PIE PHOTOS

The pies are baked and look yummy!

Pie # 1 is Mississippi Sweet Potato Pie - my Dad had a lady that he worked with that would bring in "the best sweet potato pie ever!"

That was years ago, but I, his daughter am on a mission to make him the most WONDERFUL, BEST AND YUMMIEST SWEET POTATO PIE ever!

I wonder if this beauty will be the one?

Pie #2  and 3 are Yummy Apple Pie - a requested pie each and every year! My daughter (sis) made these pies and did a wonderful job! Can't wait for a taste!

Happy Thanksgiving

LET THE THANKGIVING HOLIDAY BEGIN!

The kids have 1/2 day of school today, I have a nail appointment and then will pick up a few things from the grocery store. Late this evening . . . Sis and I will be making pies . . . sweet potato and apple . . . totally homemade.

Sis absolutely loves to bake pies . . . she will be working on those along with me.

I am excited to begin our yearly tradition of "The Shelf on The Elf" - we named ours Max. The kids love to see where Max is hiding for the day as he moves around for the kids to find each day. It is such a cute little tradition.

We also try to watch Christms videos beginning at Thanksgiving. Some of our favorites are:

• ELF
• Home Alone
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• The Nativity
• Tangerine Bear
• Charlie Brown
• It's A Wonderful Life
• Miracle on 34th Street
• Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
• Frosty the Snowman
• A Christmas Story
• National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
• Christmas With the Cranks
• Christmas Shoes
• Santa Claus

Friday, we will put up our Christmas Tree. We have several artificial ones . . . Last year we bought one from Frontgate in the animal safari theme and we will put that one up again this year.

Much to do, so I should say Happy Thanksgiving everyone - have a safe and happy holiday.

TO SEND CHRISTMAS CARDS OR NOT

It is that time of year again . . . it is the time to think about whether to send Christmas Cards or not. Is it just me, or do you struggle with this issue each and every year too?

How did the Tradition of sending Christmas Cards begin?

A form of Christmas card began in England first when young boys practiced their writing skills by creating Christmas greetings for their parents, but it is Sir Henry Cole who is credited with creating the first real Christmas card. The first director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum, Sir Henry found himself too busy in the Christmas season of 1843 to compose individual Christmas greetings for his friends.


He commissioned artist John Calcott Horsley for the illustration. The card featured three panels, with the center panel depicting a family enjoying Christmas festivities and the card was inscribed with the message "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."

Apparently, things never change . . . everyone is ALWAYS too busy to do one thing or another.

Generally, I send out Christmas Cards with photos of my kids inside and occassionally have added a Christmas Letter to accompany the card. It takes a bit of time and energy, but I usually feel a huge sense of accomplishment.

There are ways to speed up the task of sending Christmas Cards . . . you can:

1. send them by email
2. print your greeting on the inside to labels and then affix them to the card
3. have the cards and greeting all printed by a printing service - you can even include the photo in the printing
4. write one Christmas letter and add a little clip art to make it your Christmas Greetings and do a mass mailing

So, what about you? Will you be sending Christmas Cards?

Me, still undecided.

SENDING LETTERS TO OUR COMPASSION CHILDREN

We received our packet in the mail yesterday from Compassion. We were so excited to see pictures of the children we sponsored and read about them.

When we chose the children to sponsor, we tried to match the child in El Salvador with our children. We were successful to choose one 16 year old girl and then boys ages 7, 6, 5 and 3.

Today, I read the kids the information of each child that came in the Introducing Your Child pack. The kids were so excited! I then had each child tell me what to write (except for Katelyn - she did her own) to their new friend. The kids were so very excited! After we were finished writing to each child, the boys sat down to color or draw a picture to send to each child.

I was really proud of them and their enthusiasm to reach out to children around the world.

BACK WE WENT . . . TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM

Katelyn had the packing removed from her nose yesterday about 3:45 p.m. We made sure she stayed quiet and rested last evening and today. She said she slept very well as she was very tired.

The day today has been one of sorting and tidying Cody's room. The boys were to get their rooms tidied up as well. While I was in Cody's room, Katelyn yelled up to me . . . her nose was bleeding again. Within five minutes we were out the door and off to the Emergency room again . . . the third time this week.

We arrived at the E.R. and they sent us right into the nurses check in room. Blood pressure, temperature and info was taken once again. More signatures . . . then to the ear nose throat room. The nurse was there immediately and began getting everything out for the doctor. He came in right after the nurse was done. He soaked some cotton with a medicine to both numb Katelyn's nose and to stop the bleeding and then left the room to wait for 15 minutes for the meds to take effect on her nose. The nurse came in to get a blood draw to check Katelyn's Hemoglobin count. The doc came back in to check Katelyn, the bleeding had stopped. He then got his nasal thingy to look up her nostril (the other doc had not done that) and he found the area that had been bleeding. Apparently Katelyn's nostril had gotten very dry - probably the weather changes, the furnace and fireplace contributed along with her allergy medications. The ER doc found the area in her nostril that had been bleeding . . . with the dryness, the nasal area erroded thus causing the bleeding. He immediately cauterized the area with two touches of the cauterizing stick - it was a little painful and caused Katelyn to jump. She immediately told him that he found the spot. We sat for a few minutes to make sure the bleeding had stopped and he put some vaseline soaked gauze up Katelyn's nostril to help moisturize it. We sat for about 10 minutes to make sure the bleeding didn't return. Then she was released to go home.

Monday I am to check in with Doc Tosi to let him know what is going on and to see if he wants to see her. No lifting or bending over for another 24 hours. Tomorrow we can remove the vaseline gauze around 3:00 p.m. They also sent more in case she needs it.

Her Hemoglobin count was good - up from Wednesday. The ER guy said she was in great health and her body was doing exactly what it was supposed to.

She is resting tonight and is much more comfortable than the first time from the ER.

Prayerfully, the cauterization has solved this problem.

HOUSEHOLD HELPERS

How do you feel about household helpers? You know those little machines that make our lives a bit easier . . .

For centuries, man has been trying to make chores a bit easier . . .

The ole washboard was finally replaced with the ringer washer and now we have our washers that can wash and dry if you get a combined model. We have washers and dryers that can do just about everything but sort, fold and put away.

The old woodburning stove was used for cooking and heat . . . replaced by ovens, stoves and fireplaces. Now you can buy ranges that turn themselves on and off.

Wooden spoon and bowl are replaced by Kitchenaid appliances.

Washing dishes by hand has been replaced by dishwashers - apparently now days, it is recommended that you don't even scrape and rinse your dishes.

Iceblocks were replaced by big refrigerators with automatic ice and water dispensers.

Grandma's straw broom was replaced by vacuum cleaners.

Modern conveniences are absolutely wonderful! Anything that can make those chores easier and faster to do are A1 in my book!

Today, I received a new maid . . . we gave it the name Walter. Walter is an iRobot Roomba . . . professional series.

Walter was plugged in and charged . . . he is having his first go of our main floor. He definitely has his work cut out for him!

The dogs are not to sure about Walter. Take a look:

Meet Walter . . .

Kamie's ears are in full alert! What in the world is that?

Emma closes her eyes in hopes that it will go away!

Mia isn't quite sure of Walter either . . . she better be careful so Walter doesn't suck her up!

So far, Walter is doing a pretty good job. I will keep you posted on his vacuuming abilities. Gotta love technology!

MY CORN ON THE COB, PILE OF LEAVES, INDIAN AND CODY