It's Not Quite Christmas...

... This, my Bloggerinas, is it - what goes up, must come down! 

The holidays are fun, but really, aren't they a lot of work? As I made our Thanksgiving feast, I thought about how simple the fare is... yet, it requires so much planning and shopping and cooking and baking and cleaning!

But, it's worth every minute of it (most holidays). Our guests stayed a good long while, eating, laughing, and reminiscing. Don't you love it when your own two hands and one heart make it a delightful, relaxing time for others? I do. It's one of my gifts, I think.

So, now, I am listening to Clay Aiken sing carols and songs that give praise to God. I love the one song on the album that says, "When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God." The song is Mary Did You Know? When Clay sings that line, I answer, "Yes, she did know. She had an angel come and pronounce it and work a miracle in her, remember?"  (Read the first few chapters of Luke.)

And then, I think (and thank) that that Baby, now King of Kings and Lord of Lords, talks to us today.  We are His and He is ours, and, well, it's just amazing! He is amazing!

So, joy to the world, the Lord has come, and is coming again!

Okay, I've said 'hi', and now... back to the taking down of Fall and up with Christmas. Yay!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's not the best picture in the world, but when I pulled into the grocery store parking lot, this is what I saw, and I wanted to share it with you! All those colors, as if God was doing a bit of Thanksgiving decorating of His own! Perfect colors, don't you think?

In all the bustling around I'm doing, my heart is bustling right along, offering praises and thanks to God - for the good and the bad. I've been thinking about Job this week, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him," he said. Right in the center of his suffering. THAT IS HARD TO DO! But it's possible.  :)

And why?

Because this life is not all there is. We have an entire eternity of non-suffering. Think about that and give thanks. Even trials turn into blessings when we wait for God to unfold His plan and bring it into our sight. Till then - have FAITH, Bloggerinas. 

I said all that in case this holiday is not so joyous for you. Our joy is in our Savior. If your joy has gone AWOL, then let me encourage you to read the seventh chapter of Joshua. In that sad and shocking tale is the truth that while God hates sin and has to deal with it, for us today, since Jesus was born, died on the cross and rose again, we have complete and utter forgiveness, if we believe. Oh, do!!! It's too amazing and baffling that God would send His very own beloved Son to take the punishment for our sins. Such a gift of grace. We just don't want to waste His grace by not believing.

Anyhoo, blessings to you on this Thanksgiving!

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Habbakuk 3:17-18

... this thing is from Me ...

1 Kings 12:24

Brining the Turkey

It was only two years ago that I learned about brining turkeys. This process really does make for a moist, tender, tasty gobbler. So... this Williams-Sonoma video is the most concise, easy 3-minute class, ever! I've never bought brine seasonings before, but the bag I have, and let me tell you, it does help because it doesn't leak. But I've used Reynold's turkey bags before, too, and they work fine. If you search the net, like I'm going to, I bet we can find some awesome brine seasoning recipes. In past, I've only used salt and water, but this year I'm ready to be adventurous! :)  Well, it's off to visit Martha....

Oh! Look what I found on the way to Martha's place.... 

It's not a brining recipe, but a unique way to cook a turkey. Again, adventure is the key word for this year's feast! If you've got a to-die-for family tradition or family recipe, please.... clue me in!!! (encouragingforyou@gmail.com)

Visit Elise if you want to learn her unique method, which she copied from her mom. Mom's know best!

To see this bigger, 

merely click on the picture and voila!
(Once you click on it and it takes you to the other page, you might have to click on that bigger pic one more time.)  :)

Healthy and Delish Nachos

One of my many favorite foods is NACHOS (and I always want to say, "Nacho Camacho" when I eat them.. So now it is out of my system. lol). But with the Holidays coming, we need to be a bit more careful on less-holiday-ish days with what we eat. 


During the next month I hope to be able to share quite a few low-cal recipes that still are yummy-lish-ous! Are you ready? Here's the first easy-peasy one...

 

This is very simple and healthy!


Serves 1 (but doubling is doable!)


Here's what you do:  1.Take two corn tortillas and lightly spritz them with Pam, both sides. Cut each one into six triangles. Place on baking sheet and scoot under the broiler on LO. Broil 2 minutes on each side (yes, you have to flip them, but don't frown, it's easy). Turn off broiler and leave in another minute if they are not crispy enough for you. 2.Place tortilla chips on microwavable plate and top with: 1/4 cup kidney beans, 1 ounce skim mozzarella, 1/4 cup salsa  3.Microwave a bit till cheese melts. Or, you could place the plate in the still-heated oven for a while. You choose!  :)  4.Remember that the toppings can be so many great and low-cal things. Like sliced jalapenos, a variety of beans or cheeses or chicken, diced tomatoes and green onions, etc. Use your imagination! Ole!

Yummy....

I thought this verse was yummy ~ "The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe" (Proverbs 29:25).

Blessings...

 

Count your blessings!

1.You ~ my Bloggerinas!

2.Superman & my super kids

3. trials... they lead me to God and His Word (Psalm 119:71)

4. Friendships 

5. So many more things!

6. Your turn... 

   "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."

Ephesians 2:4-8

Yahoooo ~ our biggest blessing everrrrrrrr!!!

I'm Late, I'm Late.. For a Very Important Date!

But I must show these to you!!!

I made this for my daughter... (out of that L'Amour fabric that I got from a Secret Santa last December (hmmmm... who could I be one to this year???), and I also turned those fabulous pinks and reds into my daughter's wedding quilt. When it's finished, I'll be showing that, too.)

Anyhoo...

For Amy ~ 

 

 

And for moi ~ 

My friend Susan, after seeing this same bag come as my prize from the fall giveaway, said, "You have this pattern! You bought it in Minnesota this summer. " ~ moral of the story ~ fabric isn't the only thing I stash!!!  :)
 

Tons of pockets inside!

Pattern by P. S. ~ ps008 Bow Tuck Tote