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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I am Thankful...

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I honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow I thought I would list a few things I am thankful for (cliche I know, but who cares)


I am Thankful for my sweet husband, who never ceases to make me smile. There are some I know who have lost theirs this year and for them my heart breaks....

I am Thankful for my home, and while it might not be the biggest or the fanciest its ours and I love it and all the beautiful land around us.

I am Thankful for my job, yes I did say that. Over the past year work has been rough. Not only do I love what I do, I am so grateful to have a job, as there are some I know who are struggling to find one.

I am Thankful for my family, they have hovered around me like gaurdain angels this year when I have been sad or sick. They have not held against me my faults or flaws. They have helped give me strength when my mind is screaming "I can't do it".

I am Thankful for my friends who have listened to me b*tch and made me laugh when I needed it.

I am Thankful for mine and Heath's health, I know many who are watching their spouse struggle with illness.

There are many other things I could add to this list but I won't bore you with them...

What are you Thankful for this year?

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Sunday, November 1, 2009

Dinner in a Pumpkin

For Halloween Mom and I wanted to make a Halloweenish dinner. I found this recipe online and we attempted to make it. It was super yummy! I thought I would share!

Dinner in a Pumpkin


Ingredients
1 medium sugar pumpkin
(pie pumpkin, we couldn't find one so we used a carving pumpkin)
1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey

1/2 onion, chopped
2 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 cup tomato sauce

1 cup crushed tomato
3 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 pound fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
1 cup uncooked minute white rice

Directions


  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  2. Wash pumpkin, cut off top, scrape out seeds and discard.

  3. Place turkey in a large, deep skillet. Crumble and cook over medium high heat until evenly brown.

  4. Drain fat, add onion and garlic; saute slightly.

  5. Add sugar, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, tomatoes and tomato sauce and rice; mix thoroughly.

  6. Layer inside of pumpkin with 1/3 of cabbage, green beans and beef and rice mixture. Repeat layers, replace lid and bake for 2 to 3 hours.

Make sure you cook this in a roasting pan because the pumpkin gets very soft and there will be alot of juice. I wasn't sure about the cabbage but it was really good once it was all cooked. Also make sure you season your green beans before putting them in. You could also make this in squash and it would be really good. This was so yummy I can't wait to make it again!


Vacation Time


This past week I was on vacation, which was glorious! This time we did not go anywhere we stayed home and the fun came to us. Last Sunday, my parents along with my sister and grandmother came for a visit.

Dad was kind enough to spend his entire vacation driving all his tools to Georgia and building us a much needed covered porch. I must say it turned out beautiful, I love it! I am amazed at what he can do in such a short amount of time. He got it completely finished, Heath and I just have to paint it!He was even able to use some of the wood from the "Big House" that burned down last year. This was special to us because we took our wedding pictures on that porch, and some of that same wood now covers our own porch. Lets just say, you rock Dad! We love our porch, THANKS!!!


I am going to be putting a big Texas star right in the front! (Hope you don't mind me copying Ashlie!)

Of course, mom left her touch here too! She made four sets of curtains. They turned out great! I pictures I took, however are too bright so I will have to add them at another time. I can never seem to accomplish any decorating when she is not here. I need an opinion and creative advice that Heath cannot provide. Thanks mom I love the curtains! So happy you came!
I was super glad Brooke came not just because I love spending time with my sis but, because she is a rocking stylist. She does such an amazing job on my hair every time. I wish she lived close so she could always do it. She is a master colorist! Thanks for the new do, love it!

Nana was here too. She did what she does best...sit and watch! That's what she did but, we were super happy to have her visit since we hardly get to see her! Thanks for coming Nana!

In addition to all this fun we also spent time shopping, cooking, watching movies, playing games and enjoying every ones company. Thanks family for making the 700 mile trip. We are so glad you got to come, Hopefully next the rest of the crew can join!
*side note* Mom, Nana and Brooke were actually here I did not however, manage to get one picture of them, as usual!