a recipe so easy, even i can remember it...

(adapted from everyday foods november 2006... no plagiarism here- this time)

cranberry-grape compote


Rinse 1 12 oz. pack fresh cranberries and 3 c seedless red grapes, then dump them into a large saucepan. (3 qt. worked great for me). Add 1 c sugar and 1/2 c water (i actually added closer to 1 c). Bring contents to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until mmost of the cranberries have popped and grapes are falling apart. Remove from heat and add 1/8 tsp salt, stir in. Let cool to room temp before sticking in the fridge. (keeps up to 2 weeks in a sealed container). serve at room temp.

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why i'm thankful

at the moment, i'm most thankful my family didn't shoot me for showing up for thanksgiving when i really should have been home in bed. i justified it by saying i'd been on antibiotics and shouldn't be contagious, but still.

i'm thankful for the delicious meal that my mom so lovingly prepared for us, as she always does. yummy roasted turkey, stuffing with or without mushrooms (your choice, although Eaglet gave her "permission" to no longer make separate stuffing without mushrooms for the first time in 30-something years. not that she needed permission from her son.) italian-style green beans with a yummy onion cream sauce to put over it. rolls, sweet potatoes, mahed potatoes and gravy. nobody's gravy beats my mom's, it's always the best. fruit salad. my contribution: cran-grape compote. for dessert, we had 3 choices: pumkin chiffon pie, cherry cheesecake, or key lime pie. she also had a veggie and cheese, cracker and nut tray for us to munch on while we waited for the meal. she always over-does it when it comes to cooking, but we love her and appreciate it. oh, and i have to add the dressing is not the same as stuffing, and should not ever be considered a substitute, though i often is here in the south.

i'm thankful for my loving hubby who lets me be me and is so good at taking care of baby bear. he even through tonight's supper into the crock pot (with my guidance). otherwise we might be eating eggs and toast for supper. well, he'd be eating eggs and toast. i'd probably eat ramen noodles.

i'm thankful baby bear is napping or playing quietly in her crib while her daddy is at the gym and mommy is in bed, typing on the laptop.

i'm thankful for my family and friends, all of whom God has put into my life for a reason. sometime friends have been around a long time, family is stuck with me no matter what, other friends are new. the seasons we are together my be long or short, but they are all gifts.

i'm thankful for the gift of life and a doctor's office that i trust to help me make good decisions about my family's health.

i'm thankful for grace. not just my new online friend, but God's grace. there was a time i thought it meant God's riches at Christ's expense (thanks to a few trite sermons, no doubt), now i know it is so much more.

i'm thankful it's not 20 below outside, although 70 is still a bit odd for november. i'm with grace; i don't think i'm truly a southern girl, though i've been here for almost half my life. i miss distinct seasons.

i'm thankful for our home and good neighbors, and that our streets are paved after 3 1/2 years in this subdivision. the slalom course around manhole covers was no fun. while it's often easy to get caught up in the chaos of suburban life and not get to know neighbors, we have been blessed by people who have sought us out and become friends.

there's not rhyme or reason to my list, and there are many more things i could add. but that's all for now.