Thankful Thanksgiving!

It was a terrific turkey day yesterday!  We had my parents over and Mom cooked the turkey at her house - made life a little easier for me to get all the sides in my oven.  I prepped and pre-cooked much the day before.  Ah - I am doing this from now on.  So much more relaxing than doing everything on the same day.  I managed to have everything done at the same time so all was piping hot - that makes me happy.  What a feast!  We were all stuffed and now with leftovers I won't be cooking until Monday:)

Much to be thankful for during this time of the year:

My husband who works his butt off at both his job and at our house (he's working through the weekend to make some extra $ and missing out on football and leftovers)

My kids!  What can I say - we are truly blessed and lucky.  E- and M- are awesome in every way.

My parents.  We all are happy to have them near by and enjoy sharing our lives with them.

Family.  In-Laws, Sister, Brother, Sister-In-Law, and niece and nephews.  Even though we don't see much of them we are blessed with wonderful and supportive family.

Friends.  Both near and (mostly) far.  I am happy have made and kept such good friends throughout the years (especially with all our moves).  Keeping up with you all brings me much joy!

My house!  I love this house, this yard, this kitchen!  Most definitely my favorite in all our years.

My marriage -  20 years in January!  How lucky to have a fun, loving, supportive, helpful, good-looking, husband who makes me happy every day:)  

Health.  No medicine, no colds, no sleep problems, no allergies.  A life of moderation and green chiles must be doing something:)

Being a "stay-at-home" mom.  I am very thankful to be able to stay home, teach, love, and enjoy every moment with my children.  Not always an easy task, but definitely something that I cherish and always will!  

Happy Thanksgiving - 

Ann

Re-Cap of the past few weeks!

I absolutely LOVE the sunrises and sunsets out here!  I am sure there is some scientific reason that they become more brilliant in the fall, but I don't know it:)

We are ALL counting the days until Thanksgiving Break and *hoping to take it a day early if kids can finish by Thursday.  It is much needed as we haven't taken a full day off since September 1st.  

Kids and I went to an open casting call a couple weekends ago for the sequel to the "Maze Runner".  Turns out it will be filmed in and around ABQ through January.  No call backs yet, but now we are all in a database for Lionsgate, so you never know... Many movies filmed in this area.

The sandhill cranes are back!  I love these birds and Gifford and I get all excited running out of the house every morning they fly by.  You have to listen to the calls online - very distinct and when you have a hundred or more flying overhead it is quite the sound!

E- tested for her first belt promotion in Hapkido last night!  Pretty exciting - she loves it and is really strong... I wouldn't want to sneak up on her:)

We are heading to the "Hunger Games" premiere tomorrow night - arrrrr.  I really detest packed movie theaters and droves of people and standing in line in the cold, and late movies, BUT the kids love it.  I am doing it for them - what a good mom I am:)  

And last thing - I did it, I let go, I released my keys to my daughter and let her drive by herself last weekend!  Oh the freedom (for her).  Oh the anxiety (for me).  Tell me it gets easier?

Kimchi and Koreans

M- had the opportunity to perform with the Black Belt Demo team today to celebrate and honor Korean War Veterans.  The veterans were presented medals from dignitaries from Korea.  The Veterans Park is gorgeous - I am looking forward to going back and walking around to check out the memorials soon.  

M- learned this form (correo) in 2 weeks which is pretty impressive as the other kids have been doing it 6+ months.  The sound system wasn't great, so apologies for the music.  But the kids did great and the audience loved them - and I figured out how to load a video to my blog!  The quality isn't great (I don't know why!?) and M- is on the far right of the screen.

Here is the opening number.  M- is on the left side back (behind the kid who needs a haircut!)

The event was well run and educational - definitely counted for school today!  Lots of Korean culture!  Korean songs, dress, flags, and food!  We enjoyed a feast including Kimchi after the performance - spicy!  M - (my picky eater) did not want to try it, but his Master told him that as a black belt in a Korean martial art, he would try it.  Maybe he should come to dinner at my house so M- will eat his fruits and veggies!  Ha ha.  FYI - he didn't like it.

I loved the food!  And I loved the opportunity for my son.  He is really awesome at TKD!

Belated Halloween Fun

NMHS Teen Party 

Captain America and Captain Jack Sparrow

Meow!

We celebrated Halloween a day early enjoying a party with our homeschool teen group.  Great group of teens and creative costumes - my favorite being the Morton Salt Girl!

On Halloween, the kids and I volunteered at the food bank.  I've never done this before, but it was quite gratifying and they really do run on volunteer help.  In 3 hours we bagged 7000 pounds of spaghetti squash and labeled about 600 jars of jalapenos! 

Yes - We dressed up a little for the occasion.   We skipped trick-or-treating and enjoyed dinner at a Brazilian Grill (Tucano's).  Far too much food, but always fun!  

Onto November!  E- is doing NaNoWriMo this month.  What is that - National Novel Writing Month!  Basically, you aim to write a novel in the month of November.   I think she's been up past midnight every night since November 1st.  She is determined to get it done this year.  Go E-!

A Famous Daughter and Halloween Bark!

E- was one of the winners for ALA's (American Library Association) teen blogging contest!  See her post here:    http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2014/10/28/write-what-you-want-to-read/

We are excited for her:)

I made the Pioneer Woman's Halloween Bark this a.m. (for the upcoming Homeschool Teen Party).  I love this stuff - super easy, super yummy, super festive!  The quick and easy directions are line a pan with graham crackers (I used a combo of both regular and chocolate), melt either almond or chocolate bark (again I used both), smooth over graham crackers, top with whatever you wish (M&M's, chocolate chips, nuts, pretzels, oreos etc...)  For Christmas, you could do white almond bark and top with peppermint (mmmm...).  If you need better directions go here:

 http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/09/halloween-bark/

Look how pretty!

Happy Halloween (almost)!

Miscellaneous Fall Fun!

It's definitely fall now.  Cottonwoods are changing and you can see the yellow of the aspens up on Sandia.  It's cool and breezy and basically just gorgeous!  I love this time of year and it makes me crave apple cider and all things pumpkin!  I've even heard one or two early sandhill cranes heading this way - can't wait for them to arrive in the next few weeks!  

I made pumpkin ravioli with browned butter, toasted pecans, and sage the other day!  Oh my - go get the ravioli at Trader Joe's now - SO GOOD!

And... I made DONUTS!  My friend Darcy posted a recipe on her blog and I have been wanting to make them for a few weeks.  Finally got around to it this a.m.  They're so pretty!

Somehow, we found time to make a scarecrow and decorate for fall.  We used Bob Villa's site for instructions - pretty easy.  Just stuff some panty hose with newspaper and dress up/decorate your scarecrow.  E- named ours Fiyero (from "Wicked' - of course!).  He's so cute.

I forgot to post photos from Balloon Fiesta.  We skipped it this year, but saw plenty from our house.  This photo shows why driving in ABQ can be hazardous during October.  Seriously, I get so distracted with the balloons - good thing E- was driving this day:)

The wildlife continues to surprise us in our backyard.  We found this cool guy the other day...

Peek-a-Boo - can you find him?

And - look what I won!

 

They pulled my name from the raffle I entered at the Wilderness Celebration.  $140 North Face Shoes!  I was pretty excited:)

This week is much calmer than last - thankfully.  I did calculate the miles driven in 7 days though... 365!  Seems like a lot right?  Good thing I love my minivan!   

Enjoy the season and go make something pumpkinish!

What happened to October?

Here's an inside peek into my life and it's business...  After returning from my relaxing trip to Tucson on the 2nd, I planned, decorated, celebrated E-'s 16th birthday.  Super fun - you all saw the post! Husband left for Boise before the party was over for a week.  E - took and passed  her driving test and got her license!

When hubby returned we quickly celebrated his 45th with some homemade pudding - which was really supposed to be pie, but I didn't have a pie crust and I don't make those 'cause they never turn out!  And, truthfully, it was leftover from the day before - but he didn't know that!

M- had his black belt test the following weekend. I celebrated my 44th on Tuesday by driving the kids to activities after school work until 8:00.  Treated myself to an hour of relaxation with acupuncture (I really recommend acupuncture!).  My husband arranged some illegal wine drinking with a little gourmet picnic and sweet treat to celebrate in the parking lot while the kids were doing classes:)  Shhhh - Don't tell!  You gotta take what you can get:)

E- took the PSAT on Wednesday.  This combined with the driver's license makes me feel like she is growing up and I am getting old.  Of course, the same week a mom friend of mine at the park informed me that she was 32.  Doing quick math in my head I realized not only that she was 12 years younger than me, but that she was 2 years younger than my 'baby" sister! 

Thursday was "get all the appointments done in one day".  Not kidding - we hit the eye doc, orthodontist, and family physician!  All that and I hit the new Goodwill (there is one 3 minutes away!), drove to homeschool p.e. class, and taekwondo.

M- had football this a.m. and after a near fight initiated by his coach after the game decided this was his last one forever.  What the heck guys - this is flag football through the parks and rec department! This photo pretty much describes his state after the game.  Per my wonderful son - "I am not playing with a coach like that, that is not good sportsmanship and that is not what I stand for."  Go M-   I love him and his values!

After that game we headed downtown (via side roads because for some reason they think it is 'ok' to close the freeway on a Saturday in NM?!?!) to the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Wilderness Act.  My husband arranged a forest service booth and scout booth.  The scouts provided education about camping (10 Essentials) and made survival bracelets.  I love watching my boys interact with the public - really sweet:)

We even got to see Smokey Bear!  On a side note - my husband (many years ago) was Smokey in the Brevard, NC Christmas parade!  I really wish I could figure out how to get that photo on here...  

I can't believe there are only 2 weeks left in this month.  Please November - go  s....l......o.....w....

(p.s - E- is away at a confirmation retreat this weekend so no photos of her)