Looks like Christmas is just around the corner...

 First time ever to hang stockings close to a chimney!  Ted is working on a plan for getting some wood for a family night around the fireplace.  MMMMM, I can't wait!

 It smells like all sorts of Christmas cheer!

It sounds like Christmas...music and movies all of a Christmas theme.  December 1st...KNVBC.com starts their 24/7 Christmas music...the kind I don't have to rush to turn off for certain songs on the radio stations! 

Officially Michiganders!

 Ted and I each received our Michigan drivers license.  We are all official residents now.  Another Michigan thing to try...the pasty!  The gals in the kitchen during the Thanksgiving feast were talking about them...and I got hungry for them enough to share them with my family.  How hard could it be? I made some on Tuesday night for supper...pork roast leftovers, potatoes, carrots, onion, celery...I left out the other UP favored root vegetables...turnips, rutabagas, parsnips.

 

 Put this mixture into a pie crust dough and bake to flaky perfection...serve with gravy...and OH MY WORD!

 It was worth the effort and all the flour on me and the floor!   It was time consuming, but not hard!

 Ted and I had an impromptu date at 8:15pm...we almost had an emergency situation!
We RAN OUT OF TIM HORTON'S COFFEE!  It is a good thing I discovered it BEFORE 5:45am!  Another "perk" of living in Michigan...about 6 or 8 miles down the road...a Tim Hortons!  There is a Dunkin Donut about 4 miles too.  I can't walk into a coffee place and not not get a hot drink!  Ted scoffed at my desire for coffee at such an hour...so, I tried the candy cane hot chocolate...thinking it would be less caffine!  I didn't care...I was cold.  A short time later...sugar buzz and enough caffine (chocolate has caffine...duh!) to make me giddy...or maybe it was just a few minutes out with my love!

 Cold weather = chapped lips = countless requests to use my chapstick!  I bought these for the kiddos' stockings...but ended up giving them early, "Happy, Merry December!"  Call me loving and helpful...or call me a scrooge, I am tired of sharing my chapstick...it is almost gone!  Either way...it was fun...an unexpected treat for our kiddos.
Note to self...Remember, it is the unexpected little things that can be enjoyed anytime and all the time!

 Two girls...in the kitchen...again!  Didn't we just have this situation?   Yep, and most likely, we will have it again and again!  Math in Action for this month had to do with cooking...using recipes and learning how to half, double, quadruple....etc.  Ashlynn chose the dessert category!  Surprise!  She made buckeyes.  She had a crumbly mess to clean up, but they turned out great.  Her platter was completely empty.  Good thing we saved some back for Teddy and Daddy!

 Alisa chose the appetizer category.  Another girl was doing Alisa's favorite dip...so I made her pick something else.  She liked the baked mozzarella sticks that we found on pinterest.  Our trial run was on Monday...cheese oozed out and they never got brown like the picture...but everyone liked them.  We tweaked our method a bit and browned them in some butter on the griddle...perfect!  Her platter was also cleaned up.

 It was fun to help other moms set up and get the food ready for the 5th and 6th grade chefs and their guests.  A box of Christmas decor...leftover placemats and napkins...and all of a sudden the room was festive!

 So many yummy things to smell and eat!

Each student introduced themselves, told what they made, and gave a tip they learned while making their dish.  We had a three course lunch...appetizers, entrees, and dessert.  Everyone had plenty-plus- some to eat!  A fun way to do lunch! 

Keeping busy!

It was fun to go out on Saturday with my sis and friend for some uninterrupted "big girl time".  However, we still were interrupted...by phone calls telling us to stay out longer, "We're still playing and having lots of fun.  Don't come home yet....pllllleeeease!"  Ok!  We enjoyed a Chipolte lunch, talking, laughing, shopping, and a coffee to wrap it up!  Thanks, girls, let's do it again soon...the kiddos want to hang out some more!

Lunch, games, movies, rollerblading, and riding the scooter..."It was just like a roller rink, Mom!  We played Christmas music!  Did you see that we ate up the pizza and chips and almost all the brownies?  It was so fun!  And we didn't break anything!"

Sunday morning...our first "measurable" snowfall...that melted by the afternoon.  It is always fun to pull back the curtains and see that "unexpected" first snow in the morning!  Teddy is aching to have "lots more for sledding on the hill!"

Monday was spent climbing around the storage unit, moving countless boxes, and bringing Christmas to our house.  The van was LOADED.  I made sure to grab the shovel and broom too!  I was glad I had already gone grocery shopping...see the water jug and dog food...because it looked like I was a hoarder lady who lived out of her van.  I had to laugh when I saw what it looked like...I think I may have been able to embarrass Ted with this look!  No worries...I came home and washed my dusty, cobweby sweatshirt,  unloaded, and cleaned up the van.

We...ok, I...get bored with the same-o-same stuff all the time.  Thank you, Pinterest, for fun recipes and ideas.  Today's after-school snack...a smores mix...to go along with the decorating fun after homework was done.  Dad walked in to Christmas!

Ted and his son found and purchased a new tree on Friday at "the man store".  We left the 9 foot tree behind...which made me sad.  This one is 6.5 feet tall...and prelit!  It really is pretty with all the family memory ornaments on it.  I am still going through the buckets-of-Christmas...deciding what to use and what to leave packed...hmmmmm, I have lots of free time to spread the cheeriness around our little home!!!
Bonus...cheerful little helpers filled with sugar...which makes me want to watch Elf again.
Added bonus...the lighted deer left to us...WORK!  Teddy is super-excited!
Now to get busy again today...

Thankful for time off and time with!

 I am not sure how much lazier our days could be!  Sleeping in and laying around...

                                           Lots of time with cousins, coffee, food, laughter...

 We laughed about how many rolls we had...and they are officially gone as of today!  They made great turkey sandwiches!

 In between bouts of snoozing and commenting on the Lions game...we relaxed!

The Thanksgiving Feast

 Mar was the happy bearer of DD coffees and turkey.  This was before she had trouble pulling it apart.  I admit...I laughed at her as she gagged four different times.  Then, conveniently...she had to go print out rewards for the dress-up and coloring contests.  I was the good "older sister" and finished her job.  You know, laughter is good for the heart...and we did a lot of that this morning!  3 roasters full to the brim with turkey, pans of corn, pans of potatoes, crock pots full of gravy, bowls of rolls, and platters of desserts...oh my!

 Looking at the enormity of this feast...I couldn't even imagine what it was going to be like!  Over 250 places were set...all festive and pretty.  By the time parents and students started filing in...I forgot to even take out my phone to snap a picture.  Pilgrims and indians in all sizes all over the school!

                                              Moms out-did themselves with festive treats!

                                  A special choral reading by Teddy's class from several Psalms.  The older girls were all dressed up and helped serve the meal.  So many hands helping!  The junior high and senior high tore down the tables and chairs so quickly...a flurry of activity and you would have never known so many people had just gathered for a big meal!

 Too funny...both girls trying to stretch out the sore backs after we got everything cleaned up and then re-set up for tonight's Praise and Pie Fellowship. 

Do you think there is any resemblance to the turkey that we use as our doorstop?  It made me laugh when I got home and shut the door to our room.  Poor turkey...funny girls!  It always amazes me how much work goes into something of this magnitude that is all over in about one hour!  These girls have it down to science...the only cause for alarm was over potatoes and only eight cookies were left on the dessert table.  I am curious how many people actually came...'cause it seemed like a thousand!   Good thing Mari brought coffee!

"Mom, I have a question..."

"What is it about the Prayers and Prizes service anyways?" asked Ashlynn.
"Uh...it is a Praise and Pie service.  Pastor explained what was...going to..." I stopped before I came across sarcastic or reprimanding...
"But I wasn't there on Sunday!  I don't know anything about this." she reminded me.
She had a point...for this week.  I guess she missed the talking all the other times too.  It happens to the best of us!  Won't Pastor be surprised to find out that someone was thinking there were prizes expected! Oi! 
I love our children!  They make each day interesting...and bring a smile to our faces as they learn and grow.  Which reminded me of another conversation...
"Can I ask a dumb question?"
There are no dumb questions.  Go ahead and ask.
The question was asked....but I can't remember what it was now.
Teddy interjected, "Well, there are dumb questions and then there are really dumb questions...that was one of them!"

Am I the only one?

We made the menu for Thanksgiving.  We shopped for the items to make the dishes on the menu.  But now...my family also wants to eat meals today, tomorrow, and Friday!  I forget to plan the rest of this week....every. single. year.  Oi!  Happy cooking...and should you need to run to the store...may the lines move quickly!

I absolutely love this tree!

It stands next to the shed and all day long is filled with singing birds!  I hope they stay around for the winter...I am thinking we could put a feeder out and see who exactly is making all the noise.  Teddy thinks we need to put lights on it for Christmas!  It would be grand...but I'm not sure our man power thinks it is a necessary expenditure...of electricity and human energy...it is waaaay taller than the trailer!  I am hoping Teddy will settle for the lighted deer that the previous owner left for us....that is...if they work!

The fog has lifted...

 After much rest, fluids, Nyquil, antibiotics, garlic, and good meals...we are all feeling better.  It is nice to be ready to wake up!

 It is always a plus to have a spoonful or two of sugar to help the medicine go down!  Love all the different candies you can buy this time of year.

In my restful and relaxed state, I kept my hands busy.  I found a different kind of "yarn" and made a new ruffly scarf.  I tried one other type too...I like the look of that one too.

Poor neglected blog

Usually, I find time to blog...this week...not so much.  We have not been feeling all that great around here, and Ted finally went down last night.  He is fighting back fiercely with garlic! Oh yeah! Work garlic...fast!  I am fighting off an infection, but could still sit and talk with my sis!  We both had our pen and paper ready as we talked...turkey.  Teddy came home from school today and went right to bed...surely he is not sick again?!? He even hung a blanket on his window to make it darker.  The girls are tired after raking and being outside for the Serve-a-thon.  Homework was done and showers taken...before supper!  Breakfast was a fight to eat, and there seems to be a disinterest in supper too. 
What is happening????  Maybe the big changes of our move are finally catching up?  The germs are finding us?  The change in schedules wearing us out? 
Who knows...Chevy does!  He is presently standing outside Teddy's door whining.  Something isn't right to him!  It will be dark soon...and then we will all find our pillows and comfy beds.  I think we are all looking forward to that!

First batch of the season...

                                                           and the house smells divine!
'Tis the season for traditions that seem to revolve around food!  It seemed like a good day to start...especially after talking with my sis and my moms!

In honor of our veterans

"Freedom Isn't Free!" was the choir number this morning as we honored those who have served our country.  If I counted correctly, there were around twelve...or was it more...in our service.  This dear man is a WWII veteran who watched the flag being raised on the island of Iwo Jima.  Another man came home from Afghanistan a year ago.  Others serving in every year and conflict between WWII and Afghanistan.
I wanted to know what his thoughts were as he stood looking out over the auditorium as we sang "God Bless America."!  
Ninety years young remembering back to when he enlisted at twenty-two years of age.  I now know a man who took a bullet in head his for my freedom!  We usually don't give much of a thought to Veteran's Day.  The flags make our eyes turn upward.  The patriotic songs cause us to stand a little straighter.  The day off work brings a smile to our face.  The closing of the bank and government offices frustrate us.  The pictures we look at stir our emotions.
And...we go on to the next holiday in November.
Today, we were reminded that what we have now...came at a great price to many!  I am thankful that our children saw and heard from one of the soldiers who gave his time (and almost his life) to defend the freedoms of so many...he didn't know...nor ever will.  Our children are not hearing and seeing enough from those who have served our country.  They don't know why there was war, because our schools have taken the accounts out of the history books.  They have no concept of the price or cost of war.  They don't care and are not grateful...because many of these men and women have died, can't talk about what they endured, or have nobody that will listen...taking time to preserve the memories of our great country.
Today, we listened to a man who knows personally the cost of America's freedom...and he also knows the price Jesus paid on the cross for our freedom from sin!  We have the answer to America's continued freedom.  It is found in the Bible...the sacrifice of God's Son.  John 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Hanging out with the cousins

                                     6 cousins who needed supper...and they had to work for it!

                             2 pieces left...they had to eat what they made...and they enjoyed it!

                    A new game Ted found...and we all laughed and gagged at the choices!

Another favorite from convention

                                         Cousin Bryn and her friend singing 

"Nail It To the Cross...

 find hope and forgiveness..."

Our first Friday at Junior Convention

What a day!  We started early and ended late.  It was truly a blessing to watch and listen!  A neat way to gather for the day...singing.  With each song, everyone seemed to wake up and warm up!

                               Over a hundred kids singing...it does something to your heart!

             Teddy's first event...the shuttle run.  A new experience, but full of fun and learning!

 Next event...illustrated story telling using the Evangecube.  I didn't get a picture of Ashlynn, because she had a meltdown shortly before her performance.  As you can see above, she pulled it together!

 Teddy had to wait a long time to perform...the event before him took a long time!  He was getting aggravated because he wanted to go watch his cousin and friends in other events.  I think, he had worked through the nervousness and just wanted to get it done and move on.  It was the best I have ever heard him do!

 Closing assembly included more singing as we waited for the judges sheets following the two one-act plays.  Uncle Brad and other coaches sang "I've Got Love Like..." with the silly motions to loud cheers from WCS!

 What a fun thing to win second place in the the miscellaneous instrumental category!  I am amazed at how much Ashlynn has progressed in her flute playing!

 Teddy's eyes lit up when his name was called for first place in the storytelling event!  As a parent, it is a blessing to see their hard work and effort rewarded.  All three kiddos have ideas for next year as they walked around looking at projects and watching events.  It will be fun to see their growth over the next months.

 I got to ride with a great chauffeur and his wife!  We talked and laughed to and from convention.  I am grateful for the time shared...any time any where for any reason! 

We loaded and unloaded the bus in the dark!  So thankful for God's protection and provision!

                                                     First place for small ensemble.