Finding Thanksgiving

I was talking with my daughter this morning and the conversation turned to this topic:

"I can't wrap my head around the fact that next Thursday is Thanksgiving."

And that's truth.

2015, like many other years past, has been a vapor. It has been everything from peaceful to roaring chaotic and all in between. The highs have been high and the lows have been low. Bad decisions were made as were good ones and things I promised myself I would accomplish this year....well...most haven't happened.

Now, I could get really down about that last statement, and if I am honest with you, have found myself doing that at times.

And that's okay, and here's why:

Because in the midst of all our plans, hopes and dreams...life happens. Folks get sick, need help. Job situations change. Births happen, as well as deaths. Children grow and that is a constant and good change! Groceries have to be bought, bills have to be paid, laundry has to be done, meals have to be cooked and homes have to be cleaned.

So in the midst of life today, I was thinking that maybe some of us have lost Thanksgiving. Like, really lost it. Oh, we can say that we are thankful for this or thankful for that, but we have truly lost Thanksgiving. In the middle of this happening life, it's easy to focus on the sadness, the emptiness, the loneliness. It's easy to focus on finances not going as far as we'd like, especially when we know right behind Thanksgiving will be Christmas.

Yes, we should have prepared better. Yes, we should have stayed home more.Yes, we should have cooked at home instead of hitting up the drive thru.  Because let's be honest....birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas come at the same time every single year. Those are three days that should never catch us off guard, yet we always find ourselves under the gun, family activities bearing down on us and there we are again.....

I'm asking you...and myself...to start right now looking for Thanksgiving. Looking for and truly believing in your heart, to the point your heart is singing so loudly you can't believe it, that life IS beautiful and it IS fun and that it IS a blessing! Don't look behind and don't look in the future. We just cannot change the past and the future is in God's hands and if we're doing all we can for those future things, God will do all we can't and if those future things don't play out like we'd prayed for, God will take care of us through that as well.

Look at today. Look at the physical today. Look at your spouse, look at your children, look at your home....the picture might not look as our heart would like it to, but in those things I believe we can find Thanksgiving.

In finding Thanksgiving we are making a choice, we are choosing to enjoy today. We are choosing to be thankful for today. Share that with someone. With  lots of someones!!! If you're struggling to see Thanksgiving, you may have to share with a lot of  people and you may have to say it over and over but you will begin to see Thanksgiving emerging and I'm sure, before long, you will have found exactly what you've been looking for....happiness and thanksgiving.

Delicious!!!!

I was visiting my friend Sandy's site over at Heart Joys the other day when I saw a picture of an absolutely beautiful loaf of bread!! It was Pumpkin Dessert Bread and it looked delicious!! Of course I had to have the recipe and she was so kind as to post it for me (and you!!)

Well, yesterday I gave it a try myself and let me tell you that it was even better than the picture portrayed it!! This was moist, delicious, melt-in-your mouth, enjoy the fall season bread!!!

Here is a picture of the bread I made.....



This would be a perfect bread to make and give at Christmas. You can make it up in the 2 loaf pans or may several mini loaves to give away!!

Drop by Sandy's site and give this bread a try for yourself. I promise you won't be disappointed!!!

Warming Home on the Cheap

I try very hard to allow God to direct my steps....even when my flesh is screaming, "NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT TO BE IN CONTROL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" It's not even remotely easy for me...but I do try....which explains why it took me a week to get my fall decos put where I want them!!

"The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?"
Proverbs 20:24, NLT

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."
Psalms 37:23, NLT

I thought I would share a couple of my favorite displays with you. But first...let me set the atmosphere.......

When you walk in, the smell of apple cinnamon and vanilla greets you. There are pumpkins, crows and scarecrows about the different rooms. The windows are open because the wind is gently blowing and there is a crispness in the air.

I want my home to be a place where you feel welcomed and we can relax and chat while enjoying a steaming cup of hot apple cider.

Most everything I've bought to decorate with has been purchased at dollar stores and yard sales. It doesn't take much money to create a feeling of welcome and warmth.

Drape a blanket here and there over a couple of comfy chairs. Go outside and gather some leaves and and bare branches and put them about with a pumpkin or two.

Gather and bind some dried corn stalks, add a couple of bales of hay and a pumpkin and you have a wonderful decoration for your porch!!

Let me encourage you to take just a little time to create a warm sanctuary for you, your family and guests. You've worked hard and played hard all summer......time to sit back and close your eyes.............

Family Favorites

I spent most of the day yesterday swapping out my spring/summer decos for fall ones. I changed out my Hawaiian air freshener for apple cinnamon.

It won't be long, even in my neck of the woods, that the morning air will soon be crisp and DH and I will be sitting on the swing under a blanket. He, enjoying a hot cup of coffee. Me, enjoying a hot cup of cocoa.

Oh yes, my favorite time of the year is well on it's way.

So, for today's Family Favorite, I decided to share a homemade hot cocoa mix that is a hit with my family and just about anyone else that has tried it.

This is also a great mix to make up and give away at Christmas time as a gift in a jar. I usually put the mix in a quart jar and tie a pretty ribbon around it with directions attached. I also add a cute mug, usually found at the dollar store, for each member in the family. I put all of this in a cute basket with a few candy canes and you have a wonderful family gift for just a few dollars!!!

I remember getting this recipe off of a website, but cannot remember which one. As always, if this is original to your site, let me know and I'll be glad to give you a shout out!!!

Happy Fall ya'll!!!!

Hot Cocoa Mix

2 cups sugar
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

Measure all of the ingredients into a dry, clean bowl. Use a whisk to stir everything together. Mash any clumps and continue to mix well. Put entire mix into a clean, dry canister.

Put 1/3 cup mix into a mug. Add boiling water to the top. Stir and serve.

:o)--When I'm feeling really adventurous, I'll add some marshmallows and stir! Delicious!!--:o)

Family Favorites

Believe it or not, before we know it, fall and winter will quickly be upon us.

While going through my recipes for Family Favorites, I came across this recipe for chicken noodle soup that is just delicious!!!

It is so easy to make and even satisfies my very picky son!!

Hope you enjoy!!!

Chicken Noodle Soup

1 pound cooked chicken, shredded (about 2 cups)
4, 14.5 ounce cans of chicken broth*
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
2 medium celery stalks, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped (about ¼ cup)
1 cup wide egg noodles *

Heat all ingredients except pasta in a large pot. cover and simmer about 10 minutes or until carrots are almost tender. Add pasta and cook until noodles are tender.

I usually make grilled cheese sandwiches to go along with this!!

* Since my guys are hearty eaters, I usually double this recipe. I save money by saving the broth off of the cooked chicken and freezing it.

Cold Weather, Crockpots and Chili!

I was listening to the weather this morning as my husband was getting ready for work and guess what?? It's going to get cold in the next few days!! I am so excited!!!

No, I'm not crazy...although I have been accused of that from time to time, but I find myself eager for the days of blankets, hot chocolate, a fire and chili in the crockpot.

I prefer winter as long as I don't have to go outside, but since that's not a reality, then fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves are changing color and falling to the ground, the wind is blowing and there is a crispness to the air. It gets dark much earlier in the evening and I love it because it forces me to come inside and slow down..be with my family. Yes..fall is the best time of the year to me.

I'd love to share my chili recipe with you. It is so easy and I love to use my crockpot so I can enjoy the smells all day long.

We'll label this....

Deb's Chili

1lb. ground turkey
5 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
4 cups pinto beans
1 small diced onion
1 diced jalapeno pepper
Chili powder to taste
Garlic powder
Seasoned salt
Mrs. Dash Southwester Blend to taste

I brown my ground turkey in a little canola oil and season with the garlic powder, seasoned salt and Mrs. Dash. While the turkey is browning I open my tomatoes and put them in the crockpot. (I have a 6 quart crock). Add the diced onion and jalapeno. Add the pinto beans. (I usually cook a big pot of beans and we have a meal then I freeze the rest in sandwich zip bags to use later for chili.) If you don't have any frozen, then use 2 cans of pinto beans. When the turkey is done add it. I then usually add a couple of cans of water to my chili. Add to your family's taste and liking. Set that crockpot on low and your done. I usually let mine crock for 6-7 hours.
When it's time to eat, we usually add cheese, sour cream and corn chips to our chili and enjoy!

This not only goes a long way, but it's extremely cheap to make.

Ground Turkey: $1.19 @ Sav A Lot
Beans: ¢99 @ Sav A Lot (remember I get a 1lb bag and cook them, so ¢99 is for many meals)
Tomatoes:¢49 @ Sav A Lot (I get mine for ¢39 at our Bent-N-Dent)
Onion, pepper and seasonings at a fraction

So for less than $5 you have enough chili for at least 2 meals, depending on the size of your family. Not bad in today's world!!

Let me hear from you. What's your favorite season and why? What's your favorite winter recipe?

Blessings....