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.

TGI Tuesday (almost)

OK, so the cartoon made me laugh! In truth, I am on the Conservative side, but I don't consider myself a Republican. I don't know what I am - Independent I guess. I like to pick and choose from all political parties.

I do struggle to separate my moral and religious beliefs from issues facing the world today. I vote based on those beliefs. This election, let's use Prop 8 for example, I keep hearing how it shouldn't be based on moral or religious views, that is being racist. What? That makes no sense to me. I fully believe in marriage being between one man and one woman, how can I then vote against it?

There are so many issues being dealt with this year. It is scary and a bit overwhelming... I AM sick of the elections and can not wait for Tuesday to come!

The Thirteenth Tale

by Diane Setterfield


This novel was a wonderful and unexpected surprise. Secrets, ghosts, and lies! I read this book in a week and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am surprised this is a first novel for Diane Setterfield. The writing was perfect. I loved her style. The story was intriguing and kept me guessing till the every end. I thought I had it figured out several times, but I was wrong! I LOVE THAT!

I won’t give out any other details, it is too much fun to discover it yourself. I do suggest you read it!

Unanswered Prayers

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers...

This will age me, but remember this song? Garth Brooks?


It was huge. I was in high school, senior year to be exact. I remember talking to my good friend about the message in the song. He didn't agree with it. He was sure that Heavenly Father would answer any and all prayers. I knew that sometimes the answer was no, which meant the same as unanswered.

I don't know why I continue to recall this conversation. Maybe it is because in the back of my mind I wanted to believe that Heavenly Father would ALWAYS answer my prayers, the way I wanted Him to.

Over the years He has answered all of my prayers and five times out of ten the answer was no. Then He gave me gifts I never asked for but desperately needed.

As I look back on the blessings thus far in my life, the gifts I have been given and the lessons I have learned, I do know that some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.

The Secret Life of Bees

by Sue Monk Kidd


I really enjoyed this book

My sister-in-law has been telling me to read it for a while, but bees mixed with civil rights didn't tempt me. For some reason I saw it and bought it anyway. Once I saw that the movie was coming out, I had to read it first. I hate when I read a book with the character/actors already in my head, but this time wasn't awful.

I did have to look past the worship of a statue/honey combination. My attention was held the entire book, I thought about advice that had been given through out my day. I liked the characters and the relationships they developed. I thought it was well written. Towards the end it became quite suspenseful but then it was over. I didn't like how it ended. I wasn't ready for it to be done. I still have unanswered questions or maybe just interest in what happens next.

My favorite quote to sum it up would have to be from Lily. "Nobody is perfect. You just have to close your eyes and breathe out and let the puzzle of the human heart be what it is."