A Layout!

Actually have the Thanksgiving layout complete from this year! While I applaud myself for getting it done so timely, I also realize how little scrapbooking I've done this year. But that's ok - the scrapbooking police won't be visiting any time soon - I hope!

I finally went to the doctor yesterday for my coughing and such and I have bronchitis, which really comes as no surprise. I left the doctor's office with a fist full of prescriptions and headed straight to the pharmacy. I *love* the cough syrup she gave me because it actually works! However, I woke up about 12:30 last night coughing and since my next dose wasn't due until 2:00 I got up and went into the living room to knit on my sock. I've started the toe shaping, so sock #1 should be completed while watching Lost tonight. Then the true test will come - trying it on to see if the fit is right before casting on the 2nd sock!

Other than that we're plugging along! Keith worked on setting up his building last night and it's looking so cool. Lynne' took the camera out and got pictures for me, then tried to entice Joe inside the building. It took some effort on her part to get the chicken dog in there, but then he strutted like he owned the place. :rolling my eyes at my guard dog:

~ Elizabeth
A friend is a gift whose worth cannot be measured except by the heart.

Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

Here's the recipe for our Saturday dinner, which received three thumbs up!

Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

1 1/2 lbs chicken pieces (boneless, skinless chicken breast cut up)
1 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup lemon-lime soda (7-Up or Sprite)
2 - 3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon hot pepper (or to taste)
Cooked white rice

Place chicken pieces in crockpot. Combine other ingredients and pour over chicken. Cook on low six to eight hours. During the last few minutes of cooking shred chicken with a fork (I didn't do this, but I cut my chicken pieces pretty small). Serve chicken and sauce over rice.

Thanksgiving Pictures

Obligatory Thanksgiving pictures today - click on the pictures if you want to see them bigger.

Lynne', mom and Michelle putting the final touches on the table before we ate.

The entire day went so well and I'm so glad since I was kind of dreading it. There was definitely a huge hole for me where daddy should have been, but it was also so nice to be surrounded by the ones you love and that love you. I am so blessed to have family that I genuinely like to be around.

This was Loni's first Thanksgiving with our family and we just love having her with us as well.

I am also truly blessed to be able to have the four generations of women in our family together another Thanksgiving. Grandma,

mom, myself and Lynne'.

I just had to giggle at mom giving Gary "the look" and was glad we got a picture of it as well.

~ Elizabeth

"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy."

Good Sunday

This morning when I opened the door to go get the paper, this rose petal was sitting on the front porch right in front of the door. Since I didn't know of any rosebushes around here, it was rather puzzling, but I did discover a bush at the side of our house. Now, I feel that any day that starts with the gift of a rose petal can only be a good day!

And of course it was. Keith was in his motorcycle class again today, so Lynne' went to church with me. It was a wonderful service and we are so blessed to have found this church. The opening and closing song today had a "Jewish flavor" according to the pastor and they were awesome! We couldn't help but smile during the last song when amidst the singing and clapping we saw the little girl in front of us dancing while she sang.

After church we went to brunch and had such a nice time together. Food was good and the company was even better. When we got back home Lynne' went out shopping with friends and I went to take a nap. I still haven't gotten over this cough and congestion thing and it's about to drive me crazy!

I realized that I haven't posted a picture of Meeko in quite some time, so here he is. Also an example of me playing with the camera settings as I try to learn to be more creative with what I have!

~ Elizabeth

"Shout to the Lord all the all the Earth let us sing,
Power and majesty praise to the King.
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar, at the sound of Your name."

Post Thanksgiving

Keith is in a motorcycle safety course all day today and tomorrow, so I'm on my own. I'm trying to get a whole lot done today so that tomorrow I can play with all my toys guilt free!

Joe and I started the day off by going to the park at 8:00 this morning. Not surprisingly, there was absolutely nobody else there, so I let him run free. He's been very lethargic lately and even walks around the neighborhood would find him just plodding along. The park always makes him turn into a puppy. He tosses his head, kicks his heels and runs zig zags all around me. We stayed for about 45 minutes until he was totally worn out, then headed home.

I have a new recipe cooking in the crockpot and it smells very good. It's Chicken Teriyaki and I got the recipe somewhere on the internet. Keith is being a good sport about having chinese food for dinner since it's not something he cares for at all.

And I just got back from Sam's where I picked up the pictures from Thanksgiving. Very pleased with them! Earlier I got my crop table cleaned up and organized, so my "reward" will be sitting with the pictures and actually doing some scrapbooking. We also had Michele take some pictures of the "4 Generations" for us - Grandma, Mom, Lynne' and I - and they turned out great. Sometime after Christmas I'm planning on painting the hallway and putting up lots of family pictures and this one will definitely make the cut.

~ Elizabeth

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

This One's For You Bro!!!!