Remembering

Missing my mom and dad right now. Mom is forever in our memories. Dad is still in rehab, but getting stronger. I will be taking leave soon to care for him. We decorated for Christmas this weekend after celebrating Marisa's birthday. Got kinda sad putting out all the stuff and the ornaments on the tree. Not only was I missing my parents, I was missing when the kids were small. Remember those precious times, never take family for granted.

Happy Birthday, Marisa!

Our Thanksgiving Day

It all started with a turkey. Easy preparation: 1 whole turkey, salt, pepper, fresh sage, fresh thyme, fresh parsley, fresh rosemary, butter--lots of butter, chicken broth, an orange, an apple, a handful of cranberries.

Cover and grill...last hour add hickory for smoke. Done!

Made my mom's green punch: 2 pkgs lime kool-aid, 2 cups sugar, 2 quarts water, 46oz can pineapple juice, and 2 bottles ginger ale. Kids love it! Cheers! (Don't ask about the Tonster's hair. I'll tell you...he was bored, so he tried to straighten it while the rest of us prepared the meal. I think he tried to cut it, too.)

Danny got to start first.
He is serving my aunt Nell's dressing and my friend Angela's sweet potato casserole.

Ahh...me and my babies!
Tony was sweet to put on a cap.

LOL! Of course, KC insisted on being at the table.
I call this photo 'the missing egg formation'.

Thanksgiving is very, very special to our family because Marisa's birthday follows.
This year she will celebrate her 17th on Saturday.

After our meal we took turns playing Mancala.
And of course, KC had to stick her nose in this as well.

The rest of the day will be filled with football, leftovers, slumber, and farmville.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings!

It's the day before Thanksgiving! It's that time of year we count our blessings. I am so thankful for my family most of all! I'm sad that Dad couldn't make the trip to Colorado, but I will be going to see him in a couple of weeks. Danny and I are still planning a big Thanksgiving meal! Marisa's birthday is in a couple of days. Our baby girl will be 17 years old! She wants a 'Scooby-Doo' cake and a VISA card! Is that typical for an older teen or what? I'm also thankful for all of my friends! Without you guys, life would be so boring! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Oh Fudge!

Yea, it's been THAT kind of week!

You Had Me At 'Remote-Control'

Danny and I wanted an electric fireplace for the den, so we went shopping. Always a favorite activity for me. I wanted a big fireplace unit. Danny wanted something more durable-stocky-rugged-cabin-like, so we went to Lowe's. They had the nice, more elegant, tall, dark, wood-like electric fireplaces. And, they had the Duraflame. The sales guy and Danny were going over the features: the black textured finish, operates with and without heat, 1,350 watt heater, 4,600 BTU's per hour, adjustable thermostat, glowing log set and ember bed, adjustable dimmer, operable door, supplemental heat for up to 400 sq. ft., 1-year warranty, AND...

a multi-function remote control!

So, there you have it! I might as well be living in a cabin. Truth be told, I like it! It did keep the den warm and cozy all day. I got up early this morning to put together my Thanksgiving menu/grocery list. I started a pot of coffee, grabbed my journal for the menu/list, curled up on the sofa, then reached for the remote and clicked.

Standard Time

Since the time change I come home from work, put on my favorite plaid flannel pajamas, and crawl under the covers.

Ever Have One Of These Days?

A Great Day

Danny and I spent the day at the Colorado Country Christmas craft show yesterday. We always return to our favorite booths for holiday staples as well as new findings. Danny likes t0 like the fishing or cabin-life decorations. I like the lotions, soaps, and potpourri. We both like the foods: jerkies, jellies, dips, soups, etc. We also like the cooking shows.

Today we watched Chef Keith Jones, formerly known as 'The Champagne Chef'. He made blackened salmon with Amaretto orange butter sauce. It was fantastic, easy, and great for a holiday meal. Chef says that the recipe is just the beginning. I totally get that! We bought our favorite soup bases from Plentiful Pantry: Tomato Parmesan Bisque, Cheesy Enchilada Soup, White Cheddar Potato Soup, and White Bean Chili. Sometimes I follow the directions and have a soup in minutes, other times I use the base as just that, a 'base', and change it up.

I picked up bars of these soy-based scented bars that work wonders in this dry Colorado climate. I chose the scents: christmas tree, plumeria, acai, ocean, coffee, and lavendar. I found a new booth this year with awesome lotion...it comes in a round bar! They are called Lavishea. I bought lavendar, vanilla passion, and coconut lime verbena. When the kids returned home last night, I had them wash their hands and try this stuff. Loved it!

We picked up our 'once-a-year' breads: apple strudel, asiago, and walnut-cranberry. We stocked up on our favorite dip mixes from Gourmet Farms of Colorado: Southwest, Green Chile, Chipotle, Sundried Tomato, Permesan Garlic, Spinach, Cheddar Bacon, Artichoke Spinach, and Jalapeno Cheddar.

I was so incredibly tired from walking the entire mart, the crowds, the over-stimulation. When I got home there was a package on the step from BeautiControl. So I spent the rest of the evening 'spa-ing'.

Today will be laundry day. Since the time changed I'll have an extra hour to get it done. Right...

Colorado Country Christmas

One of my favorite gift shows is the Colorado Country Christmas in the Denver Merchandise Mart. It is a Christmas arts and craft show extravaganza! There are cooking demos, hundreds of exhibits, holiday gift ideas, specialty foods, candies, sauces, canned and mixed food products to sample and buy. Here is the chef schedule this year: cooking schedule. I drag Danny with me each year. I love putting together holiday gift baskets with all the goodies we find. So looking forward to spending Saturday at the mart! I'll take my camera...

All Souls Day Prayer

from part of the Mass

"[for all our departed brothers and sisters]
Merciful Father, hear our prayer and console us.
As we renew our faith in Your Son,
whom You raised from the dead,
strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters
will share in His resurrection, who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

All Saint's Day

My favorite saint is Therese of Lisieux.

One of my favorite quotes from her is:

"Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love."

Basically...little acts of kindness are just as 'great'. It's the little things in life that count.