my blessed life

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For years now my mom, sister and I have been exchanging Christmas ornaments. We love to shop or create throughout the year and then we always exchange them on Thanksgiving day. This year was no exception. After everyone had slept off their turkey-induced comas out came the Christmas ornaments!! The kiddos made these (with a little help) for Nana, Papi and Aunt Kari: We bought the craft glass balls and acrylic paint tubes at Hobby Lobby. Then we took the tops off the balls, squirted in the paint and swirled it all around. It was a lot of fun, even if it did require a little more muscle than the kiddos had to get all that paint swirled around (that's where I came in). You just let them sit without the tops on for a few days until they are dry and ready to go! Very fun! Next are the ornaments that I gave my mom and sister: I got those little brown paper houses that Hobby Lobby sells and painted them with tempera paints. Then I spread glue ( Elmer's ) on the roof, chimney top ...

Our Thanksgiving dinner 2008: two little Indians our harvest table the centerpiece my place setting our menu with Thanksgiving artwork by The Princess fruit salad with dressing copper pennies (aka: marinated carrots) roasted turkey cornbread dressing green bean casserole sweet potato casserole corn casserole red cabbage and cranberries macaroni and cheese giblet gravy with mashed potatoes (potatoes not shown~oops!) rolls pumpkin pie red velvet cake Giving Thanks!

I pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!! Blessings! (Images from Flickr)

UPDATED WITH PICTURES BELOW!! Well, I hadn't planned to post any menus this week.....simply because I'm not at home and will be doing more helping than actual meal planning. But my mom is making one of our families very favorite meals tonight and I had to share it! Tacos Al Carbon 4 lbs. sirloin or porterhouse steak, cubed into small pieces (you can use part chicken, too, if you'd like) 2 lemons 2 limes garlic salt salt & pepper ~~~~~~ Place cubed meat into a ceramic/glass dish and squeeze the lemons and limes over the meat. Season with the salts and pepper. Stir and marinate for 1-2 hours. When ready to cook, simply fry in a skillet with a little oil. Serve hot with warm tortillas, queso al carbon and bandera sauce. Queso Al Carbon 1 1/2 lbs. Monterrey Jack cheese, cubed 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded ~~~~~~ Preheat oven to 250F. Place the cheese in a deep casserole dish and bake until completely melted and bubbly. Bandera Sauce ripe tomatoes, chopped onion, c...

Over the river, and through the wood, To Grandfather's house we go; The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow. Over the river, and through the wood - Oh, how the wind does blow! It stings the toes and bites the nose As over the ground we go. Over the river, and through the wood, To have a first-rate play. Hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ding", Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day! Over the river, and through the wood Trot fast, my dapple-gray! Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound, For this is Thanksgiving Day. Over the river, and through the wood - And straight through the barnyard gate, We seem to go extremely slow, It is so hard to wait! Over the river, and through the wood - Now Grandmother's cap I spy! Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie! by Lydia Marie Child 1844 We're off to Grandma & Grandpa's house for Thanksgiving.......

Last year when my little boy turned two and had officially moved into a *big boy* bed it was time to return the crib to my friend who had graciously lent it to me when my daughter was born four years before. That also meant I needed to return the glider that she had lent me. Boy, was it hard to give up that glider! My children both love to be rocked and we had spent hours upon hours in that glider with my feet propped up on the matching ottoman. But it really did need to go... Thus began the search for a new rocker, because my little boy was really missing it. Since I love to go antiquing I decided to start there and before long found a great little rocker. It's from the Victorian era (or so the antique mall owner said). It has a low seat, no sides, a beautiful pressed wood back and is remarkably sturdy and comfortable. However, I hated the fabric. I know it's kind of cool retro, but it was faded and matched nothing in our house. So I decided to dig through my fabric ...

Tonight is our small group Bible study group meeting at our house. We meet twice a month for dinner, fellowship and to encourage one another in the Lord. We are having our small group Thanksgiving dinner tonight and I thought I would share our menu plan. Each couple in the group brings part of the meal. The items that are * will be the ones I'm making. This will be a tasty prelude to our real Thanksgiving meal next week! Roasted Turkey Breast* Cornbread Dressing* Cranberry Sauce Mashed Potatoes* Gravy* Sweet Potato Casserole Corn Casserole Green Bean Casserole Macaroni and Cheese 7-Layer Salad Rolls Pumpkin Pie Cherry Cheesecake Apple Cobbler Sweet Tea and Sodas For more thoughts and ideas on Thanksgiving visit Kelli's at There Is No Place Like Home .

The Princess and I just whipped up these Candy Corn Sugar Cookies . I think they're a delicious way to use up our candy corn! For the recipe, go here .

Some vintage Thanksgiving postcards from my collection...... For more thoughts and ideas on Thanksgiving visit Kelli's at There Is No Place Like Home .