Tuesday, November 23, 2010

santa and snow and all things amazing!

i sit here at the bar in my kitchen (not the kind of bar that shelves the alcoholic treats that i would like to indulge in right about now), but the bar ledge used to set food upon when guests arrive, or where an overflow eater may reside during a large gathering at our comfy and cozy abode. the extra high bar chairs aren't used often, but i find that in the mess that is my house right now...this is the only clutter-free spot i could find! i quite like this little spot and think i may use it more often.

ha. the road less traveled. maybe this is the answer to life's sweet surprises!

i'm a tad excited about this because the clutter otherwise known as holiday cheer is surrounding us. holiday cheer in the form of spray snow, and glitter, bulbs of every color and make, garland, twinkle lights, regular lights. snow globes and nutcrackers. santas and jingly bells. bring on the christmas tunes. it's time!

of course, my favorite kind of ornaments aren't the ones you find at the fancy department stores, but rather, the ones made of popsicle sticks and cheerios!

the extra gobs of elmers glue have dried clear and and it's evidence of young hands and innocent creativity! i love those little treasures and i wish my whole tree was filled with them. pictures and trinkets of years gone by.

we will busy making ornaments and glittered pine cones soon enough...but first we have to give thanks.

and although, i don't think i could be any busier, i can't wait for the cooking to begin and tonight it shall. begin that is!!

i think i will tackle my mom's pumpkin pie so i can freeze it until the big day. we are about out of fridge space, so a plan of attack in needed!

green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole. brussel sprouts will make it's debut this year, as will (finger's crossed...pecan pie!) mashed pots with extra butter and an herbed and buttered up bird! stuffing and fresh cranberries (they are so easy to make. almost as easy as opening the can and sliding it out...and way better!)

so much more, but i could go on all day about food and the joy the holiday brings, so i will relent for a bit. but only for a bit!

i am thankful for so many things this year, but after thinking about it for hours and hours...

*i am most thankful for these two beautiful and perfect little people that i get to claim as my children. my babies...forever.

they will never know how much i love and wish for them only the best that this life extends to them the opportunity to live, love, learn, and discover. i guess they will have to wait to have their own little ones...only then will they understand.

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a little visit to peyton at school during lunch time!!

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*i am thankful for our health and for that of my families. three grandparents still doing well and enjoying the holidays.

*i am thankful for christmas songs playing while i sit alone in the living room and enjoy the soft glow from the lights of our freshly trimmed tree!

*i am thankful for milk in the fridge!

*i am thankful for friends who uplift and are...just there when you need them.

*i am thankful for my clean minivan...or swagger wagon. whatevah you want to call it!

*i am thankful for being able to cook for thansksgiving.

*i am thankful for a husband who chops onions without complaint and even brags that his contacts make it easy.

*i am thankful that peyton learned a bunch of new sight words this week!

*i am thankful for beckham's manners.

*i am thankful for my mom for answering my call every. single. time and explaining a recipe for the fiftieth time this lifetime!
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*i am thankful for bleach. it's keeps our whites...white!!! that's big.

*i am thankful for twinkle lights.

*i am thankful for the work i have the privilege of taking on and completing...even if i do complain and feel overwhelmed at times.

*i am thankful for green tea with peppermint!

*i am thankful for beauty rush lipgloss! love it! (can get that at victoria's secret)

*i am thankful for the ability to make new and joyful memories!

*peace.

*love.

*happiness.

*this blog. plain and simple it has brought me nothing but new friends and joy!

this list will have to be continued because i have more. lots more!

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our little spidey!

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a tree lighting ceremony...that we missed (for the record!), snow in florida, and a guy playing the sax on the corner! we walked along 3rd street with about a thousand other excited people to ring in the holiday season! it was crowded, hot, perfectly naples!

we saw baby jesus, or we would have seen baby jesus at the nativity scene except that jeff didn't want to wait for the next showing so our kids saw a baby lamb instead. the kids tried to pass it off as a baby horse...well, either way...they were thrilled!!! it was a baby of some sort. apparently they didn't care what kind of baby they saw!

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the streets were lit up and bustling. it was beautiful!

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the real excitement though is...
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the snow!!!

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it's really just bubble, but it looks like snow and so...it is!!!

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i'm off to make a couple of pie crusts, so for now...
leave a comment on what you are thankful for. i would love to hear!!!!

PS the other day i was getting ready for the day. you know brushing teeth, applying some make-up...

peyton was in front of me and i noticed that she was staring at me while she brushed her teeth.

finally, she asks, "mommy, are you getting old?"

i wanted to say that yes i am getting older, but if you knew how sensitive peyton is about this subject (not sure where she picked up the fear that one day i will have gray hair and deep wrinkles, but she has it) so i lied and, "no, honey. i'm not getting old." (white lie. i'm sorry)

anyway, she responded back, "are you sure, mama? because you look like you are getting old."

{seriously}

"i do? i look old today?"

(shaking her head yes) "mmmm hmmm."

(laughing) "well, okay honey. yes, i am getting older. we all are. now, will you pass me the tissues?"

ha.

i didn't really ask for tissues, but i did layer on the eyeliner that day!!!

*i am thankful for the honesty of my kids!

i know i keep speaking of a giveaway. i have been so busy that i haven't been able to finalize the details, SO take me out back and kick me if i don't have the details up in a few days! it's a good one!

happy thanksgiving, friends.
i hope it's filled with music and laughter. good food and pumpkin too!
xoxo


32 comments:

heather said...

What am I thankful for? It's kind of a selfish one today. I'm thankful for hair and that even a bad haircut is temporary. Got the worst haircut possible today. Wanna cry. But I won't. Instead I'll just hold my head high and wear a ponytail for the next few months. Life is good!

Wishing you and your family a a fabulous Thanksgiving!

P.S. I'm also thankful for my 6 little ones who bring me so much joy and the blizzard that brought a white blanket of snow through our town tonight.

Amy Grau said...

I am thankful. Three simple words -- no list needed (it would be way too long anyways)!

I am thankful for this blog too -- taking 10 minutes here and there to catchup on all your family's adventures and see your beautiful photos -- it's nice when the stresses of everyday life are sometimes a little overwhelming...

Wishing you a bountiful Thanksgiving! Hoping to see a few recipes for all those leftovers that will surely fill our fridges come Friday. (And, the rosemary chicken recipe you posted a few weeks ago was delicious!)

Rhonda said...

So many things to be Thankful for.

Thankful for friends near and far that warm my heart.

Thankful of course for my beautiful babes, who make me see the big picture in life.

Thankful for you and your wonderful words and of course your recipes!

Thankful for a whole new blog world!

Happy Thanksgiving and so excited to be getting ready for Christmas and our trip to Disney!!!

Cant wait!

Angie said...

Hi Heidi, I've been a reader for a long time now but have only commented once or twice. Anyway, I love your blog and the one you wrote on being a good mama was my very favorite so far :)

What I'm thankful for:

1. Our home, heat to keep us warm on these chilly fall days... I will never take those things for granted again. After two very difficult years of forclosure, not knowing where we would live, and literally not knowing where our next meal would come from, we are very, very thankful for our warm house and the lessons learned.

2. I'm thankful for this & Kelle's blog. I never knew there were these other mamas out there living passionately for their families!

3. My 3 kids. My big kindergartner, Isaac and watching him learn new words as he's on the brink of reading! My 3 year old, Gabe who's finally starting to talk! I love hearing what he has to say :) And Selah, my precious girl who ALMOST has enough hair for a ponytail, Woohoo!!

4. Making memories with friends and family this holiday season :)

Have a happy Thanksgiving! I can't wait to read all about it :)

XOXO,
Angie from Ohio

Kelly said...

This post made me cry. It touched me so much. Everything about it.

I am thankful for it all! For my job, my kids, my husband, my life! I am a little extra thankful right now that I bought Usher tickets for Monday night! whooooooo!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

xoxox

Hot Hot JJ said...

Happy thanksgiving to you. I am thankful for my health and the health of my family. Without that, there is nothing.

I LOVE your new header. Wow your kids are adorable. Love love love.

Jessica

Maria said...

Heidi~I am thankful for my amazing family, my precious friends, my divine neices & nephews, my beautiful cats. I'm thankful that I am hosting Thanksgiving for the first time in my new home & that we'll all be together eating, talking, laughing, watching football. I'm thankful to be able to devote the whole weekend to decorating for Christmas. I'm thankful for so much more...for everything! Oh, I'm especially thankful for Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle!
Wishing you & your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

patsy said...

i am thankful for my sweet husband who is better than i deserve and for the 3 beautiful baby girls he has given me. any day i feel down i just remind myself to step back and look at my life that i feel truly blessed to be living....hope you all have a great thanksgiving ( and a great pecan pie!)

Anonymous said...

Hi Heidi:

Of course, family and health are at the top but there is so much more.

I am thankful my Florida sister is at my house bossing her husband and mine around (she made lists) while I work and they prepare for the Holiday. It will be amazing I'm sure.

I am thankful that 27 loving people(and a couple of dogs) will be over tomorrow. I am thankful that although I will not be with you in person I know you Jeffy and the kids will rock out a beautiful, happy holiday.

I am so thankful for friends and even work but I am most thankful that you, my dear are a blogger. It helps fill the void of not living in the same town.

Love, Sito

Donna Saganek said...

Heidi,
I am thankful for my loving family....friends - near and far....a job (or two !)....and to able to live in a country that is not perfect....but it's pretty darn close.
I wait patiently for your blog...love to see pictures of the kids and you and Jeff. Linnie and I always talk about it..."Did you see the Halloween photos?"..."Did you try Heidi's soup recipe?"...LOL Keep it up and NEVER doubt that you're not a fantastic Mama!!! Have you seen how awesome your family is?????
Donna in Michigan

Unknown said...

Beautiful!!!
All your thankfulness is inspiring me!!
Happy Thanksgiving, you have a beautiful family!!
I am thankful for my little niece who was born this morning.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for my happy, healthy family, flannel sheets at night, oatmeal-raisin cookies... :). I'm just grateful for our troops, our country, and all of our own special, little lives and how they all add up to be something magical, a world with love, happiness, and compassion...

Sarah said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!! I'm thankful for family and friends and perspective that blogging brings. My house, which doesn't have a guest room, is home to 3 overnight guests so it will be full of clutter, but that is not what is important, right?! My mom is here and we are having fun cooking together, and there will be good food, home made place cards with Anna Cate's hands, candlelight and good wine, and that is what matters, not big open spaces in a big home. I love your blog and your spirit you share with word and images.

April said...

Happy Thanksgiving, friend!! I am thankful for so many things ... but right this very moment I am thankful for a warm house, warm kids and a big ole' hot cup of coffee. Still trying to wake up!!

Enjoy the day, feel the love!!

xoxo,
April

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for my family who has moved back to town! Nothing like having your family around for the holiday.

I'm thankful for being on the topside of the grass everyday I wake up :-)

I'm thankful for the wonderful people in my life.

Keep writing Heidi and Happy Holidays!

Unise

Theresa said...

I'm thankful for...

*Food. I seriously love food.
*Two daughters who are not only sisters, but friends.
*Dandelions. They are the happiest, dreamiest weeds I've ever seen.
*Crafts that start out to be "for the kids" but then the kids wind up losing interest and I find myself completely absorbed in crafting delight while they throw felt pom poms around the room like confetti.
*Glass-half-full souls such as yourself.
*And a glass half full of red wine after my little monsters are wrapped up in feetie pajamas and snuggled under the winter blankets we just pulled out.

There is so very much to be grateful for. Especially for being able to share what we're grateful for with others who clap their hands, flip their heads back and yell "OMG! I KNOW! ME TOO!" because they know exactly how it feels to blow the seeds off of a dandelion stem, make a wish, and feel like your 6 again.

Happy Thanksgiving Heidi!

Anna Ruth said...

I love your list of things you are thankful for. Your mom helping you while you are cooking over the phone is the best. Moms always know what to do.

Anonymous said...

Happy late Thanksgiving friend! I missed your post again..I just hate when that happens, but I love that when I discovered you had posted I actually have time and do not have my girl and her dog on my lap so I can savor every word and photo! I love that you are thankful for the big things and also the little things..I will let you in on a secret..I am a huge fan of bleach!! I kid you not!! I buy all white towels and sheets because I LOVE to bleach them..I think I may be a little germophobic..just a little. Your bubble snow makes me smile and in about a month or so I will probably be wishing our snow was bubbles!
And to Heather...I must have gotten the same haircut because I am holding my head high as well..as a matter of fact it was so bad that I wanted to go pound on my stylist door and ask her "what the hell!?!?!?!?!?"..so I am thankful that someone else is feeling my pain and doing it way more graciously than I am.
I am thankful for my friends who inspire me with their photos and words..thank you friend for this lovely blog! ♥

iColossus / Monster said...

Thankful for the riches of family. Thankful for the gift of being able to feel such a range of emotions, to not be jaded, to be lifted up by the most "corny" things and to be unafraid of celebrating those things.

And thankful for YOU!

Anonymous said...

Heidi another great post! I am thankful for my lovely home which we designed and had built.... just the way we like it. I am thankful for my two gorgeous children, who are VERY messy but know how to give me a good hug to make up for it. I am thankful for the many blessings I have and I am also thankful for blogs like yours ..... full of inspiration, family love and friends. Cassie x

Amie said...

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Your post made me want all that food all over again!

Christmas in Naples looks pretty dreamy. Glad you're enjoying it!

Jen Bacarella said...

I loved this weekend too, lots of kid time, holiday decorating, cleaning kids bedrooms...shopping at a new store in my hometown featuring local artists and the smell of cranberries and vanilla in the house...thank you febreeze and swan creek candle company! I am most thankful for the day after Thanksgiving as me an my mom spend the day shopping, getting deals, comparing prices, running into old friends...most of all just being with my MOM! miss you heidi...send some of that Holiday warmth up here :-)

P-nut said...

So many things to be thankful for!! INTERNET! ha.. without it i would never be able to read all about your life! i love seeing you guys standing outside in "snow" wearing shorts! so jealous!

i VERY thankful for my children.. i love reading about how you love yours.. i can't always put into words how passionate i love them but i can relate to your words :) i guess they will only know this kind of love once they have their own...

there is so much to be thankful for and it's good to be forced to remind yourself of these things.. it's so easy to get lost in the juggle of everyday... hope you had a terrific thanksgiving..

oh ps. if you and kelle had a joint thanksgiving it would probably go down in the history books as one of the worlds best. between your cooking and kelle's decorating i bet it would be one AMAZING night! ha ha xoxo

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