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

Happy Halloween

The little Pumpkin Fairy

The sassy Flapper Girl

The goofy Clown

The Witch

Trick-or-Treating in style with a new bag.

Thank you Erin! (emcreativedesigns).

Saturday night at the annual Trunk or Treat

Brian holding his favorite fairy

Texans Give Drugs the Boot!

To kick off Red Ribbon Week, the elementary students were asked to dress up in their cowboy/cowgirl boots and hats.  All week long the kids will participate in activities that will help them learn to say NO to drugs.

These two Texans are pledging to live a drug-free life. 

Caroline wanted to dress up just like big Bro. and Sis.

Cutest lil' cowgirl

Our drug-free dog