In The Spirit of Thanksgiving HodgePodge

1. Let's start with something controversial...dressing or stuffing? What's it called at your house and what's included in your recipe...cornbread? oysters? sausage? chestnuts? I call it dressing, because I don't stuff it in the turkey. I'm a sage sausage and bread kind of dressing maker. It's delicious. The hubs is not a fan of cornbread and neither of us favor oysters.

2. Who do you sometimes compare yourself to? Wow, Joyce. That's a loaded question. I wrote about that very topic at great length last month. You can read all about it here at Comparison is the Thief of Joy.

3. When were you last inside an airport? In April of 2011. I flew from St. Louis, Missouri to Charlotte, North Carolina. Drove from Charlotte to Tampa, Florida. Then flew from Tampa back to St. Louis. It was a crazy week of traveling. I'll be in airports next Friday. Vegas, baby! The Pistol Annies (Miranda Lambert's new group), NFR (National Finals Rodeo), Delmonico (Emeril's restaurant), Mesa Grill (Bobby Flay's place), Spa at Caesar's Palace.....can't wait.

4. What is one side dish that absolutely must be included in a turkey dinner? Mashed potatoes and corn. I'm pretty sure there would be a revolt if these two items were not included on the menu.

5. What Christmas song do you dread hearing? The Barking Jingle Bells. It was kinda cute the first time I heard it, but I'm so over it.

6. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round? I do not like being approached by strangers asking for money. To me, it's just an opportunity for them to take advantage of you and your kindness. I do drop cash in the red pail for the bell ringers. Otherwise, I prefer to give to the charity of my choice.

7. Share a favorite Thanksgiving memory. If you live in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving share a favorite memory associated with food. The last Thanksgiving meal we shared at my grandparents home, when all my aunts, uncles, and cousins were there.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I saw this on my sweet friend Gigi's blog, Afterthoughts, and immediately loved it. The message applies to anyone, regardless of denomination.

Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Blessings to you and your family as you celebrate Thanksgiving. 


Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Shabby Apple Winner!

This morning I found this subject line in my inbox:

You won the Shabby Apple giveaway on The Blog Guidebook!

Followed by:

Congrats, Susan! You won the Shabby Apple Giveaway on The Blog Guidebook. We will be sending your info along to Shabby Apple, and they should be contacting you directly. Please let us know if you have any problems at all. And thanks for being a loyal follower of the Guidebook! Enjoy your dress. :)

~Lyndsay 

www.blogguidebook.com

www.lyndsayjohnson.com

So, I went to the Blog Guidebook blog and saw this:

And, which dress did I win? I'm so glad you asked. I won this dress:

Isn't it gorgeous? And so flattering. Perfect!

If you are not familiar with Shabby Apple, hop on over to their site and take a look around. They carry beautiful dresses, swim wear, active wear.....you will not be disappointed. One of my favorite lines is Tinseltown. Be sure to have a look.

Thank you, Lyndsay, Sarah, and Shabby Apple.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

It's Been a Martha Stewart, Betty Crocker, Rachel Ray Kind of Day!

I knew today was going to be busy. That's probably why I couldn't sleep past 5:30. I actually woke up a little after five. I lifted my head to look at the clock. Made a sound similar to: "UGH!" and plopped my head back down on my pillow. I tossed. I turned. Ugh! There was no point in fighting it any longer. I tossed back the covers and my feet hit the floor. I've been on the run ever since.

After the usual daily routine, I headed out the door to the local farmer's market. Which, by the way, is overflowing with the most delicious produce right now. Green and red bell peppers, zucchini, peaches, potatoes, apples, corn, melons, jalapenos, onions, herbs, and so much more.

My list had many items on it and would require several stops to fulfill. Why? I'm so glad you asked. lol. This weekend's agenda includes zucchini relish, herb vinegars, sun dills, stir fry, pickled jalapenos, and pesto.

The relish, vinegars, and pickles are all on my summer gotta do list. I'm slowly whittling away at it. Last weekend I knocked another item off my gotta do list. I made salsa. TWENTY TWO pints of salsa. WOW! That's a lot of salsa.

There is so much work and time involved in canning. But the payoff is totally worth it. Besides the flavor, I know exactly what is in my food. No additives. No preservatives. It's wonderful. Plus....I love to share. :)

How are you doing on your summer gotta do list? Thanks for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

O Glorious Day!

On my way to work this morning I was greeted by this lovely sight!

Though it may not be this:

At least it's not this!

And very, very soon, it will be this:

Thank you for stopping by and visiting today, This Day!

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 59:16 (NIV) But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Thanksgiving Alphabet

T...Turkeys, tablespreads, being together,
H...Happiness and homes to protect us from all weather,
A...Aunts and uncles, a reunion in Fall,
N...Nieces and nephews, family members all!
K...Kind-hearted kin coming over for dinner,
S...Surely you'll have fun, but you won't get thinner!
G...Gourds and pumpkins, mouths open wide.
I...Indians and Pilgrims we remember with pride.
V...Very special times-there could even be snow.
I...Imagine what it was like at Plymouth long ago.
N...Never forget how the settlers led the way,
G...Giving thanks and blessing this special day.

Author Unknown

~~~~~~~~

T is for turkey on Thanksgiving Day,
H is for "Hurry, I'm hungry!" we say.
A is for Auntie, she works and she mends,
N is for Native American friends.
K is for kitchen, the oven's on low,
S is for silverware, set in a row.
G is for Grandma, the one we love most,
I is for inside, where we're warm as toast.
V is for vegetables, eat them we try,
I is for icecream on top of the pie.
N is for never do we have enough dressing,
G is for Grandpa, who gives thanks for our blessings. 

~~~~~~~~

All in a Word

By Aileen Fisher 

T for time to be together, turkey, talk, and tangy weather.
H for harvest stored away, home, and hearth, and holiday.
A for autumn's frosty art, and abundance in the heart.
N for neighbors, and November, nice things, new things to remember.
K for kitchen, kettles' croon, kith and kin expected soon.
S for sizzles, sights, and sounds, and something special that abounds.
That spells ~~~THANKS---for joy in living and a jolly good Thanksgiving.

~~~~~~~~

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Psalm 95:2 (NIV) Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Strength vs Courage

It takes strength to be firm
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard
It takes strength to conquer.
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide your own pains.
It takes courage to show them.
It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.
--Author Unknown

 

May you take strength in your courage today, This Day! Thanks for stopping by and visiting. 

 

Peace and Joy,

Susan 

Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)  ⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Please show your gratitude today, This Day.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Joel 2:7 (New International Version)⁷ They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line,  not swerving from their course.