Thanksgiving

Well Thanksgiving day has come and gone....Good food, friends, and family. Here's some pictures of T day 2007. Special thanks to Deon for the cranberry cookies, Eric for the green bean casserole, the bros for shelving the garage (twice), Mom for the mashed potatoes (boil 'em, stick 'em in a stew for all you LOTR fans), and Jonell for pistachio goodness.

Clearly, blessings abound!

Wreath Round 2

Things I've learned....

1. A cranberry styrofoam wreath cannot be hung and expected to stay on 20 gauge floral wire.
2. A cranberry styrofoam wreath cannot be hung and expected to stay on picture hanging wire.
3. When a cranberry styrofoam wreath falls, it will shatter into many pieces.
4. Attempting to hot glue said pieces into a circle again is futile.
5. A cranberry styrofoam wreath with the new base spray painted red looks better than the original.
6. Frozen berries go on easier than fresh.
7. A large green ribbon is the perfect hanging device for a cranberry styrofoam wreath.
8. Bros are great for helping pick up runaway cranberries down the porch and into the yard.
9. Birds apparently do not eat cranberry styrofoam wreaths.
10. Making cranberry styrofoam wreaths over and over again.....is still fun!

Everyday life at the Rockin Refuge

Setting: Abby and Jonell talking after early morning activities...

Abby: How was Curves this morning?
Jonell: Good. How was your shower?
Abby: 'bout the same as last time...wet.

Giggles and laughter by both =)

Let the holidays begin....

In an effort to recover from a long week of work, I opted to recharge by dodging phone calls and bringing out the artistic flare today. You can see the "fruits" of my labors depicted below or swing by the house to view in person.

Yes, this is a wreath of cranberries. If you attempt this project yourself, I would advise a thimble, 500+ toothpicks, 3 or more bags of the berries, and plenty of time. Isn't it beautiful?

The Menu

The official list of this year's prized recipes and dishes for Thanksgiving at The Rockin' Refuge has been determined!

*NOTE: This list is subject to change at the chef's whim. Participants in the Thanksgiving festivities are welcome to bring other treasured dishes to share.

THE MENU:
1. Mashed Potatoes (homemade with russet potatoes and gravy)
2. Turkey
3. Pumpkin Pie
4. Green Bean Casserole (courtesy of Eric)
5. Pistachio Pudding Salad (courtesy of Jonell)
6. Waldorf Salad
7. 24 hour Vegetable Salad
8. Cornbread Stuffing (back by popular demand courtesy of Martha Stewart cooking)
9. Stovetop Stuffing (for all the traditionalists)
10. Spiced Hot Apple Lemonade

OPTIONAL ITEMS...MENU STATUS TO BE DETERMINED:
Apple Pie
Cranberry Tarts
Cranberry and Orange Salad
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Rolls

This year's slogan....
Come one, Come all. Arrive hungry, Leave full.

Losing Lance....

I think I may have lost the sister-of-the-year award today. Do you think you can be nominated if you lose your brother? Probably not. Okay, let me clarify that to say Lance didn't think he was lost, but everyone else had no idea where he was. Yep, those Turkey Run trails are a tad bit confusing and he apparently found the right one to go down when everyone else was standing at a 3 way divide not knowing where the correct one was. Nevertheless, Lance was once lost and is now found or we were all lost and now are found. Something to that affect. Thanks to all those who were willing to go down alternate trails to find him. On the up side, Lance and I have agreed to work on our communication so we don't lose each other again and I was able to ponder how often I think I'm fine when the Lord is going, "You are so lost right now."

Grocery Store Spirituality

I had an interesting dialog with myself today while shopping at the grocery story and I am curious to know if others have contemplated the same question that I pondered. Feel free to bare your soul if said posting relates to you....
So as I walked up and down the aisles, I began to think about all the hundreds of items I have never bought and will probably never buy within the store. I thought about how I possibly only utilize about 5% of all items within the grocery as I attempt to find the best nutritional choices for me and the bro. As I rounded the vegetable section, which is right next to the pastries, I thought, "Wow, so many things that look good, but I would regret eating later. They really aren't that satisfying and probably have no benefit to me healthwise. Kind of the same dilemma you have with the rest of the world. Yes, that's it! Grocery stores have become a cultural caveat! They offer you temptation around every corner with empty promises of fleeting satisfaction!!!! Goodness! No wonder it takes so long to hunt for the good things in each aisle. It's just like the rest of life. You have to sort out all the yuk to finally get to the good stuff."
And there it was.....my moment of grocery store spirituality. So has the LORD been speaking to anyone else from the vegetable aisle?