Today we are going to my Uncle John and Aunt Kimmie's house for an early Thanksgiving Dinner. I'm so excited. I love getting together with my family and just eating yummy home cooked food and spending time together. It is my FAVORITE thing to do. I love my family so much and love making lots more memories to cherish forever.

I have been busy in the kitchen this morning. When we woke up, my hubby and I cooked breakfast together. Homemade pancakes, with bacon, fried eggs, and homemade toast. So good. Then after I let my food settle I started my homemade rolls and chocolate chip cookies to take to dinner. I have my Christmas music playing as well:) I love this time of the year. It's truly is the best in my book.

We have a big family and lots of kids. We all have such a great time together. There are a few family members who aren't with us anymore....my pappaw and my great mammaw. Even though they aren't here, we never forget them. We always have the precious memories we shared with them. I hope you all have a great weekend and remember to take time and thank our precious Lord for so many blessings we have.

"Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 16-18

I've been doing my bible study in the mornings after I take the kids to school. It is my quiet time...the perfect time to set aside just for me and God. I have enjoyed it very much. Today is my 3rd day...I already feel closer to Him. That is my goal. I want to be as close to my God as I can be. He will guide and help me to be the child, wife, mother, and friend He wants me to be. The last two days I have been reading out of 2 Peter. Both days I sat my bible down with the pages opened to 2 Peter so I wouldn't lose my spot and both days I picked it up and it was on 1 Thessalonians. The first day I didn't really think much about it, but when it was on the same place the second day...it got me to thinking....the Lord must want me to read this. So I did. The title on Chapter 1 is Thanksgiving. What a great time to read on Thanksgiving. 1 Thess. 1:2 says, "We always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers." God spoke to me through that verse. One, we need to be in constant prayer....talking to God as if He is right here...which He is. When we are close to God, we are where He wants us to be in our everyday life. Two, always thank God for the many undeserved blessings in our lives. We have everything good because of the Father. I think sometimes we get too caught up in things and forget to remember the simple things in life. The things we shouldn't take for granted....God and His amazing gifts, family, friends, trees, squirrels chasing each other around the yard, watching your kids play nicely outside (when they think no one is watching)...every good thing comes from God. I want to do better for Him. When I am close to God, I know everything will be okay because He is always with me.
I'll leave you with this verse also from 1 Thess. 3:12-13....And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you. May He make yours hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.
Let's remember to show our love for others...for everyone...then they will see God in us.

I'm sorry it's been a while since I've blogged. Me and the fam have been sick. Not the flu thank the Lord...just stomach virus and bronchitis. Thankfully now we are on the mend. Me and a friend had a yard sale this weekend. We're trying to clear some things out and make life a little simpler in our homes. It was a beautiful weekend to do so. This morning we will be busy getting ready to go back to school this week. We are really looking forward to Thanksgiving Break. It's only a few weeks away. Yay!! I love Thanksgiving....spending time with all my family and eating that delicious food! It's the best!

Our sermon at church yesterday really made me realize something....I need to spend more quiet time with my Lord. He blesses us with so many things and I want to be closer to Him. It's so easy to get caught up in this busy life....but I always think about the bigger picture...we are here for HIM....to worship Him and live for Him....in the end, He's all that matters. He died for us! What an amazing love! I'm gonna try harder to spend more quiet time with Him and live a life that is pleasing to Him. I want to be more kind to others, so that they will see God in me. I want Him to get the glory.

I'm so glad to be back on here....hopefully it won't be so long next time. Hope everyone has a blessed week and remember to thank God for His wonderful, amazing blessings!

Today I woke up with a terrible migraine....at least that's what I'm hoping it is. I took the kids to school and decided I wasn't going to be able to drag myself to my classes. I took a tylenol pm and tried to go back to sleep. It took about an hour before I finally did. I slept pretty much all day until it was time to go get the kiddos. Then I dragged myself and 3 boys to walmart to get some soup. Do you have a favorite soup when you're sick? My all time favorite soup is chicken noodle. When I was little and sick, my mammaw would make me some steaming hot chicken noodle soup and crackers with some sprite or gatorade. (only the orange kind....that's my favorite) So I decided I needed some. I also love chicken and rice soup. I haven't had it in so long and decided I wanted some of that too. It was very yummy. I feel a little better. My headache is gone. I'm hoping it was just a migraine, because I really don't want the nasty flu. I don't want my kids to get sick either. I would really appreciate prayers. I have too many things to do....it would be difficult being sick. I'm gonna go....I need to get the kids ready for church. Have a great night and I pray you all stay well too. Blessings.

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a sheild for all who take refuge in Him. 2 Samuel 22:31

Recipes

Of course I'm not Grandma, but I love Grandmas' food....so today I thought it would be neat for us to post some really easy, home-cooked recipes. I need some different things to cook. I love to cook, especially this time of year, and I would love to share some. I really love crock pot recipes....you just throw them in, frozen and all, and by the end of the day it's done. So let's see what you've got. You can put as many as you want. It can be anything from entrees to dessert.

I found this poem and thought it was a great read....Have a blessed day:)

Heaven's Grocery Store
I was walking down life's highway a long time ago. One day I saw a sign that read "Heaven's Grocery Store". As I got a little closer, the door came open wide.When I came to myself, I was standing just inside. I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said, "My child, please shop with care." Everything a Christian needed was in that Grocery Store. All you couldn't carry, you could come back the next day for. First, I got some PATIENCE; LOVE was in the very same row. Further down was UNDERSTANDING, you needed it wherever you go. I got a box or two of WISDOM, a bag or two of FAITH. I just couldn't miss the HOLY SPIRIT, for He was all over the place!! I stopped to get some STRENGTH and COURAGE to help me run this race. By then my basket was getting full but...I remembered I needed some GRACE! I didn't forget SALVATION, for SALVATION was free. So I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me. Then I started up to the counter to pay my grocery bill, for I thought I had everything to do my Master's will. As I wind up the aisle I saw PRAYER and I just had to put that in. For I knew when I stepped outside, I would run right into sin. PEACE and JOY were plentiful; they were on the last shelf. SONGS and PRAISES were hanging near, so I just helped myself. Then I said to the angel, "How much do I owe?" He just smiled and said, "Just take them everywhere you go." Again I smiled at him and said, "How much do I owe?" He smiled again and said......"My child,

JESUS PAID YOUR BILL A LONG TIME AGO!"
*

Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek, and ye shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Matthew 7:7

My Daddy's 50th Birthday is today....We did have a surprise birthday party for him the other day. He had so many family members and old friends show up....can't you tell how surprised he was! I love it! He didn't suspect a thing. He had a great time catching up with friends and spending time with family as well. I love him so much and am very thankful to have him as my daddy. We are so much alike. Love the Lord, country, simple life, old times, love big band music, being with family, home-cooked food, coffee, and much more. I am so blessed that God gave me to him to take care of as his daughter. He is a great father and I will cherish our times together. Love you Da Da..(he loves when I call him that.) Happy Birthday!


The Lord said, "I have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Genesis 18:19

Here are our pumpkins this year. They're a little spooky, but the boys love them. Carving pumpkins is a tradition that we will carry on for a very long time. This is what they look like at night on our porch with the candles inside them. However they are starting to wilt already:( I am going to have to get some more to decorate. I love decorating. This time of year there are so many ways to decorate with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas on the way. I love it. After we cleaned out the pumpkins I made pumpkin seeds. They are good and good for you. We had a great family day together. Here are a few recipes from Our Best Bites...Have a blessed day.

















Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
From ourbestbites.com


1/2 C pumpkin seeds, clean and dry, 1/2 T butter, 1/4 t olive oil, 1/4 t celery salt, 1/4 t onion, 1/8 garlic, 1/8 paprik, a pinch cayenne, Kosher salt


















Homemade Pumpkin Puree
From ourbestbites.com

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice pumpkin in half and remove stem. You can cut it in quarters if you want, or just leave it halved. It doesn't really matter. I cut mine in quarters so you could see the insides better.

Step 2: Using a spoon, scrape out all of the stringy stuff and the seeds. If you want to toast the seeds make sure to save all this junk in a bowl and not the trash can! You'll be left with just the pumpkin rind and the flesh as shown here:

Step 3: Spray a foil-lined baking sheet with non-stick spray. Place your pumpkin cut-side down on the sheet.

Step 4: Cook pumpkin in your 350 degree oven for 50-60 minutes or until it's tender when pierced with a fork. When done, remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet.

Step 5: Use a spoon to scrape out the flesh and discard the skin/rind. It should be super soft and easy to scoop right out, kind of like scooping out an avocado.

Step 6: Place pumpkin pulp in a food processor and process until smooth. (Or you can just mash it with a fork or potato masher) Now. If your pumpkin is on the dry side, you can add a little water (or juice depending on what you're making) at this point to get the consistency you want. My pumpkin was dry and I was aiming for the consistency of canned pumpkin so I slowly drizzled in about 1/4 cup of water until it had the right feel. If it's too moist, just put your puree in a strainer to let some of the moisture seep through.

At this point you can use it in any recipe that calls for pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin.

The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. Psalm 145:9