Very Thankful

What a nice Thanksgiving we had. I am very thankful for so many things. Family, friends, health, and home. We tend to forget the important things in life and this was one of them. I didn't really mind all of the work that goes into having the dinner at our place. I guess I'm at the age where I think it is FUN! Even the dishes and all of the prep. Well, ok, after awhile the dishes weren't so much fun but overall...I would turn around and do it again! Every other day during the year we can use the everyday dishes, the throw away napkins or paper plates...but ONE day out of the year we can treat ourselves to something SPECIAL.

I was also thrilled to try out my "new" china. This lovely place setting of pseudo vintage (Made in Japan) china was a whopping $12.50 at a recent auction. TWELVE DOLLARS and FIFTY CENTS! And my DH bid on the lovely LENOX water goblets and wine glasses and "won" them at another bank breaking 50 cents. I may never shop at another store again! This brings up another thought which I will leave for another blog...

But anyway, to the right is a photo of the Thanksgiving table...waiting for the feast to begin. And what a feast it was! My DH and I had a nice sized turkey, stuffing, potatoes...a special sweet potato casserole made by my Step-daughter, the traditional green bean casserole made by my big Sista, deviled eggs (one of my favorites,) 2 pumpkin pies (DH.) an apple pie (same Step-daughter,) and more!

And let's not forget about the V-8 juice! We had a special guest visiting from San Diego who had never heard of this unique tradition before, and boy did she make a face when she tried it! Ok, so it is an acquired taste... miss you, Grandmom, and your V-8 toast!

How thankful I am for everything, especially the new memories made on this day with people I know and love.

WOW! Really Impressed!

Still busy! We've already gone on ANOTHER outing. My DH wanted to go see a concert. And I am not a big concert fan...but we all sometimes have to do things we are not fans of. But last night's concert by Steven Curtis Chapman was excellent. Really impressive! The man is extremely talented. My favorite song was the one that made me cry...Cinderella. The photo below shows how they play a video of two silhouettes dancing together as he sings about how quickly his daughter grew up.

Another favorite of mine is I Will Be Here. I was reminded of this as he started playing the song and I realized it was the song my big Sista sung at our wedding. (Another talented singer.) His new album also contains some great lyrics...it is called This Moment. Check him out... you won't be sorry you did.

City 'Scapes

What a great time we had in Pittsburgh this weekend! I had been there before, but only a little while so this was a great chance to see the city. DH and I went out to see my stepdaughter and she showed us some great highlights.

This was our view from the Georgetown Inn, where we chose to have dinner that night. Great food and the view was SPECTACULAR!

To get up there we took the Monongahela Incline, but of course, not until after we got off we realized we should have taken the Duquesne Incline. Oh well! Now we know. But then we wouldn't have found this great vantage point for the photo without it.

http://www.aviewoncities.com/pittsburgh/inclines.htm

We had checked out Pittsburgh University earlier that day. Very old campus. The cathedral was amazing. Loved the arches and all the antiques inside. Can't believe they have classes in there! Talk about inspiration!

A great photo opp on the steps of the cathedral!

And then of course we HAD to check out the stores.

I found a shop selling Mackenzie Childs items! I selected one of the latest Christmas ornaments. . . in "Ribbon Candy." We also went into a Swedish store.

DH and my stepdaughter had fun trying out different things in the PITT store. Fun!

DH put this hat on me. What is he trying to tell me?

One of our favorite moments was finding this musical fountain. We walked up and realized the water was coordinated with the music....and ABBA was playing! (My stepdaughter is thinking "What is ABBA??????")

The colors were so pretty, especially at night.

We had a great time and we look forward to our next adventure...

Busy Busy Busy

Things are picking up and getting busy! Being busy is ALWAYS good until of course, you've had enough. So far, I'm ok with it.

What have I been up to? Well, visiting friends and family for one. We were invited by a friend of mine to an Octoberfest party. Delicious array of food! It was also great to see some old co- workers from the former TV station where I used to work. It was AFTER we left I thought of the camera so I have no great pictures to show of our time there.

Then DH and I went to visit family. Also great to hang out with them and go to their church. Really enjoyed the show the group put on there called "Union Station." Lots of singing, dancing, and some acting, too! Of course, for this we forgot to bring the camera AGAIN... so no photo to post of this event! Sorry! I'm going to have to get better at this. I'm obviously off my game.

But, I do have pictures

of my nephew playing soccer!

...there he is! He's going for a goal!

Where does he get all the energy?

And not to forget my neice,

here she is in her mask.

Cutie Petutie!