I conquered the roll!

Well, I may never make one again, but this Thanksgiving I threw on the ole apron (not really) and made my first pumpkin roll! From scratch! No joke.

It's so yummy, I may have to through it out tomorrow to keep me from eating the entire thing.

No really, I've almost eaten the entire thing myself. I also made an apple dump cake! Couple that with a little Blue Bell, and suddenly you have heaven on earth. We sure had a nice Thanksgiving at my parent's house today.

I hope you had a wonderful day as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

Look at that swirl. Just like a pro.

Elia discovered her new love for powdered sugar!

Nana told her it was snow. And she believed her!

There's the apple dump cake on the right. Nana's pecan pie is there, too.
Can't say it's there now, though!
You can imagine Elia was zipping around the house after her time at the dessert table!

So Very Thankful For Days Like This

This was by far one of the BEST spontaneous trips we've taken yet. Elia purchased Christmas coloring books and donated them to the Children's Medical Center.

She totally understands that some children will be in the hospital for the holidays and said this was going to "cheer them up". I sure hope so.

(Please don't submit the Sainthood application yet...my 3 year old wanted to make sure that we didn't donate her glitter that she'd just purchased along with the coloring books! I mean a girl has to draw the line somewhere!)

The hospital has an impressive two story train exhibit that you can tour for free!

This hospital is most impressive in both presentation and the care they provide.

There's even a waterfall!

Back in the car for more adventures in Dallas. We stumbled upon the BEST Mexican restaurant on Main Street and stopped for lunch.

This is 1/2 of my $8 lunch STEAL (Scarfed down half the grilled veggie wrap and tortilla soup before I remembered to take a picture!)!

Next stop, the original Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas for a look at their annual Christmas window display. It's a 'cosmic' Christmas at Neiman's this year! I'm not sure what this look is on Elia's face, but it looks oddly familiar (um, like a look I can give!!)!!

Is this not the picture of child-like innocence at Christmas?

Even I can get a bit overwhelmed at all there is to see here!

This year's Neiman Marcus Tree? A Rocket Ship, of course.

Oh yes we sure did buy one of the best cookies on the planet! The was seconds before I grabbed the sucker out of her hand in time for her to CRASH for the ride home. She was worn out.

What perfect day isn't complete without a trip to a new park in town?
What a fantastic, spontaneous, memorable day.
I'm truly thankful.

Elia's Thanksgiving Center Piece

Well, the Christmas decor is forced upon us so early again this year in every store you enter. But Thanksgiving is one of my all-time favorite holidays. So we are waiting (although my restraint is difficult!) to put up our Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving.

Elia helped create our Thanksgiving center piece this year. She chose a few fall leaves (yes, 80% off at Hobby Lobby, thank you very much) and then put her glitter-painted oak leaves she (stole) found in Nana and Poppy's yard in Bella Vista. They are huge, and her glitter actually makes them even more festive!

The artist hard at work (obviously after a bath, and yes, we wear boy pj's. So what?!)

The finished piece of art. This leaf is as big as Elia's face!! They are huge!

This is an antique German dough bowl my mom and I found at a 6 county-wide antique/flea market sale one year!

We've always collected the twine and wooden decorative balls, so we just embellished what we already had. Does that mean we're "going green"???

The large oak leaves are the real ones that Elia painted. She had so much fun!

In Loving Memory of the Best Dog in the World

Sweet Big

She was a member of our family!

Most of the time she just wanted to be left alone so she could sleep!

12 years of unconditional love. I love you, miss you, and want to hug you just one last time. You were by my side during the good, the bad, and the ugly. You were a constant in my life.

You were pure love.

You talked to us in the scruffy voice that I can almost hear now. You sprawled out on my clean carpet and rolled around to scratch your back. You slept with one paw straight up in the air! You tolerated change, but let me know you were displeased with your grunts and your moans. Oh to hear those just once more. You loved cheese, and snapping your teeth at the water from the water hose. You didn't like to get your feet wet...or dirty.

You just wanted to be near us, and be loved. And love in return.

You were wonderful and I love you so much.