A bear hug

Tonight I went to a meeting with my buddy's and it was just what my heart needed. They invited me out to dinner afterwards and lol I turned around 3 times go, no u need to get home, no u don't, it will be good, no ur not in the mood!!! Lol I went and enjoyed good company. My heart felt like it got a big bear hug and so happy a bad day ended great..... Thus inspiring me to create yet another dessert when I got home .... And I call them, u guesses it "bear hugs"!!!!!

Pumpkin Dip

• 2 blocks of cream cheese (i use fat free)
• 2 cups of sifted powered sugar
• 1 can (15oz) Pure Pumpkin
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger

> Beat all ingredient together and chill over night or at least one hour for flavors to marry nicely!!! Serve with fruit (apples are great, but bananas, grapes and Cantaloupe were the best), ginger snaps, gram crackers, pretzils.... u name it. I liked honey braided pretzils, gingerbread marshmellows, grapes, and bannanas.

Also this makes a ton but i dont cut it in half... ull find ways to use it if its not all gone, it keeps getting better and when friends come over and try it you have enough to send some home with them!!!! ;)

Sweet Pumpkin Dip

• 2 blocks of cream cheese (i use fat free)
• 2 cups of sifted powered sugar
• 1 can (15oz) Pure Pumpkin
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger

> Beat all ingredient together and chill over night or at least one hour for flavors to marry nicely!!! Serve with fruit (apples are great, but bananas, grapes and Cantaloupe were the best), ginger snaps, gram crackers, pretzils.... u name it. I liked honey braided pretzils, gingerbread marshmellows, grapes, and bannanas.

Also this makes a ton but i dont cut it in half... ull find ways to use it if its not all gone, it keeps getting better and when friends come over and try it you have enough to send some home with them!!!! ;)

Pumpkin Curry Soup

Super easy, super fast and super good!!! actually good hot or cold but flavors are better the next day and served warm!!! enjoy....

• 2 tbs butter
• 1 cup onion
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 pepper
• 3 cups of chicken broth
• 1 can (15oz) Pure pumkin
• 1 can (12oz) evaporated milk

Melt butter in pan and saute onion and garlic till soft about 5 minutes. Stir in curry and S & P.

Next add Chicken broth and pumpkin, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stiring often for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and add Evap milk.

Transfer in batches if needed into blender and puree till smooth. ENJOY!!!

New Years

well the new year is right around the corner and I have to admit I am welcoming it. I have lots of goals that I will reach. New ones though.... better ones... self searching ones. God is first and foremost in my life, but I once heard not to long ago about the "quality of life". But it hit me in a new way. I got convicted of the fact of is my quality of life as best as it can be? What is the "quality" of my own quality? I don't want to just DO, I want to DO and do with the utmost quality I can muster up. And I want challenges lots of challenges, new adventures, creating wonderful new habits, traditions, find new ways to spoil my family, reach out to others in ways I never imagined, cook like a 5 star chef and give it to others, dedicate my day every morning to God's way... His plan, because this past year He has carried me through the lowest point of my life, one I couldn't have come through without Him. I owe at the very least to dedicate the rest of my life to filling out the Legacy left to me by both my Fathers in heaven. This year I give back, this year I walk, this year I become whatever it is He wants.

Christmas

Well I have to say it was a hit. I planned for weeks the menu, shopping, presents, time lines, decorations ect. I wanted this to be special and full of new memories and traditions. It was just Josh, mom, Paw-Paw and I for the gathering as we did Christmas eve dinner together with presents to be opened then reconviened after church Christmas for a new menu and more presents!!! The mood was kept light and loving as we all enjoyed eachother. The blessing of the Lord was thick as we all recieved much more than physical items but filled with a love and happiness that can only be a miracle from God. This was a Christmas of first for sure.. the first one my husband and I really celebrated right, first one in our house, first one i hosted... and even though it was technically our second without daddy here last year we were so numb and it was so fresh the loss really wasnt real yet. So basically thats what this was, our first Christmas here in La with out dad. So I went all out!!! Not focused on the physical but honesty the focus was what would make it special for my family. It went well, lots of surprises all the way around and we all made it through just fine. More individual details on the miricles shall come later... still trying to figure this blog thing out!!!