Happy Thanksgiving!

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 May you count your blessings and give thanks for them not only at Thanksgiving, but everyday. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Pecan Pie Muffins

I needed something quick to make for our church Thanksgiving dinner.  My dad had mentioned taking pecan pie muffins to a fellowship meal at church so I called mom for the recipe.  

Preheat oven to 350*

Cream 1/2 cup softened butter and 1 cup of brown sugar.  Add 2 beaten eggs and mix well.  Add 1/2 cup self rising flour and 1 cup chopped pecans.  Spoon into greased muffin tins filling about 2/3 full.  Bake 20-25 minutes.  Yield almost a dozen.    

When I pulled them out of the oven the middle had sunk.  To pretty them up I pushed a pecan into the center as soon as they came out of the oven.  

I shared some with the neighbor lady.  

You can print the tag here.

The rest I took to church.  

Oh my!  These are some tasty muffins.  Enjoy!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

 

Joy in the Ordinary

Look around, really look around and you will find joy... joy in the everyday... joy in the ordinary things.

The flower beds have been cleaned for the winter.

A warm bowl of soup pulled from the freezer for lunch.

Waking up to a tidy kitchen.

My girl making pancakes.

Please, no picture while I am working on spelling!

Enjoying as a few minutes outside each afternoon.

The first snow of the season.  Only a dusting, but boy was Megan excited!

This just makes my happy. :)

I have been working on tiding cabinets and closets.

I have my give away box handy as I do this.

Hot chocolate after some time outside.

I know I haven't been great about keeping up with my little space on the web.    Life is busy and by the time I sit down in the evening my brain power isn't what it should be. :)  I keep thinking things will slow down but life just keeps moving.  Which is a good thing!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

 

Pinned It, Made It: Thankful Garland

One of my favorite holidays is coming up.  I truly enjoy Thanksgiving.  It is a simple, meaningful and a low key holiday.  Not to mention you get to sample a variety of yummy food.  Taking time to give thanks and show gratitude is something we really want to instill in Megan.  When I saw this  I knew it would be perfect to help reinforce thankfulness.  

Each evening we take a turn to write something we are thankful for.

On the nights that it isn't my turn it is like waiting for gift to see what the other person writes. :)

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

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Joy in the Ordinary

Look around, really look around and you will find joy... joy in the everyday... joy in the ordinary things.


The weather has started to really turn.  There is heavy frost each morning and there was even ice on my windshield a couple of mornings.  I am not quite ready for it, but are you ever really ready for the cold.  Thankfully there were a few days of beautiful sunshine.  That always makes me feel a little warmer and lifts my spirits. 

There has been planning for teaching Sunday School.  Chuck and I are in the classroom two times this months. 

The boys have been with us since Tuesday morning.  Mom had to go out of town for business and dad joined her for a little get away.  I love these boys dearly and it has been a pleasure to have them.  I will say that our evenings have been very different as our little family of three is quiet and reserved for the most part.  The boys are neither of those.  :)   

Thursday night dinner ruined when the Pyrex dish exploded!  I didn't realize they would do that.  According to my mom temperature changes will sometimes cause this. That makes sense since had I had just opened the oven to check the chicken.  It made quite the mess.  Chuck cleared out all of the class and I will turn on the clean cycle tomorrow morning.  Cleaning the oven was on my list.  This is just not how I envisioned it! 

 

Sunrises have been spectacular!  I try to step out and pause for a moment.  It is a great way to start the day. 

 

The heavens declare the glory of God;  the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

I have more to share but I must run.  I have laundry to switch, beds to make,floors that need mopped and most importantly a stack of books to read with Eli.  Have a great weekend! 

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Pumpkin Pickin', Cravin' & Paintin'

We hadn't planned a trip to a pumpkin patch but while out one Saturday with my parents we ended up stopping at a cute little place.

Pickin'

Carvin'

Halloween we had a major storm system heading our way.  The city decided to postpone trick or treating and we spent the evening home.  Megan painted a pumpkin that I had been using for decor.

I know that there was a lot of grumbling about the change.  About 9 pm the storm came through.  It was short but super strong.  The wind really picked up (later we heard it was 70 mph winds) and we head a loud noise.  We ventured out and saw our patio furniture moved and the neighbors tree had fallow onto our fence.

My parents neighborhood fared much worse.  There were several trees blocking the street.

Two homes on their street ended up with trees falling on the roof.

I am thankful that the city made this decision based on weather data and didn't let public opposition keep them from making this change.  Just an hour our so early and it might have been a bad thing for some little kids.

The next evening we ended up going to my parents.  Their power came on just in time for the little ones to hit the street.  

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Apples, Apples!

After not one, but two trips to the orchard I ended up a large amount of apples.

They are one of our favorite snacks but after a while the thought of another plain apple starts to lose its appeal.  I used some to make Cinnamon Crumble Apple Muffins.

Oh my!  these are good.  So good in fact that I decided to share.  Our next door neighbor is in her eighties.  Recently she has gotten to the point that she can longer grocery shop and does very little real cooking.  She mentioned that she hasn't baked in several years.  I knew she would the perfect candidate for a couple of muffins.

While they were still warm I wrapped each one in parchment paper and tied it with some twine.

I reused an apple bag from our picnic and added a tag that says "Enjoy!"

Megan ran them over and she was delighted.  She called me the next afternoon and said she ate a warm muffin with her afternoon coffee and saved the second one for breakfast the next morning.  A simple gesture that I will make sure to repeat often.

A warm afternoon while Megan was on fall break I made a snack for her to share with the neighbor girl who was over playing.  I am sure that I saw this on another site but for the life of me I can't remember where.  Anyway, I sliced apples, added caramel dip, melted chocolate, marshmallows and sprinkles.

The girls put their apple on a skewer and got dipping.   

They had a blast!  

Although I felt we were drowning in apples we ate every one.  In fact I have had to buy some more at the grocery store.  I am already counting the days until next apple season.  

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!