor for the wallpaper paste)
Crescent rolls (thankyou Pillsbury)
Apricot jelly (homemade by me)
Swedish Apple Pie ( a tried and true tradition)
Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake (new recipe-wonderful)


I pulled out the special dishes, placemats, cloth napkins and the minnie mouse plate.
Kinda fancy, but fun! My dad has been spending this week with us-good times!



Activities of the day:
Devotions. Drove to the gym is sub-zero temperatures. Actually, I think the temp was 14 degrees at 7:30am. Ran 2miles on the treadmill-average speed 13.02.
Fixed a big breakfast of bacon, fried eggs, toast and coffee with pepermint mocha creamer for the men of the household. Skyped with my family in Moldova and Ohio-at the same time. Technology is awesome.
More preparation on our great thanksgiving feast.
Did some volunteer time serving at our church for the community thanksgiving dinner.
Christmas came from Pops.

The men started the assembly process on a giant train table-all 126 pieces.
Completed preparation for our great thanksgiving feast.

The men undid some of their progress and re-did it in a manner more aligning with the directions.

Consumed much of the great thanksgiving feast

The men completed there train table project- much to the joy of the little man.
The little lady didn't understand why she couldn't play with the amazing train table.
Clean-up the remains from the great thanksgiving feast.
Naps for the little boy and girl.
The men play with the awesome train table.
More skype time with the very far-away sister.
The boy plays with his trains.
The girl plays with her house and piano.



I hope you have all noticed the humble state of my christmas tree.
We started it late yesterday evening and managed to fluff the branches, put the tree together, carefully apply the lights and ribbon and then throw the strands of beads on. More tender loving care to my minimalist tree is coming soon. Until then, the lights are shinning brightly and the christmas music is playing softly.

Happening soon:
Work up the energy for some dessert eating.




My journey of thankfulness begins.

I have recently been thinking about my need to be more thankful/grateful. Three specific things have moved me in this direction: 1. I occasionally follow a blog and this writer has over 2,100 entries of thankfulness- I think that is pretty cool! 2. The month of November ends in a celebration of Thanksgiving – Thanksgiving Day. 3. This month Z-girls( a high-school girls bible study that takes place in my home) has taken time each week to verbalize something they are thankful for.
Various verses from my devotions this month have also had to do with thankfulness/gratefulness.
So, my faithful readers here is my thankful list, not necessarily in order of importance; and my newly discovered verses.
I am thankful for:
1. the call and response of roosters early in the morning.
2. my health.
3. Andy- my best friend.
4. The smell of baking apple pie.
5. “sweet moments” – hugs and kisses and cuddles from my kiddies.
6. that I live where I can see the stars at night.
7. that I have the privilege to openly worship on Sunday.
8. for two good legs.
9. my z-girls that come every Tuesday.
10. for the “for granted’s” washer, dryer, dishwasher.
11. talking and laughing with good friends.
12. the support and encouragement to start a project that appeared impossible.
13. the feeling of finishing the project-reaching a goal.
14. the gift of music/singing. Having the privilege to be in a community Christmas choir.
15. for ice cream-chocolate ice cream.
16. for the opportunity to reach out and tell others about the life-changing gift of Jesus.
17. for the Bible and that I can openly read, study and discuss without fear.
18. instrumental music-both playing and listening.
19. the comforting smell of wood smoke.
20. quiet moments; alone moments.
21. my family. I have the greatest parents and siblings-including Jenny and Wesley!
22. dependable and safe vehicles’.
23. the fact that we live in color- fall is such a beautiful season.
24. a thankful celebration day
25. the patience of my God-teacher.
26. plenty of food, warm house.
27. the technology that allows me to Skype and hang out with my so-far-away family.
28. the opportunity to pray to God and have those prayers answered.
29. being involved in a church family that loves God and loves my family and I.
30. that I am loved by God!

Colossians 2:7 “…and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Philippians 4:6 “… by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
I Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances…”
One thing I noticed during my thankful journey this month has been that I need to work on being conscious of my blessings. I am so blessed, yet to verbalize and concentrate on my blessings has been difficult for me. As you can see, my devotions have uncovered some cool verses. I’m trying to keep Colossians 2:7 on my mind-“overflowing with thankfulness”My goal is to continue this journey of thankfulness

November 9, 2010

Thursdays/ Fun-days/Family-days

Thursday is Andy’s day off during the week. Sometimes we go on an ‘adventure’, sometimes shopping, sometimes nothing more than just being together and hanging out.
I like Thursdays! Here are some pictures from a past fun day.

We went to Stanley, Idaho at the base of the majestic Sawtooth Mountains.
We spent the night at Redfish Lodge. We went on a very cool hike and saw some of my favorite trees. Aspen Trees are super cool they almost deserve a post all there own; maybe someday.
The leaves of these aspen trees had started to change colors- beautiful! Ate our supper of pizza by the lake. Saw some of the local wildlife. Had a nice time! Good Memories.