Thankful...

For a great Thanksgiving break.

I always look forward to Thanksgiving because of the time we spend with family and friends, the delicious food, and the start of the Christmas season. I am thankful that this year was different than the years past because my little family spent a lot of time together. 

This year we traveled to my parents, usually we host. I love hosting family gatherings but we all know the amount of work before, during and after that it takes. Eric and I find ourselves busy every night, the day before and the day of that our boys spend more time watching tv than time with us. It was great to be a contributor instead of the mastermind. 

My whole family was together this year. My brothers and their families, my parents and us. It has been along time since we have all been able to be together on Thanksgiving. I am thankful that we were able to be together. 

This last day of November finds me grateful and thankful for all of my family and friends, our home, our love, our lives. Today, also finds me hopeful for what is to come as we finish out this year. 

Things that I love...

Trying new recipes.

Stuffed Pepper Soup (picture from www.cookingclassy.com)

This past week I had a bit of a breakdown with our food planning. It happened mid-week when the temperature outside dropped. I was hungry for lunch and when I went to make my regular food I wanted something more. Something hot. Something, like soup. 

We didn't have any cans of soup and when I looked around, I found that we were missing some ingredients for me to put together something quickly. So, I made my regular salad and had a cup of tea. 

Then, when it was time for me to make diner we had nothing planned, nothing was thawed and I still wanted soup. I felt frustrated and overwhelmed by this simple task of eating all because I wanted soup. 

That night I sat down with my phone and spent the next few hours searching Pinterest (another thing I love!) looking for soup ideas that work with paleo, clean, or 21 day fix ways of eating. I tossed out a few dishes that I found and we decided that we would try Stuffed Pepper Soup. 

I made the soup for diner on Friday night. It was prefect and just what I wanted. I thought it was pretty easy and quick to make. It tasted great, it was everything that I want stuffed peppers to taste like but as a soup and pairs perfectly with grilled cheese. Well, that's how I served it to the boys and they loved it.

Stuffed Pepper Soup will now be added to our menu!

Thankful...

For learning new things. 

When I decided to become a group exercise instructor I knew it was going to be hard, it was something that I knew nothing about. Sure, I had been taking classes and making up workouts with my friends and I knew about the 32 count but leading a class was far from something I knew how to do. I decided to try my hand at it because I needed a challenge, I needed to learn something new and I wanted to encourage others with their fitness. 

Each class is an opportunity for me to work on my skills. Some classes flow smoothly and some do not. Each class is a chance to try new things or change up the format. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. Each class is a time for me to connect with others. Sometimes I am comfortable with everyone and others I am insecure. Each class is time for me to learn. I love that! I am grateful for that.

I am thankful that I have found a love for working out. I am thankful that I have found a great place to workout at. I am thankful for the friendships that have developed from working out. I am thankful for the people I work with. I am thankful that I can learn this skill on the job. I am thankful that I believed I could.

Thankful...

For the little moments. 

Emerson found a deck of cards today. When I got home from my group exercise class he greeted me by asking if I would play cards with him. I taught him the game of "War." We played through the deck once before both of us lost interest. 

Playing cards reminds me of my grandmas. One grandma played cards all the time, either solitaire or Old Maid with her grandkids or Rummy with her friends in the afternoons. We all have a story that starts with, "one time when I was playing cards with grandma..." and ends with lots of laughter. My other grandma, I don't remember playing cards, expect when she was over one Christmas morning and we had been given a deck of Uno cards. She was my partner in the game because I ended up with half the deck in my hands and needed more hands. I remember laughing with her and having fun. 

I am thankful for this little moment that Emerson and I had today that brought back sweet memories of two ladies I am beyond grateful for. 

Thankful...

For inspiration. 

My head often spins with ideas of things to make, places to see, posts to write, and pictures to take. Most of these things don't happen because there are not enough hours in a day. I am thankful that the world around me sparks my creativity. 

Thankful...

For color. It's as simple as seeing these orange colored leaves with an electric blue sky. Or a brilliant red Cardinal perched on dull greyish brown branches of a bare tree. Or green, green grass speckled with bright yellow dandelions.

We are surrounded by beauty everyday. 

Thankful...

That I can vote. I am thankful that women before me fought for themselves and for generations to come for the right to vote. I am thankful that there are people whom want to be civic leaders. I am thankful that even though the ballot was small and all races but one were uncontested, I could vote. 

Thankful...

For places like this.

This year we have spent our time going to state parks for camping, hiking and fun. I am thankful that these lands are persevered and cared for. I am thankful that these lands are public lands. I am thankful for nature. I am thankful that we are able to explore and learn from these lands. I am thankful that we have had a year of adventures in these lands. 

Halloween...

Hayride at Spencer Farms pumpkin patch

I love this time of year because everything starts to become cozy. Sweaters, fuzzy slippers, scarves, and blankets. It also means Halloween. There are so many things I love about Halloween but the few things I hate makes this celebrated tradition my least favorite. 

I love the pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, carnivals, and dressing up as superheroes, princesses, cartoon characters, vampires or witches. I hate scary movies and dressing up as creepy, ghoulish, evil characters. Scary movies give me anxiety and most creepy costumes come from those scary movies. I really want Halloween to be G rated!

My most favorite part of the tradition is the candy! I remember as a kid going around town with my mom and brothers getting candy from the people we knew. When we were done we would head to the elementary school gym for the Halloween carnival. Costume contest, games with prizes and candy, and a haunted house. I had so much fun running around playing with friends and staying far, far away from the haunted house. Returning home was always the best part!

My brothers and I would all sit around checking out our loot, trading and comparing, and eating as much candy as we could before falling asleep. 

Costume selections for trick-or-treating.

This year proved to be just like my memories from childhood. Emerson and Rhys love dress up, we have a bin full of costumes and accessories, so picking out a costume wasn't too hard. For weeks, Emerson talked about being Batman or Ironman or Go Go Power Ranger when it came to trick or treat he chose a skeleton costume and black hat. Rhys chose Superman and stuck with it.

Carnival games.

The night before we headed to the park for a carnival. There were games with prizes, hot chocolate and popcorn, story telling, a hayride and dancing. The boys had a blast!

This is our neighbor. She made this stilt spirt costume and calls herself "Creature."

On Halloween we walked around our neighborhood meeting and chatting with everyone while trick-or-treating. I was amazed how much fun we had and how everyone gets into to the festivities. The boys lasted two hours and then we headed home to pass out candy for the last hour. 

When we settled in for the night, we dumped the candy on the coffee table and picked out our favorites and ate candy until the boys fell asleep. We had a very awesome October capped off with an even better Halloween night!

Thankful...

A Sycamore grove in Prophetstown State Park.

For days like today. Days that we all wake up happy and healthy. Days that the sun is shining bright and the sky is a prefect shade of blue. Days that the whether is mild and inviting for us to spend outside. Days that we all get to be together. 

November is the month that reminds us to be thankful. I have decided that I will use this month to reflect and share what I am thankful and grateful for everyday.