A Day of Thanksgiving!

Someday, I will be a great cook and a great baker and make everything from scratch.  In the next life that is.  For now I am completely content (almost) to do things another way.  Costco style.  It's funner to have a group of friends and family over than know that I made it all myself.  It will be a great meal with great people.  Definitely a day of Thanksgiving.

**Spinach Aritchoke & Parmesan Dip

 **Rosemary Crackers for the dip for an appetizer before the meal.

**Bagged Spring Mix salad.  Add some roasted, salted, sliced almonds, blueberries, strawberries feta cheese and a raspberry vinegarette dressing.

**Golden Potatoes.  The one thing that I can and will make from scratch.  Mashed and seasoned to deliciousness!

** Stove Top Turkey Stuffing.  In the bird and separate.  Got to have plenty!

**TURKEY!  Of course.  It turns out perfect when you cook it in a bag.  

**Spiral Ham.  Mostly because Parker doesn't like turkey.  How can someone not like turkey on Thanksgiving.  He says its because one year he got really sick right after Thanksgiving.  He apparently had an appendicitis attack.  It was not due to the turkey or my cooking.

**Pumpkin Pie

**Apple Pie.  Riley is making an apple pie.  He became a pro on his mission.  It will be a bought crust to cook but homemade filling.  Excited!
**Green Beans too.  Forgot about those.  They are in the freezer so I'll skip the picture on that one.
**Rolls.  Our friends the Winders are bringing the rolls.  She does delicious rolls!
**No-Bake Cheesecake.  John asked for this since he didn't get a piece when I made it the other night.  

Thankful #3

I am thankful for 1...2...3...4 wonderful children.  They are each lovable and unique in their own way.


 Elder Riley Smith is serving a church mission in Albania.  He is our oldest son.  He is articulate and a go getter.  He is an amazing son.

 
Elder Austin Smith is serving a church mission in the Seattle, Washington area.  He is such a hard worker and has a heart of gold.  He has the best smile and gives the best bear hugs a mom could ask for.




















Parker is the middle middle child or so he tells us.  He has a great heart and is a wise old soul.

Macey is our only girl.  She is our no frills girl most of the time.  She loves climbing trees, being outside, the color green and most of all alligators.  Sounds like a Florida girl at heart.  But then she surprises us by wanting her her nails done or something just so.  She has a tender heart and tries hard to be friends with everyone she meets.

Thankful #2

Then . . .

I am thankful for my husband.  We have been married for 24 years now.  There are so many things I love about him.  We are different in many ways but the same in the ones that matter most.  What are the things I love about him, you ask . . . let me count the ways!  (I'll just name a few).

1.  He balances me out in so many ways.
**I tend to be too loud and he is more reserved.  This has taught me to think before I speak.
**I have a hard time falling asleep and he has a hard time staying awake.  I am a nightowl (or used to be) and  he is the one that lets me know when it's time for bed. 

2.  I try to do too much and he reigns me back in.  He lets me know it's ok, that I don't have to fix everything for everybody.  Yet he supports me in my endeavors.

3.  He doesn't complain that I'm not a good cook.

4.  He still says I look awesome!  He doesn't notice the wrinkles, veins, cellulose and all.

5.  He has a hairy chest that I've always loved.

6.  He is a hard worker, humble, honest and caring.

7.  He is a great speaker.  I love listening to him tell me stories, discuss the gospel or catch up on the news.

8.  He remembers everything - things he reads, people, places and moments in life.

9.  He takes good care of us, loves us and loves spending time together as a family.

10.  He is mine - now and always!  Forever!

We enjoy most of all the fall and the few cooler days we get here in Florida.  It gives us time to spend watching BYU Football together and taking longer walks in the evenings.  The cooler days allows me to snuggle a little closer and a little longer. I love it when he nuzzles my neck just as much now as 24 years ago.

Thankful #1

So with today being Sunday . . .

I am thankful . . . for my Savior, Jesus Christ.

For his Birth.

For his Life.

For his Teachings.

For his Ministry.

For his Sacrifice.

For the knowledge that he will Come Again.

  




















Since "a picture paints a thousand words" and "actions speak louder than words". . .  these pictures should give me and everyone else much time to reflect today.

A Time Of Thanksgiving

There are many others who have had the idea to choose one thing a day (or more) to jot down during this time of Thanksgiving.  I am behind but I thought I would try to do the same.  It isn't that I don't have that many things to be thankful for - because oh, I do.  It is more a feeling of inadequacy in articulating these feelings that swell up in you and not being able to do them the justice they deserve as one tries to translate them into words on paper.