Give Thanks

I am running around the house today .... cooking, preparing, making placemats with the girls...you know the fun pre-thanksgiving stuff.  All the while, I am singing a song my youngest sung in her little preschool show this week.

Give thanks (clap, clap)
To the Lord (clap, clap)

Give thanks (clap, clap)
To the Lord (clap, clap)

For He loves you...
He loves me too...

Give thanks to the Lord above!


The big things...

My salvation
My husband
My girls
My parents
My extended family (Even though we will not be together this year for the first time in my 33 years, I love each of them!)
Our house
Our food
Our vehicles
Our health


The small things...

Devotions that touch my heart
Hearing I love you from my girls without me saying it first
Getting a LYMY message from my hubby  (LYMY darling!)
Sunrises
Miracles (big and small)
Baking cookies
Playing games
Toes in the sand
Vacations
Laughter
Bubbles
Christmas ornaments


The list could go on and on!

Happy Thanksgiving!

James 1:17a "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above"

Roller Coaster

I have been on an unplanned hiatus.  Just like our weather here in NC has been on a roller coaster ride, so has life!  Isn't everyone's?  I am not complaining... just saying... I wish I could have posted more.  There were so many days that things would pop in my head or things would actually happen that would make me pause and say "I need to post that"...but sitting down just never occurred!  I didn't realize life would get as crazy as it did starting in October...it is usually at least mid-November until it gets this busy.  I am taking a quick moment to post today.  I hope everyone is ready for the wonderful week ahead and ready for the excitement to follow.

 I do pray we take time to pause this season... hang out with loved ones, eat good food and spend time thanking our Heavenly Father in prayer and song and devotion for everything He has given us.

I wish everyone a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!  I wanted to post a few links of recipes we have tried recently and some we plan to try!

Happy Gobble Gobble Day!

Psalms 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.



Recents...

Sweet Potato Crescents
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/sweet-potato-crescents

Pumpkin Sticky Buns
http://www.bettycrocker.com/tips/tipslibrary/baking-tips/easy-pumpkin-brown-butter-streusel-sticky-buns

Roasted Cauliflower - go ahead and give it a try!  We added a little Parmesan and my hubby even liked it!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/roasted-cauliflower-recipe/index.html


Few of the recipes we are planning to make (hopefully, cross my fingers)...

Dinner Rolls
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/10/worlds-best-dinner-rolls/

Stuffed Potatoes
http://mansionmoms.blogspot.com/2012/08/whats-cooking-wednesdays-blueberries.html

Toffee
http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/food/video/13141793/#/vid13141793



Check out Thanksgiving  last year...
http://mansionmoms.blogspot.com/2012/11/thanksgiving.html



Fun games we played in Sunday School...

Hide the Drumstick
http://www.parents.com/holiday/thanksgiving/grateful-for-fun/#page=9

Pin the nose on the scarecrow

What's Cookin'

Pumpkin Muffins...one of my faves.  I have to tell a story about what I tried with these little treats.  But I must warn you, it means I have to be negative about a product.  I am not being mean...this is just my taste buds talking.

I love pumpkin pie spice items...lattes, coffee creamer, pies, cookies, breads and all sorts of treats.  So when I saw pumpkin spice hersey kisses, I had to try.  Well I was disappointed :-(.  I didn't want to not like them, but I just couldn't make myself like them.  So, not wanting to throw them away, I decided to chop them and try them in a few of my pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.  I have to say it was pretty good.  I prefer chocolate of course, but it was still tasty.  So I will be trying to chop these little things again and try them in other goodies.  I will keep you updated!


So here is my take on the muffins.  You can certainly use only all-purpose flour and melted butter in place of coconut oil and they are still tasty.  I hope your family enjoys!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
3/4 cup pumpkin
3/4 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup milk
3 Tbsp melted coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla 
1/2 cup chocolate chips

1. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Combine the egg, brown sugar, pumpkin, milk, coconut oil and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips.
2. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 375° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.Yield: 1 dozen.

Today's Verse

"Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

Gobble Gobble

So we had a family project this weekend to decorate a turkey for my first grade daughter's class!  It was so fun...but it did lead to lots of glitter which Daddy is not a fan of!  He didn't really have a choice.  All us girls thought it must have lots of glitter!  We laughed as we all four sat around this turkey placing beads and feathers and jewels.  We had to talk Daddy out of wiring it to light up and gobble out loud...such a man thing! :)  We think our princess turkey is lovely!  (I don't really think it is a girl, but my two little ones thought it had to be a princess.)  So I promised to post the pic, so please excuse me while I show off our handy work :).

All this turkey talk is making me already check out new recipes and think about what to try and which classics to stick with.  I am fighting the urge to be a Bah-hum-bug!  I am excited to know my little ones are already counting down the days...and the fact we passed a house this morning that was already decorated for Christmas made them clap and cheer!  Their excitement gives me hope!  

But besides the turkey and the excitement...we are thankful!  I am so glad this time of year brings out the thankfulness in all of us! We are thankful for God's love and forgiveness.  Thankful for our family.  Thankful for every moment we get to spend together.  We are thankful for every single thing...because every single thing comes from Him!!!

The girls and I have been talking about praising God through prayer and song lately.  I had told them I really wanted to teach them some of the old hymns that I love so much.  We do not sing them often at church, but I want them to know these precious songs and the peace they hold.  Then, we got the chance to sing a favorite yesterday at church!  I was overjoyed.  I leave you with the beautiful words and the hope that you can thank God today that these words are so true!

Today's Verses

Psalm 100

King James Version (KJV)

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

v -1 I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

v-4 He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

v-5 When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!