Home Happenings

Greetings from HomeHaven! Hope you had a wonderful Holiday. WONDERFUL.

We didn't celebrate Thanksgiving at home this year. With a torn up Kitchen, it was a sweet blessing to not have to prepare a meal.


I had a GREAT THANKSGIVING with family in Oklahoma. After my sweet hubby downloads or uploads (which ever it is) the pictures, I will post some and away we go. We had the best dinner to celebrate Thanksgiving. While I got to bottle feed the newest little Grandson, my daughter-in-law, Shell prepared a feast! What a deal!!! As I sat there holding the little guy, a fantastic meal was prepared. My daughter pitched in and helped Shell as I got to continue feeding, holding and trying to burp such a sweetie. Shell had an apron on and she said she doesn't wear aprons, but was wearing one just for ME! Now that's sweet. I have a picture to prove it.

Our menu was:
Smoked Turkey
Chicken and Dumplings
Cranberry Sauce
Olives and Sweet Pickles
Dinner Rolls with Butter
Green Bean Casserole
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Dressing
Corn

Desserts:
Doubled Layer Pineapple Cake
Cherry Cheese Cake
Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream
Sweet Potato Pie

Beverages:
Iced Tea
Hot Coffee


The Fellowship and Food was wonderful. Sooooo good!

WE GIRLS ventured out on BLACK FRIDAY and had such fun shopping. Daughter woke me up at 4:40am and we were out the door shortly after 5. Hubby and Tall son remained home to watch over the children. THE MEN would get to go to a movie later in day to witness the end of the world in 2012 and WE GIRLS would go to the Mall with the children.

Back to shopping early in the morning...As we drove past Kmart on our way to Walmart, there was a L O N G line out front of Kmart an hour before they even opened the doors. These brave souls stood in the dark and cold to be the first to enter the store. Some places give out tickets to those up front that are after a huge savings on a TV or other electronic item that the store only has a few of.

Once at Walmart I dropped THE GIRLS off so they could begin shopping while I found a parking place way out in the lot. I have never seen so many shoppers in one place. Certain aisles were so crowded you couldn't move. I needed to find a FIND THE PRICE SCANNER and there was a long line even there, not to mention the Ladies Bathroom (one of the most popular locations for Lady Folk anywhere). Some aisles were a refuge from mankind where NOBODY was looking.

As I made my way down one aisle, THE GIRLS were making their way toward me with their arms full of spoils and greeted my shopping cart which I always enjoy pushing when seeing the sights. I could see all over their faces that they were determined shoppers and serious about pressing in to get what they had set out to get. THEY...WERE ON A MISSION. They emptied their arms and were off again! Isn't it encouraging to see such young women that want to get the best price for the items they need and are willing to shop til they drop???

I have never seen so many people shopping in one place before. Couldn't help but think...look at all these virtuous women (and even some men) shopping to save money for their families! Grins. Walmart had real Police Officers available to keep things orderly. I was blessed to see that basically everyone was civil and courteous.

I was pleased with the buys I made and yes, I would do it again.
I'd walk away with 2 oversized containers of jumbo sized building legos for my Grandma STASH of toys for when the Grandkids come to visit and to use while babysitting. These tubs were priced at $9 a piece so I bought 2 of them. Some PLAY DOUGH which is usually a Hit with the little ones. A can of flavored popcorn which I meant to share with everyone, but it managed to stay in the car til we unloaded at homehaven. These kind of treats make the home more enjoyable. Yes, they do!

It's Spiritual Time when I can buy a couple of books...one by Joyce Meyer and one by Beth Moore. Joyce's is THE SECRET TO TRUE HAPPINESS. I know the secret, but have wanted to read her book and at $4.99 I was HAPPY! Beth's A 40-DAY DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL will be a good read for only $4.99 as well and again I say I was HAPPY!

Also bought a packaged deal on SIMPLY PIANO with a book and DVD by Robyn Payne at $6.99. I have loved to play the piano since I was a young child. I play by ear and hope by the time I'm 60 I will be able to read sheet music, play the piano and speak fluent French! Yes, I still have dreams and desires at 54 that have nothing to do with another soul. Imagine that? Still alive and KICKIN'. That deserves a huge Hallelujah. Though my outside package has mucho challenges, my SPIRIT is alive and well!!! AND I think this is what the LORD wants for HIS CHILDREN. ALIVE AND WELL. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Next, I bought a couple of little books for my girls for a reminder of our day together. Also, a set of 6 INTERNATIONAL demitasse spoons that are dishwasher safe...never needs polishing...they match my formal silverware pretty well. Great buy at $4.99 with a 25 year warranty.

Santa Hats were bought at a local dollar store for a Grand Photo Shoot of the Family. Now this was a riot! It is next to impossible to get 4 little ones to smile at the camera at the same time. It was great fun and I managed to get some cute pics that I'll post soon. Ferrero Collection of fine assorted confections were bought! Uh huh.

On Saturday Morning, we had the fabulous PHOTO SHOOT!!! This was fun. Santa hats on most and smiles on all. Pics to follow.

We'd head home on Saturday to avoid bad weather that was suppose to blow in and hopefully travel with less traffic then stopped off to see my folks and a brother. We ate supper with them and had left over Birthday Cake of my Dad's.

Onward to our Haven to unload, unwind and sleep. Our old stone house had very little heat left on so we'd return to a family room being 56 degrees. That's not too bad with the outside temps being 32.

Praying we don't have to run the radiators yet. Hallelujah.

I am so Thankful that we had a very pleasant trip there and back in great weather, no auto problems, no wrecks. Thankful for Family, Food and Fellowship. Thankful to be able to spend Thanksgiving with Loved Ones. Thankful for health and well being. Thankful to be able to return home and all is well.

God richly Bless you as we enter into the month of December. It's the most wonderful time of the year!

~Deanna still counting her blessings and thinking on the good things of God~