What are the Chances....

...I can not show up for Thanksgiving dinner this Friday...


even though it's at my house?


Maybe I can just bring the Dixie plates and cups...


if I could actually buy them here.

How many grocery stores do I have to go to....


before I find some sweet potatoes?


How do you spell potatos..potateos...potatoes..anyway?


Could the weather be any drearier...


and is there any chance Alabama will beat Auburn this Friday?


I answer yes and no to those questions.


My precious friend Pat is bringing 'stuffing' to our dinner....


my family always made 'dressing'.  

Sweet Potatoes/potatos/potateos are supposed to be orange inside....


but here they're white.

Makes for an unattractive casserole.  


Did I mention that Pat's husband is an Auburn fan...


what are the chances I can skip Thanksgiving dinner?



(Seriously...I'm very excited about Thanksgiving and celebrating it with some of our American friends this Friday.  My casserole won't be pretty and orange, and I'll have to wash all the dishes since Dixie won't export to Portugal but I'll enjoy every last bite of Ms. Pat's stuffing and watching the Alabama/Auburn game....even if it's with Auburn fans.  All is well in my little corner of the world and I have MUCH to be thankful for.)

It started with the Chestnuts....

Delicious, warm and toasty........

And ended with the house fully decorated for Christmas.

I know what your thinking.  Because I thought the exact same thing.  But I have an honest excuse.

I thought Thanksgiving was a week earlier than it actually is and I told the kids we could put up the tree the week before Thanksgiving.  Since we are hosting a dinner, I wanted to have the house decorated and done with so that I could focus on cleaning and cooking.

When I realized I was wrong (and my husband was right, of course) my children were heartbroken and didn't really accept my excuse.

They said, "But Mom, we've put up our tree on November 1st before!"  (And they are right about that.)

So...I gave in.  And now I have a nicely decorated home for the holidays and a happy family.

But very confused neighbors.

Website Update

Click here to read the latest with our family and ministry.

It's been easy to slack on my blog when I have a hubby that does such an amazing job with updates on our website!

:0)

Bom Fim-de-Semana!

Little Star - Book Review

I've recently had the privilege of being asked to do a book review for a new children's book.

Little Star was written by Anthony DeStefano when he was just 15 years old in his high school creative writing class.  And now, 30 years later, it's been published.

It's a delightful book filled with beautiful illustrations about a little boy who's father is telling him the story about the Christmas star.

The smallest most ignored star in the skies learns the true meaning of Christmas and gives his all to be of service to the new born king.  We are reminded today of the Little Stars sacrifice when we gaze upon the brilliant star atop our Christmas tree.

I would recommend purchasing this book to accompany other Christmas stories we read to our children in this blessed holiday season.

My thanks to author Anthony DeStefano for allowing me this privilege.

A Photo Journey - Autumn Afternoon

Last week we enjoyed some beautiful Fall weather.  Usually by this time of year, the rain and wind have set in and the yard is so soggy you can't walk in it.  But the Lord extended our Fall season here in Northern Portugal and we loved it!

After the kids had eaten lunch there was still a little time before they had to be back at school so we went outside to find something to do....here is our photo journey of an Autumn Afternoon:

"What are we going to do Mom?"

Major wanted to play ball.

I wanted to swing and relax.

Major really wanted to play ball.

I decided to take some pictures.

Our oranges are almost ready.

Faith and Lib went on a treasure hunt.

Complete with a map and backpacks.

Faith looked more like Pipi Longstockings than she did a treasure discoverer.

Trinity didn't like any of our ideas.

And she really didn't like me taking her picture while pouting.

How long can I hide the fact that 9 year olds in America have REAL cell phones and don't play with their parents old ones?  Let's not tell her, okay?

Finally, it was time to return the kids to school  This is THE tree in the school yard, where everything happens.  I remember in my elementary school yard, it was a huge old tire on the playground.

When I left the school, I drove out to the coast for some me and God time.

Yes, I took these while driving...and yes I had a wreck while doing so.  But no one was hurt, not even my fender where I ran into a van.  Only my pride was damaged.

It was a beautiful day.

The water was rough and muddy looking, but I didn't mind.

During August, one can hardly see sand for the number of people on the beach.  I like it like this much better.

Always fishermen.

Sometimes I wonder if I started swimming how long it would take me to reach the eastern coast of America.

But then I realize how dumb that is.

It's almost time to go back to the school...good bye pretty skies....

 

This is what I was greeted bye when I walked in Justice's classroom.

My little man and one of his buddies.


Then it was home and back to the daily grind of snacks, homework, supper, baths and housework.  It was a fun afternoon.  I hope you enjoyed the journey.