Things to be Grateful For

 This year we put a "grateful" jar on our table. We asked guests to write out a slip of paper for each thing they were grateful for.  After we said grace our granddaughter read each out loud. So many things to be thankful for this year!

The tradition of my husband and our granddaughter building a gingerbread house continues. This year she practically built the house single handedly.

Preparing for Thanksgiving

Brining the turkey. This is something I had never done before, and although everyone raves about how much moister the turkey will be, in all honesty, I couldn't tell much of a difference.

My 97 year old mother peeling apples from a friend's tree for  apple pie and applesauce.

Yummy pies!

Herb rolls, which were a big hit. I found the recipe online and have posted it  here for you to try.

Saturday Sightings

Saturday was an overcast but wonderful autumn day.  My daughter-in-law and I were able to take a  stroll along a nearby creek. While walking I was able to grab a few nice photos that I thought I could share with you here.

For those of you inclined to paint, there may be one or two pictures you'd want to use for inspiration. Feel free and enjoy!

Kane

Kane

5/31/02-11/8/15

We adopted Kane on a sunny day in July of 2002, when he was just 6 weeks old. He was part of our family for more than 13 years. He was my husband's best friend and my favorite cuddle buddy!  He left us yesterday, on a sunny November day. Today is our first day without him, and although he is sorely missed, we know he's running in greener pastures. This poem by Rudyard Kipling says it best. 

A Dog for Jesus

I wish someone had given Jesus a dog.

As loyal and loving as mine.

To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes

And adore Him for being divine.

As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog,

Would have followed Him all through the day.

While He preached to the crowds and made the sick well

And knelt in the garden to pray.

It is sad to remember that Christ went away.

To face death alone and apart.

With no tender dog following close behind,

To comfort its Master's Heart.

And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn,

How happy He would have been,

As His dog kissed His hand and barked it's delight,

For The One who died for all men.

Well, the Lord has a dog now, I just sent Him mine,

The old pal so dear to me.

And I smile through my tears on this first day alone,

Knowing they're in eternity.

Day after day, the whole day through,

Wherever my road inclined,

Four feet said, "Wait, I'm coming with you!"

And trotted along behind.

Rudyard Kipling