Jingle Bells

Thanksgiving Day, as I was passing K-Mart on my way to my mother-in-law's house, I couldn't help but notice how full the parking lot was. Being ever so curious, I had to stop in there to see why. Turns out they were having a BIG sale that day. Of course, the BEST deals were the next day, but there were some good deals Thursday as well.

I'd been wanting some new Christmas earrings with little bells that would jingle. I already had some that I've worn the past few Christmases, but I don't really like them that much, and I have to move my head rather violently to get them to jingle. I found the cutest little earrings (at HALF off!) that make the sweetest little tinkling noise whenever I move my head even slightly. Here's a picture of one, but I don't know how well it shows up.

Thanksgiving Update

I hope you all had as wonderful a Thanksgiving as I did. The food was delicious and surpassed only by the great time of fellowship with my family. Scott's mom and sister came over to our house for the first time since we've been married. We all ate too much and laughed a lot. It was proclaimed by all to have been possibly the best holiday we've had in the last 3 years. I took a few pictures, but I don't have them ready to post on here ... maybe tomorrow.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I love Thanksgiving! I'm not a big fan of turkey or dressing, but I love the time of fellowship with my family.

We're having a traditional Thanksgiving meal at our house tomorrow, with Scott's mom and sister coming. Instead of roasting the turkey ourselves, though, Scott's sister has ordered one from Honey Ham. I'm glad!! I don't like the oven being dominated most of the day by the turkey, and I don't like the way it often causes the turkey to be too dry. This year, no mess and no fuss! Yea!!!

Along with turkey, we're having dressing (which I don't care for but will make for the others anyway), mashed potatoes (which I love) with turkey gravy, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, corn, rolls, German chocolate cake (my MIL makes the BEST!!!), and pumpkin pie.

We've been busy for over a week getting the house in shape. Louise hasn't been in our house since we moved in and she moved out nearly 3 years ago, and we want it to look extra nice for her visit. Scott is paranoid that it won't meet with her approval. I prefer to be positive about it, and I'm just glad she has decided to come over to our house instead of all of us being crowded in her little apartment.

My wish is for all of my family and friends to have a wonderful Thanksgiving and to remember to thank God for all of His blessings in our lives.

Happy Birthday, Sam!!!!!

Yesterday was Sam's 12th birthday, and he says it was his best ever. We had some friends over after church for a dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs, and the boys passed a football around some outside afterward. Although his gifts weren't extravagant (they never are), he exlcaimed that I "always" know just what to get him; and he was more than pleased! That makes me very happy.

Unfortunately, I was so busy making sure his day was perfect, that I didn't remember to take ANY pictures. So, you'll just have to imagine his brightly smiling face glowing with glee as he opened his gifts and blew out the candles on his homemade chocolate/vanilla swirl cheesecake. (mmmm ... was that ever good!!!)

How to Get Flowers for No Reason

Ladies, how often do you ladies get flowers from your husband? Valentine's Day and anniversary? Does he ever buy you flowers? When I first got married, my husband informed me that he didn't believe in giving non-practical gifts; every gift needed to be "useful". Well, I LOVE getting fresh flowers and let him know that it was the one non-useful gift I expected to get. Then, I went on to devise a great way to get them any time, for no reason at all.

Here's my secret:

(It helps that my husband is a clean a freak, but I really think it should work on just about any husband.) Whenever Scott gets me flowers, I put them in a pretty vase which is set in the middle of the dining room table. Then, they stay there until they are replaced. That's my rule, and by now, Scott is very well informed of that rule. When they start wilting, I move the vase into the kitchen, where the flowers eventually start to rot and mold starts to form in the vase. Eventually, Scott will get so disgusted with the mess that he will clean the vase and buy me fresh flowers to replace the now repugnant ones. No, I don't get fresh flowers every week or even every month, but I DO get them! And, oh, how I enjoy them when I do!!!!

Here are the ones that Scott bought me Saturday. He picked out some with beautiful fall colors since he knows fall is my favorite season.

My Wonderful Mom

I was thinking about my mom this weekend, as I often do. She was such a wonderful lady and the perfect mom and grandma. I wish I were more like her, and I strive everyday to be so. Here's a picture of me with my mom's picture.

Halloween

We don't really celebrate Halloween, but I love carving pumpkins. Here are pictures of the pumpkin Scott bought and carved to replace the one he "accidentally" smashed.