Thankful, blessed, & happy Thanksgiving my friends

It seems to me that time is a whirlwind-
blowing through like a Derecho...
I can not believe it's already the end of November!!

So many things to be thankful for!!
In the last couple of weeks, I've enjoyed some quilting retreat time,
and so thankful for time with 117 friends.

Then home to cake baking and party for the now three-year-old grandson -
I'd asked him weeks previously about cake preference and 
he'd answered a 'red monster' cake...
Just the day before the party it changed to a 'green dragon' cake.
Glad I asked before I made the red icing.  😍

Then came Thanksgiving prep times two, 
including hosting my family on Saturday.
I love that all the nieces and nephews are now bringing their friends and/or future spouses.   It was a wonderful house-full of family, good eats, and laughter.

Table for 27

I don't usually share about health issues, but
I'm so very thankful for my Plexus (Probio5, BioCleanse & Pink Drink) supplements
and the great health benefits I've gained in the last year and a half...
they truly have been life-changing and I thank Lori for
all the information she's provided about getting my 'gut' healthy,
that I feel energized, younger, and I'm able to keep up with my grandkiddos and family activities!!   (Seriously - google your 'issue + gut health' ... it's all connected!!!!)

AND, I'm thankful for all of you - my blog friends!
I'm thankful for everyone that takes the time to read and comment on my ramblings.
AND for the opportunity to visit each of your blogs.
To me, it's like having the best next-door-neighbors/friends EVER,
instead of being spread around the whole globe!

Happy, happy Thanksgiving
I feel totally blessed! and grateful for winds that blow!

Thanksgiving greetings

from me and my family 
to you and yours!!

I hope your holiday is a safe, happy, and healthy one with lots of love, and pie :).
And if you are reading this in a country other than the U. S. of A., I wish you the same for your day.  ('Cause pie is always a good way to start your day.)

I am thankful for all of my abundances and blessings, 
which includes all of you: my family, friends, and neighbors near and far! 
Thank you for being a part of my life!
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Thursday!!

funny, even after retreat!

So all the projects that I had to take retreat?
Here's what I got done - (wedding gift quilt progress)
this:

a boatload, 128 quarter-square triangles

this:

the second boatload, 96 half-square triangles

and some of the above blocks made into these:

about half of the needed star blocks

I still need to strip-piece the 9-patch blocks that go between these stars. I think there are just over 30 of those.  Should be pedal to the metal since the strips are all cut.  (insert laughing soundtrack here :)

And why do I think I can get through 10 project finishes when
I didn't even get one done during retreat??

Yep, I'm definitely funny!

Now, off to make the rolls for tomorrow's family dinner. The turkey is roasting, the potatoes are washed, ready to peel and boil, and the tables are ready to be set.
I love this time of year!

Are you ready for the upcoming season?

giving thanks

I am so thankful...

for family, and friends,

and all of the bounty we have.

 

Speaking of family,

I had a little help in the kitchen this morning

starting my Thanksgiving cooking.

We started with dessert ...

and

we made some great plates of cookies!

Turkeys!  
Turkey cookies not turkey kids! :)

I have just a partial gang coming in tomorrow.
The large group will be here Saturday.
That means I get to make two dinners! 
So excited!
Here's part of the gang:)

Happy Thanksgiving from us to you!

Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful and bountiful!

the turkeys were here!

The turkeys were here!

No, not my family - the cookies!

One small gathering of family on Thursday night -

not my house & I didn't have to cook a thing!

One bigger gathering of family on Friday night -

yes, my house,

full traditional dinner

followed by gingerbread house making...

only 20 of the 27 people made gingerbread houses. 

That was a whole houseful of fun :)

And a whole houseful of not just cute little houses and creativity,

but also icing and candies and sprinkles! 

[Thanks, Sweetie for being on clean-up crew while I got to go to the quilt shop to teach a class :)]

This afternoon, another family gathering -

this one even more peeps, but not my house.

And not quite as much cooking.

And, there are a few of the turkeys left -

Still talking cookies here, you guys!

Thanksgiving & p.s. the recipe for mashed potato dinner rolls

The turkey is thawing,

Mashed potato dinner rolls are rising,

the house is mostly cleaned...

(well, there's still some flour

floating around in the air from all the roll making,

so I may have to dust after all)

Family is heading this direction!

I can hardly wait!!!

Hope your holiday is WONDERFUL!!!

Safe and happy wishes

from me to you.

P.S. here's the requested recipe

for the

old-fashioned

Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls
(makes about 30-36)
1 cup mashed potatoes (cooled)
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
Mix the above ingredients together in large mixing bowl
(I use my stand mixer for this).
Gradually stir in:
1 cup hot water (this should make the mixture moderately warm to the touch)

In liquid measuring cup:
1/2 cup warm water
2 tsp. *yeast
Stir to dissolve.
(*I purchase bulk yeast, but I think this is one little package)
Add the dissolved yeast to the warm mixture in first bowl.
Mix in 7 to 8 cups of all purpose flour.

Mix well, then knead for 5 minutes.
Place this kneaded bread mass into a large, clean bowl,
cover with a clean tea towel &
move to a warm place to rise for 1 to  1 1/2 hours.

Turn dough onto a floured surface, sprinkle top with flour and roll out to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick.  Cut into rounds, using an upside-down large plastic cup or a doughnut cutter:

Score** and butter the center of each round. 
Fold each in half at scored mark and place on a baking sheet.

Cover again and place in a warm area,

(mine go sit by the fire)

letting the dough rise the second time - approximately 45 minutes.

Bake at 400 degrees for 9 to 12 minutes. 
They will be golden brown and are very soft and moist.
When cooled, you can brush with melted butter.
You can make these ahead of time, as they freeze well and can be thawed and popped back into a warm oven right before serving time.

**to score:  take a butter knife and push an indentation across the center of each round...not quite cutting through the center of each circle...
the scoring/buttering process is a family thing, as this allows them to have an "opening area" when it's time to make sandwiches, as they don't have to be sliced.

P.P.S.  My sister says: if, when you make these the first time, and they are like hockey pucks clay pigeons, don't give up - try again and they will be great!

One week before Thanksgiving

Yep, it's official...

The countdown has begun...

The countdown until the h-o-l-i-d-a-y-s.

(I'm not ready to SAY "it", so I will only spell "it"!)

The media is the worst culprit, I think...

Or maybe the big box stores.

But in my little part of the world,

this:

is what I see out my back door.

Not remotely related to the h-o-l-i-d-a-y-s.

Not even Winter!

My climbing rose decided the weather has been a little screwy,

so let's bloom like it's not  late November.

Let's bloom like it's July!

What a great welcome to winter and the h-o-l-i-d-a-y-s, don't you think?

Happy, rosey day to you!

I'm back to meandering!

Don't you just love it? and smiles

Did you think I was going to say Chickaboom, Chickaboom???
No, I was going to say:  I love family....
Family,
family togetherness......
I really don't understand some families' dynamics.
Families that don't talk to each other all the time,
families that don't see each other often - even on holidays.
Well, I know why, I just don't have that in my family, so maybe it's just my comprehension that is lacking.
Yeah, we disagree, maybe even fight occasionally, but we agree that each is entitled to their opinion. What is right for me may not be right for you and visa-versa. It's not all about me, or you, or mine or yours. We do agree that life is too short, so get over it.

It also helps to smile - a lot! Makes others wonder what's up.


And they smile back, kinda like a yawn: you can see someone yawning in a PASSING car and that makes you yawn too.
That's what I think smiles do. Doesn't cost you anything, doesn't take much effort or cause any trouble, you don't have to pack along anything, just use those muscles in your lips and cheeks.


You smile, and the smile recipient will smile back 99% of the time.
Try it...you'll like it! You, too, will have 99% reciprocation.

OK, sorry about the 70's references: "Chickaboom" and "try it you'll like it”.
Don't know where those came from... anyway,
check out some of our Thanksgiving family fun:
I won't bore you with lots of pics and family movies, just a couple few, I promise!
1) Too much food...I usually have self-control, not so much here...

This is only the beginnning of the food - two more counters just like this, and another whole two counters with desserts!
YUM.

Oh, yea, usually, either my brother or I slice the meat before dinner, and I talked my BIL into slicing the ham - so here's a pic of his inaugural slicing - write this on the calendar:
Great job Tim!




2) A new to us word game called "Last Word":
 lots of laughter, creativity and togetherness.

We didn't really play by the rules and move around the game board, just all ages (8 to 80-my number, not the game recommendation) calling out words that fit into two different, changing categories and before the buzzer.

3) "Round the World table tennis". Don't know if that is a real name, but that's what we call it - running around the table and each person taking their turn at hitting the ball on each end of the table. You are out if you miss your return or don't hit the table on the opposite side, just like regular table tennis. So how ever many paddles we had was how many played. The challenge is when you are down to 2 peeps and you have to hit it to yourself on at the other end of the table and get there in time to hit it back! That burned off some calories!  (Also created some sweat and dizziness).
 4) "Blink" - a fast paced card flipping game that requires hand/eye coordination, shape and color recognition and logic.  OK, some people were faster than others, but, again any age and not a great time investment, so many people played.
So, love to my family, immediate and extended.  I love you guys!  Thanks for smiling, too - it helps keep my average up to 99%!!! 
Don't you just love it?

Chickaboom!

brined, sliced, diced,

brined, sliced, diced, carved, chopped, juilenned, shredded, minced, peeled, pared, cored, pureed,  basted, clarified, creamed, kneaded, raised, buttered, blanched, cooked, dredged, baked, boiled, broiled, roasted, simmered, sauted, browned, fried, glazed, deglazed, caramelized, measured, melted, warmed, steamed, drained, strained, skimmed, whipped, mashed, smashed, mixed, stuffed, thickened, folded, rouxed, chilled, sauced, dressed, seasoned, garnished, prayed, plated, served, ate, ate, ate,  WHEW!
We are blessed, aren't we?

Serve, forgive, be kind, succeed, be sincere, create, be happy, do good, give your best

Is that just a whole lot of adjectives?...words to live by?...make people wonder what you are up to?...
I have heard this before, but Mark, from Sparkspace, ran it recently.
http://www.sparknewthinking.com/

It is attributed to Mother Teresa:
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

These thoughts and words are ones I TRY to live by everyday. 
But especially during this season of Thanksgiving.
We are truly blessed.....

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Turkeys*

*Turkeys:  poultry, not human!!! 
It's turkey week, already! Are you ready?? 

Do you have lists of things you have to make, bake, cook, clean, like I do? 
My brother brought over one of his home-grown turkeys for me to cook.  It's frozen now and it weighs about 40-ish pounds. 
Thawing is guestimated at approximately 24 hours for every 5 pounds. 
I am half afraid to get on the scale with it!  It's scary-big! 
(I am also half afraid that when I try to lift it to weigh it it will throw out my back!!). 
 I have decided I will enlist help in the picking up part! 

But, (probably like you) we do thank all the turkeys who give their lives in the name of stuffing ourselves.  Stuffing ourselves to the almost edge of explosion (never seen the explosion, but there are urban legends!).

I really am looking forward to the day, though.  It's a day of family, fun , great food, reminiscing and, of course, little kids running through the house on sugar highs (I can laugh about this now, as my children are grown and don't usually still run through the house on sugar highs - usually, no promises).  
I will have my camera, capturing all the moments on film digitally. 
The only thing better would be Norman Rockwell there to capture the moment!  (OK, maybe not, since we are all on sugar highs, we probably wouldn't have the patience for sitting still that long anyway.)

Then, guess what?  I will repeat the whole process again on Sunday for the other side of the family!! 
Doesn't that sound like fun?
I am excited!

And then there's Maxine:

Happy Thanksgiving week!