Thankful For.... Family!

Well, today I decided to take a back seat to my budding artists. I gave them some paper and commissioned some art! Ellie, my four-year-old was in charge of making napkin rings and Cal, my ten-year-old was in charge of name cards for our plates! I printed off some, as Ellie called them, "Tom the Turkeys" and let her go to town. Fun stuff! I told them they better do their best work because I wanted to share on my blog! :-) My son said, "Really?????" He got excited. Ellie just looked at me and said, "Cool." Kids are funny.
So, here are their creations... and a picture of them!

Cal's Name Cards!



Ellie's Napkin Rings



My Kiddos!

Also wanted to share some BEAUTIFUL flowers I got from my mother and father-in law. They are some of the prettiest flowers I have seen in a long, long while (hint, hint hubby)!




Have a blessed Thanksgiving! I am in the middle of baking my fave alternative to pumpkin pie. Here's the recipe!

Pumpkin Cake Bars (recipe courtesy of Kay Erickson--cook & friend!)

Start with the crust which is made with 1 pkg of yellow cake mix (less one cup), 1 stick of margarine, 1 beaten egg. Mix this and then spread it into a greased 9 by 13 inch pan. Make the filling by mixing 2 cups of pumpkin with 2 beaten eggs, 1/2 c. brown sugar, 1/2 c. white sugar, 2/3 c. evaporated milk, 1-1/2 t. cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. Pour this over the crust. Now for the topping! Mix the one remaining cup of cake mix with 1/4 cup of softened margarine and 1/2 c. of sugar. This should be crumbly. Sprinkle over the filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes! Top with whipped cream when you serve!! YUMMY!!!