Thanksgiving Favorites

I loved Thanksgiving when I was growing up. I loved being with my family, snuggling and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, singing songs, and telling each other what we were thankful for. What I didn't love was the food. I wasn't a fan of the dressing (I thought it was mushy), the sweet potatoes tasted too sweet to me, and I had not learned to like pie.

The first time I hosted Thanksgiving for my family, I decided to look for recipes tjat would be traditional, but that I also might have a chance of liking. I found 2 winners from Cooking Light® that have become favorites for our entire family. Please enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!

Blue Corn Bread Dressing

I usually make the corn bread the day before making the dressing.

Cornbread

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

5 tablespoons butter, softened

5 large eggs

1/2 cup fat-free buttermilk

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup blue cornmeal

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray and dust with 1 tablespoon of flour.

3. Place sugar and butter in a bowl and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended.

4. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

5. Stir in buttermilk.

6. Combine 1 cup flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to buttermilk mixture, stirring until moist.

7. Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 20 minutes or until done. Cool completely and cut into 1-inch cubes.

Dressing

5 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less -sodium chicken broth

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

7 ounces bottled roasted red bell peppers, drained and chopped

8 cups (1-inch) cubed French bread (about 8 ounces)

3/4 cup chopped green onions

1. Bring broth to a boil in a large saucepan; cook until reduced to 5 cups (about 30 minutes).

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup onion; saute 3 minutes. Add corn and bell pepper; saute 3 minutes.

3. Combine onion mixture, corn bread, French bread, and green onions in a large bowl, stirring to combine. Add broth, tossing to coat.

4. Spoon mixture into a 13. 9-inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until set.

Sweet Potato-Bake

The original recipe is actually called "Two-Potato Bake" and calls for both sweet potatos and red potatos. However, I only use sweet potatos. This recipe is best to make the day you serve it.

8 cups thinly sliced peeled sweet potato (about 2 1/2 lbs)

2 tablespoons minced fresh onion

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 cup fat-free milk

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

2 tablespoons grated fresh parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Coat an 11x7-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

3. Place 4 cups sweet potato in dish and sprinkle evenly with onion.

4. Drizzle with 1 1/2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

5. Repeat layers with remaining potato, butter, salt, and pepper.

6. Bring milk to a boil in a small saucepan; pour over mixture.

7. Cover with aluminum foil; cut 8 (a-inch) slits in foil.

8. Bake at 42t degrees for 50 minutes. Unocver and bake 10 minutes.

9. Remove from oven; sprinkle with parsley and cheese. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Aaron James is on the Go!

We're never going to be able to keep up with him now!

Thank You Veterans!

Today Hannah's school had a Veterans Day program. She's been practicing for the past 2 weeks and we've enjoyed singing all of the patriotic songs at home together. Luke, Aaron, and I went to see the program this morning, and it was a wonderful tribute to our veterans. The only problem was that we didn't see Hannah and she didn't see us. Everyone else's kids looked great, though! Here's our proof that we actually were there.

What Am I Working For?

God blessed me early on in my life by giving me the desire to help and serve others. I always knew that whatever career I went into, I wanted it to be one in which I was helping. My parents, and especially my mother, helped me to cultivate that desire.

So I ended up working at M. D. Anderson, fulfilling my heart's desire - helping others who were going through really tough circumstances. However, when I had Hannah, my heart's desire changed somewhat. I still wanted to help others, but I desperately desired to be with her more so I could serve her entirely. Finally, 6 years and 2 children later, I was given my heart's desire to devote the entirety of my days to being a "homemaker." (That sounds so weird and archaic, but that's what I do and I love it!)

Even though God has provided these wonderful opportunities, work is work and not every part of it is really rewarding. Recently in church, Luke learned Colossians 3:17 - "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Actually, he learned the 4-year-old version: "Whatever you do, do your work for the Lord." Our family has taken hold of this verse and made it our own. Its a great verse for Luke to remember when he's coloring, for Hannah to remember when she's doing her homework, and for me to remember when I'm having to do my least favorite chore: laundry! No matter what I am doing - my heart's desire or a task I don't really like that much - I am working for the Lord. God gave me this work, he has answered my heart's desire on more that one occasion, and I am working for Him.

And how can I be successful at this homemaking job? At M. D. Anderson, the administration takes great pains to recognize its employees and acknowledge them for a job well done. Recognition may not be so regular or immediate in the homemaking business. But I recently remembered this quote from Sr. Mary Lauretta - "To be successful the first thing to do is fall in love with your work." I realized that my heart is fickle. I fall in "love" with many things. My desire changes as my life and circumstances change. But to be successful in any of it, I need to keep falling in love with who I'm working for - my Lord, my Jesus. My heart's desire is really to glorify Him. And although I will rejoice in the rewards I am able to experience here on earth - my children's smiles, their right choices, etc., I will also strive to one day receive the greatest reward - to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:23.

A Letter from My Heavenly Daddy

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications © 1999-2011 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

Dad's Poems

On my visit home for my birthday weekend, my Mom showed me a couple of poems she found that my wonderful grandfather, whom I call Dad, wrote in his younger days. Dad's education mostly came from life, not schooling. He only completed the 8th grade and then later received his GED when he was in his sixties. I'm so very proud of my grandfather. I love him dearly. I thought I'd include his poems here to preserve and to share.

O Winter Wind

by Gene Bond

Oh winter wind, where blowest thou?

Wherefore this wild mad gale?

Singing a mournful song in the night

Telling a mournful tale.

Of death, of cold and darkness,

Oh yours is a tale of woe.

As you spread your cold and chilling breath

From the land of the great white snow.

The trees shiver to their bottommost roots -

Their leaves wither and die,

Even the stars in the Heavens,

Grow cold as you pass by.

Oh winter wind blow on and on,

Until your strength is done,

And you'll forget these fearful things

When you meet the warming sun.

Untitled

by Gene Bond

I live in a house by a river,

That is called the River of Life.

And flotsam and jetsam pass me by,

And driftwood of trouble and strife.

There are rocks of temptation to trap you,

And rapids where you may be lost,

But someday I'll gather my burdens

And this river I must cross.

For Someone has promised whosoever----

Will weather these dangers and strife,

They'll live with Him forever,

On the side of Eternal Life.

Thank you, Dad, for your understanding words that continue to inspire faith and hope even as you are on the other side of the river. I love you Dad.

Mountain of Strength

My sweet Aaron turned one yesterday. How God has blessed us with our little Aaron James. He has such a strong, sweet, spirit. His body is small - smaller than most his age, but he lives up to his name; (the Hebrew name, Aaron, means "mountain of strength"). From the beginning, Aaron has been a calm, patient baby. He's been easy to comfort, easy to put down to sleep, and flexible as he is toted to and from his brother and sister's activities.

Like his brother and sister, Aaron is a joy to all those who know him. He is a fun baby, with a happy smile that is always ready to break out.

Hannah and Luke adore him and smother him with kisses and hugs. He loves every minute of it! He finds joy in watching his brother and sister play and always tries to get in on the action himself. He is so loved and gives us so much love in return. I treasure every moment I get to spend with my little Aaron James!

Aaron my angel, my mountain of strength,

You are so precious, so precious to me!