Still Blessed

I was looking for a Thanksgiving picture to post. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday; because there is not the pressure of buying gifts and everything that goes along with that. It is usually a calm day that begins with the smell of the Turkey roasting in the oven. When I was little, my parents would get up so early to begin all of the preparation....it was so nice to wake up to the smells. My parents were usually in a good mood too which always made things better. I would always insist on watching the Macy Thanksgiving Parade. Relatives and friends came over; there was always so many people; it was very informal. My best friend Pati lived a few blocks away and we had a tradition of her joining my family first; we usually ate around 1-2 pm. Then we would walk to her house and help with the preparations for dinner at 6pm. It was always a nice change of pace at her house. It was mainly her immediate family and both grandmas. The table was very formal, with fine china, silver, wine glasses. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that you were guaranteed a seat at the 'big, adult' table and weren't stuck at the kids table in another room! I think that is why to this day, I love fine restaurants and love the formal table. At the end of the day, Pati and I were happily stuffed. We had this tradition all the way through high school.
Once I was married and had children, the venue changed, mainly went to Ken's parents; then as time passed, we lost both of his parents, moved to Arizona and our house became filled with family and friends on Thanksgiving. I didn't always get to watch the parade because of the preparation but it was always on in the background.
The Norman Rockwell picture depicts so much of my memories of the holiday. Some would say the 50's and 60's were unrealistic. Well I miss the simplicity. Yes, there were problems in our society but our values and morals in this country have changed (not for the better) and I will be forever thankful that I lived during that time.
Now things have changed even more, and the big gatherings are sweet memories. But I still love the day, I will still make a Turkey, still have the parade on and enjoy our little gathering....Ken, Jason, Lola and I. There is still so much to be thankful for, I am still very blessed. Hope all of you have a wonderful holiday.

Happy Veteran's Day

I honor all the veterans of our great country, thank you, I have more respect for you than any others in this country. You are awesome....may God bless you.

In war there is no substitute for victory. --General Douglas MacArthur--

From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots. --Thomas Jefferson--

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. --John Stewart Mill--

War is cruelty. There's no use trying to reform it, the crueler it is the sooner it will be over. --William Tecumseh Sherman--

Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don't have that problem. --Ronald Reagan--

A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living. --John F. Kennedy--

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition. – H. M. Forgy, chaplain USS New Orleans Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941

Here’s my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose. – Ronald Reagan

Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong. – Ronald Reagan

A war put off is not a war avoided. – Charlton Heston

Welcome Home!

Welcome Home, meaning we have a new home! We just heard all is a 'go' for closing November 20th. We have been searching for a house for 10+ months. You would think there would be many homes available in this market, but we are really picky and a house has to feel like it's our home....it has to feel like we belong. And we finally found it. It is in Rancho Vistoso in Oro Valley, which we love. It has a huge front yard with trees, a huge front porch (unheard of in Tucson), and a large back yard that has a wash behind it with mountain views. The house is 1600 sq. feet, just right for the two of us. It is 'virgin' meaning no one has messed it up by remodeling. We like to do that ourselves and have a lot of work ahead of us....which we look forward to. Don't know when we will move in, we have to decide how much renovation we want to finish before we move in....but certainly before Christmas!!

We watched Lola for an hour or so after work, so we took her over to the new house. She loved that there was nothing in it and danced and ran through the house. She kept saying, "come on GeeGee, let's go". She has started this thing, when you ask (or tell) her to do something and she doesn't want to, she very politely says, "no thanks"! It's so cute (and manipulative).

Seasonal Soiree

I found this on Martha Stewart's website. It sounds so delicious and fun for fall. Let me know if you try any of the recipes. Also a nice 'touch' is the apple votives~would be a welcoming light at the front door. See 'how to' at the bottom.

Seasonal Soiree
Fall Dinner Party
SERVES 8-10

Beverage
Perfect Storm Cocktail
First Course
Pumpkin-Chestnut Soup
Main Course
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/pork-loin-with-apple-cornbread-stuffing

Sides
Savory Autumn Leaf Pies
Crunchy Green Bean Salad
Dessert
Molasses Spice Cake
Sugared Seckel Pears

A flotilla of apples bobbing in a steel tub evokes memories of childhood and headlong plunges into icy water. But carved into holiday candleholders, these apple votives are a prize for the eyes alone, their flames a promise of warmth.
Tools and Materials
Similar steel tub
Apples
Tea lights
Paring knife
Lemon juice
Apple Votives How-To
Every apple will float differently, so see how they balance in water before marking their topsides with a dot.
1. Place the tea light over the dot, and trace around its circumference with a paring knife, inserting the knife vertically as deep as the tea light is tall.
2. Set aside the light, cut the circle into sections, and scoop them out with a spoon.
3. Squeeze lemon juice onto the cut surface to keep the apple from turning brown, and insert a tea light. Repeat with remaining apples.