What a blessing it was this year to have most of our family together for Thanksgiving Dinner at our home. One of my favorite gifts was having Amanda come home from Texas and spend Thanksgiving with us. She is like a daughter to me, and a big sister to the girls {we adore her}. We also had a new addition to our family this year, Max, a 5 month old Morkie {Yorkie and Maltese Mix}. He is so adorable, and has stolen all our hearts {Steve too!}.
Max thoroughly enjoyed all the attention from everyone along with scraps of turkey and bits of dessert dropped on the floor.
My dad was unable to join us this year due to his health. It is getting harder for him to travel each year. Though he still swims every day, and complains that he can only swim 4 lengths of the pool at 89! Oh my stars, I hope I'm alive at 89 and as able as him. I thank God each day for gracing me with one more day. My dad has experienced and lived a full life and I enjoy his stories. In talking to him, it made me reflect on Thanksgiving, and what I am most thankful for in this season. This year, I have to say it is for being a Mother. God graced me with four beautiful daughters, all unique, yet the same, and I am so honored to be their mom. I have learned about unconditional love through them. And thus far, they haven't ask to trade me in, so I must be doing something right {smiles}. I found this poem in my cookbook that I had saved and I would like to share it with you.
Just for this morning, I will let you wake up softly,
all rumpled in your sheets, and I will hold you
until you are ready for the day.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone
and leave this computer off, and sit with you in the
back yard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what
you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess
every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms
and tell you a story about how you were born, and
how much I love you.
It is then that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing...
except one more day.
....Anonymous
I think the words of this poem explains it all. After dinner was served, all the pumpkin pie and cookies eaten. {Note: my cousin Jennie who is an amazing cake artist {you can visit her blog at Jennie Powers Blog } inspired me to make these beautiful sugar cookie pumpkin pie slices. What a great idea for Thanksgiving! Jennie is amazing and very talented at what she does. I love how everyone has that special gift and purpose. And it's so wonderful when it is used! {Thanks Jennie for the inspiration}. Here are some photos of my Pumpkin Pie Sugar Cookies.
The color of the frosting didn't quite come out the color I wanted {used Wilton's Copper} but it was close enough my first time. Next time I'll try and add some brown to it to see if I can get the color closer to that true beautiful deep pumpkin color.
Speaking of gifts, two of my daughters have started playing the piano. Amanda is on the Certificate of Merit program; and Stefani is following in her sister's footsteps. Amanda was gracious enough to play Fireflys and Sailing in the Sun, songs that she is learning for a recital. Stefani played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Wind in the Trees; and Brandi played for fun Old Mac Donald and a duet with Amanda.
It was a amazing to see the ease of their fingers playing on the keys, and listening to the beautiful songs they played.
Lastly, I had hoped to post these thanksgiving cards prior to my leaving for Imperial Beach on vacation. But as life goes, too much to clean, pack and do before we left. And then I arrived in IB and there was no wireless service set up at the condo. {sigh}. This first card was created for in2scraps for our Thanksgiving Sketch. Suzanne and I feel so blessed that people have taken an interest in our work and in helping us to grow our business. What a blessing to have that kind of support and love from all of you! This simple autumn card was made using the Pink Paislee collection "Amber Road." I love their products!
This next card was created for the UDI Sketch of November 21. I really wanted to come up with an idea to make a creative turkey out of the remaining Pumpkin Pie Designer Series Paper {so I can buy new paper LOL!} and also another use for one of my favor dies by Stampin' Up! the "Floral Fusion." Carol, our Team Coordinator, designed another great sketch for us which made it easy for me to create this cute and simple card.
{Celebrate} Turkey Day supplies used: Pumpkin Pie Designer Series Paper; Pumpkin Pie Cardstock; Chocolate Chip Cardstock; Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin Pad; Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon {retired}; Stampin Up! Exclusive Die Floral Fusion; Circle Punches; and White brads.
For more creative and inspirational cards, please visit the following blog Utah Divas International to see the other designers creativity; and also our Team Coordinator, Carol, at Stuff by Carol. You can check the Utah Diva International's blog weekly, there is something to see everyday!
Our holiday lights are up, the red and white flowers are planted, we're back from vacation and it's time for the girls to go back to school...as for me, I better get started on my holiday crafts, decorating, shopping and baking! Thank you for visiting my blog, I'd love to hear about your Thanksgiving day and/or weekend, or whether you liked my cards. {leave me a comment <3}
If you have time, stop by and visit my blog tomorrow, the December Magic frames will be posted {a creative idea by my friend Suzanne Sergi}.
Let the joy of the Christmas season begin,
Jeannette
