Fall Family Dinner

We've been wanting my sister Jen and fam. over for dinner, for awhile now. It seems like if it doesn't go on the calendar...it doesn't happen. It ends up just being..."we really need to get together" over and over again. It was nothing gourmet, just a pot roast, carrots, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, rolls,and a fruit salad. We had chocolate cake, ice cream, and pumpkin pie/whip cream and coffee. Jen and I just visited and the guys played Wii, and watched football. It was nice having them here. I'll have to put it on the calendar again!

Cat Nap

Birdie....Did I ever tell you how she got her name? One night, her mother started giving birth to a litter of kittens in the closet in Tori's room. I gathered Mama Kitty and the kitlets up and moved them downstairs. The next morning, Tori (age 3) called me into her room and said "there's a bird in my room." "Hear it?" I listened and was appalled to find out that one of the kittens had fallen behind something in the closet, and hadn't gotten moved with it's mommy and it's siblings. It had a strange little squawkey voice, that indeed sounded like a bird. We named her "Birdie", and she still has a strange little voice. I'm not sure how her mama got in the house in the first place, since we have "barn cats" not "house cats" because of both Kate's allergies and asthma, and my very strong aversion to litter boxes. (I think she may have gotten some castaway assistance from a little girl.) Birdie will take assistance from anyone who is willing to not latch the front door properly. She nudges it open and bounds up the stairs, and quickly nestles into the afghan Ashlyn spreads on the floor for her teddy bears.

Thanksgiving

It was Anna's first Thanksgiving Dinner at her house, and everything turned out great.
There was a note under Papa's plate written by the girls, thanking us for coming to dinner.

There was a turkey on the table and there was a ham ^^^^ in the hall.

I was looking back at you,

to see if you were looking back at me,

to see if I was looking back at you..........

(We had to take each other's pictures.)

Anna had her "new" lamp on. I had painted a green wooden lamp base that I'd had for years, black.

She bought a white drum shade and I lined it in this fabric I had, to coordinate with the chair.

Over the River, and Through the Woods

to Grandmother's house we go....... Not....... Our Indian Summer weather, finally turned. I don't think we've ever gone so long without a frost. But this week the snow paid us a visit.

We weren't having Thanksgiving at our house this year, the plan was to go to my parents. Since the weather thwarted our plans, Anna invited us to her house for dinner. I need to go in the kitchen and whip up a pumpkin pie. I had thought I would maybe make some of these , but all of my cute little jars are still full of jellies. I am thankful for this cute spicy tin I found at a garage sale last time Jim and I went with Dad, for the wild hazelnuts, acorns, and vine maple picked up on a walk, and for this cool antler that a deer shed in our orchard in payment for all of the apples he has gleaned there.

But especially; Jim and I are so very thankful for all of the dear family and friends that God has blessed our lives with.

We love you!

xoxo, M

Children's Children

Last year I blogged a couple of pictures, and scriptures from Psalm 103. On Friday, I had the joy of listening to our oldest grandson Matthew recite from memory the whole chapter to me, his Mom, and Aunt Kate. It blessed my heart sooo much. He is such a sweet, loving, kid, and has a really special place in all of our hearts. Love you Matthew!

Christmas Rush

No candles in the holders right now, but when there are and they are lit, the heat rises and turns the fan, which in turn, rotates the shepherds and their sheep, and makes the 3 kings and their camel, circle the Baby Jesus, Joseph, and Mary.

When we lived in Germany, I REALLY wanted one of these Christmas Pyramids. They were always too expensive for my budget, and there were always other higher priorities, so it was just one of those non-essentials that I would dream about each Christmas season. On a thrifting stop at the Teen Challenge Store this year, I found this one. (And on a 20% off everything in the store day...yay!) I was thrilled! I looked them up on-line and see that Christmas Pyramids have only gone UP in price as with everything else. I always wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas... oh the anticipation now!!! I think the kidlets are going to love it. (I also think I'd better remember to have my glasses on when trying to take photos..sorry for the blur.)

linked to http://apronthriftgirl.typepad.com/apron_thrift_girl/

Letters to God

We watched this on Netflix Instant last night. It's a Hallmark'ish type movie.

We had seen the previews last Spring when it was showing in the Theatres. With Jim being a former letter carrier, the cancer theme, and God theme...we were intrigued. The actual movie had a more spiritual aspect to it than I had expected, which was good.

Letters to God correlates nicely with the "Believing God" Bible Study I've been doing. It too, has letters to God involved. Sometimes we can get so busy living life, we don't allow enough time for reflecting, or serious praying. This study has forced me to stop and think about some things, no longer just sweeping them under the rug. Prior to the study I was going through a time where I felt like someone had put all of the things bothering me into a mental blender in my head.... turned the switch on, ..... and left the lid off. I was having a difficult time concentrating and praying effectively. This study, (shown in my side-bar) has been a God send to me. Have you done this study? What did you think?

Sicky Soup

I've been chillin'. Chills, hammering headache, and sore throat. Jim brought me some Thai Tom Yum when he came back from errands. I've read good reports about the health and immune system boost from this soup. It has enough chili oil kick to warm a person up, and just the right amount of saltiness and sourness. If it doesn't provide enough warmth and sourness, He also got me hot lemonade, and there's plenty of kleenex, cold meds, echinacea, and good ol' netflix movies. Have I told you lately, how much I love this guy?

Iron Skillet Apple Cake

Since it was just Jim and I partaking of Jim's birthday cake, I cut the recipe in half. He loves apple pie, and there have been some years that he's gotten that instead of a cake. This year, I opted for something, sort of in between.....Pioneer Woman's Apple Cake in an Iron Skillet.
With a side of vanilla bean ice-cream; He loved it. It's a nice cozy fall dessert, birthday, or no birthday.

Monster Mash at the Birthday Bash

As I've said before, Kate throws great parties. She and Chris graciously hosted a birthday brunch at their house. We all know Jim loves breakfast! When we arrived the kitchen was a flurry of activity, with Chris at the stove stirring scrambled eggs and making just possibly the best country gravy I've ever eaten . Kate was whipping up some yummy biscuits to put it on, and Sarah was putting together 2 lovely fruit platters. There were also doughnut holes and monkey bread from Anna and I.
There were yummy sausage links and perfectly cooked bacon And but of course......GRITS, y'all! Little chefs also got in on the act in the play kichen corner. At Liam's gift time.....I didn't get many pictures, but someone who shall remain nameless brought a gift with silver shred confetti. shame, shame, shame, on her! Liam's party theme this year was Spiderman.

We sure do love our birthday boys! They are both a couple of sweeties!

All of the girls got some good visiting in, the guys watched the U of O game, the kids played and made a movie, (or 2 or 3). They have some kind of software that takes pictures of the kids doing different things and super imposes it into an action movie. They seemed to be mostly chiller thrillers. We all came down to the film room for the academy awards and sneak previews. The last time I saw Liam, the birthday boy......he was driving a police car and being pursued by a giant hairy turantula. When's the last time YOUR birthday was that exciting? : )

What's on Cable?

I love my sock knitting, and that's what's been going on lately. But ever so often, my hands are cramped up from the tight tension, and bamboo skewer size needles, there's a longing for something on a size 8, and I need a cable "fix", so... Here we go with another Irish Hiking Scarf. This is the third one I've made. The pattern is so simple and rythmic. I know I should probably branch out, and do another cable variation, but this one just suits. Why switch channels now? It's comforting, with just enough plot twist to be entertaining.

Kielbasa Potato Bake

I used to work at as an educational assistant at our daughter's

school. At a back to school staff potluck, a school board

member's wife brought this casserole. We really liked it and it's

become an annual fall dish at our house.

Kielbasa Potato Bake

6 potatoes, cooked (I just scrub, and microwave them)

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 large can sauerkraut (drained)

1 Hillshire Farms Polska Kielbasa

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 cup mayonnaise

2/3 cup milk

Slice potatoes and place in 9x13 casserole dish.

Sprinkle onions over potatoes.

Cover with sauerkraut.

Cut up sausage and scatter on top.

Mix soup, mayo, and milk, salt and pepper together,

and pour over the potato mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or til heated

through and bubbly.