30DT: Day 24 - Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today, I'm so thankful for being able to share Thanksgiving with family. I'm thankful that we were able to have abundantly more than we could ask for. This was one of the best Thanksgivings I can remember!!!

Today was such a nice and relaxing day. I got up and wrote in my "Thanksgiving" book that Michelle gave me the year Finley was born. Every year since 2008, I've written things I'm thankful for during the year. It was nice to sit in our quiet home with some wonderful coffee and reflect on the last year. So many blessings this year! Once Ken and the dogs were up, we enjoyed the morning with Christmas music and getting everything ready to head to my mom and dad's.

Once in Tulsa, I finished up the baking and got settled in. My brother and his family showed up and we sat down for our Thanksgiving Feast! I have to say that we have some AMAZING cooks in the family. My mom made the turkey, ham, rolls and dressing. My sister-in-law, Aimee, brought the mashed potatoes and her famous green bean casserole! And, we added in my brussels sprouts and horseradish cranberry sauce. We all got around one table this year and the kids loved it! They talked about how fun it was to sit around the same table instead of being all spread out. My dad prayed. We ate. We talked. We laughed. And, then we had dessert! :)

After dessert, we helped my mom clear the table and then watched the two youngest put on a mini-talent show. Before we all fell asleep, the girls grabbed some cameras and headed out for a scavenger hunt (I highly recommend this! Found it here on pinterest). The hunt was awesome!!!! We paired up and took pictures of the following things:
~ A family playing football ~ A turkey hung on a window or a door ~ A Thanksgiving-themed yard decoration~ 6 or more cars parked in front of one house ~ A pile of leaves~ Something with a pilgrim on it (the pumpkins are decorated at pilgrim turkeys)~ An ear of dried corn (in the above picture, the "feathers" in the turkey on the left are actually ears of corn)
~ A pumpkin or squash (I deleted the picture of this one, but the picture above has plenty!!!)
~ A pet waiting to be let in (the 1st thing Kass and I didn't find)
~ Smoke rising from a chimney (no one found this b/c it was so warm outside. however, we did see a chiminea).
~ Another family on a walk ~ A black bird (the 2nd thing Kass and I didn't find)
~ Mums ~ An acorn, pine cone or other nuts, seeds or cones ~ Early Christmas decorations It was great exercise!!! We walked the neighborhood for a good hour! When we got home, we all sat down and shared our pictures. Unfortunately, Kass and I came in last place. Ha! :) We had so much fun...and everyone agreed to do it again next year. While the boys played football on the Wii (or watched a football game in the game room), us girls sat around the piano and sand Christmas carols. I did find my old Aria book from high school and had my mom play a couple of my Italian contest songs...I was surprised how much I remembered!!! And, I surprised my nieces by "knowing" another language. ;)

Aimee had surprised us earlier when they got to the house by bringing a huge crockpot full of taco soup, plus a cheese ball with crackers. She thought we might want something besides turkey for dinner. And, it was much appreciated!

As dinner was winding down...my nephew challenged my husband to a dance off. Now, if you know my hubs, he doesn't turn down a challenge. My nephew had already beat him at a one-on-one basketball game in the backyard and the Wii football game....and now who was to win the dance off? I had all bets on Caleb...and while Caleb is super cute and has some fantastic dance moves....the hubs totally beat him when he busted out the "worm". hahahaha! Seriously....on his belly on the ground doing the "worm"!!!!! Hysterical!!!!

The evening ended with all of us watching the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M game. Perfect way to end the day! :)

Hope and pray that each and every one of you had the most blessed Thanksgiving!!!

30DT: Day 23

I'm thankful for getting to exercise with my hubby and for the holidays. Today, I only had to work a half day. When I got off work, I was planning to hit the gym, but I just wasn't feeling it. It was so beautiful outside, I didn't want to be indoors. So, after lunch with hubs, we hit the running trail together. I know I slowed down his time, but it was fun to run together...and his long legs are a good challenge for me to keep up! :)

When we got home, I turned on the Christmas music and started cooking! I am taking 4 things to Thanksgiving at my parents' house this year. Roasted brussels sprouts with apples and bacon. Horseradish cranberry sauce. Nantucket Cranberry Pie. Caramel Pecan Cheesecake. YUM! :) I did everything I could do at home and then prepped the rest for when we arrived at their house. I just love Thanksgiving!!! A time to be thankful for what God has given us. Family togetherness! Yummy food! Christmas music. Lazy weekend. Football. And, end it all with Christmas decorations!!!! :)

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Decorations and Recipes

I wanted to share the few fall/Thanksgiving decorations at my home, along with the 3 recipes I made for Thanksgivng dinner!Cranberry-Horseradish Cream

12 oz bag fresh cranberries
1 cup sugar
1 strip lemon or orange zest
¾ cup sour cream
2 tbsp horseradish

Empty cranberries into a saucepan and transfer ½ cup to a small bowl. Add sugar and zest and 2 tbsp water to the pan. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries are soft, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the cranberries burst, about 12 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the reserved cranberries.

Fold in sour cream and horseradish. Chill before serving.

(From the FoodNetwork.com)

Brussels Sprouts Gratin

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for the dish
• Kosher salt
• 1 pound Brussels sprouts,outer leaves and stems removed
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated white cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and butter a 2-quart baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

Drain the Brussels sprouts and coarsely chop. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and toss with the red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste, then spread out evenly. Pour the cream on top, sprinkle with the cheese and breadcrumbs and dot with the butter pieces.

Bake the gratin until bubbly and golden brown, about 15 minutes.

(From the FoodNetwork.com)

Caramel Pecan Cheesecake

Crust:
2 cups pecans
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup butter

Finely grind nuts and sugar in processor. Add melted butter and blend until moist crumbs form. Press crumb mixture onto bottom of spring-form pan.

Caramel Sauce:
½ cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup heavy cream
1-3 tsp vanilla

In a small sauce pan, melt butter. Add the brown sugar; whisk until combined and thickened (about 2 minutes). Whisk in the whipping cream until thoroughly blended (2 more minutes). Mix in vanilla until combined. Let cool slightly and pour ½ cup onto crust. Save the rest for the top of the cheese cake.

Cheesecake:
4 (8 oz. each) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla

Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until well blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just to combine after each addition. Mix in the vanilla. Pour filling into crust.

Bake until top appears dry and cheesecake moves in center (about a dime size) when pan is shaken, about 1 hour. Turn oven off and leave cheesecake in oven (without opening door) for one hour. Cool, cover and refrigerate overnight. Release pan sides from cheesecake. Pour rest of caramel sauce on top along with a few pecans for decoration. Serve.

30 Days of Thankfulness, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!

November 25, 2010 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!! Today, I am thankful for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!!!!!! I know, you thought I'd say something more sentimental. :) I truly am thankful for all the Lord has given me. But to pick one thing for today? Its the parade!!!! I haven't watched it from beginning to end in years!!!!! Since we weren't doing a big family dinner today, I set my alarm and I was UP and ready to watch with coffee in hand! I loved it! My dad and I sat in there by ourselves and then mom got up and then Ken. :) It was wonderful!!!!!!

We did get to visit some of Ken's family at their dinner. It was fun to see people and actually talk to some that we didn't get a chance to visit with last weekend at Incredible Pizza. After our good-byes there, we met my parents for the annual "Lights On" ceremony at Utica Square! One of my all time favorite traditions!!!! We sang carols and counted down with Santa before the the lights came on!!From there, we ate dinner at Ruby Tuesday. I felt bad for the people that were having to work...but it was nice that we didn't have to cook. :)My dad positioned Ken perfectly so that he could look like an elf! ha! :)We had such a fun time at dinner! We were being so silly with pictures....maybe it was the Sangria...even though dad and I didn't have any. :) I'm so thankful for all the time we were able to spend with our families! And, I'm thankful for the little things....like The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! :)

Hope you all enjoyed the day and your family!

30 Days of Thankfulness, Day 24

November 24, 2010 - TODAY is our family Thanksgiving!!!!!! YAY!!!!!! I LOVE THIS DAY!!!!! I'm so thankful that I just woke up early and was ready to get started! I'm thankful that I spent the morning baking and cooking. I'm thankful that while I was doing that Christmas music was playing in the background!!!!! Its my most favorite time of the year!!!!!

We arrived at my mom and dad's house around 2:30pm and were able to visit for a little while before the rest of the family got there. I love the sound of the alarm that dings when someone comes in the house. I'm peeking around corners to see who is coming in! I love seeing all the kids' faces as they make their way into the kitchen! They are growing up so fast!!!! I just love seeing them!!!! I'm so thankful for each and everyone of them...

Mason
Raley and Kassie Spencer CadeKylie Caleb Cannie and Cannon!Each so unique and beautiful! I love seeing God's amazing work in each of them!

I love my mom's house and how she perfectly decorates! Its so festive.I'm so thankful that we were all able to be together! I enjoy having the family together and getting see everyone. The food was INCREDIBLE! I never think that we will "top" the year before, but somehow we do! My mom and dad made the turkey, dressing, gravy and ham! Mark and Kim's family brought the rolls and Kim's wonderful sweet potato bake! Jeff and Aimee's family brought the mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and a yummy pecan pie...which ended up being Ken's favorite! :) Ken and I brought cranberry-horseradish cream, brussels sprouts gratin, and caramel-pecan cheesecake. Everything was SOOOOO good!!!!! This year, all the adult-kids sat together and Grammie and PaPa sat with all the grandkids. Its seem that my favorite time comes after dinner. Usually the girls go in one room and the boys go in another. It was too rainy for the kids to play outside, so they all watched "Elf". I love that I got to sit and talk to my sisters-in-law and just visit! Its very few and far between that we get to do that. Maybe one day I'll live closer and get to spend more time with them.We also celebrated my dad's birthday!The evening was really great! We ended the night with Ken and I and my parents, just watching TV and spending time together.

Thank you Lord for family! Thank you for the holidays when we get to spend time together!