Louisa May Alcott & A Cinderella-type Story

I came home early from work today, as I am trying to recuperate from a cold. This film (and subsequent book) was a delight to watch while snuggled up under a blanket. Now, I am eager to delve deeper into novels that I have yet to read by one of my favorite authors.

Thanksgiving Menu Plans

We are looking forward so much to making our first thanksgiving on our own here in England for Colin's cousins. They've never had a Thanksgiving meal before, so we are hoping they learn to love it as much as we do. Here is what we are planning on serving them:

Appetizer: cheese & crackers plate (I'm keeping this part simple!)

Main Dish: roasted turkey

Side Dishes: american-style stuffing, glazed butternut squash, classic green bean casserole, garlic mashed potatoes

Salad: warm frisee salad with crispy salami

Bread: country style bread rolls

Sauces: cranberry sauce, gravy, and bread sauce

Drinks: white wine and elderberry scholer (a sparkling German soft drink found here in England)

Dessert: pumpkin chiffon pie

Fulfilled Homemaking

"No one will find fulfillment in the latest appliances or gadgets that run a home. Nor will one find lasting fulfillment in attempting to decorate and entertain like the latest hospitality doyenne. Material goods and self glorifying domestic perfectionism are definitely not the heart of the home.

The heart of the home is found in the relationships nurtured there and the comfort offered to one another--comfort we have first received from God, the Father of compassion, and then share with one another (2 Corinthians 1: 3-4)."
~Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley

On My Mind Lately

It is a rare chance to have time to sit down and share what has been on my mind lately. So, this morning before the rush of preparing to go back to work happens this weekend, I wanted to share a few things that have been meaningful to me over the past month.

Marriage & Family Life
Studying love
Everything We Do Lovingly
Intimacy in Marriage Part 1
Intimacy in Marriage Part 2
Add-A-Pearl-Necklaces - I LOVE this idea, especially if we live far away from our future nieces and nephews and from our own parents, who look forward to someday being grandparents.
Fool Moon Rising- can't wait to own this book someday!
Questions to Ask When Preparing for Marriage
Weighty Words on the Meaning of a Husband's Headship
Miscarriage Etiquette

Life as a Christian
Singing Hymns
Orphan Care: An Opportunity to Make Much of Jesus
Beyond Narnia Documentary
Wifely Wisdom
New C.J. Mahaney Sermons Online
Hospitality Says
Responding to Correction
Guarding Your Eyes
How to Practice Hospitality on a Budget
Depression: A Stubborn Darkness

Autumn Recipes
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pasta with Gruyere & Butternut Squash
Moussaka with Spinach & Garlic
Mexican Tostada
Zucchini Pasta Carbonara
Filo Appetizer
Cinnamon Rolls
Starbucks Coffee Cake
Baked Apple Pie Oatmeal
Pumpkin Waffles
Porkchops & Mushrooms with Bourbon Cream Sauce

International Life
13 Ways to Bless Missionaries without Paying for Postage
Geographical Locations & House Prices

More Ravioli Making Pictures

Rolling out the dough together.
Putting it together with the filling inside.
Cutting the ravioli apart and setting it out to dry.
The finished product! Chicken procuitto spinach ravioli with a garlic mushroom cream sauce. It was so delicious and a fun project to do together on a Saturday.

Making Fresh Ravioli

This Saturday, my friend Marjie and I made fresh chicken procuitto and spinach ravioli.
We made the pasta dough and rolled it out. It turned out delicious, I will post some more pictures of our pasta making adventures tomorrow.

Made My Day

It's assessment week for us at school this week, but I love it for just this reason, I get to sit down individually with each of my students. Today one of the little boys in my class came out for his numeracy assessment. As he was counting and naming shapes etc. he suddenly turned to me and said in a confidential whisper:

"Mrs Elliott, did you know theres a new shape out?"

Of course, I did not know that there was a new shape "out. "

He leaned in closer and whispered, "There is and it's called a trianguluar." The he paused and added, "J told me all about it." Yep, that's the latest and greatest news in our classroom. So while you are out and about today, see if you can spy the newest shape that "just came out." I personally imagine that it looks something like a triangle crossed with a jaguar as its name implies. Sounds ferocious, watch out!