rachel in raleigh

Not often will I post blog posts quite like this one – But this is monumental. Take part in a significant stand for the sanctify of life, for the dignity of marriage, and the rights of conscience and religious liberty. - Rachel

Click the picture to sign the declaration and to see who else has signed it, too.

The Manhattan Declaration

1. For the Lord, who is My Maker, Savior, Sustainer, and Redeemer – He is my life! Though Scripture promises suffering, it also proclaims that Jesus, for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross and died for us, has overcome the world!

2. For a husband who openly, honestly, beautifully loves me every day, in the simple, small ways and in the grand, out of this world ways.

3. For my precious family – full of fun, flaws, and fabulous personalities and stories to tell around the table, after our tummies are full and our hearts are happy.

4. For a great church home, that while not perfect, and really despite itself, the Lord continues to keep His gracious hand on, grow and bless, and the people are so open and loving.

5. For the greatest place on the fallen earth to live – Raleigh, North Carolina – the people, places, and things give me little glimpses of the coming greater reality.

6. For the color blue – peaceful, pleasing, and perfect.

7. For yummy food and great restaurants, one way that I can taste and see the Lord is good!

8. For music, which lets me eavesdrop into heaven’s angels praising the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

9. For sparkles and sprinkles and ornaments, jewelry, and dishes that shine.

10. For friends, who love me even though they know me, and still want to get together for a good cup of coffee and even better conversation.

Praise Him from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Amen!!

Every family has the way they cook their turkey, the decision to make between stuffing or dressing, and whether nor not this year they would rather have traditional pumpkin pie or some new, fancy pumpkin dessert.

I am apart of what I think is hands down the best Thanksgiving family celebration there is to have! We have already gotten together once – and we will get together again on Thursday!

Let me share with you two of my family’s favorite recipes : Broccoli Casserole and Cranberry Relish Treats

Broccoli Casserole

*Day to day, I am not a big casserole fan. But for family get togethers, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, casseroles are the ultimate comfort food*

4 10 oz. package chopped broccoli
2 can mushroom soup
1 cup mayonnaise
4 eggs, beaten
4 tsp minced onion
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Topping – 2 sticks of butter, melted, and mix with one box of crushed Cheez Nips

Cook broccoli five minutes, drain, mix all ingredients and pour into 9×13 pan.
Add topping over casserole.
Cook 350 degrees for thirty minutes.

Cranberry Relish Treats

* I am making this recipe, which I received from a very special lady, for the first time this year for my family, so it isn’t yet a family favorite, but after Thursday, I am sure, if I do not burn it, it will be the favorite dessert (besides my sister’s BEST EVER Pecan Pie)!*

1 package yellow yellow cake mix, set aside one cup for the topping
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1 jar cranberry relish (Williams-Sonoma or your grocer’s deli)
1 tablespoon flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Reserve 1 cup of cake mix for later.  Combine the remaining mix with the melted butter and one egg in a bowl.
Press this mixture into the bottom of a 9″x13″ pan.
Spread cranberry relish over cake mixture in pan.
Stir the reserved cup of cake mix with the flour, sugar and softened butter.  Mix together until crumbly. Sprinkle over top of cranberry layer.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool and cut into 2″ squares.

With all of the family recipes and yummy food served at the Family Thanksgiving Dinner, the sweet Lord and His gift to us of faithful family and good friends is the most important part of Thanksgiving!

{ PS :: Check back for pictures later today; I need my precious husband Tyler to help me upload them from our little camera }