November 24 - A Day In My Life

For Thanksgiving, we took a trip in our RV to California to visit Bill's family. It was a fun trip and a great Thanksgiving!  The Saturday after Thanksgiving was spent hanging out with family and friends.  Here are the pictures to prove it!  Good times...

We woke up pretty early for being on vacation!

Our cozy bed in the RV.

Breakfast of bagels, bananas, and juice.

Gadget eats his breakfast in the RV (he likes to hide under the chair while eating).

Visiting lifelong friends.

Gadget chasing his tail...he's very serious about it.

Time check...time for lunch!

Lunch at the tepanyaki place.

The onion volcano - it was the biggest one I've ever seen...very exciting!

After a big lunch...naptime!

Gadget enjoyed playing with Milo.

I enjoyed watching some football.

Then we went bowling!  So much fun!

And we had pizza after the bowling...yummy!

Then it was time to head back to our cozy bed in the RV.

I forgot to take a picture in a mirror...sorry!

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 47

November 20
After talking to my mom and Bill, I decided to fly back to Oregon to see my grandpa. We just made the decision and bought a ticket online...for tomorrow! I can't believe I'm buying a ticket one day and flying the next! This changes all our plans for Thanksgiving and vacation, but it's important.

November 21
Here I am in Houston. Just waiting for my next flight to take off. That's my plane out there waiting for me!

November 22
Back in America! Shopping at Costco to prepare for Thanksgiving. They had PALLETS OF PIES!! It was unbelievable. People were buying so many pies...one guy had about 10 in his cart. There were so many pies! This picture isn't even all of them - the pumpkin pies were behind me in the refrigerated section. They were disappearing about as fast as the employees could restock them. And, they are actually really good pies - considering they only cost $5.99.

November 23
Enjoying my dad's pancakes for breakfast with my family. It was good to be with everyone and the pancakes were delicious too!

November 24
Thanksgiving dinner. This picture doesn't even begin to capture all the food we had. It was a delicious feast with my extended family. We have so much to be thankful for! I wish Bill and the rest of my family could have been with us.

November 25
My mom and I decided to get up early for Black Friday shopping...my first time. We missed my sister - who is the real expert. It would have been more fun if she was with us. We didn't need much, but we were out there and got the good deals (on socks) and free donuts. In the evening, we went out again and I snagged the last TV on sale at Target. I pretended it was early morning and I was fighting off the crowds as I rushed thru the store with the big box in my cart. Good times! (The TV was an early merry Christmas gift for my dad!)

November 26
One of the best things about a big Thanksgiving is the leftovers. We enjoyed turkey sandwiches and all the extras!

Food

I spent a lot of time looking at recipes today, both online and in my Taste of Home holiday recipe book. We are about to enter the best cooking/baking time of the year with Thanksgiving and Christmas...I can't wait.

Thanksgiving and Apple Pie

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! We had a good day with lots of cooking and eating and football watching. We celebrated the day at a friend's house and there was lots of food...more than we needed. So much food that we literally had the same number of desserts as people! The good part is that we still have lots of yummy leftovers. It was a delicious day full of thanksgiving! It was also the first thanksgiving in my life (that I can remember) when I didn't have pumpkin pie. I was sad about that, but I made a pumpkin trifle instead and it was tasty, so I guess I can wait until Christmas for my pumpkin pie!

I also used Thanksgiving as an opportunity to make another recipe from the cookbook. I made an apple pie, from scratch. I've made apple pies before but I usually cheat by using a can of pie filling. This time, I made it with real (fresh) apples. The crust recipe that came with the apple pie recipe was very frustrating (I prefer to make my grandma's crust recipe) and I almost gave up on it...but I kept trying and finally made it work. The pie tasted pretty good, but I think I'll use the canned pie filling in the future (its just easier).

part of our feast

pumpking trifle
recipe

apples (didn't know which type was better so I used both)

bowl full of apples

apple pie!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. I hope you all had a wonderful and delicious thanksgiving. Since most of my family is celebrating thanksgiving on a different day (yes, they have good reasons), I have to share my pictures of our feast today! We had 30 people for our big event and we had plenty of food...in fact, we had too much. But, that's expected on Thanksgiving! Of course, I ate way too much and I feel uncomfortably full, but it was totally worth it! I was only the co-host of this shindig, we had it at Bonnie's house, but I made a bunch of food. I was responsible for the ham, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, dressing, pumpkin pie, pecan pie and a pumpkin trifle. It was a lot of cooking - but it was fun and I enjoyed it. Here are some pictures of our delicious meal.

Our beautiful table

Ham

Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

Fresh Baked Rolls (they were SO delicious)

Pumpkin Trifle (I've never made this before, but people liked it)

Pumpkin Pie (I had two pieces, they were small)

I am very thankful for the wonderful food we had today. I am also thankful for my family and friends - I am blessed to have each and every one of you in my life. I hope everyone remembers how much they have to be thankful for this year. Happy Thanksgiving!

And now...since it is technically tomorrow (yes, I stayed up late cleaning the kitchen), I can start the excitement. That's right, it is officially permissible to start preparing for (and celebrating) Christmas. I am now going to listen to my Christmas music and, this weekend, we are putting up our tree!!! I can't wait...I LOVE Christmas!