A List of Thanksgiving

As we approach Thanksgiving, I'm reminded of all the things I have to be thankful for (so much).  Last year, I posted one thing each day that I was thankful for on facebook.  I decided to go back and look at that list today.  Not surprising, I'm still thankful for most of those things.  So, I thought it would be fun to post the list from last year (that was on facebook) and make any comments about the items if they've changed this year.  You could say it's two years worth of thanksgiving!  The italics part is from last year and the bold is any comments from this year.  Enjoy and I hope you all take time to count your blessings and find something to be thankful for each day!

A List of Thanksgiving 2011 & 2012
Nov 1 - I'm thankful for my Bible Study ladies - such wonderful friends!  I miss my Bible Study friends so much but I'm still thankful for the time I was able to spend with them.

Nov 2 - I'm thankful for local holidays that mean I only worked 3 days this week and now I'm done!  I really did enjoy November holidays in Panama - but I enjoy NOT working more, so this year is even better!

Nov 3 - I'm thankful for Abby Spencer and the chance to celebrate her birthday with a SURPRISE party. So thankful for a wonderful, sweet friend like Abby.  I'm SO thankful for Abby and I love that we all have great memories of her surprise party last year.  I hope her birthday this year is just as special!

Nov 4 - I'm thankful for cheap movies in this country which means I can afford to see more movies in theaters...and for friends to go to movies with!  Well, I miss the cheap movies.  We don't go out as often now, but I'm still thankful for fun times!

Nov 5 - I'm thankful for my Grandma Benson, whose memorial service was today, and all the happy memories I have of her. She will be missed.  I miss my Grandma and am still thankful for her life.

Nov 6 - I'm thankful for Crossroads Bible Church and the great friends I've made there.  I am so thankful for the church family I had in Panama and I'm hoping to find an equally wonderful one here.

Nov 7 - I'm thankful for the option of online shopping...it's really helpful when I can't find what I'm looking for in this country.  Online shopping is still great - and now I can be thankful for shopping in stores like Target too!

Nov 8 - I'm thankful for pumpkins! I love this time of year because of pumpkin pie, pumpkin bars, pumpkin ice cream, etc.!!  Mmmmm, pumpkin!  Yes, I'm still thankful!

Nov 9 - I'm thankful for my mom, who arrived tonight. We're going to have a fun time while she's here...I love my mom!  I love my mom! 

Nov 10 - I'm thankful for NO homework! While everyone around me has mid-terms, tests, papers, reading, grading, etc...I have none, and I'm happy!  This year I'm thankful that Bill is done with school - no more homework!  And, I still don't have any so that's good too!

Nov 11 - I'm thankful for the US Military and the 8 years Bill spent in the Marine Corps. Happy Veteran's Day!  Still thankful for Veterans.

Nov 12 - I'm thankful for college football...it can be a very entertaining and bonding experience!  Very thankful for football and getting to go to a few Oregon games this year!

Nov 13 - I'm thankful for traditions, like watching the Amazing Race on Sunday nights with Abby.  I miss watching with Abby, but I've enjoyed watching with my parents too!

Nov 14 - I'm thankful for chicken...it's easy and delicious!  What can I say, chicken is delicious!

Nov 15 - I'm thankful for my husband...I love him!  I love my husband!

Nov 16 - I'm thankful for the internet and the ability to change airline tickets and travel plans at the last minute, when necessary...I just wish it wasn't necessary!  I'm thankful that this hasn't been necessary this year.

Nov 17 - I'm thankful for my pets. They are entertaining and cute and they make me happy. And, they are always happy to see me!  This year we said good-bye to Ubi and I'm still sad (and missing him) but we have a new puppy now so I'm trying to be thankful for him!

Nov 18 - I'm thankful for half-days on Fridays. It makes the weekend seem longer and puts me in a good mood!  Again, since I don't work this one doesn't apply anymore.  But, not working is wonderful and I'm thankful I'm able to do so.

Nov 19 - I'm thankful for a family that loves and supports one another.  Still very thankful for my wonderful family!

Nov 20 - I'm thankful for telephones and internet. For affordable communication with my family in various parts of the world.  During the holiday season, I'm especially thankful for communicating with my family wherever they are.

Nov 21 - I'm thankful for safe air travel.  Always a good thing to be thankful for.

Nov 22 - I'm thankful for time spent with my grandpa and my extended family.  I'm thankful for time spent with extended family again this year.  It's fun to be closer to everyone now that we're in Oregon.

Nov 23 - I'm thankful for grocery stores in the US...it is SO much fun to shop here...I love grocery shopping!!  I still love grocery shopping and I enjoy it every week!

Nov 24 - I'm thankful for THANKSGIVING!!! I love the food, the people, the memories, the good times and the pie!!  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and I'm again thankful for the food and family (this year with Bill's family).

Nov 25 - I'm thankful for my sister...who wasn't here to shop Black Friday with us, but she was here in spirit and she called at just the right time to remind me of the free donuts...I love my sister!!  I love my sister!

Nov 26 - I'm thankful for my dad...its fun watching football games with him and taking quick trips to the store. I love my dad!  I love my dad!

Nov 27 - I'm thankful for my grandpa and getting to spend time with him and tell him I love him. 
I'm remembering my Grandpa and the time I was able to spend with him last year.  I miss him and am so thankful for his life.

Nov 28 - I'm thankful for my own bed...and even though I wish I was still with my family (sleeping on the floor) it's good to be back!  I'm thankful for my bed but even more thankful that we own a house now!

Nov 29 - I'm thankful for my brother and I'm glad he'll be in Oregon for grandpa's memorial service. I wish I could spend time with him too...I love my brother!  I love my brother!

Nov 30 - I'm thankful for a November full of THANKSGIVING and I'm looking forward to December and celebrating Christmas...it's the most wonderful time of the year!!!  I'm thankful for a November full of THANKSGIVING and I can't wait for Christmas!

Week 45

November 6
After church, I went out for Dim Sum with Abby, Cathy, Amber, and Mami. I'm not a very adventurous eater so this was good for me. I ate things that I did not recognize...and they were good. We had a lot of fun!

November 7
I decided to buy a new camera because the pictures on mine aren't that great. I've been spending a lot of time researching this decision. It's hard to know what to get without spending too much money!!

November 8
The first pumpkin pie I've made this year isn't even for me. Someone requested it at work for their birthday dessert. It looked and smelled SO delicious. I'll just have to make another one to enjoy at home!

November 9
My mom is here!! She has come for a visit and is already unpacked and settled in. We're so happy she's here!

November 10
Surprise - another picture of me! I looked back at the pictures of myself the other day and I look pretty much the same. Other than the length of my hair, I don't think I've changed much. Just 1 more month to go.

November 11
Of course I had to take a picture of the clock today. Other than being Veteran's Day - today is 11/11/11...so I took a picture at 11:11. I couldn't pass it up!

November 12
Big football game today. My mom and I watched the Stanford vs. Oregon game and cheered our Ducks to victory! It was a good game, but why do they have to start so late??

Week 44

October 30
It was late...my camera was downstairs and I didn't feel like getting it. I also had no ideas for what my picture of the day should be. So, Bill went downstairs and took a picture of a picture of himself. It was silly...but it was better than anything I would have come up with. So, here is my picture of the day - but it's really Bill's picture.

October 31
It was a very rough day! I stayed home alone watching Monday Night Football (Bill had to go to the airport). It was good for me to have some alone time.

November 1
I love Fall because I love everything pumpkin. Tonight I took pumpkin bars to Bible Study. They were yummy! I'm looking forward to more pumpkin treats in the coming month.

November 2
I love looking at November on the calendar...it makes me happy. That's because we have 6 (SIX) holidays in November! So many days off makes me very, very happy. We get November 3, 4, 10, 11, 24, and 28 off. And, I'm taking more time off at the end of the month so that's even better. It's a good month!

November 3
Happy Birthday, Abby!!! We had a huge *surprise* party for Abby and everything was PURPLE. It was so much fun planning it and everything came together beautifully. So many people helped to make the party a big success. Abby was surprised and everyone really enjoyed themselves. It was fun!! Welcome to the 30's, Abby!

November 4
Abby and I went to a movie. At the mall, each entrance has an animal name (it's a huge mall) and there is an animal statue by each door. We decided to get a quick photo as we exited the Hippo door.

November 5
Bill and I went to the Marine Ball, to celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps. It is an annual formal event that the Marines host. It was fun. (Inspired by the purple party earlier in the week, I bought a purple dress!)

Flavor of the Month - Pumpkin

As part of my Birthday Goals (#22 to be exact), I decided to participate in "Flavor of the Month" from a blog I read regularly. Every month, Bridget, from Bake at 350, lists a "flavor" and then participants make something that fits in with that flavor. The Flavor of the Month for October is pumpkin.

I love pumpkin and pumpkin pie is my very favorite (its even been my birthday "cake" request on several occasions). I enjoy making pumpkin pie and pumpkin bread - but that's been the extent of my cooking with pumpkin. For my first Flavor of the Month attempt, I wanted to try something different. Actually, I thought of making something with pumpkin that isn't a dessert. I knew I could make a pumpkin soup, but that didn't seem very exciting. As I flipped through my "Taste of Home" Thanksgiving Edition recipe magazine, I found what I wanted to make: Pumpkin Patch Biscuits.

Biscuits are tasty - but they aren't technically a dessert, so I was happy with my choice. This afternoon, I whipped up some Pumpkin Patch Biscuits. They were very easy to make and they smelled wonderful. As soon as they came out of the oven, we sat down and ate them! Nothing compares to fresh, warm biscuits. They were delicious! They would have been good as a side dish or served with a soup, but we ate them all alone! I also decided that I wanted a hint of the regular spices you taste with pumpkin pie, so I made a spiced butter. We devoured the warm biscuits with spiced butter...nothing too sweet, just delicious! I will probably make these biscuits again in the near future.

I think my Flavor of the Month came out great! I look forward to participating next month too!