Thanks-Giving Day 11 & Family Update

I'm thankful for God blessing me with such a beautiful day, so I may take pictures of my children.  I've been planning this for a long time and so glad I was able to do it.  My drive everyday to pick up Katie from school, I've noticed this patch of woods that is so picturesque.  You'll have to stay tuned . . .

I thought I would take this time to put aside the Thanksgiving crafts and recipes and give you a family update.

Doug and I are busy as ever with work, school and preparing for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. As you may know, Doug and I will be hosting this year's Thanksgiving Day family dinner. I think Thanksgiving comes second to Christmas as being my favorite holiday. I absolutely LOVE the whole traditions of Thanksgiving. Watching the Macy's Day Parade in the morning, picking out which float is my favorite. Thanking God for all He has done for us and our blessings. Having a table or in our case, multiple tables full of food. The turkey, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatos, and a sea of different kinds of pies, cookies and other desserts. Doug suggested us going nontraditional with this year's Thanksgiving meal. I love turkey and dressing, especially the way we cook the turkey. We deep fry our turkey. It is so juicy and tender, like butter. Of course, my heart sank that brief moment when Doug suggested having a breakfast or some other course that is nontradition. Needless to say, we're fry up that turkey come the 24th of November.

We got Katie's report card last week and we are very pleased, all A's. When I told her what was on her report card, she was all grins. She has worked very hard for those good grades too, especially putting up with me. LOL! Her being the youngest in her class, she will have to stay on top of her studies and practice, practice, practice. She is doing so great reading. Now that reading comes a little easier for her, she likes it. Mrs. G has her reading a level F. I think a level F is probably equivalent to a level 2 because that's what Katie can read from our library at home. I know she can read the Dr. Seuss books real well. Right now, Mrs. G and I are trying to work on her reading comprehension. It's okay, but I can tell there is a little difficulty. I was the same way. Of course, I wasn't 6 years old either. Her main comprehension problem comes from solving math problems. You give her 5 sheets of nothing but typical math problems and she can answer them in nothing flat. You give her 1 question in the form of a story to solve and there is no telling what answer she'll come up with. She can read the question just fine. It's understanding the question in order to solve it is the problem. I've started working with her this past Wednesday, by typing out some word problems for her to solve. She worked on 3 of the 20 problems. She had a little trouble understanding, but I know in time she'll learn how to solve those type of problems. Meanwhile, I've asked Mrs. G for extra problems in this area. She's suppose to be working on getting them to me by next week, hopefully. I think if Katie practices on a daily basis, she'll get it and I think Mrs. G will agree. Her math is great. She can count by 2's, 5's and 10's up to 100.

I can not believe I haven't posted this until now. Ugh! Where is my brain? LOL! Anyway, at the beginning of school. I would ask Katie how school was and what did she do? I would always hear, "good" and "I don't remember." I got tired of hearing the same old thing every single day. I remember my mother would beg me to tell her about my day. I don't know my reasons for not telling her, but I guess I'm paying for my raising. Well, since then we've come up with a game on the drive home. It started out she had to tell me 3 things that actually happened at school that day. If she told me 3 things before we got home, she got a treat. The treat would be anything from yogurt raisins, a couple cookies or a few gold fish. About a month ago, she answers 5 facts that happened at school. She loves playing this game that she brings it up as soon as she gets in the car. Yesterday when I picked her up, she asked me if she could tell me 6 things that happened at school before we get home. It's race against the clock. It's amazing how we went from not saying anything all the way home, to talking all the way home. She tells me everything that happens at school, including who was being mean or nice to her. I just hope she takes my advice when it's needed.

Colton is a very curious little toddler. He does things that Katie, at that age, never would have thought of. For instance, he has put his dirty diaper in the toilet the other day. Yesterday, Doug walked into the bathroom just to find a toilet filled with toys. There is something about this toilet. In a few years from now, we might read this and get a good chuckle, but right now he is adding more gray hair to my head. He has developed a love for comic heroes such as Batman, Superman, and Spiderman. So every time we see one of these super comic hero, he goes crazy. He has gotten at the age now that he enjoys me reading to him and sing songs. In a good mood, I can get him to copy the hand motions.

Thanks-Giving Day 9 & 10

I'm Thankful for . . .

• being blessed with a such a loving and supportive family.  I consider myself close with all my siblings and their husbands.  I try to be close to their children and now grandchildren.  I try my best to keep in contact with my aunts, uncles and their children.  I love and are close to my parents and my husband's parents.  We all have a great relationship.  I just thank God for letting this closeness to happen and pray it will continue.
• God leading me and my family to such an awesome church family several years ago.  Our church mission is to spread the Love and Lifestyle of Jesus Christ.  My church family are a wonderful group of people and wouldn't take anything for them. 

Thanksgiving Ideas
 

Oreo Turkey
from Our Best Bites

Ingredients:
Double Stuffed Oreo Cookies
Candy Corn
Whoppers
Peanut Butter Cups
Chocolate Frosting
Yellow Frosting
Red Frosting (optional)
Black Sprinkles for eyes (optional)

*For these kinds of things I love to use the little pre-filled tubes of colored frosting you can buy in the baking isle. The chocolate is easy to make, and homemade actually works a little better because you can make it stiff. However for the colored details like yellow and red, these little tubes are great. It doesn’t really matter what they taste like and they last forever (which is both cool and disturbing at the same time.) I’m using store-bought tubes for everything here purely for convenience- works great!

First step: Grab a cookie. You don’t have to put frosting in there, but I like to because it holds in the candy corn a little better. Just give it a little squeeze of chocolate.

Then stuff in your candycorn. If you’re in some sort of candy corn shortage, you can cut off the white tips to use later for your beaks. I think the candy corn sticks in better with the tip so I leave it on. Go ahead and do all of the cookies through this step.

Next put a dab of frosting on the opposite end of the cookie and secure it to the “base” cookie. It helps to place them next to a wall as they dry so they stay put.

While those are drying, unwrap your PB cups. Take a sharp knife and cut a sliver off of one end. (I don’t need to tell you what to do with the sliver, do I?) It helps to gently cut in a sawing motion so you don’t break the PB cup. (Although I wouldn’t have to tell you what to do with a broken one either, would I?) Cut it from the bottom.

Once those are ready, flip your cookies over, but you may find it’s easy to keep them next to the wall. My frosting was a bit soft, so they needed the extra support.
Place a dab of frosting on the pb cup, and place it on the cookie like so:

Now those little guys will need heads, so glue a whopper on there with frosting as well. I put frosting on the side of the whopper that hits both the cookie and the PB cup. Wouldn’t want a turkey running around with its head cut off, would we??

While they’re still laying there, use a dab of frosting (I use yellow) and glue on the white tip of a candy corn for a beak. Put two yellow dots on for eyes, and for the black spots in the eyes you can use a dab of chocolate frosting, or a mini chocolate chip, or a little sprinkle like I’ve used. A sprinkle is really the perfect size if you have them

Once the beak stays put you can flip them over and draw on some little yellow feet. If you have red frosting too (usually comes in a set with the tube of yellow) you can add a little gobble gobble.

Above instructions supplied by Our Best Bites.  CLICK HERE for full tutorial from Our Best Bites. 

Pilgrim Hats
Those are just marshmallows dipped in chocolate and placed on a fudge strip cookie. Use yellow frosting to make the buckle.

Thanks-Giving Day 8

Day 8 - I'm thankful for the location and actual house that I reside in. It was 16 years from this month that God lead me and my husband to this very spot. We were so exhausted at looking at houses and just knew this was the first fixer-upper, we would enjoy fixing. This house has been there and seen us go through a LOT of changes and updates.


I think these Gumdrop Turkey are sooo cute and would make a great craft for the kids.  I found these gobblers Design.wash.rinse.repeat. 

This Thanksgiving, I'm sending my guest home with a little "I'm Thankful For You" gift. I got the idea from The Idea Room.  Each packets will have a "Blessings" message tied to them.  I thinks it's such a great idea.  Of course, I'm going to put my own spin on the gift by first sticking the Blessings mix packet inside everyones very own paper cornucopia.  I have the idea in my head, so we'll see how they turn out.  Wish me luck!  CLICK HERE for the free Blessings Mix printable notes.

Below is the instructions for the Blessings Mix:

This recipe will make about 16 blessing mix gift bags of about one-third cup each. Use cellophane goodie bags or zipper food storage bags to package this treat.

Ingredients:2 cups Bugles brand corn snacks
2 cups small pretzels
1 cup candy corn
1 cup dried fruit bits or raisins
1 cup peanuts or sunflower seeds
1 cup M&Ms brand chocolate candy
16 Hershey's brand chocolate kisses
Directions:
In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients except Hershey's Kisses. Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup Blessing Mix in small cellophane treat bags. Add one Hershey's Kiss to each bag.
Makes 16 Blessing Mix gift bags
Blessing Mix
2 C Bugles
2 C Pretzels
1 C Candy Corn
1C Dried Fruit
1 C Sunflower Seeds
These are shaped like a cornucopia, the horn of plenty
The shape symbolizes our arms folded in thanks and prayer
During the first winter, the pilgrims were each allotted 5 kernels of corn per year because food was so scarce.
Thanksgiving is the celebration of the harvest
Seeds represent the potential of a bounteous harvest for the next season if they're planted and well tended.

"And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive
and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering;
being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times;
asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal;
"Always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive." Alma 7:23
(source: The Idea Room)

Coconut Joys

Coconut Joys Recipe
3 cups shredded coconut
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 stick butter
Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Melt butter.  Stir in coconut and sugar.  Form into 1 inch balls and refrigerate.  Melt the chocolate chips and drizzle on top.  Chill before serving.

Note: I added a cup of chopped pecans into the mixture.  Pecans doesn't want to stick real well to the rest of the mixture, but it is so good and a great crowd pleaser.  Instead of using chocolate chips, I used baking almond chocolate blocks.  Microwave 3 blocks for 90 seconds at 100% high power and then 15 second intervals until nice and smooth.  I wanted the candies nice and hard, so I put them on wax paper inside a large Tupperware container and stuck into the freezer.  I'm sure you can make these babies ahead of time and keep in the freezer or fridge. 

Pray 4 Joseph

I've tried linking this website for you, but I'm having some Blogger difficulties.

Joseph is a little boy from Louisiana that has a tumor in his brain. His relatives are from our church and have been spreading the word about Joseph. He needs our prayers. He needs your prayers. The family has had to move yet again to a hospital that is hopeful to help his condition. The treatments are still in testing with FDA, so insurance will not pay for it. He needs these treatments, I think, close to a year. The cost $50,000. The family is financially strapped from going to hospital after hospital. Prayer Warriors we need to come together and offer up our prayers and offers to God Almighty. He is the Creator, Father and Healer.  Today at church, I've seen a few people with their "Pray 4 Joseph" bracelets on.  It just touches your heart and you want to reach out to these people. 

I encourage you to take the time and watch Jon and Joy Scott's video. It will tug at your heart just hearing what they have been through. If you can not give, they will need your thoughts and prayers for their little boy. I know, I would appreciate every simple thought and whispered prayer, offered for my child. You can also go to their Facebook for updates on Joseph and view photos. Thank you!

Joseph Scott video and information website is listed below:
CLICK HERE!!!!

God Bless.

Thanks-Giving Day 6 & 7 and more

Okay, I forgot to give my thanks last night. I need to give two things I'm thankful for tonight.
I'm thankful for . . .

• Bama not getting beat like a pulp, any worse than they did.  (boo, whoo)
• Having my parents still around, happy and healthy.  I cherish every moment I have with them.

I came across a recipe from The Celebration Shoppe that I want to share with you.  It sounds so delicious!


Chocolate Chip Reese's Cookies
Ingredients:
Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Reese Cups

The Celebration Shoppe has 4 simple steps photograph to go by, in order to make these yummy cookies. It looks like to me that she did the following steps:

• Cut a thin layer of dough, place it in the bottoms of each cupcake baking pan. 
• Place a regular sized Reese cup, face down, on top of the dough.
• Pile more cookie dough on top of the Reese cup, filling each cupcake holes up to 3/4" full.  Just like you would if you were pouring cake batter for cupcakes. 
• Bake at 350 degrees for 9 minutes.

My sister and I love making Mini Reese Cup Cookies every Christmas or other special occasions.  I've even baked Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies and they are all delicious.  I'm sure these cookies would be great made in the miniature cupcake pans for parties. 

Check out The Celebration Shoppe for full instructions, including photo diagrams. 


Thanksgiving Ideas


I've found several ideas for Thanksgiving that I would like to share with you these next couple of weeks.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.  I found the above free printables from Dimple Prints.  So sweet and I definitely have plans to print a few of these out for our Thanksgiving party. 

It's too depressing to talk about the Bama game, so I'll just talk about Natalie's basketball game.

Nat #22 warming up before the game

Good save on the ball

Great defensive block

UAB Blazers - dancers and mascot (dragon)

Pep talk from the coach

Die hard Blazer fan

The funny thing about Natalie playing against UAB is that her brother is currently going to school here. 

Front entrance to the Bartow Arena is this HUGE dragon "Blazers"

UAH held UAB off up until the last half.  UAB has always had a great basketball team.  It was a challenge to UAH and I think Natalie's team did great.

. . . on the up side of the defect against LSU. We had a great tailgate party tonight, right here in our own Living Room. We had about 15 people here and TONS of delicious food.


Mom showing Whitney some really old pictures from the mid 80s.  There were pictures of Whitney when she was a newborn and some of us couldn't get over how Zayden looks so much like her when she was a infant. 

We fried 10 pounds of fish, fries, hush puppies, and even gator for appetizers. Our sides included oriental slaw and cowboy baked beans. I whipped up a batch of Coconut Joys and Peggy made brownies. There were all sorts of finger snacks like Chex mix, pretzels, popcorn, chips and dip. Everything was so good. Oh and we have a new cooking tip for frying fish. Doug read online that a guy used Italian dressing to marinade the fish. You can definitely taste the flavors, so good. The only thing Doug didn't care about is how the dressing makes the batter really stick to the fish. I thought was delicious and I liked the flavor party going on in my mouth. So good!

Guess who came to see us?

He is so precious and real alert tonight.

Day 4 Thanks-Giving and Christmas

On this day, November 4th, I'm thankful for my sweet and most precious gifts from God Almighty. I'm thankful for my sweet and beautiful children. They are truly a blessing from Heaven. We love our moments piled up on the bed, cuddled under the sheets, watching television and giggling. We also love going for rides, just because.

By the way, I must tell you that Katie has lost her second tooth.  Of course, I had to practically wrestle her down to get the tooth out.  She gets scared because she knows how it will feel the first few minutes, while trying to get the tooth out.  I suppose it is instinct to fight against someone trying to take something out of your mouth that's been there for many years.  The tooth was just dangling there, bloody and causing poor Katie pain.  When she finally got brave enough for me to give it a good yank, I held in my napkin another baby tooth with a long root. 

I would like to thank those that have kept me in their prayers and passed along sweet and thoughtful comments by phone or written. I really do appreciate them. Thank you!

Doug and I had an opportunity to watch Nat's basketball team play against UAB Blazers tonight. I think she did good despite their lose. Kevin, Maryann, Ryan, Sarah and Nate met us at the Bartow Arena. It was the first time I've ever been there. They have a very nice basketball arena. Doug and I did take lots of photos and I'll pass those along to you tomorrow. After the game, a few of us met up for a late supper. I wanted to do a little Christmas shopping, since the kids were not with me. The only store that was still open was Walmart, which is open 24 hours. I was able to pick up a few small things for the kids. I decided to wait on the big stuff until later. I've been keeping my eyes open with the "Black Friday Ads" currently available. Target has some great coupons already available. They are good until November 23rd. Walmart has already started their daily specials, also listed on the "Black Friday Ads."   If you are interested in viewing all the Black Friday Ads available, please CLICK HERE!

It's hard to imagine that Christmas is right around the corner; thus, I need to get a good start on my list.  Oh me, I made the mistake of pulling up Target's toy section on my laptop and having Katie go through it.  I showed her where the toy titles were located and asked her to write down her wish list.  Her wish list ended up being three sheets long and she says that she wants to go over it one more time because she doesn't know if she is finished.  She's at the age where she still loves her toys (dolls, playsets, LPS, Zoobles, Zhu-Zhu Pets), but yet she likes the big girl stuff like video games, stuff for your hair, nail polish, body spray, and lip gloss.  That kind of thing.  I plan to fix her up a Caboodle box with all sorts of fun things like glitter nail polish.  I've noticed all of her polish has gotten old and dried out. 

Tomorrow night is the BIG BAMA vs. LSWho?  football game.  This game has been the talk of the town around here, especially for the past couple of weeks.  Reports from T-Town is that the excitement for this game is out of sight and is bringing HUGE revenue into Tuscaloosa.  This is great news because the town could really use the profits right now with all the construction and rebuilding of Tuscaloosa.  Yesterday, our local news showed two chefs from Louisiana making ENORMOUS pots full of gumbo for a tailgating party.  It's all over the talkshow radio stations and we got to watch a little ESPN news late tonight. Everyone's talking about it and very well should be.  This game will be the first real challenge for Bama and I have faith that U of A will pull through with a great WIN.  We've got 10 pounds of catfish just for the occasion.  We are expecting any where around 15 people here tomorrow evening for a little fish fry, followed by watching the game at 7PM. Oh my gosh!  The food that we are expecting tomorrow.  I plan on trying a new recipe called "Coconut Joys."  They are homemade "Mounds" candy bar candies.  A lady from Millard and Peggy's church made these a while back for a bridal shower and I fell in love with these candies.  Oh, they are so good.  Peggy passed along the recipe to me and it sounds so simple.  I can't wait to try it out in the morning.     

ROLL TIDE!

Doctor Update and Thanksgiving Teaching Tools

Today, I had my six month follow up with my Neurosurgeon about my little tumor. According to my MRI, nothing has changed. This is good news because it's not growing. Yay! Dr. Clark wants me to have some blood work done to check my Prolactin level. If it's still elevated, I will have to continue to take my medication. If not, I can stop taking the meds. Regardless, I'll have to have MRIs on my head once a year. Dr. Clark said that there is no telling how long I've had this tumor and will probably have it for the rest of my life. We just need to make sure that it doesn't grow. If it does begin growing, it might affect my eye sight. So today, I'm thankful that my tumor hasn't grown.

I've found a couple teaching toddler pack for Colton.  I'm not going to use all of them because I don't feel he is completely ready for dot to dot and letter sounds, but there are a few good sheets.  I wanted to share them with you, if you are interested. 

Thanksgiving Tot Pack - from Our Little Monkeys
Thanksgiving Tot Kits - from LawTeeDah
Thanksgiving Countdown Activities - from ABC and 123
Thanksgiving Lapbook - from 1+1+1=1

Thanksgiving Challenge 2011

. . . so, I've decided to take the Thanksgiving Challenge this year. A fellow blogger, A Bushel and a Peck blogged about this challenge a few years ago and I happened to stumble across it.  I absolutely love her blog name by the way.  Mine is so ordinary compared to some that I've had the chance to visit. 

I feel this is a good thing because you are not only putting your priorities in order "what's more important in your life," but also assures you offer your Thanks-givings to God Almighty more on a daily basis and not ever so often. 

Beings that I've missed November 1st, I have two things I'm thankful for:

My Lord, Savior and Best Friend - Jesus Christ that saved my soul from Hell and Satan's grasp.  For God so loved the world (you & I) that he gave (ultimate sacrifice) His one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. -  John 3:16.

My Husband and other best friend.  We have known each other for 18 years and have been married for 16 of those 18 years.  He is the love of my life and is one of the most precious gifts God has blessed me with.  The one thing I love about him is he has seen me at my worst and still holds me with compassion and truly loves me.  He also gets better with age. :)

I hope you take this challenge with me this year.  I would love to read what you are most thankful for. 

HUGS!

Witch's Brew Recipe

Doug found this recipe published in the Walmart sale paper and asked if I would make it for our little Halloween Party.  Doug loves anything with sherbet in it.  After reading all the measurements, I knew this punch was going to make a lot.  It would be perfect for a crowd, but I didn't know about our little group.  I decided to half the recipe.  I did a taste test, without the sherbet.  Oh, so good.  The above picture shows that the sherbet makes it look a little foamy.  Once it melts a little, it gives off a very pretty red.  Everyone loved this punch, including the kids.  I made a little over 3 quarts of punch and I was beginning to think that I didn't make enough for our guests.  We had 10 people to make it for supper and 2 more guests showed up later.  The punch was gone well before everyone had left.  According to Doug, this punch is his new favorite.  I already have plans to make it for Christmas parties. 

Witch's Brew Recipe
48 oz. 7-Up
64 oz. Hawaiian Punch Fruit Juicy Red
1/2 cups ReaLemon 100% Lemon Juice
32 oz. Canada Dry Club Soda
24 oz. Orange juice
1 qt. Fruit sherbet

Mix all the ingredients except the sherbet into a large bowl or container. Put in the fridge to chill. When ready to serve, put sherbet into a punch bowl and pour liquid on top and stir. This recipe makes over 6 qts. of punch. Great for a large crowd.

Note: I didn't have much time for the liquid to chill, so I added a few ice cubes in the punch bowl. We like Pineapple sherbet the best, so that's what I used. You can use your favorite sherbet flavor. This recipe can be halved.

Half the recipe (makes a little over 3 qts.)
3 cups 7-Up
1 qt. Hawaiian Punch Fruit Juicy Red
1/4 cups ReaLemon 100% Lemon Juice
2 cups Canada Dry Club Soda
1 1/2 cups Orange Juice
2 cups Fruit sherbet

Follow the instructions listed above. 
Enjoy!

Halloween

Our Two Little Spooks - Winifred Witch & Big Al

We had another great Halloween night.  I hated that it was during the week.  My little Winifred Witch was ready in her costume early yesterday morning for school.  I just know when we picked her up that makeup would be everywhere along with her hair.  I was surprised that she didn't need a lot of touching up. 

The children didn't get to Trick-R-Treat much last night, but what they did was a lot of fun for them.  We have the area churches that have the annual Fall Festivals, but we like it old school.  Our neighborhood is good to cater to the children.  This was Big Al's first year to really get out there and beg for candy without help.  He was sooo FUNNY!  Maryann and I were giggling and laughing at the way he was acting.  He would go up to the houses and before knocking on the door, he would yell out "TRICK OR TREAT!"  Believe me, he found out REALLY quick that people at the door give you candy.  We went to an old school friend's house, which is an Auburn fan home.  Johnny saw Big Al and began picking at us and him.  Johnny made the mistake of saying, he won't give candy to an Alabama fan (laughingly).  Well, Big Al took that as a no candy. turned around. and was headed to the next house.  Maryann and I had a time explaining to him that he can get his candy.  I think it made Johnny feel bad.  GOOD.  ROLL TIDE! LOL!

She wanted a spiderweb on one cheek and bat on the other

How do you like my craftsmanship?  LOL!  She said that she wanted a Snow White.
We had a pretty good party at home.  A few of our family members got to come by for some Chicken and Dumplings, Homemade Veggie Soup, Spagetti and all the fixin's.  Let's not forget the owl cupcakes, chocolate dipped pretzel sticks and tons and tons of CANDY. 

Winifred Witch loved getting to stay up a little longer on a school night.  Her and Big Al acted like they were hiped up on candy.  Running around having a good time. 




Big Al wanted a ghost pumpkin.  I think he likes it.



He was goofing around.  I LOVE THIS PHOTO of him.











I tried making owl cupcakes.  Mine doesn't look as good as my friend, Malorie's, owl cupcakes.  I was also in a hurry.  I had two hours before everyone got here.



My hands get shaky when I take nighttime photos at slow shutter speed, but I love the effect.

Here is our newest little pumpkin.  He is such a doll baby.

I was wanting Maryann to take a picture of the kids.  I didn't know that she got me in the picture as well. 

We hope you just as much fun at your Halloween party as we did.  Now, on to Thanksgiving!  Please remember Christmas in Cullman is November 12th & 13th.