Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

A few years ago a good friend gave me the cutest Blessing Mix just before Thanksgiving. Each year since, we have been giving these blessings to our family and friends. We do it as a FHE and let the kids fill the cellophane bags as we talk about each item…


Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty, a symbol of our nation's abundance.
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.
Candy corn: Sacrifices of the Pilgrims' first winter. Food was so scarce that settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.
Nuts or seeds: Promise of a a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.
Dried fruits: Harvest gifts of our bountiful land.
M&Ms: Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.
Hershey's Kiss: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.

We type up the description above on a cute tag, closing with…

At this time of year as we count our blessings,
we would like you to know that WE COUNT YOU!
Thank you for blessing our lives.

I found a great website here that has a tag ready to be printed. So cute!

Pecan Crusted Pumpkin Pie

I know, YUM! My Mother in-law found the recipe 7 years ago and this has become our traditional and only pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, Christmas and any other excuse we can come up with. For some reason both sides of the family consider it mine and I get to make them every year/time. It is an easy recipe and makes your house smell SO good, how can I complain?? This recipe makes 2 of the best pumpkin pies you will ever eat. After one bit you will not be able to go back to the original, boring, every day pumpkin pie. I do have a confession - the picture isn't mine. The pie never lasts long enough to take a picture...

1 (30 oz.) can Pumpkin Pie Mix
1 (5 oz.) can Evaporated Milk
3 Eggs, lightly beaten
1 C Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 pkg Yellow Cake Mix
1 C Butter, melted & cooled slightly
1 1/2 C chopped Pecans
Carmel Sauce
Whipped Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 (9") pie pans with waxed paper. Mix together the pumpkin, milk and sugar. Beat in eggs, salt and cinnamon. Pour into pans. Sprinkle dry cake mix over the top. Distribute chopped pecans over cake mix and drizzle melted butter over all. Bake 1 hour. Chill for 2 hours on wire rack. Carefully run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen. Invert, remove wax paper. Chill. Cut pie into slices. Top with whipped topping and drizzle with Carmel sauce. Stop drooling and eat!!



Flickr thanks - Racingmix

The Other Boleyn Girl

by Philippa Gregory


I enjoy historical fiction. I like fact mixed in with story. In this case there was a lot of story. I realized I didn’t know much about this period in history, so it encouraged me to do my research. That is always a good thing.

I do have mixed emotions about this book. I felt dirty reading it. It was a lot of “soap opera” that was a bit overwhelming at times. It does contain sexual content, which shouldn’t have, but did throw me off.

I felt like the author did a good job building anticipation, but once we came to the “big finale” it just ended… without much emotion or fanfare.

Overall, I thought it was well written and well researched, I just can’t promise I will read the next book in this series any time soon.