Thankful

Thanksgiving was all that it was meant to be. Good food, family and so much thankfulness-- all thanks to my dear cousin Dennis and his beautiful wife, Linda. Can't wait for more moments like this in the month ahead! 

Hope it was a wonderful day for you too!!! xoxo

photos above: table set | my homemade give thanks garland | Dennis and his nieces | my Aunt Rebb and I | my plate (I ate almost all of it!) | deviled eggs (my favorite) | my Thanksgiving flower arrangement 

Happy Thanksgiving

My church ended up hosting an early Thanksgiving dinner because so many of us are far away from family. It was simple, sweet and very delicious. My dear friend Jennavier was able to sit next to me and we had fun teasing her husband throughout the dinner.

It made me grateful that even though I'm far away from home right now, to be so taken care of by my new dear friends. Words cannot express how blessed I have been in this journey.

The theme of the evening was, "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more" (Doctrine and Covenants 78:19).  

I am thankful for everything I have. It has been amazing to see who has reached out to me in my dire need of finding peace and comfort. I can't say that it has been easy but I can definitely say that I am not alone.

I am blessed even though I'm on the hardest road of my life. Oh, so very blessed indeed. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from my family to yours!

5 for Five

The recap:

I'm almost all organized again! Just a little bit more to go and having a long weekend definitely helps!

I plan on doing a post about everything that's been happening. It'll be coming Monday of next week. Pure, open, honest-- I hope I don't offend anyone.

Um, the car needs to go on this week's list (again!). It isn't a high priority because it's just looks and not how it runs.

I'm really starting to get in the holiday mood. I've decided I'm going to adopt a family and give them Christmas this year. Serving others is what I do best!

Hmm. . . wake up early and not stay up so late-- try again on that one!

This week's goals:

(Ehem, let's start with the repeats)

1. Okay, officially getting the car fixed and cleaning it out this weekend!

2. Wake up earlier and not stay up so late (no more baggy eyes).

3. Eat as much turkey as possible! Seriously, I'm starting to get to the scary underweight point again. Time to fill up!

4. To be in moment and spend every possible minute with those I love.

5. Call all of the family!

Ha, not too bad right? So thankful for everyone in my life! It hasn't been easy this year but I promise I'm starting to get better.

Around here

Sorry lovely friends.

The week of Thanksgiving and most 

of this week just flew right by me.

It was quite the lovely long weekend around here.

A grown-up date with Katelyn to Noodles and Company.

Of course, we ate Wisconsin Mac and Cheese.

My sister-in-law and I escaped to Chili's. Best part?

Look in the right corner. Yep, molten choclate cake calling my name for sure.

Sweet Jane turned one.

We bought her and her sister Lilly matching Christmas dresses,
my new thing is to not buy loud noisy toys.

And since it was a busy Saturday, morning worked best for a party.

Instead of cake, why not chocolate waffles!?!

Kevin and I ran a 10K on Thanksgiving.

I was so sore and tired.

Even after all that, it made us both want to get ready to run another race!

There's one check off of my 12 by 2012!

On a good note, it made me realize how much Kevin and I are a team.

Yep, we hit a very large bump and are making our way through it.

My dad's famous pumpkin and chocolate pecan pie.

It's literally to DIE for.

Kevin took me Black Friday shopping. I was impressed that he

waited in the hour long line to checkout at Target. Brownie points to him!

What I'm listening to around here.

Festival of Trees is this week through Saturday!

More details to come about this tree.

And now finals of my final semester are approaching.
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I'M THANKFUL FOR YOU.

A Soules Thanksgiving

Since we celebrated with Kevin's Family early this year, it was now my parents turn.

Actually, I convinced them and begged my mom to have Thanksgiving at home. I wanted to have the stuffing with chestnuts (my Aunt Rebb's recipe) and my dad's chocolate pecan pie. Not to forget that later in the evening Nate and I would watch Home Alone while sipping Cherry 7up. This crazy tradition started when Home Alone first aired on TV. Nate and I were bored, so we watched it and loved it. Every little boy learned how to scream like Kevin into the mirror that year. Now, we have an old copy of the movie and still find it just as entertaining on Thanksgiving night after our stomachs are full. Luckily, my mom gave in and decided to do the works (I used the "I'm your favorite daughter and it would be so much fun excuse").

Daddy Carving the Turkey and our banquet of food in my parents kitchen.

This girl loved it the most.

We also changed things up just a tiny bit. Nate made the turkey (I know, my brother can cook better than I can, shhhhh) and this year, my mom made the sweet potatoes (we usually bought them pre-made) with a recipe I found on Real Simple.

 Serves 8| Hands-On Time: 15m | Total Time: 1hr 10m

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the baking dish
• 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1⁄4-inch-thick rounds
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• pinch of cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Oil a shallow 2 ½- to 3-quart baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, toss the sweet potatoes with the Parmesan, 2 tablespoons of the oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper; transfer to the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake until tender, 45 to 50 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the pecans, sugar, thyme, cayenne, the remaining tablespoon of oil, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper.
4. Remove the foil from the baking dish, sprinkle the pecan mixture over the potatoes, and continue to bake, uncovered, until the pecans are toasted, 10 to 12 minutes. 

{source}

Family+Lots of food+Thankfulness+watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade+Aiden stuffing her face+watching the Cowboys game+homemade chocolate pecan pie+watching Home Alone+drinking lots of Cherry 7up+Chestnut stuffing+homemade pumpkin pie= 

A FABULOUS Soules Family Thanksgiving

I'm one lucky girl.

Thankful Thanksgiving

There is so much to be thankful for.

Most importantly, family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

An Early Thanksgiving

With everyone being in town for Randy's wedding, Kevin's parents decided to have an early Thanksgiving dinner. It was a great idea for some extra family time!

It all started with the cooking in the kitchen. Sue and Rachel did most of cooking. Thank you! 

A few brought side dishes and dessert, all homemade. Kevin and I cheated, we bought a Razzleberry pie from Marie Calendar's. We were just too busy and tired to make something homemade.

The food was great.

A beautiful table spread of most of the food.

Kids lining up to eat it all.

The kids table. All the action is here.

All the Jones minus Stephanie (we missed you) and their friend from Japan.

Family+Friends+Lots of kids+A little drama+Noise+Thankful-ness=

Jones Family Thanksgiving dinner