Thanksgiving Blessings

We had a quiet Thanksgiving this year.....all by ourselves. Many times, when family hasn't come (or we haven't gone to them), we've taken the opportunity to travel. One time we went to Pennsylvannia, one time to West Virginia and one time to Virginia. This year we stayed home.

I fixed a Brined Turkey Breast that was moist and tender. I also prepared a Pumpkin Chiffon Pie from a Martha Stewart recipe. It was yummy. I decided to go with a theme and since USC was playing on Thanksgiving, that set the colors....cardinal and gold.

After dinner, we took a walk and enjoyed the last of the fall colors. The weather was just right. It was even a little on the warm side for a Maryland November.

USC won their game against Arizona and the day was perfect.

How blessed we are to live in the USA and to have wonderful friends and family who love us. It was the last Thanksgiving on the east coast. Next year.......(if all goes well).......California!

The Happiest Place on Earth and Me

Our trip to Walt Disney World was SO much fun. And yes. The surprise was awesome. Poor DH was so incredibly tired after a busy work week that he was falling asleep in his soup while we were having dinner at Marrakesh in Epcot. It was incredibly noisy with patrons and background live music and belly dancing. I kept fiddling with my cell phone in my lap so I wouldn't miss the call from my DIL. It finally came through as a missed call so I excused myself to "use the facilities" and went out to call her. They had arrived. Now all I had to do was get DH out of Epcot, on a bus back to the resort and up to the room. By the time we arrived at the door, I think that all DH could think of was going to sleep. Instead, he opened the door to our oldest DGD standing in front of him with Minnie Mouse Ears saying "Happy Birthday PopPop!". I think he was having an out of body experience that he was barely able to process. Then our DS and DIL popped into view with the baby DGD and the surprise was complete.



Isn't this the cutest little mouse you have ever seen?

We lucked out on the most gorgeous perfect weather ever. It never rained. There was no humidity and the daytime temps were always in the 70's. We swam, visited the parks, ate, shopped and generally had a great time just being together. We missed our youngest DS who couldn't come due to work commitments and finances. We had a special dinner on the acutal birthday......November 5th. I had pre-arranged for youngest DS and DH's sister and father to call in to say Happy Birthday. And of course, we had a cake served for dessert. I also presented DH with about 20 B-day cards from other friends and family around the country. I had secretly had them sent to me ahead of time. Enjoying the birthday dinner at the Flying Fish Cafe at the Boardwalk Resort near Epcot.

I think I managed to create quite a few memories for DH and the family. We all agree we'd like to do something similar again in about 4 years when the girls are a little older. Next time it will be at Disneyland and California Disney because we'll be living out there. It will also be easier for youngest DS to join in the fun since he lives in Southern CA.

You only live once and it's only money........Go have fun with the ones you love!

Continuation of the Visit To The Mouse

DH came in last night just as I was finishing up my blog about his B-day surprise. I quickly ended my sentence and submitted the blog. I didn't want him reading over my shoulder.

Tomorrow is the big day as we travel to WDW in FL. We'll check in to our lodgings and then head out for the afternoon and evening at Epcot. We'll get back to the Old Key West Resort around 9:00 p.m. and by then DS, DIL, and the DGDs will have arrived and they will be there to greet us. I sent a set of Minnie Mouse ears for the DGDs to wear when PopPop arrives.

Holding in this surprise is driving me crazy. I so much want to share all the excitement and planning with DH. I'll be so much more relaxed when the surprise is out in the open. I'm not taking my computer with me so pictures and stories of the "grand surprise" will come later on my blog.

Aren't surprises fun!!!!