Pumpkin Fluff

I can't believe I have been so remiss in posting this fantastic fall recipe.  Please forgive me! 

Reasons why you should make this:
1.  Easy as pie to make (5 year olds could make this on their own if someone opens the pumpkin can for them!)
2.  Guests, friends, and family will all love it
3.  It's relatively low in calories (especially if you use non-fat whipped cream)
4.  Once you make it once, you'll make it again and again because you were making it for a party and ended up eating 1/2 the bowl by yourself so you had to make more for the guests because it's just that good!


Pumpkin Fluff
12 oz of frozen whipped topping, thawed (1 1/2 of the small ones or 3/4 of the big tub)
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix (sugar free works)
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Fold all ingrediants together in a mixing bowl.  Serve with Nilla Wafers, graham cracker sticks, or apple slices.

This would be darling if set out inside a scooped out pumpkin that is lined with saran wrap!!

Enjoy!!

Today I am thankful for..........

Oops......I didn't blog yesterday as I got so caught up in getting "caught up" after my three long days of work.  So two thankful thoughts of the day.....................

1.  I am so thankful for lists.  I love making them, I love checking things off them, I love knowing that at the end of the day, I still have other things to do tomorrow that will make my life productive.  I make packing lists, to-do lists, weekly menu lists, fun lists, wish lists, workday lists, etc.  I know a lot of you out there are list makers too.  Do you think everyone loves lists?  Is it just a female thing?  Do you write them in a notebook, on random scraps of paper, in excel (B is notorious for excel lists!), or in your planner? 

2.  I am thankful that I am an American!  While there is always room for improvement in our country (in any country for that matter!), I adore living here and have never felt a pull towards other places enough to call them home indefinitely.  While I always tell B that living abroad for a few years would be fun (wouldn't London be wonderful for 3-4 years?), I'm so glad that I would always be a citizen of this country and be allowed to come "home".  We are blessed with choices that so many others are not, most of us do not live in fear each day, and our land is abundant with amazing sites, gorgeous natural landscapes, and a widely varied terrain.  Being a large country may mean that the government is "big" but it also blesses us with numerous opportunities and choices.  Today is one where those who have fought for our country should be remembered, prayed for, and lifted up with kindness.  Remember them, remember the flag, and remember the things about America you are grateful for.  In fact, why don't you make that your list of the day??

Today I am thankful for.................

my job.  Though today is my 3rd 12 (technically 13.5) hour shift in a row, and I am tired, tired, tired, I am so thankful that I have a job where I feel confident in my abilities, I feel that what I do matters, and I get to interact with children.  Can I tell you that there is not much better than the smile and laugh of a 15 month old?  Or the praise from a parent who feels you are an angel sent to take care of their child?  While there are definitely days when I'm frustrated, exhausted, and starving at the end of my shift, I love that God blesses me with the kindness of heart to walk into a room at the very end of the day to make sure that no one else needs anything before I leave.  How can you not when you know there is a quick smile or a small word of thanks waiting for you.  And even though there are families who are mean, crabby, sleep deprived, weird, or rude at all hospitals, all it takes is one positive, happy family to make up for it.  It's amazing how little positive feedback you need in order to make your day a great one!! 

I'm so thankful that my job also provides a paycheck enough for me to pay for all my basic needs, some fun splurges, and a healthy savings account.  I am blessed, and I hope on this Monday morning you feel blessed too in whatever job you are doing!!  We couldn't appreciate our days off without having a work ethic strong enough to get us to those vacation days!!

Today I am thankful for......

Gorgeous weather in Chicago.  While I am at work (yesterday, today and tomorrow- all of which are temps in the high 60s- low 70s), which is a huge bummer, it is nice to know that my fellow Chicagoans are able to enjoy one last gorgeous fall weekend before winter is upon us.  B enjoyed the day yesterday with a 13 mile run (his first long run since the marathon) and an afternoon trip to the park with Junie.  Today he is getting in one last round of golf.  I hope everyone around here decides to truly enjoy the sunshine and warm temps!!!

Just in case you think these thankful posts are too Pollyanna for you, I want to let you know that today I am NOT thankful for a puppy who chewed up my black heels yesterday to unrecognizable levels.  Ummmm.....thanks Junebug, let me know when you get a job and can afford to replace them.  I swear I could've killed Blair when he called to tell me, and while I know it wasn't his fault in the least, it was a definite case of shoot the messenger.  Darling shoes now destroyed by a puppy who can't work (no thumbs really compromises the job market!).  GRRRR!!!!!!

Wedding last weekend

Our good friends got married on Halloween night at the Hotel Allegro downtown Chicago.  The ceremony was beautiful, the cocktail hour had incredible bite-sized beef wellingtons, and the reception went off without a hitch.  They had a friend of theirs sing their first dance song- so meaningful and so well done.  I thought it was a great idea. 

A was a beautiful bride.  Her dress fit her so well- I loved the sweetheart neckline and the way the dress dipped in the back.  Her veil was cathedral length with lace around the edging.  Simply stunning.

B and I.  It was black tie optional, so B wore his tux and his plaid bow tie.  He looked great!!

JO, me, and MS.  Girls in black- so typical :)

AW, BT, and JS.  JS was the best man.

JS and MS.  They've been married for a little over two years and are expecting a baby in March.  Aren't they just lovely together?

MS and JO on the dance floor.  It's hard to see her baby bump here, but you can finally see it (she's 21 weeks here).  It's super cute!!

Today I am thankful for........................friends who have found the person of their dreams, beautiful weddings, and the chance to celebrate with friends. 

Have a great weekend ladies!!

Long day in the car- totally worth it!

Today I drove from Chicago to Grand Rapids (~3 hours) for our home inspection (and then drove home again- way too long of a commute!)!!  It was wonderful to take a full look at the house, learn some of the quirks, go through it with an inspector who talked me through everything, and take a ton of pictures!! I also was able to go through and see what needed to be fixed/changed right away vs. what we'd like to do in the long term.

We'll get the inspection report tonight or tomorrow morning via email and then will have to go back to the seller about anything that needs to be fixed prior to close.  We have settled on a closing date- December 12th!!!  We'll then move in that weekend and start unpacking.  There are 5 bedrooms in the house, so if anyone needs practice organizing houses or really just loves to clean, feel free to contact me, and I'm sure we could use your help :)  You can even bring your kids, husbands, and dogs!!

Okay, onto the good stuff......here are a few pics!!

The front of the house. 

A picture of the right side of the back yard.  You can see the raised vegetable garden.  Our yard is not fenced, that's the neighbors.  The house does come with an invisible fence for Junie!!

Another backyard shot.  Further into the woods is a small creek.

A crooked picture of the kitchen.  It has gorgeous old hardwood floors, glass cabinets, a huge eat-in area, a great island, ugly cabinet knobs (first thing to go), and beams that pretty much sold us on the house.

The den that is attached to the kitchen.  It also has the beams across the ceiling, a gorgeous bay window that overlooks the woods, and a great fireplace.  Can't you just imagine watching football games in here?

The bay window in the family room

Okay, I don't want to bore you too much!!  I'm just soooooo excited.  I'll share other pics later this weekend. 

Today I am thankful for...............

a good inspector who was able to guide a not-so-handy girl through the house of her dreams!!  He was kind, smart, and allowed me to ask questions that most would have just scoffed at.  Thanks Darryl!!

For some reason this pic won't load in the right spot, but this shows the breezeway and the garage to the right of the main part of the house. 

Today I am thankful for.......

one clean pup!!  Last night B and I gave Junie a bath in the bathtub (hilarity ensued!!), and by the color of the water running off her, she definitely needed it.  She smells so much better and her coat is so soft! 

I had to take her to the vet last week for what I thought was a yeast infection in her ear (and I was right).  We're now cleaning her ears every day and using a cream in them twice a day.  So far the redness (beefiness) has definitely improved and the smell (it was AWFUL) has gone away, but there is still some leftover redness, and she is still itching the area.  I'm going back next Monday for a recheck, and if it's not completely better, she'll probably be put on an oral medication.  Vet bills aren't fun!!  Luckily I can see her feeling better, so it makes it worth it. 

So clean pups, fun in the bathtub, a horribly messy and then completely spotless bathroom are my thanks today!!

Today I am thankful for.....

An official contract on the house! 

We will drive up this week for the inspection, and the closing date is now December 10th.  A very, very happy day for our little family.  I'll take lots of pictures during the inspection and share some of them here!

I am thankful...........

Black Labs and Lilly is posting something to be thankful for each day of Nov.  I am going to join her (along with Queen Bee Swain) and give thanks for the numerous blessings in my life throughout the month. 

Nov 2nd:  Today I am thankful for the blue skies we had yesterday in Chicago which allowed us to walk with Junebug around the neighborhood to get to a fabulous brunch.  Also for a quick visit with the bestie in the suburbs!

House update for Monday morning.....

So, we have a verbal agreement from the seller that we are getting the house.  She was away all weekend and couldn't get us the signed paperwork, but it is looking like the house is ours at our stand firm price.  She does want to push the closing off to 6 weeks which means we're not in until the middle on December- yuck.  I may be crashing at a friends' house for a few weeks until we can close as I'm looking to start work on November 30th.

Neither of us will feel confident until we have official paperwork in our hands, but it is looking good.  I'll definitely be upset if we have to start the house hunt all over again after all this, but I'm trusting that God is working his best to provide what we need at this point. 

Did I tell you that B had two phone interviews this week with a local company up there?  He will here from their HR department this week about scheduling a in person interview early this week.  I truly believe that that is completely God's work at hand.  Especially knowing that Michigan's economy is so awful.  Who would've thought that B would have a chance to work for a great company doing exactly what he wants to do at exactly the right time.  Prayer and trust are powerful things :)

I hope you all had a great Halloween and a great night's sleep with the extra hour!  We definitely had fun at the wedding.  I'll post a few pics tomorrow.  Happy Monday!!!!