I hope you’ve all had a great Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!  I know it’s been a few days since I updated, but most of you know that I’ve been so busy with getting ready for Ian to come home this Tuesday, and along with that, we also did a craft fair this past Saturday, which was again blessed as those bubbles floated off of the table!  Yesterday, we had a wonderful pre-Thanksgiving meal with the family!  We had 21 people, and they were all quite generous in contributing a dish to a meal that was fit for a king and queen … along with their royal court, I might add!  It made it nice that the meal wasn’t put on just one person to prepare, and we had every dish you could think of … but, not having felt too well most of the past week, I didn’t eat very much … although, I had lots to choose from!  


  Here’s what was on that menu: 
*slow baked turkey 
*honey glazed ham
*fluffy buttery mashed potatoes
*tasty gravy (2 kinds — turkey and red-eye for the ham)*
*baked stuffing
*cranberry sauce 
*sweet potato casserole with a brown sugar buttery pecan topping 
*sweet potatoes baked with marshmallows on top
*fresh green beans
*mexican corn casserole 
*lettuce salad
*24 hour salad
*whole wheat rolls 
*regular and flavored coffees


 Now mind you … this did not include the abundant display over at the dessert table … 
it was decked out with these goodies:
*pumpkin pie
*apple pie
*homebaked cookies
*pumpkin roll
*cherry dump cake
*chocolate iced brownies
*chocolate iced peanut butter cheerio treats (similar to the Rice Krispie version — hubby loved those)
{ I didn’t eat any dessert ~ (now is that willpower or what?!) ~ oh, but we did bring part of a pumpkin pie home, which I’ll treat myself to later ~ only problem is, we have no whip cream! }


Now, of course, you realize I was just getting you ready for your big day, right?!!  Really, I hadn’t seen that much food since the last church pitch-in, and if I had even known how much food we were going to have, you all would have received an invitation!  We were so very blessed, and we have so much to be thankful for!  We had a wonderful day with Mom Betty, and Dad who seem to be doing much better.  We also found out that my niece, and her hubby, are expecting their first child!  My brother and sister-in-law are extremely happy to have their first grandbaby on the way!  We had a great day … but now Monday evening is here … and my day has been full of last minute things that I’ve needed to get done before Ian arrives tomorrow evening at 6:55PM!  At least I’ll have the better part of the day tomorrow to finish up … still not feeling 100%, but, I’m still so excited … can you tell! 

I would so appreciate it if you would pray for Ian’s flight.  He flys out tomorrow, early in the morning, from San Jose, then to LAX, then onto Dallas, Ft. Worth, and then finally home.  The layovers are about an hour and 20 minutes each … and today, they were saying there were flight delays at the 2 airports due to snow in the northeast slowing things down.  So your prayers are very much appreciated!   

Once he gets here, I’m not sure how often I’ll be checking in, but I’ll do it whenever I get the chance … and, of course I’ll be sharing pictures!  He may be working with his dad a couple of days this week, which will give me opportunity to let you know how things are going!  I will be praying for all of you this week, as I know you are busy with planning for your big day, and maybe possibly traveling.  I do want to get around to find out what your plans are before Thursday, though!  In the meantime, have a beautiful Monday evening and a terrific Tuesday … remember to rest in Him as you are busy preparing this week, and thank Him for all the blessings, large and small, in your lives … for we all have so very much to be thankful for! 

Hugs & Thanksgiving Blessings on your week!!
                                      ~ Deborah <><