One of my favorite poems- When I say, "I am a Christian" by Carol Wimmer

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost!  That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved

Want to visit: Cotton Plantation

I was  blog hopping and happened upon Christine's Home and Travel Adventures blog. She wrote about a recent visit to Frogmore Plantation & Gins in Frogmore, LA. I am adding it to my bucket list. I've never been to a cotton plantation and this one seems like it has quite the history. Visit the plantation's website for tour information, Frogmore Plantation.

Odd Shoe Garden

I found this odd shoe garden in Alamo Square in San Francisco. I snapped some pictures real quick just so I could remember to look it up when I got home.  This park Alamo Square is across from the painted ladies (which appeared in the opening credits of "Full House").





I guess the story goes that the gardener for the park always picked up trash and a lot of time found shoes... so rather than throwing them out he started using them to plant with it. It was really a neat thought!

Trip to Napa Valley

Napa Valley in California is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! I witnessed more beauty there on a recent trip then I have seen anywhere else in the States. It is stunning and I can't wait to visit again! My pictures from my little pocket camera do not do this place justice. If you live around this area, I am soooo envious!

Daffodil Bulbs

I planted myself a spring gift! 50 Daffodil Bulbs... 25 - Ice Folies ; 25 - Tahiti

Oh how I will love myself for doing it come spring!

Planning for Thanksgiving

We are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year and I am in the planning process.

We have a specific menu of items with have each and every Thanksgiving. They include: 

20 lb Turkey

Stuffing- I started using a friend of mine's recipe in 2009, looking forward to it again this year (thanks Helen!)

Mashed Potatoes 

Cheesy Corn Bake- hubby's recipe

Green Bean Casserole- not the usual kind, my sister in-laws recipe

Sweet Potato Casserole- my mother in-law makes this yummy side

Dinner Rolls

Deviled Eggs

Stuffed Celery- mother in-law again

Jellied Cranberry Sauce

Lime/ Pineapple Jello - my Baba's recipe (my Ukrainian grandmother)

Pumpkin Pies- I let the hubby make these

Pecan Pie- hubby again

Am I missing anything?? Just thinking about it all makes me full! And currently I am on a low carb diet so I am wondering how much of it I will even be able to eat come Thanksgiving.

I started doing some more decorating in my dining room for the occasion... One of the things I did was decorate my light fixture. I bought some fall floral picks and dressed it up a bit.

Now I am just wishing my dining room table had more seating around it. Does anyone else wish that around the holidays? The rest of the year I feel like the table is too big. We only have a family of 4 and we eat at the table each and every night. Most of the time I move 2 of the chairs away so we can all sit around the table without any chairs in between any of us. We have a breakfast nook table as well, but I think food tastes better in the dining room! ;) I love to have my extended family all together for meals.