What I am Thankful for!

Thanksgiving is less than a week away and I want to take a moment to express to you the things I am thankful for this year. This has been a wonderful year! As a child, I always made a Christmas list. Now that I'm grown, I think I'll make a Thanksgiving list instead.

My Thanksgiving List

1. My Heavenly Father I am so thankful to God my Heavenly Father for loving me in spite of myself. I sometimes fail Him and let Him down, but He continues to see me as worthy of His love. For that I am most thankful!
2. My Family I have the most wonderful family that includes my husband, kids, parents, in-laws, siblings, nieces, nephews... and the list goes on! They have filled my life with joy and I am thankful that I get the opportunity share in their lives.
3. My Church We recently moved back home and from the moment we stepped foot into our church, they have loved us as if a day had not passed. I know how precious it is to have a loving church family and I am eternally thankful for our's.
4. My Friends I am surrounded with friends who laugh when I laugh, cry when I cry, and hurt when I hurt. I am thankful that I have so many people in my corner.
5. My Job The day I walked into Hallelujah Acres for the first interview, I asked, "is it always like this?" It was so peaceful and welcoming, and yes - it is always like this! I am so blessed to be proud of what I do, proud of who I work for, and especially proud of who I work with. Forget an amusement park - Hallelujah Acres is the greatest place on Earth and I am so thankful to be here!
6. You I am thankful for all of you. You have no idea how many times you have put a smile on my face or brought laughter to me! I have prayed for you, laughed with you, smiled at you, and cheered you on. You do the same for me and I just want to say THANK YOU!

What are you thankful for?

Holiday Food Rant...

I had a bad week on the diet front. I ate horribly because of a super busy schedule. I am paying for this physically!!! Now on to my rant!

If I can't handle eating right when I am busy, what am I going to do about the Holidays? Food is huge during the holidays for my family. This is what we do! We have so many traditions that are focused on food. I am on the quest to find replacements for all my traditional Holiday favorites!

I know I am not going to find a Turkey replacement but what about everything else? Suggestions are appreciated!

I have found a Raw Pumpkin Pie and I just found a Gravy Recipe today. Oh, I totally plan to make this Sweet Potato Casserole because I LOVE coconut. Also, I can make cranberries by using agave nectar and oranges. So, what's left?

Vegan Versions of the Following:

1. Really fluffy mashed potatoes
2. Magic Cookie Bars
3. Green Bean Casserole
4. Stuffing
5. Pecan Pie
6. Some type of whole wheat dinner roll

Do you have a great vegan holiday recipe? If so, please share!

ABC Distributing Catalog came in!!!

OK, so every year my Mother orders us stuff for Christmas out of the ABC Distributing Catalog. So we get one in the mail yesterday and I am looking through it and I found the coolest thing. Terry, my hubby, is a really good artist and did a great deal of art when he was a teenager. He has been talking about taking it up again and we've looked at different sets. I find this in the ABC Catalog.

We have agreed to buy iPads for each other this year. How do I sneak an additional $60 in and buy this for him without him noticing? Hmmm....

Do I buy it? Do I not buy it? If you have one of these, let me know what you think of it. Will my husband like it for a Christmas present? Let me know at bargainladies@gmail.com.