Isaiah 41:10

Week 46 - Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

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!

Romans 12:2

Week 45 - Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Fall

For a video this month, I decided to do another series of pictures (I hope you don't think that's cheating!).  Our neighbor across the street has a beautiful tree that was just starting to turn colors for Fall.  I thought it would be fun to take a picture of the tree each day and then watch the progression.  Of course, this is a short video because there are only about 25 pictures, but I still think it's cool.  For the last three years, I've missed seeing the seasons change so this video was especially fun for me.  I hope you enjoy it too!

As always, click on the "HD" letters to watch the video on Vimeo's website with better quality.

I Peter 3:15

Week 44 - I Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect,

Joshua 24:15

Week 43 - Joshua 24:15
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.  But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Pizza Crust

The recipe this month is one I use often.  Well, I used to use it weekly...then I stopped...now I started again.  Since I have more time now, I've re-started my tradition of making pizza once a week.  We now have home-made pizza every Friday.  So, I thought I'd share my pizza crust recipe, which I got from my sister (who got it from Allrecipes.com).  It does require a bread machine, but I'm sure you could make it without the machine - it would just be more work.  If you use the bread machine, it's easy and delicious...enjoy!

The ingredients...pretty standard.

Add water, oil, salt, and sugar to bread machine then cover with flour and sprinkle with garlic.

Sprinkle on yeast and herbs.

Let your bread machine work it's magic!

Roll out dough and place on lightly greased pizza pan.

Top with your favorite pizza toppings 

(for this one we used pesto, garlic chicken, and red onions).

Bake for 12-15 minutes at 475 degrees.

Slice and enjoy 

(in my case, with a Diet Dr. Pepper!).

Ricardo's Pizza Crust (from Allrecipes.com)

1 cup warm water
3 Tablespoons olive oil
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups bread flour (I always add more flour as needed)
2 teaspoons minced garlic (I usually use a little more...we like garlic)
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Directions:
-Combine water, olive oil, sugar, and salt in pan of bread machine.  Add flour, then sprinkle garlic on flour.  Lastly add yeast.
-Turn machine on dough cycle.  As the dough mixes, sprinkle on oregano and basil (I usually just add this when I add the yeast).  Let mix for about 15-30 minutes.  Let the dough rest from 5-30 minutes (the longer it rests, the thicker and more tasty the crust).  Meanwhile, heat oven to 475 degrees.
-Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface.  Spray a large pizza pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Place dough on pan and add your choice of pizza toppings.
-Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.

Dirty Dishes - I forgot to take a picture!

But it was just the bread machine pan, the pizza pan, and the pizza cutter...not bad!

Pizza Crust 

Taste: 5 out of 5

Dirty Dishes: 5 out of 5

Time/Effort: 3 out of 5

TOTAL: 13 out of 15