Happy Thanksgiving (late)

I hope  you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, we did.  My first time cooking for 20 people went well, I got lots of compliments from my family and my sister even said everything looked very nice and Martha Stewart would be proud of me.  I am just thankful my family still loves me after all this, let's just say I haven't been the nicest person to be around lately, I was just a little stressed but it all went over well without a hitch.  I really couldn't have done it without my Mom and my girls (19 & 12) they helped me alot with the prep and cleaning.  My husband said he had a really good time and all my food was good.  I might have to do it again next year if my husband and kids think they can deal with me over all this again, but I have asked for forgiveness and it has been given to me, but next year it won't be so bad, I just wanted everything to be perfect for my first time, so I don't think (at least I hope) it will be as stressful next year.  This was our menu:
Turkey and Ham
Sweet Potato Casserole
Broccoli Casserole
Green Beans
Corn
Mashed Potatoes
Deviled Eggs (mom made)
Dressing (mom made)
Homemade noodles (m-i-l & f-i-l made)
Giblet gravy (mom made)
Dinner Rolls
Pumpkin Pie
Homemade Pecan Pie
Cherry Cheesecake
Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks and wine
I believe that was all, but anyway it was all good.

Here are a few pictures that I took;

Test

Just testing to see if I got the color thing fixed.

One of our favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

I am having the big day here at my house this year, it's my first time so I have been a very busy nerd, researching various menu items, making lists, after lists of things I want/need to do, it really is exhausting.  While going over many ideas I have finalized our menu and I thought I would share this recipe with you and maybe a few more if I get the time.  This is one of those foods we only eat on Thanksgiving, I'm not sure why because we all love it, it tastes great fresh out of the oven or even cold almost like a dessert, it's not low fat at all, but who cares, I claim that Thanksgiving is a fat free, calorie free day, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 cups cooked sweet potatoes (peeled, cut up and boiled)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 stick of butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup milk

After potatoes are done, mash and mix in all other ingredients (I use an electric mixer) until well blended and spread into a casserole dish

Topping

1/2 stick of butter (melted)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup self-rising flour
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (I use pecans)

Mix all dry ingredients together, then add in butter, mix add more flour if mixture is not crumbly enough, sprinkle all over top of potato mixture.
Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

That's it, pretty easy peasy and that's just how I like it.  I am also going to try my hand at a couple homemade pies and a few other things, we'll see how it goes.

What about you, do you have any special food that you are looking forward to this Thanksgiving?  Have a great evening!

Hello, It's me again

Good Morning!  I was reminded by a blog friend (thanks Faith), that I hadn't updated anything since September, sad, I know, please forgive me. 

I have been busy and it doesn't seem to be letting up for about 2 more months.  If it weren't for kids, I would be completely bored.  Here's a starter update and then I have a few things running through my brain for the next couple weeks.

A few things I am thankful for:

Marriage - going very well right now, I just love the good seasons of marriage, it makes you want to hang on tighter when the season's aren't so great.  My husband is a wonderful hard working man, he take such good care of us and it's only getting better every year.  Thank you honey for your devotion to all of us.

Oldest daughter - Finally her very stressful senior carnival is over with and it was pretty successful from what I hear.  This has been a tradition at her high school for 52 years, it's the biggest fundraiser for their Senior prom which is usually the end of April.  It's been stressful because she has had to sell raffle tickets, tour our county and surrounding counties every Saturday for the last 2 months asking for donations for the auction, plan, and decorate their booth for the carnival and spend lots of money, time and energy.  I am proud of her she has grown up so much since the start of her senior year.  I am feeling much better about the young woman she is becoming and I thank God for taking care of her every day. 

Oldest son (16 yrs.) - He has his driving permit and his class ring in the last couple months he's a sophomore, he is really working hard at school this year and growing up so fast right before our eyes and getting ready to start 4-H (he and his brother will be showing two of our cows that they have been working with at the fair next July)

Youngest daughter - She's the one keeping me the most busy this year, she is 12, finally finished basketball and is starting cheer leading (we really don't like the idea of her being a cheerleader but as long as she behaves we will give her a chance), she is also in Girl Scouts.  She is in the 6th grade and blooming into a fine young lady.  She is doing well in school, we just need to work on her being responsible for her things, school work, chores etc.  she is getting better but it's been a little rough lately, but she will do just fine.

Youngest son (9 yrs.) - He doesn't have much going on yet, but he will soon be starting 4-H with his older brother they both are going to be showing a cow.  He's has jumped a 1/2 grade level in reading this year, he is really starting to enjoy reading, which is wonderful news for us because last year he would rather through a fit than have to read. 

Myself - well just busy as usual, running kids around, taking care of work, home, holiday's, yes, this  year we are having Thanksgiving at our house and I will be making almost everything, my mom will bring the stuffing, because she makes the best cornbread dressing you have ever tasted, then the rest of the family will bring little things like soda's, rolls, relish/veggie tray.  I have to admit I'm a little nervous about the whole dinner thing, I've never had to main responsibility of making dinner, hopefully I don't ruin everyone's Thanksgiving.  The Lord is always faithful but sometimes I fail to see it or acknowledge it but I've been trying really hard this year to be thankful for even the little things and it is all paying off, God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

I am looking for a good devotional to read next year, if you have any suggestions, please let me know.  This year I have been reading the Chronological bible in a year along with my women's devotional bible in a year.   I also read the Upper Room everyday as well, but I think I am looking for a different kind of devotional but I'm not really sure exactly what I'm looking for, so any suggestions would be very helpful. 

We had a mini camping vacation a couple weeks ago during our kids fall break, it was so nice, that's the first vacation I have had all year and I think we all needed it everyone has been in a much better mood since then.

That's about all I got for now, but I do plan on listing a sweet potato casserole recipe here soon, I'm not the best most creative cook but I have been making this for years for my family and its one of the few things everyone loves to eat (I actually got it from a woman I worked with about 17 years ago or so, Thanks Crystal). 

Have a blessed day!!!

Michelle