Anniversaries

This past week we celebrated two anniversaries here at our house. A & C were here and celebrating their one year anniversary. Hard to believe that it has been a year already!! We had the top of their cake in the freezer and took it out to enjoy after dinner Friday night. The cake was absolutely delicious even after a year in the freezer!!!! (It was one that K had made with a strawberry glaze and cream cheese frosting filling.)



The cake, however, did not survive the thawing out process as well on the dining room table. We came home from our dinner out and this is what we found. Sophie had gone into the dining room (which she NEVER does) and licked this entire section of frosting off of the cake while it was on the table. (Which she has NEVER done). I am honestly still in shock. Usually when she gets mad at us leaving, she shakes rugs and scatters them around. She has taken it to a whole new level....


And there was a witness.... This squirrel came up while we were sitting there and chattered on and on. I really believe the squirrel was trying to tell us that he saw the whole thing!! But with as many squirrels as we have running around, I'm not sure we could find him again if we needed him to testify....












Steve and I also celebrated an anniversary this week. 28 years!! These flowers arrived part way through the day. Steve sent an explanation..

'Do you see the different colors? 28 reds for each year you have made my life complete, 5 whites for the amazing children God has given us, and 1 multicolor rose for little A.'

I told him the probation period is over. I'll keep him!! :)



So much to be thankful for. Even a naughty dog who still has me a bit shell shocked from her cake eating escapade.

A few excerpts from my '1000 gifts' journal...
#38. Inside jokes between friends....
#46. Precious conversations around the table...
#53. Anticipation of vacations - even months in advance...
#60. An owl in flight...

Until Next Time...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 'Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.'

Giving Thanks.....

I recently was given a book that started me on a journey. 'One Thousand Gifts' by Ann Voskamp. It's a challenge to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving. I have started my journal of 1000 'gifts'. It's amazing the change in one's perspective as you look to find things to be thankful for in each and every situation. The good days. The bad days. It's nearly impossible to grumble and complain when one is looking for ways to be thankful. I hope to share glimpses into my journal in the days; weeks and months to come.


Yes.. I'm going to make a concentrated effort to blog more. I can't really explain my absence from the blogging world. Just needed a break, I guess. I'm thankful to back. :)

Life has been marching forward. It is hard to believe that little A is 6 1/2 months old. He is such a happy little guy. I think I could fill my journal with every time he makes me smile!!! He recently took his first plane ride and apparently was a 'rockstar' traveler! He's currently enjoying his first vacation to the ocean. Wish I was on the beach with them!!












K graduated from college a few weeks ago. So proud of her! She is joining the Navigators College Ministry team for the coming year and is excited for what the year holds.











Sophie is almost 3 now and still very much a puppy. Sigh. She still LOVES her toys and will run and get one as soon as you come home just in case you have a need to play.








If you don't want to play, this is what you get.... sad eyes looking at you while she protects those things most precious to her. (Her toys...)









In the knitting world I am working fast and furiously on a baby blanket for my friend's baby who is due any day.... Love this pattern. I'm making it with Blue Sky Worsted Cotton. It is so soft and yummy. I hope it becomes one of baby G's favorites!!














In the food department (because food is one of the things I am VERY thankful for!!!), my focus will be on a good burger! A few weeks ago, a few friends from our small group took a trip up to Gunder Iowa, which is home of the famous Gunderburger. They start with 20 ounces of meat which cooks down to a one pound hamburger. I had mine loaded with ketchup and sauteed onions. Yes, I was in heaven.




I would say that is is impossible to finish one of these, but that would not be true. Steve ate his whole burger as well as all of his hash brown potatoes. And he didn't even seem that miserable. I will say it was a good 24 hours before he was hungry again....













I'm looking forward to grilling some good, but smaller burgers this coming weekend. Our good friend and fellow Gunderburger consumer, shared the following burger recipe that they had made for our small group one night. (They gave me measurements, but said they usually just toss in ingredients and don't measure....Yikes. I could never do that.)




John's Better Burgers









5 pounds lean hamburger
2 eggs
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs
one finely chopped onion
1 tsp garlic powder
2 TBSP Greek seasoning
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's)

Mix all together and form patties.

I did a half batch and made 8 good size burgers (5.7 ounce each) with a tiny burger that I threw on my George Foreman for a quick lunch.


Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. We're looking forward to A and C being with us from Colorado! I'm sure I'll have many things to add to my journal.....

A few excerpts...
# 9. Fresh pineapple that tastes like candy...
#13. My green and white polka dot mug brimming with morning coffee...
#15. Seeing Steve walk out to meet me as I walk Sophie in the back field...
#25. Bags of cakeballs in the freezer ready to be dipped and shared...
#31. Pulling up the blinds to a new day...

Until Next Time....

Psalm 107:22 'And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of his deed in songs of joy.'