It Was A Thankful Day

Though thanksgiving this year was quiet and we stayed around our home, it still was a great day and one we were thankful that God gave each of us!  

We wrote thankful leaves throughout the week, ate our cereal for our Eve tradition, made a new recipe for pumpkin pie/custard that is beyond delicious and other yummy foods, watched the Macy's Day parade, played and facetimed our family which we miss dearly!  

Katie, Owen and Daddy, I am so thankful for you all and love you each to the moon and back!

~Momma

Our Eve cereals-kix, multigrain o's and 11th street granola in the metal container.  

photo taken and staged by our own Katie Grace Hime  :)

 I LOVE the sun Owen drew around the cloud on this picture!  I think it is the best one he has colored yet!

A First, Piano Recital

Katie Grace, you just had your first piano recital!  What an amazing job you did playing your duet with Ms. Lis.  We are proud of your work to learn this instrument and to persevere even when it has been challenging.  You, Sweetie, love having me practice with you and I have loved (most of the time since you think you know more then me :) practicing with you to help your learn your keys and note counts.Your favorite part of piano so far is making up your own songs.  :)  Maybe someday you will compose a few pieces of music and hopefully far surpass me in my ability!  

We hope you have many recitals and that you learn great things on the piano!  

Keep going Katie!

Cooking with 5 kids

Thanks Burtons for coming over and giving your mom some time to organize!   We had fun making molasses cookies!  Plus your face paint looks fantastic.  :)  

A Few Favorites Right Now

The Green River Ordinance Band-Love the Songs, "Resting Hour" & "Dancing Shoes".

This Cheese from Trader Joe's-deliciously sharp and yet smooth at the same time.

This phone service from Republic Wireless.

If you don't know about them, you SHOULD check them out.  I've been beyond pleased with my monthly service and phone.

For those of you that believe in preventive medicine, add a medical message to your list of must do's.  

I am getting these for my headaches and have been amazed at the benefits. Though a regular spa message is good, a medical message will offer more help and try to get to the base of your struggles.

Seven Generations Medical Message in Cary with Donna has been great for me!

Three of Justin's favorite right now are:
These Lounge pants from Land's End.

And this Cardigan from Brooks Brothers

And this Magazine

Katie's Favorite Activity-

I believe she would sleep in the tire swing at school if she could.  :)

Favorite food?  Salami or Charcuterie Board

Owen's Favorite Activity-

Playing with his cars or outside.

Favorite food? Coconut Milk Greek Style Yogurt

Wordless Wednesday

An Owen quote

Owen was asking if Katie had school today....I said yes, but next week she is off for Thanksgiving.  His response, "Oh yeah, Katie is my home buddy, Katie is my home buddy!"

SO Thankful that they love to play and be together!

Ponderings

The measure of love is how much it gives.

J.I. Packer

Wordless Wednesday

Photos With the Phone

Fall Adventures

Apple Crisp, Apple Pie, Apples with Carmel, Apple Tart, Applesauce, Apple Butter, Apples with Peanut butter, Southern Apples, Apples with Cheese, Apples, Apples, Apples!

I think our trips to Sky Top Orchard are some of our all time favorite adventures.  We've been there for at least six seasons.  Some of which I have been the captain of directions and we had ended up in SC not NC(...just a wee bit lost :). Another trip I forgot to bring cash or a check and Justin kindly drove back down the mt 30 minutes away for an ATM.  Other trips we arrived and it sprinkled on us the whole time.  And many times it has been the perfect weather! BUT each and every time we have picked delicious apples, tasted wonderful donuts or cider, taken a plethora of photos, gotten great exercise walking back up the mt caring many, many pounds of apples and made delightful memories.  

I relax in these types of fields.  I love the sweet smell of the apples with the bees buzzing around the sugars.  I cherish the smiles that grace our kids faces as they bite into the deliciousness that God put into a simple apple.  I love that, my love, searches each branch to find the perfect pink on the apples and that he picks as many as I desire. There is something that puts me in my place here.  

Out here, I know that I am small.  I know that I did nothing to grow these apples, create these mountains or color the sky, yet God allows us to taste and see He is good.  This is a blessing-to rest in His creation and know He is taking care of it all.  He is here.  He is good.  

Life on the Prairie

Inspired by our Katie and her sweet outfit, our Halloween costumes came together at the last moment. Presenting...Pa, Laura, Almanzo and Ma (who is wearing her red checkered apron, long dress and white bonnet behind the camera :). We also had Grandma-dressed in her shawl join us; she is behind me making the smiles big and sweet!