3/365 Blessings: Fondu

We ring in the New Year with an all day snack and game fest. This year we added a new tradition: Fondu.

I bought these pots when we were in Japan with the Marine Corps. I love them! I think they are so cute.

But I never use them. I declutter regularly, and always feel ashamed that I love these pots too much to get rid of them, yet I never use them.

So I decided to stop feeling guilty, and arrange a fondu party. We had an oriental sauce, BBQ, Cheese, and mustard sauces for the main course. To dip in them we had broccoli, cauliflower, Naan, carrots, and steak. (It was nice of the weather to be warm enough to allow my husband to grill them outside.) For dessert we had chocolate sauce, marshmallows, pound cake, rice krispie treats, and whatever else we could find to throw in.

It was not low calorie, but it was fun. I think we found a new tradition!

With that, I bid you a fond Fondu.

2/365 Fellowship Blessings

Last night we had a really fun evening... Eric was working, and her husband was not home either, so my friend Nida and I got the kids together for pizza and playing. And Mercy finally got to finish her birthday... She is a Christmas baby, and on Christmas day I forgot to stick candles into a pie and sing happy birthday. So we corrected the oversight last night. Phew.

One of the best parts of having a large family to visit is that with many hands there is light clean up. Everyone pitched in and it didn't take long at all to get the house put back together.

At one point I looked around and realized that we were REALLY girl heavy... 11 girls! (I'll give kudos to anyone who does not know us in person and can figure out which girl is missing ...one of mine is not in the photos...)

And only 4 poor young men. Of course, in a few years none of them will mind being outnumbered. ;)

So Day 2 of counting my blessings: Fellowship. I am so very thankful for the fellowship God has blessed me with here in Whoville.

1/365 Blessings - New Home of the Petersonclan...

The Petersonclan is getting a new home... in a slightly larger Whoville in KY... right next to Grandparents. Eric and I have spent most of the year designing a space which will fit our larger than normal family. See that large porch on the side? It's 32 feet long and 10 feet wide.

And this room will be my kitchen and dining room. The dining room will seat 18. Of course we will need to get a table to do it. ;)

This is hard to see, but it will be my pantry and laundry room. 16x8. With hookups for two washers and two dryers. Never mind that I only have one right now. A second one will eventually be a wonderful thing!

You'll be hearing so much about this house this year. We are getting it framed in by a builder, then we are doing the inside ourselves. I am not thinking it will go fast. I am thinking there will be a lot of sanctification while getting through the process. But I am looking forward to the space our new place will provide. And I am looking forward to preschool at Grama's house.

So... blessing 1... family. And Home. Both great things.

Dusting off The Blog...

Hello... hello... is anyone there? I know it's been a long, long time with not much to say. It's been a busy fall. But now we are at the beginning of another year... hard to believe 2011 is only a few hours away.

I have the aspiration to do more counting of blessings this year... making a point of enjoying the wonderful parts of each day. So I am doing what in the photography blog world is called a "Project 365". A photo a day to commemorate the little ways that my life is wonderful.

Mine will be 365 Blessings. So, stay tuned. Go ahead and unsubscribe if you are waiting for the profound - I've not been able to for a coherent sentence recently. But if you want a daily reminder to be thankful for the little things... come back tomorrow. :)