Here it is!

I promise, this list is worth reading over. If you have ever wondered what I fancy in life, what makes me tick, and things I enjoy... it's probably on this list. My thought process is slightly skewed (see #59) as these lovely ladies do not fall under #24 or #48 in any real sense. But, most of the time I don't make sense, so there you go.

Enjoy! Have a blessed holiday!

Ricci’s Ultimate List of Things and/or People I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving (in some random thought process order with some things undoubtedly left off)
1. Salvation
2. Josh (see baby, ultimately, you’re second!)
3. Internet blogs
4. Crafts
5. Family (All inclusive)
6. Madden’s Crème Brule - This Crème Brule is seriously the best dessert I’ve ever tried. On my list of things I’m happy for, this falls third to Salvation and YouTube. This ranking once got me in trouble with Josh, as he was not present. I had to inform him PEOPLE fall under a different list, to which he is next to Jesus, naturally.
7. Maddens desert menu in general
8. Living Hope & everyone there
9. Sweet tea
10. Jesus - Should I worry that he’s behind sweet tea? Salvation is first, and he was kinda involved with that, so I’m pretty sure he’ll understand.
11. Photos
12. Pandora Radio
13. iTunes
14. Books on Tape - Currently, this is all my iPod houses, with the exception of Journey, The Killers, and a MST3K movie. I sit at a desk for hours a day, and have taken to listening to these as opposed to the radio. Surprisingly, they have yet to cause me to type the words from the book instead of the letter I’m drafting.
15. Etsy
16. Designer Fabric
17. White Citrus AntiBac Hand Gel
18. Penguins
19. Lavender Soda
20. Big Boy the Cat (so I can make fun of him)- Big Boy belongs to Miss Willow, which is her blogging name. I love him. He’s the size of a black bear cub and is often the butt of my jokes concerning large, obese pets. He’s huge, but super soft and his mommy loves him so I love him.
21. Grimm
22. Christmas Decorations
23. Good paper
24. Garmin
25. Nivea Chapstick - I originally met Nivea under the European label Labello. It’s the best chapstick ever. The end.
26. Photoshop - Do I need to explain this?
27. Our House
28. Working Vehicles
29. Good books
30. Missions
31. Prayer
32. Digital Scrapbooking
33. Food
34. Netflix
35. My college degree
36. Cashmere Lotion
37. Boy candles
38. Scent Chips
39. My sewing machine
40. Larry J. Ringer Library
41. Good products for good causes - (www.ssekodesigns.com)I’m a fan of anything that gives back in some way. For all the time I’ve been away, a good part of my Austin-ish remains. I love fair trade, handmade things from across the pond. Sseko shoes are my new favorite. As I write this, I hope to own a pair soon. The shoes are made by 3 girls in Uganda who use the proceeds to go to University. Sweet.
42. My job
43. Salt & Vinegar chips
44. Chocolate
45. Hobby Lobby
46. Post Its
47. Window Mistreatments
48. My pocket knife
49. The children’s book section at Barnes & Noble
50. Pilot Precise Gel 07 Pens in Blue
51. Paper Crafts
52. Poppy Photos
53. San Antonio - More specifically, the time I spent in San Antonio with my husband on our honeymoon. It was wonderful and I’m going back soon. Just not sure how soon. If you would like to donate a night at Riverwalk Vista Inn, please feel free.
54. My iPod
55. Kleenex with Vicks
56. Hot Tea
57. Splenda
58. Paper Source
59. Lauren & Courtney (you are much higher than most of these in real life)
60. Post its…again.- Seriously, I cannot get enough of these handy scraps of paper. I have an affinity for the large Post It pads, they’re just neat.
61. Music
62. People who adopt - With November being National Adoption Month, I’m reminded of how thankful I am that Josh and I have been able to spend time with families who have adopted. These people and discussions have been priceless for as we ask questions and learn more the process, both domestically and internationally, as we know adoption will be a part of our family someday. We believe that, for us, being pro-life is so much more than just saying you don’t agree with abortion, but that you’re willing to go that next step and take a child who isn’t wanted or cannot be cared for by their biological parents. My heart has been so broken for these children and so encouraged during talks with families who have adopted and is something I am so thankful for.
63. Leggings
64. A clean house
65. Pumpkin pie
66. Iced mochas from McDonalds
67. My Kitchen Aid Mixer
68. Celery Salt - Have you ever eaten this? It tastes good on EVERYTHING! Pizza, gumbo, hotdogs…
69. The Godfather Trilogy (and the music that is on it)
70. Dates with Josh

Abandon // The Big Day

Lets cover some ground work, ok?

I love lists. I could list reasons why I love lists. They're just so handy. However, this post is not about why I love lists, it's more about two that I'm working on right now.

I've decided that typing up a million different posts about things I'm thankful for just isn't my style. Instead, I'm knee deep in my ULTIMATE thankful list. It will debut Thanksgiving day and include anything I am thankful for. I will choose to highlight a handful of them. Just so you know, I'm thankful for a lot of things. Some are silly, some are serious, but they all hold a special place in my heart.

-------

Next, my birthday is coming up. I'm trying to decide what I should do for the not-so-special-but-special-for-me day. There are a couple of different ideas, but I'm not sure which one to do. So, I need some help compiling a LIST of things to possibly do. After the list is completed, I'll make a smaller list and have people vote for what to do.

What Should Ricci Do For Her Birthday?

1. Out to dinner with Josh

2. Winter Time Birthday Bash (Chili, Hot Cocoa, and Birthday Cake)

3. Something else that you suggest

Well, get to listing!

This Weekend, I'm Thankful For...

Learning to embed videos so I can share these!

First, to Lauren & Courtney... was this us times 3?



Second, I always thought Taylor Swift was funny. I cried while watching this, mostly because I loathe anything Twilight... unless you're making fun of it.

About Music (and me showing off how I learned to embed videos!)

1st: Why is is so hard to find videos for Christian music that aren't cheese-yyyyy? I am not particularly inspired by dolphins swimming and cloud beams with flashing gold words behind songs. I get distracted. The end.

Have you heard this song? It's probably old and I'm way behind.
We sang it at church last week. (The girl who led it rocked it. Like... way legit.)

Actually, our church liked it so much, we sang it twice. That's just how we roll.

Turkey Taco Burgers

I stumbled on a recipe tonight while trying to cook something quick and it tasted really good! You can serve them as burgers, but we just had them topped with sour cream, salsa, and cheddar cheese.

1 Packet Taco Seasoning
2 Tbs. Salsa (We used Hot)
1.2 lbs. 85/15 Ground Turkey (We use Honeysuckle White 100% Natural)

Sour Cream
Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Homemade Salsa
Tortilla chips, crushed

Mix together first three ingredients. Form 4 patties. On hot grill, place burgers and flip until cooked through.

Place burger on plate. Top with sour cream, cheddar cheese, salsa, and crushed chips. Enjoy!

This would have been great with a small salad on the side. Healthy, tasty, and void of all the carbs, mayo, and sugar from ketchup in a regular burger. Not that I mind a good hamburger, this was just a great alternative we found.

The Who, The Dog, and Vicks

Today I am thankful for my husband. Without him I would not have the pleasure of listening to a person singing Journey and The Who (rather loudly) to our dog while cleaning the kitchen.

I am also thankful for Puffs tissues with Vicks, as they give me something good to smell while I'm launching snot. Yum! :/

I Am Also Thankful For Miracles!

Stellan is SVT free tonight, tomorrow, and most likely forever!

Praise God.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11