Thanksgiving (part 2) in color

 The most handsome Grandpa in all the world!!!!!!!

 My white chocolate blackberry cheesecake.  

 Almond-topped Pumpkin Cheesecake.  You will find the recipe here.

Grandma Charlotte's famous pecan pie

 To work off some holiday calories, we headed outside for some target practice.  These photos remind me of the movie "Cold Mountain".   

Anyway, this is Rick shooting...........

 and Joshua

 and Ryan........

and Jeremy.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of December Daily.

This is a little project that I am bound and determined to finish.  I read Ali's blog everyday (and heart her).  I'm going to try to focus on the journaling/recording of memories....... and less on the embellishments.  That is going to be hard for me as I'm about "the decorating".

Hopefully I won't be a December Daily Drop-out.

I will try to post my pages bi-weekly.  Notice I said that I will TRY!

Recipe for almond-topped cheesecake


Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup finely chopped almonds
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Filling:
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup canned pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup eggnog
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon each ground ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg
3 eggs, lightly beaten

Topping:
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup sliced almonds

1. Place a greased 9 inch springform pam on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil; securely wrap foil around pan.

2. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, almonds, sugar and pumpkin pie spice; stir in butter.  Press onto the bottom of pan.  Place on a baking sheet.  Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.

3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar, eggnog, flour, syrup and spices until smooth.  Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined.  Pour over crust.

4. Place in a large baking pan; add 1 inch of hot water to larger pan (also known as a water bath.  I do this with all my cheesecakes.  It makes them moist and prevents cracking)  Bake at 325 degrees for 55-60 minutes or until center is just set.

5. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, sugar and vanilla.  Spread over hot cheesecake.  Sprinkle with almonds.  Bake 15-18 minutes longer or until center is just set and appears dull.

6. Remove the springform pan from the water bath.  Cool on a wire rack for one hour.  Refridgerate overnight.

The Family Defined

According to Wikipedia.........

Family is defined as a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence.  In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children.  Extended from the human "family unit" by affinity, economy, culture, tradition, honor, and friendship.

To me, family is defined as a group of people who love you unconditionally.  Even if you wake up in the morning and don't comb your hair............ or wear make-up............ or brush your teeth.......

Family means lots and lots of laughing. 

Family is love

 Family is bonding over gun-shot.

Family has lots of children to play and cuddle with.

Family to me means everything!!!

Thankful for........................

Well friends, I certainly feel thankful today.  That almost seems wrong considering the sadness our family has endured this year.  The loss of Tegan and Uncle Mike just over three months ago, has rocked our family.  

There are good moments, the times when you have a funny memory.  Then, there are sad times.  I would be lying through my teeth if I told you that I didn't have my fair share of them.  

We carry on though.  

We think of the promises that the Lord has told us.  Promises of reuniting in eternity (and boy-o-boy does that sound wonderful!)  God has been gracious despite our loss.  He's been with us through every up and down (even if we question what he's doing to us..... for crying out loud!!!!!)  

Then I remember He is better to us than I am capable of being to Him.  He has brought our family together in a way that only He could do.  Including, reuniting us with Jeremy.  Whom, I wondered at one time, if I'd every meet.  Perfect timing on the Lord's part, I would say.  

So, I've decided to compile a short list of things that I'm thankful for.  My blessings are abundant, my joys are numerous, and "my love's" keep my heart full.

1. I'm thankful that I wake up beside my best friend every night.  I'm thankful that our relationship is my most treasured.

2. I'm thankful that my children are healthy, smart and (mostly) well-behaved.  

3. I'm thankful for my husband's job (even if I do complain about the long hours).  

4. I'm thankful for my friendships (and I'm also thankful that many of them are relatives).  I have a long, long list of acquaintances, but a short list of "true" friends.  They are priceless to me.  

5. I'm thankful that I have food in my fridge every day.  Rick and Ryan's Haiti trip has enlightened me.  We are very, very blessed!!!!

6. I'm thankful for music, blogging, crafting, reading, cooking and photography.  These are the hobbies that balance and calm me.  

7. I'm thankful for "I love you's" from Gracie, "thank you's" from Ian, and "Can I's" from Ryan.

8. I'm thankful for Gus (even when he is passing gas and snoring like a jet)

9. I'm thankful for technology.   

10. I was going to say that I was thankful deer season is over, but Rick just informed me that it is now muzzle loader season.  Awesome (note the sarcasm)!!!!!

11. I'm thankful that for 10 months, I still have one child whos age is in the single digits.  Teenagers make me feel achingly old.  Achingly, despicably, insanely, stinking old!!!! (Not sure if insanely is even a word.  Not sure that I care!!!!)

12. I'm thankful for "Storm Chasers", "American Idol", "Grey's Anatomy" and "24".  

13. I'm thankful for my DVR because I'm never home when the forementioned programs are on.

14. I'm thankful for Lexapro.  (yeah....... not really kidding about this one!!!!)

15. If you love me enough to read this silly blog, then I'm thankful for YOU!!!!!

p.s. I'm also thankful for my friend/mentee/boot-wearin', Cornbread.  Who is one day going to China with me to shop for cupcakes.  All the while, using our ninja/pig latin skills.

Camo and Heels

I love that my girl can dress to the 9's, then go out in camo and high heels.........just sayin'.  Her Daddy has introduced her to hunting.  I'm afraid, friends, that she may be hooked.  When Gracie entered our life, I sighed a sign of relief.  Whew......... her and I could go shopping while the "men" go to the woods.  Looks like my plan isn't working out.  Rick says that when a deer walks in front of her, she gets the jitters.  Which says to me, she's not just saying she likes it, she REALLY DOES!!!!  So, I need your opinion.... is it wrong that I am now the only one not in the woods during deer season?  Is it wrong that I enjoy sleeping in?  Is it wrong that I love the comfort of my heated home and house slippers?  Ughh..... I'm just not a early morning, woodsy, shooting type of girl.

I am training Rick, he noticed that the heels and camo were a great photo op before I did.  

Atta boy, Rick.

I did a mini photo session with the Cole-man.  He was sweepy and didn't want anything to do with it.  So, hopefully, we will get to do it again next weekend. 

What a beautiful family!!!  I {heart} them.

Christmas Sampling

 My posts have been sparse the last couple weeks.  It's because I'm working my fingers to the bone on Christmas decorating.

 I thought I would give you a sampling of what I'm doing.

 Thankfully, I'm almost done.  Which means I can stop climbing ladders, and poking myself with sharp faux pine needles, and walking around with glitter on my face.

Cursing Coaches

 Ian was invited to play for a team based out of Belton, MO.  

 I'm not sure what I expected.  I guess I figured football is football.  Wouldn't be much different from we were used to in Chillicothe.  WRONG!!!!

 These teams had mascots!!!!!!!!!

And security!!!!!!!!  Not only did they HAVE security...... they needed security.

These teams had psycho fans.  Cursing coaches and players!!!  And no one thought that it was strange but me.  My first red flag was when Ian was told to take the field on defense.  The coach calmly approached my baby.  Grabbed his jersey with two fists!!!!  Shook him!!!!  Then screamed, "Get P-ed off out there, get really P-ed off!"  Zoink.  That probably wasn't the best move on the coaches part because it stunned Ian.  He stood there with his arms dangling, mouth hanging wide open, and eyes as big as saucers.  

I was on "momma alert".  Any sudden moves on the coaches part and I was going over that fence.  

You see, most of Chillicothe's coaches are involved in FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).  They are calm and say, "Good job" when things go well.  When they don't, they say, "Darn-it!"  

All F-bombs,  S-bombs, and S.O.B-bombs, are not said.

When I asked Ian what he thought of the experience, he said, "Momma, they cussed a lot!" 

I said, "The coaches........... or the players?"

He said, "BOTH"!!!!

I said, "I'm sorry buddy, I noticed!"

He said, "Yah, but they prayed before the games and I liked that!"

So, what do ya do?

Their team ended up winning the whole sha-bang!  They played teams from 3 different states.  No one scored on them until the last game.  

I'm proud of my boy.  

I'm proud of the person he is.

I'm proud that he doesn't cuss.

I'm proud that he is glad they prayed.

I'm proud that he played tough (even if he was in shock)

 I'm proud that he was the tallest on the team, yet the gentlest.

 Besides....he got some nice hardware out of the deal.

I Love My Family

I love family time.  Even more so recently, thanks to the people in the above photo.  

Aunt Pam (who absolutely hates me to take photos of her, let alone post photos of her in my blog) and Jeremy.    

 Ma Ma and Cole

Horses + Fashion = Love

 Since Gracie has been old enough to tell us, she's loved horses.  She now does a horse impression that grown-ups at church PAY HER TO DO.  Yeah, you read that right.  My daughter is now for hire!  For 50 cents, she will whinney her heart out.

Since Daddy votes NO on real horses, we have always indulged her with the plush or plastic type.  (the ones that don't buck you or need to be fed)

 While cleaning her room yesterday, I came upon this sight.  Then I understood how smart my little girl is.  She is combining her love for equine and fashion.  These boots are actually meant for her American Girl, Lanie.  However, as the saying goes............"If the Boot Fits".......... or is it shoe?

I also want to mention the detail Gracie added to the tail.  Stunning!!!!!!!!  Sorry about the shot of the horses' #@%.