Thanksgiving 2011

Mini pecan and derby pies, we also had pumpkin and cherry.

Showing our guests from Portugal how to celebrate a proper American Thanksgiving- playing games and watching the parade while the turkey is cooking away.

My white chocolate garnishes for the mini pies- I did 2 trays of leaves and acorns and got bored on the second tray...hence the squirrel, pistol and Hubby's semi-automatic edible gun creations to name a few!

Roc tearing up a turkey leg after carving the bird.  This year's turkey was brined overnight and basted in butter and herbs and covered in bacon...delish!

About to devour my chocolate hazelnut mousse cups garnished with shaved chocolate and hazelnut chocolate wafer cookies...they were divine!

The traditional holiday photo of Bab with a gun...this time it was edible.  And Nell in the background prepping food.

 We had our Thanksgiving at Bab and Roc's house as we always do.  The Hubs and I spent the night over at their place so that we could prep food and decor late into the night and then wake up early to help with the final touches.  We had all of the traditional foods and amazing desserts.

Highlights from the holiday:
*The kids table decor- the tablecloth had activities and pictures that could be colored.  Bab made each child a personalized mayflower out of felt filled with candy and crayons.  They also enjoyed activity worksheets and treasure hunt where they had to locate mini turkeys that Bab made out of an egg crate.

*Making the adult place cards with Gigi and Munchie.

*Many Pinterest projects, most of which turned out: harvest salad, turkey shaped fruit and cheese appetizer, chocolate hazelnut mousse cups, mini fruit pizzas, turkey shaped veggie tray (the only fail!) and mini pies.

*My in-laws were sick and couldn't come at the last minute so the Hubs took over his Mom's traditional dressing assignment...he did a fab job.

*Nell's homemade yeast rolls...Thanksgiving isn't complete without them and Bab's crock pot macaroni and cheese.  Yum!

*Spending LOTS of time with the fam (and friends from Portugal).

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for:
*Friends and family to share holidays with.
*A belly full of delicious food.
*Traditions- my favorites which include Black Friday shopping with my Sis.

Thankful Thursday

Tulips in Virginia Spring 2011

I am thankful for:

*Healing. I've been thinking a lot lately about the significance of this week. Had I not miscarried in the spring I would have been having a baby this week. I am so grateful that for whatever reason the Lord saw it fit for us to be pregnant again by my due date. He truly gave us a miracle and today we find out if this little person is a boy or a girl.

*Family that over complicates the simplest of things. I tell myself that it is only because we all care about each other so much!

*Being able to stay home right now. I'll admit that I feel like time is dragging now that I am not working and that I dislike not being a productive member of society...but I know that there is a time and a season for everything. In the meantime, I'm glad that I have been afforded the luxury of being unemployed during a very convenient time in my life.

Thankful Thursday

My favorite- caramel hot chocolate

I am thankful for:

*A precious husband that kisses me goodbye every morning, even when I'm not coherent.

*Wonderful neighbors- we joke about how involved they are sometimes but they really are the most genuine people I know.

*Being able to keep warm this time of year- we have heat in our home and cars, we have coats and sweaters and last but not least...warm beverages.