Thanksgiving Dinner

 Thanksgiving Dinner

This year, I inherited Alan's Grandparents Cherry Wood Dinning Table. I already received the Hutch & Buffet when we were first Married. I am sooooo excited for the final piece to the set!!!! It's gorgeous with 2 Inserts to fit 12. We will probably update the chairs over time. But for now I am absolutely thrilled. 

For the Holiday's I bring out our Best China & Silver & go all out. As Alan calls it "Tiffany Style". Every year Alan lets me get something new for the Table. (These photos didn't have silverware or place cards out yet.) This year we had Alan's Family, a total of 10. I have Music playing softly, for my Thanksgiving Mix.

Food Table

It doesn't show in the Photo... but I made a Menu & framed it on the Food Table. I love Cooking & Baking. This years food selections had a European Influence.

Fruit Turkey for the Kids! It was a total Hit.

I Love Hosting, & making these Beautiful. Now off to Bed... Alan & I are going Shopping in the Morning. :)

We Survived...

We Survived...

 

I am so glad this School Week is over! 

 

First off Savannah has been doing alot of this.... 

If you can't tell she wants to sit on My Lap. I think she is really Missing her Brother.

Waiting for her Brenton, to get out of School...

Waiting his turn to be let out of School on Thursday. 

We wanted to show everyone what a Moon Cub is...

TA-DA!!! Mallory & I made Cinnamon Peach Jam!! Man a ton of hard work... mostly Blanching issues. I have a new appreciation for those of you who do this on a normal basis!! Lets just say, It maybe a few months before I take up Canning again. But most importantly We did it!! :)

YUM!! We had Artichokes for Dinner tonight!

My Sweet Brenton... we are still struggling with going to School every Morning. I hope next week is better!!

 Its true. Pets help Stress go down...

The Kids & I share a Room... its a little cramped! There are over 30 small stuffed animals they "had" to have with them. I pick up half of them off the floor every morning.

 I am so glad this Week is over!!

Bring on the Weekend!!!

A Typical Thorpe Dinner

A Typical Thorpe Dinner...

This is a family favorite! I thought I would share this Super Healthy Yummy Meal... I will kinda explain why as I go along.

What You Will Need...

2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 

2 small bags of Fresh Broccoli Florets

4 handfuls of Fresh Basil

Coconut Oil

Sea Salt

4 Cloves of Garlic

Paremesan Cheese

1 Box of Shell Quinoa

1 Jar of your favorite Alfredo Sauce 

Directions...

1. Steam your Broccoli 

(obviously this a no brainer on your stove is healthier than your microwave)

2. Cut up your Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts. Take 2 handfuls of Fresh Basil & chop up fairly big. Also chop up your Garlic. Place all in a mixing bowl.

(To Press or not to Press... that is the Question. I do not press my Garlic! I prefer to Chop it up with a small knife. Garlic is a Power-food. When you press it, all of the juices come out... which helps make it so healthy! And gives more flavor!)

3. Warm your Skillet on Medium Heat. Take 2 (smaller) spoonfuls of coconut oil and wait until it melts. Then carefully pour into your Mixing Bowl. Add desired amount of Sea Salt. Mix all together. Then pour into Skillet. The chicken should turn into a light brown. 

(Seriously makes the most Moist stove top Chicken! We do this to Our Chicken for Salads as well!! As far as cooking with Coconut Oil.. I can seriously write a post on this alone! Just google or pinterest it)

 4.While your Chicken is cooking. Boil , Cook, & Drain your Quinoa. (I prefer the Ancient Harvest Brand; Quinoa is a Protein based Pasta & Gluten Free!! It will make you feel light instead of so heavy in your stomach)

5. Add your Skillet to your Pot of Quinoa. Finely chop up the remainder of your Basil & add freshly grated Parmesan. Add your favorite kind of Alfredo Sauce or Pesto Sauce. Mix well. And Serve Warm! YUM!!

Enjoy!!

Week 1

Grandpa & Grandma's House...

Week 1

We are staying with my In-laws, until Our house is ready to move into on the 18th. Alan is still working in Utah for another 2 1/2 weeks! :( We moved here early, because Brenton starts school next week!

My In-laws have a HUGE Garden & 5 acres of Peach Orchards... It is truly Country Living at its finest with a California Twist! Get Ready for a Photo Overload!!!

Day 1
(July 30th 2012)

We spent the Morning Exploring...

Corn!!

Conor & Mallory having Breakfast in the Orchards...

This Zucchini was the size of Mallory's ARM!!

Brent was so excited to see how big Grandma's Pumpkins were already!

You walk outside and just smell Peaches...

Grandpa's Tractor

Even the weeds are pretty here!

Nectarines

The Backyard...

Oranges the size of Baby Heads!!

Baby Oranges...

Later that day...
Errands!! Aka Grocery Shopping...

Lunch at Subway...

Costco Run!!

Cars!!! Grandpa has alot of Cars!! Here are a few...

Remember this???! Al's truck... :)

Day 2
(July 31st 2012)

Watering the Garden

We found a Apple Tree today!!

Exploring before Lunch...

 Day 3
(August 1st 2012)

Look who's here!!! Grandma!!! (she just got back from a 100 mile hike with Aunty Whitney!)

Grandma showed the kids how to pick Strawberry's!

Pool Day!!

Diablo!!! Grandpa & Grandma's Dog

Sunflower Market!!!! So excited to still have My favorite store here!! I bought 2 HUGE Basil Plants! This whole cart just looks so yummy!!!

Look how Cheap Almond Milk is!!!

Day 4
(August 2nd 2012)
It was a Chill day...

Morning Walk...

I Love that they will have fond Memories of growing up here...

Dusk...

Day 5
(August 3rd 2012)

Day 6 
(August 4th 2012)

Dusk in the Orchards...

Can he look anymore guilty?!

Benson threw up in the middle of the night. Its a good thing he is so dang cute...

Day 7
(August 5th 2012)

First Week in Our New Ward...

Snack Time...

This Boy cracks me up!! haha.

Helping Mom get ready for Dinner... Peeling Garlic

I can't believe we have been here a Whole Week!
13 Days left until Alan arrives!! Yay!!!