happy thanksgiving!

this month, i posted to facebook something i was thankful for every day leading up to and on thanksgiving day.  as this month ends, i will continue to be thankful for all of the blessings God has bestowed upon me and my beautiful family.

we had a lovely holiday with our first smoked duck stuffed with apples (an unconventional thanksgiving meal that i hope will become tradition for us), turkey, stir fry, "potato stuffing", and homemade cranberry walnut bread.  the next day we celebrated with some friends we were lucky enough to spend the holiday with last year as well.  there were lots of people and way more food than we could handle - lots of laughs and so much love.

we are blessed and thankful...

new trick

i've discovered that Saraya will ride the elliptical machine while strapped to me in the bjorn.  and at around 5 minutes, she is out.  maybe next time i can get a picture...

touch - hydrangea

dear 6 month old,

you are the coolest baby i know.  you absolutely light up our lives. in the mornings, your sweet smile and soft meeps are an awesome way to begin the day.  you're a super healthy eater (and it shows miss sumo thighs).  you nap like a champ.  you enjoy your daily walks and express it in your speeches to the trees.  your daddy and i watch each new devlopment with awe and we love to celebrate your victories at such accomplishments as rolling over, sitting up, grabbing toys, standing (with something to lean on), and saying mama and dada (though we realize those are just sounds, not the actual words yet).  your hums, grunts and growls are beyond amusing.  your laughter is so contagious.  as your teeth make their debut, the drool fest is on!  your hair is getting a little fuller (your daddy swears it's the squash).  you smile at everyone and it brightens so many people's day.  your favorite toys at the moment are your colorful squishy blocks and the sing-a-ma-jigs.  at night, you love to hear goodnight moon before drifting off.  and you love it when i sing or hum "once upon a dream" from sleeping beauty.

i cannot imagine life without you now.  thank you for being such a joy!

love (with all my heart, forever and ever),
mama

haiku friday - black friday

up way too early

score unbelievable deals

shop until you drop!

top 6 thanksgiving foods

my all time favorites!  i realize that a lot of these are available at other times of the year but there's just something about having them as part of this holiday that i really love...

1. eggnog - only available this time of year.  i can't really drink it straight but it is delicious cut with regular or soy milk, of course with spiced rum, or added to coffee in lieu of creamer

2. cranberry sauce - i think the whole berry is a bit overwhelming by itself and the berry-less is too plain so i like to take a little of both and mix them together; of course any fresh cranberry sauce beats out both cans any day

3. macaroni and cheese - my sister makes the best homemade macaroni and cheese.  real butter.  lots of melty, cheesy goodness. 

4. sweet potato pie - this will always beat out pumpkin pie in my books

5. turkey leg - i just love this part of the turkey the most.  maybe because there are only two available (most times), so it seems more special.  who knows?

6. red velvet cake - the southern version.  pound cake consistency.  real cream cheese frosting with pecans on top.  yum, yum

tuesday's treasury

today's treasury is brought to you by this past weekend's rain...