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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

wonder


The fall decorations are boxed and put away until next year. The kids are chomping at the bit to get all things Christmas out and deck the halls. I'm wondering...

 


Sunday, November 18, 2012

Renew

A couple of our dear friends celebrated their 10 year wedding anniversary with a big 'o wedding ceremony yesterday to renew their vows. It was so much fun! They had the dress and tux and bridesmaids and groomsmen and dinner and dancing and the whole shabang, baby! We had a grand time. I was a singing bridesmaid, and Kelvin was the most handsome thang you ever did see in his groomsmen threads! He gave a beautiful toast at the reception. We were honored to host their rehearsal dinner Friday night. I'm so thankful for friends who loaned me everything I needed to pull it off without a hitch! We kept it casual with burgers on the grill. We had a hot chocolate station, mainly for the kiddos, and marshmallows at the ready for anyone who wanted to roast one around the fire pit. Target came through with some fabuloso cheesecakes and a chocolate pie. I spray painted some mini pumpkins a creamy color to go on the brown paper-covered tables. Of course there were candles, because every thing is better with candle light. I can't believe I didn't take a single darn picture! You'll just have to use your imagination. :)

This evening we enjoyed some more of the the Target desserts with some more friends around the fire pit. I love stree-free days with good friends, good food and drinks and a good fire. I'm looking forward to the week ahead without school for the kids. We get to enjoy two Thanksgiving dinners this year. YUMMY!

Wishing you and yours a beautiful Thanksgiving. I hope to post more this week, but I don't have a very good track record, so I'm not making any promises. ;)

Friday, November 9, 2012

A gift sweet, salty, sipped

Thankful I am was able to go to Cora's Thanksgiving lunch at school yesterday. She makes me feel so good when she tells me how much she likes it when I'm there. Last week she told me she wished I was a teacher at her school...precious! She has the sweetest little friends. Her best boy buddy is moving in another week. I'm not sure how happy Cora will be that he won't be in her class at school anymore.



 
 
So thankful for sweet friendships. Thankful for the yummy turkey and all the festive food at the Thanksfeast.
 
Thankful for the spur-of-the-moment visit with family at Aunt Terry's store last night and the treats to eat and sip while we shopped.
 
Thankful tomorrow is Saturday! It's been a long week without my one true love. Kelvin returns tomorrow! Yeah!! So thankful for him.



















~~The Joy Dare

Thursday, November 8, 2012

3 gifts government

3 gifts government...

Thankful for our freedom to vote.

Thankful for Christians in places of leadership within our government.

Thankful for structure...someone to organize road construction, health benefits for special needs children and adults, people who work the polling places, people who serve on juries. Thankful that we have a government of the people, by the people, for the people.



~~The Joy Dare

From my window

Three gifts from my window...

The gorgeous sunshine pouring through the wooden blinds and landing on the hardwood floors on a crisp morning. Thank you for warmth, Lord.

A picture in my kitchen windowsill -- a reminder of a sweet day at the pumpkin patch with my littles...one who is now in Heaven. Thank you for holding me close.

The leaves and acorns falling, and the squirrels scurrying to gather the acorns. Thank you that you provide--for the squirrels and for me.


~~The Joy Dare


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

3 gifts acorn small

I am so thankful. Our lives are overflowing with blessings. It's good to take time to pause and see them. Three gifts acorn small...


a photographer I am not, but it's still pretty
 
my beautiful wedding ring, hand-picked by the love of my life more than 22 years ago. He did well. This ring is so much more than gold and diamonds...it's love, blood, sweat & tears, smiles, passion, laughs, unimaginable pain, sorrow, joy and even more.

Borlotti (cranberry) beans. I made Fabio's delicioso Pasta e Fagioli Soup (Bean and Pasta Soup) for dinner last night. YUM! Everything in it is little--beans, pasta, chopped carrots, chopped celery, chopped onion, chopped fennel--but it packs a BIG punch, and it's great for a fall supper, especially when you have your sweet mama join you. :)

 
 
 
The little green accept call button on my phone. Yesterday a sweet girl from my very favorite store called to let me know I won the drawing for $75 gift card for their store. :) I'm sooo super excited! LOVE that store! I also won the gift card for the same store at bunco the other night, so I am ready to do me some shopping!! Can't wait!
 
I hope you have a wonderful day. Look for the small things...sometimes they are the big things.




Sunday, November 4, 2012

Gathered, Given, Good

Today is easy, because the other night my sweet and extremely talented friend invited us for lunch after church today. I asked what I could bring and she suggested dessert. I made a yummy Apple Pound Cake which I topped with caramel. What is not better with a little caramel, huh? I attempted this cake several weeks ago, and I guess I didn't test the doneness good enough, because it went everywhere when I flipped it on the cooling rack. This time was wonderful though. :) She made a pork roast with potatoes and carrots, and it was dEElicious! I am thankful for the time of gathering at my friend's home and the fellowship which ensued. I am thankful the cake came out of the pan whole this time, and I was able to share some with my sweet friend. And I'm thankful too that everything was so good...the food, the kids, and especially the fellowship. God is good.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

A month of thankful

I have missed the past couple of days of sharing what I'm thankful for. Actually, I guess it hasn't quite sunken in that it is November...already. I want to join Ann in the Joy Dare.

The first day, Thursday, was 3 gifts eaten...my favorite thing to do! The morning started off with oatmeal on the stove top complete with apples, cinnamon, and walnuts. Thankful for a full belly to start the day. So thankful for Cream Cheese Chicken Chili made in the crock pot, but especially dairy-free cream cheese. :) I love the crunch of the corn with each bite and the creamy goodness swirling around in the bowl. Thankful too for the small chocolate treat after dinner from the kids' trick-or-treat loot.

The second day was 3 gifts worn. I wore a smile as I watched our children play with my friend's kids. They were so cute last night. Thankful for worn-out jeans that fit just right and the way my favorite lip gloss feels on my lips, keeping them from being dried out and chapped.

Today is three gifts that start with N. So thankful for naps the past couple of days, and Cora's long nap today which allowed me to get some work done on her room-to-be. Immensely thankful for my extremely nice mother-in-law who came over to help me with Cora's room-to-be. Thankful for new spaces. I can't wait to finish Cora's room. I'm looking forward to a fresh new color on the walls, baskets for toys, a big girl bed with pretty bed covers, and a space in which she can play and make believe. She is such a delight to listen to. She plays well by herself. It's funny to hear her conversations with her dolls and toys. I love this age.

It doesn't start with N but ends with N. I'm so thankful for our childreN who are excited about the little things, like getting doughnuts for breakfast. I'm thankful they realize it as a treat and don't expect it all the time.

I'm also thankful for filling up my gas tank for under $3/gallon this morning...$2.96, yea baby!

 
I'm super thankful for the extra hour of sleep we get tonight. I better go to bed now so I can benefit! 
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