Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God.

~Ray Stannard Baker

Preparations

It is Wednesday night and I am 1/2 way through my list of preparations......I am not trying to brag but the 3 glasses of wine that have helped me through this process are making me a little cocky. This is the first Thanksgiving that I have ever gotten to prepare myself. I would love to be able to share this time with my family in IA, MO and TX but this year we are sharing it with the boys here at home. Though the rest of our families (that includes friends who are like family.....you know who you are) are miles away they are in our hearts and we love them all very much.

I am excited to see how the turkey turns out (I have been laboring over that a bit........if I read anything else about it I will turn into a turkey) but I am more excited to see if my labor has brought smiles to my boys faces or if I will have to pull the frozen pizza out of the freezer.

Sorry I had to step away for a minute to pull the cheese cake out of the oven (Pumpkin Swirl......just like my head is swirling) and now I need to make my Pecan Pie....I hope that it is as pretty as the ones I see in the books and magazines.

I hope all of you enjoy the preparations, food, fellowship and the overall day tomorrow and I will be thinking of quite a few of you.....many of you have been so open and gracious and for that I am truly Thankful.....you are on my list of blessing!!! May God Bless You All!!!

Jury Duty

I had the honor of spending the better part of my day in the Wyandotte County Courthouse......not by choice or because I was naughty!!!! I was called to fulfill my civic duty and report to Jury Duty. We have lived here almost 6 years and this is the 2nd time I have been called. I have never been called to Jury Duty any where else I have lived......I am strongly questioning living in this county!!!!

One would think that those big old buildings would be cold so being the smart thinker that I am I wore a long sleeve shirt and a sweater..................WRONG THING TO DO!!!! It had to be around 85-90 degrees in both buildings........I finally broke down and took my shirt off.......I was schfitzing in November!!!!

The process to pick the jury lasted longer than the trail did......oh yea I was picked for the jury.....I was juror #9!!! I did more waiting and sitting around than anything but it was an adventure and I met some fun people. Four of us ventured off for lunch and found an authentic Honduras Restaurant.....it was yummy!!!

I know that serving on Jury duty can be a real inconvenience and sometimes a waste of time but that is a small inconvenience to deal with in order to have the freedoms that we have. It is my right and my duty and I was glad I got to serve. At least I am off of the hook for another year!!!

Holiday Project

I have never prepared a "Holiday Meal" by myself. This year since the boys are with us I decided to tackle the task. Now like every good hostess I know that table adornments are very important and my first project is the place card for each table setting.

I am a clip art JUNKIE......vintage clip art and I am in a full blown tizzy of excitement. There is no way I am ever going to use the numbers of clip art that I have on our computer but I just keep loading it on. Since I am said lover of clip art I searched for what I would use (this is quite a process in itself....I am very fickle and I labor over how I want to do things way too long) I found several items and came up with several ideas then I stumbled across this:

I like cornucopias, perhaps it is because I was raised on a farm and I appreciate the symbolism of the harvest it portrays or it could be because of the pretty colors, either way that is what I chose. I printed it on to card stock (sometimes I get excited and mid way through I see things I would have changed, example: I should have used a cream card stock) and then I colored in the pattern and added some glitter.......no project is complete with out glitter!!!

Now I am stuck......do I use some stain around the pattern and age it a little, do I cut them out (this would be quite a tedious task) and add them to colored paper or do I just put the names on then and call it good. I must say I will be the only one that appreciates these little table embellishments but I do want it to be pretty....even if it is just for me.

An Early Tradition Revealed

I am a tried and true believer that Christmas is not to be thought of until after Thanksgiving…..now that doesn’t mean that I won’t wait up until midnight on Thanksgiving Day so that I can pull all of the Christmas stuff out and get my decorating on, but, I will not do it a minute before midnight. I feel that we are in such a rush for the Christmas season that we loose the whole meaning of Thanksgiving…..we need to celebrate our history, we need to be thankful for what we have, not worrying about what we are going to get. If we do not address Thanksgiving whole heartedly we loose some of the magic associated with Christmas.

Saying that…..I am going to make an exception to the rule (just so you can all be prepared for midnight next Thursday….I am thinking about you…I got it like that!!!) and share with you one of my Christmas season traditions. A few years back a friend of mine introduced me to book that has become a must for my Christmas Season enjoyment, it is called Four Midwestern Sisters’ Christmas Book by Holly Burkhalter. Every Friday after Thanksgiving, instead of beating my way through the crowds at the stores and causing myself great stress over the rudeness that has become our society, I sit at home with a cup of Hot Buttered Rum (recipe to follow) to which the recipe comes from the afore mentioned book. I escape back to a simpler time when traditions and family were what the season where all about. I pretend to be a part of the happy gatherings and parties they reminisce about and I find my self starting to fill with the joy of the Holiday Season…..it could be that the Hot Buttered Rum is a tiny bit responsible for some of that cheer.

The Daileys’ Hot Buttered Rum
From the book Four Midwestern Sisters’ Christmas Book by Holly Burkhalter

Mixture:
2 cups Butter, melted
2lb. light brown sugar
1t cinnamon
1t allspice
1t ground cloves
1t nutmeg
4 eggs

Added upon serving:
Rum
Boiling water

Beat together the butter, brown sugar, spices and eggs until emulsified (at least 15 min but be sure to turn the mixer off once and a while to let it cool down). Pour the mixture into an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, put a heaping tablespoon of the mixture in a mug, stir in 1.5 ounces of Rum, and fill the mug with boiling water.

I have used the spiced Rum before and it gives it a little more kick. I have to be careful with Rum it makes me very warm all over so it is really good on a night when it is cold and I am in need of some warmth. The mixture makes around 35 servings so be sure to share!!!

What to Say

I have lots I would like to blog about today but I just can't seem to get it out right so I will leave you with this picture. The picture is from our Seattle trip and I think I have posted it before. I needed something to calm the chaos inside my head and I thought this might be helpful.

Do you have times where you have so much to say but can't get it out?

Gazing at this picture causes me to reflect on the Greatness of My God and when I think of Him the storm inside calms and there is peace.

I Would Like to Thank the Academy...or Missy

My dear and life long friend Missy at http://thejensenscrazeelife.blogspot.com/ has awarded me my first blog awards......Thanks Friend!!!! I now get to award these gems to some fellow bloggers.....I am quite new to this world and have a little anxiety over this picking because I have found so many great blogs. As each day passes less and less gets done in my real world because I would rather spend time in my blog world.........it is so much friendlier in the blog world!!!! But I am a trooper so I will press on and share this award with some very deserving bloggers.

http://nalleyvalley.blogspot.com/ - I have just recently started following her story but she has such a beautiful and genteel soul I come away from her blog feeling like I just got a big hug.

http://www.crazycowcountryfarm.com/blog/ - This peach makes me laugh and I thoroughly enjoy the adventures of her family and their pet cow.

http://athomewiththefarmerswife.blogspot.com/ - This is one of the first blogs I started following....I love her way with words and her eclectic mix of stories.

http://frakerfarm.blogspot.com/ -Miss Paula is a kindred spirit, her love of animals mirrors mine and her narrative of farm life makes my heart yearn for the day I am back on the land.

http://restyledhome.blogspot.com/ - This is the spot I go when I am needing some creative inspiration and in desperate need of getting in touch with my feminine self.


Below are the awards for these brave bloggers and I look forward to more tales of their daily lives. Thank you ladies for being a safe haven in a sometimes scary world. I hope that you enjoy the awards and share these offerings of gratitude with some other deserving story tellers.

The Smile Award qualifications are:

1. Display a cheerful attitude
2. Love one another
3. Makes mistakes(and boy do I ever!!!)
4. Learn from others
5. Be a positive contributor to the blog world.
6. Love life.
7. Love kids!!!!!

The Rules:

1. You must link back to the creator.

2. Post the rules.

3. Choose 5 people to give the award to.

4. Recipients must fill characteristics above.

5. Create a post to share.

6. You must thank the winner.

The Superior Scribbler Award

The Rules:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass the award on to 5 most deserving blog friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and the name of the blog from whom he/she received the award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on his/her blog, and link to this post, which explains the award.

4. Each blogger who wins the Superior Scribbler award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky list. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives this award!!!

5. Each superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.I am awarding both awards to the following blog friends!!!!

I Am Proud To Be An American

For those who have sacrificed so much in order for me to be able to Love my God with out fear, write on my blog, speak my mind and many other things I am sure I take for granted; I honor you, appreciate you and I am forever grateful for your service. May God Truly Bless You All!!!!

My Public Service Announcement

When it comes to sweets I think I show pretty good restraint. I try to eat healthy and only splurge on certain occasions and even then I rarely have an all out gorge fest. BUT……my Achilles Heel.....my Pandora’s Box......my equivalent to crack……are Mint M&Ms! I love me some York Peppermint Patties and I enjoy a good Carmelita bar once and a while……but……when it comes to Mint M&Ms I lose all sense of reason and restraint.
My intentions are good when I start out, but once I pop one of those little tidbits of chocolaty - minty goodness into my mouth I am unable to find my ability to think straight…..I will eat myself into a stomach ache…….I will be curled up in a corner assuming the fetal position with glazed eyes and continuous Rainman ramblings emerging from me in a matter of minutes…..”Need more M&Ms gotta go to K-Mart”!!! It is not a pretty sight and perhaps it is a secret best kept to myself but if I can save one more unsuspecting soul from that state of being, I feel it is my civic duty. My one saving grace is that these delectable little treats only come out once a year so I am safe for at least 10 months out of the year…….unless I see a Cheesecake Factory on the horizon……Oh Goodness!!!

Friday Night Thoughts

The Donner is out in the man cave and the boys are at work so I have an evening to myself. I should be downstairs moving things around so the Donner can clean up my floor (it has some ooky mastic on it and the Donner has some wonder stuff to get it up). I am going to create a space for me, a place to dream, design and bring to fruition beautiful things.......since the boys moved in last June I have no space of my own, it appears I am being banished to the basement. I once laid claim to all the rooms in the house but I have to share and I am more than willing to do so since that means we have the boys with us.

As I was driving home tonight I had a lot of reflective thoughts running through my head. Apparently the drive was too long and my mind has been filled with thoughts of paint chips and fabric swatches........floor coverings..........shelving!!!!!! I am so easily distracted...I enjoyed the deep thoughts when I was having them but my vanity has taken over and I get to dream of making an oasis for ME........a girl cave........a creative studio........an escape.........the basement!!!!

What things do you or would you have in your space?

Where is your space?

What do you do in your space?

Inquiring minds want to know!!!!!

Tagged

I have been tagged and I have to come up with 7 weird things about myself (granted I am sure there are more than 7) for my dear friend Missy. This is going to take some thought because I would like to stay in my delusional world of thinking I am perfectly normal. More to come later....

This has been very eye opening for me...I guess I knew I had some of these quirks but actually acknowledging them is a whole different thing.....I may need some therapy after this!!!

7 of Princess S' Quirks

1. I am a counter, I count stairs, I count the number of times I push on the paper towel dispenser, I count the number of pumps for my lotion.......the really weird part is that I can not have a count of 6.....not good...6 bad!! I don't quite know when this started but it seems to get worse when I am stressed...talk about annoying!

2. I am a singer, all it takes is for some one to say something in conversation that resembles a line from a song and I will just belt it out....unlike the counting I have more control over this quirk

3. I can not work on one project at a time....I can have several projects going at once which probably explains why I never seem to get them finished in a timely manner........doesn't help that I am easily distracted either.

4. As much as I don't like to admit this out loud....I am stubborn....to a fault sometimes....no comments on this one PLEASE!!!

5. I am a VERY forgiving person. I don't hold grudges very long if at all....life is too short to let someone steal my joy.

6. I have a terrible memory.....it is very sporadic....I can tell you the favorite number of a friend from several years ago, that I haven't talked to in years but I can't remember what I had for lunch or did last weekend.....what the heck is that about?????

7. I have to touch everything when I am shopping....sometimes there is smelling involved. That is why I love shopping at Joann's Fabrics....there is a lot to touch and smell.

The sad thing is I have an on going list.....this may have been a bad thing to start!!!

Prince Charming

Here is my Prince Charming.....the Donner!!!

How could a girl not swoon over that????

Again I love making costumes and his was no exception. The hair was something else I can tell you that!!!

Look at my sword lassie!!!

Fabio Who???

My Peeps Weekend Fall 2008

Friday was spent with my friend Missy............we had a grand adventure.

When I a lived in Ankeny, IA I had a quite a few places that I liked to frequent, Howell Tree Farm was on the top of that list. Howell Tree Farm is more than just a tree farm, they have a pumpkin patch and a BIG old barn that has a gift shop. Above the gift shop hanging from the rafters are bunches and bunches of dried flowers available for purchase.......it is amazing!!!! Another stop was going to be The Farmhouse (an herb farm with a little shop full of treasures) but when we got there it was a massage therapy place........we thought about a quick massage before we headed on but we still had a lot of territory to cover so we trekked on. Another of my favorite places we stopped at was the Brass Armadillo (I had worked at the one in Ankeny), it is a GINORMOUS antique mall....there were lots of treasures to be found there, that was for sure. I spent the night with Missy and the next morning she treated me to some Spiced Pumpkin Latte.......look out Starbucks!!!! It was so yummy and the perfect start to a fall day in Iowa. Saturday had some more adventures in store for us...........

The sign for the Howell Tree Farm..........if it hadn't been raining I would have gotten out of the car and taken a better picture

This picture doesn't do the place (rafters full of dried flowers) justice but can you imagine all of the things that you could make with these beauties?

A true Brass Armadillo treasure......who wouldn't want these salt and pepper shakers on their table??? UMMMMM.......Yea!!!!

Not only was the Pumpkin Spice Latte Yummy it was pretty!!!!

When I was a little girl my mom was a Girl Scout leader and apparently she was a really good one because she has left a lasting impression with several of my friends from school......a daughter can't really give an unbiased opinion...I mean she is my mom....she is just cool and always has been. One of the most memorable events was the Halloween Party that she threw in our garage when I was around 10. That party is still talked about (it was a blow out....we were some partying 10yr olds back then). The thing that sticks out in my head is bobbing for apples (what a silly thing to remember.....I guess I really liked sticking my head in cold water.....who knew????), but each girl has their own memory of the event and we love to reminisce.

Nutty Professor aka Momma

Jan Brady Aka Tami


Pippi aka Missy

Gereatric Night Timer aka Martina


Witchy aka ME

Our scrapbooking project

More of our project

OK I try not to be a big bragger (at least I don't think I do.....I am sure you will all let me know if I am) but I kinda want to toot my own horn right now..........sorry I will try to refrain from to much of this in the future. I am a quilter (OK, I like to quilt but I haven't made enough time lately to qualify as a quilter) and I really enjoy sewing costumes so I took this opportunity to combine two things that I enjoy and the pictures that follow are the result.....not to bad if I say so myself. I see a lot of room for improvement and may try to make a better product in the future.......why you ask.....because I can and I love a challenge.

The cone was all me the rim was from a hat I purchased at Joann's (my second home)

love to embroider spider webs....they just look so cool when you get done....I want to try a more intricate one next time......why you ask......because I can and I am out of control!!!!

The gray fabric with the embroidery......yes that was me.....I tend to get carried away but I think it turned out OK.......why you ask.....bcause I can!!!!!