"Thanks"giving secret ...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!  The snow during the day before and night gave us a soft white coating on the ground.

I got up early to stick the 12 pound turkey in the oven.  Everyone was still sleeping so soundly.  By the time the sun came up and we were all awake, the turkey had cooked for a few hours already!  We acted lazy in the morning and I cooked up a small breakfast for us.  Dippy eggs and toast is always a must for Matthew.  Toast and jelly is what Ashlyn, Mike and I enjoy right now.  Granola and milk for Hadassah.  We listened to Focus on the Family's thanksgiving presentation of Squanto.

Mike, Matthew and Ashlyn played outside a bit while I set the table with my fine china dishes.  I love special occasions and I really love serving my family with our finest!  While the kids rolled snow to make a snowman, I whipped up mashed potatoes.  I put filling and corn in the oven.  I slowly heated up a small amount of cooked celery.  When the turkey and other fixings were all ready and hot to eat, I called the family to the table.  Matthew really liked my extra touch of grape juice mixed with some ginger ale and ice cream that was setting beside each plate.  The turkey looked great and Mike carved us some meat and put it on a large platter.  We gave "thanks" and enjoyed our meal.  Just us.  As a family.  What a blessing!

When we were finished, we cleared the table and did the dishes.  We decided to wait for pumpkin pie and chocolate cake till after our annual family thanksgiving meeting.  We've done this now for three years and it's fun to look back at my notes and see how our family grew spiritually.  We always start by giving two things we are VERY thankful for.  Health, family, Jesus, Christian friends, parents, food, water, etc..  Then we all list a 'lesson learned'.  This is something that we went though within the past year and talked about how it made us a better person!  Growing in the Lord.  Discipline.  Manners.  Kindness.

I know that someday we will look back and love these memories!  They are precious.  Then I got up for my phone because I wanted to video what was about to take place next!  We were going to let out our secret to the children!

They were so happy!!!

They screamed!

They said "It better be a boy!"  (Because he would love to have a brother.  Can't blame him for his honesty!)

"Well, now, what if it is a girl?"

"That would be ok to."  :)

Yes, we told the kids that I am pregnant.  Expecting another baby and due in July!  That's explains why I am so tired and cannot for the life of me stay awake much after 8 PM.  That explains why I've been taking extra naps, going out to eat and ordering pizza, eating toast first thing in the morning instead of waiting to fix breakfast till after the kids are off to school.  It explains why Mike has been the only one making coffee in the morning.  Why drinking out of any of my daily water bottles is just gross.  Drinking from a plastic cup is just fine for now.  Why any smell sets off an alarm to my nostrils.  The other day when I walked into the school bathroom and smelled all the different sprays used by the middle school girls after their volleyball game, I nearly gaged!  And when Ashlyn faithfully washes her hands with lots of soap and comes running up to me to smell her clean hands, that's when I try hard not to sniff.  Or why I am burning only scent free candles right now.  :)

Hadassah and I went out shopping that night.  She's been looking forwards to this night for weeks!  We decided to go early and not stay out so late!  We stopped to get 'the mom' some Chinese noodles and after we found a parking spot, we both ate the noodles.  Then we shopped.  And went from store to store.  She bought a pair of converse shoes she's been wanting.  The lines were not bad at all.  We stopped at Waffle House on the way home and shared an omelet platter.  Home by 10:30 was perfect!

.........................................................

Being in my low thirties reminds me that I am not getting younger and going through another pregnancy will not be like my first.  Thankfully though!!!  I had such bad morning sickness with Hadassah and that did get better with each pregnancy!  I do feel nausea through out the day but I am not throwing up!!!  I hate that!  So happy and thankful that the nausea has been under control if I eat every often!  Yikes!!!  Even a few bites of pickles, crackers, chips, canned peaches and pears or some filling granola seem to help!  I do feel a tad bad for my family when it comes to meals though.  Nothing seems better to me than going out to eat and having options to chose from!  Mike called the other day and said that he just was given a gift card for Outback Steakhouse.  "Let's go out to eat tonight," he said!  No problem!!!  :)  I know, and hope, that this is only a stage because it's been like that with my other pregnancies.  My taste buds will soon be back to mid/normal and cooking will go well! 

The kids seem really excited about adding another little bundle to our family!  We have a lot that needs to be done before July and I promise to be as patient as a "sensitive pregnant mama" can be!  Our plans to remodel the house are to get started as soon as possible!!!  ASAP ... Oh, I did say that!  My dream would be to have the remodel job finished and we would be settled in before this baby arrives!  If not, we will survive!  This mom that likes her normal routine, her things in decent order, not feel out of control ... well, I know God will give me all the grace and patience I will need.  It will require a lot of work and keeping things at a fast pace will be a must!  Our spring and summer will be an active one ... but then again, who ever has a slow or lazy summer?  :)

Remembering this Thanksgiving Season will always be a great memory for us!  We are super excited about baby #4!

The kids are off school now till Tuesday.  We set up the Christmas décor yesterday.  The outside lights are now plugged in.  :)  I cut fresh greens and holly and put them in pots outside this afternoon.  The wreaths are hung by the windows.  The Christmas music has begun!

Celebrate this season with gratefulness and joy!!!

Thanksgiving season.

Thanksgiving vacation has begun here at our house.  Well, for the kids anyway.  :)  My list stills seems a bit overwhelming yet but I know it will be worth every effort made.

The kids were off to school this morning anticipating their Thanksgiving parties.  I volunteered to make a breakfast dish for Matthew's class.  I chose to make Breakfast Quiche Muffins.  It's a mixture of eggs, milk, cream cheese and mozzarella cheese.  Lay a piece of crescent roll on a greased muffin pan and then fill with the egg mixture.  Bake at 375 for 22 minutes.  I made lots and they tasted great!  Ashlyn decided to stay with sister Jody (since her kids had no school today) while I go and serve my food and spy on the kids at school.  Matthew's class decorated a paper turkey and enjoyed brunch.  I did have too many muffins left over though. 

Then I went to spy on Hadassah's activities.  The middle school had a brunch meal with big breakfast burritos, donuts and fruit.  They played games and did pumpkin crafts.  Both classes had a great celebration! 

While driving to school, the snow started to fall.  The 6 - 10 inches of snow that has been forecasted is still falling.  I was shocked to see how much snow was already on the ground at school.  With snow falling already, it makes Christmas seem that much closer.

We got back from school and we cleaned the house.  Matthew and Ashlyn couldn't help but go out and roll in the snow.  Hadassah went to her art room and worked on some Christmas crafts.  I got some laundry going and am now taking a short break to blog before attacking the rest of my "to do list" today. 

Mike's family is gathering for dinner tonight.  I have a corn dish to mix up and bake to take along.  Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, we are having a family day here at home.  I decided to make a Thanksgiving meal.  Lot's of other years, we've been invited to go to extended family Thanksgiving Dinner's.  This time we are having our own meal here at home with just us.  :)  It will be fun but it also leaves all the food preparations to just me.  I got the turkey thawing on the kitchen counter right now and plan to put it in the oven bright and early tomorrow morning.  I made a small amount of cooked celery yesterday since that's one of my favorite Thanksgiving veggies!  The other menu foods are still for me to make.  So, I am off to work in the kitchen again as soon as I finish up this post.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

To the woods again we go!

We spent our second weekend in a row at the mountains, but this time it was with my family.  We don't usually do a family vacation in the summer together but we try to keep MASCA Weekend open for the entire weekend at dad's cabin.  Our school does not participate in MASCA anymore so the kids had regular school days.  It wasn't a big deal because we were still able to leave for the woods around 5:30 Friday evening.

Earlier that day, I cleaned dad's shop and brother Jason said to Ashlyn that she should ride with them up to the mountains right after lunch.  She wasn't into it at first but then decided to go with them.  Knowing that Shakia would be along changed her mind quickly!  They picked up her at noon and then we met them later that evening at the cabin.

Dad and John Mike were in Kansas on a week long hunt.  It was disappointing when we found out the dates were the same time but we decided to go with tradition.  We missed you up there!

Dad is in the process of building a new cabin.  The old tiny cabin in the woods got torn down weeks ago and now a new home is being built.  It's still just a shell but it's a start!  So, we all stayed in the pole shed.  This is located right next to where the new cabin is being built.  It works.  Some bedrooms.  Two bathrooms.  A small kitchen.  Lot's of rugs spread out on the concert floors.  A woodstove to keep it toasty.  Really toasty.  Warm water.  Lot's of couches here and there.  We make the best out of it.  Really.  We still always have fun no matter how the conditions are.  We will all appreciate the new cabin greatly!!!  :)

The guys went hunting Saturday morning and evening.  No deer were killed.  Matthew even went out with Tyler Saturday evening.  They got so cold but waited out the hunt.  They only saw some chipmunks.

We play games a lot when we go to the cabin.  This time it was "Golf", "Dice" and "Panic".  We eat big breakfasts, snack for lunch and then have another supper meal.  Great food!  We also had a touch of the stomach bug up there.  Mom, Addison and Matthew were not always feeling the best.  Thankfully, they were feeling better by the time we came home.

I didn't have much time Monday morning to do the laundry or clean up our mountain things because I was out all day shopping with the Lapp sisters.  I picked them up soon after the kids were off for school and then dropped off Ashlyn at moms.  Thanks mom!  We went to Exton this year for our day of shopping together!  Rosie met us down there and we went from one store to the next.  It rained all day too making it a fun day to shop!  We grabbed lunch and even some pizza before heading back home. 

Meanwhile, mom took Matthew to his orthodontist appointment and he had his molding done for his upcoming expander.  Thanks again mom for filling in for me!  Matthew is in the beginning stages of many trips to the orthodontist.  Plans are to make his upper jaw wider so there is room for all his teeth!  This should also help with his bite!  He's being a pro so far and is being brave through the whole process.

The weather has been so cold outside!  In the 20's and windy!  We even had our first flurries and even though it's not officially winter yet, it sure is feeling like it is!!!  I keep thinking of the homeless or those who don't have much warmth on these bitter cold days!  It's just another reminder for me to be very thankful for the things we are blessed with!!!  Especially warm clothes and home, clean water, comfy beds, health and food!

We will be staying indoors much more with it being so cold outside!  Winter may be coming a bit early but that should give me some extra time to scrapbook or get my big puzzle out!  With the holidays right around the corner, we will be busy baking cookies while the Christmas music is playing.  Celebrate these holidays with the real meaning behind them!  Giving thanks and remembering the birth of Jesus!!!

The first snow has fallen!

Hearing the forecast for much colder weather coming at the end of this week also brought some talk about some snow falling!?!  Ashlyn is so excited about "snow" and she is totally hyped about the upcoming holidays!  I mentioned yesterday to her that it might snow if Jesus tells it to today.  She was again so excited and she says she can't wait to eat the snow because "I love eating snow!"  It's so cute and contagious to see her enthusiasm about snow!

The kids were home from school and we were all just doing our usual routines.  Hadassah was working on homework while listening to Odyssey.  This girl does not seem to outgrow these episodes!  I'm glad!!!  :)  Matthew and Ashlyn were hanging out in the living room.  I was making cheeseburger soup for supper when I looked out the window and saw it snowing!  I yelled, "It's snowing outside!"  Everyone came to look and see it falling slowly from the sky.  Hadassah was happy but not near as excited as the other two kids.  Matthew wanted to go to the attic and bring down all the snow gear.  Ashlyn wanted her boats on and get her tongue on some freshly fallen snow!  I said "no" to the snow gear because really, it was only a dusting of snow on the ground.  The two youngest grabbed for their jackets and boats and went out in the cold flurries!  They loved it while it lasted!

 

Waking up this morning to the snow still on the ground was not a surprise.  The tempts did drop and we were at freezing point this morning. 

It really is starting to feel more and more like the holidays are approaching!  We keep receiving flyers in the mail advertising holiday goodies.  I strung up the outside Christmas lights the other day when it was still in the 60's and boy did I get to hear it!!!  Mike came home yesterday from work and said that two of the guys at work went past and saw our lights up already!  They got all loud about it and said that's it's not even Thanksgiving yet!!!  I put my hands up and replied, "Hun, you tell them to calm down!!!  I agree with them totally!  I only strung them up on a warmer day and after I get to see them in the dark to make sure they look fine, I plan to unplug them till after Thanksgiving!"  I was happy to have more people on my side about this topic!  I can't wait for Christmas but until after our holiday focused on gratefulness, we will keep the lights off!  :)  From then on out ... we will be celebrating the Christmas Holiday as much as possible!  It really is the best time of year!

If you were one of those who got to see the snow fall last night, be thankful!  I'm not a fan of cold weather (that's why my new feather down's jacket is in my closet waiting to be worn) but complaining or muttering about it doesn't help one bit!  Get the heat turned up.  Start the fireplace. Wrap in a blanket!  Sit inside a sunny window and let the rays warm you up.  Get your slippers on and drip some hot cocoa!  I am gonna some how try to make the best out of these cold months ahead too!!!  We can do it with grateful hearts!  Smile!

Apple Pie!

I was all into the fall flavors this year, like usual, but for some reason my recipes that I've used (or so I think I've used before :) ) just were not turning out the best.  I have many pumpkin pie recipes highlighted in my cookbooks with most of them being very similar.  Some make 2 pies.  Or four.  Or even more.  The other week, I grabbed one of those recipes and cut it in half.  Four pies is too many for us but I only wish I would have went for it.  There are always people in mind that would love to receive a pie as a gift!  (Thanks to Lynn for thinking of us when she baked some of her famous pumpkin pies!!!  Very good!)  Well, I cut it in half and they both turned out looking terrible.  I mean the taste was great and good but if dessert is not looking pretty ... it some how makes a big difference on how fast it gets eaten!!!  My pumpkin whoopies were not the best either.  Flat.  Not pretty.  The pumpkin cookies I made were however a hit!!!  My family really loves these and for that reason I have made them a few times this season already!

I kept thinking about apple pie.  Apples are fresh and very in season right now, so I grabbed a few baking apples at the store and hoped to make a pie!  Last year, Mike went for a hair cut (cousin Ashley cuts his hair), and before he left they handed him a piece of warm apple pie.  Cousin Kate had made it from scratch!  He came home and sat at the dinner table with it!  He wasn't hungry for supper but wanted the pie!  He started eating it and after many yums, he did offer me a bite!  It was so yummy and delicious.  I asked Kate for the recipe and tucked it in my recipe book.  Now, with the apple season upon us, I kept thinking about this pie recipe.  I took on the challenge the other day and it turned out perfect!!!  Much better than the pumpkin pies even though I will try these again too!!!

If you like warm apples with a simple, easy way of making a pie from scratch, try this recipe!  You will be impressed with yourself.

Start with making the bottom and top pasty.
2 1/2 cup flour
3 Tb. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
Mix this in a bowl and then add:
1 cup shortening
Cut in the shortening with a knife or pastry tool.  Toss the dough with 5-6 Tb. ice water.  Your dough should be feeling pretty good by now!  Divide the pastry dough into two pieces and roll each piece this between two sheets of wax paper.

Next you mix the pie ingredients.
6-8 tart apples, pared, cored & chunked
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tb. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tb. butter, cut in pieces

Peel, core, slice or chunk your apples. 
In a second mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour and spices.
Gently toss apples in dry mixture.
Line a 9 inch pie plate with one pastry shell.
Fill with the apple mixture by simply dumping the apples right on top of the dough.
Dot with butter pieces.
Adjust your second pastry over top of the apples.  Fold the dough over all the apples making sure to cover them all. 
Cut slits on top for the steam to escape. 
Seal edges by pinching the top and bottom pastry's together.
Brush with some milk and sprinkle the top with sugar. 
Bake at 375 degrees for 60 minutes or until apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.
This makes a big pie!  Serve warm with ice cream!!!

The warm pie made the whole house smell so good.  We had to invite Matt's over to help us eat it because it was huge and worth sharing!!!

It is a 60 degree day outside today and I think I'm going to attack the leaves and grass once more!  Mowing the yard is coming down to a close.  The colder weather is to come this weekend so I am off to do some outside work!!!

Enjoy some pie!!!

Pottery, crepes and hunting!

Here I go again ... quickly trying to blog before the kids come home from school.  Blogging goes best for me when I do it right after they leave for school in the morning, but my mornings have been too busy lately!

It's been a busy week and not a so healthy week for me.  I do not ever remember having a cold as bad as I have right now!!!  It started last Saturday with being a sore throat.  I sipped hot lemon water and sucked on cough drops.  Then on Sunday my throat felt better but I could feel a cold come on.  Each day my cold seemed to just get worse!!!  I slept on the couch for three nights because when I start blowing my nose and coughing, I knew it would disturb Mike.  One night, at 2 AM, I was rubbing my feet with Uncers and praying for some relief.  Hot drinks really help and I'm constantly else blowing my nose, washing my hands or putting another cough drop in my mouth.  I am trying really hard to keep this from spreading to my family but we all, except Mike, have the sniffles!

With me not being totally up to par and with keeping tissues on me 24/7, it did not ruin our plans.  Thursday the kids only had 1/2 day of school.  I met with each of their teachers in the afternoon and was so proud to hear that they are both doing well in school!  Their report cards look great!  Good job guys!!!  That night we went for some groceries and packed for the upcoming mountains trip!

Friday was a no school day.  I was out of the house early with taking Matthew and Ashlyn down to my mom's.  Thanks mom for watching the kids!!!  Hadassah & Courtney sold a ticket at the school sale in September to take two girls to do pottery and eat crepes!  We planned the fun day while we had the day off of school!  The girls and Sherry met us here and then we all traveled into the city to Pottery Works.  The girls loved this and did a great job with their art!  Then we had lunch at an old favorite place of ours ... Rachels Crepes!!!  We don't get here often but when we do ... WE LOVE IT!!!  Totally enjoy every bite!!!  I had their turkey dinner crepe and I ate the entire thing with much happiness!  It was so good!  Hadassah ordered a make your own crepe and she loved it too.  I was too full for dessert but it was extremely hard to say no to the pumpkin crepe!  The girls ordered the huge ice cream filled crepes and shared!  They laughed and talked and ate!  Hadassah had a blast!

 These girls have a total howl together!!!  Such great friends!!!  Here is my awesome crepe too.  It was steaming hot with turkey, filling, cranberry sauce and gravy!!! 

 Dessert!!!

We got home to quickly load up the Yukon and head to the mountains.  Mike had left early and took Matthew along because the guys wanted to be there for the evening hunt.  I picked up Ashlyn and Suz & Jen met at our house by 4:30 and we headed for the Zook's new cabin.  They built a new cabin and we privileged to be asked to go with them so soon!  Very nice indeed!  It was dark by the time we arrived and the men were coming in from their hunts.  Dave hit a six point buck and everyone was happy to see the deer being drug in!  The kids played well and it was a late night for the guys as they played Acquire.  My cold was so not fun up there and so going out to the couch after midnight was no fun!  I was afraid I would disturb others with my coughing and blowing my nose.

Saturday was a sunny nice day at the cabin.  I was so lazy and Suz and Marilyn enjoyed chatting and tending to the children.  Matthew went out to make a fort in the woods.  The little ones loved playing in the open basement.  The food was delicious!  The men hunted morning and evening.  Hadassah and Ashley went with Jordon to his spot Saturday eve and they loved that!  These three had a blast and even laughed in the woods.  They saw two doe so they must have been silent for little bit!  :)  Jonathon shot a nice big ten point!  It's always exciting when there are deer shot because that's why they hunt!  Good job guys!  It was another late night for the men as they played more Acquire, card games and ate pumpkin pie at 1 AM!  I was again on the couch and I kept waking up to them laughing and laughing.  I was glad someone was at least feeling good!  :/  At 3 AM, Mike came over to me and kissed me goodnight.  I felt miserable and he prayed for me.  My chest was sore from all my coughing and lying down just didn't help.  It seemed to make it worse.  His prayer did help though!  I relaxed and slept well till morning!

The view from the cabin is great!!!

 Ready to hunt!

 Ashlyn and Bryant had a blast together!  Cute!

 The three ready for their adventurous hunt!

Sunday morning we were all on our own fixing our breakfasts.  Then we had devotions.  We ate a big cooked lunch and played more games.  No one seemed to be in a hurry to leave the nice cabin!  Clean up time did come though and we headed home before dark.  We picked up Ginger on the way home and she was happy to see us again!  Being with Sadie since Wednesday was good company for her!  She loves her dog sitter!!!  :)))  My cold did seem much better on Sunday and for that I am very grateful for!!!  Sleeping all night in my bed was wonderful!!!

It was back to school for the kids on Monday.  Then Ladies Bible Study for Ashlyn and I!  Then to my huge pile of laundry was waiting for me in the garage!  Weekends away are such fun but it always leaves a big pile of dirty's for me to clean!  I picked the kids up at school because Matthew had his second orthodontist appointment.  Last week, they took some pics of his mouth.  Now we need to talk about what to do about his crowded upper jaw!  We looked at our options and then they put on four separators on his teeth.  It looks like many, many upcoming appointments, but I am sure it will all be worth it!!!  Mike was out of town for the evening so it was just the kids and I for supper.  I made our favorite chicken:  Chicken legs in a baking dish.  Sprinkle lots of Lawry's seasoning salt on top.  Put some water in the pan with the legs and bake at 350 for one hour.  Then bake another hour at 300 degrees.  Keeping it uncovered the entire time!  It's so easy and so good!!!  It tasted great with pasta and green beans!!!

I was out of the house soon after the kids were off to school because Ginger was getting her stiches out!  She's been a pro throughout the entire hernia surgery and recovery!  She is very happy to not have her cone over her head any more!  (It kept her from licking and bothering her incision.  She also got groomed so now she smells and looks great too!!!

The holidays are coming fast!!!  I purchased a cozy jacket today to help prepare me for colder weather.  (I'm not sure I will ever like the cold chills?)  I've been listening to Christmas music and ordering our family Christmas cards is now off my list! 

I love the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons!!!  No other holidays fill the air with such gratefulness and glee!!!