Many Blessings …

Look what arrived in my mailbox this week from Jeanne.  Along with card was one of her Cricut cartridges – Mother’s Day – that she told me to use to my heart’s content for as long as I wanted. What a sweet, thoughtful gesture. And use it I will … once life settles down … someday. If you are familiar with Jeanne’s blog you know that she has been using her Cricut to make some awesome cards – like this one, these, and so many more. I really love this pumpkin card – made with the Cricut George cartridge – and am so thrilled to have it. Thank you, Jeanne!

When I count my blessings, the wonderful people I have met through blogging and Close To My Heart’s bulletin board are right up there on my list. One of the things I am anticipating with the new job is more time to blog, post on CTMH’s site, leave comments, and build on these friendships.

Speaking of friendships, Alanna is another special blogging friend, who sent me this gorgeous card a few weeks back. There is nothing like telling someone you love a card and having it show up in your mailbox a few days later. And it was the perfect pick-me-up that came at a time when I needed a little boost. Thank you, my friend. It meant more than words can say.

Did everyone have a good Thanksgiving? We did even though Mother Nature raised havoc with our plans to travel. Winter has arrived and with it, lots of snow. Combine snow with blow, and you get a blizzard and weather advisories that keep you at home. Before the snow, there was some freezing rain south of here that made the roads slippery, too. As a result, the family Thanksgiving dinner at my sister and brother-in-law’s house was postponed until tomorrow. Yesterday, we had dinner her for Cameron, Sarah, and the boys, and my mom. We had pork loin (the “other white meat”), baked potatoes, corn, mixed vegetables, coleslaw, and a yummy pumpkin dessert. Not traditional but good nonetheless. I had a little “Martha” moment, too, and made some turkey treats – an idea from Our Best Bites. As you can see, my turkeys – off center tail feathers and all – didn’t look quite as good as the ones on the website. Nevertheless, my guests liked them, and they made great bribes with regard to getting the little boys to eat their dinner. “No turkey until you’ve finished your meal!”

Cameron and Sarah worked today, so Bjorn and Mathias stayed last night and spent the day with us. After work, Cam, Sarah, the boys, and Grandpa went to a motel that is down the street from us for a swim. The owners are friends and have told us repeatedly to use the pool whenever we want – “Our pool is your pool.” Today, we finally took them up on their offer. I’m told the kids had a blast, and even though it would have been fun to see it, I’m not sorry that I stayed home and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Two days of non-stop activity, and this Grandma is ready to relax.

Dustin and Miranda visited today. The crib ensemble that they’d picked out and we purchased for them arrived earlier in the week. Isn’t Abby’s Farm cute? They are going to get the nursery painted (a coordinating soft pink) and then Dustin and I are going to do some coordinating mural painting – the tree, owl, and bird for sure and more if there is room. I tried to convince Mommy that once the design is on the wall, it’s as easy as coloring in a coloring book, but I don’t think she believed me. Dusty is all about it, however. I’ll do the drawing. He can do the painting. It will be fun. Photos to come.

As for the first part of the week, Bjorn and Mathias had programs (still called “informances”) at school Tuesday, so I took the afternoon off. When I was at work, I was busy. In December, things should slow down. That will be good, as I would like to have everything in order for my successor. I haven’t had a chance to stamp since Sunday, which has been a bit of a bummer. I am hoping that I will get a chance to be at least a little creative once we get back from Fertile tomorrow.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank you for your friendship and support. It warms my heart. I’ll be back as soon.