Thursday, October 29, 2009

Thanksgiving Thursday ~~ 4 Weeks & Counting!!!


Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just four weeks from today? (No pressure =)
I had really hoped that four weeks from today I would also be running the Turkey Trot, but the knee has stopped cooperating with training and is back to swelling, hurting, and limping. Now I could be completely bummed about this, but no sirree I WILL NOT!! This is a journey with lots of ups and downs. I am realizing that the ole knee is just not what it once was. I want it to be, but it isn't. So the time has come for modification in my workouts and letting this knee be who it is now. I am so thankful that the doc's were able to perform the surgery that has kept my knee from locking and the kneecap from dislocating for almost a year now. It has been a year of many ups and downs, as far as this knee goes, but I am truly a better person because of it. GOD IS GREAT and GREATLY TO BE PRAISED!!! So I press on toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus!! Amen? Amen!!!!!
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Yesterday afternoon I was looking for something healthy and yummee to eat, which is the task every day for me, and started perusing through recipes and I found one for poached pears.
Yes now is pear season, and they are soooooo yummee this time of year.
So I picked up some at the market and was ready to do something delish with them.
They made such a pretty presentation (even Dak thought so =) that I decided that they'd make a very nice light dessert for Thanksgiving, or even a nice snack to have before everyone arrives to help curve the appetite. They are so yummee!!!
My recipe looks kind of like this picture here (since I didn't take a pic of mine ~~ my bad =)
except I kept the skin on, much more nutritional value that way, and I took the stems off (because this is a microwave recipe and I wasn't sure what stems do in the micro.....anyway.....)

4 pears
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 cup cranberry juice
(any variety will work ~~ I made mine from mulled cranberry juice I'd made a few days earlier ~~ delish ~~ just the right amount of autumnal spice)
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Halve and core the pears (you can peel them if you'd like).
Sprinkle freshly cut pears with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Place in a microwave-save dish (that has a lid) and pour in cranberry juice.
Cover and cook for 6-8 minutes, until fork tender.
Check at the 6 minute mark and then cook the additional two if needed.
(I used very fresh pears, so it took the full 8 minutes).
Spoon juice over pears and let cool at least 30 minutes before serving.
Just before serving sprinkle a little cinnamon on top.
62 calories a halve ~~ get-out-of-town ~~ no really!!
Enjoy!!!
Since we are talking about fruit today, I thought I'd share with you my FAV Cranberry Salad recipe.
This one is a little different because it uses pineapple instead of the traditional orange.
It is a nice twist on a lovely salad.
This picture is of little tartletts, but I generally serve mine in a pretty bowl, although I really like this presentation and may just have to try it this year.


Festive Cranberry-Pineapple Salad

1 - 20 oz. can Crushed Pineapple
2 pkgs (4-serving size each) Raspberry JELL-O
1 can (16 oz) Whole-Berry Cranberry Sauce
1 medium Apple, chopped
2/3 cup Walnuts

Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Add enough cold water to pineapple juice to make 3 cups.
Pour into a large sauce pan and bring to a boil.
Remove from heat and add Raspberry JELL-O.
Stir at least 2 minutes, until completely dissolved.
Add Whole-Berry Cranberry sauce. Stir until well blended.

Pour into large bowl and refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours until slightly thickened,
(consistency of unbeaten egg whites).
Stir in pineapple, apple and walnuts.
Pour into serving bowl and refrigerate at least 4 hours or until firm.

Grab a spoon and enjoy!!!

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I decorated my porch with the pumpkin idea I showed you last week.
It turned out so cute, but it is dark and raining right now and so no pic of it this morning.

My decorating tip for you this week is keep it simple.
The most beautiful decorations or arrangements are the simple, natural ones.
Bring nature indoors. Set a bowl of acorns on your table, or a bowl of pine cones.
I currently have 2 mini-pumpkins (that I got for .55 cents each at W-M),
set on 2 artificial leaves I picked up at Michael's (whole pack for .99 cents).
You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a beautiful table.

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Dak and I got the new Kutless CD the other day and there is song on there
"What Faith Can Do".
It is such a powerful song.
Remember to be thankful today for the many Blessings that God has given you,
and remember Faith is a powerful thing. Believe sweet ones. Be Bold. Believe what God has said and step out for Him!!!



I love you so!!

Please remember to keep Stellan in your prayers and his whole family.

They are in a fight right now and they need us to stand in the gap.

Much love to you today,

6 comments:

  1. i can't believe it's not that far away!! i love the fall!!!
    yummm....all of those look and sound great!!!
    praying for stellan!!!
    have a great halloween!

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  2. 4 weeks! Hard to believe. (And the wedding is in 4 weeks and 2 days!)

    So sorry about your knee, but you're attitude is amazing!!

    Hope Dak is on the mend.

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  3. What great ideas. I love that you are doing this every Thursday until Thanksgiving. The pears look so good and that cranberry salad... yum! I like the idea of putting it into a muffin pan.

    Praying for Stellan.

    Blessings,
    Carol

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  4. Dawn,

    So looking forward to all the gratitude that comes with thanksgiving. Truly a time to reflect and give thanks not only to God, but our family and friends.

    Can't wait to see pictures of your decorations!

    Hope you knee feels much better soon, and how is Dak feeling?

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  5. Exercise is hard enough to do when you feel well let alone when something hurts. Just take it easy and the knee will respond to your kindness.
    The pears look nummy, but it is the pineapple cranberry mixture that I am going to try. I don't like orange and cranberries but have always wanted more than just cranberry sauce. I can't wait to try it with pineapple.
    Thanks.

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  6. I love the fall too! The pears look sooo yummy! Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog! I think she's a pretty cute buzzy bee myself! Oh and I'm praying for Stellan!
    Summer :0)

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