Being Thankful

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DIY Refrigerator Snowman

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!  The fridge was cleaned for the holiday (you can use my how to and cleaning solution here) and ready to be decorated.  Snowmen are a fun decoration for the holiday because they are good through January.  And they are easy to craft with kids and grownups too!  This morning I put up a really quick snowman on the fridge.  He has a hat made from 2 bright greet lunch bags, eyes from a dollar store magnetic Halloween ghost kit, construction paper nose, magnet strips mouth and a twisted sheet of dark green tissue paper for his scarf...oh and some magnetic dots for buttons.   All things I had on hand.

Go ahead and put one up, or better yet, let the kids create him from stuff you have.  Now, show me what you made!

Pork Chops and dressing with Cherry Gravy for 2

Sometimes turkey doesn't have to be the answer to a great Thanksgiving meal, especially if you are cooking for only two.  Hubs and I enjoyed this delicious pork chop meal adapted from a Rachel Ray show that has made it to my tried and true recipe collection.  The meal includes a spicy dressing and a slightly sweet Cherry + wine gravy that really completes the meal.  It was my first experience cooking with wine and now I know why chefs use it so much.

Prepare the fridge for the holiday

Today is a good day to prepare the refrigerator for all the food that will need storage Thursday.  It's cold and rainy outside, so turn on the radio and get started.

Fall leaf cut out cookies

My sweet big girl grand came by for a surprise visit today.  I love when she does that.  I had been sitting here contemplating some fall cookies when she knocked at the door, so we made them together.  There is nothing better than grandkids making cookies with grandma. [satisfied sigh]  She made half the cookies with the smallest (two bite size) cutters.  We ate a couple right off the cookie sheet - who doesn't love a warm cookie?  I put all the small ones she cut out in a Mason jar so she could take them home with her.  I really loved the smile she gave me when I did that. [another satisfied sigh]

Party Appetizers and a Berry Cobbler for my grown up girl.

My daughter is having a big birthday this year.  We celebrated with the family Saturday and it was so much fun.  Her hubs organized it.  It started with appetizers at my house.  The table was decorated brightly…because who really enjoys a “black” party when you are turning… old. Well, I did use  black table cloth because it made an excellent background for the brighter colors and reflective confetti  Ha.  Everything was simple and easy to do.  A vegetable tray for those who watch what they eat and Caramel Apple Fondue with lots of coatings.  I threw in a Rotel Cheese dip too. 

Fall color in my small Texas back yard

The air has cooled with a front and some precious moisture has fallen on my thirsty garden.  While I sit warm and cozy in my den sipping hot tea and gazing out the windows I can’t help but admire the colors and beauty. 

Squash and Bacon side dish for the holiday

The holiday season is here!  Our family will have a fried turkey and most likely a baked one too along with my Grandmother’s cornbread dressing.  Today... I'm sharing this great side dish using Zucchini & Yellow Squash and of course...bacon!