Menu Plan Monday: November 28

Do you have a Thanksgiving hangover?  I do!  We only ate one Thanksgiving meal this year and I cooked it.  We had the best meal!  Our favorites were the cornbread dressing, fried confetti corn and chocolate ice-box pie.  (I pretty much live and die by Southern Living recipes now.  They are guaranteed to be good.) 

Monday: southwest taco soup, corn muffins

Tuesday: chicken enchilada soup, chips & salsa, sopapilla cheesecake (I'm hosting book club ... dessert required)

Wednesday: pizza, salad (we love Papa Murphy's take & bake ... plus we have BOGOF coupons to use up before the end of the year)

Thursday:  Thanksgiving leftovers (one last time)

Friday: Dinner out with my old bible study group and spouses

Saturday: Spaghetti casserole, salad

Sunday: lunch out with a coupon, breakfast for dinner (at Claire's request)

Check out Laura's blog for more Menu Plan Monday.

So Thankful ...

This is a picture of my parents and all of their grandchildren that was taken with my sister's phone.  (I haven't gotten my TG pictures off of my camera yet.)

I am so thankful for all of the MANY blessings that God has given me.  I was reminded of how truly blessed I am as I was spending the entire weekend surrounded by my loving family.  I am so thankful that we were able to spend all day Thursday with my family and all day Friday and Saturday with Will's family.  I am so thankful that Will was off Wednesday-Sunday and we were able to spend family time together cooking a Thanksgiving meal, Christmas shopping, watching the Iron Bowl and putting up our Christmas decorations.  It was so nice to have an extra "helper" at home.  I am so thankful for my three sweet children who are so loving and kind and funny and sweet and sometimes a big fat mess.  I am so thankful for my heavenly Father who has saved me by grace and loves me in all of my flaws and weaknesses.  I am thankful that it is those weaknesses that I am made strong in Christ.  I am thankful for the material blessings that God has given me, but I am also thankful that my joy is found not in what I have or don't have, but who I am in Christ. 

I hope that you and yours had a blessed Thanksgiving day!

Pumpkin Love

I just pulled a pumpkin pie out of the oven ... let the Thanksgiving baking begin.

Honestly, I don't have a lot of cooking to do this year since I am not hosting TG dinner. We will go to my in-laws house on Thursday and my family's house on Saturday.

I do love a good pumpkin recipe though. My hubby does not share my love of all things pumpkin, but he has really started warming up to it a bit in the last few years. He still won't eat pumpkin pie, but he will eat my pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and my pumpkin pancakes.

Some other pumpkin treats we are trying this year:

Pumpkin coffee cake

Pumpkin cheese ball

Pumpkin pie

Another pumpkin chocolate chip muffin recipe (the easy version) with yummy glaze on top

What are your favorite Thanksgiving recipes?

Celebrations this week ...

This week we celebrated Thanksgiving ... Happy Turkey Day! (Claire has been saying this all week.)

And, a victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl ... this one was too close for comfort for me, but still a win. Roll Tide!

On a side note: Big Al made his first and only appearance this year in our front yard. I'm sure that our neighbors were thrilled!

thankful

I have much to be thankful for this year ... my saviour, my children, my husband, my job, my family & friends, our health. But I think most of all this year, I am thankful for a church and small group that has challenged me to give myself completely to God. I have learned that stewardship is not just about tithing 10% of my income, but giving myself completely to God and His kingdom. That includes my time and energy ... my life. Many times, it will move us out of our comfort zone ... to help a stranger, to become more involved in the life of a friend on a much more personal level, to change the history of your family.

I have much to be thankful for this year ... and to whom much is given, much is required. Luke 12:48. I have been given much.

Indian Princess

We did not see Pocahontas when we were in Disneyworld, but within a week of returning from our trip, we had our own little Indian Princess.

Apparently, Claire has been learning about our Native American friends in preschool this month in honor of Thanksgiving. She made her very own teepee (it is very possible I am mis-spelling this word), dress and headband.

This is one art project that is probably not going to stand the test of time in our attic, so I decided to take a picture while it was all still intact.

More "Thanks"giving pics

I know that Thanksgiving was 2 weeks ago, but I am still trying to catch-up. I couldn't leave Thanksgiving without expressing my thanks for Will's side of the family. We are thankful that they only live a couple hours away from us and we see them frequently. We are also thankful that they will keep our children during the Alabama football games. (It is very handy to drop them off on the way to Tuscaloosa.)

More cousins!! David and Claire with Brianna and Davis.

Brianna is a great helper with David. She kept him entertained all night long.

Claire loves to play with Brianna. Here they are "hopping" through the house.


David ... the morning after. This is what David's hair looked like when we got back from the Iron Bowl. This is what happens when Aunt Brandi gives him a bath! Despite the fact that David got my super-fine hair, he apparently also got Will's curls. Good for him!

A Thanksgiving Post

Creative title ... I know. I am pooped and my brain just isn't working. I am listening to Harry Connick, Jr.'s new Christmas CD while I write. It's not my fave yet, but it's very "jazzy". Thanksgiving officially ushers in the Christmas season at our house and I have "permission" from Will to listen to Christmas music. (I have secretly been listening to it in my car since Halloween.)

I love Thanksgiving. The food ... the family time ... reflecting on what I am thankful for ... the food. However, I did a pretty stinky job of teaching Claire about the importance of this holiday this year. I just couldn't get my act together. I was all on top of Halloween, but Thanksgiving snuck up on me. To her, the holiday is all about Turkey (one for her and one for my niece Evie), no nap, lots of sweets, and a trip to the grandparents' houses. We are paying dearly for the "no nap" part ... as I type, Claire is still awake upstairs and it is almost 10pm.)

Despite our crazy-hectic day, I did get to reflect on my many blessings. I am thankful for ...

(1) My sweet husband ... who got up at 5am to fry turkeys this morning for our thanksgiving dinner. (I took this photo at 7am when I woke up.)

(2) My precious children and their sweet personalities, their health and their zeal for life.

(3) My loving mother ... who always sets a beautiful table, but has an equally beautiful heart.

(4) God's provision ... for our very basic needs (e.g., food) and the very desires of our hearts.

(5) Fellowship with our family around a table full of food.

(6) Friends (and family). David, Evie, Ian and Claire. We were singing "If you're happy and you know it."

(7) My sister ...

and her family.

(7) Grandparents!

(8) R&R ... Poppy took a nap during the Titans game. David and Will perused the sales ads.

(9) Meme is thankful for Uncle Jon and his computer skills. Bless his heart, every time he comes to their house, he has to do something to their computer!


There are so many more things that I have to be thankful for ... too many to list. I hope that you and yours are equally blessed and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

What's Cooking Wednesday: Thanksgiving Edition

Tonight, we are making some yummy treats for our Thanksgiving meal tomorrow. Will is prepping 2 turkeys to start frying at 5am tomorrow (with Claire's assistance) and I am making Mac & Cheese, 7-layer salad and Chocolate Pecan Pie.

7-Layer Salad (from my friend Jadie)
Bottom layer: 1 head of lettuce, chopped
Then layer the following on top of the lettuce in 9x13-inch dish:
Cauliflower/Broccoli
Red onion, diced (think, less is more)
Crumbled Bacon
Cheese
Frozen Peas, thawed

Dressing: Mix 1 Ranch envelop + 1 cup mayo + 2 Tbs. milk. Spread in an even layer on top of the frozen peas.

Cover and let sit overnight. DO NOT STIR until just before serving.

We are thankful for ... school

Claire had a Thanksgiving party at her school this week and Will got to attend (and photograph) since I was tied up at work all day. The parents were invited to eat lunch with the children, and then help them make a craft and hear a Thanksgiving story. I think that Will did a very good job of capturing the day.

This is Claire's best buddy at church and school-Avery.

Will was super impressed that all of the kids went to their "square" when instructed by the teachers. I wish Claire minded that well at home!

Time to make our turkey. Will told me that Claire really liked working with the glue. We do not play with glue at home!

Claire's classmates working on their crafts.

Will helps Claire finish up her craft.

A group photo. I am so thankful that Claire goes to school where the parents are so involved. Apparently, I was the only parent who couldn't make it. (Not really, but it seems that way.)

This is Claire's regular "spot" at the table. Apparently, Ella (on the end) is one of her new buddies. She could not stop talking about her last week. Now I know why ... they sit next to each other.