Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Gifts #5-11

These are the gifts I'm thankful for today.

#5  listening to my daughter's speech for school - so well-written and smart!

#6  a phone call from my hard-working, newly-married, first-born daughter

#7  the perfect tart, crisp, green apple

#8  a pain-free day (a gift I thought I would never receive again)

#9   the camellias blooming by my front door


#10  a hug from my needs-a-haircut, drives-me-crazy, makes-me-laugh, candy-consuming, almost-taller-than-me teenage boy

#11  a sister-in-law who is also a holistic nutritionist - in spite of the no-sugar, no-gluten, no-dairy diet she has me on right now

What a difference in my day, looking for the gifts, instead of focusing on my needs!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving has passed and Black Friday is upon us.

Yesterday we headed "over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house" for a big turkey dinner.  I mean BIG.

Two turkeys, a ham, two types of potatoes, various vegetables, and a groaning table of desserts.  There was a big crowd this year - 28 for dinner and 32 for dessert.  I am feeling somewhat expanded after a day of feasting.

I love Thanksgiving - the food (of course) and gathering together with family and friends that we see far too infrequently.


Here's Grandma with her first grandchild, our oldest daughter Ashley.  Aren't they cute?

As our kids get older with boyfriends, fiancees, even husbands - it gets harder and harder to get everyone in one place at the same time.  This year we had a big crowd - the more the merrier!  Seems like just yesterday we were chasing these kids around the house, juggling nap times, diapers and bottles.  Here are most of the cousins, with a few friends and in-laws thrown in for good measure.


No matter how old they get, we have a few traditions that must be kept.  They girls insist that Grandma makes her creamed corn (more dessert than vegetable), the football games are playing constantly on the television in the family room, we play a few enthusiastic card games once our turkey coma has worn off and every year, with Natalie supervising, a gingerbread house is created.


The boys are hanging around because the girls told them they could eat all the candy once they were finished.  See that grin on Sam's face - he's just waiting for me to finish taking the darn picture!

I also love the purposeful time of reflecting on what we are grateful for.  It's so easy (for me, at least) to get caught up in the daily stresses of life, that I need the scheduled times where I stop, look around and remember how good I've really got it.

This year, I am thankful for so many things, these are just the highlights.

  • I am thankful that I am not in the malls fighting the Black Friday madness.  I will wait for saner minds to return to the shopping centers before I venture in to do my Christmas shopping.
  • I am thankful for Chris & Kristen and Erick & Mariesa.   They are our incredible youth pastors and youth leaders.   They lead the youth of our church with incredible patience and enthusiasm and have taken our two youngest to their very first youth convention this weekend.  


Here are our sweet girls, excited to get away for the weekend!


This is Erick, our junior high boys leader.  He rocks!

  • I am thankful for health and freedom from pain - I am mindful of this every day.
  • I am so grateful to you, dear reader, for allowing me to share my heart and responding with words of encouragement and support.  I love writing my little heartfelt posts.  They feed my spirit in a way I never imagined.
  • I am thankful for parents who support us in so many ways.  There is nothing my children could inherit that is greater than the godly heritage they are receiving from their four incredible grandparents.  It is a gift beyond measure.

I could go on all day, but will end with my most precious gifts ~Steve, my incredible husband of 29 years
~Sam, our handsome "manchild" who makes us proud and makes us laugh,








 

~Rachel, our beautiful miracle baby, now a beautiful and talented young lady,














~Ashley & Daniel, our cherished and lovely daughter and our teasing, big-hearted soon-to-be son-in-law.

What did I ever do to deserve such a precious family?  I thank God for you every day.

Thank you heavenly Father for all the gifts you give.  I accept them from your hands with a full and grateful heart!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Let's Go Shopping!

I am pleased to announce the first ever Jenny and Pearl preview sale.  Mark your calendars, invite all your friends and break open your piggy banks.

Jenny and Pearl Preview Sale
To Africa, With Love Fundraiser

December 2-4

Thursday and Friday 4:00 - 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm



I have stashes and stashes of lovely items
  • linens
  • glassware
  • kitchenware
  • gift items
  • vintage toys
  • pictures
  • handmade jewelry
  • home decor
Whether your style is shabby chic, midcentury modern, country, rustic, or eclectic, you will definitely find something to suit your style and beautiful treasures for all the ladies on your Christmas list.  This is a sneak peek of some of the items that will be available to purchase.

Along with all these wonderful gift items, there will be lots of delicious goodies for sale, provided by the group To Africa, With Love.


These kids are raising money for their Summer 2012 missions trip to Africa and this is their kick-off fundraiser.

So, come by and say hello, shop til you drop and help out a great cause!

I know, those of you who do not live in Southern California are saying, "What about me?"  I wish you could all fly down here and visit with me, enjoy a cup of coffee, chat and shop, but alas, life isn't like that.

For all my distant and not-so-distant friends, I am stocking my online store with more and more tempting treasures.  Beginning Black Friday (that's November 26th, for the uninitiated) and extending through December 4, I will have a sale in my on-line store, so you can get in on some of the excitement too!

Also, if you see anything you like in the pictures I've posted that isn't in the shop, just email me and I will be happy to ship it to you.  Looking for something special?  Just ask.  I may have just what you are looking for within my secret stash.  I don't want my online friends to feel left out.

Finally,  I am giving away a gift certificate worth $30.00, that can be redeemed at the Jenny and Pearl Preview Sale (Orange location only).  How do you win?  Let me know what you are thankful for in the comments section below.  The winner will be chosen randomly.  Entries will be accepted through midnight on Monday, November 22 and the winner will be announced next Tuesday.  Enter as many times as you like!  Mention the sale on your FB page and let me know for an extra chance to win!

Today, I am thankful for the sound of the birds outside my window while I sit at my computer.  What are you thankful for?

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17