Happy Thanksgiving!

I've learned that joy isn't about what you have and being thankful isn't about what your lacking. I'm counting my blessings today and you're one of them.

I'm thankful for...
1. My Savior, Father, and Friend
2. My wonderful husband, Jared
3. My two beautiful kids, Ruby and Maxwell
4. My sisters, Heidi, Alyssa, and Christina
5. My extended family
6. Wonderful friends
7. A warm home
8. Delicious food
9. A never ending supply of good books to read
10. Millions of untried recipes at my fingertips
11. A warm shower
12. Ring around the rosy with my kiddos
13. Rainy days and blanket forts
14. Warm cookies
15. Smiles
16. Kisses and hugs
17. Cellphones
18. Down comforters
19. Swimming with the kids
20. Grace for today
21. Peace
22. Music
23. Game nights
24. Crisp autumn days
25. So much more...

Poor Little Froggy

We are in the midst of cold virus round two in our house. Thankfully no one has felt too terrible, but Ruby has had some pretty funny comments about her ailments.

(After a fit of coughing.)

R:Ugh! I think I swallowed a fly!

(Just afer waking up.)

R: Mommy, I think I have a little froggy in my throat. It said, "ribbit, ribbit".

Max has tried to cure Ruby's ailments with oodles of squeezes and smooches. I think it's working. ;)

Spicy Cranberry Chutney

In honor of Thanksgiving, I'm posting a favorite side/condiment--Spicy Cranberry Chutney. Be advised, the ginger does intensify, so you may want to decrease the ginger if you aren't totally crazy for it like me!

Spicy Cranberry Chutney

1/4 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup water
3 cups fresh cranberries
1 Granny Smith apple - peeled, cored and chopped
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1. In a saucepan, combine apricots, brown sugar, raisins and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and stir while simmering for 5 minutes. Stir in cranberries, apple and lemon zest; simmer for 10 minutes more.
2. Stir lemon juice, ginger and pepper flakes into the mixture before removing from heat.
3. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Let's Say Thanks

I don't say thank you nearly often enough to our troops. I've read about the thumbs up thing and am always being encouraged to do something to say "thank you". This website allows you to do it well and easily. It takes 2 minutes and it might really make someone's day. Give it a try!

You want to WHAT?!

For the last week or so, Max has been taking some big leaps that I, personally, did not expect (or necessarily want) him to take for a good long time yet! He has decided that he's ready to use the potty chair. His efforts are not terribly consistant, but he's definitely trying with some success.


My latest struggle is how can I keep a diaper on the kid?! It seems like every few minutes he's stripping from the waist down (socks too!) and shouting "Poo! Poo!" as he scoots to the bathroom. Then, after he's given a token few grunts, he's off and playing again sans diaper!

Last weekend, Max walked in on Daddy using the bathroom. He was pretty interested in the whole standing up and peeing thing, especially after Jared said, "See, this is how you're supposed to do it!". The next morning, I heard Max head into the bathroom, strip down to his diaper, flip up the toilet lid and seat (the BIG toilet, not his potty chair), stand up against the toilet and he went! Granted, he was wearing a diaper (thankfully), but he sure was proud of himself for peeing like a big boy!

I've decided not to sweat it. I have a feeling that this is just one of those "I'm kinda interested" phases, not the "let's pull out the training pants" process. Seems like Ruby had a few of these spurts before we really got serious. For now we'll just see how it goes. Maybe I'll luck out and he'll potty train himself!

Two, two, two books for one!

Something I failed to mention in Monday's post is that I kind of threw out my back (again) last Thursday morning. I was doing something extremely dangerous and hazardous--pulling a box of cereal off the top shelf of our kitchen cabinet. Thankfully, Kay was here so I was able to lie down a lot and give the strained muscles the rest they needed. So, I had a little bit of down time. Actually a lot. Suffice it to say, I ended up reading TWO books last week. Two pretty think ones!

The first book in Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series, A Voice in the Wind, was on the top of my stack. This book came highly recommended by several of you and also others that don't read this fantabulous blog (imagine that!).

I have to admit that this was a tough read for me. I'm not sure if it was the totally foreign time period or the repulsive behavior of the Roman citizens. I could not drum up concern or love for the characters for the first 75% of it. Even Hadassah seemed out of reach. As a Christian in the United States we have never had to suffer the persecution that was an every day occurrence and danger for her. As a result, Hadassah's faith was much stronger than mine. She was forced to lean on God for his leading in every situation. She was forced to weigh the balance in every conversation of wanting to share the Truth, but fear for her life.

As I was reading, God reminded again and again to pray for those brothers and sisters in Asia and Africa who face this same danger and persecution unto death daily. I've been prompted to ask for my own testing, that my faith may be strengthened. I think we can be certain that testing is coming, even to America, in the not so distant future.

So, my final analysis is that it's worth the read. It's not necessarily a fun read, but a good one. I picked up the second book in the series at our church library this Sunday and look forward to reading how God continues to work among these broken people.

And now for something completely different!

The next book in my pile was the second book in the Twilight series, New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. This book was a roller coaster ride that just didn't quit.

After a seemingly innocent incident, Edward and his family decide to leave Forks and Bella behind; certain that if they stay they will only be hurting her. After they leave, life is anything but boring, as Bella forges deeper friendships with some and leaves other friends behind. She's never able to get over the loss of Edward and begins doing riskier and riskier things in order to hear "hallucinations" of his voice. Bella's final daredevil act results in a domino effect adventure that takes her all the way to Europe.

I was entranced by the book from cover to cover and didn't want to put it down for anything this weekend! Needless to say, I've already put the next two books in the series on my queue at the library! Hopefully I don't have to wait too long otherwise I may be dragging the kids to Barnes & Noble for some extended play time at the train table!

Happy reading everyone!

Nutty Pumpkin Waffles

We all really enjoyed these delicious waffles for Jared's birthday breakfast. Hope you enjoy them as mush as we did. Don't be scared of the pumpkin in the maple syrup--it's delicious!

Nutty Pumpkin Waffles



2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3/4 cup chopped nuts

1 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. COMBINE flour, sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger and nutmeg in large bowl. Combine egg yolks, milk and pumpkin in medium bowl; mix well. Add to flour mixture. Stir in butter. Beat egg whites in small mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Gently fold into pumpkin mixture.
2. PREHEAT waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions. Depending on size of waffle iron, pour 1/2 cup to 1 1/2 cups batter onto hot iron. Generously sprinkle with nuts. Bake for 4 to 5 minutes or until steaming stops. Repeat with remaining batter and nuts. Serve with Pumpkin Maple Sauce.
3. HEAT 1 cup maple syrup, 3/4 cup LIBBY'S® 100 Percent Pure Pumpkin and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon in small saucepan until warm.