BeautyRevealed | The Blog of Melissa J. Dillon

“He who thanks but with the lips thanks but in part,

The full, the true Thanksgiving comes from the heart.”

- J. A. Shedd

This was Jodie’s second year to host Thanksgiving at his cozy cabin. Last year was so special that we dubbed his house our official Thanksgiving spot from now on… whether he likes it or not! So glad he doesn’t mind. We had such a special time again this year. We were so grateful that Jamie and Angela could be home this year (we get them every other year), and Grandpa Swan was able to be with us again from Alexandria. With a house filled with loving family and wonderful food, we counted our blessings once again and thanked God for His faithfulness in our lives.

My first pie. The crust could’ve been better… but it could’ve been worse! Thankful that it wasn’t worse.

I love Jodie’s woodsy dinnerware… he always sets such an inviting table for Thanksgiving.

Mark and I are especially thankful for our Little One on the way… what a gift from the Lord! We have waited so long for this dream to come true. Our hearts are eternally thankful for God’s goodness to us.

Mom’s beautiful turkey before Daddy takes it away to be carved. It was so yummy.

Another recipe that I will have to post on my blog is this wonderful Orange-Cranberry Bread that Jodie made. He had just pulled it from the oven before we sat down to eat…. ohhhhh, my, we were in heaven! It is going to have to be a Thanksgiving tradition from now on. We also think it would make a wonderful breakfast bread.

I loved this picture of Jamie and Angela… she just looked so cozy and content. We’re so thankful for Jamie and Angela’s union… She’s such a perfect addition to our family.

One of our favorite things to do in between all the preparations is to watch the Dallas Cowboys play every Thanksgiving. And it’s always a bonus when they win!

Having some Wii fun with the siblings.

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving with your loved ones. I am so grateful for all of you… friends, family and so many new acquaintances. Blessings to you during this Holiday season!

“If a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can hear the voice of God.”

- George Washington Carver

So our camping trip took a bit of a hit this year. At the last moment Jamie and Angela were unable to join us due to sickness, and we were trying to think of ways of postponing it so that we could all be together. But alas, with many work schedules to juggle, it wasn’t going to happen… so we decided to swallow our disappointment and go without them.

As it turned out, this may not have been the best year to “break them in” to Northwoods camping, anyway. It was chilly this year! We were bundled up in our winter’s finest and mostly stayed close to the warm fire or played games in the tent when it was rainy or windy. We didn’t even venture out for a hike this year, not wanting to get too far away from the fire! (All except for Jodie, who is the true adventurer in this family. He took daily hikes with Jack).

It was cloudy almost the entire time, which is really hard on picture-taking. But I still tried to get a few to capture the memories of our time at Owen Lake this year. The Northwoods is still gorgeous, no matter what the weather, and it was actually fun to brave the elements for a few days.

Papa, Marmie and Mark cooking around the campfire.

Our favorite meal that we look forward to every year is Jodie’s famous campfire breakfast. Usually we have oatmeal around the campfire for breakfast, but on Saturday mornings he makes us a huge feast. Mmmmm.

We had a little raccoon “friend” this year who so badly wanted to share our food rations with us. He actually unzipped our camp kitchen storage shelf and helped himself to our hamburger buns before Jack woke up to scare him up the tree. The men shooed him away, but our little masked bandit came back every night to try again. I don’t think poor Jack got much sleep out in the wilderness at night, so he took many naps during the day to make up for it. Good Boy, Jack.

Sunday was a bit warmer so Mark and Dad threw around the football a bit… while Jodie grilled up some of the best tasting burgers… ever.

So although we had so much fun this year and felt a sense of accomplishment from surviving the cold, we have decided that for all of our sakes (and our baby’s sake!) we will go earlier next year when it’s warmer. Jamie did confess that he was glad he was home sitting in his cozy easy-chair, while we all were “roughing” it. No excuses next year, Bud… you’re going camping!

“When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be in the kitchen because it was warm,

and that’s where my mother was.”   –  Dolly Parton

This delicious soup is perfect for warming up the kitchen on a fall or winter day:

Mom’s Wild Rice Soup

1 cup of Wild Rice (Rinse really well. Add Wild Rice to 3 cups of boiling water and simmer for about 45 minutes, covered.)

1 Large Onion, 3 Chicken breast, 2 cans of cream of potato soup, 4 cups of milk, 1 package of American cheese slices.

Directions: Add all ingredients together except cheese. Heat on LOW heat and do not let boil as the milk will curdle. When soup is getting hot, add ½ to whole package of American Cheese slices and let melt. (Use as much or as little cheese as tastes good to you. The slices melt the best and won’t cling to the chicken.)

Serve with some yummy fresh baked bread on a cold evening and you will have one happy family! This also freezes well so make a double batch!

“Hold on to your hat! Today is going to be a blustery day.”

- Winnie the Pooh

The winds picked up a couple of days ago and finally blew in some chilly Autumn weather for us. That’s when I get in the mood for baking and making yummy soups to warm us up. Last night we turned on the heat for the first time this season to take the chill off the house, and while Mark watched “The Bourne Supremacy”, I headed to the kitchen to bake Snickerdoodles. I love the smell of fresh baked cookies on a cold evening. We could hear the wind whipping around outside and it felt so snug and warm inside. That’s what home is all about: a place of refuge and safety; a place to surround yourself with all things that make you feel “at home” and cozy; a place where you should feel the most loved and wanted.

After we enjoyed a few warm cookies and milk, I put the rest in the freezer to save them for our camping trip coming up this weekend. Looks like it’s supposed to be chilly (especially at night… brrrrr!!), but that’s the fun of camping in the fall and huddling around the campfire with a cup of cocoa. Next year we’ll have to plan it a little earlier since we’ll have a baby with us~ Ooohh, I can hardly wait!

Here’s a yummy recipe for Snickerdoodles if you don’t already have one:

Snickerdoodles

Cream together:

1½ cups sugar, ½ cup softened butter, ½ cup shortening, and 2 eggs

Sift together and add to above ingredients:

2¾ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tarter.

Shape into 1¼ inch balls. Mix ¼ cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon in a bowl. Roll balls in mixture. Place 2 inches apart  on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes in a 400 degree oven (or until set). Cool. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Today I am making a big pot of my mom’s yummy Wild Rice Soup to take along with us on our camping trip. I’ll try to get the recipe posted before we head out on Thursday. I hope you are all enjoying these Autumn days! Many blessings!

~ Melissa Joy~

Some cute fall things that I cannot afford! But one can dream…

(j.crew)

(anthropologie)

(anthropologie)

“May you have warm words on a cold evening…”

- An Irish Blessing

(Wordle.net)

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”

- Emily Bronte

With such an unseasonable warm September, we have had much less color up north than we normally do. But I’ll take what I can get… I savor these autumn days, even if I wouldn’t mind it a tad cooler and cozier.

Our annual camping trip is coming up the first weekend in October. I can’t wait for a cozy fire, tin mugs, canoe rides, and Jodie’s famous campfire breakfast. It’s one of the things I look forward to the most all year long. Ahhh, very soon.

After having one of the busiest summers I ever remember having, I’ve been looking forward to Autumn tremendously this year. And Fall is definitely in the air. Although it has been warm and sunny, the leaves are beginning to change and there is a certain smell in the breeze that makes me yearn for cozy chilly days around the corner. Mom and I have been visiting the local shops to get some inspiration, and I’ve been taking down all my summer decorations and breezy curtains to make room for cozy Autumn decorations… candles, pumpkins, etc. (Pictures to come one of these days).  I love to light my apple cider and pumpkin pie candles in the evenings and enjoy a little “house warming”.

Tonight I’ve been flipping through cookbooks to find some “comfort food” recipes: soups, hot-dishes, crock-pot creations… and I’m hoping for more apples this year from my neighbor so I can make my favorite Apple Bread again.

The Lord is taking me through some hard things lately, but I’m just so aware of His presence that never leaves me nor forsakes me. He never promised us that life would be easy… in fact, just the opposite. We are told to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials”… not if… “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3) I think at times women can feel like they need to look like we have it all together. That our life is great and perfect in every way. But sometimes life is messy. Sometimes it’s hard. And sometimes the lessons we must go through can bring about pain and suffering. And that’s okay, because everyone experiences the tough stuff at some time or another, and we shouldn’t be in a competition to prove our perfection. Perfection can only be found in Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. So during this last week, I have been drawing on His strength to bring me through.

My devotional from Streams in the Desert today really spoke to me: “Recognize that Unseen Presence… which is so wonderful, quieting, soothing, calming and warming. He is here, close to you, and His Presence is real. Some One is present, and He is a warm-hearted Friend and the all-powerful Lord.”

So really the true “house warming” comes from inviting His Presence to permeate every nook and cranny of our homes. When we allow Him to quiet our hearts amid whatever storm we’re in, and to set us aglow with His love for us once again.

Autumn blessings to all as you enjoy this upcoming cozy season.