Gratitude

This is the time of year when we all reflect upon the things we are most grateful for.  I am so blessed and always try to think of the things I do have instead of dwelling on the things I don't.  There are many obvious things I am grateful for such as family, the gospel, health, a job, prayer, good friends etc., but today I am reflecting on the everyday things that keep me going and make me happy just because.  I could live without most of them (or at least try to) but they do help me to cope with life each day....

 

Diet Pepsi

Southwest Airlines

Target

La Bou

DVR

Whole Wheat Bagels

Chocolate

Blow Dryer

Bottled Water

Sweats

My car

Clean Sheets

Glue Gun

Computer

Cell Phone

Sun Glasses

Sonicare toothbrush

I think that the only reason why
people hold onto memories so tight,
for so long is because memories are
the only things that don't change
even when people do....

More of the grandkids...

This is one spoiled boy!  An Icee and donut for breakfast for Coleman!!

The crazy boys modeling the jammies and beanies I sent them

Dad and Uncle Justin teaching Owen that he really will like football!

Owen after his bath.

P U M P K I N

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I love all things pumpkin... I love to decorate with pumpkins and I love the smell of pumpkins and I love going to pumpkin patches!  It's really funny that I love pumpkin bread and muffins and cookies but I don't love pumpkin pie.  In fact the taste is nauseating to me.  I made some pumpkin bread this weekend and it was really delish.  It is a Weight Watchers recipe, not that I am doing very well on my WW diet these days, but I am trying to find good recipes that are healthier and lower in fat and still taste good.  This recipe for pumpkin bread is a winner in all categories:

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup wheat flour

3/4 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t cloves

1/2 t nutmeg

Combine all dry ingredients and set aside.

3 ripe bananas (mashed)

1/2 cup pumpkin

2 T butter

1/2 c brown sugar

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs, bananas, pumpkin & vanilla.

Beat until thick.  Add flour mixture & blend until combined. 

Pour into loaf pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake at 325 for 60 minutes.

Enjoy every moist bite!!

Here is a recipe that I am going to try this weekend.  Very easy and hopefully tasty too!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Cookies

All you need is three ingredients!

Mix spice cake mix with one can pumpkin

Add chocolate chips (optional)

Bake

350 for 8-9 minutes

Let them cool (if you can) and enjoy the smell of

 fall all over the house!

Name them one by one....

When I think about counting my blessings I think about these four sweet babies first.  I now have a son-in-law, daughter-in-law and four precious grandsons to add to my blessings, but these four came first and they were the beginning of what makes my life so special.

I

I love Thanksgiving and I love counting my blessings and reflecting on the things that make me happy and really matter in life.  There are so many things to be thankful for and I just wanted to share a few of my favorite blessings.  Aren't they the cutest?  Some days I wish I could go back to those days when they were little and they loved me so much and thought I knew everything!