Thankful…

I am indeed thankful for so very much. We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving here in the mountains. I think I have the best family in the world. We cooked a very tasty dinner in a very small kitchen and no one got out of sorts. The turkey didn't get all the way done in the very center, so we ate what was done and it was just fine. The grandkids got to eat outside and they loved it. All in all we had Tawna, Nathan, Faith and Chance, Taya, Kevin, Lauren and Emersyn (the mini family), Jade, Jeff, Jaxon, Ryker and Aden, Gramma and Papa Harmon and of course Grumpy and I. It was one of our smallest groups for a holiday, but it was memorable just the same. I didn't even get a picture taken through the day - shame on me. R.B. and Stacie had Thanksgiving with Stacie's Mom and Summer and Jamie stayed home and hosted Robert this year. They all had commitments that made traveling to us not possible. Papa K. went to celebrate with Tracy and Kevin's family. Bob and Sydney hosted Sydney's family in their new and improved back yard. We really missed those who could not be with us and although I know they can't always come I feel their absence. I hope they know how very much they were missed and that I hope their holiday was good wherever they celebrated.

We said goodbye to most of our men as they left a little while after dinner. They went to hunt elk. I hope they get one or even two if they get a chance. I would love to get some elk meat into the freezer and into the pantry. We should buy stock in the Ball Mason Jar Company. I hope they are having as much fun as we are here at the cabin. Gramma and Papa said goodbye about the time the guys did as they had a drive home to do. Gramma brought us her always good pecan pie, a jello salad that is a tradition at the table and her very good sweet potatoes. Our dinner menu consisted of the usual items……

Turkey and dressing, whipped potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cauliflower and cheese sauce, green beans, candied carrots, corn, and cranberry sauce both whole berry and jellied. Butterflake rolls and butter and the pineapple/cheese jello Gramma made. Earlier in the day we baked Apple, Cherry and Pumpkin Pies and Gramma brought her famous Pecan Pie to add to the decadent desserts. Whipped cream of course for topping them all. No one went hungry.

Taya and Kevin also had to leave a little later on Thanksgiving Day so they could go home and yep, move into a different home. They had an opportunity to move into a house much closer to their preferred school for their kids, so they took it. It will save a lot of dollars in gas as Taya won't be on the road at least and hour and a half every day on the school run. I know moving isn't fun, but once settled in is almost always worth it. They had a lot of fun (I hope) on their stay with us, and I know we enjoyed them. Kevin spent some time hooking up all the audio-visual equipment to get us up and running with music and the various forms of T.V. Now I just have to remember how it all works. Thanks Kevin for the help - expect lots of calls as I try to master the art of making it do what I want it to.

The kids spent part of the day going to Bison Ranch to see what they could see there. They came home and got carrots to go back and feed the horses. They all liked the horses. Later after dinner Aunt Jade got out her Moon Sand and they did whatever you do with Moon Sand outside on the table. It sounded like a grand time for all.

I ended up sick most of the day on Friday, but after sleeping a lot got up in the afternoon and enjoyed a movie day with Tawna and Jade. We watched the series that begins with Love Comes Softly and got the five I have done by bedtime. I guess I'll go buy the sixth one to complete the series next time I am in the bookstore. I don't know how many there are, but enjoyed watching those I had. We took a break after the first 3 and had another Thanksgiving dinner (yay for leftovers) and played some games with the kids. We introduced them to Charades and I so wish I had gotten the camera out for that. It was too funny to watch them try to act out their choices. We went on to letting them show us their best talents. Almost as funny as Charades. Then we went to I Spy and a thing Jade does with her kids at night sometimes. She calls it Hi/Lows. She has each kid tell her their lowest point of the day, and even sometimes discuss what brought that about and then the Highest point of the day and how it made them feel. It was sweet to hear their answers. Then we had family prayer and they went to bed. It was very peaceful and I loved that we could spend that time together. We then finished our movie marathon and went to bed ourselves. I am experiencing an overflow of emotion so am up blogging in the night. There just aren't words to describe how grateful I am for my family.

Tomorrow, or I should say later today we will put Christmas up before returning to the valley for our various commitments. I can hardly wait to see Christmas in each of our homes and enjoy the spirit that brings into our lives. We got Tawna's Christmas done last week as she is hosting her Relief Society's progressive dinner on the 4th. I had to go home after we decorated to find my Christmas music. I am looking forward to the Christmas Fireside that will be broadcast this Sunday. We will do our annual tour of the Mesa, Arizona Temple lights to further feel the spirit of the season. I will also as my gift to my sister Jacque go over and spend some time helping her with her tree. Next will be Gramma H. and possibly Taya if her move goes well. Then there is Summer and Jade to Christmas up. We'll see how their travel time and house plans work out for their Christmas decorations. Stacie has just her tree up sans decorations, but needed a new tree stand so it is the leaning tree right now. I love this season and am looking forward to it this year more than ever.

I really missed my birthday lemon pie this year. I didn't get around to making one, and Stacie was miles away this year. I had an emotional day Wednesday as I thought of all the Thanksgivings past and was overcome by memories of Nana. All the little things she did as she prepared for the celebration. Monday before was usually a cornbread and chili day as she needed cornbread for the dressing. Doing a brine for the turkey so it would be moist and flavorful. Baking those wonderful pies she was such a master of. Setting a beautiful table and getting it all done on time. I even miss that she was sometimes a bit on the grouchy side in later years as all of that prep was so hard on her. She finally started letting us help more as she physically couldn't do it all anymore. She so loved the holiday meals. So did we. Big shoes to fill.

Maybe I can sleep now. Maybe.

The Apple Days

Yes, there were more than one. Apples are by far the stickiest and messiest of all the fruits I have done. Love them, but wow, are they a job to get done. Tawna was the first to start the apple marathon and did not have good luck. This was the third year we have had issues with the jars boiling out and not sealing. Very disappointing after so much work. She stopped after 2 boxes (thank goodness). I went to Shar's the next day and sought the help of their resident canning guru and got her tried and true recipe for pie apples. We gathered up the stuff we would need and went to Taya's house next to see how the new recipe would work. Like night and day. So much better, I actually decided maybe I would do pie apples again this year. I just had to do my little opera voice with a “Ohhhhhhhhh! Yeahhhhhhhh!” It's amazing the things that can make your day.

We spent a day (and part of an evening) at Taya's getting her four boxes done. Tawna had 2 more boxes to do, and Jade had 2 also. We went to Tawna's on Monday and did her's and Jades amid half day school (what's up with that anyway?) and Jade's issues with the apple peeler. It didn't matter what she did, the apples hated her that day and would not behave. Taya was our turbo peeler and I think could set a world record. I should have done a little video, it was pretty funny to watch. Between the four of us, we got them into jars, processed and they all sealed! EVERY ONE OF THEM! Pure bliss.





As I was under strict orders not to take pics of Tawna and Taya, I only have their hands at work. Jade was ready for work, so I could take her pics without to much protest. Silly girls, you always look good. Apples or not. I was going to do my four boxes at the cabin, but as usual my plans went awry. I am loading them in the truck today to take back to the valley for yet another fun day of apples at Taya's again. Thanks girls, I'll bring lunch!

It's Going Too Fast…again!

I cannot even believe that November is half over. I think time is speeding up because the months didn't go this fast when I was a kid. We finally starting our move and it is as much fun as I remember moving to be. We have been fortunate to have lots of help, especially with the big stuff that requires lots of muscle. I am posting a few shots of the big furniture day right before Halloween. We loaded the night before, got up early and drove to the cabin. It was just a bit chilly as the area had just had it's first snow. There was ice on the porch right by the steps up to the deck and that was tricky.

It was great to be able to use R.B.'s nice trailer -




And so it begins…Grumpy with a piece of his desk that goes upstairs of course. Jeff is in the shot below starting in with the first of many boxes.



Before we were done, all the boys wanted to know if I ever considered shopping at IKEA for furniture. They tell me it is much lighter. I apologized profusely for the heavy furniture that did not come from IKEA. They were good sports and Nathan even figured out a way to get Grumpy's desk up the narrow stairs to the Master bedroom. We had a little mutiny over the desk ascending and as I was figuring out where else it could go, Nathan saved the day with his great moving strategy. There was lots of muscle displayed and we were very glad we have such strong and willing boys. They were very sweet to help us get the worst of the stuff moved. I hope they know how much we appreciate their help.

We decided that it was indeed time for breakfast or early lunch when the trailer was empty, so we got ready to get in the trucks and go and were greeted by a very flat tire on my truck.




What would a move be without some surprises, right? The men in our family came to the rescue again and had the flat changed in no time. We went looking for a tire repair shop and then found a great little restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch. Good food and good boys. We love them lots.