Masthead header

thankful

*edited…something with this OLD computer won’t let me type my normal way…so good luck reading this.  i can’t wait to get my Mac back.  enough already!!***

this thanksgiving we celebrated with my grandmother. she turned 90 years old last week. all she wanted as a gift was for the family to be together. thats not asking for much. and we all love her very much so almost everyone came that could.

Img_6781_2

Img_6841_2

people helped in the kitchen. uncle john brought the turkey…yummy. seriuosly the best turkey i have ever had. and this was such a familiar site… grandma’s china and these foods on it. she always makes the jello salads. and now that i am an adult…i like them. bravery comes with age i guess.

Img_6843

Img_6845_2

it was so nice to hear all the chatter coming from the dining room. the grandchildren (my generation) were remembering it being different when we were children. it’s much more relaxed now… i guess that too comes with age. especially when you are seeing family that lives in australia and minnesota. you have to enjoy every minute.

Img_6848_2

there was a surprise cake with 90 candles. i told grandma we need to check her smoke alarm batteries…not one of them went off. and they should have. i loved watching her smile so big when the entire family sang happy birthday.

Img_6852_2

Img_6856_2

she blew them all out. impressive. then she was covered with great grandchildren who felt the need to pull all the candles out of the cake for her… immediately.

Img_6864_2

Img_6895_2

and here we are. (not pictured…sean…he had a melt down seconds before the first picture) that’s real life right there. i am so glad this is what you asked for grandma. it was a wonderful day with so much to truly be thankful for.

Lisa Ulrich - Every time I visit your site I miss you more and more…I love to share your site with our new friends. I tell them, “This is my friend Megan and her family. Isn’t she just wonderful!” I love you Meg.

Danelle - Tell me if you would what food it is in the picture..the dark stuff beside the meat.?? I can’t tell what it is and now I’m curious. I am always wondering what other families eat since we have the traditional ones we always stick with.

lorel - I am so ‘thankful’ for this THANKFUL! I am so glad you took such wonderful photos Meg. I laughed out loud at the one of all the kids climbing on Grandma. I love the one where we are all singing to her too, and I love how you can see me in the mirror above the flames of the candle. Wow. Thanks for capturing this beautiful event.

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

wow

my friend said she had a gift for me.
she brought it in and i said
“oh…thank you.”
because look at it.
it’s adorable.
it’s an old jewelry box in the sweetest light blue color.
i was perfectly thrilled with it.

Img_6692

then she said “well…open it!”

Img_6694

i could have cried.
it was the nicest present.
so thoughtful.
it was full of scrapbook goodies…in the cutest packaging ever.
i love it so much.
thank you.
it was so special to me…i can’t even tell you how much.
this is a gift i will always remember.

melissa @ the inspired room - Oh that is so pretty! What a thoughtful and sweet friend you have!

Danelle - My mom has a pink jewelry box just like that one. I want it someday.
Cool gift! That is one thoughtful friend that put a lot into a gift that was so “you”.

Shannon Davis - Meg, I posted a comment under the KU homecoming post — never done this before so I guess I had better learn how to post correctly. Anyway, I’ll post it again. The box reminds me of a gift I made at Scrapbook garden and wanted to know if you wanted to trade out homade gifts again like a few years ago. Let me know!! Shannon

elizabeth holder - what an awesome gift!! how lucky you are to have a friend like that! and what a great gift for another scrapper – thanks for sharing your family and life with us

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

paper chains

Img_6670_3

a craft project
family night activity before ice cream sundaes
they were told to write down anything they were thankful for.
i love it.
they just did it…not worrying about their spelling.

Img_6671_2

shoes.

Img_6675_2

pizzas.

Img_6672_2

annie’s honest words…eliza..ms.kristin…mr.clark.
the other word is the start of squirrels.

Img_6674_2

trees…jokes…ice cream

some others i enjoyed were
light bulbs
birthdays
spiders
baby london
clouds
awana
chicken
bathtubs
computers….spelled “cinpeeooters”

natalie meester - We are doing it this week…great for a gentle reminder of everything they are blessed with!@

melissa @ the inspired room - What a sweet idea!

Lauren - The thankful-chain may have to be done at our house too! I love the spellings! Perfect!
Have a wonderful holiday!

Danelle - I absolutely love love love this. I want to do it too.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving! gobble gobble

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

leaf mountain

Img_6649_2

with 11 trees….this is about one afternoon of leaves that fall.
last year for talby’s birthday party this was the only entertainment we planned.
jumping off the trampoline into the mountain of leaves.
even craig did it…the NesTea plunge right into the leaves.

Img_6651_2

annie got to have eliza over to play.
they went outside to jump into the mountain.
annie showed her what to do but she decided to watch instead.
she thought about it…
it is quite a drop if you haven’t done it before.
and it goes against everything we teach them about trampolines.
maybe at home she’d try it.

Crystal - I’m a new follower, so it may seem silly I’m commenting on such an old post, but I’m working my way backwards!!! I about fell outta my chair when you mentioned the nestea plunge!!! I really thought only my family knew what that was! We used to do it into the pool, friends would come over & never knew what we were talking about! Really? I’m loving your blog!

kristin - and now EVERY DAY eliza says:
annie come to my house to jump on my bed? today annie come?
so soon annie will have to come….

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

chicken enchiladas

every time i make these
everyone loves them.
or at least they say they do.
and i love them…so that’s what matters i guess.
this recipe was out of a magazine years ago…but i don’t know which one.
they are spicey…but so good.
recipe is in the side bar…with other yummy stuff.

Img_6577_5

so gather your ingredients…mostly generic is my preference.
but if you want to pay for kraft cheese it may not be as fancy as mine
i am sure you got it on sale…i bet you watch the sale ads…
and cut coupons…and stock up when things are cheap.
you are so smart.
i am so disorganized…in my head.
maybe someday i will get it together enough to cut coupons
and then actually remember to take them to store when i go.

Img_6578_2

cut up your chicken
if you had a food processor i’d think you could use that?
i usually use 4 or 5 chicken breasts….

Img_6579_2

use your blender to mix the salsa, water and half the sour cream.
then mix in the rest of the sour cream, cilantro, peppers, chilies, garlic
and cumin and 1/4 c. of the cheese with the chicken in a bowl.
(i have never used cumin…because i have never purchased cumin)
so…it will still be good if you don’t have cumin.
and my family does not like red peppers so i don’t use those either…but you could.

Img_6580_2

pour about a cup of the green sauce into your 9×13 pan
to keep them from burning on the bottom i assume.

Img_6581

then warm up your tortillas…to help them bend easier…
especially if they are a bit old and stale…like mine were.
don’t tell.
fill each one with about that much chicken mixture…1/3 to 1/2 c.
not too full but not skimping…that may to the one you put on your plate.

Img_6582_2

fill them all and it will look all sweet and snug like this.
like you tucked them all into bed.
goodnight enchiladas.
as if you don’t say goodnight to your dinners before you bake them…
it’s just the nice thing to do.

Img_6583_2

pour the remaining sauce over the entire pan.
it’s all full and floaty.
bake for 35 minutes uncovered.
then take it out and cover it with the rest of the cheese.
bake for another 15 minutes.
i realize that this recipe says 1 c. of cheese…oh my.
i use at least 2 cups if not more…because it’s cheese.
so you do what you want…
but we all know cheese makes everything better.
more is more.

Img_6584

totally off the subject…
these salsa jars are perfect for little flower vases.
i love their size.
if you were going to see a new baby or a friend in the hospital…
you could stick some zinnias in there and tie a ribbon around it…perfect size.
i admit that that is why i buy this brand of green salsa.
okay back to the yummy food.

Img_6585_2

take it out of the oven when all your friends are standing in the kitchen
so they will start to drool.
the husbands get in trouble when they tell their wives to get the recipe.
i have heard more than once…
“i thought you liked my enchiladas?!”
i do…but these…are really good…and so are yours but…”
so now you have the recipe…he doesn’t have to ask.
just doing my part to help your marriage.

even though it’s full of sour cream….i always serve this with sour cream on the side too.
it’s dairy…we all need more calcium right?
you will love this recipe.
everybody does.

Kathy - I showed this recipe to my kids and they want me to cook it for them this weekend for their cousins are sleeping over in our house. I think they will love this dish.

Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft - I can’t believe this only has 4 comments. These look so delicious! I’m definitely making these this week. Thanks Meg!

Andy - I love it… “goodnight enchiladas”, right before they go into a scorching oven. More like “lights OUT”. 🙂

siobhan - Hi. I have just been introduced to the world of “Blogs” and found your recipe. Once I worked out that cilantro was also known as coriander it was full systems ahead. The kids loved it and are now requesting Chicken Enchiladas every week!!! Thanks.

Christine - Just finished making the chicken enchiladas. They were a hit! Thanks for the recipe! I’ll add it to my dinner menu.

Brenis - Mmmmm!!! Delicioso!! We’ll definitely be trying this!
LOL Loved your commentary! 😛

diane - yummy!
I can’t wait to try this recipe and get a cute flower vase out of it as well!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

leaf monster

Img_6622_2

Img_6623_2

a game they play.
cover daddy with leaves…then he jumps out as the leaf monster
they squeal and run away.
then beg to do it again.
mommy can also be a leaf monster if daddy is busy.

Img_6609_2

here she comes…

Img_6597_2

Img_6606

she got me.

Img_6592_2

running to the mountain of leaves…
fast as she can.

Img_6607_2

can you find annie’s eyes?
thank goodness we have lots more leaves to fall…
we want to do this again and again.

traci - how fun!! perfect fall activity! our leaves are almost all off the trees.

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

six

Img_6586_2

goofball.

Img_6631

Img_6632

presents and cake.
dinner of her choice…stuffed shells
singing the song
with the lights out.
a very lovely family night together.
she is so kind and gracious.
talby what a treasure and a blessing you are to our family.
happy birthday sweetie.

Img_6639_2

Img_6642_2

sign of a good birthday isn’t it?
i think i will go have some right now.
mmmmm

kristin - okay, hit post too soon…
happy birthday, dear talby! looking so wonderfully grown up.

kristin - hey, you may not know it, but it’s working!
your posts are showing up!
: )

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top