BE THANKFUL

Turkeys, ham, cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes, yummy veg's and desserts, desserts and more. How can you not be thankful? I started today baking delicious, healthy oatmeal raisin cookies with pecans. I took a plate to neighbors across the street and they disappeared instantly. I will change up and put chocolate chips instead of raisins next.
Tomorrow I will make more cookies and Wed. will make a cake and pies. Once I start, I tend to go crazy baking and cooking. Guess it comes from feeding those 3 boys of mine and all their friends and my family. I will post a recipe for beef, ham and turkey rollups that are great for appetizers. You can make ahead and it will keep in the frig. for about 2 wks. I will include my DJ's King crunch. I made this a few yrs ago while we were in San Diego and it seemed to be a hit!

I will share my thoughts for all that I am thankful this Thanksgiving.

First and foremost I am so very thankful for life, my amazing 3 sons, grandchildren, other family members, dear friends and my home.
I am so thankful for God's love, mercy and grace that He bestows to me daily.
I am thankful to live in a free land and for our troops who insure this freedom for us. God bless them all and for those who have given their lives.
I am thankful that we didn't have a major hurricane here on the beautiful Ms Gulf Coast.
I am thankful for my extended King family. They are all so very precious to me.
I am thankful that I have eyes to see God's beauty, ears to hear someone's concerns or troubles or beautiful music, legs to keep me moving moving, and hands to do my work.

Last year my son Al and I started the day out by going to fix plates of food for the needy. We will do the same this year and later enjoy a good meal with family.
I hope each of you reading this will have your own list of Thanks and keep those things in your heart each day of your life. When we keep ourselves in a thankful mode.. then we don't allow the ups and downs of life to bring us down. Life is a journey that we share with many along the way. Make it an unforgetable one... be good, do good, enjoy the journey and be thankful! :)

Kumquats anyone?

Ever tasted kumquats? They are delicious.. You eat the whole thing except the seeds. They taste similar to a manderin orange. I planted this tree about 8 years ago and it has produced lots of fruit every year. I was amazed that Katrina didn't wipe it out. It was loaded with fruit at that time and not a single fruit was lost. It is one tough little tree. I just love it and enjoy sharing the fruit with others. I picked a bag full yesterday and there is still more to pick. The fruit ripens right before Thanksgiving each year and I like to stuff some in the turkey before baking, yum!

Next week Taylor Danielle will be out of school so I will be doing the Momma Dottie baking cookies, pies and a cake with my sweet grandaughter. What a treat for me to get grandmother time and maybe I'll be teaching her something good. She has grown up so fast to become a beautiful, smart and talented young lady. For that.. I am thankful :)

Miss Dixie Doodle

Well, this is Miss Dixie Doodle. This is as close as I have for a baby in my life. She is a sweet turtle. Since my son Al saved her from hurricane Gustav, she has become a part of our lives. And as usual.. Mom does her share of taking care of her. This is my 1st experience with a turtle!

Watching her grow and move slow for the most part has taught me to do just that! Slow down and embrace life.. enjoy the sun, look at the flowers. You know we can learn so much from nature and that is right up my alley since I am such a nature lover.

Peaceful fountain and lots of Angel trumpets

This is such a peaceful place to read and soak up some sun and gulf breeze. The date is wrong on the camera.

I just had to show off my Angel trumpet plant. It was so pretty a couple of weeks ago until the recent frost got it. Yes, we have frost here on the Golden Gulf Coast! Lucky for me that the plant comes back in the Spring.