Thanksgiving in Michigan

Well, it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving if we didn't stop and reflect on the things we are thankful for today. I personally am always so thankful for my husband and my children. They make my life so full and complete. I can't imagine life without them. I'm thankful for a warm, comfortable home and health and jobs to pay for those things we need and the little specialties we enjoy - like mochas from Barnes and Noble! LOL! I'm thankful for good friends, both near and far - and thankful for reasonably good health. I'm thankful for sweet potatoes - my favorite! And I'm thankful that they now ship them up North from south. In addition, I'm thankful for Jesus Christ, my Lord and savior.

This year, Ron's sister, mom, dad, nephews and his sister's fiance are joining us for dinner. This has been an annual tradition for many years. It is a great time to share our lives and just be together. Ron's mom's health is still good enough for her to be with us and for that, we are especially thankful.

So this year, remember your blessings and enjoy this journey that we call life.

 After dinner dessert: Jess, Kate and Ron

Grandpa and Aunt Janet (Ron's sister)

Boys watching football.

Jane Austen Center - Pink Saturday

Here are a few pictures from our visit to Bath and the Jane Austen Center this past summer.

"It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies, could they be made to understand how little the heart of a man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire... Woman is fine for her own satisfaction alone. No man will admire her the more, no woman will like her the better for it. Neatness and fashion are enough for the former, and a something of shabbiness or impropriety will be most endearing to the latter."
— Jane Austen (Northanger Abbey)

Thanks to Beverly over at How Sweet the Sound for sponsoring Pink Saturday. Head over to find more Pink Saturday links and visit some awesome bloggers.

Trick or Treat - Smell my Feet

This year there was quite a gang over here that went out trick or treating. The weather was unseasonably nice. The girls gathered here and painted faces, while the guys got into their costumes. We adults sat around and drank wonderful French press coffee and caught up on our lives. There seems to be so little time for that any more. But here are the pictures just before the crew went out.

Here are the girls - mine is on the right.

And here is the girl in the newspaper dress. Quite creative, don't you think?

And here is the entire crew.

We had lots of goodies, homemade chili, fresh salsa, hot apple cider, chai, cookies and more.  It has been an annual Leng tradition for many years. Nowadays, we have - let's see - 11 chaperones and one bonafide trick or treater.