A Thanksgiving Recap

We had a terrific Thanksgiving with my family yesterday.  It included my parents, my grandmother, my sister and brother-in-law, their four kids, my husband, and me.

First, a note to self:  Do not make more than one can of yams.  My sister's family does not eat them, and you will have yam leftovers for a week.

Remember the pie dilemma?  Well, my sister had read my blog the night before, and she razzed me all day about my pie that was not homemade.  I think that at some point in the future I will have to make one again and prove to her that I am capable of making one without Marie Callender's help.  Honestly though, if you're gonna get help from any other pie baker, you might as well use Ms. Callender.  She makes a delicious apple pie.  I'm just sayin'.

After dinner the kids went off to play, and me and my sister went into the living room for our usual post-holiday-meal banter.  She went and found my mom's laptop and pulled up Tim Hawkins' web site.  If you haven't ever seen a Tim Hawkins video, you are missing out.  He is the most hysterical Christian comedian!  Kathy and I laughed so hard, and we would repeat the funny lines at the same time, only to laugh harder.

Awhile later it was time to cut the pies.  The kids all dove into the crustless pumpkin pie that my mom made.  She makes it crustless just for the kids because they always scrape the pumpkin off and leave the crust.  My Marie's apple pie was delicious, especially with the vanilla whipped cream I had whipped up FROM SCRATCH, and so was Mom's lemon meringue.  {I had just a small slice to taste.}  I had forgotten that I really like lemon meringue until I tasted it.

By the time we got home, just before 6:00, I felt like a zombie.  No energy to speak of and pretty much loafed the rest of the night.

Today has been recovery mode for me.  It meant getting on the treadmill this afternoon and watching my calorie intake all day.  Back to reality, I guess.  I know my waistline will thank me later.

Pie Trouble

You've probably been checking my blog all day, waiting for a new post. Yeah, me too. I've been wondering what I'm going to write about tonight.

I guess I'll tell you about the pie I'm making to take to my family dinner tomorrow. I volunteered to make apple pie. I have done it several times in the last few years, so I figured I could do it again. The only problem is I'm trying to eat "real" food these days...you know, the things that are closest to nature...not man-made manufactured food. Well, that sort of throws a monkey wrench into the whole pie making process.

I've never been one to make a crust from scratch. {I've never been one to make anything from scratch.} I always use the very nice pre-made crusts from the little doughboy, and then I lovingly spread two cans of apple pie filling into the pie pan, sprinkle with my special Pampered Chef korintje cinnamon, dab on a streusel topping, and pop it in the oven. My pies turn out lovely.

So I had some options today:

#1. Make an apple pie entirely from scratch, which would include making a pie crust of which I felt doomed to fail, peeling-coring-slicing my apples, and then adding my spices.

#2. Go with my usual method of buying a pre-made crust and pre-made apple pie filling, which is full of high fructose corn syrup, which is bad bad stuff.

#3. Buy a frozen pie, bake it, and pretend I made it myself, in which I will throw all caution to the wind as to the preservatives and whatever else is in it that might contribute to my early demise.

I weighed all 3 options, and I finally decided I would buy a pre-made crust but make my own filling. It seemed like a fair compromise if I went half-homemade.

The only problem is that I have no zeal for baking. None. Nada. Zilch. Zippo. I'm sure trying to like it, but the feeling is just not coming. So this pie predicament has been weighing on me all day. I decided to put it off until tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll have more energy then, I thought. Maybe....

Yep, that's what I was gonna do... until about 4:00. That's when I decided to go with option #3 {translation=EASY!}. I went to the store on the way home from church tonight, and I bought a frozen apple pie. What can I say? I caved.

My thinking is, Thanksgiving shouldn't have to be hard or dreaded. It should be enjoyed. So I'm getting help from Marie Callender and plan to relax and enjoy.

I hope you relax and enjoy too!

*Photo courtesy of Microsoft clip art

Random Dozen - Thanksgiving Edition

1. Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinarily adventurous?

We pretty much eat the same things every year.... turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, yams, corn casserole, etc... Hey, if something is delicious, why mess with the classics?

2. Tell me something concrete that you're thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like "hope.")

Family & friends

3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you're thankful for.

I'm thankful that God keeps me. Every morning when I wake up I still have my faith. It's not something I have to go to bed hoping I still have the next day.

4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn't have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory.

I think I've shared this photo before, but it is what I think of every year at Thanksgiving time. When I was in kindergarten everyone in our class was supposed to bring in a vegetable for stew, and then we got to eat the stew together. I remember the school hallways were filled with the aroma. We made Pilgrim and Indian hats and tops out of construction paper. Here I am modeling the Pilgrim. Isn't my prairie apron with applique adorable?

5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year?

I'm going to eat pie. That's the one and only thing that I'm absolutely sure of.

6. Do your pets get any left-overs?

We can't feed Dixie "people food" because she usually gets an upset tummy.

7. Does your family pray before the big meal? If so, do you join hands while seated, stand, repeat a formal prayer or offer a spontaneous prayer? Who does the praying?

We always say a prayer before the meal. We sit at the table, hold hands, and Dad leads it.

8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing?

My parents have never been into sports, so no we won't be watching football. A tradition of the past has been to watch a Christmas movie. One of our favorites is the musical Scrooge with Albert Finney. In our family's opinion, it is the BEST telling of Dickens' story A Christmas Carol.



9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing?

I have never tried it, nor would I want to. I'm not sure I know anyone who has had oysters in their dressing, either.

10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving?

I believe I have a pretty good grasp on the story of the first Thanksgiving.

11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying?

Apple & maybe Pumpkin at my mom's. I'm hoping maybe I can snag a slice of Pecan at our church fellowship on Wednesday.

12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!)

Nope, not at all.

So glad you stopped by today. Please take a moment to visit Linda's 2nd Cup of Coffee blog. She's a fun lady.

Nov. 23, Thankful for Normal

I don't know why, but my energy level has come back. Just after I had the blood work done to check for a thyroid issue (no problems found), suddenly I'm feeling alright and not dragging anymore. Who knows? Maybe it's the cod liver oil that I started taking. Well, no matter. I'm just thankful that I feel normal again. (Whatever normal is.)

Nov. 22, Thankful for God's Faithfulness

I'm thankful that God is faithful to me, even when I am unfaithful to Him. My heart and my thoughts were a mess this morning at church, and I responded sinfully at every turn. It's hard to believe that I prayed for my junior class with an emphasis on their need to honor God with their actions and words. I'm sure God must have been shaking His head at my own stubbornness and disobedience.

But He's faithful to chasten His kids, and He's faithful to forgive. I'm thankful for that because I sure do need His grace.

Nov. 21, Thankful for the Weather

I must say, I'm thankful that our November weather in northern Indiana has been so mild. When the last week of September hit (I remember it so well), it turned cold, windy, cloudy, and drizzly. And that was pretty much October in a nutshell.

Once November settled in, the weather took a turn for the better. We've enjoyed many sunny days, and the temperatures haven't been too awful bad, either. As I write today, we are enjoying bright sun, blue skies, no clouds, and warmth enough to just wear a sweatshirt outside. That's not typical.

I hope you're enjoying November where you are. It's hard to believe snow will fly soon.

Nov. 19, Thankful for Answered Prayer

I'm thankful for answered prayer today. It was a biggie! I'm also thankful that the Lord sheltered me. I am a worrier, and my thoughts and imaginations run away with me sometimes. The Lord just helped me so much by keeping my thoughts reined in and reminding me that all my days are written in His book and were ordained for me before I ever existed. Why should I worry if He is working for my good?

Nov. 14, Thankful for...

...my husband taking care of dinner tonight.

Translation = pizza delivery.

I know it's not whole food, but I was tired and starving. And he loves pizza. As far as I'm concerned, that's a win-win situation.

My half was veggie lovers. I only ate two slices, and I had an orange on the side. See? Totally healthy.

Nov. 12, Thankful For Sleep

It has been a really long day, so all I can say for today is that I'm thankful sleep is coming soon.

I had a doctor's appointment this morning. I needed to have some blood drawn, and it took four tries before they got any out of me...twice in one arm, once in the other, and finally after warming up my hand under hot water, they were able to find a vein in my hand. It wasn't a big deal. I've never been queasy when it comes to having blood drawn.

Later in the afternoon I got a call from Rich. He couldn't get the car started, so I needed to go pick him up...after I had just been in the vicinity of his employer only one hour before.

Rather than taking a nap, which was at the top of my list, I decided I could get myself psyched up to get on the treadmill for at least a half hour. Forty minutes later I was off the treadmill and moving on to a shower and the next phase of the day.

Dinner. We have nothing but a roast in the freezer right now, so I needed to run yet another errand and drove around the corner to pick up Subway sandwiches. {I might add I'm thankful for Subway being around the corner, especially on nights like this.}

Oh yeah, then I remembered I hadn't had a chance to start the laundry yet. I forgot and then remembered about three times. The option for having clean underwear tomorrow was riding on my remembering. Don't worry...the load is in the dryer as I type.

By 6:00 it felt like 8:00. It's early bedtime for Liz tonight. I'm zonked.

Nov. 10, Thankful for Bible Study

I am quite blessed in that I have plenty of opportunities to participate in Bible studies through the week. I know it helps me stay focused on spiritual things.

This morning in my quiet time I was in Joshua 23:1-9. Joshua is getting ready to die, and he exhorts Israel one final time to obey God's commands...

Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day. (vs. 6-8)

I'm a Christian living in the world amidst darkness, and I have an enemy. Reading, meditating on, and observing to keep the commands of the Lord keeps me from falling to attack and idol worship, and that's why I want to be in Bible study as much as possible. I fall so quickly.

Nov. 8, Thankful for a Good Day

Oh my! I almost forgot to do my thankful post today. Sundays are always busy for me, so this is really my first opportunity to sit down and do it.

I'm thankful that I had a good day at church. I am pretty pleased with how well my Sunday school lesson went this morning, for the opportunity to spend time with friends, and even having served in the toddler room this evening with one little guy. I don't think he's ever interacted with me before, and he was pretty content to be there with me. We put puzzles together, and he read books to me. He was quite entertaining.

It was a good day!

Nov. 7, Thankful for My Dog

Yes, I really am thankful for my dog. She delights me so. I have always been a dog person and even had a dog when I was a kid. My childhood dog wasn't quite the dream dog, though, because she didn't learn tricks, made messes in the house, and pretty much ran out the front door any moment she had the chance. Not fun!

I'll admit that I had to beg my husband to finally agree to bringing a dog into our home, but the waiting was worth it. I wanted a dog that would fetch a ball and follow me places and snuggle on my lap while watching TV. Dixie has got the fetching down, and she DEFINITELY follows me everywhere (to the point I sometimes have had to ask her to go away). The snuggling is not quite there because she's a busy little Sheltie with things to do and cats to keep in line. But she gives great doggy kisses, and has a sweet Sheltie expression that melts my heart. I adore her!

Nov. 6, Thankful I'm Never Alone

I've just gotta make this my thankfulness thing today.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. - Psalm 73:25-26

No matter who abandons me or doesn't meet my expectations, God is always there. He will remain, even when all others are gone. He will be my portion...as long as I choose Him to be.

Nov. 5, Thankful for Scripture

I'll be honest. I'm struggling to be thankful today. I wasn't even sure how to write a post when all that's staring me in the face right now are my worries, confusion, fear, and failures. But the Lord did give me something. It's a scripture that speaks to a spiritual need I have.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6

I'm thankful today for the comfort of God's Word.

Nov. 4, Thankful for the Fat

Alright, I know you may laugh at my thankfulness for fat, but I am entirely serious. A few months ago I learned that saturated fat curbs your hunger and keeps you from having insulin spikes. So I started eating bacon and eggs with butter for breakfast. Wow! It makes such a difference to eat a fat full breakfast and be sustained until lunchtime. No more sneaking into Dad's stash in his office to eat a couple fun sized candy bars mid-morning because I'm starving. (By the way, his stash is for the grandkids, not himself.)

So... Thank You, Lord, for the fat. You definitely knew what you were doing when you created it.

Nov. 3, Thankful for Encouragement

I've been discouraged for a couple months about one of my ministries at church. I'm thankful for the couple who stopped by last night to encourage me in that ministry. They brainstormed with me about changes we might make together to help with the issue. What a blessing they are to me to bear my burden, as if it's their struggle too.

Nov. 2, Thankful For My Father

I am thankful for my Heavenly Father who I can talk to anytime, anywhere. I am so weak and confused and helpless that I need His strength and wisdom continually. He's always there, ready to listen and answer when I call.

Nov. 1, Thankful For Grace

As this, the first day of November, I am participating in the NaBloPoMo. That is, National Blog Posting Month. The goal is to post a blog every day in the month of November.

I have chosen the theme of "thankfulness", since November is the month of Thanksgiving. Every day I will write about something I am thankful for. I believe this to be a very good exercise and commitment for me, since I don't express thankfulness to the Lord enough.

Today I am thankful for God's great grace that keeps me going day after day. The grace He pours into me when I humble myself under His mighty hand gives me the ability to change and to do, say, or walk through something that seems impossible in the flesh. Where would I be without it?

Thanksgiving Day

Well, another Thanksgiving has arrived. It's hard to believe that time flies that fast. I'm getting ready to cook in a little bit. I just have a pie to throw in the oven, corn bread to cube for my Cornbread Apple Stuffing, and I need to look over my recipe for candied yams. I'm struggling with some post-nasal drip, so I'm hoping to get a nice, warm cup of tea pretty soon to soothe my throat.

We're going to my parents' house today, just me and Rich. We were going to take Dixie, but she seems to be having some tummy issues today (already had an accident in the house). Rich said she's not going. That bums me out a little because I really wanted her to come with us.

I also had to make an attitude adjustment this morning... yes, already! I manipulated a situation with Rich because I wanted him to do something. I got frustrated, mad...then I pouted. After he suggested I may need to spend time with the Lord, I asked forgiveness. I realized then that if I had only asked him to do something I needed him to do, he would've done it.

So I'm back on track now. I'll try to behave the rest of the day.

I better get into the kitchen. Food doesn't prepare itself...

Happy Thanksgiving!