From Dody Denman

This is the final column of my “Thanksgiving Trilogy.”  I decided to write what I was most grateful for each day of November.  This was never a chore, but a pleasant moment to think of the wonderful things in my life.  What surfaced was the fact that the majority I was grateful for was not “things” at all, but the people in my life.  I am surrounded by loving, giving, witty people and I adore them.  May you be so blessed and your holidays filled with love, laughter and lightness of heart.

November 21

Today I am grateful for my salvation.  I am grateful for my relationship with Jesus and His sacrifice to provide my redemption.  I was nine years old when I accepted Christ as my savior…that moment was real and life changing.  This was a decision I have never regretted.

Although, I have failed Him many times, He has never failed me. My faith is strong, but not because of my ability, but the faithfulness of God providing for me and my children.  As a single mother of three, there were difficult moments, but we never were without.

I believe in miracles, because they have been a part of my life.  I witnessed healing, financial provision, salvation of those I love, but the daily relationship I have with Jesus is the greatest miracle of all. Thank you Lord, for being real in my life and loving me in spite of myself.

November 22

Today I am grateful for “Santa’s Wonderland” at College Station and the company that shared this evening with me.   I love @Michelle and she has three of the most delightful girls I have ever known.  Kristie, Austin and Brendon made eight of us hay riding through the Wonderland.    This is a magical place of Christmas lights, music, Santa, hot cocoa, pony rides and bonfires.  The unusual winter chill was brutal!  During the hayride, I wore sweat pants, socks, long sleeve shirt and two jackets while wrapped in a blanket.  Nevertheless, it was an enchanting evening I will never forget.  I wish every child and child at heart could experience this Christmas delight.   Thanks Kristie…I love you much.
These are simple to make. Take Christmas candies & arrange them in a heart shape cake pan. Bake them @ 350* for 8-10 min . Let cool. Gently pop out of the pan. Any pan can be used!

November 23, 2013

I overdid it yesterday, am paying for it today, but would do it again in a minute!  So today I am most grateful for the opportunity to do nothing.  I am content to lie on my sofa and watch movies (presently “The Three Amigos”).  I am thankful that my husband picked up dinner instead of me cooking it.  I am appreciating the warmth and comfort of my home.  I am blessed and never take it for granted.

11-24

Today I am grateful for an “attitude of gratitude.”  I appreciate looking for the good in each day and truly being aware of my many blessings.

“Develop an ‘attitude of gratitude.’  Say thank you to everyone you meet for everything they do for you.”

Brian Tracy

 “It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to your name, of most high: To show forth your loving kindness in the morning and thy faithfulness every night.”   Psalm 92:1-2

11-25

Today is a day of which to be very grateful!  I was so blessed to have Brendon spend the day with me and the best part is…I BEAT HIM BAD AT WAHOO!!!  After several games where I was definitely in the lead…he decides we will play one game for all the marbles.  He won that one, but victory was still sweet, my friend, it was sweet!

I told Connie of my wins and she sadly replied, “awww”, a typical grandmothers response.  However, I told her to have no sympathy because Bren has beaten me fearlessly in all games for nine years.

It was the perfect way to spend a cold and rainy day…inside with one you love so much….now I’m missing Emma and Cole.

11-26

Remember the song lyrics, “I got along without you before I met you, gonna get along without you now?”   This makes me think of my marriage to Mike, but not in the way you may think.  In my life I have been through difficult moments, as we all have, and overcame them all.  I am a strong woman and know I can be alone, because I have been for most of my adult life.  The difference is now I don’t want to.

I hope to never spend one day without Mike.  He would truly do anything for me…and he just proved it!  I decided to take a quick bubble bath (really there is no such thing) while the pecan pie baked.  Much sooner than I anticipated, I smelled browning crust.  I called this man to please check the pie knowing he really doesn’t know what to look for…so he brings the pie to my door!  This may be such a simple thing, but this is what I so appreciate.

Mike calls me every day on his way home to see if I need anything.  He keeps cash in my purse, gas in my car, and most importantly, ice in the freezer.   Tonight as we ate dinner, he said that he didn’t know how I could go in the kitchen and in a short time produce what I do.  Then he added, “You are really kicking some culinary butt tonight!”

He is imperfect for many reasons, but probably less reasons than I am imperfect.  In our flaws, we become almost flawless.  Tonight, I am very grateful for this man I love and who I know loves me.

“The value of a man resides in what he gives, and not in what he is capable of receiving.”    Albert Einstein

November 27

November 28

Thanksgiving was everything you want it to be…and more!  It was a day filled with family, friends, food, football and fun.  There were about 50 people for lunch in the Big Thicket of East Texas.  Food was on every available surface in the house.  Two turkeys, ham, brisket, dressing, sweet potatoes, carrot soufflé, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli and rice casserole, green bean casserole, sautéed green beans, macaroni and cheese, macaroni salad, broccoli salad, cranberry sauce, rolls, iced tea and more appetizers and desserts than you can imagine!

No one left hungry, but the miracle is there were few leftovers.  I had just enough turkey for a kettle of soup on Friday.  It made a nice companion to the other pot that was cooking beside the soup…venison chili!  So my family enjoyed another “eating” day.

As the kids (including my 42 and 38 year old “baby boys”) played football and the rest sat around watching, laughing and talking…I missed my mom and dad.  We were all at the home they built, on the property my grandparents homesteaded many decades ago.  As I breathed in the joy of the day I knew they would have appreciated every moment…I know I did.  For this and more I am humbly grateful.

“Dining with one’s friends and beloved family is certainly one of life’s primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal.” – Julia Child

November 29

I am even more grateful for my family today.  They are so much fun!  Most importantly, I am abundantly appreciative for my daughter.  That girl can clean!!!  She has a gift for cleaning; being both fast and thorough.  The test?  She can clean as fast as I can cook and mess.  Kristie has cleaned behind some of the best including her grandmothers, Aunt June and me.  Love that girl….

November 30

Thankful that I have purchased some Christmas presents and have an idea for many I need to purchase.  (That’s half the battle!)  I love giving gifts and we have a lot to give to! For that I am also grateful.

Dressing (Stuffing) Balls

2 cups cooked and cooled dressing

1 egg

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs seasoned with salt and pepper

Oil for frying

Add about an inch of oil to skillet and heat to 350 degrees. Use scoop and make 2 inch balls of dressing.  Dredge in flour, egg, and then bread crumbs.  Carefully add to oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, turning the balls during the cooking process to ensure even color.    Drain on paper towels.  Serve with leftover gravy or cranberry sauce.

Cook’s Note:  the balls can be deep fried or baked.  To bake: Spray cookie sheet and top of balls with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees, turning after 10 minutes.  Continue baking until golden brown.

Cranberry Sauce…Sauce!

Heat cranberry sauce (homemade or canned) over low heat.  Add Dijon mustard and pepper sauce to taste.  Serve with hot Dressing Balls.