Five more posts of gratitude then on to....

Well ~~ My fantabulous semi homemade Christmas of course!!  I am so very excited for Christmas this year!

I am going to keep these next posts more on the simple side of things. AND speaking of simple, that is what I am thankful for today.

I enjoy and embrace life's simple pleasures. They are all around us we just have to take the time to see them. There is so much hustle and bustle ~ worry and fret....I am a little sad that there are some people feeling down during the most LOVING and GIVING time of the year.

Last year at this time I was in the same boat. Money was tight, there was no Thanksgiving at my house (luckily my awesome SIL invited us to her house) and I was missing my kids being at home for the holidays. I was eventually able to get my attitude adjusted and feel the Joy of the holiday season. It was not an easy process it took some time but, by Christmas I was totally full of the warm squishy feeling in my tummy that this time of year has always given me.  I have adjusted to a quiet and peaceful existence...in fact, I have grown to LOVE it!! I still love the constant confusion when my house is full of little angels under my feet but the difference is that they do go home!! LOL  and I like that they go home.

If you are having a rough time and you're wondering what the heck you're going to do for Christmas...I recommend a homemade Christmas. That's what I did and I can tell you I spent next to nothing and made the gifts I wanted to make, gifts that came straight from my heart. The only thing I wish I would have done differently was started earlier. I waited until 1 week before Christmas to get off my pity pot and get started. It turned out to be one of the most Magical, Beautiful and Wonderful Christmas' I have EVER had!!

What would your Thanksgiving Day feast be without yummy~ummy hot rolls....LOVE THEM!!

Pillow-Soft Dinner Rolls

The dough for these rolls has a nice texture and is simple to shape. The recipe came from an old church cookbook

Original Recipe Yield 24 servings

Ingredients

4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F to 115 degrees F)

2 cups warm milk (110 to 115 degrees F)

6 tablespoons shortening

2 eggs

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

7 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1.In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, shortening, eggs, sugar, salt and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

2.Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes (dough will be sticky). Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

3.Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 24 pieces. Shape each into a roll. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks.