memories

Our day... was wonderful! Full of food, lively chatter, and most of all love and thankfulness. Here it is in pictures.

My boys playing around:

The food:

My personal favorite, after the stuffing of course, is an old family tradition of creamed onions!

Here is the pot of homemade noodles-simmering in broth, which my 90 year old grandmother still brings each year! My kids go ga-ga over these noodles.

The boys, being troopers, at the "kids" table:

The grown-up table:

Family:

The look of a job well done...or otherwise called exhaustion!

Hope you all had a wonderful day too.

warm wishes

My wish for you all is a very warm, blessed, and thankful day!

We are over the rivers and through the wood to grandmothers house in just a few minutes. Today is the first holiday spent with my sister and her family back in town in 7 years. I am hoping all goes well. ;)

they're almost gone...

Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.
William Cullen Bryant

Fall Splendor

Our little Japanese Maples which we are nurturing from seedlings. Sam is standing next to them to give an idea of just how small they are.

Our neighbor's lacy Maple which always puts on a great show each Fall.

more about the leaves

What a difference two weeks makes:

October 25th:

November 10th:
(same view)

'nuff said!

(don't forget!)

the beginning of a meaningful list....

I always think of November as the thankful month. Last year I joined the Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah and she is hosting it again. It even has its own beautiful button and if you click on it in my sidebar you will be transported to Leah's blog where you can sign up and join too.

I know in my head that I have so much to be thankful for every month of the year, but my heart gets caught up in life--which we all know has seemed uncertain and a bit scary lately with our economy and upcoming elections--- and this is a good time to slow down (ha!) and make an accounting of all our blessings!

So--I will be adding to the list in my sidebar each day and I challenge everyone else to do so also.

Autumn leaves are falling...

I love Fall.
In fact, I think each year that passes finds me appreciating Fall more than the previous year. I wonder why? I know part of it seems to be that I appreciate the colors of Fall more. The leaves, the blue skies, and the light and shade from the position of the sun in the sky.

I have also found myself feeling quite nostalgic these past few days--especially while I am out driving and just thinking about stuff.

Today I took these shots from around the area. I love them!











Is Fall happening where you live?

Encore performance...

Pumpkin Spice Latte

I posted this recipe last October and I am in the mood for one of these again! So, I am posting it again and plan on brewing myself one of these little lovelies tomorrow after church--to sip while I bring out the fall decorations and decorate the house a little bit. I am ready for fall!!

Original Recipe:

Recipe makes 2 cups

• 1 level tablespoon pumpkin puree
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 tablespoon light brown sugar (packed and leveled)
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups strong coffee (brewed using 2 tbs per 1 cup of water)
• 4 tablespoons Coffeemate liquid creamer (either plain or any flavor)
• 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar

Begin brewing coffee.

In a blender puree the milk, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar and vanilla. Pour into a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the milk is warm and begins to froth slightly. (About 4-5 minutes.) Remove from heat.

For each serving: Pour 1/2 cup of the pumpkin mixture into your coffee mug. Add 2 generous tablespoons of Coffeemate creamer. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, then add 1 cup of brewed coffee. Add sugar. Serve immediately.


My Version: (recipe split in 1/2 would equal these points)


** instead of whole milk, I used 1 % (1 point)

** pumpkin, spices, and coffee are 0 points

** 1 tsp of Splenda's: Brown Sugar Blend (0 points) 1 tsp of this equals same sweetness of regular plain brown sugar.

** Coffee-mate sugar free Hazelnut creamer--(2 tablespoons is 1 point)

** sprinkled some splenda on top instead of sugar

** I did not put any whip cream on top, but I think that stuff in the spray can is not very high in points...I will need to check into that!!


YUM!! (maybe not as rich and creamy as the original but great flavor and since I always order my drinks at Starbucks with lowfat milk, I am used that consistency! As another note, I might add a little extra pumpkin to my next batch.