Thanksgiving

The hubby and I were asked to join a friend's family Thanksgiving dinner yesterday.  We had a great time  There were 28 people there! Lots of food and fun.

Our Hostess......love this woman!

After the big meal....

We love their dog too.

 I know holidays can be difficult for some.  When your kids are not able to come home, or your parents are now gone.  This is the first holiday season that both my parents are gone.  The last couple of years has been difficult trying to figure out how to celebrate since my mom was in poor health and hardly able to get out of the assisted living.  But this year, she is gone.  It was nice to have friends that invited us to join their family celebration.

Today I was thinking of my Daddy, who has been gone eight years. He loved anything chocolate.  For years I'd make chocolate pies just for him, and sometimes chocolate fudge cake. So today, I decided to make chocolate pies, in his memory.

Feeling like an orphan today.  I've got so much to be thankful for, but I still miss my parents.

Now, to end on a happy note.  My son celebrated Thanksgiving my submitting his doctoral thesis! I'll share what he posted on Facebook.......

I have a lot to be thankful for this year, but one thing is one of the most significant. This morning, I submitted the fruit of over 3 years' full-time work, my doctoral thesis: "The Gospel of Matthew in a Sixth-Century Manuscript Family: Scribal Habits in the Greek Purple Codices 022, 023 and 042."

Upon submission of a PhD thesis, it is customary at the University of Edinburgh to take a sweet from the sweetie jar. I thought it most appropriate, given the subject of my research, to take a purple lolly.

Our time in Edinburgh has been amazing, and I am deeply thankful for everybody who has been there for us and helped us survive it. One person in particular deserves special mention. I could never have done it without Katie (who took these pictures). Not just taking care of our children and keeping us fed while we're here but I mean her presence in my life. I wouldn't be the person I am now—someone who had the ability to undertake doctoral research—if it weren't for her. For her I am more thankful than for my completed and submitted thesis.

Soli Deo gloria

Rachel McDaniel Haye

Of course, I am one proud momma!

I'd love to hear how you spent Thanksgiving.

Half Marathon and New Recipe

I did the Secret City Half Marathon on Saturday.  It was tough, as usual, but also as usual, so thankful I can do it, and very glad I did.  My friend also ran it, and it was her first half marathon.  She did awesome and finished just ahead of me in 2:37.  My time was 2:39 and I was almost 3 minutes behind her.  She's a natural (and a couple years younger than me).

We finished 10 and 11 out of 16 in our age group.  I had been having a few knee problems, so I knew I wasn't going to PR.  Evidently, I didn't train as I should have, and done more leg lunges to build my legs, which helps the knees. Man, it's tough getting older.  You have more overuse injuries, takes longer to heal, and you invariably get slower with each year...but I am not stopping!

Our pre-race selfie.

And one more at the finish line.

Now, on to the new recipe.  Ok, don't think this is gross, it is incredibly delicious!
Chicken crust Pizza.  It's aaahhhhmazing.  I've been trying to make a really good home made pizza for years.  It seems I never get it just right.  This will be my go to from now on.  And the best part is ---- it is only about 150 calories and 5 carbs per slice. Want the recipe?

Chicken Crust Pizza

Recipe courtesy of Keith McDaniel  11/18.2017

The crust is one can of chicken (12.5 ounces), 1/3 cup of grated parmesan and one egg.

Chop the chicken up really fine and spread it out on parchment paper and bake it for about 8-10 minutes at 350 to help get the moisture out.

Once I take it out of the oven, crank the oven up to about 475. Then mix the chicken with the egg and parmesan. Then put it back on the parchment paper, put another piece of parchment on top and spread it out with a rolling pin, about 10-12 inches in diameter and about ¼” thick.

Bake the crust at 475 for about 8-10 minutes, then take it out of the oven, spread about a 1/4-1/2 cup of pizza sauce on it, add some shredded cheese (mozz or any kind of cheese blend - I usually use a pizza blend), add toppings (onion, green peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes), add some more of the cheese on top and bake it at 475 for another 8-10 minutes. Take it out, let it cool and then slice it.

The entire pizza is only about 20 carbs and is enough for two good servings (4 slices).  Normally one serving is very filling and enough for me (Rachel).

Below is what the crust looked like before I did the first 8-10 minutes in the oven without the toppings.

Then when finished....

It really was delicious when I made it last night, so much so that I made another one for our dinner tonight. You could use fresh chicken I'm sure, and I probably will the next time. I'll just have to decide who to cook it and chop it finely. My brother has lost about 100 pounds on a low carb diet and has all kinds of great recipes.  This one is definitely a winner.

Bread Makin'

Cloudy, rainy, fall day - perfect for a bread makin' day. We had a busy weekend so I was very thankful to have this Monday off work to do whatever.  Haven't made bread in a while, so this morning that was the first thing on my to-do list.

I use the recipe from Allrecipes.com for Simple Whole Wheat Bread.  I've made bread for about 30 years and this is our favorite recipe. I love that it makes three loaves and freezes very well. Great for little gifts too.  It is a heavy, very filling bread, sweetened with honey. Sometimes I'll make six loaves at a time, if I have a few gifts to give, or I want to have plenty for the holidays or special times.

Yes, it does make a mess in the kitchen, but the house smells so yummy when it bakes.

And yes, it takes several hours to make.  Still, it is worth it.  Try it and let me know what you think.

Now, off to do some cleaning, a little decluttering, and maybe I'll make it upstairs to do some sewing. Love my semi-retiree Mondays.

Happy Monday!
Rachel

Ginger Tea

I get a little bored with coffee every morning.   I am not one of those who just love their coffee. I drink it to wake up usually.  Tried something new today.  Ginger tea.

Very easy to make.  Pour boiling water over a 2" piece of ginger root that has been cut into small pieces.  Add a couple slices of lemon and let steep for 10-15 minutes.  Some people add honey or sugar to sweeten it, I didn't need to. Ginger tea is supposed to be good for you for all kinds of reasons - aid in digestion, reduce pain and inflammation, boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, help with nausea.  I was just looking for something different to drink for breakfast. It was pretty yummy with this.....

Sara Lee Artesano bread, almond butter, and apple butter.  Remember that apple butter I made a few weeks ago? Ummmm.....delicious.  Everyone raves about this bread.  It is good, that is if you don't have any homemade bread on hand.