Our family

I've been doing a Thankful post daily on Facebook for the entire month of November.  I did it last year too.  It is a good reminder for me that I do have a lot to be grateful for.  I think when times are tough, or when you little ones running around, it is easy to be frustrated at life over silly things.  Sometimes I just need a good dose of taking a step back and looking at the big picture.  I am very blessed.

I am grateful for many things.  The Hubster has a good job.  He works long and hard hours but it affords us the luxury of letting me stay at home and be with our girls.  We are all healthy.  I cannot explain to you the heartache that hits me when I hear of family or friends that are dealing with health crisis.  My family is all at home, under one roof.  I think this is the first year in a very long time that I do not have a family member serving over seas.  What a huge blessing to have them all here in the States.  But that is also a reminder that there is another family that doesn't get to be together this year.  We have a beautiful home, heat when it is cold, and plenty of food.  My children have more toys than they need.

I am really very grateful for the Hubster.  Things aren't always unicorns and rainbows, but he loves me.  Often times I make him want to bang his head against the wall, I know that, but he sticks around.  He chooses us daily.  He is a supportive husband.  He is a fabulous daddy.  Yesterday, the Hubster cleaned up behind me all day in the kitchen.  I cannot tell you what a gift that was!

So here are a couple of shots from our small Thanksgiving feast at home.  Just the four of us.

Awesome picture opportunity of my beautiful girls!

He loves me.

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving yesterday with their loved ones.  I hope all of you Black Friday crazies stayed safe!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my family, friends, and blog readers!

It is just the four of us this Thanksgiving, and I decided that I wanted to make a super yummy muffin to start our holiday morning.  I've made these several times in the past, and they never disappoint!

Orange-Cranberry Muffins from my fav food blogger, For the Love of Cooking!  Surprised?  Don't be!

They really take very little time to put together.  Whatever you do, don't skip zesting the orange.  It makes a huge difference in the recipe.  Another thing to remember is that you want your orange juice and cranberry mixture to cool down before adding it into the rest of your batter.  If you don't, you will end up with scrambled eggs in your muffins.  Ew.

I do think I will cut the sugar by half or three-quarters next time.  Just a little sweet.  I've never really noticed it before, so maybe my taste buds are just sensitive today!

One of these days I'll remember to take a picture of the final product!  

Oh and whatever you do, don't skip the raw sugar on the top!  It really makes them special!

I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving today.  I have many, many things to be thankful for.  And you, are one of them!

xoxo

Thanksgiving Prep

I have friends that have been prepping for their Thanksgiving feast for days.  It sort of amazes me.  My parents always cooked all day on Turkey Day.  So I guess that is just what I'm used to.

So my Thanksgiving prep?  I have my canned jellied cranberry sauce in the fridge (hey, don't judge).  I have my sparkling cider in the fridge.  And this year I decided to try my friend Kristen's brining recipe for the turkey.  It smelled amazing when it was on the stove.  I have high hopes for the outcome being delicious!

Your home instantly smells like the holidays!

Apple juice (or cider), salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, bay leaves, cloves, and an orange peel.  Throw it in a pot and bring it to a rolling boil.  Let it come to room temp before sticking Tom the Turkey in there, and then cover the rest of Tom with water and refrigerate.

I will be roasting Tom tomorrow.  I cannot wait!

Now I am off to do my last night before prep.  Onion dip.  Yum.