capture2011 :: no. 236 :: 11.28.11 :: grace in so many ways

for me and ben, this has been the year of welcoming nieces and nephews, both biological and not! the newest is grace ann, second daughter to my brother dave and his wife lauren, and younger sister to the lovely hannah. grace arrived on sunday night, a few days after her thanksgiving due date, and she came fast (like two hours after they got to the hospital fast). we are praising God for His wonderful blessings, and i just can't wait to get to know her better.

it's the holiday season!

capture2011 :: no. 233 :: 11.24.2011 :: thanksgiving table

we spent the day at my parents' house, and it was a wonderful time. so, so, so much to thank God for. "grace upon grace."


capture2011 :: no. 234 :: 11.26.2011 :: i'm in here!

can you find me? ;)

capture2011 :: no. 235 :: 11.26.2011 :: ornamental

we have a small, fake, crooked Christmas tree that i decorated on friday. ben's parents and my parents were really good about saving all our homemade ornaments and labeling them with years (some of them have pictures, too), and i got really nostalgic as i pulled out popsicle-stick snowmen and reindeer made from clothespins. those trees with matching ornaments in only one or two colors are so beautiful, but i like our patchy tree decorated with homey, sentimental ornaments. ben does, too.

capture2011 :: no. 232 :: 11.23.11 :: sugar and spice

i am a pumpkin pie junkie, and i am very ritualistic about my thanksgiving pumpkin pie fix. maybe i'm a bit over the top, but i know what i like. don't we all?

first, pumpkin pie must be made with libby's canned pumpkin and the recipe from the can. and no substituting pumpkin pie spice for the mixture of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. i infinitely prefer this recipe to pies made from fresh pumpkin or from baker's square (although theirs isn't bad). clearly, i have a very refined palate. ;)

i double the recipe and pour it into two pillsbury deep-dish pie crusts. there is usually a bit left over to pour into a tiny casserole and bake along with the pies, which means i can have a little dish of pumpkin pie filling all to myself. ben thinks i am crazy. i think i'm in heaven.

finally, pumpkin pie must be served cold. this is non-negotiable. whipped cream, reddi-wip, or cool whip are also highly recommended, but i don't discriminate there.

what are your thanksgiving food rituals?

all at once

here's a big helping of photos for ya!

capture2011 :: no. 228 :: 11.18.2011 :: tried and true

i made these for ben a few years ago, and it makes me really happy that they are useful to him.

capture2011 :: no. 229 :: 11.18.2011 :: ice cream in bed

nothing more to say here!

capture2011 :: no. 230 :: 11.19.2011 :: accumulation!

and this was early in the day. we got a few more inches i think.

capture2011 :: no. 231 :: 11.21.2011 :: stocking up

a rare coupon and a good sale got me thinking months ahead in buying gifts from c&b. yes, that means you, kristen! :)

capture2011 :: no. 227 :: 11.13.11 :: sunday afternoon nap