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An Attitude of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is approaching and this is a perfect time to stop and count our blessings and express gratitude for and to family, friends, health, material blessings, the earth, God, the Universe. Some families have a tradition of holding hands around the Thanksgiving table while each person says what they are thankful for, but an attitude of gratitude does not have to be limited to Thanksgiving.

Today I am grateful for the love and support of my wonderful best friend and husband Bob.

What are you grateful for today?

Thought for Today

PM Window 17 resized 20090403_0201 — Precious Moments Chapel Window

“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” ~G.K. Chesterton

It’s National Deviled Egg Day!

There are many different ways of making deviled eggs and people have definite personal preferences. At my house the filling is moist (I use an olive oil based mayo), tart (we add vinegar) and bright yellow (lots of mustard).

Our garnish of choice is paprika sprinkled over the top. Your preference might be sliced olive, pickle or something else. I like to use deviled eggs (and potato salad) as examples of how our thoughts, ideas and preferences are influenced by family and the community where we live.

What are deviled eggs like in your world?What about your deviled egg recipe makes it “just right” no matter what anyone else says? Let’s talk!

Thought for Today

“Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality.” ~Alfred Painter

It’s always nice when the neighbors give you a hand.

What’s Fall Without Vegetable Carving?

What would Fall be without fruit and vegetable carving? I know you’re thinking Jack-O-Lanterns, but what about carved watermelons or pineapples? I doubt you’ve seen anything like these. Please follow the links to see some beautiful pictures (there are a few magnificent Jack-O-Lanterns included) and don’t forget to bookmark us before you go.

Fruitcarving.com

Weburbanist.com

Telegraph.co.uk

I just found one more I had to share. If you’re not into carving check out these beautifully decorated pumpkins. All you need is a pumpkin and a permanent marker. http://rainbowelephant.com/pumpkins-for-non-trick-or-treaters/

Now it’s your turn. Have you ever experimented with fruit or vegetable carving? Or maybe you are quite accomplished in the art form. Perhaps you have been inspired by a fruit or vegetable carving demonstration or display. Do you have another way of decorating pumpkins? Tell us about it.

2 carrots peeled and sliced thin

1/2 cup lentils

1/2 cup dry garbanzo beans (chick peas) soaked overnight and cooked

1/2 cup dry black beans soaked overnight and cooked

1/2 cup dry navy beans soaked overnight and cooked

1 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen

2 cans chopped tomatoes

1 small can tomato sauce

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons cumin

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 bay leaf (discard before serving)

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 cups water — more if needed.

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low all day — no less than 6 hours. Chili is better the longer it cooks. Discard bay leaf before serving.