Majesty

Cozy

the storm

morning after the storm

holly berries 

our drive down the mountain

Our friends invited us back in June to go to Lake Tahoe with them over December.  But because of the packing and unpacking of our lives for five months we decided it wouldn't be the best time.  Yet when they asked us again four days before they were leaving the spontaneous species that Michael is could not say no.  After rearranging some plans and Michael looking over his work and school responsibilities we decided why not go to Tahoe when the first storm of the season rolls in.   Warm fires, Good Earth Tea, scrabble, weight machines, sleds and tubes, snow boots and mittens, and of course an all you  can eat sushi dinner occupied our attention for the five days.   We are grateful for their friendship and love that we share the common bond of Jesus.

Tahoe snowed over 2ft while we were there and in the evenings would drop down to the single digits.   The heater was cranked to 70 degrees the whole time and I would have to look outside to remind myself where we were.  Being surrounded by snow capped peaks and forests satisfied my reverent heart towards the King and it seemed like all else slipped away amidst the white wonder.  Praise Him for his creation! 

Thanksgiving

Homemade Stuffin

The Cooks

Buffet Line

Dried Cranberry Sausage Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, Mash potatoes, Yams

Turkey Secret: Cook it with the breast down so the white meat is more moist

Dining 

Last Day at Gopher Glen

the branch was longer than him! 

Stanley, our special thanksgiving guest

Michael, Mom, & Dad in Avila 

Traditionally thanksgiving is celebrated on Thursday, as a student you love the fact this  means more days off and more free time with friends.  As I have grown older I have began to appreciate more quality time with family, maybe it is the mere distance that makes me press into our short lived hours together as well as the paradigm shift from 'its all about me' as a teenager to the reality of my parents as humans having needs and desires just as I do.  Thanksgiving came to us this year in Shell Beach, which has always been a little dream of mine to host the family holiday, cooking and decorating to create the perfect cozy atmosphere.  Both sets of our parents came up from So Cal, but unfortunately the Paine's were sick the whole weekend so they didn't fully get to enjoy the holiday:( We were glad you were here though! We spent a lot of time enjoying the outdoors on several walks nestled in the oaks and along the beach.  We had dessert around the bond fire on our patio and watched Stanley as the entertainment while he got into mischief.  My goal was to cook everything from scratch and not be in the kitchen all day on Saturday.  With my moms help we managed 4 1/2 hours in the kitchen and I have to say I was very proud of the end result.  Sharing our thankful hearts this past year with over stuffed bellies ended the evening on a good note! 

If you are interested in any of the recipes I used, go to Real Simple Thanksgiving Recipes.   Looking forward to another Paine-Devlin Holiday!