This Changes Everything

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Two people in the exact same circumstances, one is happy and the other is miserable.  Why?

Attitude

The character quality that influences our happiness the most, is gratefulness.  Gratefulness is a seed that flowers into contentment and joy.

When we have it we spend less money. We smile and laugh more. We can rejoice in other people’s blessings.

There’s an herbicide that will kill it all.  It has the generic label Complaining but can be found under the brand names of Comparison and Envy.

DCF 1.0

Sometimes reading someone else’s grateful list brings up some jealousy.  This time of year, I wonder if I should share my grateful list or if it is better to tell it to God.  When I list off my list of things I’m thankful for, I naturally leave out the things that we are struggling with.  It would defeat the purpose to complain and be thankful at the same time. That can leave an impression that my life is perfect and make someone else wonder why theirs isn’t.

In this human experience we will all have trouble.  If it’s not happening now, it’s coming.  Our gratefulness is interwoven with tragedy. The contrast is beautiful.

autumn leaves

My goal is to become thankful no matter my circumstances.  It’s easy for me to be thankful when I look at those who are less fortunate.  If comparison is the thief of joy, then I want my gratitude to be independent from comparison .  There will always be someone better off or worse off than I am.  My joy and my gratitude has to be unaffected by circumstance.

There is one constant to be grateful for,  Jesus.  He remains unchanged no matter my circumstance. He lived and died and lived again so that whatever happens in this life is a blip in the scheme of eternity spent with Him.  If your Christmas tree is already up and you’re singing Christmas carols while you work, it doesn’t bother me.  It’s just another reminder of the reason for our gratitude this Thanksgiving day.

Happy Thanksgiving from Our Family to Yours

I’ve sent up special prayers for those of you with family members who have already been welcomed into the arms of our Savior.  It seems like we miss them more on days like today.

 

Thanksgiving Traditions

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I’m big on traditions. That was something my mom did really well when I was growing up. I’m still trying to figure out what I want our traditions to be, lol. But one thing I’m sure about is reading Stories of the Pilgrims by Pumphries every year starting the first of November.

We have yet to actually finish the book after many years of trying and the kids have the first part of the book nearly memorized. Heidi groaned when I brought the book out this year (typical 12 year old) but after we started reading it, she didn’t want me to stop for the night.

There is another option too that we took advantage of two years ago–the book is now available on mp3 to listen to! And it’s on sale right now here: http://jimhodgesaudiobooks.com/MP3_downloads.html

It’s always good to read aloud to kids, but sometimes there is laundry to fold, dishes to wash, or Christmas gifts to crochet.  It can be nice to listen while we work or even in the car.

(I’m not affiliated with Jim Hodges and he didn’t ask me to write this post.  Just passing on one of our faves.)

This is my super busy day–working all day to finish up menus  for the mailing tomorrow.  But I am still photographing and keeping track of food.  Hope to get that up soon :).

Cranberry Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

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These delicious cookies are a great way to use fresh frozen cranberries.  These would be wondefully festive for your Thanksgiving or Christmas snack table.  When I buy fresh cranberries, I immediately put them in the freezer in their original bag.  They are easier to chop or grind this way for recipes and keep for over a year.

Cranberry Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

In an electric mixer cream together: 1 cup softened butter 1/2 cup white sugar 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 2 tsp vanilla 1/4 cup milk Add slowly, mixing well after each addition: 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 3 cups wheat flour 2 cups quick oats 2 cups chopped frozen fresh cranberries 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips Drop by teaspoonful onto greased cookie sheets.  Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes or until golden around the edges.  Cool on a wire rack.  Makes 4.5 dozen at 133 calories each.

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Thanksgiving Snack Mix

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Thanksgiving Snack mix

I’m so happy the holiday season is here!  This recipe came home from school on the kid’s school lunch menu and I modified it to be even more festive.  This recipe serves 30, but you can halve it if you want to.

Thanksgiving Snack mix 3

2-4.1 oz packages of bugles (approximately 8 cups–$1.18 each at Dollar General)

1-8 oz can of party peanuts (approximately 2 cups–$1.88 at Dollar General)

2 cups of roasted pumpkin seeds (free if homemade)

1 pkg. 22 oz candy corn (approximately 4 cups–$.89 on clearance at Aldi)

4 cups (8 oz) of mini pretzels ($1.00 from Aldi)

1 cup Craisins ($3.89 for 11 cups from Costco–or $.35 for this recipe)

4 cups of Goldfish crackers ($8.15 for 24 cups from Costco or $1.36 for this recipe)

Mix all and pour 3/4 cup snack mix into individual baggies.  Seal.  Yield 25 cups or 32 servings.  Cost of total recipe:  $7.84  Cost per serving:  $.25

These would be nice to have in your to go bag (or diaper bag) to hand out to the kiddoes while running errends to stave off the chants of “McDonalds, McDonalds…”

Thanksgiving snack mix 2

The school paper gave this symbolism:

Bugles represent cornucopias, the symbol of our nation’s blessings.

Pretzels represent hands and arms folded in prayer.

Candy Corn represents the corn t the early Pilgrims survived on during the harsh winter.

Seeds represent future harvest if we are diligent.

Cranberries represent the bountiful land in which we live.

Fish Crackers represent the blessing that the abundant sea life provided for early settlers.

Easy Pumpkin Cake

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This cake can’t get any easier.  It’s super moist, low in fat, and has only 3 ingredients.  To save money, stock up on cake mixes when they are on sale.  I snagged mine at a 1 day sale when the store brand mixes were $.59 each.  Also, making your own pumpkin puree is really easy if you have a kitchen aid food mill attachment.

Speaking of pumpkin puree…Does anyone know where there are pumpkins on clearance cheap in Kansas City?

Easy Pumpkin Cake:

1 box spice cake mix (other flavors are nice too, such as white or yellow with 2 tsps of pumpkin spice added; or chococolate :).)

1 cup of water

2 cups (or 1 15 oz can) of pumpkin puree (not to be confused with pumpkin pie filling)

Mix all for 2 minutes in an electric mixer on medium speed.  Pour into a greased 9 x 13 dish (or muffin cups) Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes (30 minutes for cupcakes) or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Cake will be very soft.  Frost with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting.

Frugal Fall Napkins

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Thanks Ladies for all your encouraging comments yesterday.  I got a lot done yeasterday and am working on the laundry and dishes again today while DH paints for me.  It’s so nice to know that I’m not the only one that can get sidetracked and snowed under.

I found these inexpensive wash cloths in fall colors at W*mart this week.  I normally would have passed them by, but I remembered seeing something similar at my Sister-in-Love’s house used as napkins!  They were so soft and absorbant and washed up well.  All the fall colors were beautiful on her table, so I snagged a set of 18 for just $5.

I love it when frugal, easy and lovely all align.