Thanksgiving Memories

 

Growing up, Thanksgiving was almost as exciting as the coming of Christmas. It meant family gathering once again at Grandpa and Grandma's, with the counters piled high in steaming hot food that filled the air with delicious smells.

The grandkids would run eagerly in all directions, squealing and playing some sort of game. One of our favorites was "Cowboys and Indians".

Grandma would gather us close in hugs and kisses, and an Aunt or Uncle may occasionally chase us down for their share.

The adults would gather in the kitchen, bumping into one another as they prepared our family "Thanksgiving Dinner".

Turkey.

Gravy.

The family recipe of stuffing.

Candied yams.

Best Brown Bread.

Grandma's Prune Roll.

Rolls.

Sparkling Cider.

Pumpkin Pie.

Pickle platter.

Just to name a few of the traditional foods we prepare.

I remember snitching away Bouillon cubes to lick, as we sat on the stairs and watched the activity below.

Buttermilk is Grandpa's favorite and I'll never forget trying that sour stuff. *wrinkled nose*

Nope, still not for me. But I'll always cherish the memory of his mustache turning white as he'd smack his lips, rub his stomach, and state how delicious it was.

The burners were placed conveniently in the center of an open counter, making it easy to "taste" the gravy as you went along.  

When the meal was ready, we'd all be ushered to our make-shift tables around the house, and told to be seated and "please try to be quiet".

Grandpa would say grace, then the food would be dished up. We'd drink our cider eagerly, and place our olives on our fingers, pretending we were something else, besides ourselves.

Thanksgiving memories. Childhood days. Something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

As we grow older, it seems our family grows smaller.

Grandma is no longer there to welcome us with her laughing eyes and smiling lips. But the memory will always be stamped on my heart.

I thank God for my days as a young girl, and I pray someday I may have children to pass down traditions, and to share my love of family gatherings and precious times together.

All too soon, those days will be gone. Like the wind that blows the leaves across the land.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!



Month of November

Isn't "my" mountain beautiful?



  Is Thanksgiving truly just one week away? Where has the time gone? Surely Christmas time was just here, and yet, once again, that time of year is fast approaching.

I have been enjoying my Autumn season very much this year. More than I have in a long time. Each time I step outside, I am hit with a wave of chilly air and I just have to stop and smile. Nothing like a nip to refresh your being.

I thought I would just do a quick photo update on what happened in my life during the month of November (and end of October):

I, along with Marissa, did some babysitting for my Aunt and Uncle. As usual, I got lots of photo's with those cousins of mine and thoroughly enjoyed my time!

This year we have had some color. Nothing compared to the East Coast of course! But color just the same. I simply love this time of year! (How many times do I say that?)

At the end of October, us "young people" had a Fall Party. You should have seen the amount of food we had! You would think we were planning for 100 people!

I made Spicy Cheeseburger Soup for the first time, and though it wasn't seasoned near as well as I would like, it was a hit.

I was having a very bad day, emotionally, and was ready to crawl in a hole and die by the time it was nearing to leave for Kaysha's. I do not like dressing up, never have. I just don't like drawing attention to myself, I guess? I was nervous and had the hardest time coming up with something. When it finally came for my sweet sister (she did everyone's hair! My hero) to do me, it wasn't turning out. I was frustrated. She was frustrated. We gave up.

I threw my curled hair on the top of my head and went downstairs to make my soup. By that time I was near tears.

But as I started chopping, frying, and pouring I began to feel better. Later I told my Mom, "I was meant to be in the kitchen. Not in front of a mirror." Those words are still the truth. I have too high of an expectation for myself, and if I don't meet it, I become irritated and even depressed. So, I tend to lean away from that sort of thing. Though don't get me wrong! I do spend my fair share of time in front of the mirror. But I just do my usual thing every day. Nothing new and fancy.

The girls said I just had to dress up. Since my hair was thrown in a pile of curls with a scrunchy, and I wore a pair of leggings, they decided all I needed was my Grandpa's old button down shirt, and my Grandma's socks to complete the "90's look".

All in all, the night was fun!

It felt odd though. In my mind I am still sixteen. Surely we aren't old enough to be married with husbands and babies? My "baby" brother and cousins were laughing and joking and I couldn't believe how much we all have grown.

As I sat in my friends living room, her living room, and watched baby Noelle on the floor, I just shook my head in amazement. My how time flies.

Love this girl and her faces!

Me and my sisters refinished my Mom's dining room chairs. It was a lot of work sanding and painting but I enjoyed it! My first attempt at "refinishing" furniture.

They're not perfect, with paint drops here and there, but I am learning. Someday I want to try Chalk Paint.

For awhile there weather was bright, clear, and crisp. No rain. When it gets that way I always have the urge to go hiking. As I knew that wasn't possible, I decided instead a walk would do.

Me, Kaysha, Shanoah, and Noelle went walking twice at the nearby park and I loved it! It felt amazing to do something physical out in the fresh air. And the company wasn't bad either. *wink*

We haven't been able to go again but I hope to sometime! Before it starts to get really cold.

One morning when I woke up, it was too pretty outside. I had to walk again. So I asked my Mom if she wanted to walk to the small park down the road.

We went before we even had our morning coffee! *shocked face*

But it felt really good! And the sky was so pretty.

Last Sunday we joined the guys while they played disc golf. It was my first time seeing the game. Us gals just slowly followed behind, visiting. Again it was nice and cool and I loved it! Though at the end we started to get too cold. We hadn't planned to be outside and didn't bring warm jackets.

So we loaded up and headed to my house to hang out while the guys did one more round!

It was a nice change of pace.

Gotta love fall colors

 I recently quit my office cleaning job, but am still working weekly for Mollie. I've been getting more hours lately which has been nice!

Ever since quit my weekend job, I actually look forward to helping Mollie out. I never hated it but now I really enjoy it!

Spencer (who was born after I started coming) has gotten so big and he makes me laugh with his silly little stories.

Today I will be babysitting for a Mom for the first time. I am nervous and praying all goes well! I can relax, be happy, and that I can find the house okay. *wink*

Looking forward to Christmas! Though I have not been on top of my shopping! *panic* I need to get on it!

Have a wonderful weekend, ya'll!

Double the Love

Good morning world!

I have been in another one of my "moods" (I have those a lot) and I've found another list of baby names that just seem to "pop" in my mind.
I personally love combined names. Or, "double names". Their just so... something? I don't know what it is about them but I seem to always be attracted to names like Betty-Lou, JulieAnn, and Mary Ellen.
These are a few of my favorites!

1. CoraBeth

2. Emmylou

3. AuraLee

4. LilyDale

5. Sadie-Rose

6. AvaLynn

7. SaraKate

8. BeckyLee

9. Lindy-Jane

10. TildyMae

What style of names do you like?

Favorite Quotes Tag

Daminika at Walking in the Sonshine tagged me for the "Favorite Quotes" tag. She did it all fancy with each quote on its own background. Yeah, I'm too lazy busy for such things so you'll have to just read most of them all on their own! I've shared some of these before but hey, it says "favorite" and these are mine:

The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for. - Louis L'Amour

Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day. - A. A. Milne

To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman, and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience. It is natural to think of it Meg, right to hope for it, and wise to prepare for it, so that when the happy time comes, you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy. - Marmee from Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women"

Leave these things to time; make this home happy, so that you may be fit for homes of your own, if they are offered you, and contented here if they are not. - Marmee from Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women"

Don't quit, and don't give up. The reward is just around the corner. And in times of doubt or times of joy, listen to that still small voice. Know that God has been there from the beginning- and He will be there until the end. - Joanna Gaines
 

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. - Henry David Thoreau

Over? Nothing is over. It's only the beginning. The kindling of a flame. Feed it, lads. As you fed it with your blood today. Which is the spark of liberty which you've touched afire. This light must grow until every dark corner has vanished and it illuminates the world. - James Otis from Disney's "Johnny Tremain"

Do you know your scripture, sir? 'What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul'? - Gatewood from the film "Geronimo: An American Legend"

My God... My God is a God of peace. A God of life, not death." - Gatewood from the film "Geronimo: An American Legend"

April 1865, dear Ma and Pa. - Mack from the film "Shadow Riders"
- this is the opening line from my favorite movie and it always sends shivers up my spine. Guess you have to hear Tom Selleck saying it to know what I mean. *wink*

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why we call it the present. - A.A. Milne

I tag LaKaysha at Calico and Lace

G U I D E L I N E S

//Think of quotes that you love. They can be quotes by famous people, a movie, or even just a family member - or a Bible Verse.

//You could put the quotes on backgrounds, but if you don't enjoy doing that then feel free to just put them in your post.

//Be sure that you say who said the quote -- or where in the Bible it is.

// Post them! You could take the banner and post it with them if you'd like.

// Tag as many friends as you like!

Hope you enjoyed my very random and different quotes that I love!