I Think I Can...

The Dog was at wits end for a couple of days last week.

Over and over he circled around the cupboard.

 If The Dog could talk, I think he would be saying...

I think I can reach it...

The bread I had drying for our Thanksgiving stuffing.
Was, oh so tempting, to The Dog.

He would jump and jump and jump trying to knock the tray down.

He didn't make it.  Thankfully.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here is the read of the original Thanksgiving story:  Click here first and then come back to read about how Thanksgiving became a National Holiday!. 

Be amazed and be oh so thankful today!  And every day...

Thanksgiving - the Beginning

Click HERE to read about the first Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving Campaign

I'm linking to my post from last year.  There is so much history in the Thanksgiving celebration and much that I was unaware of from my schooling.  Last year I did some research and was astonished at details I found.

Please take some to read through the next few days worth of posts to learn about the real Pilgrims and the choices they made.

Thanksgiving Post !

Wash Your Hands, PLEASE!

Norovirus has gone through Kidlet Three's school this past week. 

Norovirus has also been called "The Cruise Ship Virus".

The virus has made all the passengers and staff on cruise ships sick.

It is highly contagious and spreads like pollen in the wind.

And this week it was introduced to over 1200 sixth through eighth graders and the staff.

How does this virus start?

BY NOT WASHING YOUR HANDS AFTER YOU USE THE BATHROOM!!

Kidlet Three was sick for 2.5 days this past week.

With diabetes, it is more of a struggle for him to recover.

And I'm a little upset. 

Because this all started from someone NOT WASHING THEIR HANDS AFTER THEY USED THE BATHROOM!

I've had this virus.  A couple of years ago a group of us had dinner at a restaurant in our City.  Of the 25 people in our party, as least 10 of us got sick.  Norovirus!

It is a disgusting virus.

So, please..hear me when I beg and plead with you...

WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER YOU USE THE BATHROOM!!!

Thank You!

Apple Crisp - 6 Points Plus

This apple crisp is delicious.  The recipe is from the Weight Watcher web site.  My family didn't know they were eating "points plus" when they snarfed down a healthy dessert!

4 large apple(s), peeled, cored, cut into 1/8-inch slices (6 cups sliced apples)
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup(s) packed light brown sugar, divided
6 tsp Tapioca, or other brand
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, or freshly grated nutmeg (fresh preferred)
1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
4 Tbsp regular butter, melted

Peel apples.

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Place rack in bottom third to middle of oven.

In a large bowl, toss together apple slices, lemon juice, 1/4 cup sugar (I used Splenda), tapioca, cinnamon and nutmeg; let stand for about 30 minutes.

Spoon apple mixture into an ungreased 9-inch square baking dish, or glass or ceramic pie plate; cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.




Meanwhile, to make topping, in a small bowl, combine flour with remaining 1/2 cup of sugar; mix until completely blended. Add melted butter; work in thoroughly with fingertips.

After pie has baked for 30 minutes, remove from oven and discard foil. Sprinkle topping over apples and bake, uncovered, until apples bubble and topping turns golden, about 35 to 45 minutes.


Cool at least 2 hours before serving. Slice into 8 pieces and serve. Yields 1 slice per serving


You will be amazed at how quickly this disappears!

Challenged, Humbled and Changed

During my week there are a few blogs that I read.  A couple of them are linked on the right side of my page.  This week as I have been reading blogs, I've been challenged, humbled and changed.

See, a few of my favorite bloggers are together on a trip in Ecuador for Compassion International.  They are bringing God to children and families in a part of the world that does not have the material blessings that we have.  Most of these families have a hut, clothing, and whatever food they can afford day by day.

As I have been reading the daily updates, memories of my past Bring-God-To-Those-That-Haven't-Heard trips have been rapidly flashing through my mind.  It has been my honor to travel to the Dominican Republic and to inner Mexico several times.  On each trip I have been challenged, humbled and changed.

Here are a few pictures from my last trip to Mexico.  Many of the children have never seen a picture of themselves so we brought Polaroid cameras along so they could have an instant photo of themselves!  Each child was amazed!

Oh how I wanted to hug this boy up with that very sad, long face.  And I so wanted to explain to him what Minnesota hockey was (on his tee shirt).  The clothes these people wear are mostly from "mission barrels".  Clothes that are donated from the United States and sent to the missionaries in the area.  I did end up hugging him and praying, in English, that he would come to know Hope and Love...God!

Our purpose in gathering the children was to present Jesus to them.  Many have not heard the Gospel.  We would present the gospel in songs, skits and then talking through the simple story of Jesus.

And we tied a million balloon animals!  Oh the kids loved those balloons.  In the background, can you see kids coloring on the red tarp?  I was amazed at the fact most children had never colored, had never seen color crayons and they didn't know what to do with them when we handed them out.  Once they started coloring, many wouldn't leave the tarp to move to the next activity we had for them.

Fun tattoos were offered to the kids by our bus driver, Rex.

This little girl caught my eye right away.  I just had to hold her despite the lice jumping from her hair.

On each of my trips I have seen the native people satisfied and happy with their lives.  Of course they all want "more".  Who doesn't.  But these people, in comparison with my own life, have nothing and they are happy  And that is where the challenge, the being humbled and being changed comes in.  During each trip I have learned to truly give God thanks for where He placed me on this earth and for the "things" that I have been given. 

Would you take time to read the blogs from the Ecuador group.  Click HERE to see and read of children waiting for sponsors.  After reading this, I bet you will be challenged, humbled and changed.