This week...a time to keep....

During this week of preparation...we find ourselves preparing for this most wonderful of American holidays...Thanksgiving. As the tradition in our family goes...the Gorecki's will be traveling around sharing meals and yummy desserts with lots of extended family on both sides...enjoying grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins from near and far....and giving thanks that God chose to make us all "family".  There are so many things we are grateful for and we are careful to remember to give thanks every day...not just on Thanksgiving. But, as we are hustling and bustling, I am trying to be aware of the need to rest in the Lord...to slow down, to snuggle and talk and make memories that don't involve involve hustling and bustling...so with that in mind as we cook and bake this week, get ready for a special baby shower and then prepare to start Advent (a very special, joyous time of preparation here) below are some of the books we'll enjoy reading aloud....snuggling under blankets....a fire lit....and counting our blessings.  May you have a joyous week filled with thanksgivings! ~Sue~

This moment...

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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Joining in this Friday Ritual over at SouleMama....no words...for me....just a peaceful photo thought of 2 little best friends.....Have a blessed weekend!  ~Sue~

Inspirational dinner....

After praying about 'stretching' groceries even more...and praying about what to have for dinner that would be warm, filling, healthy...and I already had the ingredients for...I found this recipe today!  So THIS is what's for dinner!  Perfect!  Go to Family Balance Sheet for the recipe for italian sausage white bean kale soup!  (with some GF garlic bread with parmesean cheese....perfect warm, filling dinner! ~Sue~

Heritage Field Trip Fun!

Our family has a membership to the Heinz History Center...a wonderful museum affliated with the Smithsonian.  This weekend, we enjoyed a whole day wondering around the wonderful old building that used to be the Chautauqua Ice House.  It was Heritage Day.  The above photo is of the Slovakian dancers.  I, particularly, was touched by this group as they sang and danced to all the songs that my grandmother loved and I shared with her long ago.  Baba would have loved this!  Some of the people are the same as when Gram and I used to go see them perform many years ago.

Anna loved learning the art of making Slovenian lace...getting the hang of the rhythm  of crossing the bobbins in the right order.  She asked if she could have one of these at home!  (I'm not sure, but I think they may be pretty expensive)

These gorgeous Slovenian easter eggs were so beautiful!  I have a friend who does this art and am hoping to learn over the winter.

Ronnie had such a great time talking with these gentlemen....one from Scotland and one from Wales.  Discussing the legends of King Arthur and the areas he most likely would have been from fascinates Ronnie right now.  He and one gentleman had both watched the same documentary and enjoyed discussing it together.

Anna loves herbs and really enjoyed making her own sachet filled with lavender, rose hips, orange peel and chamomile.

taking a break from a lot of walking on 5 floors of the museum. (typical Sara....performing!)

A new exhibit that we hadn't seen yet, that is loaned by the Smithsonian is the  History of the American Flag.  Very cool exhibit!  So many authentic flags from the 1700's, 1800's, both Confederate and Union flags...along with World War II flags and memorabilia...all the way thru the 60's and 70's and a large display from 9/11 as well.  Very beautiful, humbling, educational tribute to the symbol of our great country.

My little readers read everything...and they also had a lot of hands on displays for the children including the proper way to fold a flag.

While the guys went to the Steelers and Penquin sports museum, the girls and I toured thru the Heinz exhibit...one of my favorite spots! (and the girls, too!)

Anna's advertising campaign for Heinz Spagetti! 

One of the kids favorite things to do is pack the pickle jars!  As Anna is now into helping me do anything I'm doing, including canning pickles, she had fun packing pickles at Heinz!

We enjoy educational field trips, but we really enjoy them when we can do them as a family.  What a wonderful day we had!  Finished it off by coming home to a delicious dinner, and watching the Duggar family start their tour of Europe...the kids were mesmerized by life in Scotland and Ireland...the castles, the farms the highland games....This is one family field trip memorie that will always be special to me!  ~Sue~

Yarn Along....

Joining with Ginny for her weekly Yarn Along...sharing my 2 favorite things...yarn and books!  This week, I crocheted a hat and booties for a special cousin expecting her first baby and am working on finishing the baby afghan before the shower, the day after Thanksgiving.  Working with 2 strands should get it done quickly.  Am reading many books, but thought I would mention this one (before I need to return it to the library)  Paleo Comfort Foods is a great cookbook!  For anyone learning about low carb/no carb healthy living, this book has many recipes and advice to make what feels like "normal" food healthier.  Check out more yarn and book goodness over at Small Things today!

Princess Party!

My littlest girl...my sweet Anna!  She said her 7th birthday has been her best birthday ever! LOL  This year, for the first time we had a "friend party" for her and she chose a princess theme.

The girls all dressed up in their princess finery...decorated picture frames (glitter glue takes a LONG time to dry! LOL), beaded necklaces and bracelets, played Twister, musical chairs, Bingo and danced all over the livingroom...and last but not least...decorated their own purple princess cupcakes that my oldest daughter, Meghan, had made for them.

What a very special birthday Anna Lydia had!  She had some wonderful little friends and made some very special memories!

I feel as if I need to "catch up" over the past 9 months and journal some updates on all the children and memories I don't want to forget....so look for some photo journaling catching up with our family coming soon.   As my children are growing up so very quickly, I don't want to miss a thing!  ~Sue~

Silver Lining...

Oh, how I love this quote!  I've always been an optimist...always loved 'Pollyanna', but since my  illnesses have progressed over the years, it's been harder and harder on some days to count my blessings and look for the silver lining.   I've recently discovered a very special blog.

Sara Gitzen has written a blog that has blessed hundreds and hundreds of people!  Her blog, Choose Joy, does just that...reminds us to CHOOSE joy.

The link above will take you to Choose Joy and a post about not missing the silver lining because you are expecting gold.  Sara wrote from the unique perspective of someone who has suffered from a very painful, debilitating ,chronic illness.  Sara has recently passed away due to complications from her disease...which, to me, makes her thoughts even more poignant and meaningful.   As I read thru more and more of Sara's writings....oh, how I am blessed!  As she is now dancing on streets of gold...I pray that she knows....knows how very much the Lord has used her to bless countless others who are suffering from chronic illness and/or pain ..but there are so many more lessons to be learned here.  I encourage you all to read this particular post of Sara's...and if you have some time....scroll thru and read more...you will be blessed!  ~Sue~ 

Some daily grace....

One of the many books that have blessed me is the daily devotional 'Streams in the Desert'.  This little book has ministered to me so very, very much over the years and I've shared it with many people.  From time to time, I'll be sharing some parts of this special little book with you as well as my thoughts....below, is some amazing grace...that came at a much needed time.  May you be filled with peace that passes all understanding...the peace that only Jesus can give.

Something that I didn't talk about much on this blog before I took my hiatus, was afflictions...specifically Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia...the 2 chronic illnesses that I have.  I never wanted those to consume me, to define me...I didn't want to fall into the trap of self-pity...but honestly, they are a big part of who I am...they touch every part of my life.

The sleepness nights...the daily bone-weary exhaustion...the heaviness of my limbs...sometimes it is hard to hold my head up.  The weakness (dropping lots of things...or falling frequently)...the pain...the swelling of joints...muscle and joint pain...lots of medications (and subsequent side effects ) it has become just a part of my everyday life and my families' lives.

It took me a long time to come to accept that this was my cross....and to count my blessings in spite of it.  But God is ever faithful...He is so faithful to lead and guide...to comfort...and to gently re-focus me on His goodness and the many blessings in my life.

He uses my little book...along with His Word to focus me...to remind me...to uplift and encourage me...and today, I want to share a little bit of what He has been telling me...what I am continuously contemplating as I go about my days.

"An affliction hits a believer never by chance but by God's divine direction.  It is not only the grace of God, but also His glory that is revealed when a believer can stand and quietly endure an affliction."  Joseph Caryl

" It is thru our trials and afflictions that God gives us fresh revelations of Himself."  Nathaniel William Taylor

"If you have been praying to know more of Christ,  do not be surprised if He leads you thru the desert or through a furnace of pain.  I cannot explain exactly how we are able to receive the power to serve and to endure thru communion  with God, but I know it is a fact.  Are you in danger of being crushed by a heavy and difficult trial?    Then seek communion with Christ and you will receive strength and the power  to be victorious, for God has promised  "I will strengthen you"  (Isa. 41:10)  Steams in the Desert

If you would like more encouragment...please read the posts at http://refined-redeemed.blogspot.com/  Refined As Gold, one of the blogs of my daughter, Meghan and her dear friend, Shannon....I'll be posting over there occasionally as well....as we are all being 'refined as gold'.  ~Sue~