Busy Week

I hope you are having a great week. Things are flying around here. We had a meeting after school today and I wanted to share with you photos of the work we did. Students went up behind the school and brought back greenery and pine cones for decorations. They made cookies, Christmas Tree appetizers, meatballs, chocolate chip cheese ball, punch and Wassail.
I was so busy, I forgot to get a close up of the trees. They were adorable.
Below: Other classes had their formal meal on Friday. In this project students are required to set the atmosphere and prepare a meal for a guest. One group made these beautiful Santa sleds. I am so proud of them. They worked really hard.

Snow theme.

Tree theme.

Old fashioned Christmas theme.

Mexican theme.

I have two more huge projects this week. I will take pictures and update. I wish you could be at school with me and see how awesome my students are. Have a great week!

XOXO

Theresa

Warning! Not for the weak stomach!

Only to me! I am the most graceful, careful, 40 something you will ever meet.

*sigh*

OK, I may be exageratting some.

Honestly, I was walking and the next thing I knew I was falling..... in slow motion. My brain was saying, "NO!" but down I went.

Somehow this lamp jumped out in front of me, the now twisted stand was caught between my little toe and the toe next to it. Yes, it feels just like it looks, black and angry. I was blessed with another snow day today which probably was a good thing.

I do return to school tomorrow and we'll see how the day goes. There are bruises in other places,...... I'll keep them a secret. LOL

On a more enjoyable note, we went to the movies tonight and saw "Four Christmases". I'm not sure how I feel about it. I love Reece Witherspoon and was expecting this to be a romantic comedy, which it was. The comedy wasn't exactly to my liking in places in other places it was so funny I laughed out loud. I guess what I am saying, if you have a free night and want to see a new Christmas movie this one is ok.

If you read this and have the opportunity to send up a quick prayer on my black toe's behalf, I would appreciate your help. I would rather it hadn't happened, now I am praying it heals quickly.

XOXO

Theresa

Quiet Sunday

Tonight my house is very silent.

The young people have left, one to his house in KY and the other two to college dorms. This was truly one of the most enjoyable Thanksgivings in my adult life.

C. came back to our house after lunch today and

helped me with the program that my photos were on.

These are better photos of our Thanksgiving table.

Again, Thank You to the anonymous giver of the beautiful fall centerpiece. Pictures do not do it justice!

Yes, you are seeing a Christmas tree in the dining room, and yes, it was up before we had Thanksgiving dinner. We have several events at our house during the holidays and it is imperative that I begin decorating while I am off for Thanksgiving break.
One more photo of the dining room.


I pray you have a blessed and productive week.

XOXO

Theresa

One Year Blog Anniversary!

It was one year ago today, that I began my journey into "blogland". how quickly time flies! I have enjoyed this adventure! I just wanted to say,

Happy Anniversary!

Also, I have a friend who's birthday is today. Rita, I hope you had a fantastic day!

XOXO

Theresa

P.S. You can click on the clip art and find where I found it. Enjoy!

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your weekend is full of blessings and thankfulness!

I have had a time trying to upload photos to show you. We are having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. All of my children are home and it is the first Thanksgiving since Mom and Dad B. moved in with us. We are blessed!

I have a much better photo of the table, unfortunately, it is not on this computer.

I will try and show it to you soon. C., DD's BF, has a new camera and it is AWESOME! He took photos with it and downloaded them to the desktop computer.

Please notice the beautiful centerpiece. It was sitting on my table when I arrived home from school on Monday. The card wished us a wonderful Thanksgiving, but did not tell us the name of the sender. A special thank you for sending us a gorgeous centerpiece to add color and freshness to our table. I really do have better pictures. I promise I will get them up soon.

Thanksgiving morning began when the two young people below left the house before 7:00 a.m. to run in the "Turkey Trot". I think they were disappointed that no one from our family went to cheer them on. I told them, I was "cheering" in spirit.

They had fun. They stopped and picked up C. on the way. He joined their "trot". They all seemed to have thought it was worth the cold mountain air and lack of sleep. DD said that she and C. talked while they "trotted" and were thrilled to be making room for the food that was being prepared.

Slow Cooker Heaven.

Do you have a slow cooker? My sister has always been a fan of her slow cooker. While I've also been a fan, I don't think I've been as creative as I could have been.

Let me tell you, this particular appliance saved my thanksgiving feast.

I have two such devices. One 4 quart, the other is 6 quart. I placed a turkey breast in the 6 qt. pot with a stick of butter, kosher salt and cooked it on high about 7 hours. Honestly, the turkey was so tender, you didn't need teeth!

I began looking through a slow cooker cookbook I picked up a few years ago when the bookman came by school. My family loves corn pudding. Who would have thought you could make that in a slow cooker?

I thought, why not?

Actually, I had to change the recipe due to the fact that this was a last minute idea and I didn't have what the recipe called for. My recipe was delicious! I wrote it down in the cookbook, hopefully, I won't forget how to make it.

I was on a slow cooker "high" when I opened the newspaper and began perusing the colorful sales ads for the after "Thanksgiving" adventures.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear?

A chain pharmacy, located not two miles from my house had slow cookers on sale for $9.99! I couldn't believe it! They were open on Thanksgiving Day!

My sister has always made her dressing in the slow cooker and I thought, if I only had one more SC, I would have more room in the oven. When DH came down for breakfast I convinced him that I could NOT possibly make dinner unless I had another, yes, you got it, SC! Another argument I used was that $10.00 was a lot cheaper than buying me a new double oven. He ended bringing home two more. They are 5 quart size. I am now the proud owner of 4 slow cookers. I realize there are some out there that will think I've lost my mind, there may be some truth to that, but I will remember this Thanksgiving as the one where the turkey, corn pudding and dressing were all cooked in a slow cooker and my family thought it was the best food ever!

To all my friends and family in other places, I wish we had spent Thanksgiving together. Please know that you are on my list of blessings. I love you all and am looking forward to Christmas.

XOXO

Theresa

We've already had two snow days.

Playing "Catch-UP"

It has been awhile. I have a ton of pictures to show and a dozen or more stories to tell. Where do I start? A few weeks ago, on a beautiful fall Saturday, Ashley and I, treated Mom B. to lunch at our favorite restaurant here in Kingsport, Two Sister's Tea Room. We were excited to be able to share the atmosphere, which is very pretty and the delicious food.I took the opportunity to snatch a few photos of the two of them. It was a very relaxing time for the three of us and we enjoyed it tremendously. The quiet music playing in the background and the soft voices of those around us set the stage for wonderful memories.

Mom and Dad Burton one Sunday after church.

God is giving us a beautiful opportunity to have Greg's parents live with us. In the beginning, back at Labor Day, we were excited about this new journey and all that this would include. Little did we know Dad Burton was walking around with a terminal cancer. The shock and dismay we felt was like a freight train hitting us straight on. Within 10 days of their moving to TN Dad B. was in the hospital and diagnosed with multiple myloma blood cancer. The first few weeks were a blur of tests, questions and anger. The prayers we sent up were filled with pain and anguish. Our Heavenly Father has reached down and touched us in ways we could never imagine. Dad B. has been able to attend church the last three Sundays and Sunday School the last 2. While his strength is not what it was, he continues to be a witness to all around him. God has given Mom B. the strength to not only take care of Dad but the courage to drive in an unfamiliar town. Please continue to pray for them. Pray peace and strength for the tasks at hand, wisdom for the medical team that provides the health services and opportunities to witness to others.

Middle Son. We haven't seen as much of him this semester. He is busy with school projects and other college activities. He is doing well and looking forward to the all night camping trip planned for Thanksgiving night. More to follow on that story. LOL

Last Sunday night, DH and myself were able to steal two nights in the Smokey Mountains. It was wonderful! I can't think of any place I would rather be, especially during the fall. We took the opportunity to rest and relax. While there we read "The Shack". If you have not read this book, I highly recommend you do so. I won't go into the details, please let me know if you read it. I would love to hear your thoughts on it!


Fried Green Tomatoes

If you are from the south you have probably, at one time in your life, eaten fried green tomatoes. I can remember my mother preparing these at the end of the tomato season, when growing season for tomatoes would not allow them to turn ripe on the vines. DH went out to our tomato garden and pulled all the plants, hiding under some of the vines were green tomatoes. He brought them into the house and placed them in the kitchen window, reminding me of long ago memories. I happened to mention to Mom B. and Dad B. how my mother had prepared fried green tomatoes. The discussion that followed sent me to the internet looking for recipes. I found several, none that mentioned sprinkling sugar on the top. I asked Mom B. if she had sprinkled sugar on her tomatoes, she did. I took this recipe and adapted it by sprinkling sugar on the tops of the tomatoes once I turned them. They were so beautiful I took a picture. LOL Seriously, they were very tasty and all but one slice was eaten.

Last but not least. I took my Personal Finance class on a field trip Friday. We went to the Carter County Courthouse and they participated in a financial Life simulation. Each student was given a notebook that told them what their career, income, and marital status was. They then proceeded to walk through the courthouse, where displays were set up for them to purchase needed household items, such as a home, car, utilities, food, insurance, vacations, and a curve ball. This was a wonderful opportunity for them to experience "life" in the real world. What made this particular activity so special, the courthouse/county officials participated in the event. They met the mayor, and other county leaders. The kids had a great time and several "eye opening" experiences. Two of the students were married to spouses that were out of work and had 4 children. They had a difficult time buying all of the needed items for their family on one paycheck. I told them this might be a good thing to remember when they are in a car with their significant other and the car is getting steamy. Do they really want the responsibilities this activity can bring? Most said "NO"!

I took this photo in the courtroom. They were all saying, "We love Mrs. Burton"! LOL well, I DID tell them to say that. They are great kids and I am very proud of them!


May God Bless you this week with a warm heart and an opportunity to encourage others.

XOXO

Theresa

Beautiful Weekend!

We made a trip to Pippa Passes, KY yesterday.

The drive through VA was breathtaking! The colors are beautiful and we even saw a train running through the mountains. It was so pretty!

Why did we go to Pippa Passes?

Middle Child was in a Shakespeare play, "Much Ado About Nothing".

First son and his girlfriend drove from Lexington to spend the day.

This is the first time in a long while that we've been able to be with him two weekends in a row.

I am a proud "mother"!

He did a fantastic job!

I am always amazed how well he does in theater. He's always good, but the memorizing and all of the work that must be done, I can't imagine how he does it all!

It was donut time again this week. I arrived at this establishment at 6:30a.m. on Wednesday morning and loaded over 100 dozen boxes into the "momma van". The smell of fresh, warm donuts was heavenly!
I am so thankful they sell as easily as they do. Mom and Dad Burton bought 4 boxes. We froze 2 of them. They are as delicious warmed in the microwave as they are the day you pick them up from the store. YUM!
My guys!

I think they are the handsomest group of men.

I love you!

Praying a productive, praiseworthy, and perfect week for you.

XOXO

Theresa

Fall is in the Air!

Happy October!

Trees are changing their colors, mums are in bright bloom and pumpkins are showing up in outdoor decorations.

AWESOME!

I have mentioned my "pagan" tree on other occasions. I thought you might enjoy seeing the transformation to fall. I truly debated buying the black feather tree, but decided I would make do with my white feather tree and add black and orange decorations.

I found the black and orange fuzzy sticks at my favorite store in the mall. I also picked up the beautiful orange and black tree topper there. The photo doesn't do the topper justice. It really is pretty. The black and orange beads came from Food City, a grocery store here in NET. The white pumpkin gourds also were found at FC.

We had a beautiful weekend.

Our oldest son and his girlfriend arrived from KY on Friday night. It was our first time to meet her and we were thrilled to be introduced. She is a beautiful and bright young lady, in her first year at UK Law School. They have a sweet relationship.

I took the opportunity to prepare a "family" meal for Saturday night.

DH and I had fun sitting at the dining room table surrounded by our children and the close friends in their lives. We had a full table and it was blessed! Mom B. was also at our table. For those of you that may not know, Dad B. has been in the hospital for the last two weeks. We ask your continued prayers on his behalf. He is anxious to come home and hopefully will be able to come tomorrow night.

Mom Burton, Darling Daughter and the very special young man in her life.

Oldest son and his beautiful friend.

Notice the UK shirts they are wearing? Our house was rocking on Saturday afternoon while the KY/AL game was on. Unfortunately the Wildcats came out on the short end of the score.

Middle son and D Hubby. It was so nice having all the kids home for the weekend.

May God Bless you this week with sweet appreciation of his incredible creation.

XOXO

Theresa