Being Thankful During Difficult Times

Our journey with this blog began over Thanksgiving 4 years ago, so I thought this week would be a great time to try again.

Every November people begin making lists of everything they are thankful for.  It occupies your Facebook newsfeed, it inspires self-awareness and discovery. 

I have had some many great, life-changing events happen in the month of November. 
November 13, 2004- Met Brian
November 26, 2004- First Date with Brian
November 24, 2005- Met Brian's family during Thanksgiving dinner
November 20, 2007- Closed on our first house
November 22, 2012- Found out we were being blessed with an Aubrey (Thanksgiving Day)

Even with all the great things that have happened to us in November, it is still a month I struggle through.  The one date that takes the most significance in my life is November 19, 2010; the day we heard "your child has cancer".  The year Liam spent his first Thanksgiving in the hospital. 

So through all this I work to tell myself- I am thankful for my home.  I am thankful for my family.  I am thankful for all the experiences this life has offered me.

Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

I know Thanksgiving was last week and November is over, but I miss it already.  Thanksgiving is so special to us at the Fudge house!  2004-Brian and I went on our first date the day after Thanksgiving.  2005-I spent Thanksgiving with him the next year and met his whole family.  2006-Then we moved to Carolina and my parents came to visit us for Thanksgiving.  2007-We closed on our house the day before Thanksgiving. 2008- Brian's Family started joining up for Thanksgiving also.  2009- We announced the name we chose for Baby Fudge (William Alexander Fudge)

 

Then we took a bit of a dip in 2010 with Liam's cancer diagnosis. I still wasn't over the stress of that in 2011 and had a hard time relaxing and enjoying Thanksgiving, so in 2012 we went on a cruise, for me it was a way to celebrate Liam and all he went through.

.

But we were missing my parents, they had to cancel last minute when they found out my dads cancer was back.

 

This year I was happy to return to our traditions of Thanksgiving and just celebrate being with the family we had there.  And of course part of the tradition of Thanksgiving includes food!

 





 

Woman (my mom) has been making a special pumpkin pie since the '90s, 1992 to be exact.  And what recipe could be better than one that came out of a random magazine



and this is still how we follow the recipe today.

Here's what you need


4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon of milk or half-and-half
1 tablespoon of sugar
11/2 cups thawed coolwhip, whipped topping
1 Graham cracker pie crust
1 cup milk or half-and-half
2 packages or 4-serving  Jell-O vanilla flavor
1 can pumpkin (not the pie mix I accidently pictured!)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves



Directions:

• mix cream cheese, milk and sugar in a large bowl until smooth.  Gently stir in whipped topping.  Spread on bottom of the crust.
• Pour 1 cup milk (or half-and-half) into the bowl, add pudding mix and blend well.  Mixture will be thick.
• Stir in Pumpkin and spices, mix well.  Spread over cream cheese layer. 
• Refrigerate at least 3 hours

What's your unique Thanksgiving recipe?