Let's Be Honest - Thanksgiving

A Cozy Thanksgiving

As the Thanksgiving week jolts into full swing, I'm constantly reminded of everything going on this week. There are the Black Friday sales and emails, food preparation for engorging ourselves on all our favorite comfort foods, family traveling, everyone congregating, memories of past Thanksgivings and the loss of gain or loved ones, Christmas music on the radio, and even the purchase and decoration of a Christmas tree. It's overwhelming to all of our senses if we really stop and think about it.

All of this stuff is definitely part of the season, but I'd hate for it to ruin what I really think, believe, and cherish about Thanksgiving. In all the festivities and preparation (and with Christmas taking over already), I'm so tempted to forget what I'm thankful for each year.  I know a lot of people are doing that Every Day of November Thankfulness thing on Facebook, but I decided against it for a few reasons:

1. I didn't know about it in time
2. I don't want to come up with something just to fulfill the number slot
3. I'll forget.

Instead, I've decided to focus on particular relationships this holiday season. I have so many family members I love but never take the time to get to know. I know that sounds awful and it really is awful. But don't we just do a lot of things alongside our family during Thanksgiving, playing housekeeper and guest, and only focus on the meal being eaten rather than the people around the table?

My goal is to contemplate on the people God has given me, cultivate deep conversations, and pray that all of the food gets cooked on time. You know the whole Mary/Martha thing? I'm definitely a Martha, always doing, doing, doing. I'm preparing, cleaning, trying to be a good housekeeper during holiday seasons and festivities. This year, I want to be Mary and enjoy all of the people and relationships in my life and help cook as well. I just don't want to miss our on my blessings on the one day when we're supposed to really celebrate them.

I'm reminded of Abraham Lincoln's famous Thanksgiving proclamation(p.s. I'm hoping to go see the movie this weekend!):

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union. 

I also usually don't share stuff like this, but I hate Black Friday and cannot stand shopping frenzies. This really encapsulates how I feel about that day (and yes, I know why they call it Black Friday. Do you?):

Happy Weekend!!

Home

It's Friday and one of my favorite days of the week. I get to hang out with 10th graders for the first half of the work day and college students for the rest.

This week has been eventful. I had two friends have cutie babies yesterday. Welcome to the world Liam Seamus and Ruby Mae!

We're attending the wedding of two beautiful friends from church this weekend. Tyler, Ethan, and I are so excited to witness their union.

I came across this blog post today about body image and eating disorders. It's good stuff. Speaking as someone who has struggled with control over my body and figure, I was encouraged to hear Kristen's story.

Enjoy some great music today.

This looks like a great side for dinner tonight.

The weather is beautiful. Enjoy creation.

Great website for book nerds.

Have a great weekend.

I Ran a Half-Marathon!!

The wait is over.

I was supposed to smile. I forgot.

I ran a half-marathon with a time of 2:15:45. As it was my first half, I was ok with just finishing.

The morning was perfect for running. I couldn't have asked for better weather. It was overcast and in the low to mid-sixties while we were running. As glorious as sunshine is on a regular day, it would have been much more difficult if the temperature had been up several degrees.

Tyler and West didn't run, but met Faith, Anna Gail, and myself at the 4 mile mark, the 9ish mile mark, and the finish line in Fluor Field. They flashed their cameras and took quite a few pictures.

Anna Jamming to Her Tunes

Faith - More than Halfway

I loved the adrenaline at the starting line and the sheer number of people ready to run. I even saw my sister's college roommate in the line up. I know several people who were there but never saw because that stadium was packed out.

The best part of the race was the last mile or so. As we came back into the city, there were more and more people watching and cheering. I felt so encouraged by people who I did not know. They kept yelling for all of the runners. I even had one man tell me I looked great and to keep going. I'm sure I looked as though I was about to die, and he felt obligated to keep me alive at least long enough for me to make it around the next turn. But, it was still encouraging to hear.

Last Moments of the Race

After we circled around the stadium at the end, the runners ran onto Flour Field, around the edge and across the finish line near home base. As we ran into the stadium, a man called our names over the loud speaker. It was as if I was in the Olympics or something (this is definitely the closest feeling I will ever have to being in the Olympics). I could hear the crowd, my name over the speaker, and I was instantly covered in goosebumps, sprinting with renewed energy towards the finish line. Any pain I felt was suddenly gone from my body. It was a great moment in life and really truly reminded me of Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who fo rhte joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." I felt as though I was completing that race, not that I was going to die, but that I was finishing something so hard and anticipated. I cannot imagine the immense joy I will feel on that final day.

Tyler captured some great images of people running and even the marathon winner crossing the finish line, acting like it was nobody's business. We saw him afterwards while he was loading up on fruits and carbs. I can't comprehend the energy he burned.

Michael Dwomoh - 2012 Spinx Marathon Winner

Runners

On the walk back to Faith and West's (they live so close to town we could just hop on the Swamp-Rabbit Trail and walk to their house in a jiffy), we found a perfect fall tree and celebrated our victory with a leaf dance and photo session.

Love These Girls 

Tyler and West Do a Leaf Dance

While it ultimately may be too ambitious, I'd like to make the half-marathon a yearly goal.

We did it.

Weekend Wonders - Faith, West, and Anna

Oh the joy of true friends.

This past weekend, Tyler and I traveled to Greenville, SC to visit the lovely Jones family and Miss Anna Gail Hastings. We also went for me to run this half-marathon, but that was a minor detail.

Such a lovely, serious couple (Don't you love their green walls?).

Friday night's feast before the run consisted of delicious foods Faith and I made while the boys played music and talked. Those guys. It had been over an hour of solid cooking when we finally sat down, but Tyler asked when we had possibly found time to make all of the food from scratch. 

For dinner, Faith and I made this cauliflower soup. It really was pretty easy. One Tip: We used an immersion blender instead of emptying the soup out and blending it. It was much easier this way because we didn't have to deal with piping hot cauliflower.

Roasted Cauliflower for Garnish

Soup is Served!

My favorite thing about this recipe was using the chive oil Faith made, which was really fun to drizzle on top. It was definitely hard to make a straight line, and most of our bowls ended up with polka dots of chive oil. Yes, I know. She made chive oil. Faith goes all out for visitors.

To accompany our soup, we also made these Cheddar-Chive Scones. They were amazing. I do believe I ate more of my scone than anyone else. But it's ok, because I ran a half-marathon the next day. That's what I kept telling myself.

Kneading the Dough with Bad Posture.

Finished Product

For dessert, Faith whipped up some crock-pot apples. She cored the apples and filled them with brown sugar, cinnamon, and some butter. Then she cooked them in the crock pot for a few hours. They were amazing, especially topped with Frozen Vanilla Greek Yogurt.

Anna came by after celebrating some friends at their rehearsal dinner. She had a packed weekend with little sleep: Wedding Festivities, A.M. work at Starbucks, and a half-marathon. I envy her ability to keep the momentum going.

Faith and Anna Gail

Tyler: When did you make all of this from scratch?

After dinner, the boys were amazing and washed dishes for us. I may or may not have guilt tripped Tyler into joining West. However, the ever-helpful Tyler did it with a great attitude. West is a professional dishwasher these days, and they knocked it out in just a few minutes, even though the counters and table were covered with dishes. Thanks boys.

Hard at Work

It was a great night before the marathon. Good food and real friends. Already looking forward to visiting again.

Baby Sh-owl-er for Katey and James - Owl Cake

Two weeks ago, some Florence people convened at The Meade House for a night to celebrate Katey and James McCoy and their baby Liam, due to join us all here on earth in just a few weeks. I was honored to be helping these lovely ladies give the shower. We're all long-time friends from a seemingly different era of Florence history, and it was great to get back and visit with everyone.

Hostesses(L to R): Taiter, Sage, Whitney, Me

We went with an owl theme for the shower, because Katey and James are decorating the nursery in earthy tones and owls. Whitney did a great job prepping her home. Instead of a traditional baby shower sans men, we decided to do a grill out and invite the guys. They definitely get shafted in the wedding and baby shower scene. Granted, I know most men don't want to sit and open presents, but they definitely miss out on some great food. So we did burgers and dogs, chips and potato salad, fruit, and lots of desserts.

Some of the gals (L to R): Me, Sage, KateyandLiam, Whitney, Taiter, and Kali/Jones

Really it was a great night. I even got to meet little Jones Dabney. I'll be honest. It was great to hold a 6-week-old again. I had forgotten how tiny they are and how much attention they need. Jones is definitely a cutie.

Tyler and my part of the preparation for the shower was 1. Tyler buys beer and 2. Melissa makes owl cake. Buying beer was easy enough, but I had to do a little research in order to decide which owl cake to mimic. Google searching owl cake and looking at the images is a little daunting. But I found a super cute plan for an owl cake at My Inner Need to Create. 

I decided we didn't need as big of a cake as she made, so instead of using 9" and 13" circles, I used 8" and 10" circles. It turned out just as well. I made strawberry marble and chocolate marble cakes. They were pretty and yummy at the same time. 

Marble Cakes

After baking the cakes, I trimmed them up and put them together to make the owl shape.

 Then I made icing and colored them: Tan/Copper, Brown(cocoa and coloring), Yellow, Black, and I saved a little White for the eyes.

E even helped me make the icing. He definitely enjoyed licking a spoon and eating lots of left over cake.

The finished product? A cutie owl cake, but not too girly for Liam. I was pretty excited about the way it turned out. I definitely had my doubts about my capabilities.

Meanwhile, Tyler was doing great things as well. He volunteered to help make E's Halloween costume. E chose to be a red ninja this year, so Tyler made it. He is such a Renaissance man. I think he even enjoys sewing more than I do, because he loves precision and putting things together. I do not. I like icing because you can cover up mistakes easily, and I can literally ice over something done sloppily. 

My Man Love - Focusing

All in all, it was a great night. It was great to see Katey with a baby bump, James, and crew. I am so excited about baby Liam and the future McCoy family. Tyler and I definitely had a "we miss Florence" moment. It really only lasted a few minutes until we had to drive through Sams Club and Wal*Mart traffic. Then we were over it, but we definitely loved the community time. Thanks Katey and James for the excuse to get together.

Mr. LaCross and Myself 

Asheville, Stomach Bugs, and Many Pictures

A nasty bug kept me away from the computer for most the week last week. I battled and grappled with it for a few days, and it went on to attack E. Of course, he kicked it's butt in a mere 12 hours. He also started praying to Jesus in the bathroom after his first episode, so I think he was cured faster for his faith.

He asked great questions including, "Is there really a bug in my stomach right now," "Does the thermometer read how much bug is left in my body" (E, I wish this was true. If only we got more from the thermometer than body temp), and, "I guess I won't get perfect attendance this year." This was only E's 2nd stomach virus in his 8 years, so his comprehension of sickness is much less than other children.

So Tyler and I found ourselves on Friday afternoon at five with a dilemma. We had to decide if we were going to pack up our whole family and haul ourselves to Asheville for the family weekend (planned since last year) with my parents and my sister's family.

E had been throwing up all morning, I was on my first day without fever and hadn't thrown up, and we were all exhausted from sick times.

Of course, we decided to go. We can talk about how wise of a decision that was another time (One of our deciding factors was the fact we had our own hotel room for quarantining purposes).

It really worked out well. I made sure E went to bed early and was forced to stay in the room after that. I didn't want to be arrested for leaving an 8-year-old in a hotel room by himself. It wouldn't look good to a court, especially if he had a stomach virus. So I got some extra sleep time as well, probably more than I would have gotten at home.

Saturday we went to Carrier Park in Asheville. It was amazing. The park was an old speedway turned velodrome, roller hockey rink, and giant play-ground, much like our favorite park in the Clemson/Pendleton area. E and my dad loved watching bikes in the velodrome, play on the Spirit of the River airplane, and conquering the monkey-bars.

Spirit of the River

E and Papa - Velodrome

Lee Bee

Tire Tube

Monkey Bars

Tyler took some great pics of E and Lee Bee both Saturday and Sunday.

After the park Saturday, we left the kids with my parents and Jen, Darren, Tyler, and I went to Brewgrass 2012! We were definitely not as gung-ho this year with Jen's cold, my stomach virus, Tyler's fear of the stomach virus, and Darren just being discouraged by us. Actually, it was a great time.

The Official Brewgrass Glass

But it was dang hot. Brewgrass takes place on a baseball field, so absolutely no shade. It was so hot that I captured this picture of Tyler. I may or may not have promised not to post it.

Unbuttoned with Homemade Root Beer

It was so hot that I got a sunburn. I know that sounds silly, but that says a lot. I don't burn. There is nothing more unattractive than peeling, burnt lips. I've got them, watch out!

The music this year was much better than last year. I really enjoyed Cutthroat Shamrock, though I was skeptical at first because of their name. I also really liked Town Mountain. We even got up from our cozy chair/blanket post and watched Town Mountain at the front.

Darren and Jen

Tyler and Me

The beer was good. I didn't do a good job trying most everything, but I did get a few good things. Tyler had one beer that wasn't even deserving of the name 'beer' and Darren forced him to dump it out. The big hit of the day was from Wicked Weed Brewing, a brewery in Asheville that will open very soon. Their debut at Brewgrass was one of the first Wicked Weed tastings. The line was about 45 minutes long, so I opted out. Darren and Tyler enjoyed it though. The term 'wicked weed' refers to the quote from Henry VIII, "Hops are a wicked and pernicious weed." Little did King Henry know...

We enjoyed some good beer, conversation, music, and yummy food from some of Asheville's signature restaurants.

Photo by Tyler LaCross

And now that we're back from such a whirlwind week/end, I'm glad we went. I'm still worn out, frustrated I haven't been able to run yet, and with a wreck of a house/nursing station to clean up, but I'm looking for the positive. I saw the people I love, I feel better, and there are signs of fall in the air. Plus, Tyler promised to help clean the house tonight.

Fall's Coming.

Parties, Parties.

While I was there for less then 24-hours, my time in the small hometown, Florence, was well spent this past weekend. I got to have dinner with my parents and my in-laws (they get along well, so that's never a problem). Then I had a cake-making party with this one.

Sifting Taiter

I was so excited to see my lovely Taiter and make cakes with her until the middle of the night. We literally finished everything around midnight and then chatted until I fell asleep on the couch around 1 a.m. I'm an old woman.

Saturday was so joyful as we celebrated Charlotte's little boy. I was so touched to find they've decided to name him Jack Lawson Culotta. He's named after Charlotte's dad, Jack Lawson, who died last year after battling lung cancer. I am so excited for little Jack and the name he's inheriting because his granddad was really special. Some pictures from the weekend.

All Star Party Decor by Lindsey Bibler

My Baseball Cake

Charlotte and Dr. Anna

Baseball Cupcakes

Caroline and Itty Bitty EC

Gifts - Cutie Elephant

Lindsay and Lindsey with Olive

Lindsey, Anna, Charlotte, Me, Caroline, and Lindsay

It was a great shower. And then, by no surprise, I was chased by a giant storm system as I hurried back to NC. I made it back without rain, though dark clouds threatened me the whole way. To finish up a great day, Tyler and I had an amazing date at this Italian place in Charlotte. I had the mushroom risotto special. It was absolutely amazing. Tyler and I also tried stuffed mushrooms and some great glasses of red wine. 

To top it all off, the weather has been so amazing. It's reminding me of this era of life.

I love Fall. I love Apple Picking. I love my boys. Circa 2009.

I had my pre-fall celebration run by hitting a 5-miler last night before dark. It was one my best runs in a while. And then I snuggled up with Harry Potter before bed. I'm working through The Order of the Phoenix. And now we're back to a new week. Happy Monday!