Thanksgiving ~ 1 week away!

Thanksgiving is just a week away!

What does the word Thanksgiving really mean? To some it may mean getting together with friends or family and having a big dinner and watching football games. While that is all good, we must stop and remember the real meaning behind it. We need to give thanks and express our gratitude to God for the gifts he has provided us. He has blessed all of us in countless ways! So let's all take a moment and count our EVERY blessing & give thanks were it's due.

Meet our new dog......

Shorty!!

Isn't she beautiful?!?!? We got her last night from a friend of my mom's. She is so loveable & cuddable!! She has a personality much different than the other dogs. When they bark, she looks at them like they are crazy! I, on the other hand thought that I was crazy for taking her when she kept me up all night. We are use to keeping our dogs in crates at night, so she cried having to be in one, and then at 6:30 am she thought it was time to get up for the day. Um, hello!!! It's not even daylight yet kid, go back to bed!! So that's exactly what we did ~ TOGETHER & on the couch :o). I'm sure that in a few days she will feel right at home and into her new routine.

Oh, & I forgot to mention.... remember our dog Bits? Well, this is her sister :o)

Spagetti Sauce Recipe

Carey's favorite meal is a good plate of spagetti, so for years I have been trying to make the "perfect" spagetti sauce. After trying a little of this one, and a little of that one ~ I think I have finally found the sauce!

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

3/4 pounds hot italian/pork sausage

1 bag of frozen meatballs

1 onion - chopped

2-3 teaspoons garlic - minced (I use the kind in a jar that you keep in the fridge)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon white corn syrup

1 & 1/2 teaspoon oregano (I use the kind in the jar that you keep in the fridge)

1 & 1/2 teaspoon italian seasonings

3/4 - 1 teaspoon crushed red peppers

1 cup red wine

2 (6oz cans) tomato paste

1 (28 oz can) tomato sauce

2 (28oz cans) diced tomatoes

2 (28oz cans) crushed tomatoes

I cook the meat. Then saute the onions, and all seasonings for about 5 minutes. Then I add the red wine and simmer for another 5 minutes. Finally, add all tomato products and let simmer all day. I normally keep this on the stove cooking on low all day long, however I placed it in a crockpot and let it cook all day with the same results.

This makes enough for us to eat one dinner, Carey lunch the next day, as well as a whole nother batch for me to freeze. So my guess would be around 14 or so servings. I use this sauce in my lasagna too and it's excellent.

Our 1st Snowfall of the year!

When the kids woke up and seen that we had 7+ inches of snow they said "Snow Day" & since I wasn't feeling the greatest ~ I agreed! It pretty much snowed all day today & from what I am hearing we were one of the harder hit areas around. I'm guessing that there is at least a foot out there now and we are still under watch until 1am.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - #6

For Today... November 17, 2008


Outside my Window...we woke up to a white winterland. I measured 7" on our patio table & it's still snowing!! (30* outside) ~ update. The news just reported 4-8" inches still to come up to 1am.

I am thinking...that as much as I don't like to drive in the snow, it sure is pretty!!

I am thankful for...the blessings that God has given our family with everything that we need, as I know there are many people out there struggling these days.

From the kitchen...Ethen has Bagel Bites in the oven for his lunch.

I am wearing...Ok, I hate to admit that it's noon & I still have my jammies, robe & slippers on, but I don't feel the greatest.

I am reading...I haven't done much reading lately.

I am hoping...that Elizabeth likes what we got her for her birthday.

I am creating...a BIGGER coupon binder. Yep, the first one is full!!

I am hearing...the news being reported & the sound of Ethen shoveling the front sidewalk.

Around the house... I'm thinking it's going to be a lazy day.

One of my favorite things...Gingerbread men! Aren't they just the cutest!!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Elizabeth has an orthodontist appointment, Karate practice, and of course her big day on Friday!!!

Here is a picture thought worth sharing with you...
This was taken this morning, it's looking out our dining room into the backyard........

Thank you to our hostess Peggy for this daybook. Please take a moment and visit with her at The Simple Woman