Thursday, November 24, 2011

Today I am Thankful

I am thankful for the beauty of the cross and the forgiveness of my sins... for a God who keeps His promises and never ceases to stop loving me for who I am.

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I am thankful for His gorgeous creation...

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I am thankful for the opportunities we've been given to explore this country...

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I've seen firsthand, just how small I really am.

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... and how even the smallest things are sometimes the most beautiful...

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I love the "man-made" structures too.

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I am thankful for my man.

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He's loves the woods... {Although sometimes, during certain "seasons", I'm not so thankful... Anyone else feel my pain? HA!}

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He loves to throw a baseball (when his shoulder isn't in excruciating pain)... and I am thankful for the opportunities his pro "career" has given us.

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and most of all, I am thankful that he loves me.  

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I am thankful for his health... He may be dealing with one annoying shoulder injury but I know it could be much worse. Some people would love to be worried about a tear in their shoulder instead of the disease they're fighting, the paralysis an accident has left them, etc. Every time I want to pout and throw a fit, I am humbly reminded how blessed we actually are.

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I am thankful for two parents that have loved us and loved each other unconditionally. Lord knows, life has not been an easy ride for either of them.

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I am thankful that they are "young and hip" and full of energy... and most of all healthy.

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I am thankful for my sisters.

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I automatically have two best friends... that I will always love, and will always love me {unconditionally}.

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... and life would be so boring without them.

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I am thankful for my feline and canine family members also.

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... and that includes nieces.

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Oh, and it also includes little ones God puts at my doorstep (just days after I lost one little feline family member).

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I am thankful for food in my stomach... both for health and nourishment...

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... and just to simply devour enjoy!

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I am so thankful for friendship.

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Our friends bring one particular verse to my mind...

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"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3  

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Yes, we thank God so much for placing them in our lives. Our lives have been even more "full" because of them.

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And I may not look thankful in the picture below but...   {Give me a break- it was mile 25!}

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I've never been more grateful for two arms, two legs, a heart that pumps oxygen rich blood, and a mind that is determined.

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So yes, today I am thankful.

"Give THANKS to the Lord, for He is good..." Psalm 107:1

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Ridin' through the Country

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Yes, most people consider Fairhope a coastal town...

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... and it surely is.

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But on many of our reeeeally long bike rides, we've realized that this small southern Alabama town has a beautiful rural side too.

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The cotton was in full "bloom" and the pecan trees are bare.

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If you ignore the temperature of the air, you might just believe it is fall around here. Well, I take that back... we have had a few 60-something degree days and my Mom's "white soup", as we call it, has hit the spot.

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Here is the recipe:

5-6 potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 boxes of cooked Uncle Ben's wild rice (fast cooking)
1 package of cubed ham
1 medium sized block of velveeta cheese (cubed)
1 qt half and half
1/2 head steamed broccoli
Chicken broth to the consistency you prefer ( I would buy a few large cans since you boil the potatoes in it)

Boil the potatoes in chicken broth until tender and slightly mash them. Add the cooked rice, crumbled bacon, ham cubes, cubed cheese, broccoli, half and half, and top it off with as much chicken stock as you think it needs.

Can I even express how delicious this soup is? I can try but you will just have to make it yourself. It's rich and creamy and warms you from the inside out. Pleeeease do your family and friends a favor and make this over Thanksgiving! They will be soooo thankful you did ;)

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I hope you are enjoying your fall wherever you are!

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