Several friends are doing a blogs or Facebook posts everyday in preparation for Thanksgiving.  Each day they are writing post about all of their blessings.  The posts have been super sweet and I enjoy reading them.  I wanted to do this, but I know I'm not going to be able to write everyday.  Just like most I am thankful for my family, friends and relationship with God, but this week I have been reminded of how blessed I am.

This week I encountered several situations at work that remind me of the struggles I have not encountered.  As a high schooler, I was fortunate to have parents to provide for all of my needs.  My family was never what I would consider wealthy, but I was never in need.  If I asked for money to take college entrance exams I got it.  On the morning of the test I never worried about how I would get to the testing site.  I've learned some don't go because they simply don't have a ride.  If I wanted to visit a college all I had to do was ask and my parents made the arrangements.  During my school years I was never sent home or called to the office for inappropriate clothing, but I also had parents at home that made sure I had clothing and would not let me leave home in unacceptable clothes.  I've realized the dreaded washing machine is also a luxury we never appreciated.  When a school trip was announced there was never a doubt I could go.  During the trip we might go to a restaurant and their was never a doubt about whether or not I could eat.  If I needed supplies for school I had them.  On a few occasions I missed the bus, but I always had a ride from my parents if needed.  My sister and I never considered coming home to a house with no power, but some do.  Did you ever want to play sports, but did not have the opportunity because your parents work and you don't have a ride home from practice?  I realize this is a bunch of random thoughts, but you  just might realize why I have left work in tears several times this week as I praised God for my many blessings. 

We are about to begin a very busy holiday season.  My prayer is each of us recognize the gifts we already have and bless others with some of the same.  Several friends and I have discussed how we have decided to make this year a slim Christmas.  With the current economy many are saving instead of spending.  Many of us have realized our children really don't NEED anything.  My husband and I are working to help our children realize how blessed they are.   I encourage everyone to consider your own blessings.  These gift unlike those wrapped up under the tree will last forever in our hearts.

Time is slipping away and it is time to get busy thinking about the annual family Christmas Card. Until this year I purchased our cards at a cute little stationary shop in a nearby city. Last year that store closed and I managed to buy my Christmas cards on clearance as they were going out of business.  Life in a small town is absolutely the best, but we don’t have any stationary shops so I’ve had to resort to online shopping.
Lucky me, I visited the Shutterfly site.  I was amazed at the selection of cards the site offers.  I’ve narrowed my selection down to three options:   Family Wall Red, Initially Chic Green and Family Wall Noir. I take so many pictures of the kiddos and it will be really difficult to narrow down my pics to fit onto the card.   Shutterfly offers coordinating address labels too.

Shutterfly also offers a Simple Path photo album starting at $12.99. The site allows you to upload your Facebook pics and create a book. As a Facebook user I load tons of pics to share with my friends and family. What a great idea to create a book of all of these great memories!

With several family birthdays just around the corner I also took a look at the birthday invitations shutterfly offers. My son says he has grown a little old for the traditional birthday party and would rather take a few friends to the movies. The “movie night” invite featured on Shutterfly would be just perfect for his celebration.

If you have a difficult time finding something for your hubby or your parents you should really consider one of the Shutterfly desk calendars. This gift will be used everyday and always bring a smile to the receiver.  I know I wouldn't mind one on my desk- hint to the hubby!

I just phoned my hubby to request he pick up some bleu cheese on his way home from work.  When I told him one of his favorite chicken casseroles was in the oven he didn't think twice about my request.  Several years ago when I had our first child hubby's assistant delivered a delicious casserole to our home.   The herb stuffing mix in the recipe makes me crave my grandmother's turkey and dressing.  Tonight I am serving this casserole with fresh greens, pears and toasted pecans along with the homemade bleu cheese dressing.  This dressing recipe is much more common than the tangy recipe I shared last year during the holiday season.  The tangy version will definitely be on the table again really soon.  Hope you are enjoying your fall cooking as much as I am.

Chicken Casserole

2 cups cooked diced chicken
1 stick margarine
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
2 cups chicken broth
1 small package herb stuffing mix

Combine soups and broth in a saucepan.  Mix and heat 5 minutes.  Melt margarine and pour over stuffing.  Mix well.  Butter bottom of baking dish.  Cover bottom of dish w/stuffing mix.  Add layer of chicken then a layer of soup.  Alternate layers finishing with stuffing mix on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

Creamy Bleu Cheese Dressing

4 oz. bleu cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
salt to taste

Mix all ingredients and put on tossed salad.  Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

We had a great weekend even if the Dawgs did not win.  On Friday evening we traveled to a high school football game against one of our biggest rivals.  We met up with a college friend we haven't seen years.  It was so much fun to catch up and he kicked off Halloween by giving the kiddos an enormous bag of chocolates.  Our team WON- big time.   The kiddos had a birthday party on Saturday followed by the Trunk or Treat at church.  My 10 year old son didn't really want to do the costume thing so he went as the Ultimate Georgia Fan and my daughter wanted to be an "Exercise Lady".  My sister owns her owns The Pink Physique (ladies only gym) and sent her the adorable costume.   I would post a picture, but I'm having trouble w/loading the picture.

I know I've said it before, but life in a small town has never a dull moment.  Recently another citizen said it is almost as if we live in Stars Hollow.  This is the fictional town from the television show The Gilmore Girls.  We have an ecletic bunch of citizens just as the people you might find in Stars Hollow..  Our downtown is bustling with cute shops, an art gallery, a movie theater and a fabulous restaurant.  It seems there is always an art gallery opening, concert down town or something going on in the park.  We barely make it to the city due to all of the things we find to do on the weekends. 

This weekend our family attended the regular Friday night football game and enjoyed the first chili of the season at our weekly tailgate.  Nothing says fall like football and chili.  I must say wetailgate with a bunch of GREAT cooks.  They even let me cook my favorite fall dessert- Pumpkin Crisp.   Thank goodness our team came away with a great win.  Next week will be a lot tougher and we are on the road.

On Saturday we attended the wedding of two very special neighbors.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  Our very old church was the perfect setting for a lovely afternoon wedding.  I must say the music was outstanding- violin and piano.  The reception was held at a local plantation.  Guest were treated to delicious fare- fried chicken, pork loin, salmon spread, pasta, croissants and rolls, cheese ring, potato salad, fruit w/chocolate fondue, and fresh veggies.  Instead of the traditional groom's cake, they served a variety of southern favorites- chocolate cake w/cooked chocolate icing, lemon cheese, pound cake, coconut cake, etc.---YUMMY!  The flowers were grown locally.   Local hands arranged the blooms and presented them in simple glass vases- just perfect for the outdoor setting.  The flowers were accentuated by locally grown ferns (I've never seen ferns this big anywhere else). 

Our next invitation took us to our flower girl's house for a pumpkin carving, snacks and beverages.  Our flower girl (she is in her twenties now) is so sweet to our children.  She babysits, assist with school projects and just adores our children.  The pumpkin carving got underway on her mother's rug (I was about to die for fear pumpkin mush would forever stain it).  Our daughter had lots of assistance carving the Georgia "G" while our son learned to punch out a more traditional design before carving.  The results were amazing.

Little did we know the party was about to move again.  Our Dawgs played last night, but we could only pick up the game on one channel.  Our friends have satellite and do not get the channel so the entire gang packed up and moved the party down the street to our my in-laws so we could view it on cable. 

We are looking for to Trunk or Treat this coming weekend.  My daughter (with the assistance of my sister) will be an "exercise lady" while my son has decided to be a little grown-up and go as a Georgia fan.  I hope his costume is just what we need on Saturday to get the win over the Gators. 

A few weeks ago I thought the worst was over and things would slow down, but my life is in overdrive.  The kiddos kept us extra busy last week.  The local fair came to town which means dancing and a 4-H project.  Our daughter danced and our son competed in his first 4-H competition.  Only in small town, south could you wear tulle and sequins to the fair, eat some of the best hamburgers and play bingo.  My daughter and I had a lucky streak and won a couple of games of Bingo.  Our prize was a fabulous package of Playdough from the local dollar store.  My daughter has created endless amounts of playdough food w/our win.  I've pretended to eat peas, blue berries, pizza and pancakes.  My son's project was about football (bet you wouldn't have guessed it).  He learned the hand signals the football officials use while calling the game.  A local coach was kind enough to loan us a jersey.  This project was truly a family effort.  While visiting my parents we spent endless hours photographing and cutting paper w/a paper cutter.  My boy did an excellent job on the written portion of this project.  The result- A BLUE RIBBON!!!  Next up DPA.


Over the weekend we got to cheer on the DAWGS in Athens.  There is nothing better than Chic-fil-A mini's for a tailgate brunch!!!  Those biscuits and nuggets are MARVELOUS!  The world was introduced to UGA VII- Big Bruce!  It was Homecoming and the Dawgs did not let us down.

Why do politicians create mandates for insurance companies, schools and business that just don't make since? 
1st WHY?- We are renewing our health insurance only to find out due to the healthcare legislation passed last year we are being punished with higher premiums and higher co-pays and fewer services?  McDonald's decided they would drop their coverage and got a waiver.  I'm sure we will pay more for their waiver.

2nd WHY?- Why would you decide someone needs to take a test several years after they have completed a class?  Not to mention you never told them they would need to take a test later?

3rd WHY? - Why would you pass legislation or make decisions when you have no clue how will impact the people charged with implementing it?  Walk a mile in my shoes....

4th WHY?- Why would you ask me how you can help when you really have no intention of helping?