Thankful

I really try to be grateful for this beautiful life every day.  A life filled with love, health, family, shelter. It's a good life.   In fact a pretty great life. Hardship and loss earlier in life always seem to remind me that the little things don't really matter.  All the petty things that can really absorb you, fill you with hate and negativity; most of it isn't worth the energy.  And, although I try to stay focused on the big picture today I thought I'd give thanks for a few of the smaller things (in no particular order)....

*Fresh garden ingredients even at the end of November.  The past few days we made juice with garden beets..greens and all (with apples, carrots, and ginger); stir fry with carrots, radishes, bok choy and cilantro; delicious lunch salads with kale, arugula, spinach, lettuce and tomatoes all from the garden! We also have a pantry stock of butternut squash and sweet potatoes.

*My amazingly husband, who brings us heaping bowls of garden goodies in late November.  The man is seriously dedicated.  He spends late nights and early mornings planning, researching,planting, harvesting, pulling weeds, and squashing bugs by hand so we can enjoy fresh organic fruits and vegetables. 

Kale harvest day back in early September

*A 2 year old that asks for more chia sprinkles, kale in her smoothie, and "totu."  Not only is it so darn cute to hear this little words it also gives me comfort knowing that she is fueling her little body with goodness and nutrients. 

*Coos and babble turning into Mama, Dada, and dog; crawls and cruising soon to be steps all on her own.  My sweet laid back lil babe is growing up and changing so fast. 

 

*Six years of wedded bliss. Our anniversary was just last weekend.  It is truly a honor to spend everyday with your best friend.

November 22

Tomorrow is a big day in these parts.  Of course we'll be giving thanks and stuffing our bellies at Thanksgiving dinner with the rest of America, but in addition Jim and I will be celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary AND it happens to be Miss Riesling 9 month birthday. 

As far as our anniversary, no cards or gifts have been agreed upon.  Just endless amounts of love, gratitude, and respect (Aawww).  Our first anniversary we took a weekend trip to NYC knowing it wouldn't be a yearly thing.  I'm happy to do something small and meaningful each year (and maybe hit up Hawaii on one of the big ones!) We are planning a family hike and picnic at the park surrounding the restaurant where we were married later in the weekend, weather permitting. Past anniversaries:

One year

Two years

Three years

Riesling is so close to walking.  She even took 2 steps by herself yesterday before tumbling forward on her knees.  Although I doubt it will happen, a 9 month birthday does sound like the perfect time to become a biped. She's become more and more kid & less and less baby.  There is so much I love about each new stage and she keeps me too busy to miss any of the stuff that is already part of her little past. 

 Just lounging with a little after dinner drink

Pumpkin Dessert

If you're looking for a new dessert to add to your Thanksgiving celebration, this is it! It's easy to make and oh so delicious.

Pumpkin Cake Dessert

1 box yellow cake mix
1 16 oz can pumpkin
1 12oz can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 C. sugar
4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C. chopped pecans
1 C. melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 9x13 cake pan.
Mix pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Pour into prepared pan.
Sprinkle dry cake mix over .
Top with pecans.
Drizzle evenly with melted butter.
Bake for 50-55 minutes.

**I've tried making a gluten free variation using boxed gluten free cake mix and it didn't really turn out right. I think it might be because the gluten free mixes are generally made for smaller pans. Regardless it wasn't an easy substitution and still requires some experimenting***

Thanksgiving Prep

I can't believe it's Thanksgiving this week! A lot of times we travel to Ohio for a long weekend but this year we're staying close to home and having dinner with my in-laws, where half of the group will be vegetarian. My mother-in-law just can't grasp the whole idea of cooking without meat or meat related products (chicken broth, etc) so I volunteered to bring a vegetarian main dish as well as vegetarian stuffing. After some internet searching I decided on this squash dish. I think it looks AMAZING and hoping it turns out. I've never really worked with phyllo dough so it could be interesting.


After an early dinner we'll head over to Aunt Kathleen's for dessert and extended family time. I'll be bringing along a delicious pumpkin dessert. My sister-in-law makes it ever year for my family and it's always a big hit. I'll have to dig out the recipe and post it this week.

It's also our anniversary this week. It falls on a weekday and we'll both be working until after 8, so we plan to celebrate next weekend with brunch where we got married followed by an afternoon hike, weather permitting. We agreed on no gifts again this year. Of course last year Jim broke the rule so now I don't know which way to go.