Today is Thanksgiving. This is the first year that I have not spent Thanksgiving with family. I'm so blessed that there is a group of people living here that I now count as my extended family. We all understand the feeling of not being home during the holidays. And today we will share a meal with 40 people! We miss the Whitesell/Moore and Pittman families and will be thinking of them today. Here is a short list of things I'm thankful for...
- Our family understands and supports our being on the other side of the world. We could never make it through days like today not knowing that.
- We have the Internet to keep in touch.
- We have great friends back in the states that care enough about us to check in often.
- We have many friends here that have become like family.
- Father has given me true friends here. I asked him for at least a year before we moved to provide me a friend while living here, someone that I really connect with. He has answered in more than one person.
- Turkey, Ham and all the fixings. Today should be a meal to make Granny Great and Grommy proud. ( I should add that I am only making 7 Layer Salad, Broccoli Salad and a Veggie Tray with Ranch Dip and Stan made a Chocolate Pecan Pie.)
- I have a wonderful husband and two of the best little boys ever born. They may drive me crazy sometimes (all three of them) but in my opinion that just proves true love.
- We are provided for in abundance. You can't even imagine how blessed we feel for that.
- Most of all I'm thankful for Jesus Christ. If you don't know why send me an email and I'll tell you all about it. ;)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Confessions
This is for Jessi C. She did this on her blog and it seemed like something I should do as well. So here are a few confessions.
- The diet is not going so well. I'm having a really hard time feeling motivated to eat well so close to the holidays. All that about eating healthy has only been partially attempted. I am trying to eat more healthy snacks, drink more water and exercise at least three times a week. That's as far as I've gotten.
- Since we've moved here my boys have started watching a lot of movies. I know it's way more than is good for them, especially now that Kirby, and even Bennett a little bit, can quote several movies. It started when we first moved here and had to run around all day getting stuff done and used movies to keep the boys happy at home with our helper. We've gotten better lately but it's still way more than it should be.
- The only true routine the boys still have each day is for sleep time. They still get a regular nap and go to bed at the same time. All room time and outside time schedules we had for them when we lived in NC have stopped. There are even times when they don't get outside for two days. We want to work on this but when we don't have predicable schedules ourselves it's really hard to set one up for the boys.
- Stan and I fight over who will change every poopy diaper of Bennett's.
- I listen to the Black Eyed Peas. Their music is offensive and full of bad language but some of their songs can get me pumped up for a workout like no other music.
- I love to put on makeup and feel like I look 100% better with it on. Most days since we have moved here I don't bother. When I don't even get a shower or put on clean clothes, makeup just seems silly.
OK, I think that's it for now. That's enough honesty for one blog.
- The diet is not going so well. I'm having a really hard time feeling motivated to eat well so close to the holidays. All that about eating healthy has only been partially attempted. I am trying to eat more healthy snacks, drink more water and exercise at least three times a week. That's as far as I've gotten.
- Since we've moved here my boys have started watching a lot of movies. I know it's way more than is good for them, especially now that Kirby, and even Bennett a little bit, can quote several movies. It started when we first moved here and had to run around all day getting stuff done and used movies to keep the boys happy at home with our helper. We've gotten better lately but it's still way more than it should be.
- The only true routine the boys still have each day is for sleep time. They still get a regular nap and go to bed at the same time. All room time and outside time schedules we had for them when we lived in NC have stopped. There are even times when they don't get outside for two days. We want to work on this but when we don't have predicable schedules ourselves it's really hard to set one up for the boys.
- Stan and I fight over who will change every poopy diaper of Bennett's.
- I listen to the Black Eyed Peas. Their music is offensive and full of bad language but some of their songs can get me pumped up for a workout like no other music.
- I love to put on makeup and feel like I look 100% better with it on. Most days since we have moved here I don't bother. When I don't even get a shower or put on clean clothes, makeup just seems silly.
OK, I think that's it for now. That's enough honesty for one blog.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies
Since I've been doing so much cooking from scratch I thought I would share a few of my favorite recipes. This is one I got from my friend K and we love it. Stan didn't think this combination sounded so good at first but his mind was quickly changed. Enjoy!
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
Combine and set aside:
4 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
Cream on medium for 2 minutes:
1 1/2 cups oil
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups brown sugar
1 egg
Add 1/4 cup pumpkin puree and mix with wet ingredients for another minute. Add flour mixture and remaining pumpkin alternately until all is mixed together. Stir in white chocolate chips. Set in refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
Bake cookies at 350 degrees on a lightly greased baking sheet for 15 minutes (you may want to check on them early because 10 minutes is perfect for my oven but each oven is different). Makes 5 dozen cookies. Unbaked dough can be frozen in an airtight container.
I can't get pumpkin puree here I have to make my own. I thought that I would include that as well in case you want to try that out as well. My pumpkin puree turns out more like baby food consistency which is why the dough must go in the fridge before baking. If your dough is firm as soon as you mix it you may not have to wait the 1-2 hours.
Pumpkin Puree
Cut pumpkin from stem to bottom length wise. Scrape out pulp and seeds. Cover both halves with tin foil and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 60-90 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and then scrape the pumpkin out. Using a blender or food processor, blend until smooth. Puree can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen in Ziploc bags for future use.
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
Combine and set aside:
4 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
Cream on medium for 2 minutes:
1 1/2 cups oil
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups brown sugar
1 egg
Add 1/4 cup pumpkin puree and mix with wet ingredients for another minute. Add flour mixture and remaining pumpkin alternately until all is mixed together. Stir in white chocolate chips. Set in refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
Bake cookies at 350 degrees on a lightly greased baking sheet for 15 minutes (you may want to check on them early because 10 minutes is perfect for my oven but each oven is different). Makes 5 dozen cookies. Unbaked dough can be frozen in an airtight container.
I can't get pumpkin puree here I have to make my own. I thought that I would include that as well in case you want to try that out as well. My pumpkin puree turns out more like baby food consistency which is why the dough must go in the fridge before baking. If your dough is firm as soon as you mix it you may not have to wait the 1-2 hours.
Pumpkin Puree
Cut pumpkin from stem to bottom length wise. Scrape out pulp and seeds. Cover both halves with tin foil and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 60-90 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and then scrape the pumpkin out. Using a blender or food processor, blend until smooth. Puree can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen in Ziploc bags for future use.
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