I am thankful for...

my circle of friends.

I feel very fortunate to have so many dear friends.  They love me for who I am, inspire me to live better, give me strength and support when I feel weak, and add an abundance of joy to my life!

I am especially grateful for friends that have come into my life since the passing of Sarah.  Many of these individuals have suffered great losses of their own and have been such a source of comfort for me.  I am thankful for their examples of faith and hope.  Thank you Beth for your kindness and support through the first and second year.  I will be thinking of you on Thanksgiving Day and in the month ahead.  I pray that you will feel close to your mother as you gather with family and friends.

I am thankful for...

phone calls from loved ones.

This morning (around 10:00a.m.) Maren called from her school classroom asking if she could come home.  In her words, "We're not learning anything today and I want to begin celebrating Thanksgiving!"  A few minutes later I picked her up from school.  We enjoyed eating lunch together, a bowl of soup with crackers.  Later Maren made these pretty place setting cards for our Thanksgiving table.  I thought it was very sweet of her to make one for Sarah.

 

I am thankful for...

good neighbors. 

...The kind of neighbors you can rely on for more than just an egg or cup of sugar.  Our family has been fortunate to live next door to such a friendly, caring couple.  They love our children (and dog) and genuinely care about us.  They invite us to backyard barbeque's and allow our family to swim in their pool.  They call to check in on us and enjoy regular visits on the sidewalk between our homes.  We have grown to really love them and consider them as family.  


In a couple of months another family will be moving into our cul de sac.  We have known this special family for the past 4 years and so excited to have them as next door neighbors!  Our children are counting down the days until they have friends their age to play with outside.  This is indeed something to be grateful for.  

I am thankful for...

the joy my family brings me.  

Click here to watch a short clip created by Nathan and Brian.

I am thankful...

to be married to a man who never wants to disappoint his children.  

A late Friday afternoon work meeting made it impossible for Brian and Nathan to attend the annual Fathers and Sons Campout.  Wanting to please Nathan, Brian set up a tent in the backyard for an overnight camping adventure.  The boys roasted marshmallows over the grill and stayed up late reading stories together.  It was a cool night, but they stayed nice and warm bundled up in sleeping bags and blankets.  

I am thankful for...

November days spent in the backyard without a coat or gloves.

The Performers

It has been a busy month for Nathan and Maren on the piano.  They participated in a Fall Piano Festival performing two memorized pieces in front of a judge.  That evening Maren was chosen to play in a "Judges Pick Recital".  She was thrilled with the opportunity to perform on a large stage with a beautiful, black grand piano.  Maren showed such confidence and grace on stage.  She performed so well and is now even more enthused about continuing to play this instrument.

Last Friday night they both performed at the elementary school's annual talent show.  Before the show, they gave a private concert for our family.  Click here to listen to Maren perform, "Carefree."  Click here to enjoy Nathan's "Shifty-Eyed Blues" (with a little help from Caroline). 

Holiday Wassail

It is a tradition in our family to drink a cup of warm wassail before our Thanksgiving feast.  A simmering pot of wassail fills the air with a comforting cinnamon-apple fragrance that will welcome your dinner guests and add to the overall ambiance in your home.  

Wassail 

1 gal. apple cider, plain

1 qt. orange juice

1 cup lemon juice

1 qt. pineapple juice

24 whole cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

1 cup sugar

Mix all ingredients and simmer 10 minutes.  Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves.  May be kept in crock pot or simmer to keep hot.  This recipe makes enough for a large crowd.  If it is for a small gathering, you may want to consider cutting the recipe in half.

Pecan Pie

It is hard to believe Thanksgiving is just over two weeks away.  This week I am organizing our family's favorite holiday recipes.  A friend asked if I would share my recipe for pecan pie.  Topped with a little vanilla ice cream, this dessert is sure to please the "nuts" in your family.

Pecan Pie
2/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup dark or light Karo Syrup (I prefer dark)
1 cup pecan halves (I cut the halves in slightly smaller pieces)


Beat all ingredients (except nuts).  Pour mixture into unbaked 9" pie crust.  Cover the top with pecans. Bake at 375 for 40-50 minutes.  I cover the pie crust edges so they do not burn.  This pie is best if made the day before, refrigerate after cooling to room temperature.   


Short cut:  If you're not up for making your own pie crust, purchase a frozen ready-made deep dish.  It is almost as good.  

The Little Black Dress

All three of my daughters have worn this black velvet dress.  I wonder if this special hand-me-down will be worn by a fourth little girl?  Caroline wore the dress for the first time today.  To complete the look, I put Sarah's black bow in her hair.  She so resembled Sarah, more than once I had to take a second glance.    

Maren ~ 2 years

Sarah ~ 2 years

Caroline ~ 2 years