Thanksgiving week looked like this...

We had such a fun week leading up to Thanksgiving.

For some reason, we usually travel or spend the day in another home.

This year, with our many projects, skidding toward an end

We stayed home and put our partially functional kitchen to use.

Myron's bro was still here, and we also had the remnants of family

Left in the area, over for dinner.

Yes, we had turkey.

And it was delish.

We also had mashed potatoes and all the fixings

Except for the pie.

We opted for apple dumplings instead.

And let's say the pie was not missed.

Big fat juicy dumplings have a way of making pie look rather humble.

The reason I mention mashed potatoes

Is because we watched the Thanksgiving edition of Biggest Loser.

And let's be honest: I'm a freak about eating healthy.

Granted, we fall out sometimes

And neglect our waistlines.  *ahem, self: you need to hear this*

But steamed cauliflower and white beans

Mashed together in a great mound

Do not take the place of mashed potatoes.

Not even in your wildest imagination.

I'd far rather do without those taters than to commit to such a substitute.

 Maybe instead of having those potatoes

I'll have another helping of Cranberry Apple Salad

I'm a sucker for anything cranberry

But I know a lot of people don't like the tartness of a cranberry sauce

So here's a recipe, I guarantee

Will even make it to the favorites list

For anyone.

Paradise Sauce:

1 qt. cranberries

2 qts. apples

2 C. sugar

Put cranberries in a pan with a small amount of water.  Cover and cook slowly on low heat until soft.  Rub through a food press, cheesecloth or strainer (the point is to get the bitter husk off the flesh).  Return to pan and add peeled, cored and sliced apples.  Cook gently until apples are soft, but still retain their shape.  Add 2 C. sugar and cook 5 min. longer.  ( I don't add any sugar at all, but I guess that would depend on the type of apple you use and how tart or sweet it is.)

Serve hot or cold.

 We also did a church dinner in my moms basement on Tues. eve.

These pictures do nothing to show

What an amazing dinner we had

Or how warm the fellowship was

We had such a great time of sharing and communion

After all the food was consumed.

And how great is that big ole bear rug on the back wall

One of my brothers prize hunting trophies.

You think he'd let me bring that thing home

To lay in front of the fire

On a cold winter night?

JO

Framed in time

Apparently, taking pictures of kids

Is an almost apocalyptic experience.

Before kids, I thought pictures of kids

Would be so charming.

They would always look cute

Smile so sweetly with dimples on their cheeks.

And we would wow the world

With our good looks.

Yeah, in your dreams, your thinking.

Real-life, they must be bribed with doughnuts and hot chocolate

And they smile all right

Big cheesy grins that make their eyes squint right shut.

But I still think

They're so good looking.

Even if they aren't picture perfect.

Today was the "great picture of the year" day

That one time shot we try for 

When everyone is on their best behaviour.

Hey, it's worth the try

And the doughnuts afterward, apparently.

 "No, you've gotta turn your head...THIS WAY!"

 Finally one that will pass as good enough

Till next year.

Apparently, the adults in this family

Aren't too photogenic either

And are as crazed as the kids.

First shot, ya'll mama needs to visit the gym

But it's us, and that's what is so endearing.

*smirks*

 Oh, yes, there was just that one

Where we all happened to be looking in the same direction

And noone is picking their nose

Coughing

Or checking out the goat grazing on the hill in front of us.

Good pictures, or not.

We are special to each other

And to Jesus.

We'll keep it that way.

They're here!

My kitchen cabinets arrived yesterday.

And they're beautiful.

What a complete waste of time those nerves were.

It will take a few days for them to be installed.

And a few more than that for me to realize this is actually MY kitchen!

Myron said last night that he can see me in this kitchen.

I said, good, cause I designed it.  I better look like I'd fit.

 What a mess of sawdust, debris and dust this old house has seen

In the past year and a half.

But the sight of that trailor in my driveway

Is worth the clean-up afterwards.

 Moving in!

 And looking good.

I was completely unsure about my choice of a green cabinet.

But it's so perfect.

I had an old set of butler pantry doors that I wanted to use there

But they were a thorn in the cabinet builders side.

So he made a new set to look a lot like the old ones.

The green is very close to the same color as the butler doors.

Just doesn't have that time-worn look to them.

Give it a few years, I suppose.

They got most of the lower cabinets set yesterday.

Today they're attaching the uppers

And putting up the range hood.

In other news...we got a gorgeous blanket of snow last night.

Could not have been more beautiful.

Big fluffy flakes were falling

Just as dusk was setting in

So all the street lights were twinkly

And the snow just sparkled.

Hello, days of wet outdoor clothes.

Let's be nice to each other

Until I have a closet to store you in, shall we?

JO