Hoping everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving...

So, it's the day after Thanksgiving, and I hope everyone had a fantastic day with family and friends and lots to eat! Now that our bellies are all full, it's time to think about menus for Christmas dinner and wrapping gifts and trimming the tree!
Our Thanksgiving was very nice. We started celebrating Wednesday night with a Thanksgiving meal at our house with Doug's grandmother, who the boys call "GG" Jones. Then, we had planned for brunch Thanksgiving morning at our house with Granddaddy. However, we had to make a slight change in plans for that one. Granddaddy was sick so we delivered his meal to him as a surprise! And then, we finished our day with our annual big Thanksgiving Day dinner at Aunt Bonnie's house with Gommy and family.
This Turkey Day was also a little extra special for our family because it also happened to be Jay's birthday! Happy Birthday to my "baby" brother!!!

I am thankful for....

**photo courtesy of Melissa Tsao, thanks Melissa!**

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I truly hope that each and every one of you has a very special Thanksgiving with your friends and family. I know this one will be extra special for our family this year because it will be Noah's first Thanksgiving! But, really, every year should be special for everyone. It should be a time to reflect on all that we have and all that we are grateful for in life. Along with many other things, this photo shows what I am thankful for and celebrate every day!

Happy Turkey Day!

check this out, part 2!

Ok, you guys know how much I love photography and just treasure my family photos! Well, as I mentioned in the previous post, we had a family photo session with Melissa Tsao again last Friday. And, as I mentioned, I did not feel like my family was at "their best." But, I have to say, Melissa must have magical powers, because she made these photos look like we were at our best! I LOVED the way they turned out! I could not have been happier. If you are interested in a photographer and it is time for a family photo session, I highly recommend her! Check this out! Again, just had to share!

Ok.. the countdown is almost over...

So, recipe countdown #13? Only two more days, then it's Turkey day! Let's do Chocolate Eclair Cake today! This is a recipe from my grandmother who used to live at the beach. She now lives here, to be closer to family, but, when she lived at the beach, we would visit often and she would always cook for us and this was often one of the desserts she made! Enjoy!

Chocolate Eclair Cake

2 pkg instant vanilla pudding
1 box graham crackers
3 cups milk
1 medium cool whip

combine pudding and milk.
beat until thick, fold in cool whip.
in a 9 x 13 dish, layer bottom with graham crackers (whole).
put layer of pudding mix, then another layer crackers and pudding mix, ending with crackers on top.

Cake Frosting

1 (1 oz) pkgs chocolate (premelted)
2 teaspoons white Karo syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons softened margarine
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar

beat all ingredients until smooth
spread over above cake
refrigerate at least 3 to 4 hours

Recipe Countdown.... My FAVORITE recipe!!!

Ok, if anyone out there is keeping score, I missed posting a recipe yesterday! Life just got a little busy. I had challenged myself to share a recipe each day until Thanksgiving, but I failed! Oh well... Thanksgiving will still come and life will still go on!!!
So, since I missed yesterday's posting, I am going to go ahead and share my FAVORITE recipe today. I was going to save it for the very last one. But, many of you might be planning your menus this week for the big Turkey Day. So, you might want to read this one ahead of time. Even though I am sharing my favorite today, I will still try to share 2 or 3 more this week. And, so, without further adieu.... my FAVORITE recipe for the holidays.... Baked Pineapple! This recipe was shared with me by a co-worker about seven years ago. When she described it, I thought "what in the world??" But, then she brought it to our dinner and I tried it and I was hooked! It is, by far, the BEST side dish to serve with ham. So, during the holidays and Easter, if you serve ham, you will want this too. And, it is great with turkey as well! My extended family aways requests that I bring this to our family dinners now! Hope you like it as much as my family. Enjoy!!!

Baked Pineapple

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
20 oz can crushed pineapple with juice
2 sticks melted butter
8 slices of cubed bread

in your 11x 13 casserole dish, mix the eggs and sugar until foamy.
then add pineapple and butter.
stir in the cubed bread (crust on or off, does not matter)
bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes until golden brown.

Enjoy!

A photography post from Cameron

If you have read much on my blog, you are aware of Cameron's love of photography. It really does seem to be a "passion" of his... well, second to Reese Peanut Butter cups! So, this morning our family had a photo session #2 with Melissa Tsao.
The first session was two weeks ago with just Baby Noah. Nice and quiet! I LOVED the photos she took that afternoon, so we decided to try a family session. We ventured off for an early morning shoot at Ayr Mount. Well, I have to say, it did not turn out exactly the way I had envisioned, but, then again, nothing for me ever does!! Poor Melissa, at one point we had Noah upset, Bryson crying because his shoe came off in the wet leaves and Cameron crying because he accidentally threw a pile on wet leaves ON Melissa! I think he was embarrassed. My sweet and sensitive Cameron! Anyway, Melissa definitely had her work cut out for her today since the Bryson and Noah were not "at their best." I will be anxious to see how these photos turned out!
So, these photos are taken by Cameron. He was very intrigued by Melissa and her really super duper cool camera! Cameron walked around trying so hard to take his own photos while she was taking ours and taking a few photos of her photographing. It was really cute. He did a really good job. Here a few of the photos from today through Cameron's eyes!

Oh, Baby Noah!

I just had to post this photo from tonight. It was so random. This was taken in our kitchen tonight after dinner while Noah was against Doug's chest. Noah has not been his normal self today. He seems to not be feeling 1oo%. Hopefully, just a bit of a cold. We had photos taken today (see next post) and he seemed a little "off" all morning. It was kind of pitiful! But, this photo just depicted the day perfectly!
PS, do you love the "superman curl" as much as I do??!!

Countdown Recipe #12

Okay.... recipe #12.. we are really getting close now! This one you may not necessarily need for Thanksgiving Dinner, unless you are not doing the traditional turkey dinner. But, you may need it for another dinner over Thanksgiving weekend! It is a marinade for almost any red meat. It would be most delightful on a flank steak or brisket! Enjoy!

Marinade for Meat

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup vinegar
2 tbsp Wesson oil
2 gloves garlic mashed
2 tbsp Worcheshire

put meat tenderizer on meat
mix ingredients
marinate at least 8 hours
cook as desired

The things we learn at bridal showers.....

Last weekend I went to a bridal shower for a special friend, Sandy Pittmam, a.k.a "Ms. Pittman" to many of us. Sandy is engaged and getting married in December in the Bahamas! A destination wedding, what a brave girl! Anyway, Saturday was her bridal shower at her sister's house. One of the "games" played was to share a tip for relationships and a household tip for Sandy to keep in mind as she embarks upon marriage! She read these aloud to the group. Some (MOST) were very funny! However, Sandy got to one of the household tips and we were all AMAZED! Did you know that there are holes in the sides of the aluminum foil box to punch in to help hold the roll of foil so it does not come out of the box when you pull it??????!!!! Okay, if you already knew that then, please, share the rest of your knowledge! But, I will assume, like most of us at the shower, that you did not! Can you believe that? The simplest little thing and I have never discovered that in my 37 years of life!

So, there's your tip for the day! Now, go ahead and check your aluminum foil box in the kitchen drawer right now! You know you want to!!!

Countdown Recipe #11

So.... just in case your Thanksgiving celebration might be a brunch instead of lunch or dinner, I am sharing an Egg and Sausage Casserole recipe today. This recipe is one from a good friend and co-worker, Gail Parker! She has made this for us around Christmas time to enjoy in the office for many years. It is yummy! Enjoy!

Egg and Sausage Casserole

12 slices Pepperidge Farm bread
1 lb. sausage
1/2 lb grated cheddar cheese
3 cups milk
4 eggs

trim bread and butter on both sides.
saute sausage and drain.
place half of bread in a 3 quart dish and spread with half of sausage and cheese.
combine beaten eggs with milk and pour on top.
add remainder of bread, then cheese and sausage as before.
press top until milk comes through.
refrigerate overnight.
bake one hour at 325 degrees.

Recipe Countdown... we are on #10

Today I am going to share the best baked bean recipe EVER! I mean EVER!!! I know, baked beans... they don't sound very Thanksgiving"y" but they are just too tasty to leave out of the "countdown!" So, a special thanks to a good friend, Lori Connett, who shared this recipe with me last summer at Member Guest in Clinton! Thanks Lori!!!

Baked Beans

1 (31 oz) can pork and beans (pork removed)
1/2 cup ketchup
1 Tbsp mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 cup finely chopped green peppers
1/2 to 1 lb sausage, cooked, drained and crumbled

preheat oven to 350 degrees. in a large casserole dish combine all ingredients and mix well.

bake for one hour.

Enjoy!!!

Happy Birthday to a special friend!

I just want to extend a birthday wish to a friend with a very special birthday tomorrow! We just got back from her girls night out to celebrate! What fun! Dinner was great.. service was lousy.. but dinner and dessert were fantastic.
So, Happy Happy Day to you Carolyn!!!! I wish you the best on your special day!
PS - above photo taken at my baby shower in February!

Countdown recipe #9

So, my blogging is a bit late today. I just got home from a girls night out (see next post!) So, since it is almost midnight, today's recipe will have to be a little short and "sweet." The "sweet" part literally! This recipe is one that Doug shared with me many many years ago. It really does not have a name and it will sound so simple. But, I promise you, it is so good! Kids will absolutely love it! And, really, it is so easy you can make it in about 5 minutes and people will think it took 30 minutes. So, we'll call it "Cookies and Cream!"

Cookies and Cream

one package of Chips Ahoy choco chip cookies (it really does need to be Chips Ahoy brand)
one large tub of Cool Whip
about a 3/4 cup milk

pour your milk into a small shallow bowl. take the Chips Ahoy cookies and dunk them in the milk. they do not have to sit, just lightly "dunk." then layer "dunked" milk cookies in a casserole dish of any size or shape. After you have lined the bottom of the dish, spoon on Cool Whip to cover cookies completely. Then repeat the above steps making layers of cookies and cool whip. then put in the fridge to chill about one hour or so and then serve!
It's that easy! And, it is that good! It's like choco chip cookie pudding, but better! The milk makes the cookies just moist enough to mix in with the Cool Whip.
Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Countdown recipe #8

Oh my.... the countdown is really on! Turkey day is almost here! Today I thought I would share a recipe from a good friend (hello Drew Rockett!) because today happens to be her birthday! Oh, and the recipe is really tasty! It's Poppy Seed Cole Slaw. This may sound a little strange at first, but trust me, it is really good. It is great to have with burgers at a cookout. But you could use it really anytime as a colorful and flavorful side dish.

Poppy Seed Cole Slaw

1 bag (16 ounces) pre-washed tri color cole slaw mix
1 (8.25 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 (8 ounce) pineapple chunks, drained
1/2 cup poppy seed dressing
1/2 cup sour cream

in large mixing bowl combine cole slaw and fruit and set aside.

stir together dressing and sour cream. pour over slaw mix and toss.

serve chilled

Enjoy!

The thankful chain!

Yesterday morning the boys and I had some time together while Doug went out to run a few errands and Noah was napping. I found this craft idea on a blog (or maybe a magazine??) about doing something with your children in preparation for Thanksgiving. I have to say, my boys and I are all about Easter and Halloween and even Christmas, and we have certain "traditions" we do for each of those. But, Thanksgiving, it seems just kind-of comes and goes. There's not really too much we "do" for it together. So, after I saw how cute and easy this idea was, I had to share it with the boys.
We sat down yesterday morning with construction paper and markers. I explained that we were going to make a thankful chain for Thanksgiving. Bryson cannot really write yet, so I asked him to tell me things that he was thankful for. I could tell they have already discussed this in preschool because he did not ask to me explain. And his very first response was "I am thankful for my God giving me my family!" I thought I was going to fall out of my chair hearing something so sweet come out of Bryson (without a bribe!). So, everything he said, I wrote down. Then I asked Cameron the same question and he wrote his down on each strip of construction paper I had already cut out. Then, I asked both of them to tell me what they thought Noah was thankful for. They both immediately said "baby formula!"
We then took each strip of construction paper with the words written on them and curled and stapled them to form a chain (like you used to do in elementary school). It turned out really cute! And I told the boys we could add to it between now and Thanksgiving if they wanted. Now, we just have to decide where to hang it!

Recipe #7

Wow, Turkey day will be here before we know it! And it seems as soon as it is over... Christmas is here! I am getting a little nervous about getting everything done this year with three little ones running around!
Anyway... on to recipe #7. How about another side dish...

Butternut Squash Casserole

1/2 butternut squash (peeled and cut into 1/2 in cubes)
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 lb whole wheat elbows
2 tbs butter
2 tbs flour
1 1/2 cups reduced fat milk
1 3/4 cups low fat white cheddar cheese, shredded

preheat over to 375 degrees. toss squash with oil and salt on a foil lined tray. bake for 20 minutes or until tender and set aside.

cook pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions call for, drain and place in a bowl with squash. meanwhile, melt butter over low heat. whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes.

slowly whisk in milk. bring mixture to a boil, then simmer. cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. add 1 1/2 cups cheese, stir until melted. stir cheese sauce into pasta and squash.

spoon into 6 grease individual ramekins. sprinkle remaining cheese on top. bake 10 minutes. Enjoy!

* I found this recipe in a Parents magazine and thought it sounded so good. I have only made it once and I have to say, I used regular cheddar cheese and it turned out pretty good. It's basically just mac and cheese with squash!

Bryson said...

Ok, for any mom out there that has a 3 or 4 year old right now, you will completely understand this post! Bryson turned four last month and it seems like his birthday gift to us was the word "no." He must say it about 2,008 times each day. But lately, it seems like it has some "attitude" going along with it!
So, Doug is completely fed up with Bryson looking at us when we tell him things and saying the word "no." He is just about to snap! So, at the dinner table the other day Bryson did not want to eat his green beans (again!). He got up from the table and came to me to tell me he did not want to eat them. Doug looked at him and said "Brsyon you will go sit back down and eat your green beans or no dessert" (by the way, this ploy does not work and is not suggested in parenting books!) So, Bryson looked at him and said "no." Doug asked him what he said and Bryson repeated "no!" So, I knew a battle was coming.... Doug responded (calmly) with "Bryson, you better stop with the no's!!!" And, as Bryson walked back to his chair, he stopped, looked at him perplexed, and said "what nose, this nose, Daddy??!!!" and pointed right to his NOSE!

Thanksgiving Countdown Recipe #6

Recipe #6.....hmmm... how about another dessert! I was thinking when I started this that I might do all the side dish items first, the "end" with desserts. But, what fun would that be to "follow the rules" and have desserts last. Let's do more now!
Peanut Butter Pie! I have to tell you that this one of my favorite pie recipes EVER! Anytime I make this I am always asked for the recipe! Although it is a chilled pie, it is still a fantastic year round dessert in my opinion. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Pie

1 9in. graham cracker crust ( I use chocolate graham)
4 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup milk
9 to 11 oz cool whip

cream together cream cheese and peanut butter
add powdered sugar and cream again
add milk slowly, beat well
then fold in cool whip
spread into crust
freeze until stiff.

note: you may want to take this out of the freezer a few minutes before serving to soften it just a bit.

Recipe #5... on the way to Thanksgiving!

Today's recipe is another "childhood" favorite! I would like to share my Grandma Ruth's Baked Apples recipe. I can remember my grandmother making this for almost every family dinner we had for years and years. Actually, anytime I see baked apples it makes me think of her and dinners with her. She always made them because she knew how much I loved them (she would tell me that!) Grandma Ruth does not cook that much anymore, but she has passed down this recipe that I will always treasure.

Grandma's Baked Apples

1 can sliced apples
1/2 cup sugar (brown and white mixed)
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 stick butter
1 tbsp flour

melt the above and then add apples. cook slowly until tender, stirring occasionally.

PS. I have taken this and doubled it and used the mixture to make apple pie and my family loved it!

Check this out!

Ok, I just have to share this! Please go to this link
Enjoy her first post (which is beautiful!), then scroll down to the second post and see if you recognize someone there!
Just had to share!

Thanksgiving Countdown recipe #4

Ok, it has been a miserable day as far as the weather is concerned.... about 48 degrees and constant rain! I mean like "build an ark" kind of rain! We have had constant rain for 48 hours! YUCK! So, today I am going to share a recipe that I think is a nice diversion from the usual Thanksgiving Day side dishes and one that I thought would brighten up the bad weather day - Sunshine Salad! This is a congealed dish that could also be used as a dessert. I have no idea where this recipe came from. But, my mom used to make it all the time when I was younger! I really do love it! And, it makes me think of her!

Sunshine Salad

3 oz lime jello
1 cup boiling water
1 cup carbonated beverage like Sprite or Ginger Ale
1 cup crushed pineapple - drained (but save a little juice!)
1 1/2 bananas, sliced
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp flour
1 beaten egg
1 pkg of Dream Whip - prepared

*mix jello with water and cool
*add beverage, pineapple, bananas, and marshmallows to jello and congeal
*after jello has congealed, combine sugar, egg and pineapple juice (about 1/2 cup or so), flour and cook until thickened and then cool
*spread topping on congealed jello mixture.

Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Countdown Recipe #3

Ok, we are on recipe #3 of the Thanksgiving Day countdown! This recipe is very simple (my favorite kind!) yet, very tasty. It "dresses" up simple broccoli and makes it "appear" fancier than it really is! Try it even if you are not a fan of steamed broccoli. Doug doesn't really care for cooked broccoli, but he likes it this way!
PS - Thanks Julia Hash for this recipe!

Steamed Broccoli with Sesame Sauce

1 bundle fresh broccoli
2 tbsp. veggie oil
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp. sesame seeds
1 tsp sugar

steam broccoli
combine ingredients in pot and bring to boil. Pour over steamed broccoli. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Oh... the wonder of Fall!

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."

~Emily Bronte

Thanksgiving Countdown recipe #2

Okay, today I thought I would share another recipe given to me by a friend. This was served to me and Doug while staying at the home of an old college fraternity brother and his wife years ago. I asked Sharene (the wife!) for the recipe and she said that almost every time she served this dish, someone asked for the recipe! It makes a perfect side dish to Thanksgiving dinner. Enjoy!

Corn Casserole
1 can whole corn, drained
1 can cream corn
1 box Jiffy Corn Bread mix
2 eggs
12 oz sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter

mix, bake on 350 until brown (about 45 minutes)

Thanksgiving...only 15 days away!

So, Thanksgiving is only 15 days away! I am still trying to figure out where October went, and now it is almost time for Turkey Day!
Many of you already know this, but I love to follow other blogs! There is like a whole "blogger" world out there with tons of info and ideas and advice! Anyway, so many of them share recipes and such around the holiday times that I thought it would be fun to do the same thing. So, to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, I have challenged myself to share a new recipe with you each day until Turkey Day arrives! We'll see if I can do it! I may not have the pretty little photos that so many of the other blogs have, but hopefully the recipes I am sharing will be yummy!! Or, in the words of Rachel Ray, "yum-O!"
So, Thanksgiving Day recipe countdown... Recipe #1
To kick it off, let's start with one of my absolute favorites! Pumpkin Bread!
This recipe was actually given to me by my sister-in-law. She brought it to a Thanksgiving Day brunch at our house one year. When she told me what it was I was not too sure at first...pumpkin and bread...hmmmm... but then I tasted it and I was hooked! And she made it with mini chocolate chips - even better! I think I have made this recipe about 62 times for various events since then. And my boys absolutely love it! But, they like it without the chocolate chips. This recipe just seems to be fool proof and always tastes so good! Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Dry ingredients
1 2/3 cup flour
1 ½ cup sugar
¼ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Wet ingredients
2 eggs
1/3 cup melted butter
1/3 cup water
1 cup pumpkin

Optional: mini chocolate chips

Combine dry ingredients
Combine wet ingredients
In a large bowl mix wet and dry ingredients. Add chocolate chips (if desired)
Bake in loaf pan at 350 for one hour and 15 minutes
Enjoy!

Game Day! Go Heels!

family photo op at the Old Well

the little boys...Bryson, his new friend, Jacob Kirby, and Max!

So, Saturday was the big UNC vs. Duke football game. Our family met up with my brother and sister-in-law, Max, Baby Miller, Granddaddy (of course!), and my brother's old college roommate and his 4 year old son. We ventured out to Franklin Street for a little lunch first.. with the rest of Chapel Hill and all surrounding areas! After lunch we wandered through campus with a stop at the old well, and then on to Tarheel Town for all of the boys to run and play!!! Bryson had never met Jay's college roommate's little boy, Jacob, but boy, did they "hit if off!" They "bonded" while we waited for our table at Spanky's and then played together the rest of the afternoon. For a mother, it was quite amazing to watch two 4 year olds who had never met, bond so quickly and have such fun together. Oh... the joys of being a little kid again!
The "big" boys went on to enjoy the game... while the mommies took the little ones home for naps!
Go Heels!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday to Max!

Last weekend (yes, I am a little behind this week!) we celebrated my little nephew, Max's, 2nd birthday. My sister-in-law had a very sweet little family get together to celebrate at their home. It is hard to believe that Max is 2 years old and now he is a big brother(Baby Miller was born October 18th, see previous posts!). Max is in LOVE with Thomas the Train! Did I say in LOVE??!! So, he had a train themed party! Too cute!
Happy 2nd Birthday Max! We love you very much!

Rub a dub dub... one baby in the tub!!!

Noah has been sitting up, without help, now for about a month, so over the weekend we decided to get rid of the baby bath tub and put him right into the big tub! He really liked it! I was not surprised since he loved playing in the ocean the last time we were at the beach. The only problem we have is that he likes to splash - hard! I end up having to wipe down the walls after each bath time with him. And if you are sitting close enough, you get your own shower. It's like being at the Sea World show and Shamu,the whale, splashes the audience!!!

Trick or Treat

Bryson and Avery heading off to trick-or-treat!


and we are off to house #1 of trick-or-treating



Noah and Granddaddy



the neighborhood gang all dressed up!



the jailbirds!



Bryson and Avery... the policeman and "Dorothy!"





getting ready to cook up a little lobster in a pot!!!




Happy Halloween to everyone! I hope that everyone had a spooky-good time last night trick-or-treating! I know my boys thoroughly enjoyed the evening. It was so nice to gather with our neighborhood friends and Gommy (who was dressed as a judge!) and Granddaddy to show off our costumes and play in the front yard before heading out into the neighborhood. This year Cameron was a jailbird, Bryson was the policeman, and Baby Noah was a lobster that I was cooking in the pot (I dressed as a chef to cook up the lobster!) We had a very late night out, but a very "spooky" night! The boys have already started throwing out ideas for next year's costumes!

Updated Baby Miller photos

Oh, Baby Miller... you are just the sweetest little thing! Cameron and I took dinner over to the Upchurch house Thursday night and had a chance to spend a little time with Baby Miller. Here are a few pics from the night. I love the one of the three boys, Cameron, big brother Max, and Baby Miller!