Thanksgiving Goodies

I made two new recipes for Thanksgiving.  I'm not quite sure why, but I like to try new recipes when I'm having a group of people over to eat. . . so far so good, although it's admittedly a risky thing to do.  What can I say?  I live on the edge!

The first one I made was Nutter Butter Nutella Pie.  Um, yum!  

I originally found this recipe on Pinterest, which seems to be where I find everything I want to do, make, eat, wear, and decorate with.  This is super easy to make, and you can find the recipe at tastykitchen.com.

The second recipe was a total last minute decision.  Because I tasted some the day before Thanksgiving and knew I had to make it!  It was Paula Deen's white chocolate key lime mousse pie.  A mouthful, I know.  And a weird combination, but it totally works!

This is not difficult, but is more laborious than the Nutella pie.  I would say this is a medium skilled dessert, merely because there are more steps.  It's yummy though, and worth a shot!  The recipe can be found at the Food Network website.

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!  

We sure did.

David was obsessed with eating a turkey leg.

Well he got one. . . 

I'm not sure how much of it he really ate, but he was all about it.

We had a wonderful day with our family here, and too much good food.

And Henry learned to ride his bicycle with no training wheels!!!

I hope you had a wonderful day.  

Now. . . time to get those Christmas decorations out.

Gobble Gobble!

This is a turkey plate.  I HATED these plates when I was a kid.  We ate Thanksgiving dinner on them each year.  They were my grandmother's, then my mother's.  I had some serious disdain for the turkey plates.  Now?  Can you see where this is going?  I have a love for the turkey plate that borders on obsession.  I coveted the turkey plates.  There is a set of 12, and a large platter.  They are old, and they are marvelous.  I told my mother when she died that I wanted her turkey plates, silver bangle bracelets, and her drop leaf table.  (I know that's weird.  Hush.)  My. Mother. Gave. Them. To. Me.  I am not kidding when I tell you that I clapped with excitement about owning the turkey plates.  She said if she starts hosting Thankgsiving again she gets them back.  Clearly never happening.  Gobble Gobble!

Dining Room

You may recall what our dining room looked like before. . .

Basic builder beige, nothing on the windows, lots of boxes and dish packs to take care of.

I was really not terribly motivated to get this room done immediately. 

We don't eat in here daily.

Enter my we're-hosting-Thanksgiving-and-I'm-not-doing-it-in-an-unfinished-room panic.

Please note, nobody who ate Thankgsiving here would have cared one tiny bit if we ate on paper plates at my kitchen table.

But I care.

Christopher worked his hiney off painting the room a lovely shade of blue.

He also hung my curtain rods. 

And the curtains. 

(Which are painter's drop cloths hung with curtain clips.)

And he hung them three times, until they were the length I wanted.

 Now?  The room I would keep behind a closed door is one of my favorites!
It doesn't even look like the same room.
I'm thrilled with the way it came out. 
We still have a bit more to do on a wall I've not shown, but I'll post that when it's done!

Two of our neighbors were here yesterday, and both have lived in the neighborhood for a number of years.
Both have also been in our house when the previous two owners lived here.
Both said, "This house looks the best it has ever looked."
That makes me smile.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I have a lot to be thankful for.  (I have a lot to be thankful for every day, but have been more mindful of it recently.)  Some examples?

I'm thankful for healthy, happy, smart children. 

For the three brothers who love each other and are great little friends.

I'm thankful for David's wit, his sense of humor, his smiling face, his silly jokes, and his warm snuggles at night.

I'm thankful for Henry's big heart, his sensitivity, and his charm. 

For the way he cares about other people first, and for his generosity. 

For his big hugs, his happy personality, and his big love for his mama.

I'm thankful for crazy baby Jack, who always keeps us laughing.

For his persistent personality, even when that means he's having a fit about something.

For his (still) little baby voice, because I can hold on to that baby for a little longer.

For his warm little baby breath, and his little arms hugging my neck.

For his naughty, naughty ways and his sweet little smile.



I'm thankful that his dive into the coffee table warranted nothing worse than a cut

and some embarassing Minnie Mouse ears.

 I'm thankful for a wonderful husband, who loves me very much. 

And tells me often.

For a healthy marriage that isn't always perfect, and takes a lot of work.

But is well worth the effort.

I'm thankful he's a great dad, and loves our children with his whole heart.

I'm especially thankful that his surprise trip to the ER yesterday was not as scary as it could have been.

I'm thankful for health, and for the good fortune we've had.

I've got a lot to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!