First Snow

With widening eyes, I watched as one after the other of my blogging friends, living in far more temperate climes than my own, displayed their winter wonderland photos. I knew that it was just a matter of time...

To say that I am less than impressed would suggest that I don't enjoy snowfall. Okay, on this my little sister Molly and I are in complete agreement.

What is this?

If you guys think I'm going to my usual "spot," forget it!

May I come in now?

He isn't so blessed...

One took photos

And congratulated herself on getting the outdoor Christmas decorating done early...

Hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving; we certainly did. My mother just called from the living room,"Say, you know the family that rented the Congregational Church hall for Thanksgiving? They have over 70 members and served 15 pies. We had 12 members and made eight pies. What's wrong with this picture? " She made me laugh! At least we have plenty of leftovers so that today we can do it all over again!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Aunt Jan's Cranberry Salad

The baking has begun in earnest this morning; although, we were able to get a jumpstart on a few items like this family favorite. I have enjoyed this salad every Thanksgiving and Christmas my entire adult life. One year, I even remember making a hasty call home from Arizona to get the recipe. It wouldn't have seemed like Thanksgiving without it. Is there a dish like that for your family? Tell me!

Printable Recipe for Aunt Jan's Cranberry Salad

Happy preparations and safe travels...

Busy, Busy, Busy

And I know that you all are, too. It's a happy kind of busy, though, and I hope it's the same in your home. Mother is the list-maker and so has kept busy making them; I am kept busy following them.

This morning, Molly got a bath because, while we can stand many things, we cannot stand a stinky dog. I understand that Bailey, the Black Labrador Retriever and Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix, who'll also be in attendance for Thanksgiving, is getting her bath today as well.

Here they both are begging for food. My sister is fending them off with her sneakered foot while she grips her drink and snack. I'm a bit concerned about Thanksgiving and what we'll do with these little beggars. Obviously, they're not going to be trained not to beg before then; we can't put them outside; there's no room that closes off where I trust them both together. Oh dear! I know, if this is the biggest conundrum I have, life is good. So, tell me, if you have dogs, what do you do with them when the family gathers for a meal?

Edited to Add: Hmmm, I may have just come up with a good gift idea for the dog lovers in my family...

Mosaic Monday~Thanksgiving Tablescapes

Green Grape and Green Plate Source

Mini Pumpkin on White Plate Source

Remaining tablescapes Source

Girl Peeling Apples Source

Thanksgiving is this Thursday in the United States. I am scrambling as half of the family had made other plans. Now that's all changed and we will all be celebrating at Haven. I don't imagine that my table will actually look as elegant as any of these, but I can dream.

A Happy Thanksgiving to all those who'll be celebrating!

Please join Mary at Little Red House for more mosaics!

The Promise and Another Excellent Word

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~Philippians 4:6

The Promise
by The Martins

I never said that I would give you silver or gold
Or that you would never feel the fire or shiver in the cold
But I did say you'd never walk thru this world alone
And I did say don't make this world your home

I never said that fear wouldn't find you in the night
Or that loneliness was something you'd never have to fight
But I did say I'd be right there by your side
And I did say I'll always help you fight

'Cause you know I made a promise that I intend to keep
My grace will be sufficient in your time of need
My love will be the anchor that you can hold on to
This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you

I never said that friends would never turn their backs on you
Or that the world around you wouldn't see you as a fool
But I did say like me you'll surely be despised
And I did say My ways confound the wise

I didn't say you'd never taste the bitter kiss of death
Or have to walk thru chilly Jordan to enter into rest
But I did say I'd be waiting right on the other side
And I did say I'll dry every tear you've cried

'Cause you know I made a promise that I've prepared a place
And someday sooner than you think you'll see me face to face
And you'll sing with the angels and a countless multitude
This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you

So just keep on walking don't turn to the left or right
And in the midst of darkness let this be your light
That hell can't separate us and you're gonna make it thru
This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you
Oh, this is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you

Today I am sharing the lyrics to "The Promise," which has meant so much to us in the past week or so and :

Let me say this very carefully. A fact that every one of us has to face is that when we feel that life is meaningless, when we are bored with life, when we feel dead in our spirits, with our emotional hurts and pains, with our mental confusion ... all of those phrases add up to one thing, that at least at that moment we are IGNORANT OF THE LOVE GOD HAS FOR US. For when I know the love God has for me, then my mental confusion disperses like fog on a summer’s morning. The hurts and pains of my life are healed by His presence. Boredom is a word that can never be used of a person who walks in the love of God. This is the answer. It is the final key to all of our spiritual, mental, emotional health and, indeed, our physical health, too. The Love of God.

This is the first paragraph of an article found *here.* How I stumbled upon it Monday evening when I needed it most, I attribute to the Spirit's leading. I wasn't even looking for anything about worry or the Lord or anything like that, I was researching autism of all things. Bookmark it and save it for a time when you can read it or print it off as I am planning to do as soon as I get some printer ink.

As always, comments are closed on Sunday morning posts. Have a blessed day...