Today...

I'm trying to slow down just a bit so I don't make myself crazy with everything that I think needs to be accomplished.

I'm trying to forget about how long it took to get the tree up on Friday.

(I had to run to the store to get a new star because I forgot that our old one was tossed last year because it quit working.  Then when we all got home and put that up, half of the lights decided they were not going to work and we made another run to the store just to get lights for the tree.  You don't want to know about the hissy I was having over making another run to the store.  I even asked members of the family if they were creating these issues just so they didn't have to help with the tree.  I did get very funny looks with that question.)

I was smiling when I walked by and took notice of my favorite little snowmen sitting in their sleigh next to the gingerbread house.  

I love my homemade decorations.

I love my glass ornaments so much that I have to stop and look at them when I walk by the tree.

I'm now enjoying Christmas music for the season.  I was a bit put off by the local radio station who started playing the Christmas music before Thanksgiving.  The girls were sneaking up to their room and shutting the door just so they could listen without me saying "it's not even Thanksgiving yet for Pete's sake!".

I'm getting really close at finishing the first gift quilt for the girls.  Hopefully the hand quilting will be finished tonight so that binding can begin tomorrow.  

I also updated the baked oatmeal recipe with a new addition that we tried from a suggestion by Glenn.  It makes the oatmeal even better!

I'm very giddy over how much sewing and crafting the girls are doing the last few days.  It makes my heart sing to see them digging around in the craft room and doing such a great job on all their creations.

I'm just glad today is continuing to be a great day!

~*~

Thankful...

There is always so much going on around here day after day.  Some days are just a blur when it comes time to crawl into bed at night and rest for a bit.  I do from time to time actually stop and look around me to see all the blessings that have been given to me.  Then again there are days when I'm sure I don't pause to give any of it a thought.  Life, it happens. 

That is why I am so very glad that there is a day set aside every year that makes us really and truly stop to put deep thought into what really makes our lives wonderful.  We make the kids sit and list all the things they are and should be thankful for in their lives.  It's pretty awesome to see some of the things they put on their list.  Hugs, a wonderful Mommy and Daddy, nice home, etc.  Makes your heart melt to read over their list.

I myself am truly thankful for my most wonderful family because I wouldn't be who I am without them.  Life would be pretty boring without them adding all their 'stuff' to every day.  I am thankful that we have food on the table, a comfy home to live in.  I even have wonderful friends that add happiness to each and every one of my days.  That includes my dearest bloggy friends.  What else do I need or even need to ask for?

Nothing.

For the next 5 days it's going to be all about this little family and our small little slice of the world.  Some one was able to get time off from work for the first time in many years during this holiday week and we are going to make the most of it. Eating, laughing, reflecting, decorating and just enjoying each others company.  That's all that will be happening here.  Perfect if you ask me.  I couldn't think of anything else better to do other than snuggling on the couch, enjoying what we each like to do and just being together.

I wish everyone who visits this little blog a very Happy and Wonderful Thanksgiving.  Be thankful for all the blessings that have been given to you.  Don't lose sight of them.

~*~

Progress...

Thirty bright, colorful, pretty squares.

All waiting for the next step.

Are you working on any Christmas projects/gifts?

Here's hoping you are finding time for them.

~*~

Chilly day...

Em's latest creation is now finished and on it's way to it's new owner.

I'm not quite sure which side I like best.

So hard to choose.

The front is awesome.

The back turned out super.

I can't pick.

I did happen to notice that all of our hard work with raking the other day was totally destroyed after that 40mph winds came through last night.  The leaves were hanging on for dear life to the limbs that they call home.  But in the end they found it hard to resist the urge to rest in our yard.  I resisted the urge to start packing them into bags.

I took a moment to search out some of the pretty red leaves that found their way to the ground.

Glorious bursts of color among all the leaves who are losing their color fast.

 After a short stroll around the back I noticed it was time to go inside and warm up just a bit when I went to brush my hair out of my face and it was frozen.

Note to self, do not go outside when you have wet hair from your shower a short time before.

Not the smartest thing to do.

So back inside I went to pack up boxes to send out to the little people of the family.  A run to the post office was made.  Christmas packages are now gone and finished for the year.  I'm doing a dance.  

No other trips outside are planned for the day.  

Hot chocolate and sewing are all that I have planned for the rest of the day.

There's a huge smile on my face.

~*~

At last...

I have now declared all hat making in this house finished as of yesterday.  At least until I get two important 'projects' completed.  I might make a teeny tiny exception if little Connor needs something appropriate for the holiday.  That won't be so bad because his only takes an afternoon to whip up.  All others must wait.

After completing the 'last' hat, I was a bit lost on what to busy myself with.  So I sat down and paged through a few books that I found at the library.  What wonderful books they are!  Not every project grabs me, but there were quite a few that got me to saying "I should make that". You know that's not good.  Just more adding to my wish list of things to do.  Like I need to add to that monster of a list.

And after letting the brain relax a bit I went right to work on figuring out what to do with these wonderful bundles of fabric.  Making quilts had already been decided a while back.  But how to make them has really been giving me a brain block.  

I finally decided.  Got all the measurements figured out, I hope.  Drew a picture of how it should look.  At least how I would like it to look.  I bought some extra fabric from Dana for one of them and had to get a bit extra ordered online today for the other.  Just wanting to make sure that they are big enough for the girls and that they can be used for awhile.

Now the trick is to get a certain someone finished on the quilt she is making so I can get her out of the craft room so hopefully both of the girls won't figure out what they are getting for Christmas.  I know, what in the world was I thinking when I kept putting these two projects off until now.  I obviously I wan't thinking.

I wonder if I can start laying down the law about bedtimes being changed to 7pm?  I'm just brainstorming here.  Not sure that would go over to well.

~*~

Soup...

Today is the day that I was telling you about before.  The day when Jodi was going to do a Soup Bowl recipe exchange of sorts.  I've been going round and round about which recipe I was going to share today.  It's so hard because I do believe that soup is one of my favorite things to make and eat.  Especially when the weather changes and there is a chill in the air.  It just makes you all warm inside and fills the tummy like nothing else can.

So after much debating amongst myself, I finally had to put all my recipes in a pile on front of me, mix them up and pick one.  I was rather pleased when I saw which recipe was in my little hand.  Not that I would have been disappointed with any of the ones that were in the pile to choose from.  So the choice was...

Sausage Potato Soup!

Here's how you make it.

1 Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage, cut to bite size pieces

1 large onion, diced

1 can Cream of Potato soup

6 cups of milk

1 big Yukon Gold potato, cut to about 1/2" pieces

Salt 

Pepper

Cheddar cheese, at least 1 cup

1 stalk celery

1 cup sliced carrot

2 tblsp butter

In a 4qt pot melt the butter and then add the onion, celery and carrot and cook till they are slightly soft.  Stir in the smoked sausage and let that cook until the sausage is browned slightly.  Add the milk, cream of potato soup and the yukon gold potato.  Stir occasionaly.  Simmer slowly until the yukon gold potatoes are fork tender.  Season with salt and pepper to your liking.  Add the cheese and stir until all the cheese is melted.  Served with any kind of crusty bread you like.

I do hope you like this if you decide to try it.

Here's to warm and full bellies on chilly, windy days!

~*~

25...

25 years ago today I said I do to this handsome fellow.

Some thought it wouldn't last 6 months.

We only knew each other barely a month when we said those sacred vows to each other.

Something in my heart and my soul told me he was the one.

He was special.

He was different.

 We've had our ups and downs.

More ups than downs.

I have three wonderful, loving children because of him.

 We've been on many an adventure together.

He's not one to let life pass him by.

I've seen and done many things because of this adventurous soul.

Things I would probably have never seen or tried because of him.

Last minute stops to see some of nature's most beautiful places all because he said "you never know when" as we were racing down the road to get home from a long, tiring trip.

Spur of the moment trips planned in less than 24 hours.

Waiting patiently for hours with the kids just to see something they may never get to see again.

Welcoming our first grandchild into the world with all the pride and joy one could imagine.

I can't wait to see what many more years to come will bring me with the love of my life next to me.

I only know it will be exciting and full of love and laughter as long as he is by my side.

Love you always and forever Glenn!